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A motorized boat, which is used to ferry tourists, sails by some of the islets of Britania group of Islands in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. Britania group of Islands, the municipality’s most popular destination, is flock by hundreds of tourists daily after it was reopen to the public. Edge Davao
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NEWS
President Rodrigo Duterte authorizes the Finance department to enter into talks with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a possible P39 million meant to assist the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) digital transformation program. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
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Solon ‘Way Kurat’ confirms he tested positive for Covid-19
Davao has enough storage facilities for Covid-19 vaccines By MAYA M. PADILLO
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he availability of cold storage facilities in Davao Region for the safe storage of Covid-19 vaccines, once available, has been guaranteed. "Our (Davao Region) capacity po sa most of our LGUs are the two to eight degrees centigrade (cold storage) facilities. Naa pud ta ubang mga partners nga naay cold room storage nga -25 degrees centigrade,” said Dr. Janis Olavides, vaccination team leader for Covid-19 Vaccination Pro-
gram, in a virtual presser on Wednesday. Olavides said the team is also looking for ways if Davao Region still has the capacity to accommodate low-freezing temperature for other vaccines as well. The national government is now preparing for the arrival of the vaccines
by conducting inspections to several cold storage facilities. The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is confident that the vaccines will be properly stored and handled as soon as they arrive. The government also secured cold storage facilities across the three different temperature ranges from +2 to +8, the -30 and then the -70 to -80 degrees centigrade temperature cold storage facilities. Olavides emphasized that the goal of the vaccination program is to reduce the mortality and morbidity rate of Covid-19 in Davao Region.
"The overall goal for this campaign is that we will reduce the mortality and morbidity caused by Covid-19. And the vision is that all Filipinos will be vaccinated with Covid-19 by the year 2022. Currently, we are already updated from the central, our National Task Force for Covid-19, with regards to the immunization project. Sa lahat ng mga LGUs and all implementing units, and parties and stakeholders,” she said. She also said that until the end of January 2021, her team will be ready in case the vaccine will be available and ready in the country.
ongressman Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora of the first district of Davao de Oro confirmed he tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement, Zamora revealed that he has been in quarantine since January 17, 2021. “While self-isolating, I am getting supportive treatment. I feel relatively okey and remain in contact with my doctors. Your prayers and wishes for my recovery would really help me bear this ordeal,” the veteran politician said in the statement. Zamora also requested that those who have come in contact with him to also self-quarantine, and to report to the local health office for monitoring. He also appealed to continue to observe health protocols such as wearing of masks, face shields and frequent
handwashing. He assured that his office is always open for all those who need his assistance and services. Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office Davao de Oro District Office has suspended operation due to possible exposure to Covid-19 positive among its employees. In a memorandum signed by Neil Canedo, regional director of LTO and issued on January 19, 2020, it directed all its DDO DO personnel to immediately suspend work to udnergo self-quarantine after posisble exposure to Covid-19 positive utility worker. The said office will resume its operation on February 1, 2021 after through sanitation and disinfection of workspaces and premises. Maya Padillo
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10 barangays in Davao City unaffected by drugs - PDEA
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round 10 out of the 182 barangays in Davao City are unaffected of the drug problem, according to Antonio Rivera, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA 11). He explained that these are the barangays that do not have pushers dwelling in them. However, Rivera cited the need for the anti-drug campaign must be intensified in 162 barangays of Davao City during the remaining days of the Duterte Administration. He said most of the 162 barangays are classified either slightly or moderately affected with the presence of drug-users and pushers in these communities. Rivera noted that the PDEA XI had cleared 16 ba-
rangays so far and targets five more barangays this year, starting from the remote barangays. However, he underscored addressing the drug-menace in urban barangays is a great challenge, especially that the people are highly mobile. Rivera urged the barangay governments in the urban center to cooperate with the local government unit, the Davao City Police Office and the PDEA XI to help clear their respective areas from the drug-problem. He said the Executive Order No. 66 issued by the Office of the President in October 29, 2018 underscores the whole-of-nation approach in solving the drug-problem.
previous vaccines. Naa ta’y screening or assessment nga pagahimoon before siya mabakunahan. At the same time naa ta'y mga referral protocols in case naa’y side effects,” Montejo said. She said there is a referral protocol established for those who manifest side effects. “Unsaon nila pag report, asa dayon sila mu-report, asa nga facility, unsa to mga
bation nila nga dapat i-report nila dayon ingkaso lang naa sila bation pagkahuman sa bakuna,” Montejo said. Dr. Cleo Fe Tabada, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of Department of Health 11 (DOH 11), possible side effects of the vaccine include pain, redness, itchiness or swelling at the injection site, fever, feeling of weakness or fatigue, dizziness, and diarrhea.
“Na obserbahan nga naa’y mga nabantayan nga side effects. Puwedeng magpula-pula tong lugar na gitusukan, puwede naa’y bation na medyo kapoy na lawas ug ginagmay na sakit sakit sa kalawasan ug pwede pud mag baga or maghubag ang natusukan,” she said. Tabada said it is important to consult the nearest healthcare professional if recipients of the vaccine experience any of these.
cases during the holiday season “We are MGCQ (modified general community quarantine) we are welcoming everybody but we set the guidelines,” he said referring to policies to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection. As expected, Dr Catbagan noted an estimated average of 26,000 visitors to Mati in December alone on top of the 1,000 locally stranded individuals that the crisis management center facilitated return to their residences. He viewed as timely that the roll -out of City Ordinance No. 427 or the Disiplina Panahon sa Pandemya started in December during which the city government started issuing citation tickets to violators of COVID-19 protocols of the city. (PIA XI Jeanevive Duron Abangan)
ational Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Spokesperson, Undersecretary Lorraine Marie Badoy, has announced that funds will be given to Geographically Isolated Depressed Areas (GIDA) in the province. This announcement was made during Badoy’s visit to Sitio Kaylawan, Tibucag and Km 31 in Talaingod, Davao del Norte on January 15, 2021. “From the NTF-ELCAC stand which is whole-ofthe-nation approach of the government, this year is very exciting because we’ve got the budget for the barangay development program (BDP) which we’ll give to 822 barangays from GIDAs needing these projects,” she announced. “Sila mismo ang nag-isip niyan na kailangan namin farm-to-market roads, eskwela, tulay, etc. (It was their idea themselves that they need farm-to-market roads, schools, bridges, etc.),” she added.
Badoy was impressed by the accomplishments of the province against insurgency, saying that providing fund support to it will benefit the people. “Pag ang isang opisyal ay faithful sa kanyang sinumpaan to defend the Filipino people, ang nakikinabang d’yan ay ang taong bayan (If an official is faithful to their oath to defend the Filipinos, the people are the ones who will benefit),” she said. Badoy explained that the combined efforts of the Local Government Units (LGU), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and all the other agencies of the government is the key to ending insurgency. “That makes a big difference …and that’s the way it should be, kasi nangyari naman ang problemang ito dahil ang gobyerno hindi nagsilbi ng maayos. Before
A boy maneuvers his makeshift raft to return to his family’s house in Barangay Osmeña in Dapa, Siargao Island on Wednesday afternoon (20 January 2021) as continuous rains the past two weeks inundated this natural catch basin with floodwaters. The water seems clean though because of the still pristine environment. MindaNews photo by ROEL CATOTO
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Referral protocols set against side effects of Covid-19 vaccine T By MAYA M. PADILLO he upcoming roll out of Covid-19 vaccine has been met with fear among Filipinos due to reported negative side effects. To assuage people's fears, the Covid-19 Vaccination Program team in Davao Region assured that referral protocols are in place in case recipient of Covid-19 vaccine will manifest side effects.
Dr. Raquel Montejo, operations chief for the Covid-19 Vaccination Program in Davao Region, said there are stringent screening processes employed by local health authorities to screen recipients of the
Covid-19 Vaccine. “One of the safety measures nga buhaton nato on the vaccination program is, naa’y stages before ka mabakunahan isa ani i-screen sa ka or i-assess ka if eligible ba gyud ka nga makadawat sa vaccine. For example, kung buntis ba siya currently, naa ba siya'y sakit karon or naa ba siya ginainom nga tambal, naa ba siya'y allergies sa mga
DOH-standard isolation N facility for every Mati brgy
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he City Government of Mati has included in its budget for pandemic preparedness and response a P26 million funding this year to build additional isolation facilities in every barangay. Guesting in a recent episode of One Davao Presser, City of Mati Health officer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said City Mayor Michelle Rabat made the decision to put up additional isolation facilities with a budget of P1 million for every barangay. To be built based on the standards of the Department of Health (DOH), the isolation facility is expected to take on future usage as emerging and re-emerging infectious disease center in every barangay or serving as an office handling such particular concern. “Never again nga madakpan pa ta ingon an (Never again that we will be caught
by this)i; we need to prepare our people and empower them for this kind of situation,”Dr. Catbagan was referring to COVID-19 pandemic that has caught everyone off guard. He also revealed the recent approval of Mayor Rabat for acquisition of a digital notebook serving as a complementary support system for contact tracing of COVID-19 crisis center in the City of Mati. With the digital notebook he had in mind to substantially reduce the number of hours to trace all the contacts of a COVID-19 positive case, get their names, and immediately call them notifying of their quarantine status. Meanwhile, Dr. Catbagan gave details on how the city government of Mati had prepared for the expected surge in cases of COVID-19 after the holiday season
during which influx of visitors was seen bound to happen, taking into consideration the tourist destination status of Mati. He said the crisis management of the city had levelled up its search capacity management intended to immediately identify COVID-19 positive using rapid antigen test, “giving us leverage on case management,” while waiting for results of the RTCR tests. Aside from setting up its own COVID-19 isolation facilities, the city government had also established an extension isolation/quarantine facility in tie-up with the Congressional Office of House Representative Mayo Almario. He also cited the December enforcement of Mayor Rabat’s Executive Order No 110 on regulation of visitor arrivals as a factor in controlling COVID-19 positive
Funding available for DavNor GIDAs: ELCAC spokesperson
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A worker falls asleep atop a pile of merchandise inside a delivery van on the way to an estabishment along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao
Duterte allows DOF to negotiate US grant for BIR digital upgrade
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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte has authorized the Department of Finance (DOF) to enter into talks with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a possible USD809,450 grant (about PHP39 million) meant to assist the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) digital transformation program. In a news release on Wednesday, the DOF said Duterte has approved its request for a special authority (SA) designating and authorizing any one of its senior officials – Undersecretaries Antonette Tionko and Mark
Dennis Joven, along with BIR Deputy Commissioner Lanee David – “to negotiate and/or facilitate, in accordance with law, for and on behalf of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, with the authorized
representatives of the USTDA.” Tionko and Joven are the undersecretaries for the DOF’s Revenue Operations Group and International Finance Group, respectively, while David is the deputy commissioner for the BIR’s Information Systems Group. The SA covers the negotiations for an agreement on the grant of USD809,450 by the USTDA for the BIR’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Modernization Strategy and Data Center Technical Assistance Project, the department said. Duterte also designated
and authorized Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III or BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay “to conclude, sign, execute and deliver the said Grant Agreement.” The BIR project aims to modernize the bureau’s infrastructure and operational environment, the DOF said. “The project funded by the USTDA grant will ensure an in-depth technical assessment of the BIR’s current ICT environment, the development of an Enterprise Architecture roadmap/framework, and an assessment of the organizational framework of the
BIR’s Information System Group (ISG), including recommended restructuring and training programs,” it said. Dominguez has cited the BIR’s digital transformation efforts as among the factors that led to a dramatic improvement of its services to taxpayers and its robust collection performance ahead of the pandemic-induced crisis. He said the digitally enhanced administrative reforms being undertaken by the BIR are beginning to pay off by way of the significant improvement in the country’s tax effort from 13
percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015 to 14.5 percent of GDP in 2019. The digital switch has also led to the more convenient and efficient electronic filing of tax payments, especially during the pandemic, Dominguez said. Starting February 14 last year, the BIR allowed the use of the PayMaya mobile application as an additional electronic payment channel for tax payments. Apart from PayMaya, the other e-payment tools are GCash, LandBank Linkbiz, DBP PayTax, Union Bank Online, and PESONet.
angko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno was discharged from hospital Wednesday, ahead of expectations, after a successful operation following a minor head injury. In a statement, the central bank said Diokno was sent home earlier than expected “amid his steady recovery from a successful medical procedure.” “The Governor is now recuperating at home and may preside over the Monetary Board meeting as early as next week,” he said. Last Monday, the central bank said Diokno went on
medical leave after an operation to remove a blood clot last Sunday. Citing Diokno’s medical report, BSP said “prognosis for the Governor’s complete recovery is “very good” as he was awake and conversant an hour after the procedure.” He was “expected to be discharged from the hospital in four to five days and is anticipated to return to work subsequently.” BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. was designated as officer-int-charge while Diokno is on leave. (PNA)
Monitoring system for those who get Covid vaccine vital B N ational Task Force Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Vivencio Dizon has emphasized the importance of monitoring the post-administration of Covid-19 vaccines as part of the bigger picture of Covid-19 vaccine trials. Dizon said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday that the Department of Health (DOH) has included in the vaccination program the
monitoring of individuals after the inoculation against the coronavirus. However, the DOH has yet to disclose the full details on the monitoring part of the immunization program, Dizon added. “All people that get vaccinated right now are part of the big trial for this Covid-19 vaccine, and monitoring is critical. We’ve already seen that there’s so much coming out on the internet about the adverse
effect of the vaccine, those all have to be investigated,” he said. Dizon, who is also the Covid-19 testing czar, said information is critical to the vaccination program “because we need to really put out the right information and we need to put out information in a very effective way.” Dizon added that as the country will just start its immunization program, the government has to “learn
quickly from the experiences of those countries that have already started their vaccination program”. “We need to follow best practices in the world and that would include testing for antibodies,” he said. But the most critical move of the government now, Dizon said, is to secure the vaccine supply and put in place the needed logistics and cold storage facilities as well as the deployment of
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Gov. Diokno discharged from hospital ahead of schedule
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ECONOMY 5
A demolition team led by the City Engineer’s Office removes illegal structures built by street vendors occupying the sidewalk near the junction of Roxas Avenue and Ponciano Street in Davao City Wednesday morning (20 January 2021). Members of the demolition team said the vendors were notified even before the pandemic, and the deadline lapsed seven days ago. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO BUENO
Banker says PH banks ready for digital transformation
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n official of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) said the country is now ready for digital banking and relative innovations, citing the strong support from the government. “We have the support from our regulators,” Henry Aguda, UnionBank Chief Technology and Operations Officer and Chief Transformation Officer, said in a virtual briefing Wednesday. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has been pushing for the digitalization of payment transactions, among others, in a bid to include more people into the formal banking system. It also recently came out with a digital banking framework, recognizing digital banks as a separate entity from existing financial firms and eyes this as anoth-
er channel that will promote market efficiencies and help increase Filipinos’ access to various financial services. Aguda said that while digital criminals continue to improve their ways on how to go around financial institutions’ current systems, banks are more sophisticated. “We can’t be held hostage by those criminals,” he said. He said banks continue to take on additional layer of information technology (IT) protection to efficiently serve their clients. Authorities said cybercrimes rose noticeably when the government implemented lockdown from March to April 2020 for Luzon and until end-May for Metro Manila. This, after more peo-
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DA-11: Culling continues in ASF-affected areas
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epopulation of pigs infected by the African swine fever (ASF) has continued in the neighboring provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro, the Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) said in a statement Wednesday. DA-11 said it will continue to monitor other ASF cases in the region after the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Region 12 (RADDL-12) confirmed last week that the submitted samples from Mati City in Davao Oriental were ASF-positive. The Mati City government said it immediately implemented preventive
BPI merging with thrift banking subsidiary BPI Family Savings
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ank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) said Wednesday it will merge with its thrift banking subsidiary BPI Family Savings Bank (BFSB), with BPI as the surviving entity. The Ayala-led lender said it hopes to complete the merger this year "subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals." The reduction in the gap in regulatory reserve requirements between
commercial banks and thrift banks was a factor in the timing of the transaction, the company said. Cezar Consing, BPI President and CEO and BSFB Chairman, said the merger will benefit customers, employees and shareholders. “As One BPI, our 8.5 million customers will be able to enjoy the full suite of the BPI group’s products, via all our digital and physical channels.
Similarly, as One BPI, our employees will have the ability to work across a larger, more varied bank, while having continuity of tenure and job level,” he said. BFSB is the country's largest thrift bank with P287 billion in assets, P235 billion in deposits and P227 billion in loans, and has approximately 3,000 employees, BPI said.
measures such as the establishment of quarantine checkpoints in three affected villages. It has also allotted PHP2,000 for each culled animal to compensate the affected hog raisers. DA-11 said local authorities have so far culled 126 pigs in three affected barangays. In Banay-Banay town, also in Davao Oriental, the
agency said 68 pigs were depopulated after RADDL-12 confirmed that a hog raiser had ASF-positive pigs. In Tarragona town, 52 pigs were also depopulated based on the RADDL-12’s confirmatory results. DA-11 said depopulation was also launched in Boston town after disease and sample collection conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office discovered several ASF cases. Meanwhile, in neighboring Davao de Oro, authorities also conducted depopulation in Barangay Kingking, Pantukan town, involving 31 pigs from hog raisers. In Montevista town, DA-
11 said disease investigation and sample collection in a commercial hog farm in Barangay New Visayas also turned out positive cases. “DA-11 personnel went to the area to monitor the depopulation of the 1,989 hogs, which were conducted by farm personnel. After depopulation in the affected areas, cleaning and disinfection activities were conducted, and quarantine checkpoint and disease monitoring activities in other barangays and key areas such as wet markets, slaughterhouse, and livestock markets were also continued,” the agency said. (PNA)
ary and March, which was before the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “Amidst the pandemic, there are still many opportunities we can find and discover. In fact, now the pandemic in 2020, the newly-registered businesses increased to 900,000 as of Dec. 17, 2020. That is the highest growth rate of 41 percent since 2010,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino. He added that new entrepreneurs can tap DTI’s
program to help them become smarter entrepreneurs. “DTI will always be here for you to help you find the right business so that you can become smarter entrepreneurs,” he said. The trade chief cited DTI programs that can help entrepreneurs to grow their businesses like the Kapatid Mentor ME, which focuses on mentorship, access to capital, and expanding the markets. Lopez also urged en-
88K new online businesses register with DTI in 2020
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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has registered record-high numbers in business name registration in 2020 driven by new registration from online entrepreneurs, the trade chief said Wednesday. At the virtual launch of "DiskarTech Ipon Galing", DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said 88,000 new online businesses registered with DTI at end-2020. The number rose from 1,700 online business registrations between Janu-
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On the availability of cold storage facilities in Davao Region for the safe storage of Covid-19 vaccines: Our (Davao Region) capacity po sa most of our LGUs are the two to eight degrees centigrade (cold storage) facilities. Naa pud ta ubang mga partners nga naay cold room storage nga -25 degrees centigrade.”
Dr. Janis Olavides
Vaccination team leader for Covid-19 Vaccination Program
Photo courtesy of WHO and Wikipedia)
EDITORIAL
Terminating the UP-DND deal
The decision of the Department of National Defense (DND) to unilaterally terminated a 1989 agreement with the University of the Philippines (UP) requiring prior notification to school officials for police and military to enter UP campuses has triggered a hailstorm of reaction on social media. To a certain extent, there had been a snowballing movement that gave way to the trending topic #DefendUP. The termination of the agreement was seen by the UP community as an “intent to deploy, but not post, state security forces for counterinsurgency operations in the state university.” It all started when Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana wrote a letter to UP President Danilo Concepcion dated Jan. 15, saying the agreement had been a hindrance to operations against communist rebels, especially recruitment of cadres in UP. Lorenzana said that the DND “is aware that there is indeed an ongoing clandestine recruitment inside UP campuses nationwide” by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, New People’s Army (NPA). Both have been declared as terrorist organizations by the Anti-Terrorism Council created by the new anti-terror law. The military believes the recent events showed that “a number of UP students have been identified as CPP-NPA, some of them were killed during military and police operations.” In Lorenzana’s mind, the 1989 DND-UP agreement was being used by communist rebels and their supporters to prevent law enforcers from operating against them in UP campuses prompting the agency to abrogate the agreement “to perform our legal mandate of protecting our youth against CPP-NPA recruitment activities, whose design
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and purpose is (sic) to destroy the democracy we have all fought for.” The DND decision found a legal rebuttal from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) which maintains that the agreement between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense (DND) barring the unauthorized presence of police and military on campuses should not be a hindrance to law enforcement. The IBP amplified its stance in a statement issued by Domingo Cayosa, national president of the IBP and himself an alumnus of UP. Cayosa reminded the administration that recruitment to communist groups and other organizations opposing the government did not only happen in UP. To which, the DND answered with a similar decision to terminate the agreement with PUP. Cayosa believes the UP-DND accord does not and should not hinder legitimate law enforcement and security operations as the agreement specifically provides that ‘nothing herein shall be construed as a prohibition against the enforcement of the laws of the land’.” However, under the existence of the agreement, the military and police has practically stayed away from UP. It has come to the point that the DND thinks the communist rebels are taking advantage of the agreement. It is no secret the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is all out in eliminating the communist rebels. This resolve covers recruitment activities happening on campuses. The duty of the state in protecting the young generation from the influence of communist ideology is understandable like parents to their children. That while the state provides for an avenue of learning funded by public coffers, it cannot also allow itself to see its investment mutate into its very own enemy.
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VANTAGE POINTS
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
THE MUTATION OF COVID-19 VIRUS In an article which appeared in National Geographic, Katherine J. Wu wrote this startling information: “There are more viruses than stars in the universe. Why do only some infect us? More than a quadrillion quadrillion individual viruses exist on Earth, but most are not poised to hop into humans.” A virus is defined as “a submicroscopic agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism.” Viruses infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea. There is an interesting story on how the virus was discovered. “Louis Pasteur was unable to find a causative agent for rabies and speculated about a pathogen too small to be detected by microscope,” Wikipedia chronicles. “In 1884, the French microbiologist Charles Chamberland invented the Chamberland filter with pores small enough to remove all bacteria from a solution passed through it. “In 1892, the Russian bi-
ologist Dmitri Ivanovsky used virus spreads, the more opporthis filter to study what is now tunities it has to change,” warns known as the tobacco mosaic vi- the Geneva-based World Health rus: crushed leaf extracts from Organization (WHO). “High levinfected tobacco plants remained els of transmission mean that we infectious even after filtration should expect more variants to to remove bacteria. Ivanovsky emerge.” suggested the infection might be Previous reports of the caused by a toxin produced by D614G mutation and the recent bacteria, but he did not pursue VOL.13 237 •variants FRIDAY,from JANreportsI SSUE of virus the idea. UARY 22, 2021 Denmark, the United Kingdom In 1898, the Dutch microbi- of Great Britain and Northern ologist Martinus Beijerinck re- Ireland, and South Africa have peated the experiments and be- raised interest and concern in the came convinced that the filtered impact of viral changes. solution contained a new form “Of the significant variants of infectious agent. “He observed reported so far, some are associthat the agent multiplied only in ated with increases in transmiscells that were dividing, but as his sibility but not disease severity,” experiments did not show that it the United Nations health agenwas made of particles, he called cy states. “Research is ongoing it a ‘soluble living germ’ and rein- to address whether the changes troduced the word virus.” impact public health tools and Recent studies have shown measures.” that it is normal for viruses to Genomic sequencing has mutate. And that’s what happens been critical in identifying and rewith the SARS-CoV-2, the corona- sponding to new variants, accordvirus that causes coronavirus dis- ing to the WHO. ease 2019 (COVID-19). “So far an astounding “The more the SARS-CoV-2 350,000 sequences have been
publicly shared, but most come from just a handful of countries. Improving the geographic coverage of sequencing is critical for the world to have eyes and ears on changes to the virus,” said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead on COVID-19. As the UN health agency moves to expand its scientific collaboration and monitoring of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, global scientists are intensifying research into COVID-19. Last Monday, January 12, a day-long virtual meeting of scientists from around the globe, brought together more than 1,750 experts from 124 countries to discuss critical knowledge gaps and research priorities for emerging variants of the virus. “Science and research have played a vital role in responding to the pandemic since day one and will continue to be the heartbeat of everything WHO does,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said in his welcome address.
The consultation was reportedly structured around six thematic areas covering epidemiology and mathematical modelling, evolutionary biology, animal models, assays and diagnostics, clinical management and therapeutics and vaccines. Scientists noted the importance of research to detect and understand early on the potential impact of emerging variants on diagnostics, treatments and vaccines. There was a consensus on the importance of integrating the new SARS-CoV-2 variants research into the global research and innovation agenda while enhancing coordination across disciplines. “Our collective goal is to get ahead of the game and have a global mechanism to quickly identify and study variants of concern and understand their implications for disease control efforts,” said Dr. Ana Maria Henao Restrepo, Head of WHO’s R&D Blueprint.
FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE
IMPERATIVE NATIONWIDE DISCUSSION OF CHA-CHA The Dalai lama said: “Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.” Now, now here we go. The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco is now (boldly) tackling pertinent issues affecting Charter Change. Like a knee-jerk reaction, opponents of constitutional reforms are again raising a howl, citing so many excuses that have been offered in the years past that have been rendered lame so that Filipinos are now braver to face political and social realities. The Senate – through its Senate President Vicente Sotto III - in the meantime chose to file a bill that seeks to grant ABS CBN a franchise renewal. If you weigh in these two separate and independent actions, which bill should have priority? Of course, it is the Cha-Cha bill because the proposed constitutional changes will directly affect the lives and well-being of the entire Philippine population.
The Sotto bill will only benefit the Lopez family whose broadcast outfit was found during the intensive congressional probe to have violated some pertinent laws of the land including failure to pay the correct taxes. Filipinos must understand that the problems besetting the nation can no longer be swept under the rug as has been done during the previous administrations, notably during both the Cory and Noynoy incumbencies. The government needs to generate job opportunities to accommodate hundreds of thousands OFWs who have lost their jobs and were sent home because of CoVid19. Including idle new graduates and those under-employed. Many businesses – small and medium enterprises – have closed shop as evidence by those I have seen in several malls. Those who were laid off will definitely find it difficult to get new employment. What to do? It is incumbent upon the Duterte government, Congress (the HOR and the Senate) and the federation of Philippine business and the existing chambers of com-
merce, etc. to get their heads together and cooperate in finding an economic solution. The suggestion that has long been offered was for the government to relax the 60-40 constitutional restriction for foreign businessmen to comply with. Many economists, legislators and businessmen I talked to were pragmatic in their response. Much as we need foreign investments to shore up our collapsing economy due to lockdowns brought by the Wuhan virus, no foreign entity will establish and conduct business in a country where their investments are not well protected. Many in fact have moved out of the country to nearby Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand because the governments of these countries allow foreign businessmen to run and operate their companies wholly not in part. A Korean businessman friend of mine has moved out of the BEZA in Mariveles citing high labor costs and unionism problems. Congress must be resolute in finishing its work to meet its timeline and schedule. The Velasco-led
HOR wants to submit these constitutional proposals in a referendum coinciding with the 2022 presidential polls. Which means they have more than a full year to conduct consultations with concerned target publics (A, B, C, D & E economic classes). Political will is what our legislators need. The antis – particularly the pro-Cory rah rah boys and gangmates of Noynoy - will use every means possible – the cooperative MSM (mainstream media) to undermine and destroy the position of the Cha-Cha proponents. These members of the socalled yellow cult were able to strike fear in the hearts of our countrymen during the GMA era. They continued their tyrannical ways from 2010-2016 under the tolerant supervision of a happy-go-lucky, DOTA-playing president whose first days in office were marked by a hostage-taking incident at the Luneta where nine Hong Kong tourists were killed. So, are we now between the devil and the deep blue sea? I hope the political will of the
President rubs off on Congress. If they (these representatives of the people) want to do it, they can will their minds to do the job. After all, it is the noble objective that matters. The economic and social uplift of the country and the Filipino people heavily hinge on these constitutional changes, the benefits of which will accrue to future generations of Filipinos. DEFINITELY, WE NEED MORE JOBS AND LIVELIHOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED AND TEN MILLION POPULATION. American companies moving out of China and elsewhere in Europe and Asia may find it ideal to re-settle here. That is, under the right economic conditions. If Filipinos are united on this objective and purpose, the President and Congress can rally the people to support and approve the constitutional changes that will be proposed in a referendum in 2022. Or we can bite the bullet. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
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EDGEDAVAO
VOL.13 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021
COMPETITIVE EDGE
Shopee makes going online easy, accessible for micro, small, medium entrepreneurs through education, enhanced tools
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hopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to enhance its robust e-commerce ecosystem to help entrepreneurs and MSMEs go digital more seamlessly and effectively.
With most physical stores forced to close due to the pandemic, there has been a steady increase of online sellers onboarding the platform. With this, Shopee continues to expand its workable digital platform to help retailers future-proof their businesses, embrace digitalization, and establish a successful online presence. Shopee proves its commitment to support MSMEs by developing the Shopee Seller Education Hub, maintaining a robust digital infrastructure, and reinforcing partnerships with various organizations. Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, points out how important it is for businesses to embrace digitalization. “The global situation has accelerated digital transformation, as more brands and MSMEs explore the opportunities of e-commerce to reach a wider audience. As the marketing landscape changes at a rapid pace, Shopee will continue to offer improved inapp features and initiatives to cater to the growing demand for e-commerce here in the Philippines.” Shopee Seller Education The Shopee Seller Education Hub hosts modules on how to cultivate an on-
line presence and boost sales. It helps MSMEs ease their way into the digital world through seller masterclasses tackling various e-commerce topics. These include sharing how-tos on running effective campaigns and growing the business, proper guidelines on handling return and refund requests, managing listing assets, boosting sales using available marketing tools, and creating awareness of the target market through activity and business insights. Strong Marketing Tools Shopee continues to help sellers maximize the features of its platform, engage with customers online, and understand the industry as a whole. With in-app features such as Shopee Live and ShopeePay, sellers can enjoy a smooth and engaging selling experience on the platform. Shopee Live is an in-app feature where sellers can interact with their customers and answer real-time questions and inquiries regarding a product. This feature gives the seller and the consumer a more connected shopping experience. Shopee Live added three new features to make online shopping more engaging
and drives sales for businesses. The ‘Mine’ Feature Users can reserve an item during a live stream by tapping the ‘Mine’ button. It will generate the usernames of the first ten tappers so that the seller can contact the buyers to make the sale*. The Poll Feature Guide Sellers can create engaging polls about trivia and questions. The Poll Feature also helps sellers decide which items are requested by the viewers. The Co-streaming Feature Sellers can invite their viewers to join them in the stream and is best used when a seller wants to increase their engagement
through games and interactions. Seamless and convenient digital payments ShopeePay, Shopee’s in-app e-wallet, on the other hand, allows shoppers to pay for purchases and sellers to withdraw earnings conveniently. Recently, ShopeePay also added more billers to its lineup. Users can now top-up RFID stickers, pay for NBI clearance applications, and pay for their Smart mobile plans, Meralco electricity bills, Maynilad bills, and many more. Reinforced Partnerships Through strategic partnerships with government agencies and various organizations, Shopee can reach
more MSMEs effectively and help them expand their businesses on Shopee’s platform. Joint initiatives with the government include CTRL + BIZ: Reboot Now!, a series of webinars where MSMEs can learn how to transform their businesses digitally. Shopee also partnered with regional and provincial DTI offices in providing masterclasses to sellers. Shopee assisted in onboarding sellers from Regions III, IV, and XII, and provinces such as Nueva Ecija and Zambales. Shopee partnered with foreign organizations such as USAID to provide more than 500 women entrepreneurs with integrated digital marketing training. These pro-
grams help sellers maximize the use of digital platforms to expand and boost their businesses. Yu said, “Shopee wants to make e-commerce accessible for everyone. Our goal is to evolve quickly to cater to our customers’ and sellers’ needs. Shopee continuously provides different initiatives that enable our retailers to go digital easily and quickly. It is a commitment that we take seriously, and we will continue to connect people and businesses, support MSMEs’ transition to a digital economy, and power the next wave of growth in the industry.” Download the Shopee app for free on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Pre-order ongoing for Sony’s all-new SEL35F14GM!
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ony’s FE 35mm F1.4 GM (model SEL35F14GM), the newest addition to its acclaimed G Master full-frame lens series, is now available for pre-order until February 26, 2021 with a net cash price of P87,800. Score P7,000 worth of freebies that includes FREE 64GB SD Card and a G Master Peak Design strap when you buy during the pre-order period. Sony’s FE 35mm F1.4GM delivers firstclass image quality and beautiful bokeh for broad expressive capability in an extremely compact and lightweight design. It is a must-have for Sony’s E-mount users, as in combination with Sony’s camera bodies it boasts advanced focusing capabilities - perfect for a
wide range of uses such as shooting landscapes, portraits and street photography, both stills and video. It has a superlative resolution in a compact 35-mm prime for any situation made possible by two XA (extreme aspherical) elements effectively maintain superb resolution throughout the image area. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM is not only mobile and manageable, it performs admirably in difficult lighting. An ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) glass element and other optical refinements effectively suppress chromatic aberration and purple fringing for breathtaking results. The FE 35mm F1.4 GM also delivers an almost circular aperture for a beautiful bokeh for broad expressive capability
thanks to its 11-blade construction – a rare level of quality for a mobile lens. The combination of F1.4 maximum aperture and the flexibility to choose the perfect shooting distance (minimum focusing distance of just 27cm with a maximum magnification of 0.23x in autofocus mode) allows for ultimate control and stunning bokeh when shooting both stills and video. For full product details, visit here Pre-order the SEL35F14GM and get an exclusive bundle of a 64GB SD Card and G Master Peak Design Strap! Promo period is until February 26, 2021, so what are you waiting for? Head to the nearest Sony Authorized Camera Dealers now!
EDGEDAVAO
VOL.13 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021
By HENRYLITO D. TACIO
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hen it comes to agriculture, perhaps the most neglected sector is the fishing industry. While there are several attached agencies for various sectors in the Department of Agriculture, there is only one for the fisherfolks: the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). So much so that there was a clamor for the creation of the Department of Fisheries.
When she was still with the Senate, Loren Legarda filed Senate Bill No. 242, entitled “An Act Creating the Department of Fisheries, Providing for its Powers and Functions, and for other Purposes.” The bill, Legarda explained, “seeks to protect and conserve the country’s fishery and aquatic resources within sustainable limits for the exclusive use and enjoyment of Filipino citizens, to accelerate the integrated development of the fishery industry, and to protect the rights of small and
of fish with the use of fishing boats with a capacity of more than three gross tons for trade, business or profit beyond subsistence or sports fishing. Municipal fishing covers fishing operations carried out with or without the use of a boat weighing 3 gross tons or less. Aquaculture is the rearing and harvesting of fish, shellfish and other aquatic animals and plants in inland waters like lakes, rivers, dams, and marshes. In the past, supply of fish wasn’t much of a problem.
subsistence fisherfolks and fishworkers to preferential use of such resources.” Fish is the second staple food of Filipinos, after rice. “Fish is the main source of protein for the Filipino,” Legarda said in her explanatory note. “An island nation, the Philippines necessarily depends, to a large extent, on its fishery resources for its food.” An archipelago made up of 7,107 islands, the Philippines enjoys the vastness of the oceans and seas that surround its peripheral territories. The islands are “outlined by more than 18,000 kilometers of coastline, bordering roughly 70% of the country’s municipalities,” according to Legarda. On the average, every Filipino consumes 98.6 grams of fish and fish products each day, a study of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology showed. Through the years, fishing has been an important source of livelihood for Filipinos. “The fishing industry provided employment to about one million Filipinos or around 3% of the country’s labor force in 1998,” says the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Being labor intensive, municipal fishing generated 68% of the total employment, followed by aquaculture with 26% and the commercial fishing, 6%.” The BFAR defines commercial fishing as the catching
“The people have enjoyed the abundance of the Philippine marine fishery resources,” the PSA noted. “Ask the old fisherfolks how they culled their harvests. Many of them would say that fish sized with less than a foot rule will automatically be thrown back to the water. Back then, they even have the luxury to choose the most palatable fish among the wide variety of species thriving in a particular fishing ground.” Those days were gone. Since the population of the country has grown significantly, the demand for basic commodities, including fish, has likewise increased. The Philippines is now home to 108.1 million people, according to the World Bank. “The demand for fish, both for food consumption and other uses, has increased correspondingly,” the PSA pointed out. “Consequently, many of the households from the coastal villages have made fishing as their source of livelihood.” A survey by the Social Weather Stations commissioned by Oceana in 2017 found that 82% of Filipinos believe fish sold in markets are more expensive now compared to 10 years ago. Meanwhile, 54% of respondents said the size of fish has become smaller and 55% said they found less varieties of fish in local markets compared to a decade ago.
AGRITRENDS
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NO MORE FISH ON THE TABLE SOON?
“Fish, which used to be among the cheapest sources of protein, is now more expensive than pork or chicken,” deplored Legarda, who is now a representative of Antique. Where have all our fish gone? “The increase in population coupled with the improved fishing technology brought stress to the country’s marine and coastal ecosystem, thereby affecting the fishery resource,” the PSA observed. Majority of the fishing grounds in the country are overfished. Recent reports said that ten out of 13 fishing grounds are under intense fishing pressure. “Overfishing is the main issue, with today’s fishers ranging farther and trying harder to catch more – but there are more fishers and too few fish,” observes Gregg Yan, director for Communications for Ocean Philippines. Take the case of sardine, one of the most commercially important fish species. “Overfishing was found to constrain sustainable development of the sardine industry,” said Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora during the 12th Annual Meeting and Scientific Convention of Outstanding Young Scientists. “Declining production was observed since 2009. In 2011, a 50% decrease in sardine production was recorded.” The tuna industry, which accounts for 12% of total fish production in the country, is
not spared. “Due to its high economic importance, rampant cases of juvenile fishing have been reported, which led to decline in tuna stock,” Ebora deplored. Illegal fishing has been cited by PSA as among the factors why the fish caught in the open seas were vanishing. “Illegal fishing is a major cause for the destruction of the coral beds in many of the country’s fishing grounds,” it said. A document from the Cebu-based Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) said a good to excellent coral reefs can produce 20 tons or more of fish and other edible products per square kilometers annually.
The destruction of these reefs can greatly reduce fish production, marine scientists said. “Once destroyed, they produce less than four tons per square kilometers per year,” the CRMP disclosed. The sustainable catch from a good reef over 10 years is about 200 tons of fish while from a destroyed reef is only 72 tons, it added. “Fish kills due to the disposal of solid waste by the local population and discharges of chemical wastes by some manufacturing plants is also a serious concern that puts the country’s fishery resource in danger,” the PSA also mentioned. Other factors that contribute to the country’s fishery resource depletion include siltation and sedimentation of the water ecosystem due to deforestation, mining and other human activities. “Besides bringing in poisonous and toxic substances into the water, silts and sediments lead to the shallowing of the riverbeds killing phytoplankton and other aquatic organisms, which are responsible for photosynthesis activities,” the PSA explained. “Photosynthesis, aside from making up the food chain process, supplies the oxygen requirement of fish as well as the rest of living organisms in the ecosystem.” As in the case of rice, when there is low supply, the solution is importation. When the country experienced a shortfall in fish supply some years back, it imported 17,000 metric tons of galunggong or round scad, mostly from China and Vietnam. “Short-term imports may actually put long-term food security and fisherfolk at risk,” believes Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, of the Oceana Philippines, an organization working exclusively to protect and restore the oceans. “The issues haunting fisheries management can only be solved through a more comprehensive and participatory plan.”
In the Philippines, there are four main laws governing the policy framework for the management of fisheries. These include the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 (Republic Act 8550) and its amendment (RA 10654); Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160); Agriculture Fisheries Modernization Act of 1998 (RA 8435); and National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (RA 7856). “The Philippine Fisheries Code is the primary legislation that sets out the overarching policies and objectives to be pursued in the management of fisheries,” Ebora explained. “It also sets the power to regulate municipal and commercial fisheries, aquaculture and postharvest activity, create fisheries reserves, protect fisheries habitats, and to impose sanctions.” In support of fishery management policies, the Fisheries Code also “provides for the establishment of regulations addressing access to fishery resources and declaration of closed fishing seasons and catch ceilings for conservation and ecological purposes – based on available evidence.” Filipinos may not be aware of what’s happening. Jeannyline T. Arriaga, from Bansalan, Davao del Sur, is a doting mother. She usually wakes up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for her two children, who are going to school. Generally, she cooks rice and fish. Lately, however, she observes that the fish she usually buys at the public market has become scarcer. In fact, there are days when she could not find any that she buys another kind of fish. Her children complain because they don’t like the new fish she serves to them. Jeannyline also notices that if the fish she likes is available, they are becoming smaller. “They are not only getting scarcer but they are becoming expensive, too,” she points out.
10 EDGEDAVAO FUNDING... FROM3
this walang roads, absence of access. Once you have roads there hindi na sila excluded; services pwede nang pumunta doon (This problem only happened due to the government not serving properly. Before this, there were no roads,
absence of access. Once you have roads there, they are no longer excluded; the services can reach them). That’s really true that ‘when the road ends, insurgency begins’,” she said. (DavNor PIO and Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)
The BIR has also improved the tax forms deployed to the e-BIR Forms System to make the filing of tax returns more accessible and convenient to taxpayers. It began the pilot implementation on April 21, 2020 of its web-based Internal Revenue Integrated System (IRIS) that will be the central tool and repository to process taxpayers’ information. The IRIS is targeted to be available nationwide by the end of 2021. An Electronic Audited Financial System (eAFS) was also launched on June 1 last year to allow business taxpayers to electronically submit their financial statements to the BIR. In the same month, the BIR concluded its compe-
tition dubbed the “HACKA-TAX Challenge”, which brought together talented information technology professionals, start-ups, and students across the country to develop innovative digital-based solutions for the bureau. To enable taxpayers to continue consulting revenue officials on their tax-related concerns even with the mobility restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the BIR launched its eAppointment Facility on October 19 last year. In November, the BIR also launched its web-based Procurement, Payment, Inventory and Monitoring System and its Online Application for Tax Clearance for Bidding Purposes (eTCBP). (PR)
the Covid-19 vaccine. He added that the inoculation of 70 percent of the population is a “Herculean task”, the national government has to decentralize the administration of the vaccine. “On the administration of the vaccine, this needs to be decentralized. We need to work with local government units, with companies
because it’s a Herculean task to vaccinate 70 percent of the population this year,” Dizon said. “And after the vaccination itself, we go into the monitoring of those who have vaccinated,” he said “But we have to prepare for that because it’s critical in the end-to-end vaccination program.” (PNA)
ple chose to do their financial transactions online during that period due to movement restrictions the government imposed to address the rise of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections. One of these cybercrimes is phishing, wherein criminals try to get the would-be victims’ personal information and passwords, among others, through electronic mails (e-mails) dis-
guised as official communication from banks. Aguda said the banking public is more knowledgeable now as proven by the increasing number of reports that they get regarding these crimes. He also reminded bank account holders to take extra precautions whenever they do digital financial transactions such as what they will do in the physical world. (PNA)
tise next on sports development programs in local government units (LGUs) this February 4. The longtime sports coordinator will also touch on youth training and hands-on management of their province’s sports program. PSI’s Daut, who played a role in PSC’s Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (Smart ID) program, explores the topic as well as grassroots development on February 11. Veteran sportswriter and UP professor Jazmines completes the first roster as
she delivers her lecture on the value of sports marketing on February 28. “We believe that sports are a means to move forward despite taking a step back for months. We may continue to chart our path in bettering Philippine sports starting now, and with the help of these experts in the field to whom we are very grateful,” said Ramirez. Almost 1000 registrants consisting of sports educators, athletes, coaches, LGU coordinators, national sports associations, and private stakeholders, have already registered.
DUTERTE... FROM 4
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VOL.13 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2021
10 BARANGAYS... FROM 3 “It calls for all government agencies to cooperate in the campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs,” he stressed. Rivera said the campaign now involves the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. “This law needs to be internalized by everyone, and we are starting it now to do what the presidents aims, to clear the country from illegal drugs,” he said. Rivera agreed that the PDEA XI aims to address the problem by barangay since the war on drug begins and ends right at the doorstep which is the barangay. He acknowledged that currently the PDEA XI is convincing barangay governments in a civilized way to impart in the anti-drug campaign. Rivera said his agency is building partners in clearing communities from the drug menace and the barangay plays a crucial role in this pursuit. “The DILG has the authority to discipline baran-
gays especially those that failed to organize its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs), he pointed out. Rivera also urged the DILG to recognize barangay government which are active in the fight against the illegal-drug-trade. He said a mere plaque certifying the barangay as drug-free can influence other barangays to follow suit. “A reward system is relevant to encourage them to do their work in clearing their barangay from the problem of illegal-drugs,” Rivera said. He cited the big hurdles in addressing the drug-problem in urbanized areas like Barangay 76-A which has a large population. Rivera bared the barangay captain in the area has a list of the drug-pushers and users in this area. He said the barangay chair must give full attention to the list of drug dependents who can be enrolled in the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program. (PIA XI- Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)
trepreneurs to save money they earned from their business and re-invest it in their venture.
mindset of becoming prudent. We have to save from our income. We just don’t spend it for ourselves, but we spend the money for our business,” he added. (PNA)
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“We need to have that
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"Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta at naniniwala sa aking pangarap na makapaglaro para sa bayan, at sa tamang panahon, sa NBA," said Sotto. "I am very blessed to have many supporters, and I promise I won't let you down," he vowed.
Sotto's commitment to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the February window means he is going to miss a bulk of games for Team Ignite. The NBA G League will hold its season in a "bubble" at the Disney World Complex in Orlando, Florida, with opening night set for February 8.
Nash as he works out how to deal with one of the huge sacrifices he made in trading for Harden. Going back to the start of the game, Cleveland closed out the first quarter with a 13-0 run, coincidentally when Durant and Irving were out. So, not only will they have to work out how to co-exist on the court but Brooklyn’s bench will need to step up to carry the load when they are off, which
may be a tougher ask with their depth tested after the blockbuster trade. Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince had shown promise and the opening stages of the season suggested further growth on the horizon. The latter two played a pivotal role off the bench for the Cavs in their revenge game, combining for 29 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, two steals and five blocks.
ed he's not worried about Simmons' stats, but the Sixers need more than what he's giving them. Simmons was whistled for two offensive fouls within 30 seconds late in the third and the Celtics ended the quarter with a 92-86 lead. Walker returned in the fourth — he played only 90
seconds in the third on a minutes restriction — and the Sixers had to run out a lineup without Embiid or Simmons early in the quarter. Shake Milton, making a case for top NBA sixth man, and Harris, whose threepoint play gave the Sixers a 100-99 lead, kept it a game until Embiid and Simmons
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BARMM solons push for transition extension to enact pending bills
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egional lawmakers are pushing for an extension of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's transition phase up to 2025, saying more time is needed to pass important measures. Speaking during a press conference Tuesday, Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Speaker Pangalian Balindong and three other lawmakers noted that the transition phase has been disrupted by the coronavirus disease pandemic. “Our BTA scheduled sessions have repeatedly been hindered by occurrences of Covid-19 restrictions that have affected the region, the country, and the world,” Balindong said during the forum. Balindong and his colleagues also proposed to amend the Bangsamoro Organic Act so that the regional elections coincide with the 2022 national and local polls. Balindong was joined in by BTA Deputy Speaker Omar Yasser C. Sema, BTA Majority Floor Leader Lanang T. Ali, Jr., and Member of Parliament Jose Lorena during a press conference held inside the BARMM center here. The BTA passed 15 major laws and some 100 resolutions since BARMM's in-
ception two years ago. Only recently, the BTA passed the region’s administrative code, which defines the structural, functional, and procedural principles and rules of the region's governance. Still pending before the BTA are five proposed priority legislation that includes the Bangsamoro Civil Service Code, Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Bangsamoro Education Code, Bangsamoro Internal Revenue Code, and the Bangsamoro Local Government Code. Balindong said all the five prioritized measures are now being tackled at the “committee level.” Political dynasty Pressed by reporters on what measure they think would eat up a lot of time, the officials said it would be on the local government code, particularly concerning the political dynasty. Sema said the particular provision calls for the ending of political dynasty up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity of future elected officials in the region. Expressing his views on the same proposal, Lorena said the subject would be a “hard sale” on the part of political clans in the region that have a huge number of followers. (PNA)
Galvez sees vaccine deal finalized in two weeks
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ational Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said the government expects to finalize the supply agreements with pharmaceutical companies by "end of January or first week of February." "We expect that upon learning the indicative date of the delivery, we will be having the final rundown and rehearsals," Galvez said during a press conference in Parañaque City. Galvez said they are now coordinating with local government units (LGUs) to synchronize simulation activities in preparation for the vaccination campaign in the country. "We will coordinate with the LGUs so that the rehearsals including the time and motion from the airport to the warehouse to the LGU, it will be rehearsed," he said. "I believe the critical terms are already iron out so we are really confident that by [the end] of January,
returned. Embiid checked in with 7:44 left and the Sixers holding that one-point lead. Down three, Embiid sank a fadeway to hit 38 points to pull the Sixers within one, grabbed a defensive board, drove to the hoop and was fouled. He sank both again
all the contracts will be finished," he added. Logistics Galvez assured on-time shipment of Covid jabs to identified vaccination sites. "Mayroon tayong tinatawag na (We will conduct an) inspection from the airport and we will still have 'yung tinatawag na time and motion at the airport and we will make sure the delivery will not be delayed, if the inspections will be done in the warehouse, we will make sure it will not exceed [for] five days," he said. The shipment of the vaccines in Visayas and Mindanao could be directly delivered to cold chain storage facilities in strategic areas including Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao City. "We are talking with the pharmaceutical companies and also with the vaccine makers that once the vaccine will be stored in the main storage facilities, they should have the capacity to deploy it, meaning they should have a strategic reach to deploy anywhere," he said. (PNA)
in the clutch. "He's going to score some, but 42 is too much," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "I thought not only did he score those points, he also handed the double (team) pretty well and on a couple of occasions, it led to 3-pointers."
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McGregor: I want to fight Pacquiao in 2021
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MA superstar Conor McGregor is gearing up for a possible fight against Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao this year. The Irishman is coming out of retirement this weekend, when he takes on Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 on Fight Island. It will be his first fight since a 40-second demolition of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020; he announced his retirement in June last year. But even while he was retired, McGregor kept teasing a potential fight against the Filipino boxing legend. He signed a deal to fight Poirier last November, but made it clear that a showdown against Pacquiao is still on his mind. "It's almost a certainty," said McGregor in an interview with SportsNet. "I'm hearing there's a contract and all coming… There's a contract. It's that close." While he admits that he has not spoken with the Pacquiao camp, McGregor also stressed that the fight "should happen in 2021." If it pushes through, it will only be the second time that McGregor has fought in a professional boxing match. In August 2017, he memorably took on unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a high-profile showdown that became one of the most lucrative events in boxing history. McGregor held his own in the first few rounds but was stopped by
Mayweather in the tenth. While he failed to inflict a loss on Mayweather's record, the 32-year-old McGregor is confident that he can handle Pacquiao. "Look man, I'm fighting somebody who's a southpaw. Manny's a southpaw," he said. "I'm fighting professional boxers in the gym, sparring with professional southpaw boxers in the gym." This, says McGregor, is in preparation not just for Poirier, but also the "Pacman." "I'm ready for whatever," he guaranteed. "In this game, anything can happen. You just gotta be ready and stay prepared, and that's the way I am." Pacquiao, who was inactive for the entirety of 2020, is certainly open to the idea of fighting McGregor. In an interview on ANC's "Headstart" last December, Pacquiao said he plans to fight at least once in 2021 -and McGregor is among the fighters he wants to face. "Sa akin, McGregor," Pacquiao answered when asked who he would like to fight first among his challengers, a list that also includes unbeaten boxers Errol Spence and Terence Crawford. "Because I want to experience to fight an MMA fighter," he explained. Pacquiao last fought in July 2019 when he claimed a split decision win over American boxer Keith Thurman to claim the WBA welterweight championship.
Embiid scores 42 as Sixers rip Celtics
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HILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid has been the early season MVP for the Sixers. At this rate, the All-Star center could be in contention for a bigger prize. Embiid had 42 points and 10 rebounds, and Tobias Harris scored 22 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 117-109 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time). "It's not sort of, it's 'for sure' MVP-caliber," Harris said of his teammate. Embiid is off to the best start of his career and topped 40 points for the second time in three games. He shot 12 of 19 from the floor (one 3-pointer) and was 17 of 21 from the free-throw line. He did it in 34 minutes and scored 20 points in a half (22 in the first) for the fifth time this season. "If they double, we've got way too many shooters for me to be able to kick it out," Embiid said. "I can attack in a different style. It's been working well." Ben Simmons had 11 points, eight rebounds and
eight assists for the Sixers. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 26 points and Marcus Smart had 25. Kemba Walker scored 19 points in his second game of the season after he missed the first 11 with a left knee injury. The Sixers fell short in their attempt to trade for James Harden and left Embiid to perform the heavy lifting for a franchise that needs at least one other elite scorer to make a serious run in the East. When the Celtics snapped a tie game in the third with a 9-0 run it was Embiid -- who else? -- who steadied the Sixers with a three-point play. "I'm not surprised at the level," coach Doc Rivers said. "He's just more talented than even I knew. I knew he was extremely talented, but he has so many more gifts." Simmons was expected to develop into that true cornerstone star to pair with Embiid, only this season there has been more frustration than flashes of brilliance. Rivers has insist-
FEMBIID, P10
There was no celebration for the Nets’Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
New ‘Big 3’ loses first game together T he Cavs defeat the Nets 147-135 behind a career-high 42 points from Collin Sexton.
It shaped as one of the NBA’s most highly-anticipated games in recent memory as fans got their first look at Brooklyn’s game-changing $305 million gamble. In the end though, it was Sexton who overshadowed the big three in his first game since January 6. Sexton returned after a five-game stretch sidelined with a sprained ankle and when the Cleveland Cavaliers’ clash with the Brooklyn Nets went into overtime, all eyes turned to Brooklyn’s star trio. It was Kyrie Irving,
James Harden and Kevin Durant’s first outing together and all three are clutch players in their own right. But it was Sexton who stood tall and took the NBA world by storm with 20 points combined in both the first overtime and the second overtime periods to lift the Cavs to a stunning 147135 win. The 22-year old finished with a career-high 42 points to go alongside five rebounds and five assists from 38 minutes. What was supposed to be a triumphant night for
the Nets ended in misery as their star trio combined for just under 150 minutes on the floor. Durant finished with 38 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists while Kyrie Irving had 37, two and three respectively in those areas. A lot was made of Harden’s relatively quiet first half when it came to points-scoring, with only two to his name along with four assists by that point. It looked like he was taking his time to work out exactly where he would fit, which is understandable given the Nets had just one training session to try and find that answer. As the game progressed though it became clear
Harden was warming into his role as a facilitator, dishing the ball out with trust that he did not have to be the sole producer on the offensive end. Jeff Green’s clutch 3-pointer in the dying seconds of overtime being the perfect example. For what it’s worth Harden ended with a strong output of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Brooklyn’s big three could have definitely done with more time on the bench as fatigue proved a defining factor in their defeat late but that is not to take anything away from Cleveland. It does though tie into a bigger dilemma facing Steve
panga, where they will take on South Korea twice and Indonesia once in the final qualifying window for the continental tournament. The Philippines currently has a 3-0 record in Group A
and will need just one win in their upcoming games to secure their spot in the FIBA Asia Cup later in the year. The national team pool is currently training at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna to prepare for the qualifiers. It was not immediately clear if Sotto will join the team in their training camp in Calamba.
FNEW, P10
Kai coming home to play for Gilas in February
K
ai Sotto on Thursday announced that he will play for the Philippine national team in the upcoming window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers. "I'm heading home soon," said Sotto, who is currently training with Team Ignite to prepare for the upcoming season of the NBA G
League. "Sobrang excited ako sa binigay na opportunity para makapaglaro sa Gilas ngayong February window," he added. Gilas Pilipinas will play in a "bubble" in Clark, Pam-
Kai Sotto will be suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
FKAI, P10
12 SPORTS
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GOING ONLINE
PSC to push with National Sports Summit online
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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) migrates the postponed National Sports Summit into a three-part program with a series of weekly online conference-type sessions starting January 27.
“We wanted to push through with this because we know it will be useful to know where we are now from where we were almost three decades ago. It will help see the road ahead of us and navigate it better,” explained PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez. He refers to the 1st National Sports Summit held in 1992, where 38 resolutions were crafted in the hopes of a better national sports environment. The 2021 edition, starting with a weekly conference-type online session, titled Sports Conversations, will cover 25 sports topics. Ramirez shares that “data gathered from these sessions will be studied and processed, and shall be the foundation of a new set
of resolutions hoped to be useful for our future sports leaders, legislators, and national officials who contribute to the betterment of sports in the country.” With the summit’s primary aim of determining the present status of sports in the Philippines and then charting the path to achieve sports excellence, PSC taps recognized figures from the local to the international sports scene to deliver short lectures in the online conference. The first batch of sessions brings together United Sports Academy (USSA) President T.J. Rosandich, Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Dean of Philippine Sports Henry Daut, DAVNOR Sports Development Head Giovanni Gulanes, and UP
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez (second from left) said the Philippine Sports Summit will be staged this year through online paltform. professor Tessa Jazmines. Rosandich, president of the USSA, opens the three-part summit with a
lecture-forum on “Sports Success from a First World Perspective.” The academy is home to
the likes of American-Israeli Olympic figure skater Aimee Buchanan and two-time national coach of the year
Mike Leach. Davao del Norte’s Gulanes shares his exper-
FGOING, P10
FPANDEMIC, P10