Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 252 |Tuesday, February 9, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

AIR POLLUTION ALSO AFFECTS FOOD PRODUCTION

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Southern Silvery Kingfisher, one of Mindanao endemic birds, which is classified as near-threatened due to habitat loss, is the flagship species in Malagos Garden Resort (MGR). MGR and BIG YEAR DAVAO, a group of birding enthusiasts within Davao Region, recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to formalized their partnership for wildlife preservation within the resort premises through regular bird watching and birding activity. Contributed photo by Julius Paner

Covid-19 cases in Davao City declines STORY ON PAGE 2

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NEWS

President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with memberso of the media at the Davao International Airport in this undated photo. Malacañang defended the President’s preference to appoint former military men to his Cabinet after he offered retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay a new job. The President said he preferred appointing military men because they get the job done. Edge Davao

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Covid-19 cases in Davao City declines By MAYA M. PADILLO

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced that the cases of Covid-19 in Davao City are on the decline. “Pababa ang atoang cases. But of course sa nakita nato sa experience nato last year during the height sa atoang MGCQ didto pud nagtaas ang atoang cases and ang pinaka daghan nato that time was 2,500 active cases a day. Napa-baba nato na to 1,300 approximately active cases today,” she said during a live broadcast interview on Monday. The mayor reiterated that following the minimum health protocols is the only solutions to reduce the Covid-19 cases in Davao City. She also said with the declining number of cases, it is still early to relax and place Davao City to modified general community

quarantine (MGCQ) status, however, some regulations can be revised. “Usually, naga hulat lang ta ug unsa ang quarantine classification sa atoa sa IATF depending on the indicators if we pass for MGCQ or GCQ but duna’y mga butang na puwede ra nato i-revise ang mga regulations sama sa atoang regulation on mass gathering kay hangtod karon naa pa ta sa 25 people for offices and government. Naa ta curfew and liquor ban and we also have EO 62 and 63, if things can be within atong control, puwede nato i-revise,” she said. Mayor Sara has extended the 24-hour liquor ban and curfew in the city until

March 31, 2021 under Executive Order (E.O.) No. 5, Series of 2021, which she signed on January 29, 2021. The current 24-hour liquor ban and curfew via E.O. 71, Series of 2020, was also an extension of E.O. 59, Series of 2020, and E.O. 55B, Series of 2020, respectively.E.O. 59 reimposes the 24-hour liquor ban in the city to prevent the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 through unbridled drinking sessions while E.O. 55-B imposes the curfew to avert the spike of cases during the holiday season, to support the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in its anti-criminality efforts, and to intensify terrorism surveillance and anti-illegal drugs operations in the coastal areas. “Puwede ra nato i-relax ang regulations sa liquor ban kung makita sa mga health experts na okay na i-relax,” she said.

Malls, establishments told to check premises after strong earthquake

he Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) reminded shopping malls in Davao City to check premises for damages after Sunday's 6.1-Magnitude earthquake which traced its epicenter to southeast of Magsaysay, Davao Del Sur. Intensity 4 was felt in Davao City. CDRRMO chief Alfredo Baloran reminded mall and other establishment owners to check on their respective vicinity following the tremor and enforce evacuation if needed. Baloran reminded them the standard operating procedures that must be followed if they see minor cracks. He people are not al-

lowed to go back, unless, it has been evaluated by structural engineers. “Kining mga establisyemento naa pud na sila’y structural engineers, pero tan-awon gihapon na sa atong City Engineer’s Office. Sa karon, nagatuyok na pud sila para i-evaluate ang mga minor damages sa mga establishments,” he said in an interview during the disaster and weather updates on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Sunday. Ruby Bueno-Ochoa, marketing manager of Abreeza Ayala Mall, said the management immediately implemented safety procedures and did all the necessary building inspection on Sunday prior to the re-entry of shoppers and mall per-

sonnel. “At the same time observe the Inter-Agency Task Force’s procedures when doing evacuation,” she said. It can be recalled that a Magnitude 6.6 shook the whole of Mindanao on October 16, 2019 from an epicenter located outside the town of Tulunan, North Cotabato. Prior to this, a similar strong quake, of magnitude 6.3 occurred in North Cotabato of the same period that generated an intensity 7 impact in the surrounding Kidapawan City, Kabacan and Makilala. It was the biggest quake Davao City has experienced leaving some 35 structures damaged including a highrise building and a shopping

FMALLS, P10

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NEWS 3

A Task Force Davao personnel checks the travel documents of motorists entering Davao City. TF Davao confirmed that since last week, checkpoints in Barangays Sirawan, Lacson and Lasang no longer scan the Davao QR codes of passengers going to the city. Edge Davao

Watershed Council stops Marilog logging By ANTONIO M. AJERO

he Davao City Watershed Management Council (WMC) has denied a request of a businessman to be allowed to log more than 100 trees in his own land in barangay Salaysay, Marilog District in Davao City because it is located within the watershed area protected under the law. The resident whose request was denied is Ling Ling Wu Lee. Mr. Lee applied for a permit to cut forest tree species within his 12.2-hectare land covered by title TCT 1462016018903 in barangay Salaysay, Marilog for “personal, commercial and development purposes.” Proposed to be cut by the applicant are 121 trees composed of various planted and natural grown tree species with a total volume of 331.56 cubic meters. The denial was decided during the latest monthly meeting of the WMC presided by City Administrator Zuleika D. Lopez, who co-chairs the watershed council with Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. The disapproval is pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance No. 0310-07, Series of 2007, otherwise known as the Watershed Code of Davao City.

The Code prohibits the cutting of trees and several other commercial and development activities within a site delineated as watershed area. The watershed council is composed of representatives of city and national agencies as well as certain private organizations like IDIS, the church and the media and headed by the city mayor herself. It is mandated to ensure the implementation of all the provisions of the Code and its implementing rules and regulations. The WMC is assisted by the Watershed Multipartite MonitoringTeam (WMMT) in implementing the Watershed Code and its IRR. Also assisting the WMC is the Bantay Bukid volunteers and lately the monolithic Public Safety and Security Command Center headed by Angel Sumagaysay, a retired police official. The WMC meeting last week of January also withheld action on two other requests for a permit to cut trees, pending submission of documents identifying coordinates or the exact location of the proposed logging area and the status of the lands where the cutting of trees is proposed.

Forum to tackle progress of Minda train, Davao-Samal Bridge projects By MAYA M. PADILLO

he progress of two major projects involving the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) and the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) will be tackled in the upcoming Mindanao Speaks Up forum slated on Wednesday (February 10, 2021).

These projects topbill the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration that are still lagging behind in terms of implementations. The Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced last month that two of the three short-listed Chinese consultants for the consultancy contract for the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of the Mindanao Railway Project are compliant with its terms of reference but one company ap-

peared to fail in one of the requirements indicated in the terms of reference. For the bridge project, Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was earlier reported saying 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. In a statement, Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, chairman of MinDA, said the Mindanao Speaks Up Forum will showcase the accomplishments of the Duterte administration in the past four years, while also highlighting the sectors that are still lagging behind, particularly in terms of the funding and policy support. “We are confident that with the support of our national leaders, we can still deliver progress where it is needed most,” Piñol said. He said MinDA and other stakeholders in Mindanao will be endorsing also projects that have huge contribution in sustaining peace, productivity, and poverty

reduction in Mindanao in the said upcoming forum. He also said these projects were identified after Mindanao leaders and stakeholders already concluded the rounds of consultations with the Regional Development Councils (RDCs), Local Government Units (LGUs), and regional line agencies as part of the crucial of getting the top priority projects per region to be endorsed to the Office of the President, national offices, and policymakers for necessary support. “Apart from the list of projects, one significant result of the consultations was the shared and strengthened commitment of the Mindanao leaders in helping the Duterte Adminis-

City Police Office bared the police has stopped temporarily the scanning of the Davao QR code. He said the suspension is due to the coming out of new procedure for the checking of the Davao QR Code. “Inaayos pa po yung sistema ( The system is being fixed) until we will be implementing it again,”

Kraft said. He said the police has reverted back to checking the documents to determine if the person is authorized to go out of residence or not. Kraft also reminded the residents to abide with the culture of security and health protocols like wearing of face masks, face shields and social distanc-

ing and the use of alcohol which are being implemented by the authorities. He also revealed that the plan to activate eight more police stations in the city will push through with the corresponding budget from the City Government for the construction of their buildings. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

FFORUM, P10

Health protocol continues to be enforced In Davao City as GCQ extended to Feb. 28

avao City’s top cop assured the implementation of all health protocols especially that the quarantine status of the city to general community quarantine has been extended to February 28 and the extension of the curfew and liquor ban up to March 31, 2021. Colonel Kirby John Kraft, director of the Davao

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City biz group to focus on recovery A familiar scene during“tabo”(market day) in Malaybalay City. Photo taken Feb. 6, 2020 by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO/MindaNews

he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. (DCCCII) will focus on the recovery of businesses from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

uring the 53rd Installation of Officers and Trustees held online on Jan. 29, incoming DCCCII president Dr. Malou Monteverde bared that the chamber under her presidency will revolve around

the goals of REBOOT, RECHARGE, RECOVER AND RESET. “REBOOT means helping businesses recover from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Monteverde said of the chamber’s Re-

boot goal. “The Chamber is grateful for the steps taken by the government to help prop up businesses and the economy one of these is Senate Bill 1357 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act or CREATE that aims to cut the country’s corporate income tax, Also the Bayanihan Act was a much needed help for distressed economic enterprises and their affected

workforce,” The new chamber president said in her virtual speech. “RECHARGE means new workplace adjustments and adapting new ways of doing businesses and with this the Chamber will continue to hold webinars and trainings that can help businesses scale amidst the challenges brought by the pandemic. Also plans are to host virtual and hopefully soon in-person business matchmaking

events,” Monteverde said. The chamber will be continuing to hold similar virtual events such as the online Davao Agri-Trade Expo Exhibit to help the agricultural sector. Among its vision is to provide an environment conducive to capacity- building, innovation and digitalization that will help the MSMEs (Micro Small and Mediumscale Enterprise) adapt and thrive in the new normal.

RECOVER means that Davao and Mindanao economies need to regain lost ground and momentum it had before the pandemic. “DCCCII hopes to bring together potential buyers, investors and industry experts or in-person to build partnerships, bring more investments to Davao and boost the local economy,” Dr. Monteverde said. “As Dabawenyos, we

and chicken is in effect. The first truck from Koronadal Valley Livestock Growers contained some 130 live hogs that weighed 13.6 metric tons, the department said. Another truckload with the same volume will be transported later Sunday and is expected to reach Manila after three days, it added.

“Other provinces from Visayas including Iloilo have also shipped off 600 heads last night to fill the supply gap currently being experienced in Luzon,” Secretary William Dar said in a statement. On Monday, the agency would discuss with raisers in Luzon for the possible transport of hogs from San

FDAVAO CITY, P10

NorMin’s formal sector economy Agri dept. begins shipping of live hogs surges to 104% in 5-year survey to Manila during price cap enforcement

orthern Mindanao's formal sector was the top contributor to the increase of the region's economy in 2018, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority in Region 10 (PSA-10) on Friday. Based on the 2018 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CPBI), which

is conducted every five years, the region registered 16,575 establishments belonging to the economy's formal sector, or a 104.1 percent increase compared to the 2012 data. PSA-10 estimates the region's average increase of new businesses at 1,409 per year. PSA-10 Regional Direc-

tor Dr. Janith Aves said the CPBI data also showed the top three industries with the most number of establishments include wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, accommodation and food service activities, and financial and insurance activities.

FNORMIN’S, P10

he Department of Agriculture said it shipped the first batch of live hogs to Metro Manila from areas in the country free of African swine fever. The agency earlier said it would will shoulder transport costs and provide logistics for hog shipments to Metro Manila in 60 days, while the price cap for pork

FAGRI, P10

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ECONOMY 5

Local tourists enjoy the breathtaking sight from a viewdeck in Vista West Café in Barangay Kiliog, Libona town in Bukidnon on Saturday, 6 February 2021. The café is enjoying brisk business from local tourists in search of scenic spots where they can enjoy the cool mountain air after months of being under community quarantine due to COVID-19. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

No sanctions for retailers joining ‘pork holiday’ for now: Agri exec

here will be no sanctions, at least for now, for retailers who would participate in the "pork holiday" protest against the price cap on food commodities imposed by the national government, Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes said Monday. Reyes said the department is currently monitoring the situation on the ground amid the implementation of the price ceiling in Metro Manila. "Wala po naman (parusa) at hindi natin mabibig-

yan ng paratang muna dahil nagmo-monitor lang po muna kami," he said. To address the needs of Metro Manila consumers, Reyes said pork products from Mindanao, Oriental Mindoro, Iloilo and Batangas are set to arrive, the earliest being on Monday afternoon. For frozen imported pork products, Reyes urged consumers to look for the National Meat Inspection Service seal to ensure that the pork is of good quality. Effective February 8, a

FNO SANCTIONS, P10

No disconnection for electricity bills due March 2021, says DOE

he Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an advisory to all distribution utilities (DUs) regarding the extension of “no disconnection policy” for lifeline consumers. The advisory dated Feb. 5 is pursuant to President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of DOE’s recommendation to continue the “no disconnection policy” for lifeline consumers. “Pursuant thereto, all DUs are hereby directed to implement a no disconnection policy due to non-payment of bills falling due by March 2021 for all electricity consumers whose consumption level are within

the lifeline rate set by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for the DU’s franchise area,” the DOE advisory said. For instance, lifeline consumers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the biggest distribution utility firm in the country, are those consuming below 100 kilowatt hours per month. According to DOE, lifeline consumers comprise 32 percent of distribution utilities’ consumer base. However, they only account for 3 percent of the firm’s electricity sales. In a Cabinet meeting last week, Duterte approved the

FNO, P10

Soccsksargen to ship more pork to MManila

og producers in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) committed on Saturday to further increase their shipments to Metro Manila to help address the pork supply shortage in the markets.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said members of the South Cotabato Swine Producers Associ-

ation (Socospa) agreed to consolidate the available hog resources in the area to maximize their deliveries.

He said the city and South Cotabato, which are among the areas in the country that remain free from the African swine fever (ASF), have been shipping around 10,000 heads of live hogs and frozen carcasses every week or 40,000 heads every month to Metro Manila. “That’s the barest min-

imum that they can deliver and could still be increased,” he said in a press conference. Dar, who met with Socospa members at the Greenleaf Hotel here on Saturday, said they were able to negotiate a farm gate price of PHP144 per kilo for the pork shipments based on

US$2.86 billion (16.7 percent) from the Philippines’ bilateral partners, and US$6.47 billion (37.9 percent) from the commercial markets. The continued provision last year of program loans from the Philippines’ bilateral and multilateral partners is “a testament to the timely delivery of our key sectoral reforms," said Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven in his report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. “Out of the total external financing contracted

in 2020, around US$15.44 billion is for the emergency requirements for our COVID-19 response, while the remaining US$1.62 billion is for other initiatives including ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure projects,” said Joven, who heads the DOF-IFG. In his report to Dominguez, Joven said US$14.52 billion in budget support financing was contracted by the DOF in 2020 to help cover the deficit of P1.38 trillion (US$27.81 billion or 7.6 percent of GDP or gross domestic product)

resulting from the expected reduced collections of revenue agencies and the massive spending requirements of COVID-19 response programs. The remaining amount of US$2.54 billion in project loans was successfully negotiated by the IFG in 2020 to support the government’s key projects that will be implemented over several years starting in 2020, Joven said. Of the US$14.52 billion, a total of US$8.05 billion was in the form of Official

FSOCCSKSARGEN, P10

Finance dept. secures $17-B external financing for budget support, projects

he Department of Finance (DOF) has contracted a total of US$17.06 billion in affordable financing from external sources in 2020 for key infrastructure projects and other priority programs, and for helping bridge the wider fiscal deficit incurred last year because of the huge state spending on COVID-19 response measures. Spearheaded by its International Finance Group (IFG), the DOF secured US$7.73 billion or 45.3 percent of this amount from multilateral lenders,

FFINANCE, P10

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On the decline of Covid-19 cases in Davao City: Pababa ang atoang cases. But of course sa nakita nato sa experience nato last year during the height sa atoang MGCQ didto pud nagtaas ang atoang cases and ang pinaka daghan nato that time was 2,500 active cases a day. Napa-baba nato na to 1,300 approximately active cases today.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Protecting ourselves Environment-conscious Dabawenyos who are known to be among the most militant in this part of the country have found a strong ally in Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in their advocacy against single-use plastics. The lady mayor declared last week that the passage of the proposed ordinance is urgent. She requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) under the leadership of Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte to give its nod to the measure ASAP (as soon as possible). Councilor Diosdado R. Mahipus Jr. authored the ordinance designed to reduce, if not totally stop single-use plastics (SUPs). As the name suggests, SUPs are plastic products which are disposable, conceived, designed and placed in the market to be used only once. Councilor Mahipus is proposing 10 plastic products to be banned in the city – plastic drinking cups (recyclable or non- recyclable), plastic cup lids or covers, plastic stirrers (usually used to stir coffee and other drinks), plas-

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

tic straw, plastic cutleries (spoon, fork and knife), plastic meal packaging, plastic hand gloves, plastic materials used as buntings and plastic materials used as balloon stick (recyclable and non-recyclable). Environment advocates among civil society organizations spearheaded by Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) and the Sustainable Davao Movement have been advocating for this legislative action for years. These groups have argued that plastic pollution is a very serious problem that affects all communities on dryland as well as waterways. It is a kind of pollution that causes street floods, destruction of the all-important coral reefs, poisoning of our rivers and seas and the killing of fishes and other ocean creatures. Truth to tell, plastic pollution threatens our human existence. In other words, banning plastics is an act of protecting ourselves.

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VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

SPARKY & BENNY’S BIG HOME MYSTERY ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST AND DAUGHTER RELEASE HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

LET’S DRINK TO THAT!

“I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.” ― William Shakespeare in Othello *** It came to pass that the Queen of Death called an emergency meeting. She wanted to assign a new prime minister, one who would be able to kill the most people. Various kinds of evil and vice came. They competed and stated their qualifications. There were all sorts of sin, diseases, hunger, gambling, fighting, wars, pride, anger, payback and revenge. All had their say. Finally, a very beautiful girl stood up and said, “It’s true, all these others bring times of disaster such as war and famine and disease. But we have to have something which can kill off many people in times of peace and prosperity. “I have something,” she continued. “I have something that kills off people when they are wealthy, when they are having a good time, when they are relaxing and taking it easy. If you elect me prime minister, I can assure you I will be the greatest cause of death in all countries.” The Queen ofCHANGE Death then asked CLIMATE the young girl to her make name. She continues it- said, “My name Drunkenness.” self feltisacross the globe

She won; and to this day she is still prime minister. No one has come close to unseating her. “Do you drink?” someone asked Stephen King, the American author of contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy. “Of course,” replied King (of The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me, and The Shining distinction), “I just said I was a writer.” “I drink to make other people more interesting,” commented Ernest Hemingway, whose economical and understated style of writing had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction and whose life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. When it comes to humor, Benjamin Franklin seemed to have it all. “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria,” he wrote. British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill shared this anecdote: “A lady came up to me one day and said ‘Sir! You are drunk,’ to which I replied, ‘‘I am drunk today madam, and tomorrow I shall be sober but you will still be ugly.’” Edgar Allan Poe, another American writer, editor, and literary critic

who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre, once said: “I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” “If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink,” goes an old saying. Had Henri Paul, the Ritz Hotel security guard who drove the limousine in which Princess Diana died, taken the above advice, the England’s Rose and her companion, Dodi AlFayed as well as Paul himself would still be alive today. Three sets of tests on the body of Paul showed he was three times over the legal drink-drive limit and had taken an antidepressant and a sedative inhibiting agitated or aggressive behavior. The drugs reportedly can impair judgement, and doctors in fact caution patients against driving or drinking when using them. “Obviously, Mr. Paul should not have been at the wheel,” Bernard Dartevelle, a lawyer for the Al-Fayed

family, told France 3 television. “Drunkenness has killed more men than all of the history’s wars,” commented American military general John Joseph Pershing, who had been to several wars -- and even came to the Philippines in 1899. American President Abraham Lincoln added: ‘Drink is a cancer in human society; eating out its vital and threatening its destruction.” James R. Stuart deplored, “I would rather own stock in hell than in a brewery. He’ll receive the poor fellow after he’s debauched. The brewery takes aim in his innocence, debauches him and prepares him for hell.” Oscar Wilde said on what happened when a person drinks: “After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.” Historically, people drank alcohol when they could get it: as food, in place of fetid water; as relief from the misery of life; to chase after pleasure -- at births, weddings and festivals. Wine poured down the pagan hatch, Dionysian and Bacchanalian. Alcohol

CHILDREN’S BOOK ON CLIMATE CHANGE

through extreme and unprecedented natural disasters, species extinction, outbreaks, and decrease in water and food supply. While a number of international organizations have initiated solutions, movements and campaigns to address the problem, each one of us still has a part to play in protecting the earth preventing Maleand seafarers can be the subject potential risks our of sexual harassment to while working future and home. After on board the vessel entitling them to all, is no planet B. moralthere damages.

AsSexual parents, it is ourcan duty to harassment happen educate and groom our chilto anyone and everyone. drenThe as responsible citizens. Supreme Court stressed in That includes taking the case of Toliongco vs.accountAnglo-Eastability the(G.R. world live in ern Crewfor Mgt. No. we 231748, July and to care for it for genera8, 2020) that sexual harassment must tions to come. is,byhow be recognized as Problem a risk faced our can you explain an environseafarers and which should not be mental crisis catastrophic merely seen as aofgender issue, rather proportions without overit is a power issue. whelming—or scaring—the The seafarer was employed as little ones? How do you warm messman. themThe upseafarer for thisclaimed seriousthat topic when and translate science-speak, to he served dinner to the Chief Officer, make the tone and terms more the latter demanded that he masturage forsex young bate appropriate and perform oral on him. He minds to comprehend? resisted and left the room. Environmental That same night, scientist the chief officer and economist calleddevelopment for him again, and, repeated the Janice Lao-Noche sexual advances. On encountered the second atthe same challenge, when tempt, he also resisted and managed her children asked her about to escape. climate change and expressed He filed a complaint the followtheir feelings about navigating day for physical abuse and sexual ing lifeunder and growing up inagainst abuse alcohol intake today’s Even the with her the Chief world. Officer before Captain. vast knowledge in science and

was not only acceptable, it was esteemed and revered. Jesus Christ used wine as a miracle by transforming it from water; at the Last Supper, imbued it with the symbol of his blood. Wine in early history was often vinegary and drunk diluted with water. As stated earlier, drinking and driving don’t mix. In the United States, a fatal accident, involving the lives of four young people, took place upon one of the country’s highways. The evidence that the liquor was the culprit was found in the broken whisky bottles among the debris and the mangled bodies of the four youthful victims. The father of one of the girls was in deep anguish over the untimely death of his daughter. He threatened to kill the one who had provided the four young people with liquor, but upon going to the cupboard where he kept his supply of choice beverages, he found a note in his daughter’s handwriting: “Dad, we’re taking along some of your good liquor -- I know you won’t mind.” “Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the Bible says love your enemy,” so said American singer and Oscar-winning actor Frank Sinatra.

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

MALE SEAFARERS AS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT The chief officer threatened to kill him upon learning of the complaint. The seafarer was later repatriated to the Philippines. Several months later, he filed a complaint for constructive dismissal, sexual harassment and maltreatment with prayer for the payment of disability benefits, damages and attorney’s fees claiming that he is rendered permanently and totally disabled due to his post-traumatic stress disorder sustainability, she struggled to caused by his unfortunate experience find ways and words to simonboard the vessel. plifyThe such a complex court, however,matter. denied the She succeeded weaving the claim for disabilitybybenefits because ideas into her children’s imagithe pieces of evidence submitted are nation, telling thethe “innot sufficient to them convince Court convenient truth” in the that he has been rendered most permaloving and constructive nently and totally disabled. way. These conversations Nevertheless, the became Court ruled her inspiration to write a chilthat since a wrongful act was comdren’s book on climate change. mitted against the seafarer due to the Janice and herheco-author, sexual harassment suffered at the eleven-year-old daughter hands of the chief officer , he is entiEsther Noche, us on an tled to the incometake for the unexpired Arctic adventure with their portion of the contract, moral damagnewly-released & damages of P100,000,00,Sparky exemplary Benny’s Big Home Mystery. es, and attorney’s fees

The story follows two kid

The Supreme Court underscored that victims of sexual abuse usually take time before reporting to the proper authorities, more so if they are male as society has made it hard for male victims of sexual harassment to come out and report. “Our society has often depicted women as being the weaker sex, and the only victims of sexual harassment. It is high-time that this notion is corrected. To consider women as the weaker sex is discriminatory. To whales a quest think thaton only womenfor cananswers be victims on why they are losing their of sexual harassment is discriminahomes and how they can put tory against men who have suffered athestop to it. Combining reality same plight; men who have been and fantasy, it breaks down” the victimized by sexual predators, the concept of climate change Court said. in anSeafarers entertaining and logical are exposed to various way that makes it easy for both forms of discrimination, exploitation, adults and children to undersexual harassment, and violence, stand. which may partly be attributed to the The narrative offers an confined space on board vessels. all-encompassing insight onship The isolated nature of the how climate change affects can increase opportunities for sexunot just selectand species, contial harassment violence, and can nents, or oceans, but the also amplify their negative entire conseplanet. quences.While it brings to the fore Sexual our fears and existential harassment may take the

concerns, it also shows how

form of sexist remarks, sexual advances or sex-related behavior. It is a reflection of the power relations between individuals involved where, in most instances, the harasser is an officer occupying a higher rank than the seafarer. The Court cited separate AuthorsaJanice Lao and(712 Esther opinion in Garcia v.Noche Drilon, Phil Noche withthe their 44, 2013) which recognized exisbook, Sparky and tence of violence against men and the Benny’s Big Home underreporting of such incidents. Mystery. The Court said that we are all links in the “social chain and of cultural expectations on masculiniresponsibility and collaboraty andand male dominance menof to tion how we canurge be part keep quiet about being a victim, addthe solution to this man-made ing to the unique experience of male problem. victims of domestic abuse.&This leads In essence, Sparky to latent depression boys and Benny’s Big Homeamong Mystery men. In a sense, patriarchy while is a story of hope—provid- privileging men, also ing children a victimizes templatethem” on how“There they can helpmore makespace a to is now real difference. It is aonly personal believe that portraying women story for children, parents and as victims will not always promote educators to understand gender equality before the what law. It climate change is all sometimes aggravates theabout gap byand conwhy is personal to all of us. cedingitthat women have always been Janice, by whose family hails dominated men. In doing so, it renfrom Davao, is awomen multi-awardders empowered invisible;

ed sustainability expert. She

or, in some cases, that men as human

won acclaim beingsinternational can also become victims”, the for her work in sustainability, Court added. including at the age of 30, The Court further stressed that co-developing a mathemati“it may be said that violence in the cal and economic model for context of intimate relationships reducing carbon emissions should not be seen and encrusted as in the international aviation a gender issue, rather it is a power sector. Her daughter, Esther, is when laws are not genaissue. 6th Thus, grader, student athlete, der-neutral, male victims of domestic and a young coder. She wants violence may alsoveterinarian suffer from double to be a marine victimization first by abusers when she grows up.their The book and second by the judicial is published by US-basedsystem. Wise Incidentally, focusing on women was Ink. the“This victimsbook entrenches level of is our some love letter heteronormativity. It is blind to nature and to the world,to the possibilityreal that,love whatever moral posibecause means telltions are taken by those who are doming them the truth, but also inant, in reality intimate showing them what relationships is poscan also happen between men. ” sible,” says Janice. “The book its core, sexual endsAt with hope, thatharassment if we takeis action today and dobut it an together, not an issue of gender issue of we can solve the greatest threat power. we face humanity—climate Atty.asGorecho heads the seachange.” farers’ division of the Sapalo Velez To preview book, check Bundang Bulilanthelaw offices. For out its Amazon at bit.ly/ comments, email page info@sapalovelez. sparkybenny. more infor-or com, or call For 09175025808 mation, visit www.janicelao. 09088665786) com.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

DA-PRDP XI Deputy Project Director Marila L. Corpuz hands over the certificates of turnover to Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib. (Photo by: Celso C. Vergara, DA11)

DA-PRDP XI turns over P127.3-M agri infa to Dav Norte Province A s part of its development projects to increase rural incomes and enhance farm and fishery productivity, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project XI (DA-PRDP XI) has turnedover P127.3-M of agri infra to the Province of Davao del Norte. The said agri infra includes a P117.4-M rehabilitated Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) in the Municipality of Sto. Tomas and P9.9-M improved Nursery with Organic Input Production and Common Service Facility in the Municipality of New Corella. In her message during the inauguration ceremony on February 5, DA-PRDP XI Deputy Project Director Marila L. Corpuz highlighted the significant role of rural infrastructure in providing farming communities the connectivity to the processing and market centres. “As we want to increase farm productivity, we should also ensure the

quality of our farmers’ produce so that they will have an increased income and that is the very reason why we are so keen in implementing these projects,” said Corpuz. Adding that: “These projects are a product of the combined efforts and the dedication to serve of our DA-PRDP Team and our active partners in the provincial and municipal local government units.” These PRDP subprojects under the I-BUILD components of the DA are jointly funded by the World Bank, the national and local government units. Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib has thanked DA-

PRDP XI for the strong collaboration that resulted to the smooth and successful implementation of the said projects. “DA- XI has been with my administration working closely throughout the implementation of these projects. And with this partnership and pooling resources, we will continue in gearing farming communities to be more resilient and provide much needed services especially to the most disadvantaged communities,” said Jubahib. The 12.63 Km. rehabilitated Esperanza-Poblacion, Sto. Tomas FMR serves 11,400 Tomaseños traversing the 67 ha. banana plantation in Brgy. Esparanza, 147 ha. coconut plantation in Brgy. San Vicente, 60 ha. cacao production area in Brgy. Salvacion and the 400 ha. rice farms in Brgys. Kinamayan and Poblacion. In his acceptance speech, Sto. Tomas Municipal Mayor Ernesto T. Evangelista said that the FMR has a big impact to his constituents as it does not only

lessen the transportation cost but ensure the quality of their produce. The improved Nursery with Organic Input Production and Common Service Facility in Brgy. Poblacion, New Corella includes a two units of solar dryers, a warehouse and fermentary building. It also features a vermi storage facility and vermi composting beds with

shed in support to the organic agriculture programs of the municipality. New Corella Municipal Mayor Jorjan B. Federiso in her message said that the projects are a big help as they ensured and put premium on the quality of their agricultural produce. “DA-XI’s dedication to reach even those far-flung areas inspires us in the LGU

to do more and serve more our farming communities,” said Federiso. Meanwhile, DPD Corpuz said that the turned over projects will also benefit the two IP communities in New Corella and 218 Mandaya/ Mansaka and 253 Manobo in Sto. Tomas which is in line with the agency’s inclusive approach in agriculture. (Celso C. Vergara, DA11)

the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and is consistent with our continuing efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus and make our members and pensioners feel safe when they visit our office. Earlier, we have put in place handwashing facilities, counter dividers, hand sanitizers, and social distancing markers as safety measures,” said GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet. All GSIS personnel and visitors entering the GSIS

Head Office will be asked to download the StaySafe. ph app on their smartphone and answer the app’s health declaration. Android or Apple mobile phone users may download the app for free. To use the app, they may scan the QR code posted at various entry points in GSIS using their smartphone. For visitors or employees who don’t have a smart phone or Internet, GSIS security personnel will be ready to assist them using a GSISprovided tablet to access the app.

GSIS to adopt contact tracing app StaySafe.ph

tate pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will adopt and use the official government contact tracing app StaySafe.ph at its head office in Pasay on February 8. GSIS branch offices will follow suit in the coming months. Through StaySafe.ph, visitors and employees of GSIS can easily register, report their health status, and provide a comprehensive contact tracing report for GSIS. “The use of StaySafe.ph app is mandated by the Inter-Agency Task Force for

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AGRITRENDS

AIR POLLUTION ALSO AFFECTS FOOD PRODUCTION P Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

eople burn fossil fuels – coal, oil, and gas – to furnish heat for homes, energy for mobility, and power for the production of goods. Fossil fuels have become human beings’ servants, and their skill at capturing their energy has transformed civilization. This mastery of energy has brought abundance and comfort.

But too much of everything is dangerous. When energy is exploited to its maximum level has become a dangerous servant. Man’s misuse of fossil fuels has resulted in air pollution episodes so severe that people have died. Air pollution kills three times more than vehicular accidents, said a study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the Philippines, over four percent of all deaths are attributed to air pollution, according to a report released by the World Bank. Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis are seen to increase with sulfur oxides. Carbon dioxide, a product of incomplete burning of fossil fuels, can affect healthy individuals, impairing exercise capacity, visual perception, manual dexterity, learning functions and ability to perform completed tasks. Scientists classify air pollutants into two categories. Primary pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulates are emitted directly into the atmosphere. They are generally present in high concentrations in urban areas or close to large point sources, such as around power plants. Secondary pollutants include tropospheric (ground level) ozone, and are formed by subsequent chemical reactions in the atmosphere. They often spread at high concentrations over hundreds of kilometers away from urban and other sources.

Studies show motor vehicles account for about 30% of emissions of nitrogen oxides, 50% of hydrocarbons, 60% of lead and 60% of carbon monoxide in cities of developed countries. In city centers the values rise to 95% for carbon monoxide and up to 70% for nitrogen oxides. Until the middle of this century, air pollution was primarily a problem of urban and industrial regions in the developed countries. In the last three decades, however, changes in the pattern of air pollutant emissions, including increases in those from motor vehicles, have led to greater pollutant impacts in more remote rural areas. Unfortunately, much of the attention surrounding air pollution in developing countries (like the Philippines) tends to focus on its impact on human health in large cities (Metro Manila, for instance). Most Filipinos, however, don’t know that air pollution in and around these cities, and in the surrounding areas, could also have significant impacts on agricultural production. Even those vegetables and other crops grown organically can also be affected. “Air pollution’s damaging impact on human health is well established – but apart from its links to illnesses including heart disease and asthma, pollutants are also damaging the yield of food crops and other nutritional quality and safety, imposing a major risk to food security,”

wrote Jessica Brown of Sustainable Food Trust. A report entitled A Hidden Threat to Food Production: Air Pollution and Agriculture in the Developing World -- which EDGE Davao has obtained -- has supported this claim. Published by the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), it is written by Fiona Marshall, a research associate at Imperial College, Centre for Environmental Technology (ICCET); Mike Ashmore, a reader in pollutant impacts at the same college; and Fiona Hinchcliffe, IIED’s research associate. Dr. Gerald Brust, an American integrated pest management vegetable specialist at the University of Maryland says the burning of coal and other fossil fuels gives rise to various chemical pollutants such as sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxides (including nitrite and nitrate), ozone, as well as a variety of hydrocarbons. The three aforementioned authors cited three major ways in which air pollutants may damage agricultural production. These are direct visible injury, direct effects on growth and yield, and indirect effects. Direct visible injury usually affects leaf tissue. If the damage is extensive, this can alter crop yield. Superficial damage can also make the crop look less appealing to consumers, thus lowering its value. Experiments with a range of different pollutants have shown that yields are generally reduced with increasing exposure to pollutants, even in the absence of visible injury. Even at relatively low levels, air pollutants may cause a range of subtle changes, which may not lead to detectable

yield reductions. “However, these changes may increase the crop’s sensitivity to other stresses, thereby contributing to significant yield losses,” the authors wrote. “For instance, exposure to sulfur dioxide consistently leads to increased growth rates of a range of aphid pests.” The report cites some global evidence. First, there was the case in the United States, which was conducted by the National Crop Loss Assessment Program in the 1980s. The program looked at yield reductions associated with a given pollutant concentration for major US crops, and combined these with economic models to calculate the benefit of reductions in ozone concentrations. Ozone has been identified as the most powerful secondary air pollutant in terms of its impacts on crops on a regional and national basis. Ozone is formed through a series of chemical reactions in the atmosphere which involve emissions of nitrogen oxides and reactive hydrocarbons, of which motor vehicles are the main

source. “Yield

reductions on a national scale were estimated to be 5%, with the economic benefit of reducing ozone c o n cent r a tions b y 4 0 % estimated to be a b o u t US$3 billion annually,” the report says. In India, ground level ozone cuts yield of wheat and rice crops in half, according to a study done in 2014. Researchers found that between 1980 and 2010, yields were up to 36% lower than what they would have been without air pollution trends. “This loss was the equivalent of more than 24 million tons of wheat, worth around US$5 billion,” Brown reported. To identify areas at high, m o d e ra te or low risk of crop yield r e duction from t w o major air pollutants, ozone and sulfur dioxide, the Imperial Col-

lege, Centre for Environmental

Te c h nology c o n d u c te d a global risk as-

sessment. The Philippines – along with Egypt, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Indonesia – has been predicted to have large areas of cultivated land in the “high risk category.” The “high risk” areas correspond to the ozone exposure, which is estimated to cause a yield reduction above 15% based on European studies using wheat. “Whilst exploring the potential for changes in agricultural practices to reduce these impacts is one way forward, clearly another avenue to explore is how policy can reduce emissions of the major pollutants and their precursors,” the three authors concluded. “There are a number of environmental policy issues, including air quality standards, cost-benefit analysis, urban planning, national land-use planning and local environmental impact assessment, which need to take the issue of air pollution and agriculture into account,” they further noted.

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mall: a crack damaged the façade of the 10-storey Felcris Centrale, a mixed-use building with a call center and mall at the second floor while major cracks were also reported from the Gaisano Grand Mall in Toril. On the other hand, Baloran said that based on their risk assessment and evaluation, no casualties and major damage on establishments and infrastructures – including bridges and thoroughfares were recorded. However, minor cracks were visibly seen in a temporary

treatment facility at the University of the Philippines – Mintal Campus. He said coastal areas in the city were also being closely monitored through the installed CCTV cameras in the respective seaside areas. Baloran also reminded Dabawenyos to remain calm and vigilant during calamities and disasters and still follow minimum standard health protocols as the Covid-19 outbreak continue to surge. Maya Padillo

need to prepare for the great RESET in order to manage the direct consequences brought by the pandemic, to rebuild the economy sustainably, and to promote a more inclusive recovery,” the DCCCII president added. She said DCCCII will continue to work with its partners under the Davao Regional Inclusive Innovation Center in conducting a Business Impact Survey (BIS) in order to get the real picture of the impact of the pandemic on the business community, particularly on MSMEs, and to help them develop innovations and ways forward for business

recovery and continuity amidst the pandemic. The virtual installation ceremony, the first of its kind conducted by the DCCCII was graced by the presence of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who presided over the oath-taking of the new officers and trustees. Over 100 guests mostly chamber members, national government and city government officials, diplomatic community, civic organizations and the media attended the online event held at the DCCCII Zoom portal. (PIA/RG Alama)

"In 2018, the total revenue generated by establishments in the formal sector totaled PHP917.3 billion, an increase of 182.5 percent from PHP324.7 billion in 2012. Services contributed the biggest revenue share of PHP675.5 or 73.6 percent of the total," she said. As for the top employment generators, PSA-10 data showed that wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles contributed 30.2 percent share to total employment, followed by manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishery, and accommodation and food service activities. PSA-10 data also showed that wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles were the top-earning industries in the region, earning total revenues of PHP526 million. These were followed by manufacturing, and financial, and insurance activities. On the other hand, PSA10 has recorded PHP118.4

million in total sales from e-commerce transactions in 2018, a decrease of 23.7 percent from PHP155.2 million in 2012. Aves said statistics aim to provide the government planners with quality and timely data for development planning purposes. “We can only achieve that if we work together as one, you as the data provider and us turning such data into valuable information and statistics,” she said. The PSA-10 chief also stressed that statistics are the evidence on which policies are built. "They help identify needs, set goals, and monitor progress. Without good statistics, the development progress is blind, policymakers cannot learn from their mistakes, the public cannot hold them accountable," she said. The 2018 CPBI was conducted with a 60,683 sample size out of the 334,522 establishments engaged in economic activities in the region. (PNA)

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has been out of the ring for 1 year and 10 months so anything can happen," said Gibbons. Garcia was last in the ring on January 2nd when he recovered from a second

VOL.13 ISSUE 252 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

round knockdown against Luke Campbell to stop him in the 7th round. With the victory he captured the WBC interim lightweight title. (philboxing.com/boxingscene.com/Ryan Burton)

Jose, Batangas, where some 41,953 heads of hogs are available. The South Cotabato Swine Producers’ Association also said it was willing

to work with the DA in delivering live hogs and carcasses to Luzon with 10,000 hogs a week initially, said its president Clinton Edward Ang.

price cap per kilogram of P270 will be implemented for kasim and pigue, P300 for liempo, and P160 for dressed chicken as mandated by Executive Order (EO) 124 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this month. Many retailers protested the price cap, calling it too low. The price ceiling was proposed by the Depart-

ment of Agriculture (DA) as pork and chicken prices have continued to increase despite the price freeze implemented late last year amid the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak. Teams from the Local Price Coordinating Council are set to visit wet supermarkets within the day to inspect compliance with the price ceiling, Reyes said.

the prevailing rates. He said the government, through the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 12, will provide a transport subsidy of PHP21 per kilo to increase the base price to PHP165 per kilo. To facilitate the unhampered pork shipments and deliveries, he said the agency will fast-track the processing of the required documents and ensure their access in the “special hog lanes” along the nautical highway. He said the special lanes cover all “roll on, roll off” (Ro-Ro) and trucking routes along the Maharlika Highway. Dar said he instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry and DA-12 to make sure that all these would be laid out smoothly “without sacrificing the quarantine protocols” on ASF. He said Socospa agreed to maintain their farm gate price to complement the price cap or ceiling for pork products in Metro Manila based on Executive Order No. 124 issued on Feb. 1 by President Rodrigo Duterte. It set a price ceiling of PHP270 per kilo for kasim (pork shoulder)/pigue (pork leg) and PHP300 per kilo for liempo(pork belly) for at least two months. With the prevailing rate, Dar said traders will still have a reasonable income and the prices of pork products will not increase further. “We are helping our hog raisers on this, that’s the number one priority. They should earn enough along with all those involved in the supply chain. In the end, there will be affordable pork supplies for the consuming public,” he said.

Clinton Edward Ang, Socospa president, lauded the DA for initiating the opening of the “special hog lanes” and for providing them with additional shipping alternatives, among them the mobilization of vessels commissioned to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. He said the area has enough surplus of live hogs and frozen carcasses to supply the other markets but was constrained by transportation and shipping problems. “Our concern had always been on how to deliver them to Luzon. We thank the DA for making the hog lane, especially for the land trips as there are really a lot of obstructions along the way,” he said. Ang assured that they can further increase their shipments to Metro Manila from the current 40,000 heads a month and at the same time continue sustaining the requirements of the local markets. “As much as possible, we will try to ship (out) what we can,” he said. Dar and other top DA officials were in the city as part of a two-day swing in Region 12. On Saturday, Dar also led the ceremonial send-off at the DA-Agricultural Program Coordinating Office in Barangay Lagao of some 260 live hogs worth PHP4 million bound for Metro Manila. He graced the distribution on Friday of some PHP13 million worth of agricultural and fishery support packages to farmers and fisherfolk from the municipalities of Maasim, Kiamba, and Maitum in Sarangani province.

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FORUM... FROM3 tration fulfill its aspirations and promises for the Mindanawons,” the statement said. Meanwhile, MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro said the summit will tackle how the projects will improve productivity, sustain the gains of the peace process, and trigger recovery from the pandemic. President Rodrigo Dute-

rte and concerned Cabinet Secretaries are expected to attend and provide their response to the programs and projects endorsed during the forum. Mindanao Speaks Up is a brainchild of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA).

recommendations of DOE to give assistance to low-income consumers. “As we grappled with the peak of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) transmissions last year, the DOE took proactive steps to help consumers, most especially those at the margins, keep afloat in the midst of grave health and livelihood concerns,” DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said. Moreover, the latest DOE advisory also asks all

electricity consumers who are still unable to pay their bills to enter into a “socially equitable and manageable payment terms” with the distribution utilities. “Notwithstanding, we seek the solidarity of those consumers who are capable to pay to settle their bills within the original due dates to help manage the cash flow in the energy supply chain and ensure the continuous supply of electricity,” DOE added. (PNA)

Development Assistance (ODA) financing and another US$6.47 billion was from funds raised in the overseas bond markets, Joven said. The amount of US$12.18 billion out of this US$14.52 billion was already disbursed as of end-December 2020, he added. “Because of a higher emergency funding requirement in light of COVID-19, the amount of external financing contracted in 2020 increased by 75.43 percent year-on-year. This also represents an overall 33-percent expansion of the external borrowing program from 2016 to 2020,” Joven said. Joven said that in securing financing from external sources, the DOF has always maintained “its bias towards cheaper and multilalateral loans.” “The government has consistently availed debt for budget support, recognizing that program loans and global bonds provide more flexibility in terms of utilization,” he said. Aside from loans, the IFG also processed grants and technical assistance amounting to US$859.53 million last year, of which US$26.74 million is intended for COVID-19 response. “In 2020, the IFG also

facilitated the provision of various donations, such as testing kits, masks, personal protective equipment (PPEs), ventilators, face shields, and others, from China,” Joven said. Also, the US$77.38 million Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation that the DOF signed recently with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) may be fully or partially used for the government’s COVID-19 response programs subject to discussions with the Chinese government, he said. For 2021, Joven said the IFG is targeting to secure a total of US$23.71 billion in financing from external sources to bridge the budget deficit and provide funds for priority projects. Of this amount, US$8.06 billion (34 percent) will be contracted for budget support purposes, while US$15.65 billion (66 percent) will be for project financing. “We are planning to source a total of US$7.67 billion in loans and grants from multilateral institutions, US$10.54 billion from our bilateral partners; and raise US$5.5 billion from the commercial markets this year,” Joven said. (PR)

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He also joined the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the pilot implementation of the Provincial-led Agriculture and Fishery Extension Systems program in Sarangani.

Sarangani will receive a grant of some PHP226 million this year for the rollout of the program, which aims to bring the agency’s extension services to the grassroots level. (PNA)

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Obiena wins ISTAF Indoor event in Berlin

rnest John “EJ” Obiena pulled off a major upset early Saturday (Philippine time) after taking home the gold medal in the men’s pole vault event of the ISTAF (Internationales Stadionfest) Indoor athletics meet at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin. Obiena defeated host country bets Torben Blech and Oleg Zernikel for the top prize after setting the new Philippine indoor record in pole vault. Barely a week after resetting the national record, Obiena broke his own record by soaring for 5.8 meters. Obiena actually ended up tied at the top with Blech, but the former clinched the tiebreaker after clearing the said height in just his first try. Blech needed two tries to clear 5.8 meters even as both pole vaulters missed out at 5.87. "An unexpected, surreal, pleasant, wonderful surprise. So grateful for this win!" Obiena said later in the day. Mainly training in Italy, he is currently touring Europe as part of his preparations

for the Tokyo Olympics. Zernikel sealed the 2-3 finish for Germany after setting a new personal best of 5.72 meters, beating Robert Sobera and Piotr Lisek for the bronze as both Polish pole vaulters could only clear a season best 5.62. Obiena is one of the four Filipino athletes who have so far earned tickets to play in the Tokyo Olympics from July 23 to Aug. 8 this year. Other qualifiers are gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxers Eumir Marcial (men’s middleweight) and Irish Magno (women’s flyweight). The Philippines has yet to win its first Olympic gold since it joined the prestigious Games in 1924. (PNA)

Barely a week after resetting the national record, the Philippines’Olympic bet EJ Obiena broke his own record by soaring for 5.8 meters. PDI photo

Glutagence to select Badosa claims she was treated like a ‘criminal’ in hotel quarantine first in WNBL Draft

ustralian Open contender Paula Badosa has claimed she was treated like a 'criminal' in hotel quarantine after testing positive to COVID-19 while in Melbourne. The world no.70 was the only player to test positive for the virus after arriving in Australian hotel quarantine system - with her diagnosis coming shortly after she criticised the Australian Open's strict lockdown conditions on social media. Badosa, 23, received her COVID-19 diagnosis on day seven of a quarantine period, where she and 72 players were forced to stay in their rooms for 14 days after coming to Australia on flights with infected travellers.

As the Spaniard prepares for Tuesday's opening round match against Ludmilla Samsonova, she accused officials in charge of the hotel quarantine system of treating her like a criminal. Badosa also believes she will struggle to be at her best during the Australian Open after being stuck in a hotel room for two weeks - while other competitors were able to train freely. "[Hotel quarantine] was a nightmare," Badosa said to Spanish publication El Pais. "They treate d me as if I were a criminal, they transferred m e from one hotel

to another escorted by police officers. "How am I going to compete [at the Australian Open] against those who have been training daily, two or three hours for two weeks?" Badosa revealed her hotel quarantine room didn't have a window and that she had issues with her mental health while confined. She explained that an important part of dealing with anxiety issues is exercise - an activity that was difficult while stuck in a hotel room. "In general, I have coped quite well but I have gone through many emotions and I have lived many moments of anxiety, because I am also very anxious and very active," Badosa said.

Australian Open: Paula Badosa claims she was treated like a‘criminal’while in hotel quarantine after contracting Covid-19.

he Glutagence Glow Boosters, one of three new teams that will join the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) this season, will get an early spotlight as they will choose first in the league's first ever draft following the online draft lottery on Sunday night. Aside from the first overall pick, Glutagence will also go first in the second and the third rounds. NBL executive vice president Rhose Montreal said the Glow Boosters got the right to select first as they had the fewest "protected" players, that are the veterans from the league's inaugural staging in 2019 directly recruited to the squad, at three. The Quezon Lady Spartan, another debuting team, will begin shoring their own roster in the third round, picking next to the Glow Boosters. The Lady Spartan, however, will pick first in the fourth round followed by another rookie club, the Pacific Water Queens, and the Glow Boosters. Quezon was also drawn as the first pick for the fifth round with Pacific Water choosing second, Parañaque Lady Aces, one of only two teams from Season 1 returning for the sophomore year, taking third, and Glutagence picking fourth. The Lady Aces, though, got the first pick for Round 6 with the Glow Boosters, the Queens, and the Lady Spartan choosing next in order.

Parañaque also took the first pick in the seventh round followed by Quezon, Pacific Water, and Glutagence. The Queens will choose first in the eighth round to be followed by the Lady Spartan, the Glow Boosters, and the Aces. The draft proper, scheduled for Saturday night, will run for 12 rounds. Quezon protected five players, while Pacific Water took in six players and Parañaque listed the most in its protect list with seven. Navy, the other holdover from the 2019 staging, has decided to bring in a full roster consisting of enlisted soldiers for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Montreal bared that two more teams will be joining this year. She, however, added that the punctuality of submitting the necessary documents would matter on which club gets to select earlier in a certain draft round. "Whoever comes first to give us the confirmation will take the fifth slot," Montreal said. The two incoming clubs are expected to finalize their intent of joining this week. On which round they will enter will depend on who they will take from the protect list. The six teams that will take part in the draft proper will get a chance to build their roster from 115 lady ballers who took part in the draft combine last December. (PNA)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 252 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

SHADES OF DELA HOYA?

Gibbons: With youth on Garcia’s side, anything can happen if fight vs Manny pushes through

few weeks ago chatter of a potential fight between future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao (62-7-2) and WBC interim lightweight champion Ryan “Kingry” Garcia (21-0) began on various social media outlets.

he potential showdown was first discussed as an exhibition bout but that talk was squashed when Manny Pacquiao Promotions' president Sean Gibbons revealed that if the fight were to come to fruition it would definitely be a real fight. A potential date hasn't been mentioned for the fight but Gibbons said that negotiations are still taking place. "They are ongoing and hopefully things will workout," Gibbons told BoxingScene.com. Pacquiao, who is a senator in the Philippines, last fought in July 2019 when he outpointed Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. With

the victory he captured the WBA welterweight title. Because of his inactivity, which can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WBA recently named Pacquiao as their 'champion in recess' and elevated Yordenis Ugas. Most fans and pundits believe that the 22-year-old Garcia is still too raw for a fighter of the caliber of Pacquiao. Gibbons understands why Pacquiao would be a sizable favorite in the fight but won't rule out Garcia having a shot at pulling off the upset. "The kid has youth on his side and can punch. His defense is suspect but the senator is 42-years-old and

FSHADES, P10

Ryan Garcia (left) with Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.