Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 260 | Thursday, February 18, 2021

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SEC-Davao warns public against entities soliciting investments STORY ON PAGE 2

A ‘Run, Sara, Run’ billboard is erected by the supporters of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio along national highway in Montevista, Davao de Oro to encourage the mayor to seek the highest post in the country in the upcoming 2022 national elections. A couple of billboards like this one can be seen in around the province. Edge Davao

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NEWS

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President Rodrigo Duterte signs four proclamations granting amnesty to members of various rebel groups who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

SEC-Davao warns public against entities soliciting investments

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Securities and Exchange Commission-Davao Extension Office (SEC-DEO) issued a warning to the public over some illegal investment solicitation activities.

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In a statement posted on Facebook, SEC-DEO cited Masa Mart group Masa Mart Business Center, Masa Mart Business Center, and Masa Mart Enterprise OPC, which lures investors through its subscription and gains program.

The program allows the investor to put in between P1,250 and P500,000 with promises of profits, dependent on the period of investments, with ranges between P2,746 up to about P11.6 billion. However, based on SEC documents, the group does not have any legal personality to solicit investments which it promised to expand fs businesses.

JamsMart is offering investments to the public in its so-called “franchise investment program” where an investor shall earn a total guaranteed 300 percent return on investment in a year.

“They have this scheme na they want to expand daw po by putting up branches. But they dont have the capital so they solicit money from the public.

The problem is that they promise huge profits and have no license to solicit investments,“ said Leslie Francisco, information officer 1 of SEC-DEO via Messenger.

SEC-DEO has warned the public that some scam-

mers at present are not only taking advantage of the vulnerability of those who are looking for investment vehicles, but have used all forms and means including games and franchising programs just to defraud the public.

The agency also warned the public that Illegal investment companies may have different business names, but the schemes employed are the same and the most common schemes used in the country are Ponzi and pyramiding schemes.

The statement stated that a Ponzi scheme is used if there is a promise of guaranteed and extremely high returns of ‘investment’.

“Profits” are derived from the capital of new recruits while pyramiding, on the other hand, employs the selling of very expensive products, and focuses on receiving high commissions from recruitment of

new members.

It also cited that some entities have adopted the use of games and franchise investment programs for people to invest in with a promise of huge profits.

The emphasized that signs that entities are illegal when they are taking in investments from the public without a secondary license from the Commission.

The statement also said that aside from the absence of a secondary ticense, the extension office said the public must employ the use of Howey Test Under this, which is an investment contract when there is an investment of money in a common enterprise with expectation of profits primarily from the efforts of others.

SEC-DEO urged the public to help spread awareness against these schemes.

Duterte grants amnesty to rebel group members

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed four proclamations granting amnesty to members of the communist movement, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and the Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Mangagawa ng Pilipinas/Revolutionary Proletarian Army/Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMPRPA-ABB).

Duterte on Feb. 5 signed Proclamations 1090, 1091, 1092, and 1093 to grant amnesty to members of the said groups who have committed crimes in pursuit of their political beliefs.

Palace released the copy of the proclamations, which shall take effect upon concurrence by a majority of all the members of Congress, on Tuesday.

In his proclamations, Duterte said the government’s peace policy is to nurture a climate conducive for peace, as well as to implement programs for reconciliation and reintegration of rebels into mainstream society.

“There is a need for the government to act on former combatants request for the grant of amnesty so that they may live in peace in the pursuit of productive endeavors without prejudice to any legal arrangement that may result from a negotiated settlement which the government is

pursuing with the various rebel and insurgent groups,” the proclamations read.

According to the presidential proclamations, the grant of amnesty in favor of the former rebels will “promote an atmosphere conducive to the attainment of a just, comprehensive, and enduring equanimity.”

Granting amnesty is also in line with the government’s call for peace, unity, and reconciliation to bring closure to past enmity, rancor, and bitterness that has stymied lasting amity among Filipinos, the proclamations said.

The amnesty will not be granted to those who have been proscribed or changed under the Human Security Act of 2007 or Republic Act (RA) 9372 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or RA 11479.

The proclamations note that the crimes committed in pursuit of a political belief include “acts and omissions performed or undertaken as part of a plan, program of action or strategy decided by the rebel leadership to overthrow and replace the National Government, any of its political subdivisions, or duly constituted authority, with or without the use of arms.”

The amnesty granted shall not cover kidnap for ransom, massacre, rape, terrorism, and other crimes

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DITO to start VisMin operations in March

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he National Telecommunications Commission-11 (NTC-11) on Wednesday confirmed that DITO Telecommunity Corporation will start its commercial operation in Visayas and Mindanao next month.

Formerly known as Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. or Mislatel, DITO is a consortium of Davao business tycoon Dennis Uy's Udenna Corporation and its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Corporation, and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation, a parent company of China Telecom.

"Kanang DITO, doon pa gyud na sya kay March pa daw ilang switching or start of operations, although, ready na ang ilang mga cell sites. May mga licenses na pud gikan sa NTC Central Office, ang problema na lang ang pag switch nila diri kay ingon sila March," said Nelson Cañete, regional director Nelson Cañete of NTC-11 in a press conference.

In October last year, Retired Major General Rodolfo Santiago, chief tech-

nology officer of DITO, announced that the company is targeting a total of 237 towers for Davao City alone.

He added that for the entire Mindanao, DITO is looking at a total of 880 towers, including the 237 Davao towers.

"Daghan ga-reklamo mga residente kay dili sila gusto butangan ug tower ang ilahang area labi na sa mga subdivisions pero gusto nila pakusgan ang signal, unsaon pag pakusog kung walay tower?

Unya pag abot sa tower ila na pud protestahan ug i-address nila sa NTC pero dili man na jurisdiction sa NTC ang towers," Cañete said.

He explained that the approval for the constructions of cell towers are under the jurisdiction of the Local Government Units (LGUs).

He said in Davao City, proposals to set up cell sites must first get approval from the City Council.

DITO is the country’s third major telecommunications provider. Maya M. Padillo

Mati launches aid to residents affected by recent landslide

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ayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat has ordered the City Engineering Office (CEO) to send heavy equipment to clear the debris and assist affected residents affected by a landslide in Sitio Licupon 1, Purok 5, Barangay Sanghay on February 16, 2021.

The ground collapsed in the mountainous part of Barangay Sanghay that affected a family of six who were immediately rescued and transferred for safety.

Ben Tesiorna, city information officer of Mati,

said the City Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Office has been regularly monitoring high risk areas like the uplands, communities near riverbanks when there’s heavy downpour.

"Considering the series of light to heavy rains experienced the past days, we readily monitored the minor landslide in Barangay Sanghay in coordination with the barangay officials," he said.

He said the affected family will receive finan-

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NEWS 3

The city government of Davao announces that it has already identified vaccination and composite teams, along with the cluster sites, during the presentation of the city’s COVID-19 vaccination plan. Edge Davao

DCPO goes all out vs gambling activities

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) vowed to continue to intensify the campaign against anti-gambling activities in Davao City following the apprehension of 13 individuals for holding illegal cockfighting activities in Barangay Gumalang, Baguio District in Davao City on Valentine’s Day.

The 13 individuals are now detained at Baguio Police Station.

Col. Kirby John Kraft,

director of DCPO, said in a press conference that four of the apprehended individuals even jumped

community quarantine (MGCQ) in October last year.

The mayor also emphasized that the decision is not Covid-19-related but a personal direction and policy of the city.

It can be recalled also that the cock derby at the New Matina Gallera in March last year was considered the ground zero of Covid-19 infection in Mindanao.

each vaccination site will have three teams, which have around 18 members.

A separate composite team will also be an addition to the site for the adverse effect following the immunization.

“For monitoring, we have the paramedic nurse and midwife and surveillance officer [that] we will put up in the vaccination site, composed of three teams, that’s about six staff that will be responsible for the composite team”, Lopez said.

Aside from medical health workers, security personnel will be also deployed to maintain peace and order in the vaccination areas.

“For our queuing and crowd control, we have tapped local officials from the barangay captains, security personnel from PNP and barangay tanods, which is more or less 20 designates for a particular vaccination site”, Lopez

said.

A total of 42 individuals are expected to be manning each vaccination site.

According to the local health chief, they have already identified additional vaccination sites for the city aside from the A. Mabini Elementary School in Bangkal. These are Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), University of Southeastern Philippines, Ateneo de Davao University-Matina Campus, and three branches of the University of Mindanao namely Guianga, IIang, and Bolton campuses.

“Initially we have a total [7] vaccination sites that will be prepared very soon”, Lopez added.

The CHO has also instructed the district health offices in Davao City to identify at least one vaccination site within their area of responsibility.

“Aside from these seven approved vaccination

Davao City identifies vaccination team, sites in immunization plan

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A priest sprinkles ashes on the head of a Catholic faithful during an afternoon mass at San Pedro Cathderal in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

into the river during the raid on February 14, 2021.

“Continuous ang aming anti-gambling operations lalong-lalo na sa mga sabong kasi violation din ito ng social gathering protocol,” he said.

It can be recalled that Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has prohibited cockfighting activities or “sabong” in Davao City when the city was placed under modified general

he City Government of Davao has identified vaccination and composite teams, along with the cluster sites, during the presentation of the city’s COVID-19 vaccination plan on Tuesday, February 16.

Davao City Health Office (CHO) Head Dr. Ashley Lopez, during a press conference following the simulation exercise on actual vaccination on the same day, said that they have already organized vaccination and composite teams to man each vaccination site in the city.

“We have already organized our vaccination teams composed of at least six members per team made up of a supervisor which is a physician, registration, and screening also a physician or a nurse or a midwife, one counselor, one vaccinator and two staff that is responsible for recording and documentation”, Lopez said.

According to Lopez,

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A vendor selling fruits at a roadside store spends his idle time to people-watch along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

foreign reserves seen to rise PEZA wants to convert Mindanao’s PH after slower growth in January idle public lands into ecozones A

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he Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) aims to have more special economic zones in Mindanao by converting idle public lands in the southern part of the country.

In a statement Tuesday, PEZA director general Charito Plaza urged leaders of national government agencies and local government units in Mindanao as well as those in Congress to file a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to declare idle public lands in Mindanao as areas for ecozone development.

Plaza said this will be in line with the President’s Administrative Order (AO) No. 18 seeking

to promote rural development and create economic activities outside Metro Manila.

“The Mindanaoan leaders will be passing a resolution to the President so we could have the opportunity to trigger economic growth, creation of jobs, (and) develop the countryside. Let’s proclaim public lands in every region to become public economic zones so we can contribute to the total development, in

peace and prosperity of the country,” she said in a forum with officials in Mindanao last Feb.10 in Davao City.

Plaza said the creation of more ecozones in Mindanao is the “best and fastest economic masterplan” to spur economic growth in the countryside.

“Ecozones will be drivers for economic recovery and growth in every region, which will help create jobs for the locals, complete the supply needs in the area, and make enterprises participate in the global supply chain. This will, in turn, spur socio-economic progress as well as reduce crime and poverty incidence in our regions,”

the PEZA chief said.

Currently, Mindanao has 37 ecozones—17 are located in Davao, 10 in Northern Mindanao, eight in Soccsksargen, one in Zamboanga, and one in Caraga.

Twelve ecozones in Mindanao are agroindustrial zones, 15 are information technology parks, eight are manufacturing zones, and one tourism ecozone.

“We are determined to help leave a legacy for our people in Mindanao and help realize the plans and programs of our beloved President especially in Mindanao that is full of potential in human capital, natural resources, and available idle lands,” Plaza added. (PNA)

Geo-mapping eyed to locate hog populations unharmed by ASF

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round 9 million hogs are estimated to be safe or unharmed by the African swine fever (ASF) virus, hog experts said, as they urged the government and the private sector to locate these herds.

Dr. Angelito Manabat, a fellow at Philippine College of Swine Practitioners (PCSP), said the government and private sector need to collaborate to locate these hogs and protect them via the

P29.6-billion Bantay sa ASF sa Barangay or "BABay ASF" program.

"We have to find out where those pigs are...

Our target is to work with the LGUs [local government units], help them try to figure where those pigs are by surveillance through geo-mapping, and make sure to protect those remaining populations," Manabat said.

Geo-mapping takes location-based data

such as names, addresses, and demographic information to create a map.

The Department of Agriculture launched the program last Feb. 13 with initial funding of P2.1 billion to focus on hog repopulation in "ASF-free zones."

While the government estimates that around 3 to 4 million hogs died due to ASF, the swine industry gave a higher number of be-

tween 5.5 to 6 million pigs lost due to the disease.

A shortage of pork has caused prices of the commodity to spike, driving inflation to a 2-year high of 4.2 percent in January.

This led the government to put price ceilings on pork and chicken.

Manabat described the ASF virus as a "very large virus that does not travel very far."

pick-up of the country’s foreign reserves is expected this year despite a slower growth last January as the economy reopens and economic activity improves.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Monday showed a 1.2-percent decline in the country’s gross international reserves (GIR) to USD108.8 billion last month from the record-high USD 110.1 billion last December. The latest figure, however, is 25.2 percent higher year-on-year.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort attributed the drop in the country’s foreign reserves to lower gold and US and global bond prices, which affected the country’s foreign investments, and the payment of foreign currency-denominated debt.

To date, the country’s foreign reserves are equivalent to 11.6 months of imports and payments of services and income, way higher than the minimum international standards of three to four months cover.

BSP’s 2021 GIR target is USD110 billion while the 2022 target is USD120 billion.

Despite the slid of gross international reserves (GIR) last January, Ricafort remains optimistic of positive trajectory for the year given the positive credit ratings of the country, the proceeds of for-

eign borrowings of both the government and the private sector, remittance inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and revenues of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, among others.

He said the eventual rollout of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines, which authorities expect to arrive starting this month, will also be a plus to the GIR. Slow recovery in imports is another factor seen to back the GIR since this will mean lower needs for US dollars, he added.

Ricafort said the country’s economic and credit fundamentals remain strong thus, the positive ratings actions of various debt watchers since last year amidst the pandemic.

Improved government fiscal performance is also a factor that is expected to attract foreign investments and international creditors “at much lower cost and with better terms into the country, in view of the need to finance Covid-19 programs and other economic stimulus measures needed to help sustain the economic recovery, thereby could also further help boost the country's GIR to new record highs, going forward", he said.

Ricafort said these factors, however, are expected to be countered by “any meaningful pick-up/recovery in imports” and lower prices of US and global bonds. (PNA)

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DavNor aims to ensure livelihood, food amidst persisting pandemic

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s COVID-19 still persists, the provincial government of Davao del Norte perseveres to secure the food and livelihood of its constituents through its “Kausa sa Agrikultura ug Panginabuhian sa Barangay” or KAAGAPAY Program.

Davao del Norte Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib has started waging the enhanced KAAGAPAY program of the provincial government that now widens into reforestation, dubbed as “TUPAD ug Kaagapay sa Pag-ayo sa Kinaiyahan Project”.

The rollout of this project is boosted with funding from the Deaprtment of Labor and Employment (DOLE) which poured P10 million through its “Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers” known as TUPAD. DOLE banners TUPAD as a “community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum 10 days”.

Jubahib carries his message of gratefulness for DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Senator Joel Villanueva for allotting P10 million TUPAD funds for Davao del Norte in support to the contin-

ued rollout of KAAGAPAY which has widened coverage from backyard and community gardening to planting agro-forest trees.

In his sortie launching of TUPAD and KAAGAPAY Para sa Pag-ayo sa Kinaiyahan Project in Sto Tomas and San Isidro towns today, Jubahib revealed that about 2,600 out-of-job individuals and those who have lost their livelihood either due to COVID-19 or due to African swine fever (ASF), are set to benefit from this project.

They will be planting agro-forest trees and various vegetable earning P396 pesos per day within 10 days.

“Gawas nga naay income aduna pa jud mo’y I-harvest. Ang kahoy nga inyong gitanum para man ni sa kaayuhan sa inyong barangay; ang gulay nga inyong gitanum, kinsa man ang mo harvest ani? kamo lang usab sa inyong barangay. (Aside from your income, you’d also have harvest. The trees you’re planting are for the benefit of your barangay; the vegetables that you are planting, who will harvest them? It’s you in your barangay),” he told this morning TUPAD beneficiaries of Barangay Datu Balong in the Municipality of San Isidro.

Jubahib earlier also

ECONOMY 5

DTI backs nationwide MGCQ next month T rade Secretary Ramon Lopez supports the recommendation of Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua to place the entire country under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) next month amid the increase in joblessness and poverty rate brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“It is about time we move to MGCQ after a year of lockdown,” Lopez told reporters in a Viber message Tuesday. “Lockdown was supposed to buy us

time to prepare our health system and improve contact tracing and ‘TraceTest-Treat’.”

Since June 2020, the National Capital Region

(NCR) has not graduated from GCQ status, a stricter community quarantine measure than MGCQ. It even went back to much stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Aug. 4 to 18 last year as health care facilities in Metro Manila were overwhelmed due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases during that period.

“As the Philippines recovers, Metro Manila has a very weak recovery, worse in employment and hunger recovery, and that means more urban poor.

The damages to malnutri-

tion and other health and social issues will be irreversible,” Lopez said.

NCR accounted for around 40 percent of the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP).

But Lopez added the reopening of more economic activities should depend on the Covid-19 statistics.

“But as we see the Covid cases generally going down even with gradual and calibrated reopening of (the) economy, we should continue gradual safe reopening of sectors and further relaxation to MGCQ,” he said. (PNA)

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Stimulus package, better employment to elevate PH consumer spending

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he recovery in consumer spending in the country is “getting underway” this year supported by the government’s stimulus package and improving employment numbers, Fitch Solutions said.

Fitch Solutions retained its consumer spending forecast growth for the Philippines this year at 5.7 percent, following the estimated decline of 7.9 percent in 2020.

“The Philippine government has been active in providing fiscal support for households,” it said.

The Fitch Group research arm added that monetary policy easing last year will result in looser lending conditions, which is expected to help support domestic demand.

It said the fiscal stimulus, which will feed through into household expenditure, will propel economic output for 2021.

Fitch Solutions forecast Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) this year to grow by 7.6 percent.

“The government has so far committed PHP595.6 billion (USD12.3 billion, or 3.1 percent of 2019 GDP) in fiscal packages towards vulnerable individuals and groups, which includes cash support programs for low-income households, tax deductions, and wage subsidies,” it said.

Moreover, Fitch Solutions’ optimistic projection hinged on more jobs and better income levels this year due to the gradual easing of restrictions and more

reopening of business and economic activities.

The unemployment rate during the height of the lockdown soared to 17.6 percent in April 2020.

The joblessness rate settled at 8.7 percent in October 2020 as the government allowed more economic activities to bring back jobs.

As more jobs return in the market, the consumer confidence index improved from -54.5 in the third quarter of 2020 to -47.9 percent in the last quarter, Fitch Solutions said.

Likewise, an effective inoculation program against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) this year will return consumer confidence rapidly, it added.

In most spending categories, Fitch Solutions expects a reversal from negative growth in 2020.

Clothing and footwear spending is expected to increase by 8.9 percent this year from last year’s decrement of 15.9 percent; alcoholic drinks and tobacco spending, to rise by 10.4 percent from a 16.7-percent decline; furnishing and home spending, up by 12.7 percent from 15.2-percent decline; recreation and culture spending, up by 7.3 percent from -17.8 percent; and restaurant and hotels spending, up by 10.6 percent from -16.8 percent.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks spending is expected to post 5.3-percent growth, although lower than last year’s 9.3-percent increment. (PNA)

A‘trisikad’driver takes an afternoon nap while waiting for passengers on a slow day along Chavez Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

BIR on path to full digitalization

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he Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)’s digital transformation program will be “fully functional and irreversible” to ensure the agency’s much improved services and highly efficient collection performance, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Tuesday.

Dominguez said these are both critical to the country’s sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and President Rodrigo Duterte's overriding goal of building the best possible future for Filipinos.

As a primary thrust of the Duterte administration, he said the BIR’s digitalization initiative will not merely involve the implementation of a state-of-the-art data management system, but will also strive to apply the “cutting edge in the application of new technologies to achieve the best revenue performance.”

Dominguez said the grant agreement extend-

ed Tuesday by the United States to the Philippine government for the BIR’s Information Communication Technology Modernization Strategy and Data Center will provide much-needed financing assistance for pushing forward the revenue agency’s digital transformation.

“I thank the people and the government of the United States, represented here today by Chargé d’ Affaires John Law, for supporting our efforts to harmonize the Bureau’s information and communication technology infrastructure,” Dominguez said during the signing ceremonies for the grant agreement that was held at the Department of Finance (DOF) office in Manila.

The agreement for the USD809,450 grant (equivalent to about PHP38.85 million) was signed by Dominguez for the Philippine government, and by Law of the US Embassy in Manila on behalf of the United States Trade and Develop-

ment Agency (USTDA).

“Your support will make the BIR a more effective agency. It will keep the agency abreast with the rapidly advancing financial technologies. It will dramatically improve the agency’s organizational capacity and collection efficiency,” he added.

Law said he is "confident that this USTDA grant will lead to, as Secretary Dominguez said, further efficiencies, improved performance, increased security, reduced costs, and greater transparency--all of which are not only vital to the BIR's tax administration duties, but are extraordinarily important in further strengthening the confidence of the public in its government institutions."

"This partnership for us illustrates our continued close collaboration on economic development and transparency, including, of course Philippine digital infrastructure modernization," Law said. "The United States is proud and honored to be one of your partners in

this effort."

The US grant aims to assist the BIR in undertaking an in-depth technical assessment of its current ICT environment, developing an enterprise architecture roadmap/framework, and assessing the organizational framework of its Information System Group (ISG), including recommended restructuring and training programs.

Dominguez said the Philippines is looking forward to an enhanced cooperation with the US and other countries in the pursuit of the BIR’s comprehensive modernization effort.

“I assure you that the administrative reforms that we will be instituting in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, through your (the United States’) help, will be fully functional and irreversible,” he said.

The modernization of the BIR, along with the Bureau of Customs (BOC), has been the administration’s

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 260 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021

On the all-out campaign of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) against gambling activities in Davao City

Continuous ang aming antigambling operations lalonglalo na sa mga sabong kasi violation din ito ng social gathering protocol.”

DCPO Director P/Col. Kirby John Kraft

EDITORIAL

Tragic fires

Davao City has started the year 2021 unfortunately with tragic fire incidents.

During the first two months of the year, a total of seven people already died in just two incidents.

Dawn of Monday, (February 15), four young people, three of them minors, were trapped inside their burning house in La Verna Village, barangay Cabantian in Buhangin District.

According to Sr. Fire Officer 4 Ramil Gillado, chief of intelligence and investigation of the Davao City Fire District, the ill-fated house is owned by one Jonathan Baribe who was at the time in Davao Oriental buying chicken for his chicken “lechon” business. His two children and two nieces were trapped in the burning inferno which struck a few minutes before 4 a.m. in that tragic day.

This was the second fire incident that resulted in the demise of many people. On January 4th, a residence in the Central Park, a middle class subdivision in Bangkal, also went up in flames, resulting in the death of three

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people, this time all senior citizens aged, 81, 79 and 60.

Gillado hopes that nothing more tragic than these incidents will happen next month, March, which is designated as Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines.

Davao City is no stranger to fire incidents. During the last three years an average of 400 fires occur in this city with a population of 1.6 million people. The fires result in an estimated damage of P100 million a year on the average.

The two tragic fire incidents in January and this month tell volumes about the lack of safety consciousness among Dabawenyos.

We hope lessons could be learned by authorities and residents so that the tragedies will not be repeated.

Of course, handling fire is not the sole business of the Bureau of Fire Protection. All in the community – the house owners, all its occupants and their neighbors – have a serious responsibility to protect property and human lives by being conscious of fire safety and prevention.

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EDGEDAVAO

FEBRUARY16, 18,2021 2021 VOL.13 ISSUE ISSUE260 258••THURSDAY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

KNOWING OXFORD/ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE In April last year, the COVAX Initiative for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines was launched to ensure the rapid and equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines to rich and poor countries alike and the vaccination of high-risk groups.

The WHO led the initiative with about 190 countries as members, including the Philippines. The United States was not a member, partly because former President Donald Trump did not want to work with the World Health Organization (WHO).

“COVAX participating countries are preparing to receive and use vaccines,” said a joint statement issued by WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “Health workers have been trained and cold chain systems primed.”

But what’s missing, as the statement admitted, “is the equitable supply of vaccines.”

“Of the 128 million vaccine doses administered so far, more than three quarters of those vaccinations are in just 10 countries that account for 60% of global GDP,” the two United Nations agencies pointed out.

The statement said that as of February 10, “almost 130 countries, with 2.5 billion people, are yet to administer a single dose.”

There are several COVID-19 vaccines now available. One of these is the Oxford/AstraZeneca, known as AZD1222. Last February 11, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) issued interim recommendations for use of this vaccine.

The SAGE is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and its linkages with other health interventions.

Since the vaccine supplies are still limited, the SAGE recommends that priority be given to health workers at high risk of exposure and older people, including those aged 65 or older.

Others who can also take the vaccine include persons with comorbidities that have been identified as increasing the risk of severe COVID-19, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes.

Although further studies are required for persons living with HIV or auto-immune conditions or who are immunocompromised, people in this category who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated after receiving information and counselling.

Vaccination can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past. But individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to six months from the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection, to allow others who may need the vaccine more urgently to go first.

Vaccination can be offered to breastfeeding women if they are part of a group prioritized for vaccination. The United Nations does not recommend discontinuation of breastfeeding after vaccination.

What if the woman is still pregnant? While pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19, the SAGE admits that “very little data are available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy.”

The press statement said that pregnant women may receive the vaccine “if the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks.”

For this reason, pregnant women at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (that is, health workers) or who have comorbidities which add to their risk of severe disease, may be vaccinated “in consultation with their health care provider.”

But not all can take the vaccine. People with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine

should not take it. In addition, the vaccine is not recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies.

The recommended dosage is two doses given intramuscularly (0.5ml each) with an interval of 8 to 12 weeks. Additional research is still needed to understand longer-term potential protection after a single dose.

The big question: Is AZD1222 safe? While this vaccine has yet to be recommended for an Emergency Use Listing by WHO, it has undergone review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and consequently meets WHO’s criteria for SAGE consideration.

The EMA has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization for people aged 18 and above.

In addition, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, a group of experts that provides independent and authoritative guidance to the WHO on the topic of safe vaccine use, receives and assesses reports of suspected safety events of potentially international impact.

According to SAGE, the AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 63.09% against symptomatic

SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 weeks range, it added, are associated with greater vaccine efficacy.

Another big question: Does it work against new variants?

SAGE reportedly has reviewed all available data on the performance of the vaccine in the settings of variants of concern.

The SAGE currently recommends the use of AZD1222 vaccine according to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, even if virus variants are present in a country. Countries should assess the risks and benefits taking into consideration their epidemiological situation.

Preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated approach for surveillance and evaluation of variants and their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. As new data become available, WHO will update recommendations accordingly.

Right now, there is no substantive data available related to impact of AZD1222 on transmission or viral shedding.

“In the meantime, we must maintain and strengthen public health measures that work: masking, physical distancing, handwashing, respiratory and cough hygiene, avoiding crowds, and ensuring good ventilation,” the SAGE urges. – ###

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

FIRST MASS ON SAMAL ISLAND Until the arrival of the Jesuits in 1868, Christianization of areas north of the gulf of Davao was inexistent. Earlier, the Recollects penetrated regions in the eastern seaboard of Davao, but their efforts to convert indigenous tribes and Moros to the faith were limited.

The first batch of Jesuits to set foot in Davao on October 7, 1868, was comprised of Fr. Juan Bautista, superior of the Davao mission, Fr. Domingo Bove and Fr. Ramon Pamies, and Br. Antonio Gairolas, a lay brother. At the time the Recollect parish priest was Fray Francisco Lenguas.

Barely had the group taken over from the Recollects when the Jesuit missionaries decided to make their first outreach in the island of Samal whose residents were instrumental in providing Jose Oyanguren, conqueror of Davao, the needed information that led to the fall of Datu Bago’s enclave at the mouth of Davao River.

The Samal sortie was joined by the governor and other officials and was met by a large crowd on the shore. Politely welcomed, the visitors

were led to the datu’s residence where they disclosed the agenda to teach the children how to reach and write, introduce them to the Christian faith, and, on a voluntary basis, be baptized. The third plan was strongly opposed.

Not wanting to agitate the crowd further, the governor proposed that the people in the locality build a house for the priests, but the opposition only heightened. The people thought the request as another form of forced labor, which they opposed in the past.

With temperature rising, there was no other option but leave the island and return to Davao. Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J., in The Evangelization of the Davao Region (2004) reported that there was a change of heart among the natives: “But the people of Samal were like the younger son in the Gospel parable, who first refused to obey his father told him to go and work in the farm, but later did so. So the [residents of] Samal, after having registered their refusal, proceeded to cut timber for the construction of the priests’

house.

“Two months later, on 17 December 1868, the Fathers returned to Samal, this time intending to stay. They lived at first in a nipa hut, while the house was under construction.

They toured the island, undertook some kind of census (padron) and persuaded some of the people to live together in a village.

“Toward the end of February 1869, enough of the house was finished to provide two rooms, one as living quarters, another for a chapel. In the latter, on 24 February 1869, the first Mass on Samal Island was celebrated.”

With tension gone, the priests thought the residents had finally accepted their plans. But this was not so.

After the celebration of the Mass, the people left, leaving the settlement abandoned and the construction of the house unfinished. The culprit was the governor’s order requiring the residents to start paying tribute. It was only after the priests had convinced the people to return with the help of a retired public official that

they went back to the village.

As a result, three villages were formed. Fr. Bernad wrote: “When the Fathers’ house was completed and sixty families had built their huts, a solemn inauguration of Casalucan village was held. The governor, other officials, and some residents of Davao came, as well as a brass band. The multitudes gathered. High Mass was sung in the morning and a procession held in the afternoon.

The band provided music and there were fireworks. But the best parts of the feast were the slaughter of two young bulls and a free dinner for all.”

While everything seemed right, the governor committed again another gaffe after he revived the subject of paying tribute. Sarcastically, the datu offered to the governor gold and silver and asked how many persons would be covered by the quantity of minerals presented. After weighing the minerals and told how many would be covered, the datu gathered the gold and silver and left, with the village people in tow. Once again, the community was emptied.

Although the residents later returned to their settlement, another blunder was committed when some members of the community were asked to cut timber in Davao. Finding tribute and forced labor as inconsistent with the stance of the Samal people, the priests decided to leave the island and accepted the reality that their first attempt to evangelize Samal ended in failure.

To address the knotty issues, the missionaries later decided to conduct house-tohouse visits in areas where the people built their dwellings.

They also learned that while the government was helpful in the pursuit of missionary engagements, the policies it adopted were key obstacles in the fruitful conversions of Moros in the island. With the state closely working as part of the evangelization efforts, the people viewed such participation as a form of colonization. Espousing this method of evangelizing people in domiciles later bore fruit. Though this was arduous and backbreaking, the strategy succeeded. Without coercion, the conversions expanded.

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

FORD UNVEILS NEW RANGER

FORD PHILIPPINES today launched the refreshed Ranger lineup, which boasts of new design and exterior enhancements across its Ranger XLS, XLT, and Wildtrak variants to offer customers a new look more attuned to today’s needs and lifestyles.

“Our new Ford Ranger lineup will allow us to continue building on our leadership in the pickup segment in the country,” says PK Umashankar, president and managing director, Ford Philippines.

“The new Ranger is set to deliver on its promise of functionality and capability while enabling the diverse needs and lifestyles of our customers.”

New Look and Design The new Ranger sports a bolder look and new design elements, giving it a stronger impression and tougher stance on the road.

The new Ranger Wildtrak variants feature a new eyecatching trapezoidal shape grille with Saber accents, reflecting the Ranger’s brand of unmatched design. Complementing this bolder look are painted gloss black wheels and gloss black accents on its front grille, lower bumper, rear bumper, fog lamp bezel, exterior mirrors, fender grille, sports bar with Saber insert, roof rail, and tailgate handle, as well as new ‘Wildtrak’ decals on the

side door and a 3D ‘Wildtrak’ decal on the tailgate.

Exclusive on the 4x4 Wildtrak as an optional offer for customers is the power roller shutter, a load compartment accessory which is an original equipment from Ford.

It is fully automatic with three power buttons located in the dashboard, remote key and pick-up bed for easy access and comes with power tailgate lock.

Meanwhile, the Ranger XLT variant comes with a new front grille with chrome accents and exterior gloss black accents on the front grille, exterior mirrors, door handles, and fog lamp bezel. Ranger XLS variants, on the other hand, come with a new front grille.

Live the Ranger Life Bringing the Ranger’s values and persona to life, Ford also unveiled the new ‘Live the Ranger Life’ philoso-

phy, aiming to highlight and celebrate the many ways that the renowned strength and engineering capabilities of the Ranger reflects and support its customers’ personal goals and drive in life, centered around five guiding values: • Up and Over — There’s no challenge we don’t tackle head

on. When we see a mountain range we want to go over, not around. This is true of our truck, users, Ford and partners.

• Can’t Help But Help — We are doers. We pitch in. When people need help or assistance we’re always there. On the building site, helping friends

or loved ones, or our dealers within their local communities.

• Where There Isn’t a Path, Carve One — We are the truck that redefined the category. We don’t wait for others to lead.

We have a vision and objective and we’re fearless in what we need to do to achieve our goals.

• Bring Others Along the Journey — It’s great to work hard and achieve recognition, but even better to share it with those who mean the most - our family and friends.

• We Make Our Own Fun — There’s no such thing as all work and no play. And when it’s time to play, we know how to make the most of those opportunities. Our truck is awesome and fun to drive.

“Live the Ranger Life will allow us to connect with our customers in a deeper and more emotional way by showcasing how the Ranger enables their passions and goals.

Understanding our customers allows us to deliver the right vehicles that truly meet their needs today and in the future.

Beyond their functionality and versatility, pickup trucks have become symbols of success for our customers, and the new Ranger’s refreshed look and design will allow them to fully express their identity and individuality,” added Umashankar.

To know more about the new Ford Ranger, visit www. ford.com.ph/trucks/ranger or a Ford dealership nearest you.

EDGEDAVAO

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ENVIRONMENT

9

Fish: Going, going, gone?

J

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

eannyline 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.

She may not be aware of it but it is not the only fish she likes that is becoming rarer and pricey but the same is true with other varieties of fish. The reason: there are too few fish available now in the open seas.

This has been going on since the late 1990s. In fact, 11 of the world’s 15 major fishing grounds were “seriously depleted,” according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Philippines is not spared from such problem.

Fish production has dipped spirally in recent years. Last year, for instance, the total volume of fisheries production went down by 1.04% compared to the previous year’s level, the Philippine Statistics Authority reports.

Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice-president of Oceana Philippines – an organization working exclusively to protect and restore the world’s oceans – says the fish in the market has become more expensive due to the downtrend in fish catch and their size has become smaller as fish populations become less productive due to overfishing.

A survey by the Social

Weather Stations commissioned by Oceana in 2017 found that 82% of Filipinos believe fish sold in the 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.

“We are running out of fish and running out of time.

For a country known for marine biodiversity, there are very few fish left to catch,” Vince Cinches, Oceans Campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, told a national publication.

“Like the other vital resources such as forests, Philippine fisheries are about to collapse,” deplored Jethro P. Adang, the new director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in Davao del Sur. The country claims some 220 million hectares as its territorial waters: 193.4 million hectares of which are part of the oceans and the remaining 26.6 million hectares that belong to what is called as Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or those waters surrounding the country up to 200 nautical miles from the shore.

The Philippines has also the Verde Island Passage – situated halfway in the provinces of Batangas and Mindoro – which has “the highest concentration of marine species in the planet,” according to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Based on studies, its reefs are home to nearly 60% of the world’s known fishes as well as over 300 species of corals.

Poor Fishermen

But despite such huge areas and distinction, the fishermen and those who rely on the oceans and other bodies of water are still grappling with poverty. In fact, most of them belong to the “poorest of the poor” in the society.

“Poverty in coastal communities, the progressive decline of fish population and catch, the pervasive encroachment of commercial fishing vessels in municipal waters are just some of the issues in fisheries that may not be grabbing the national headlines… but they heavily impact in real ways the national economy, food security, the health of our oceans, employment, and our response to the climate crisis,” deplored Ramos.

Fish is considered the “poor man’s source of protein.” Dr. Veravat Hongskul, former regional fishery officer of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, said: “Fish protein is generally recognized as a valuable ingredient in a balanced diet.

It is of high biological value and contains essential amino acids not normally found in staple food.”

About 56% of Filipinos’ animal protein comes from fish, and 91% of fish caught in-country are consumed domestically, Oceana pointed out in a recent press statement. “Not only is fish a vital food source, it also provides livelihood for millions of Filipinos,” it said.

“The fisheries sector is one of the most important sources of food and livelihood in the country,” said Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora in his presentation during the 12th Annual Meeting and Scientific Convention of Outstanding Young Scientists. “Fish is the country’s second staple food next to rice.”

“Although its share to the gross domestic product is a mere 2%, the gross value added at constant prices of the industry amounted to P123 billion,” he said.

“The Philippines ranked 8th among the top fish produc-

ing countries in the word in 2014 with its total production of 4.7 million metric tons or about 2.4% of the total world fisheries production.”

Production Is Decreasing But the production is waning. Majority of the fishing grounds in the country are overfished. “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.

Davao Gulf, one of the country’s fishing grounds, is a case in point. In his study, “Assessment of the pelagic fisheries in Davao Gulf,” Jose Villanueva of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) found that 45 to 50 percent of the total fish caught daily by most of the fishermen in the gulf are juvenile – too young, not marketable and, therefore, wasted. “If this will continue, there will come a time that we can no longer catch fish here,” he warned.

Villanueva’s findings confirmed the results of a 10-year study entitled “Strengthening Governance and Sustainability of Smallscale Fisheries Management in the Philippines: An Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Approach in Davao Region.” It was a collaborative effort of the BFAR, local

government units and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 11.

The volume and quality of the fish in the Davao Gulf have been in constant decline at least since the year 2000, according to the study, which involved at least 265 fishermen and was undertaken with the Kuala Lumpur-based World Fish Center.

The study looked at the volume and quality of the harvests of 10 commonly fished species in the gulf: matambaka, tamban, moro-moro, caraballas, bilong-bilong, lapu-lapu, danggit, molmol, talakitok, and maya-maya.

Except for maya-maya, the harvest numbers for the species have been falling. At the current rate of decline, the caraballas, bilong-bilong, molmol, and danggit may all disappear completely from Davao Gulf within a decade.

The matambaka, tamban and moro-moro are more resilient, but even they may disappear within a generation.

Degradation of marine ecosystems Aside from overfishing, there’s the degradation of the country’s marine ecosystems: mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses.

Mangroves are very important to marine life, according to fishery expert Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III. They serve as sanctuaries and feeding grounds for fish that

nibble on detritus (fallen and decaying leaves) trapped in the vegetation, and on the bark and leaves of living trees. “(Mangroves) are important feeding sites for many commercially important fish species (mullet, tilapia, eel, and especially milkfish), shrimps, prawns, mollusks, crabs, and sea cucumbers,” says a World Bank report. “Fry that gather in mangrove areas are very important for aquaculture.”

Over the past century, the islands that make up the Philippines have lost nearly three-quarters of their mangrove forests. Panay Island in the Western Visayas is a classic example. It used to be home to over 12,400 hectares of lush mangrove forests. In 1988, only 300 hectares remained.

Recent studies show that only 6% of the country’s coral reefs are in excellent condition. Seventy percent are in various stages of deterioration. 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 kilometer annually.

The destruction of these reefs can greatly reduce fish production, marine scientists said. “Once destroyed, they produce less than four tons per square kilometer per

FFISH, P10

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DAVNOR... FROM5

committed against chastity as defined in the amended Revised Penal Code, crimes committed for personal ends, violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 or RA 9165, and grave violations of the Geneva Convention of 1949.

Other crimes not covered by Duterte’s amnesty are those identified by the United Nations that can never be amnestied such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearances, and other gross violations of human rights.

Members of the communist group, MNLF, MILF, and RPMP-RPA-ABB may apply for amnesty, provided that they commit the crime before the issuance of the proclamations.

A person who has been granted amnesty under previous amnesty proclamations is no longer qualified to apply for Duterte’s amnesty.

Three days after the filing of the proclamations, Duterte formed the National Amnesty Commission that will process applications for amnesty of former rebels and determine whether the applicants are eligible.

Applications for the grant of amnesty shall be filed under oath with the Amnesty commission within one year from the effectivity of the proclamations.

If granted amnesty, former rebels will be able to restore their civil or political rights suspended or lost by virtue of criminal conviction, based on the proclamations.

The amnesty will also extinguish any criminal liability for acts committed in pursuit of political beliefs, without prejudice to the grantee’s civil liability for injuries or damages caused to private persons whose right to be indemnified is fully recognized. (PNA)

had an audience with beneficiaries of TUPAD working for KAAGAPAY in Barangay New Visayas, Municipality of Sto Tomas.

He assured TUPAD beneficiaries in both municipalities that the provincial government will be buying harvests in excess of what they can consume at the household and community levels.

The KAAGAPAY Program has tasked the Davao del Norte Investment and Promotion Center (DNIPC) to mop up and buy excess vegetables, fruits and other agricultural produce of barangays, and find market for such.

Aside from ensuring food and income to every household in Davao del Norte, Jubahib also en-

visions of bringing back good state of nature, correcting global warming, preventing flooding and restoring natural habitat.

From the initial stage of household and community gardening, Jubahib sets to expand into agro-forest planting with some 6,000 prepared seedlings of Molave, Narra and Falcata.

He eyes the barangays of

Dato Balong, Dakudao, San Miguel and Linao in the Municipality of San Isidro among the target agro-forest planting sites.

In the midst of crises, Jubahib believes that the desired food security of the national and local government can be achieved through united efforts of everyone. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron-Abangan)

cial assistance after the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and housing committee submitted their re-

ports to the city.

He said the amount will depend on the results of the assessment. Maya M. Padillo

main goal since President Duterte took office in 2016 to dramatically improve their services and boost collection performance, Dominguez said.

He said Covid-19 has underscored the importance of rapidly upgrading the country’s digital transactions system, as well as the government’s revenue collection effort, which was well into the process of digitalization when the pandemic struck early last year.

Even before the pandemic, the BIR’s digitization

FISH... FROM9

reforms helped it significantly improve the Philippines’ tax effort, with tax revenues as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) rising to 14.5 percent in 2019 from 13 percent in 2015.

This was the country’s best performance in more than two decades, Dominguez said.

He said the introduction by the BIR under Commissioner Caesar Dulay of additional electronic channels has made the filing and payment of taxes more accessible and convenient for taxpayers.

As a result, total revenues collected through digital channels reached PHP1.83 trillion in 2019, representing 84 percent of the total collections of the BIR for that year.

The amount collected from digital payment systems in 2019 was 54 percent more than the sum collected through the same channels in 2015. Electronic tax filers were 58 percent of the total filers in 2019 versus 25 percent in 2015.

Dominguez said with this robust tax effort, the government was able to sus-

tainably fund the President's flagship program "Build, Build, Build," provide more and better social services to the people, and face the pandemic with strength on the fiscal front.

“President Duterte has said that taxes are the lifeblood of government programs and public services.

In this critical time, we need to boost and keep our lifeblood flowing. Now more than ever, we need more revenues to fund not only our Covid-19 response, but also our economic recovery program,” he said.

sites in Davao City, we will going to add up additional at least 13 to 14 more vaccination sites from the district health offices”, he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, who was also present during the simulation exercise along with the Coordi-

nated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team, has lauded Davao City’s response to beat COVID-19.

“I congratulate the City Government of Davao for your response, it is deliberate, I think it is focused and no wonder we see a downward trend in the number of cases”, Duque said. CIO

At the moment, several boxers are in earnest training under “bubble conditions” at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna and are slated to leave for Thailand for a joint training camp late this month.

Among them are Magno, (Eumir Marcial is still in the US), current feath-

erweight world champion Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, Mario Fernandez, Aira Villegas and others.

The BTF is scheduled to make the official announcement of those who will be qualified for Tokyo (due to the cancellation) in March.

(PR)

But that couldn't offset the energy by the Celtics, who were active defensively and were able to turn 17 Nuggets turnovers into 23 points.

Boston also got a needed jolt from its bench, which outscored the Denver reserves 30-14.

Rookie Aaron Nesmith also had some of best minutes of the season, finishing with nine points, four rebounds and a block. He also helped keep several possessions alive, in one instance in the third quarter by diving to save a ball near the sideline.

Celtics rookie Payton Pritchard and Robert Williams were also active with eight points each.

Tatum acknowledged after the team's morning shootaround that he has been dealing with lingering effects from his COVID-19 diagnosis last month that sidelined him for two weeks.

He said he's had some respiratory issues that have caused him to tire more quickly at times since his return to action on Jan. 25.

The 23 minutes he played in Boston's loss to Washington tied a season low. He's also struggled with his shot during Boston's recent skid, shooting a season-worst 21% (3 of 14) against the Wizards.

Tatum played 33 minutes Tuesday, which is closer to his season average of 35 minutes.

TIP-INS Nuggets: Coach Michael Malone was whistled for a technical foul in the first quarter. … P.J. Dozier (strained right hamstring), Garry Harris (muscle strain) and Will Barton III (personal reasons) all sat.

Celtics: Daniel Theis sat with a sprained right index finger, along with Marcus Smart (left calf tear) and Romeo Langford (right wrist surgery rehab).

year,” the CRMP disclosed.

Seagrasses, which covers an area of 27,282 square kilometers, are also fast disappearing. A science report stated: “One hectare of seagrass absorbs 1.2 kilograms of nutrients each year, equivalent to the treated effluent of 200 people. It can produce 100,000 liters of oxygen per day and can support 80,000 fish and 100 million invertebrates.”

Now, “if seagrass beds continue to disappear, there will be serious economic and ecological consequences,” warns the BFAR regional office in Davao City.

The Blue Revolution Fishery experts from all over the world contend that one possible solution to the dwindling fish catch in the open seas is by adopting the so-called “blue revolution.”

The Economist explained it in this manner: “On land, the green revolution allowed dramatic increases in crop production, with increased mechanization, and improved pest control and soil fertility through the addition of herbicides, pesticides and nitrogen-based fertilizers.”

If green is to crops, then blue is to fisheries. “The blue revolution has seen compa-

nies breeding fish to improve traits such as their growth rate, conversion of feed into flesh, resistance to disease, tolerance of cold and poor water, and fertility,” the London-based magazine said.

Blue revolution actually refers to aquaculture, the farming of marine animals.

“Fish farming is more efficient,” said Hal Kane, a staff researcher of the Worldwatch Institute, based in Washington, D.C. Growing a kilogram of beef in the feedlot typically takes seven kilograms of feed. And although chicken is the most efficient of the landraised meats, it still takes an estimated 2.2 kilograms of feed to yield a kilogram of chicken.

In comparison, fish need two kilograms of less feed per kilogram of live-weight gain. Fish, suspended in the water, do not have to burn calories trying to heat their bodies, Kane explained.

Mariculture park – similar to an industrial or science park on land – is one best example of aquaculture. In Davao Region, the city government established the Panabo City Mariculture Park (PCMP) in 2006 in partnership with the Department

of Agriculture, particularly BFAR. According to Dr. Guerrero, the city government unit provides local governance and regulations while BFAR provides technical and advisory services. To attract private investors, infrastructure facilities and support services were provided.

The total investment cost (from 2006-2013) was reportedly P467.6 million with P35.5 million coming from BFAR seed money, P21.5 million from the city government, and P72 million from the Land Bank of the Philippines in Davao. The bulk of the amount (P340 million) came from private entities.

Today, PCMP has been identified as one of the most developed mariculture parks in the country. It has an area of 1,075 hectares covering 3 out of 4 coastal barangays of Panabo City. Within those areas, 60 hectares are allocated for marine fish cage and 20 hectares for seaweed production.

As a result, PCMP has contributed food security to the city with 8,389.59 metric tons of fisheries with a value of P830 million. In addition, it has provided 514 jobs to the community.

Actually, aquaculture is not a new thing; the Philippines has already been practicing it. The BFAR reports that aquaculture sector shared 52.95% of the total fisheries production last year.

“We value and believe in the capacity and potential of aquaculture industry to help in ensuring the country’s fish sufficiency and food security,” BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona told Marid Agribusiness, adding that the country has five aquaculture potentials “which we continue to develop and promote not just locally, but globally.”

Gongona was referring to bangus, seaweeds, shrimp, shellfish and tilapia. “Development plans and programs are already in place for these commodities,” he said.

“The last wild meal in the human diet” is how fish are considered. In the Philippines, the other sources of meat protein are pork, chicken, and beef. “But those are very expensive,” 33-year-old Arriaga complains. “Before, we managed to buy one kilogram of fish every other day.

Today, we have managed to at least fish twice a week.”

She’s not alone. Most Filipinos are doing that already.

happening this week.

However, due to the worsening coronavirus disease 2019 situation in

Qatar, the country decided to cancel its hosting of a certain window bubble with the Philippines step-

ping in to take its place, although the window has been postponed as well.

With the final window

likely to be pushed to next month, the Senate has a chance to approve Angara's bill just in time. (PNA)

agility, strength and power, giving kids a comprehensive training for body and mind.

“We see to it that we bring our partners together in creating a program that is not only well-rounded but also fun and enjoyable so that kids are motivated to focus on their studies,” said Pumaren.

The online instructional video is led by well-loved sports personalities – national athletes and MILO Champions Alyssa Valdez

and Japoy Lizardo – to help parents inspire their kids to partake in the exercise drills.

Representing the MILO Ambassadors of the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home program at the launch was reigning National MILO Marathon Queen Christine Hallasgo, who has expressed full support for the program: “As a mother, I can see how sports and exercise make positive impact on children,” the Malaybalay

native said. “Programs like the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. Habit at Home will be useful for parents to help their kids get all the exercise they need to perform better at school.”

Kids can make their Champion Habits more energizing together with the MILO Champion Formula that contains more milk, packed with more Champion Energy Nutrients na PROTOMALT, Iron, at Vitamins B2, B3, B6, and B12, at mas sulit dahil mas

pinarami na ang isang sachet at the same suggested retail price, parents and their children are given the right energy to stay active and healthy at home.

To know more about the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home, simply visit the MILO Philippines YouTube channel (https:// www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ2Wzb2qXmrCgIYnPq6VfvQ/playlists) and the MILO Facebook page (www.facebook.com/milo. ph).

MATI... FROM3

DAVAO CITY... FROM3

OLYMPIC... FROM11

BROWN... FROM11

BIR... FROM5

MARAÑON... FROM11 PE... FROM12

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 260 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021

11

Dabawenya world women's boxing champion Nesthy Petecio greets President Rodrigo Duterte.

Olympic boxing T qualifier cancelled

Marañon, Kouame near naturalization

T

he International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force (BTF) announced Monday via a virtual meeting that an Olympic Qualifier for the Tokyo Games has been canceled.

The tournament was originally scheduled for May 2020 in Paris but was postponed for this year because of the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Two other uncompleted qualifiers, those of the Americas and Europe will push through, but had to be moved back to May and June, respectively.

Due to pandemic, the

Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG) decided to reset the Games in July this year.

The BTF has taken over the function of organizing the boxing competitions in the Olympics after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) was suspended by the Olympic body in 2019. The suspension re-

mains in effect.

Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) secretary-general Ed Picson, who attended the meeting with more than 30 other Asian countries, said the forum was headed by Task Force Head Morinari Watanabe of Japan. Lenny Abbey, another IOC official and Task Force member, made the onehour presentation.

The Task Force also held similar presentations to the three other continents separately.

Picson said the Task Force explained that because of time

constraints and safety concerns, it was decided to forego the World Qualifiers.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas said “this might prove beneficial to our cause, since some of our boxers are ranked highly among those who have not yet qualified. I hope we get at least two more in Tokyo”.

Two Filipino boxers have qualified through the Asian/Oceanian Qualifying Tournament held in Amman, Jordan January-February of 2020. They are men’s middleweight Eumir Felix Marcial and women’s Flyweight Irish Magno.

FPE, P10

he House of Representatives on Tuesday unanimously approved separate bills filed for the naturalization of two foreign players who could bolster the Philippine men's football and basketball teams in the near future.

The House approved the grant of Filipino citizenship to United City striker Bienve Marañon and Ateneo center Ange Kouame.

It first approved in its final reading House Bill (HB) 8631 seeking Marañon's naturalization, with all 206 congressmen tasked to vote, giving the thumbs up.

A little later, with 210 yes votes, HB 8632, which seeks the naturalization of Kouame, made the congressional cut.

FMARAÑON, P10

Brown shows way as Celtics down Nuggets

B Jaylen Brown had 27 points and eight assists against the Nuggets.

The naturalization process now shifts to the Senate where separate bills were also filed.

Senator Migz Zubiri filed Senate Bill (SB) 1391 for Marañon's naturalization, while Senator Sonny Angara, also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), filed SB 1692 in Kouame's case.

However, Kouame's naturalization bid is being looked at, especially with recent events.

Kouame was ruled out of the second window in Manama, Bahrain last November because HB 8632 was still pending in Congress at that time.

The SBP was also keen on having an all-Filipino Gilas Men team for the third window supposedly

OSTON — Jaylen Brown had 27 points and eight assists to help the Boston Celtics withstand a 43-point night from Nikola Jokic and beat the Denver Nuggets, 11299, on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time).

Jayson Tatum added 21 points and eight assists to help Boston bounce back following two anemic performances in back-toback losses to Detroit and Washington — the Eastern Conference's bottom two teams.

It was Jokic's third 40-point game of the season. Jamal Murray added 25 points but Denver had its

three-game winning streak snapped.

The Celtics led by as many as 15 in the first half and took an 11-point edge into the fourth quarter. Denver briefly got within seven points, but couldn't string together a run down the stretch.

The Nuggets were extremely short-handed playing without five rotation players, including Paul Millsap (left knee sprain) and Monte Morris (right shoulder strain).

It left Jokic to pick up the offensive load and he did his best, scoring 15 of the Nuggets' first 18 points.

FBROWN, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 260 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Athlete Alyssa Valdez, a member of the national women’s volleyball team, is one of the ambassadors of PE at Home.

PE AT HOME Milo, DepEd launches online P.E. program

M

ILO Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd) today jointly announced an online program that seeks to promote exercise as part of a daily habit for kids undergoing home-based learning. Called the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home, the program is designed to make Physical Education (P.E.) classes accessible to schoolchildren nationwide in support of the country’s ongoing blended learning program.

“It has been scientifically demonstrated that physical exercise is tightly correlated with mental and academic performance.” said Alim Maguindanao, Project Development Officer, DepEd Region XI at the virtual launch in Davao.

“The MILO Champion Habit will greatly contribute to the physical and mental development of children as they pursue their online classes. We at DepEd are grateful to have MILO as our biggest and staunchest supporter of our sports programs.”

MILO’s intensified collaboration with DepEd aims to instill the value of exercise among the Filipino youth by strengthening the P.E. curriculum with a specialized exercise program that will enhance the educational experience of schoolchildren studying at home. Under the partnership, the program will be shown during P.E. classes among millions of elementary students nationwide on DepEd’s multi-media platforms including DepEd TV and the DepEd Learning Commons online. The program is already available on the MILO YouTube Channel.

“We are fully committed to support the DepEd in equipping the parents and teachers who now play a bigger role in

assisting their children for online classes,” said Luigi Pumaren, MILO Sports Executive. “Through the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home, we’d like to help moms and dads cultivate a culture of active living among kids because with regular physical activity, children become better learners. Couple that with proper nutrition and a cup of MILO in their daily habit, kids will be energized to perform their tasks in school.”

Research from the Australian Department of Local Government Sports and Cultural Industries showed that kids exercising regularly can improve cognitive function, which could boost their academic performance. The MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home is a six-minute video that shows fundamental set of exercises that will promote better physical and mental development.

The program is expertly developed in tandem with the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics, wherein they provided recommendations for the optimal duration, sequence and movements for kids between seven and 12 years old. The program demonstrates four circuit exercises focused on speed,

FPE, P10