Edge Davao Issue 14 No. 27| Friday, April 16, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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Supply of vaccines in Davao City not consistent: CHO STORY ON PAGE 2

A street hawker peddles ‘barilison’ along the national highway in Tibungco, Davao City on Thursday. The city government of Davao has scheduled a series of “community surveillance swab testing” for vendors in some areas around the city on April 16 to 19. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio warns the public against some unscrupulous individuals who are using a notarial stamp with her name to run a scam selling properties in Taguig City. Edge Davao

DELAY FACTOR Supply of vaccines in Davao City not consistent: CHO By MAYA M. PADILLO

r. Ashley Lopez, head of City Health Office (CHO), admitted that the supply of vaccines in Davao City is not consistent, which is among the factors seen to delay the ongoing vaccination program in the city.

“Daghan unfortunate events nahitabo during the course of vaccination. Number one ang atong supply sa vaccines dili consistent ug ikaduha nagkaroon ta

ug problema sa AstraZeneca. Ingon ani nga mga factors ang maka-pa-delay sa atoang vaccination,” Lopez said. Lopez said it was for-

tunate that a number of vaccines arrived in Davao City this week including the 28,400 doses of Sinovac (CoronaVac) vaccines shipped on Wednesday. “Maayo na lang kay ubay-ubay ang niabot karon semanaha then we received 28,400 doses of Sinovac vaccines. I am sure majority of this will be allocated to Davao City. Pero wala pa ko kabalo sa exact number kung pila. As far as alloca-

tion is concerned amoa pa na mitingan kung pila ang madawat for Davao City kay ang DOH 11 ang mu-allocate kung pila ang ihatag sa Davao City ug sa uban probinsiya,” he said. Meanwhile, over 14,000 healthcare workers from public and private healthcare facilities in Davao City have been inoculated under the city government’s anti-Covid-19 vaccination

lic of these fraudulent activities and advised to immediately report them and complain to the Philippine National Police (PNP) or National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). This is not the first time that the mayor is being used in any schemes. In January this year, the mayor has warned the

public of individuals asking or soliciting money as "campaign funds" for her candidacy in the 2022 presidential elections. She said reports reached her that there were individuals asking for money from groups and businessmen, allegedly to be used as a campaign fund for her

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Davao City temporarily closes six isolation centers as cases go down

ix “empty” coronavirus disease (COVID-19) isolation centers have been temporarily closed in Davao City as active cases are slowly going down, which left several vacant spaces in the temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMFs) of the local government. Dr. Ashley Lopez, City Health Office (CHO) acting head, said during his program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the occupancy rate at the TTMFs was reportedly at 19.5 percent while the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the primary isolation unit for COVID-19 cases in the city, was at 47.51 percent as of Tuesday. He said that at present, the city’s TTMFs in operation have been reduced to 12, with a total bed capacity of 1,200,

from the original 18 facilities opened when COVID-19 cases peaked in the previous months. At present, the local health official said the TTMFs that are functioning in the city have been reduced to 12, with a total bed capacity of 1,200, from the 18 facilities that were opened when COVID-19 cases peaked in the previous months. Department of Health (DOH)-Davao reported 37 new cases in the city as of April 13, bringing the total cases to 14,098 with 370 active, 13,046 recoveries, and 682 deaths. Lopez added that the new COVID-19 cases with moderate, severe, and critical conditions will be referred to the SPMC to free up the private hospitals of active cases, and to contain the risk of transmission in just one

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Sara to brokers, agents: Stop using my name M ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has warned the public to be wary of individuals who use her name to engage in all financial transactions. In a statement, the mayor shared that it has come to her attention that some individuals are using a notarial stamp

with her name to run a scam selling properties in Taguig City. “I do not practice law anymore, and I do not participate in buy and sell of land, gold, stocks, and others. I am also not a notary public nor have I ever applied to be one,” she stated. She warned the pub-

presidential bid. Mayor Sara made it clear that she did not permit anyone to raise funds for any reason and that the public is advised not to believe or contribute any amount to these unscrupulous individuals. She also said the money raised in the fundraising can only be used for

the personal interests of the people behind it and advised the public not to give money, not to be fooled by a campaign fundraising. Mayor Sara added any election fundraising in her name is "purely a scam or some kind of fraud" and must be reported to the police.

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NEWS 3

Opportunities await Davao, Mindanao business sector in China’s Canton Fair By MAYA M. PADILLO

usinessmen in Davao City and Mindanao could find a wealth of opportunities in the upcoming 129th Canton Fair. The 129th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair), which will be held online from April 15 to 24, 2021, is one of China’s most renowned and established fairs for promoting economic and trade exchanges and cooperation between China and the world. “I hope that our Filipino friends in Mindanao will understand more about Canton Fair with today’s introduction, and that Canton Fair will become an important platform for cooperation of the Belt and Road Initiative and Build Build Build Strategy,” said Consul General Li Lin in his opening address during the recent virtual introductory meeting of the 129th organized by the Canton Fair China Foreign Trade Center and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., (DCCCII). Lin is hopeful that the Canton Fair will become an important platform for China East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) cooperation and in making Davao City an important hub along the Maritime Silk Road and a pioneer zone of China BIMP EAGA cooperation. He shared that China has made strategic achieve-

ments in both Covid-19 control and social economic development. “China's GDP achieved a growth of 2.3% last year, and this year's growth has been set at 6% plus. In addition, recently China has formulated a development plan for the next five years and a long-term goal from now on until 2035,” Lin said. Lin assured that China will stay as committed as ever to further opening-up and will fuel a worldwide recovery with its own economic rebound and countries around the world. “Looking ahead, China-Philippines’ cooperation will enjoy still greater prospects,” he said. Lin is also hopeful that DCCCII and the China Foreign Trade Center can establish linkages for further cooperation. “I wish participants of the meeting will be able to find business opportunities through the 129th Canton Fair to boost your businesses and contribute to local economic recovery,” Lin said. The meeting was participated by participants from Davao City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, and Butuan City.

Digos Mayor J. Cagas Infected with Covid-19

igos City, Davao del Sur Mayor Josef Cagas announced Monday that he tested positive of COVID-19 and is currently recuperating in a hospital Cagas said he received confirmation that he was infected after manifesting symptoms such as fever ,chills, body weakness, fatigue, and cough. “Yes,I am suffering from moderate case of COVID-19 since March 31, 2021. I isolated myself and avoided people. I am confined and treated at a hospital,” he said. However, Cagas did not divulge further details on how he contracted COVID-19. He urged fellow Digoseños to always stay safe and strictly observe health measures . “Prevention is always better than cure. We can never be careless, a violation of our health protocols can cause us our health and even our life,” he said. “We cannot risk to be infected with COVID-19. I tell you having COVID 19 with

manifest symptoms is farthest from my mind. COVID-19 is a grueling illness,” he admitted. Cagas added that COVID-19 could break your heart ,your will ,and your spirit . “Dili dali e manage ang sakit nga covid ,maka luya,walay gana ikaon o maski muinom ug tubig,pukawan ka sa panugnaw nga gibati sa imong lawas,sa kakapoy sa kaunuran ug kaso kasohan,mag bali bali ka sa katre Kay di masabtan ang mga sintomas nga akong gibati,” the mayor said. Cagas bared that he is still recovering up to this time and his doctors are continuously monitoring, checking his vital signs ,bio markers, and assessing if his vital organs are affected especially his lungs . “My enormous gratefulness to my attending physicians ,Dr. Inofel Chin for giving the best medical care to me ,and Dr Ivan Fernandez . CESU Digos for the contact tracing initiatives and swab testing to my close contacts,” Cagas said.

Consul General Li Lin of the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in Davao City urges the business sector in Davao City and Mindanao to understand and participate in the upcoming 129th Canton

Fair, which will be held online from April 15 to 24, 2021, to find business opportunities. Edge Davao

“Surveillance” swab test set for street vendors in Davao T he city government has scheduled a series of “community surveillance swab testing” for vendors in areas within the central business district, including “Chinatown,” on April 16 and 19, an official said. Paul Bermejo, head of Ancillary Services Unit of City Government of Davao, said the City Health Office has scheduled free testing starting 8 a.m. on Friday for street vendors in “Chinatown”, including Sta. Ana Avenue, Monteverde Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Street, and Quezon Boulevard at Magsaysay Park. Another free testing has been scheduled for street vendors around People’s Park, San Pedro Street, Bolton Street, and Magallanes Street starting 8 a.m. on Monday in front of the City Hall of Davao, he

said. He urged the vendors to participate in the swabbing activity to know whether or not they are infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to stem the spread of the infection. He assured the Moro merchants, who are observing the Holy Month of Ramadan, that it will not interfere with their religious practices because getting the needed specimen will not take so much time. He said swabbed vendors will not be put on quarantine. The city government will distribute food pack containing rice and canned goods to individuals after getting swabbed, according to Bermejo. “The swabbing will just be quick, maybe it will be just a minute. You can return to your stalls after-

wards,” he said. He said a team from his office was tasked to assist the contact-tracers in listing the names of street vendors who are willing to undergo the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test. Under Executive Order 18, the local government ordered surveillance swabbing and monitoring of persons suffering from influenza-like illness such like cough, fever, and colds in the communities. Health authorities have been directed to make a regular schedule of surveillance swabbing in business and commercial establishments, public places, government offices, private offices and agencies, closed facilities such as jails, and other barangays and areas deemed high-risk by the City Health Office.

Under Executive Order 20, the local government ordered “mandatory swab testing” of all close contacts, including the second and third generation contacts, of an index case. Individuals are considered “first generation” close contacts or F1 when they come in direct contact with an active case. “Second generation” or F2 are persons who have direct contact with F1, while “third generation” or F3 are the close contacts of F2. As of April 14, the Department of Health-Davao reported 79 new infections, bringing the total cases to 22,483, with 926 active ones, 20,596 recoveries, and 961 deaths in the region. Of the total, Davao City, which reported the highest COVID-19 incidence in Mindanao, tallied 14,125 cases,

May 14, 2021. Four of those sent off were from Davao City and one from Davao de Oro. According to DOH 11 director Dr. Annabelle Yumang, their assignment is under the Nurse Deployment Program (NDP) of the agency and their accommodation, meals, and transportation during their stay in NCR will be shouldered by San Lazaro

Hospital. Yumang thanked the volunteer medical frontliners for their courage, cooperation and sacrifice. She said that sending these nurses to NCR will not affect the Covid-19 response of Davao Region given that cases here are on the decline. Yumang encouraged more nurses, doctors, and medical technologists to vol-

unteer for this program to augment health workers in NCR. DOH 11 recorded 79 new Covid- 19 cases in the region bringing the total number of active cases to 926 as of April 14. Of these new cases, 27 are from Davao City, 18 from Davao del Norte, 17 Davao del Sur, 12 Davao de Oro, and five from Davao Oriental.

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5 Davao nurses to help fight COVID-19 in NCR

he Department of Health (DOH) - Davao Regional Office 11 sent off on Wednesday (April 14) five volunteer nurses to augment the Covid-19 response in the National Capital Region (NCR). The five volunteer nurses will be temporarily stationed in the San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila for a month, from April 14 to

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

Airport workers load boxes containing Sinovac vaccines on a refrigerated vehicle at the Davao International Airport in Davao City. City Health Office (CHO) head Dr. Ashley Lopez has admitted that the supply of vaccines in

VOL.14 ISSUE 27 • FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2021

Davao City is not consistent, which is among the factors seen to delay the city’s ongoing vaccination program. Edge Davao

MAFAR-BARMM launches market stalls for Ramadan A

Megaworld closes deals for new office leases

he Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MAFAR-BARMM) has opened market stalls at the government center here particularly intended for the “breaking of the fast” of Muslims during Ramadan. “The stalls which offer freshly cooked food and beverages, fruits, vegetables, as well as agri-fishery products are opened for one month during Ramadan from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily,” MAFAR Minister Mohammad Yacob told

reporters here Thursday. Launched on Wednesday afternoon, the “MAFARLENGKE 2.0” has a total of 17 food exhibitors from the provinces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur are participating in the month-long

event. Also, agri-fishery products from the other BARMM provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and the 63 villages in North Cotabato that now form part of the autonomous region, are being showcased. “The products sold at the stalls will benefit not only the consumers or employees inside the BARMM government center but also improve the livelihood of joining farmers and fisherfolk heavily affected by the pandemic,” Yacob said. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one

of the five pillars of Islam. During the period, Muslims abstain from food and drinks, including water, and devote more time to prayers, and acts of charity to improve self-discipline and sacrifice. Each day, before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called the “suhoor”. During sunset, families break the fast with the “iftar.” This year’s Ramadan, which started on April 13, is tentatively scheduled to end either May 12 or May 13 depending on the sighting of the next crescent or new moon. (PNA)

been crucial to our success in the most recent years. It is important that we work with organizations that share our values like Hensley Beverage Company. Like them, Tanduay is a homegrown brand that prioritizes excellence as shown by the quality we put in the craftsmanship of our products,” Tan said in a statement on Wednesday. Hensley chief sales offi-

cer Chad Marston said they expect the Philippine-made rum to have a strong customer following in the state. “We expect the market to embrace Tanduay rum as a truly unique offering. While Tanduay is massive internationally, it is still relatively new to the United States. Rum is a popular spirit in Arizona and Tanduay will help drive category growth,” Marston said.

It was Tanduay president and chief operating officer Lucio Tan III who nudged his younger brother for partnering with foreign brands and claimed presence abroad. Tan said it is their vision as the new generation of leaders of the company to make proudly Philippine-made brands recognized around the world.

Tanduay Distillers ramps up overseas expansion

ome-grown liquor company Tanduay Distillers Inc. is strengthening overseas expansion even amid the pandemic. Tanduay executive vice president Kyle Tan is leading the work on the partnership with leading US beverage wholesaler, Hensley Beverage Company, for its distribution in Arizona. “Our partnerships have

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ndrew Tan-led property giant Megaworld closed deals for new office leases even as the last three quarters of 2020 were marred by community lockdowns across the country. Around 135,000 square meters of fresh office space inventory were leased out in the company’s townships in Iloilo, Quezon City, and Fort Bonifacio. Around 78 percent of these new leases are part of the expansion programs of existing office partners while the rest were taken by new client companies. “These are mostly companies operating BPOs (business process outsourcing), e-commerce, logistics, and finance. And we are very happy to see the strong interest in our office developments in Iloilo Business Park. Approximately 20 percent of new leases have been booked there and we even cemented our dominance in terms of market share in the Iloilo office market,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said in a statement Wednesday. In addition to new leases, the company also bagged lease renewals of around 145,000 square meters of office spaces from various company tenants last year. Megaworld Premier Offices ended 2020 with PHP10.4 billion in rental revenues, just around the same level in the previous year. The company was also

able to complete the construction of around 87,000 square meters of fresh office spaces last year, bringing the total leasable office inventory to 1.4 million square meters. This excludes the office spaces that are for sale in Iloilo Business Park and Maple Grove in Cavite. “At this point, we can say that our office business is the most stable income generator in our company’s revenue stream with or without this health crisis, and we continue to focus on the expansion of this business in the years to come and further strengthen our leadership in the country’s office property sector,” Tan said. In 2020, the company’s net income slipped by 45 percent to PHP10.6 billion while consolidated revenues decreased by 35 percent to PHP43.5 billion compared to the previous year due to the pandemic. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, however, the last quarter of 2020 saw signs of a remarkable recovery in most of the company’s core businesses as the country eased quarantine measures in time for the holiday season. Real estate sales grew 22 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter last year with reservation sales up 85 percent, while Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and Megaworld Hotels also grew 24 percent and 25 percent quarter on quarter, respectively.

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Cebu Pacific bared that it carried 91,200 COVID-19 vaccines to 3 cities in Visayas and Mindanao on Wednesday. Edge Davao

ARTA welcomes new advisory office to streamline government processes

nti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) Director-General Jeremiah Belgica on Wednesday welcomed Executive Order (EO) 129 creating the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes (OPASGP). Belgica said the creation of OPASGP is not a redundancy of ARTA’s function, but it will strengthen the government’s effort to cut red tape and fast-track streamlining of processes in government agencies. On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed EO 129 and appointed former

Cabinet secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. as the Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes. In a radio interview, Belgica said both ARTA and the OPASGP will directly report to Duterte. He said there will be no additional layer between ARTA and the Office of the

President with the creation of the OPASGP. ARTA has been part of the drafting of EO 129, he added. “The EO basically says the adviser’s role is to advise. So that will be the function of the office of Secretary Jun (Evasco),” Belgica said in Filipino. “What is clear is that we will work as a team.” Belgica said among the projects and programs that his agency and the OPASGP will work on together include monitoring of processes related to the government’s

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CebPac delivers more vaccines to VisMin

ebu Pacific said Thursday it carried 91,200 COVID-19 vaccines to 3 cities in Visayas and Mindanao on April 14, Wednesday. A total of 38,400 doses were airlifted to Tacloban, 28,800 to Cotabato and 24,000 to Zamboanga, the country's largest carrier said in a statement. Vaccines were stored in refrigerated containers with established temperature

limit to ensure conditions are preserved, Cebu Pacific said. Local officials were thankful for receiving "life-saving vaccines" through the airline. “We do all we can to secure the optimal environment for vaccines while they are in our care. We look forward to carrying more of these safely to various parts of the Philippines, as we endeavor the success of this

national collaboration,” Cebgo president and CEO Alex Reyes. To date, Cebu Pacific said it has flown a total of 222,000 doses throughout the country since March. Philippine Airlines has also been delivering COVID-19 vaccines nationwide. The country has received a total of 3,025,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of April 13, 2021.

elays in COVID-19 vaccinations are the top risk facing the global economy, and getting people in poor countries inoculated should be a top priority, the IMF's chief economist said Tuesday. "The fact that there is this big gap in access to vaccinations is a big problem," Gita Gopinath said during a virtual conference organized by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Gopinath called on rich

countries to help poor nations access the shots, saying achieving widespread vaccinations should be "the absolute number-one priority." The IMF last week unveiled an updated global economic outlook that predicted the global economy would expand six percent this year and 4.4 percent in 2022, both higher than its previous estimates. However, it warned uncertainty remained over

its projections, and growth could accelerate if the vaccination rollout moves faster than expected or slower if they lag behind. The IMF has stressed that investments in vaccines more than pay for themselves when economies are able to reopen, but lamented that vaccine distribution to poor countries was "deeply iniquitous" as rich nations sweep up most of the supply. The vaccination cam-

COVID vaccination delays top risk for global economy -- IMF official

Cash remittances expand in February 2021, BSP says D

ash remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks rose in February, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday. Cash remittances in February 2021 grew 5.1 percent to $2.477 billion from $2.358 billion in the same month last year, the BSP said in a statement. "The growth in cash

remittances for January– February 2021 emanated mainly from the United States (US), Malaysia, and Singapore," the statement said. The US registered the highest share to overall remittances at 41 percent for first 2 months followed by Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Japan, UK, UAE, Canada, Malaysia, Taiwan and Qatar, it

said. Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos reached $2.671 billion in February, up 5.3 percent compared to the $2.623 billion in the same month last year, the BSP said. For the first 2 months of 2021, remittances reached $5.655 billion or a 1.6 percent growth from $5.566

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On individuals who use her name to engage in financial transactions:

I do not practice law anymore, and I do not participate in buy and sell of land, gold, stocks, and others. I am also not a notary public nor have I ever applied to be one.” Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Creative response Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio is coming up with an executive order which will allow employees who tested positive of Covid-19 but are still able to work from home whenever they are isoslated or treated. The EO being mulled is beneficial to everybody, to the affected employees, their employer and the entire community, as this approach will be good to the economy. In short, everybody will remain as productive as possible despite the pandemic. This arrangement will be ideal only for those infected but are asymptomatic or are considered suffering mild cases of Covild-19.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL GRACE M. BORDIOS Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising SpecialistGeneral Manager Finance JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

Mayor Inday said this means that the infected but still able workers should continue working, while their employers will continue paying them their salaries. If implemented, Dabawenyons – employees and employers alike will continue earning, and government will go on getting revenues. Another advantage of this directive is that employees will be encouraged to take the swab test and save their company from ruinous lockdown. We hope to hear more innovative approaches from our leaders in fighting the pandemic.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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LIFESTYLE

TONGUE THAI’D AT

BENJARONG T

hinking travelling to Thailand and savor authentic Thai food? As travelling foodies would have it, the best way to learn about a country’s cuisine is to fly in and eat everything. But with travel plans compromised by the pandemic, that will have to wait awhile. So while waiting for the moment for you to get back on planes, let DusitD2 fulfill your wanderlust by serving you the taste of Thailand at Benjarong Davao to inspire you for your next adventure in Thailand. Benjarong Davao is offering an “Eat All You Can Thai Feast”, which is a delectable treat that promises a journey for the palate, from appetizers to desserts. Some of the dishes included in the “Eat All You Can Thai Feast” are: yam som o (pomelo salad), por pia pak (vegetable spring roll), tom yang gung, phad Thai gung sod, khao phad khai (fried rice), phad ka prao nuea (sliced beef), gang phed ped yang (red curry duck breast), phad kra pao gai (stir fried minced chicken), phad ka pao pla muk (stir fried squid), khao niew ma muang (mango sticky rice), and khrim bai tey ma praw (pandan coconut crème brulee). Benjarong Davao Head Chef Suthin Somuang shared that these dishes come with interesting stories, like the tom yang gung, phad thai gung sod, and the red curry duck breast.

The tom yang gung in Benjarong Davao is the recipe from his hometown, Udon Thani, which is spicier. There is another version of this dish from Bangkok, which has milk, making it less spicy. The phad thai and red curry duck breast recipes are the ones famous in Bangkok, but has other variations from Chanthaburi and Chiang Mai. “Most of these dishes are the ones I have grown up eating, which I eventually learned how to cook when I became a chef. It pays homage to the culture and food experience in Thailand,” he said. Benjarong Davao’s menu selection varies each month, allowing avid diners to experience different dishes at every visit.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Miagao Mayor Macario N. Napulan (center) and LANDBANK West Visayas Branches Group Head, First Vice President Delma O. Bandiola (4th from left) lead the official inauguration and blessing of the newly-relocated LANDBANK Miagao Branch on March 22, 2021. With them are (from left) University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV) Chancel-

lor Dr. Clement C. Camposano, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) President Dr. Raul F. Muyong, and LANDBANK Miagao Branch Head Rowena H. Areño.

LandBank Miagao Branch moves to a new address

IAGAO, Iloilo – From its former site inside the Fisheries Library Museum Building of the University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV), the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) Miagao Branch recently moved to a new site at Barangay Igtuba

beside the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) to better service the banking needs of clients. “LANDBANK remains committed to bringing quality products and services closer to our valued clients. The strategic relocation of the Miagao

Branch is meant to better service the banking needs of our depositors and loan clients in the area, especially cooperatives, micro, small and medium enterprises, rural banks and LGU partners,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo. Miagao Mayor Macario

N. Napulan led the inauguration of the new branch on March 22, 2021, together with LANDBANK West Visayas Branches Group Head, First Vice President Delma O. Bandiola. They were joined by UPV Chancellor Dr. Clement C. Camposano, ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong, and

The Philippines' leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), continues to speed up its digital transformation in line with its commitment to keep improving its overall customer experience. With all the great strides the airline has taken in online booking, check-in, manage booking, and Charlie the chatbot, it will discontinue its Philippine hotline numbers by May 01, 2021. CEB began ramping-up its customer-first initiatives through digital innovation in 2017 when it was among the first airlines in Asia to invest in an integrated facility and technology for social intelligence and customer engagement. This head start has equipped the carrier to adjust quickly to address everyJuan’s needs amid COVID, mainly through its social media channels manned by the CEB Customer Care Agents.

In the first quarter of 2021, the airline noted a total of 87% of its passengers maximize its website to book flights directly in the platform. Along with this, 67% of CEB passengers conveniently managed their bookings online, specifically during flight disruptions. In 2018, CEB’s very own Charlie the chatbot was introduced in order to enable passengers to receive real-time answers to common queries and transactions such as flight schedule and status, checkin process, itinerary and boarding pass retrieval, and the like; or lead them to the right steps to address their concerns. Since then, Charlie has been continuously improved and is now able to respond to more queries, without having to talk to an agent. “We are glad to have started our digital trans-

formation journey even before the pandemic, because we have come to rely on it in this new normal environment. We continue to prioritize the safety and convenience of our passengers, that is why we have accelerated our digital efforts to support contactless and self-service processes,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience. In the past year, the carrier has further improved its self-service options, now allowing everyJuan to not only choose their preferred flexibility options easily through https://bit. ly/CEBmanageflight, but even to correct and update information as needed, manage group bookings online, and receive notifications via email or SMS, among others. The carrier also recently waived change fees permanently, enabling passengers to re-

book as many times as they need. “Rest assured Charlie, along with our Customer Care team, are online 24/7 to assist everyJuan. We continue to enhance existing processes as we remain committed to empowering customers and ensuring access to the information they need anytime, anywhere, without having to call the hotline or go to a ticketing office,” added Iyog. Passengers can simply message Charlie via the Cebu Pacific website or the official CEB Facebook page. Its official Twitter page also remains active during this time. Meanwhile, for more information on Contactless Flight Guidelines, flexibility options, updated network, travel document requirements, FAQs and the like, passengers may visit https://bit.ly/CEBFlightReminders.

Cebu Pacific accelerates digital transformation

LANDBANK Miagao Branch Head Rowena H. Areño. Mayor Napulan welcomed the move of LANDBANK which signified continued support for the municipality’s economic development. “I am very happy that one of the biggest banks in the country is located here in Miagao,”

he said. For more updates, follow the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@ landbankofficial), Twitter (@LBP_Official), or join the Viber community (@ LANDBANK), and visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).

Boosting Davao City’s Innovation and Invention Community

he Department of Science and Technology XI, together with the Davao City community of innovators, inventors, startups and technopreneurs, welcomes the approval of the landmark ordinance establishing Davao City Inventions and Innovations Center (DCIIC) during the 14th Regular Session of the 19th City Council of Davao on April 13, 2021. Authored by Councilor Pilar Braga, Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Art and Culture, the said ordinance seeks to provide a venue where Davao Citybased inventors, innovators and startups can access goods, services, and capital so that their inventions and innovations can be fully developed, promoted and funded. “The DCIIC is envisioned to serve as startup enabler where package of assistance

such as prototype building, feasibility study and financial analysis, drafting of project proposals for funding, and intellectual property protection through its in-house experts or tapping into its network of experts of existing research facilities, technology business incubators and innovation centers will be made available for the local innovators, inventors, startups and technopreneurs”, said Councilor Braga. Aside from establishing the center, the ordinance also supports the creation of Davao City Invention and Innovation Board (DCIIB) which will be chaired by no less than the City Mayor. The DCIIB will be tasked to develop Davao City’s innovation goals, priorities and long-term strategies. The DOST XI will sit as one of the members of the said Board along with DTI XI, DICT XI,

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ENVIRONMENT

Protecting forests by finding innovative uses dryer. “This is like a big oven which can dry natural raw materials fast and right, resulting in quality wooden furniture which don’t shrink or crack, and handicrafts which are not attacked by molds,” Aggangan explained. The Connor Group, one of the world's top merchandise-sourcing firms, hailed in 2018 the institute for its role in raising the quality of Philippine handicraft exports through the furnace-type lumber dryer. “Another helpful technology is the lowcost wood moisture meter which helps our clients know how much water a piece of wood contains. This is important to ensure the quality finished product,” Aggangan said. It’s not only the wood industry that is being helped by the institute. In fact, it has also trained countless aspiring business people on handmade papermaking, innovated wine barrels from tree plantation species, and developed machines for making engineered bamboo, one of the promising housing materials in the country today.

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

nce upon a time, the Philippines was totally covered by forest.

Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, a noted environmentalist and wildlife photographer, wrote in an article that forest covered 70% of the Philippines in the 1900s. By the mid1960s, only 13.5 million remained, of which barely 6.3 million hectares were considered primary forest. During the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, forests were decimated at an astonishing rate of 300,000 hectares per year. “As the timber boom gained momentum, the government was unable to supervise concessions effectively or enforce logging regulations,” wrote Robert Repetto, author of The Forest for the Trees? Government Policies and the Misuse of Forest Resources. “Links between timber companies and politicians further eroded government control.” The most recent data, from the Global Forest Resources Assessment report of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), showed the country has a total forest cover of 1,014,156 hectares based on the land cover data in 2015. That means only 23.4% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. The extensive loss of forest means catastrophic for a country with a population of more than 96 million. “Failure to protect our remaining forest would mean a great loss of the country’s rich repository of biodiversity of all time,” said Fulgencio Factoran when he was still the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Filipino environmentalists urged government agencies to do something to save the vanishing forests. Aside from DENR, another agency in the forefront of saving the country’s ecologically-fragile natural resources is the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). But one of DOST’s line agencies has been misunderstood as being anti-environment due to its name: Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). “Some people think that the

agency’s mandate promotes deforestation, the alleged culprit behind the devastating floods that hit the country in 2020,” wrote Rizalina K. Araral of Science and Technology Media Service. “It is not true, of course, that the institute endorses deforestation.” While FPRDI did study premium timber and catered to the needs of the forest-using industries during its earlier years, it branched out to study other related natural products way back in the 1980s. “As the country’s wood supply began to dwindle due to reckless logging, the agency had to look for substitute raw materials for its clients in the housing, pulp and paper, handicrafts and furniture sectors,” Araral wrote. Over the next decades, the FPRDI researchers have probed all kinds of possible replacement to forest timber. These include bamboo; industrial tree plantation species (ITPS); senile coconut wood and rubber wood; abaca; and agricultural residues such as coconut coir, tobacco stalks, tea leaves, corn stalk and rice straw. They have also studied fiber plants, dye plants, forest woody vines, as well as tree gums, resins, oils and exudates, among others. “Because of our name, our work has sometimes been misunderstood by the public, and even by policy makers,” says Romulo T. Aggangan, the institute’s director. “During Senate Budget Hearings, some lawmakers would ask about the relevance of what we do, considering that the country has very little forest cover left, and these have already been made off-limits to all kinds of logging. We then have to explain to them what we do and what we have done so far.” Over the years, wood anatomists, chemists, and forest products engineers of FPRDI have studied the properties and uses of 15 kinds of industrial tree plantation species like falcata and yemane. Falcata (scientific name: Falcataria moluccana) is commonly grown in tree plantations across the country. It gained popularity due to

its suitability in the intercropping of coffee, cacao, abaca and root crops. Yemane (Gmelina arborea) is a fast-growing plantation wood species and matures 12 years after planting compared to Philippine mahogany which matures in about 30 years. It is considered as one of the most promising raw materials for furniture. As a result of the studies done by FPRDI, many managers in the wood-based industries now understand how to saw, machine, dry, finish, and treat these non-forest raw materials. Fast-cycle trees grown in plantations are good substitutes to forest timber for construction and many other industrial uses. The FPRDI is also behind the furnace-type lumber

In Zamboanga Sibugay, the FPRDI has also set up a state-ofthe-art processing plant for converting old and unproductive rubberwood into quality furniture – a big help to rubber farmers. But those innovations are just among the many the agency has done through the years. Right now, the FPRDI is studying the how-to’s of the following: optimization of the abaca fiber for making high-end industrial products, upgrading bamboo musical instruments, and making the most of forest woody vines as handicraft raw materials, among others. It is trying to develop fragrances and flavors from forest products. The FPRDI is also running world class testing laboratories for furniture, plywood, pulp and paper, and also conducts wood identification, physical and mechanical properties, and biomass energy tests on forest-based and related products. “Come to think of it, our name is a misnomer,” Aggangan clarified. “It doesn’t exactly reflect who we are, because we do so much more than study ‘forest products’. We do not study forest timber anymore, but instead look for ways to wisely use many native plants and related natural materials to meet our clients’ needs. Much of what we do shows our aim to help protect – and not destroy – the planet.” Take the case of bamboo. In its bamboo projects, he stressed, the institute not only supports the bamboo-based industry, but it also promotes bamboo farming. “Putting up more plantations worldwide can help stabilize the earth’s climate by limiting the effects of global warming,” Aggangan said. “More than any other plant, it can absorb massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere which is a major cause of global warming. “The same is true with tree plantation species,” he added. “As we do more studies on them, we promote the setting up of more tree farms and the use of products harvested from them, which are known to be effective carbon absorbers.” In their current projects, Aggangan adds, FPRDI researchers are looking for more earth-friendly ways of doing things – for example, more energy-efficient sawmilling, drying and machining methods, and less toxic methods of preserving wood. “In the coming years, we will continue to work towards the competitiveness of our client industries while promoting sustainability,” he concluded. “These two things – competitiveness and sustainability – should always go together. No matter how fantastic, scientific innovations will mean nothing if they damage the environment.”

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program. Davao City’s Covid-19 Task Force reported that the total number of healthcare workers who received the anti-Covid jabs is 63 percent of the targeted 22,000 healthcare workers. Of the

14,000, about 4,557 already received their second dose of Sinovac’s CoronaVac. Lopez, who is also the focal person of the City’s Covid-19 Task Force, said the city is targeting to vaccinate more or less 22,000

from Group A1. He also said if there is no interruption in the delivery and allocation of vaccine supplies, then probably by May this year the city can start the inoculation of the senior citizens.

area. “For the meantime that we still have few patients, they will be referred to the SPMC. What’s the advantage if we are able to contain it in one isolation unit or at the SPMC? In case the new variant is present in any of the COVID-19 patients, we can easily contain it there,” he said. The last three patients admitted in a private hospital were discharged on Tuesday, he said. Last Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte said TTMFs must be “ready, clean, and complete” for patients. The local chief executive emphasized the need for heightened surveillance testing in the communities to stem the spread of COVID-19. She feared that the hospitals in the city may not be “ready” to handle a surge of similar intensity experienced in the National Capital Region. Duterte said it is bet-

ter to address the transmission of COVID-19 immediately than neglecting it like a “ticking time bomb” and find out later that the spread of the virus is already serious to the point of congesting hospitals with severe and critical cases. She said without the heightened testing, cases in the city will surge in two to four months’ time. Lopez said 57 out of the 3,000 individuals tested during the surveillance swabbing conducted in various areas turned out positive for the infection. Of the cases detected, he said 90 or 95 percent were asymptomatic. Under Executive Order 18, Duterte ordered the monitoring of persons suffering from influenza-like illness (ILI) like cough, fever, and colds in the communities. She also directed the health authorities to make regular schedule of surveillance swabbing in business and commercial

establishments; public places, including, among others, wet markets, supermarkets, and stores; government offices; private offices and agencies; closed facilities such as Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bahay Pag-asa, Home for the Aged, and orphanage; and other barangays and areas deemed high risk by the City Health Office. Under Executive Order 20, the local government ordered “mandatory swab testing” of all close contacts, including the second and third generation contacts, of an index case. Individuals are considered “first generation” close contacts or F1 when they come in direct contact with an active case; “second generation” or F2 are the persons who have direct contact with F1; and “third generation” or F3 are the close contacts of F2. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

with 387 active ones, 13,056 recoveries, and 682 deaths. Davao de Oro reported

1,452 cases, Davao del Norte 3,787, Davao del Sur 1,513, Davao Occidental 221, and

Davao Oriental 1,385. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

billion in the comparable period in 2020, the BSP said. Remittances in 2020

defied forecasts but still fell in 2020, partly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cash remittanc-

es from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks contracted by just 0.8 percent for the year.

paigns have accelerated globally since the start of the year but is facing obstacles. On Tuesday, US health authorities called for a

pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine over blood clot fears. European authorities

are, meanwhile, studying blood clots potentially linked to the AstraZeneca shot, and some countries have limited its use.

PIA XI, DCCCII, ICT Davao Inc., Davao City’s Inventors and Innovators Group, the Technology Business Incubators’ Group, Bankers Association of the Philippines, and the academe. Dr. Anthony C. Sales, Regional Director of DOST XI, sees this trailblazing development as crucial to fostering and sustaining a supportive ecosystem for the inventors and innovators. “The landmark ordinance sets foot the much-needed legislative support from the local government unit. The establishment of DCIIC will be pivotal in complement-

ing DOST XI’s existing and future programs, projects and activities to develop and promote innovations and inventions in Davao City. It will also be a strategic approach for DOST XI and all other DOST-supported innovation facilities such as the Food Processing Innovation Center in Philippine Women’s College, the Philippine Genome Center Mindanao Facility in UP Mindanao, the Sentro Mindanao, and the Technology Business Incubators in University of Mindanao, University of Southeastern Philippines,

and UP Mindanao to amplify our services tailored to support and promote the various local inventions and innovations”. “Aside from the existing DOST programs and services for inventors and innovators, the DCIIC will also expand opportunities by linking interested parties with financing institutions, investors and the market. Consolidating government support from both the national and local levels will greatly boost our innovation ecosystem”, Dir. Sales added. DOST XI S&T Promotion

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

2 - LAYOUT ARTISTS Qualifications: • Knowledgeable in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop • Male/Female • Can work with minimum supervision

Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

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coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response and the automation and streamlining of local government units (LGUs). ARTA launched Tuesday a joint memorandum circular

establishing the guidelines for electronic business onestop shop (e-BOSS) in LGUs. “With Secretary Evasco now on board, our reform train against red tape, we are confident that all our efforts

will not go to waste as he will surely facilitate in shepherding and coordinating them straight to the President being a longtime confidant of the Chief Executive,” Belgica added. (PNA)

“Tanduay’s longevity is due to both tradition and innovation. While we have maintained the formulation and distillation process of our award-winning rums for decades, we are also always looking for ways to innovate our distribution channels so we could bring our products to more customers worldwide,” the older Tan said. It is the young Tans’ goal to continue the vision of their grandfather, chairman Lucio C. Tan and their father, Lucio Tan Jr., to make proudly Philippine-made brands recognized around the world. Tanduay has already

eclipsed rum brands from other countries in terms of sales to emerge as the world’s No. 1 rum for three consecutive years. It has also received numerous awards from prestigious international wines and spirits competitions in the US, China, and Europe. At present, Tanduay is available in the US states of Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, and the territory of Guam. It is also available in China, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and select

cities in Europe. Meanwhile, another Philippine-grown liquor company Emperador Inc., has recorded significant growth in their sales from the world market. In 2020, the brandy manufacturer posted growth in countries such as the United Kingdom at 376 percent, Mexico at 44 percent, Canada at 74 percent, and the US at 24 percent, it said in a disclosure. The two companies attributed goals of conquering foreign markets as their motivation to give jobs for the Filipino workforce at this time of pandemic. (PNA)

A night after getting blown out by Talisay, Mandaue unleashed its fury over Tubigon in the first half after building a 45-35 halftime lead. Tubigon somehow slowed down Mandaue in the third quarter and was within five, 54-59, late in the period, but Mandaue pulled away for good in the final frame. Shaq Imperial led Mandaue, which moved up to 2-1, with 17 points, four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block off the bench as the team's shock troopers took center stage with two of the team's former Philippine Basketball Association players on the sideline. “The second group and third group stepped up tonight,” coach Mike Reyes said.

“Wala si Ping [Exciminiano] (Ping is not here) and [Al Francis] Tamsi got injured. They started their work on defense and the offense came around.” Gryann Mendoza added 15 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. Joseph Marquez put up 20 markers, three boards, and two dimes for Tubigon, which fell to 0-3. Worse for the Mariners, Marquez injured his ankle late in the game, making him questionable for their Thursday night clash with the Warriors. Like Tubigon, Dumaguete remains in the hunt for that elusive first win in the Visayas Leg after Talisay dealt them a sound beating. The Aquastars outscored the Warriors, 33-15, in the

first quarter and sustained the blowout despite slowing down a bit in the second period. Patrick Cabahug turned back time by drilling all of his six three-point attempts for 24 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal for Talisay, which following the cancellation of Lapu-Lapu's game against Siquijor is now the solo leader in the team standings at 3-0. Paulo Hubalde and Tristan Albina each added 11 points. The Aquastars are scheduled to face the Mystics on Thursday night, but the VisMin Cup will reportedly announce the fate of this match by noontime following the quick probe to the Mystics' clash with the Heroes.

ble was his league-leading 24th of the season and the 170th of his career. Robertson holds the all-time mark with 181. Bertans chipped in with

16 points off the bench for the Wizards, who now return home for four straight, all against teams with losing records. Rui Hachimura added 12 points, Deni Avdija 11 and

Ish Smith 10, while Alex Len complemented eight points with 10 rebounds. The Wizards dominated the Kings on the boards to the tune of 56-31.

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Saso gains share of lead at LPGA Yuka Saso watches her shot on the 10th hole during the first round of the ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills Country Club. File photo

OS ANGELES -- Yuka Saso and Brittany Altomare shared the clubhouse lead at the LPGA Lotte Championship on Wednesday as Brooke Henderson teed off in search of a third straight title in the event.

Saso, a 19-year-old from the Philippines who made history for her country with double Asian Games golf gold in 2018, was first in the clubhouse on eight-under par 64, racing home with

four of her eight birdies at her last four holes. American Altomare followed with an even more impressive surge, stringing together seven straight birdies after the turn on

the way to nine birdies and a bogey for an eight-under total. Saso, a two-time winner on the Japan LPGA tour, said there was no real secret to her success at Kapolei Golf Club in Oahu, Hawaii. "I made some good putts, had good up and downs, my driving was very consistent today," said Saso, who is playing this week on a sponsor's exemption. Saso knows the going could be tougher when she

tees off in the afternoon on Friday, when the wind is likely to be more of a factor. "Back nine the wind did get stronger than this morning," said Saso, who opened with a birdie on 10 and added birdies at 17 and 18 and the fourth before reeling off birdies at six, seven, eight and nine. "I think I just have to be careful with my drives, keep it in the fairway as much as possible, and trust the process."

Westbrook’s 170th triple-double carries Wizards past Kings

Washington Wizards guard Russell Westbrook (4) passes the basketball against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Reuters.

ussell Westbrook moved within 11 triple-doubles of Oscar Robertson's all-time mark Wednesday night, recording a sixth straight in the Washington Wizards' 123-111 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Westbrook finished with 25 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, a game-high 11 assists and four steals, while Bradley Beal poured in a team-high 31 points for the Wizards, who completed a six-game trip with a 4-2 record. De'Aaron Fox topped 30

points for the 16th time this season with a game-high 33 for the Kings, who lost their eighth straight. Davis Bertans capped a 42-point, first-quarter explosion by the Wizards with a four-point play, sending the visitors into the second period with a double-figure lead from which Washington was never headed. Westbrook hit 12 of his 22 shots and Beal 10 of his 22 as the Wizards outshot the Kings 52.2 percent to 46.2 percent. Westbrook's triple-dou-

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GAB looks into Vis-Min Cup game

he Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is now looking at the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup game between Lapu-Lapu and Siquijor after awkward offensives were seen in the said match. The showdown between the Heroes and the Mystics at the Alcantara Civic Center on Wednesday was halted at halftime due to a power interruption according to a statement from the VisMin Super Cup chief operating officer Rocky Chan. But moments after the game was canceled, some video clips from the said match went viral. These included a botched wide-open layup from a Siquijor player off a steal and a Lapu-Lapu player shooting what would be three missed free throws, the first two not even hitting the rim. The stats somehow tell a similar story. Siquijor only made 5-of21 field goals including an intriguingly dismal 2-for-13 clip from the two-point area and missed all its 10 free throw attempts. On the other hand, while Lapu-Lapu was performing better from the field at 11-of21, they only converted four of 19 charities. The Heroes was on track of pummeling the Mystics after a 23-5 first quarter, but only got to score four points in the second period. Siquijor's second quarter was not much better as they only made eight. The said facts, which hinted at a possible point-shaving scheme, prompted GAB to investigate the situation. "We are awaiting the re-

port of our sports regulators inside the bubble to be presented and decided upon by the board in our meeting," GAB chairman Baham Mitra said on Wednesday night, adding that the verdict may be handed out by early Thursday. "This needs decisive action as it affects the whole league and the whole basketball community," he added. Meanwhile, Mitra warned all the professional athletes that their licenses might be revoked if they would be found guilty of possible game-fixing acts. "We would like to remind our players that a license to practice a profession is not a right, but a concession and a privilege granted by the government. Now, if they fail to abide by the rules, the government has the right to step in to impose necessary sanctions or revoke such a privilege. Officials, coaches, and players should act as professionals or lose their licenses. Shape up or ship out!" he added. Mitra assured all the professional leagues that GAB is ready to intervene in case they notice sketchy in-game situations while urging them to do self-regulation with regard to those moments. "We always believe in self-regulation, but GAB is always ready to step in anytime especially when integrity is at stake," he said. Mandaue, Talisay trample foes Meanwhile, Mandaue and Talisay pulled off blowout wins in their VisMin Cup matches also on Wednesday. Mandaue pipped Tubigon, 97-71, while Talisay blasted Dumaguete, 92-72.

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GODFATHER LGU

Dabawenya Olympic bet Nesthy Petecio embraces President Rodrigo Duterte in this file photo.

PSC-POC seek LGU support for SEAG prep

he Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee has agreed to seek the help of local government units on the preparation of Team Philippines for the 31st Southeast Asian Games to be held in Vietnam.

With the aim of defending or landing a top-three finish in this time of a global health crisis, the national team faces a big challenge ahead. POC President Congressman Abraham Tolentino opened the meeting with questions on the budget, “What if the 200 million allocated budget fall short?” Following the projected expenses, half of this is already going towards the actual participation of the nearly 700-man delegation. After discussion, the group arrived to an agreement to formally seek the help of LGUs willing to “adopt” teams and sponsor some aspects of their training, like venue, meals, and billeting. “Baka may gusto magninong muna sa ating mga atletea, we are very open to this,” said PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez who also stands as the Chef de Mission to the SEAG. Tolentino, digging from his extensive experience as an LGU chief, reminded the group that it is key to get the Department of Interior and Local Government to issue a di-

rective on the “godfather-LGU program.” He has also committed to adopt the sports of cycling and skateboarding in his district. “The joint secretariat for the SEAG are carefully working on the SEAG plan,” explained Fernandez stressing the impact of the present crisis to conducting the usual full trainings of the nationals. Targeting July 1 as the start of training, Fernandez said “we still have time to talk to the LGUs” adding that he is trusting the sense of nationalism among our people to receive this program positively since this is for national pride “ito ay para sa inang bayan at para sa atletang Pilipino.” Joining Tolentino and Fernandez in the meeting were POC Secretary-General Atty. Edwin Gastanes, POC Deputy Secretary-General Karen Caballero, PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo Iroy, Jr., PSC Deputy Executive Directors Queenie Evangelista and Merlita Ibay and PSC National Training Director Marc Velasco.