Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 54 | Tuesday, May 18, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

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Workers prepare to lay underground the fiber optic of DITO Telecommunity along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Lanang, Davao City on Monday. The company is expected to reach a million subscribers as it launched commercial services im various areas in Luzon and Visayas. Edge Davao

Home, workplace infections add to spike in Covid cases

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

CASE CLUSTERS Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminds Dabawenyos that there is no reason to panic even though Covid-19 cases is increasing as the city of Davao augments its surveillance testing. Edge Davao

Home, workplace infections add to spike in Covid cases By MAYA M. PADILLO

The mayor affirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city is increasing based on the report presented during the department head meeting on Monday. “Klaro na gyud kaayo na pataas na ang atoang cases ug nakit-an pud nato nga

increasing ang atoang cases sa atoang mga hospitals ug sa atoang mga Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs), therefore makita increasing gyud ang atoang trend,” she said. As of Monday, there

are 43 cases due to household transmission and 21 outside household transmission wherein 13 cases are from workplace transmission. “Various workplace duna ta’y call centers, schools, government offices, and private offices, sagol-sagol siya. Mas taas ang household transmission. Makita nato still ang balay ug opisina ang daghan clustering of cases. Naturally, sa balay wala naman ta’y distancing and face mask and diri sa

ocal farmers from the upland barangays of Alabel have started to sell their farm produce at the food hub launched by the municipal government on May 6 in barangay Alegria. Every Thursday, the Food Hub Day is held at the Alabel Farmers Scientist Association (AFSA) Bldg., Purok New Bohol in Alegria. (The town of Maitum also

runs a “laray” market every Thursday for several years already.) Farmers from Alegria and the neighboring barangays like Pag-Asa, Datal Anggas, Bagacay, Kawas, Baluntay, and Tokawal were invited by the local government to display and sell their vegetables, fruits, and crops in the food hub at a reasonable price. According to Giselle

Gestupa, End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) focal person of Alabel, the food hub “is an initiative of the Poverty Reduction Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) under the Indigenous Peoples Empowered Agripreneurs towards a Collective End or IPEACE Project of the ELCAC, and supported by the LGU-Alabel.”

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Monday that there is a possible clustering of cases in households and workplaces which contribute to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Davao City.

office tungod sa nagtapok ang mga tao sa enclosed na opisina or building,” she said. The mayor also said that the increasing number of cases is also due to the massive surveillance testing being conducted by the city. “Tungod pud sa mga nanginahanglan ug hospital interventions. Daghandaghan na ang naga-adto sa mga hospitals because kinahanglan sila ug medical care. Ug idungag pud nato

Last June 2020, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña, together with the Regional Task Force-ELCAC launched the “Project IPEACE” in the four priority barangays in SOCCSKSARGEN, including barangay Alegria. Project IPEACE “aims to end local

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PhilSys applicants growing with Step 1 online registration

he Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) received overwhelming support for the Step 1 online registration program despite the technical issues that marred its pilot implementation on April 30. “The Philippine Identification System online Step 1 Registration was well received by the public, with many expressing support for the program, despite technical issues during its pilot launch last 30

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PRC to sell Moderna vaccines for P3,500

Alabel pilots food-for-peace T L FALABEL, P7

April 2021,” the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the main implementer of PhilSys, said in a statement on Saturday. The agency said while there were those who did not understand the predicament the system faced on its first day of operation, there are registrants who understood system glitches, based on their Facebook comments. Jenner Ladores, a registrant, wrote in a comment: “Kudos PhilSys

he Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Monday said it would sell Moderna’s COVID-19 jabs for P3,500 for 2 doses. Some 200,000 doses from the US pharmaceutical giant are set to arrive next month, PRC chair Richard Gordon said. “If we are going to wait for the [government’s] vaccines to come, mahuhuli (we will be late),” he said. “Those of you who

cannot wait, you pay P3,500 and that’s 2 doses already,” he said. The PRC also procured jabs from AstraZeneca, but the vaccines are not expected to arrive until next year, Gordon said. “With India tightening the [vaccine supply] line, mahirap (it’s hard),” he said. While the PRC is expected to begin its

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

A resident is glued to a television set as she watches the 2021 Miss Universe on Monday. Andrea Meza of Mexico bagged this year’s Miss Universe crown. Edge Davao

3 ASG bandits killed in 2 Basilan clashes

ome three Basilanbased Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed in two separate clashes as government troops continue the offensive against the terrorists in that province, military officials announced Monday. Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the clash happened around 7:40 a.m. Sunday in Sitio Kura-Kura, Barangay Baiwas, Sumisip, Basilan. Vinluan said the troops were conducting focused military operations when they clashed with a group of ASG bandits led by midlevel leader Pasil Bayali in Sitio Kura-Kura, Barangay Baiwas.

The firefight lasted for about 30 minutes afterwhich the ASG bandits scampered in different directions leaving the remains of their two slain companions. “We are still verifying the identification of the slain terrorist,” said Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, commander of the Joint Task Force Basilan. Gobway said another firefight ensued for about 15 minutes ensued, while the reinforcing troops were conducting clearing operations in the area that resulted in the death of another ASG bandit and the recovery of one M-16 Armalite rifle. “Due to the persistent offensive operations by our

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DavSur cop nabbed in drug buy-bust

policeman assigned in Davao del Sur was arrested in an antidrug buy-bust operation at Ecoland Subdivision, Matina, Davao City Sunday (May 16) morning. The police officer was identified as Cpl. Andy Gibb Jaum Luna alias, Vince, 36 and resident of Tahimik Avenue, Matina. Luna is a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) assigned to the 1105th Maneuver Company in Kapatagan, Digos

City, Davao del Sur. He was arrested by members of the Talomo Police Station at about 10:40 a.m. inside room number 502 of Oh George Drive Inn, Ecoland this city. Luna is tagged as Top 5 in the Regional Drug watchlist of the PNP and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). An undercover cop who posed as a drug user was able to buy shabu worth P2,000 from the suspect.

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City extends swab testing at Davao Crocodile Park By MAYA M. PADILLO

the request. It can be recalled that the city has opened the Davao Crocodile Park as swabbing site for the public utility vehicle drivers until May 8 as per Executive Order No. 18 on the heightened surveillance

and response of Covid-19 cases. Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio announced that in a letter dated May 14, 2021, addressed to Dizon extended the city’s sincere gratitude for allowing the city to utilize the area as a swabbing site. “Nag-request nata nga extended until November. Basta naghangyo nata sa ilaha nga mag -extend nata ug na-approve na,” Mayor Sara said during a live broadcast interview on Monday. The park will become

an alternative swab site to decongest the Sta. Ana Health Center, which is the main swabbing site for influenza-like illness (ILI) case finding. The swab site is targeting to cater to individuals from Mondays to Saturdays. Currently, the city has established a swabbing site at Brgy. Ilang in Tibungco, Brgy. Talomo River in Calinan and Brgy. Toril. The city also targets to set up swabbing centers at the District Health Offices (DHOs).

this happen.” The Committee deliberated on Senate Bill 2019 filed by Senator Aquilino Pimenel III and SB 2025 filed by Senator Richard Gordon – both seeking to amend Section 13 of Article 16 of RA 11054 or the Organic Law for the BARMM, by resetting the date of the first election of the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament from May 2022

to May 2025. The resetting of the election will give three more years to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to finish its work. The 80-member BTA is the body tasked to govern the BARMM during the transition period that by law is supposed to end on June 30, 2022. Acknowledging the limited time left – only three weeks from May 17

when Congress resumes sessions until June 4 when it adjourns sine die – Zubiri expressed confidence during the hearing livestreamed from the Senate’s website, that the consolidated bill would be passed on second and third reading within one day, apparently confident President Rodrigo Duterte would certify the bill as urgent.

he city government is extending the swab testing at the Davao Crocodile Park in Ma-a, Davao City until November 17, 2021 after drawing positive feedback from the private sector citing that the venue is more spacious and ideal for swabbing. Dr. Ashley Lopez, focal person of the Covid-19 Task Force said during Madayaw program of the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) that the city has submitted a letter to Philip Dizon, owner of the Davao Crocodile Park, and has already approved

3 weeks left for Congress to decide on Bangsamoro transition extension

he Senate Committee on Local Government on Friday ended its hearings on the two bills seeking the extension of the transition period in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until June 30, 2025 instead of 2022, with Majority Leader Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri vowing that he and committee chair Francis Tolentino and other members “will make

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte signs Executive Order Numbers 134 and 135 modifying the rates of import duty on pork products and rice. Presidential Photo

Vaccine pass ‘too premature’

he Philippine Retailers Association on Monday said it was “too premature” to propose mandatory vaccine passes for customers who would like to enter indoor establishments. Establishments should focus on containing COVID-19 spread, said the association’s president Rosemarie Ong. “Ang take namin dito is that it’s too premature. Number 1, it’s counterproductive kasi...ang navavaccinate pa lang natin ay seniors with comorbidity. Once we reach herd immunity siguro pag-usapan natin,” she said. (Our take on this is that it’s too premature.

It’s counterproductive... because we’ve only vaccinated seniors with comorbidity. Once we reach herd immunity, maybe we can discuss this.) “Medyo discriminatory, imagine di natin papapasukin sa establishment ang di na-vaccinate not unless of course we were able to reach majority of the population. Siguro ang pagtuunan natin ng pansin ngayon is paano natin mako-contain ang spread (ng virus).” (it’s also discriminatory. Imagine not allowing unvaccinated customers, unless of course we were able to inoculate majority of the population. Maybe we should focus instead on how to contain virus spread.)

PRRD raises pork tariff, cuts rice import duty

resident Rodrigo Duterte signed two executive orders (EOs) on Saturday modifying the rates of import duty on pork products and rice. Upon the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority Board, the President signed EO 135 to temporarily reduce the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff rates on imported rice and EO 134 to further modify the MFN tariff rates on imported pork products, the Office of the President (OP) said in a statement. EO 134 raises the MFN tariff rates on pork products “in recognition of the plight of all concerned

sectors and stakeholders, including the local hog industry,” the OP added. Duterte’s decision to increase the tariff on imported pork came following appeals to reverse EO 128, inked on April 7, which imposed temporary tariff reduction on fresh, chilled, or frozen pork products. EO 128 reduced the tariff rates on pork imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) to 5 percent for the first three months upon the effectivity of the

order and 10 percent for the next nine months from the current rate of 30 percent. Under EO 128, pork imports outside MAV were reduced with a lower tariff of 15 percent for the first three months and 20 percent for the succeeding nine months from the current rate of 40 percent. EO 134 now supersedes EO 128 and raises pork imports within MAV to 10 percent for the first three months and 15 percent for the next nine months. Pork imports outside MAV increase to 20 percent for the first three months and 25 percent for the suc-

ceeding nine months. “Given the continuing spread of African swine fever and its adverse effects, the adjusted tariff rates aim to strike a balance between the objective of making pork products available and affordable, and the concerns of all stakeholders especially the recovery of the local hog industry,” the OP said. EO 135 lowers the MFN tariff rates on rice to 35 percent from 40 percent (within MAV) and 50 percent (outside MAV) for a period of one year. Reducing rice tariff, the OP said, would help “diversify the country’s market

presentation in the First Mindanao Convention on Hass Avocado and Jackfruit Industry on Monday (May 17). Piñol said that MinDA spearheads the introduction of the said crops as part of its Green Mindanao Advocacy in the denuded and deforested highlands, most of which are Ancestral Domain of the many tribes of Mindanao. “In my initial conversa-

tions with Sec. Capuyan last week, he said that the introduction of Avocado and Jackfruit as part of Mindanao’s Agro-Industrial Development could bring the much needed livelihood activities in the largely under-utilized tribal lands in Mindanao,” the MinDA chief added. He also said that Capuyan said he is very excited about the new projects of MinDA since NCIP has been

searching for sustainable programs for the IP communities. During the convention, which is both face-to-face and virtual, Sec. Capuyan will present maps of the different Ancestral Domain Areas with elevation higher than 600-meters above sea level. Most of the areas according to Piñol are located in Bukidnon, Misamis Occi-

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Globe signs $100M High elevation Mindanao tribal lands loan to fund capex potential for Hass Avocado farming

lobe Telecom signed a term loan facility with Bank of China (Hong Kong) for $100 million or around P4.8 billion to finance its capital expenditures, the company disclosed to the stock market on Monday. Globe said it spent P19.1 Billion in capex as of end-March, exceeding last year’s spending by 79 percent. Around 91 percent

of the investment went to data-related requirements to support the fast-growing data usage and provide superior data customer experience, the Ayala-led telco said. The company earlier said it expects to spend a new record of P70 billion to support its “aggressive” cell site builds, upgrade of all its sites to 4G LTE, roll out 5G, and provide fiber to the home.

indanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Saturday that Mindanao tribal lands with an elevation of over 600 meters above sea level are potential sites for Hass Avocado production. He said that such potential will be discussed by National Commission on the Indigenous People (NCIP) Chairman, Sec. Allen Capuyan during his

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

ECONOMY

A pump attendant fills a motorcycle with gasoline at a gasoline station in Matina, Davao City. Pump prices of gasoline will be rolled back while diesel will be hiked for the fifth straight week starting today. Edge Davao

SSS online funeral benefit claims up 13.6% in Q1 ‘21

nline funeral benefit claims surged by 13.6% in the first three months of the year, state-run Social Security System (SSS) revealed Sunday. The SSS said 11,088 online transactions for funeral benefit claims were recorded in January to March, up from the 9,762 transactions recorded in July to December 2020. The latest figures come as the Philippines continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, but the SSS said the increase was due to the mandatory online transactions and checkless disbursements implemented in 2020. “In line with our campaign ExpreSSS—fast, simple, and easy transactions with SSS—we committed to expanding our online services with the inclusion of funeral benefit applica-

tions last July 2020, as part of the available e-services under the My.SSS portal,” said SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio. Under the expanded online services, SSS said claimants can now receive benefits through checkless disbursements through their unified multipurpose identification (UMID) cards. Funeral benefits may also be credited to the participating banks under the Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer & System Operations Network (PESONet); e-wallets; or remittances transfer companies. Funeral benefits are granted to those who paid for the burial expenses of a deceased SSS member who made at least one contribution payment. The SSS is mandated

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Diesel prices up for 5th straight week, gasoline down Tuesday

ump prices of diesel will be hiked for the fifth straight week starting today, while those of gasoline will be rolled back. In separate advisories, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., and Seaoil Philippines Inc. said they will hike prices per liter of diesel by P0.20, while rolling back those of gasoline also by P0.20. Kerosene prices will be left unchanged. Cleanfuel will implement the same changes, but only for gasoline.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 18, for all firms except for Cleanfuel which will adjust prices at 08:01 a.m. the same day. Other firms have yet to make similar announcements. Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) shows that year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P7.80 per liter for gasoline, P6.05 per liter for diesel, and P5.30 per liter for kerosene as of May 4, 2021

DITO targets to end 2021 with millions of subscribers

ITO Telecommunity Corp. on Monday launched commercial services in the National Capital Region, with the company aiming to reach millions of subscribers by the end of the year.

In a virtual briefing on Monday, DITO said its services are now available in 100 cities and municipalities across the nation covering 29 million Filipinos. Commercial services were officially rolled out in Caloocan, Las Pinas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and Valenzuela on Monday. Aside from these areas, services are also available in Antipolo, Cainta, Taytay; and Balanga, Bocaue, Bu-

lakan, Hagonoy, Malolos, Marilao, Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte. Other areas include Balanga, Dinalupihan, Subic, Olangapo, Moncada, Angeles, Mabalacat, Mexico, Guagua, Cabuyao, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa, Binan, Cuenca, San Jose, Carmona, Dasmarinas, Lapu Lapu, and Dumanjug. With the additional locations, DITO said it now has some 500,000 subscribers which it aims to boost even further by the end of the year. “To be very candid, we cannot give you a really

round number, but for sure I think it’s safe for us to say that definitely, a couple of million (subscribers) by the end of the year — that is our goal,” said Chief Administrative Officer Adel Tamano. Dito officially launched commercial services in March, in pilot areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. Moving forward, Tamano said the company is set to continue its pace of onboarding some 500,000 subscribers in two months. DITO is set to undergo its second technical audit in July, to check if the company has fulfilled its second year commitments. DITO — formerly named the Mislatel Consortium — commitment to have a nationwide coverage of 51.01% in its second

year of operations, with a minimum speed of 55 Mbps and a capex/opex of P27 billion. “We’re about 50% covered already. In fact, as I have said earlier, we are already preparing for our third-year commitments of the 70% population coverage,” said Chief Technology Officer Rodolfo Santiago. For its third year, DITO committed to reach a 70.01% nationwide coverage, 55 Mbps minimum speed, and P27-billion capex/opex. The Dito consortium is made up of Uy’s Udenna Corporation, Udenna’s subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation.

Ma-a, Magtuod and Langub. “We chose SM because we want the senior vaccinees to be comfortable while waiting for their turn to be vaccinated,” shares Davao City Covid-19 Vaccination head Dr. Joy Villafuerte. CHO’s partnership with SM, Villafuerte added, has been functional and successful. SM Supermalls is one with the government in providing safe spaces for

the vaccination program. “We imagine a safer country when inoculations happen on a bigger scale in the days to come. SM will be there as a dependable partner of the government,” says Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, Regional Operations Manager of SM Supermalls Mindanao. SM City Davao is the second mall-based vaccination hub in Davao City next to SM Lanang Premier. Both malls are working closely

with the City Government through City Health Office to ensure health and safety protocols are strictly followed. For further inquiries on the city’s vaccination program, contact Davao City Vaccination Hotlines at 0961 073 4965 (Smart Hotline) or 0927 022 9087 (Globe Hotline). Potential vaccinees may also directly register in their respective barangays to set schedule for their innoculation.

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SM City Davao opens as vaccination hub

he City Government of Davao, through City Health Office (CHO) and Task Force Covid-19 Vaccination, will first prioritize the sector under A2 (senior citizens) in the mall-based vaccination hub. Located at SM City Davao’s Cinema 1-3 Lobby, CHO targets to accommodate 200 pre-registered senior citizens per day during weekdays, especially those who reside from Barangays Bucana,

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

On the rising cases of Covid-19 in the city: Klaro na gyud kaayo na pataas na ang atoang cases ug nakitan pud nato nga increasing ang atoang cases sa atoang mga hospitals ug sa atoang mga Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs), therefore makita increasing gyud ang atoang trend.” MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

EDITORIAL

PNP confusion

A proposed training facility and housing project of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the ancestral domain of Manobo and B’laan tribes in Barangay Kalbay, Jose Abad Santos (JAS), Davao Occidental is being opposed by Gov. Claude Bautista. The governor is being supported by the highest official of the PNP in Region 11, Brig. Gen. Filmore Escobal. General Escoval said the project is not essential as there is an existing facility situated near the province. The project was initiated by a certain Gregorio Day, who claimed to be a provincial Indigenous Peoples mandatory representative. Bautista said Day donated 30 hectares of land for the building of the PNP training facility and housing project. The governor however argued that the land under ancestral domain is owned by members of the tribal community, and Day has no legal personality to donate the land that he does not own and has neither the legitimate title of Provincial Chieftain of the Manobo and B’laan tribes. Escobal said that a memorandum he got from the higher headquarters of the PNP Camp Crame says that the proposed project is no longer necessary because of adequate PNP training facilities in the country.

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“We receive a memo that there will be an ocular inspection to be conducted by the team from DHRDD headed by General Daniel. Because of that memo, we have to provide security but it turned out that there’s another memo stating that the construction of the facility is not essential,” Escobal added. According to the PNP official, an administrative case has already been filed against the PNP personnel from Region 12 who allegedly entered Barangay Kalbay without even coordinating with the PRO 11 for the conduct of inspection in April. Both Governor Bautista and General Escoval ought to be supported in their moves. This brouhaha should be investigated and all those responsible for it be made answerable. 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 ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent 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 SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

Gov. Bautista also questioned the conduct of environmental and social scanning inspection in the area by the PNP Composite teams from Special Action Force, Regional Police Offices 11 and 12 led by a certain Brig. Gen. Joselito Daniel from Camp Crame’s Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development (DHRDD). Accordingly, the purpose of the ocular inspection is to determine the feasibility of the project.

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)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

CASE ... FROMP2

ang all kinds of testing nato like ILI (influenza-like illnesses),” Mayor Sara said. The mayor assured that with the increasing active cases there is no variant of Covid-19 that if confirmed yet because there is no result yet on genome sequencing. She also said that amid the increasing cases there is no discussion yet with the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force of leveling up the community quarantine classification of the city. “Sa pagka-karon wala pa sa discussion sa level sa Davao City Covid-19 Task Force but community quarantine classification ginahatag na sa IATF or national government ug ginasunod nato na. Kung

kayahon ra siya sa GCQ, we would opt to remain under GCQ classification,” the mayor said. Mayor Sara reminded the public not to panic and to always follow the minimum standard health protocols. “Once again reminders nato sa tanan, kung dili ko ninyo makit-an mag panic, there is no reason na magpanic mo. Keep doing the health standard health protocols. Dili ta mugawas kung dili essential ang atoang paggawas ug ang atoang health care system, hospital, TTMFs ug ang tanan frontliners nga nagtrabaho dinha muresponde lang pud sila as many patients nga muabot sa ihala,” the mayor said.

Team! May (There are) glitches and other issues sa simula (at the start) but the goal is really nice. Hopefully maging (everything will be) ok na soon. Progress is never perfect and easy. Laban lang (Fight)!” “This is expected. Hindi lang naman (There weren’t just) 1,000 registrants ang maglo-log in or gagamit ng (who will log in or use the) site. Magandang (It’s a good) stress test sa (for the) system para maayos ‘yung (so they can fix) lapses and gaps,” Joni Krabbe-Cañete wrote. Registrant Ogie Camat commended PSA for the “good kind of problem. That means it has drawn public interest. Nevertheless, it is a milestone.” A post from user Davao Construction on May 7 said online registration takes no more than three minutes and posted the PSA instructions. PSA said it continues to make improvements in the PhilSys website to accommodate more registrants and make the experience easier. “PSA appreciates the public’s interest in the PhilSys and requests for more patience and understanding from Filipinos as the agency continuously improves the

website,” the statement read. Online PSA decided to embark in online registration for Step 1 to minimize face-toface and house visitation and interview by PhilSys enumerators amid the continuing threat of coronavirus. Nonetheless, PSA will not prohibit face-to-face registration for Step 1 in Covid-19 low-risk areas. PSA started Step 1 registration in October last year, reaching more than 34 million as of last count. Of the total, about 6.4 million have already completed Step 2. PSA delivered 956 Philippine Identification (PhilID) cards, the first batch, via Philippine Post on the first week of May. The agency reiterated delivery is free. Step 2 registration involves the capture of biometric data such as iris scan, fingerprint scan, and front-facing photographs at registration centers. The last step is the issuance of the PhilID with the PhilSys Number, a randomly generated number that will serve as a permanent identification number.

gallant troopers, a total of three terrorist cadavers and one firearm were recovered in the said operations. Our troops are continuously conducting hot pursuit operations against the fleeing ASG members. With the series of engagements, we are certain that most of the terrorists incurred gunshot wounds as evident on the bloodstains in the area. We will find, fix and neutralize the remaining fleeing terrorists,” Gobway said. He said they are grateful that no soldier was hurt during the successive

encounters. “We thank the active participation of the local officials and the community of their desire to end terrorism by providing us real time information for the neutralization of the terrorists. Rest assured that we will continue to bolster our operations to keep the communities safe and secured,” Vinluan said. Since January, a total of 18 ASG bandits were neutralized in Basilan province, four of whom were killed, 13 surrendered, and one was apprehended. (PNA)

Upon handing over the plastic sachet of illegal drugs to the undercover police, the suspect was placed under arrest. Seized from him were a gram of suspected shabu with street value of P15,000, buy-bust money, a cellular

phone, and a cash of P450. Luna is also allegedly involved in sex for drug scheme. The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

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3 ASG ... FROMP3

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while preparing for his first professional fight in the US. Without quoting the boxer verbatim, Marcial said in so many words that the P43,000 monthly allowance he gets from the government sports agency was not enough to tidy him up in a country where one spends dollars instead of pesos. The media picked up Marcial’s blasts and soon enough, a media word war ensued. The PSC and the ABAP both chose to explain their positions in a media forum where they separately blamed Marcial for reneging on his training regimen. The PSC lamented that it has never ceased granting the boxer’s stipend even during the viral pandemic period although the lockdowns made it difficult for everybody to adinistratively operate as efficiently as possible. For its part, the ABAP deplored the whereabouts of Marcial who was supposed to joining the training team in Thailand but was located to be in his hometown in Zamboanga City. The crux of the problem actually is about the “inadequate” allowances Marcial is presently getting both from the PSC and the ABAP. “Magkasya ba ang P43,000 sa training for the Olympics?”, Marcial asked, in broad reference to the financial assistance he was

receiving. This is not the first time something like this happened in the sports community when athletes are busy preparing for a big international competition. For me, this is just a simple communications snafu. There is no better way to solve it - as the Summer Olympics are just two months away - than to fetch Marcial pronto from his Zamboanga hideout and like dutiful parents, cuddle and fly him back to home base in Manila for a “reunion” of sorts. Marcial is just as solvable a problem as Maria’s “Sound of Music” character. PSC and ABAP people should stop thinking inside a box. I agree with Marcial that P43,000 cannot get you anywhere in these critical times of the CoVid 19 era. Marcial and the rest of the Tokyo qualifiers should be morally and psychologially built-up, their confidence doubly boosted like an engine of a Ferrari waiting to enter a once-in-a-lifetime- race. Alas, as in previous quadrennial tournaments when failure stares them in the face, sports officials will again resort to finger-pointing and the play the blame game. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

insurgencies by increasing agricultural productivity in IP communities and transforming them into integrated food production sites to ensure food security in their areas.” Gestupa said the food hub initiative targets to “uplift the economic living condition sa atong farmers knowing na magtaas ang ilang income, and then second is mabuild ang relationship sa government ug farmers knowing kabalo na sila asa sila muduol panahon nga naa sila’y harvest), and third is makatabang siya nga maattain nato ang food security kay ang farmers nato may confidence ug may reason nga magtanom ug crops nila.” (The food hub initiative targets to “uplift the economic living condition of the farmers as their income increases, second second is to build the relationship of the government and farmers because they know where to go during their harvest, and third is to help attain food security because our farmers will have the confidence and reason to plant) Farm products displayed in the food hub include vegetables like ladyfinger (okra), squash (kalabasa), eggplant (talong), Chinese pechay, bitter gourd (ampalaya), string beans (sitaw), and many more. Also, fruits like watermelon, papaya, avocado, and crops like banana, and sweet potato (kamote) can also be bought in the food hub. Mayor Vic Paul Salarda encouraged the residents of Alabel, including his employees in the municipal government, to visit and buy

farm products directly sold by the farmers in the food hub. Gestupa noted there are no “middlemen” involved, no commission fees, and no rental fees in the food hub, and the local government even provides P100 fuel subsidy for farmers who deliver their products from their farms in the far-flung areas. With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Gestupa clarified the minimum health protocols such as wearing of face mask and social distancing are observed in the area. “At the end of the day, pag may mabilin na produkto, ginapalit sa LGU Alabel so walay produkto dinhi nga iuli sa mga farmers sa ila. Pagpalit sa LGU, ginadispose sa Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, then kung unsa to mabilin ginadala nato sa Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) Kitchen nga nagaprepare ug food sa atong mga Covid-19 isolated individuals,” Gestupa added. (Any unsold products at the end of the day will be purchased by LGU Alabel to be disposed to consumers by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist. Any products left will be brought to the Busog Lusog Talino (BLT) Kitchen which prepares the food for individuals under isolation for Covid-19, so no product will be brought back by our farmers) With the success of the launching of Alegria Food Hub, Gestupa said Mayor Salarda already plans to expand the food hub in other barangays of Alabel as well. (Jori Mae Samillano/ SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

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A representative of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reiterated to the Committee their earlier request that any legislative action on the BARMM’s first parliamentary election be made “not later than July” as preparations are underway for the 2022 elections and filing of certificates of candidacy is on the first week of October. Congress will adjourn sine die on June 4 and resume sessions on July 26 when the President delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address, leaving only the 27th and 28th as session days for the rest of July. In the House of Representatives, the joint committees on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, Muslim Affairs, and Peace, Reconciliation and Unity had earlier deliberated on

five bills on the proposed extension: House Bills 8116 by Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, 8117 by Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, 8161 by House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, 8222 by Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo and 8277 by Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab. Except for the Dimaporo bill which seeks to synchronize the first Bangsamoro Parliament election to May 2028, the rest of the bills are for May 2025. BARMM’s and National Government’s deliverables In his explanatory note, Pimentel said the COVID-19 pandemic “significantly affected” the BTA’s efforts, timetable to pass legislation and building of the BARMM’s institutions.

sources, augment rice supply, maintain prices affordable, and reduce pressures on inflation”. “The tariff reduction took into consideration the increase in global rice prices, and the uncertainties surrounding the steady supply of rice in the country,” it said. EOs 134 and 135 are seen to ensure food security and protect consumers,

the OP said. Malacañang has yet to release copies of the EOs. On Monday, Duterte signed EO 133 raising MAV for pork imports to 254,210 MT for 2021 from the current 54,210 to “immediately address the current supply gap in pork meat, to provide consumers with adequate and affordable food, and to lower inflation”. (PNA)

dental and Oriental, North Cotabato, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region and Caraga. “These areas will be validated by a technical team composed of Hass Avocado experts who will conduct studies on soil suitability, and availability of water supply. In introducing the new agro-industrial crops, MinDA is ensuring a complete value chain where the landowners and producers will be provided technical

and financial support, infrastructure and assurance of a market,” he further added. While the First Mindanao Avocado and Jackfruit Convention will be open and accessible to the public via ZOOM and Facebook Livestreaming, those invited to directly participate are farmers and landowners, government financing institutions, support agencies of government, local buyers and exporters.

to promote social justice and provide protection to members and families against the hazards of disability, sickness, maternity,

old age, death, and other contingencies resulting in loss of income or financial burden

Shares in Dito CME Holdings Corp., the holdings company for Uy’s communications, media, and entertainment businesses, opened Monday at P8.99

apiece, unchanged from last Friday. Shares were last trading down 9.01% or P0.81 at P8.18 apiece as of 12:43 p.m.

vaccination program soon, Gordon said he is not in favor of mass inoculation programs. “I’m afraid of mass vaccinations... Lilinya yung mga tao, maghahawa-hawa yan (People might get infected with the disease while they are in line),” he said. “What you need is more vaccination centers na supervised... You cannot vaccinate 30,000 in one area only. I think it is gonna cause

a lot of problems,” he said. The government earlier approved a plan to build a mega vaccination site in Parañaque City to accelerate the Philippines’ daily vaccination rate, which stands at 63,000 daily. The Philippines hopes to inoculate at least 50 million individuals by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity against the disease that has infected some 1 million people in the country.

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8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 54 • TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

nstead of engaging Eumir Marcial in a word war as has been on-going - the Philippine Sports Commission and the Alliance of Boxing Associations of the Philippines should employ a parental approach to the seemingly ratty attitude of the former. Very recently, Marcial has created quite a stir in the media after accusing the PSC and the ABAP of “negligence” during his training stint in the US last year. Touted by sports observers as having the best chances

of snatching the very elusive first Olympic gold medal for the country, the two-time SEAG gold medalist complained bitterly that the PSC and the ABAP neglected to look after his financial lack

Solving a problem like Marcial Eumir Marcial has fought as a pro and will be representing the Philippines in the Tokyo Olympics.

FSOLVING, P7