AGRITRENDS P9 VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
A barista, who owns a mobile coffee shop, prepares a high-end coffee for a customer at Abreeza Mall’s Street Brews area along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City. Ayala Land’s Abreeza Mall is partnering with Coffee for Peace to put a coffee shop at the mall to help coffee farmers, including the Indigenous People (IP), market their locally grown coffee. Edge Davao
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URGENT MEASURE
City to increase bed capacity of treatment, monitoring facilities
2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
President Rodrigo Duterte is assisted by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go while presiding over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacanang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacanang Park, Manila on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
URGENT MEASURE City to increase bed capacity of treatment, monitoring facilities By MAYA M. PADILLO
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he city government of Davao will be boosting the bed capacity of the Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) to address the current surge of Covid-19 cases in the city. “Because of the surge tag-100 sa isa ka dalaw ang mga positives, duna pu’y kakulangan sa bed capacity sa TTMF, paspas mapuno,” said Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio in a live broadcast with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday. Mayor Sara said the city is fast-tracking a stand-by facility. She also said the city
is also looking at opening two more TTFMFs. “Sa pagkakaron ang atong priority is increasing our capacity sa TTMFs and magpahinumdum lang ko sa atoang kaigsoonan Dabawenyo na there is a surge happening right now sa atoang Covid-19 cases sa atoang syudad,” she said. The mayor reiterated
to the public to refrain from going out for non-essential activities. “The best is to stop moving especially sa inyuhang mga non-essential na mga lihok, make sure you schedule your days moving out para tanan kinahanglan ninyo buhaton mabuhat sa isa ka adlaw, dili mo maggawaas-gawas sa kada adlaw sa semana because the more you go out, the more you expose yourselves to the risk of catching Covid-19 sa mga lugar diin nagtapok ang mga tao,” she added. The mayor also reminded that most of the cases in Davao City are due
, commander of the N T F - D PA G s - We s t e r n Mindanao, announced the accomplishment of the group during the Oversight Committee Meeting of the NTF-DPAGs over the weekend. Of the 12 active PAGs across Western Mindanao, eight have already been disbanded
which include Datu Tha Sinsuat, Ibay, Pananggalan, Dingalen, Matalam, Abo and Mamasabulod in Maguindanao, and the Mudia Group in General Santos City. “The recent milestones of the NTF DPAGs, particularly on the increasing number of disbanded PAGs, is
to transmissions in the workplaces, hospitals, and social gathering. She cited the importance of the alternative work arrangement for offices and establishments that she ordered through Executive Order (EO) No. 10 Series of 2021. “Ang success sa pagmanage sa isa ka surge is making sure na tama ang connection sa testing, tracing, isolation. So dapat dunay testing, paspas ang tracing para makit an ang iyang mga contacts, ma test ang iyang mga contacts ug ma-isolate dayon para di makatakud,” Mayor Sara said.
Gov’t destroys 8 private armed groups
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ight private armed groups (PAGs) in Maguindanao and General Santos City were destroyed by the National Task Force for the Disbandment of Private Armed Groups (NTFDPAGs) in the first two quarters of 2021. Police Lt. Gen. Jose Chiquito Malayo
a manifestation of the government’s commitment in maintaining peace and order in Mindanao,’’ Malayo said. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Tuesday said the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB),
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Trapped families, workers rescued in Kidapawan village landslides
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t least 250 families and 20 employees of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in Barangay Ilomavis here were rescued Sunday evening after being trapped for several hours following rain-induced landslides in the area. In a report to North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco Monday, Board Member Philbert Malaluan, said intermittent downpours caused the Kabacan River to overflow, inundating low-lying communities and farmlands and triggering landslides that
cut traffic flow in three upland villages here. Huge boulders and soil also covered several meters of the Ilomavis section of the highway, cutting traffic going to the city proper, Malaluan said. Ilomavis village chief Jimmy Mantawil said all the families living in the critical and landslideprone areas of the village were rescued by the emergency responders of the provincial government. Barangay Ilomavis hosts the EDC geothermal plant situated at the slope of the country’s highest peak, Mt. Apo.
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Rescued IP kid affirms “parents clueless on transfer to Cebu”
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ne of the rescued IP children affirmed during a recent Press Conference that their parents were cluless about their transfer to Cebu. A former Salungpungan named Larry Mandacawan, one of the thirteen IP children present during the special edition of the National Task Force to End Local Communists Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC)
virtual press conference dubbed “TAGGED: Debunking lies by telling the truth” held at Provincial Pavilion, Tagum City, Davao del Norte on May 27, 2021 echoed that their parents only gave consent for them to be brought to Haran for education, not to Cebu. In an earlier ‘Press Conference on Case Update of Rescued IP Children’ on
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EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
NEWS 3
A motorcycle rider and his pillion passenger brave the heavy downpour on their way to work along R. Castillo Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao
Drug ring leader, cohorts busted in Davao de Oro
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he leader of a notorious drug group and his cohorts fell in the hands of joint operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the police in Purok 1, Barangay Pangutusan, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on Sunday (May 30). PDEA 11 spokesman Noli Dimaandal identified the drug ring leader as Novelyn Berdera alias Kokong, 21 and a resident of Barangay Basian, Agusan, del Sur. Also arrested in the buy-bust operation were Berdera’s cohorts Mark Berdera, 20 and Wilmar Viscaya, 38. Dimaandal said the suspects were arrested for conspiring with each other after they agreed to
sell one piece of medium transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu to a PDEA operative who acted as poseur buyer. He said Berdera was among PDEA’s target-listed drug personalities and is known as the leader of the Berdera Drug Group that was responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Agusan del Sur and other neighboring areas.. Authorities recovered a total of 45 grams of suspected shabu worth P640,000, drug paraphernalia, and buybust marked money. He said this collaborative effort of the PDEA, Philippine National Police, and the community serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators that
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City discovers empty DQR logs in some establishments
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ayor Sara DuterteCarpio disclosed that the city government has discovered empty Safe Davao QR (DQR) logs in some establishments. “Naa ta’y ingon ana na problema and especially that we see, supposedly, dapat makita nato sa mga logs sa DQR sa mga employees kung kanus-a sila musulod ug migawas, but we see empty DQR
logs,” the mayor said. It can be recalled that the city has mandated all establishments and offices in Davao City to implement the scanning of the Safe Davao QR code of all individuals entering their premises starting last February 3, 2021. Mayor Sara said establishments that failed to follow the mandatory scanning are referred to the
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Pfizer, Sinovac most trusted in Davao City T were released in a press release issued yesterday by the prestigious research group. The University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion conducted an online survey from May 18 to 27, 2021 targeting Dabawenyos from the three districts of the City to know the attitude and
behavior on vaccination, their perception on how vaccinations are rolled out, and their preferred vaccine brands. Since the survey was done online as physical contact was not allowed during the time of conduct of the survey, IPO relied heavily on online survey of Facebook users who are residents of Davao City, at least 18 years old, and are targeted for contact within the defined geographical radius. A total of 1,200 respondents were contacted in random and
systematically targeted. Dabawenyos were asked whether they trust the COVID-19 vaccines available. Results show that Pfizer (66%) and Sinovac (63%) are the most trusted vaccines by Dabawenyos. Meanwhile, the other vaccines have the following trust ratings: AstraZeneca (59%), Moderna (58%), COVAX (42%), Gamaleya (Sputnik V) (40%), and Novavax (35%). When asked which vaccines they would prefer to be inoculated to
are now on their final work with their partnership with Abreeza Mall. “This will be the first mall -based Coffee for Peace outlet. But rather than having just Coffee for Peace, I invited the Davao Coffee Council Region 11, which I chair as their president, and involved the five provinces and one city to work together to promote the coffee industry in Davao
Region by supporting local coffee farmers and drinking local coffee,” Pantoja said. Pantoja said most of these provinces have a community of IP groups that are farming coffee and are looking for ways to market their coffee. “The offer at Abreeza Mall came from the management itself. The Ayala’s are very much involved with social
entrepreneurs and very much supportive of groups supporting social causes, especially with IPs. Ana Lopez of AVIDA called me and was looking for social entrepreneurs because Ayala wanted to partner with them and that started the idea of making it an educational platform for consumers who want to do home brewing, and use our
By ANTONIO M. AJERO
he Pfizer and Sinovac brands of Covid-19 vaccines are the most preferred among Davao City residents.
This was found in a survey conducted by the University of Mindanao Institute of Popular Opinion among 1,200 Dabawenyos in the three congressional districts of Davao City. The opinion survey was conducted by the UM-IPO among Dabawenyos of at least 18 years old last May 18-27, 2021. The results
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ALI’s Abreeza Mall, Coffee for Peace partner to help local coffee farmers
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yala Land Inc.’s, (ALI’s) Abreeza Mall and Coffee for Peace have joined hands to help local coffee farmers including IPs (indigenous people) to market their coffee by opening the first mall-based Coffee for Peace outlet at Abreeza Mall. Joji B. Pantoja, chief executive officer of Coffee For Peace, Inc., said in an email interview that they
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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
A convenience store staff prepares an 11-kilogram cylinder of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for a customer on Tuesday. Oil firms have increased the prices of LPG products by at least P2 per kilogram starting Tuesday. Edge Davao
NEDA 11 conducts Davao Region Leg of the PDP Virtual Caravan 2021
T
he National Economic and Development Authority 11 conducted the Davao Region Leg of the PDP Virtual Caravan 2021 on May 21, 2021 in coordination with NEDA-Development Information Staff (DIS) and Communication for Development Network (C4DNet) 11 of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 11.
In his opening message, RDC 11 Chairperson Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, informed the participants that the Caravan was conducted to raise awareness of Davao Region stakeholders on the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and solicit the commitment of development partners as well as refresh the participants on the long-term vision of the
country or the AmBisyon Natin 2040. “This Davao Region Leg of the PDP Virtual Caravan aims to cascade and inform Davaoeños, at the community level, of the PDP’s salient features, as well as the socioeconomic targets of the government for the remainder of the current plan period.” Assistant Secretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad
Santos of the NEDA Planning and Policy Group graced the event as main resource speaker on the salient features of the Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. Three Davao Region sector leaders served as reactors on the Updated PDP, namely, Mr. Arturo M. Milan representing the business sector, MGen. Ernesto C. Torres, Jr. of the 10th Infantry Division of the AFP representing the government/security sector, and DEPED XI Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo representing the youth and academe sectors. The panel provided the attendees with significant updates on the PDP strategies and programs from the perspec-
tive of their sectors. In her closing remarks, Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim enjoined all Davaoenos to commit towards the Updated PDP, 2017-2022 and the realization of the longterm view, “I appeal for all to commit to the Updated Philippine Development Plan and help realize the aspirations of AmBisyon Natin 2040, that is to provide a Matatag, Maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat” Dir. Lim also enjoined Davaoenos to support the implementation of major development projects and programs in Region, such as the Mindanao Railway Project, Davao Coastal Road Project, the roll out
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Inflation likely at 4 to 4.8% in May: BSP
I
nflation in May likely settled within the 4-4.8 percent range, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday. The central bank’s point of inflation projection is at 4.4 percent, it said in a statement. Main sources of upward prices pressures for the month are higher prices of meat, domestic petroleum products and upward adjustments in Meralco electricity rates, the BSP said. The decline in prices of rice, vegetables and fish due
LPG prices up P2 per kilogram
Duterte signs law extending subsidies for poor consumers H
P
resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law extending lifeline rate or subsidies for marginalized power consumers for another 50 years. Under Republic Act 11521, discounted rates will be granted to marginalized power consumers which include: those qual-
ified household-beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program and consumers who were certified as marginalized by their distribution utilities. The discounted rates will be funded by cross-subsidy, meaning sourced from those
non-lifeline consumers. The law also provides for a comprehensive evaluation of its implementation every two years to prevent leakages. Under the current lifeline rate, customers with an average monthly consumption of 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) and below
are entitled to discounts. Under the law, the Energy Regulatory Commission will primarily use data from state-run Philippine Statistical Authority in determining level of consumption. The lifeline rate was last extended for 20 years back in June 2011.
to improved supply as well as the peso appreciation could offset the upward price pressures, it added. “Moving forward, the BSP will remain watchful of economic and financial developments to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability mandate,” the BSP said. Inflation in April was at 4.5 percent, above the government target of 2 to 4 percent.
ouseholds and food establishments will have to pay more liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as firms on Monday announced a hike in prices starting June. In an advisory, Petron Corporation said it will hike LPG prices by P2.20 per kilogram, including value-added taxes. AutoLPG prices will also be hiked by P1.25. The changes reflect the international contract
price of LPG for the month of June, and will take effect 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1. Solane-branded LPG prices will likewise be increased by P2.18 per kilogram inclusive of VAT effective 6 a.m. on June 1. Data from the Department of Energy (DOE) shows that household LPG prices in Metro Manila range from P570 to P749 per 11-kilogram cylinder as of May 1, 2021.
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VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
ECONOMY
5
A market goer buys spices and herbs at a makeshift stall outside the main building of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has announced that inflation in May will likely settled within the 4 to 4.8 percent range. Edge Davao
Insurance firms gear up for new accounting standard
T
he Insurance Commission (IC) has started the countdown for insurance companies in the country to transition to a new set of accounting policies that will make their financial reports more transparent especially for the investing public and universally comparable. In a webinar on the new accounting system conducted last week, IC Deputy Commissioner Ferdinand George Florendo said insurance companies may start the shift to Philippine Financial Reporting Standard (PFRS) 17 --from the current PFRS 4-- starting January 2023 in time for the industry-wide application in 2025. Florendo said the firms are given enough time to complete the transition as these need to change their data administration, financial presentations, and actuarial calculations. SGV & Co. partner Christian Lauron said the new set of rules carries on policies in previous accounting rules, including on how to disclose insurance contracts that provide for a comprehensive calculation of the amount of insurance reserves liabilities and how it would relate to areas like sol-
vency, as determined and assessed by actuarial and risk professionals. The main difference between the currently used PFRS 4 and the succeeding PFRS 17 is that PFRS 4 is an intermediary standard which allows insurers to apply existing local generally accepted accounting principles resulting in diverse practices for reporting insurance contracts. The new set of rules uses a single accounting approach that will provide more transparent and consonant information for managers, decision makers, and the investing public. “The industry will transition from using different sets of accounting policies for insurance contracts to one common policy and allow insurance companies across countries to become better comparable,” Charisse Rossielin Cruz, partner at SGV & Co., said. Florendo said it will also be easier for international investors to assess companies potentially available for investment or buy-out given a common accounting system. The country’s insurance industry reported a higher premium income last year at PHP247.72
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DTI-DavSur intensifies its Operation SWAB
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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao del Sur has strengthened its Operation Safe Workplace and Business (SWAB) by integrating the orientation on Safety Seal certification program. The agency has been in the forefront of monitoring business establishments on their compliance with the rules and guidelines on operating during the pandemic. This is part of DTI’s enforcement activity in accordance with the Joint Memorandum Circular 2004A, or the DTI-DOLE Interim Guidelines on Workplace Prevention and Control of COVID-19. For its part, DTI-Davao del Sur has been visiting various stores and other business establishments to make sure that they are compliant with the existing laws. But, starting this month, it has also introduced to DTI clients within their area of jurisdiction the salient points of the recently issued Joint Memorandum Circular No. 21, series of 2021 of DTI, Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Tourism (DOT). This particular issuance encapsulates the government’s Implementing Guidelines of the Safety Seal Certification Program. This is one of the newest initiatives that grants establishments a Safety Seal which will be displayed within their vicinity to indicate that they are compliant with health protocols against COVID-19. “The Safety Seal given to compliant establishments is an assurance to the public that the building they are entering adheres to the minimum public health standards,” DTI-Davao del Sur OIC Provincial Director Maria Victoria R. Placer said. “This is part of the government’s efforts to stop the
surge of COVID-19 as more businesses are now slated to open as we move together towards economic recovery,” she added. The Safety Seal bears a green check with the sentence, “We follow safety & health protocols against COVID-19,” printed on it. It likewise indicates the issuing authority, date of issuance, safety seal number, and a QR code to safeguard against counterfeits. In its latest Operation SWAB, Placer, together with her staff, Gladys Joy Liño, discussed about the Safety Seal, while highlighting JMC 20-04A and Memorandum Circular 20-38 or the Updated Guidelines for Barbershops and Salons pursuant to IATF Resolution 51, series of 2020. During the same inter-agency operation, the monitoring and enforcement team has visited a total of 43 establishments. This figure consists of four malls/grocery stores, 25 restaurants, three appliance centers, two salons/barbershops, and nine other estab-
or unable to travel has been something our service has been able to do,” he said in an e-mail interview with the Philippine News Agency over the weekend. With connectivity becoming more important than ever due to the pandemic, Shaw said this opens bigger opportunities
for top-up payment in the country. “There is huge potential for top-up payment in the Philippines,” he added. “Digital progress has enabled increased connectivity on a global level.” In its Global Prepaid Index (GPI), the Philippines is one of the countries with
the strongest preference for prepaid mobile services. With about 89 percent of Filipino respondents said they are consumers of prepaid mobile services, Ding founder and chief executive Mark Roden said the mobile top-up service firm believes there is significant growth potential for the
lishments. Accordingly, the team observed that some of the establishments lacked physical distancing, especially the customers in common spaces for eating. Thus, the team had to remind them to ensure that the guidelines are strictly observes, including the imposition of social distancing and installation of transparent barriers whenever applicable. “Out of the 43 establishments monitored, 41 were compliant, while two were not religiously implementing the collection of accomplished Health Symptoms Questionnaire from their customers,” Placer shared. “This was immediately rectified by providing the erring establishments with a copy of the Health Declaration Form,” the DTI provincial head continued. The same establishments were also oriented on the guidelines promulgated in the grant of and retention of the Safety Seal Certification.DTI11 broader prepaid market in the Philippines. “As a country with more than 2.2 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), democratizing access to prepaid financial products and services can play a powerful role in improving people’s lives. The OFWs
Bright prospects seen for mobile top-up in PH amid pandemic
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ublin-based mobile top-up service firm Ding sees bright prospects in top-up payment in the Philippines amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, according to its executive. Ding chief commercial officer Rupert Shaw said the Covid-19 crisis has acceler-
ated the shift to use digital technologies for financial services, such as payment and money transfer. “The prepaid trend has accelerated and our role in our customers’ lives has been really pronounced during this pandemic, helping them stay connected to family while locked down,
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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 67 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 02, 2021
On increasing the bed capacity of Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) to address the current surge of Covid-19 cases in the city:
Because of the surge tag-100 sa isa ka dalaw ang mga positives, duna pu’y kakulangan sa bed capacity sa TTMF, paspas mapuno.” MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO
EDITORIAL
One step back
The vicious effect of the Covid pandemic has been so massive that there is n other way to deal with it but to take a step back. It’s literally a cliche by now, but that’s the truth we have to face.
Even the biggest of businesses have no match against this medical wrath. Covid has literally replaced David as the slayer of Goliath. What used to be a summer of fun in the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) practically went by without the usual fanfare--beach parties, weekend picnics and staycations. And it looks like it’s going to stretch beyond summer.
Igacos Mayor Al David Uy has put the entire tourist-favorite island closed for any operation of all resorts, beach or inland, as well as private gatherings and parties in private resorts and establishments from June 1 to 14, 2021, due to the continuing surge of Covid-19 in the city and in neighboring local government units (LGUs) in Davao Region. In passing Executive Order (EO) No. 291, Mayor Uy cited records of the City Investment and Tourism Office (CITO) showing the city is frequented with many tourists conducting summer outings, gatherings and other celebrations, which is a potential source of Covid-19 transmission. Hence, as a precautionary measure to prevent uncontrollable surge of Covid-19 transmission, it is necessary to suspend temporarily all resort operations (inland
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With the closure comes the welfare of workers affected by the order. The government, however, has that covered. All affected resort workers shall be assisted by the City Government thru its TUPAD Program provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Mayor Uy’s move to clamp down on possible risk areas is personal and reasonable. He knows it because he himself was tested positive for Covid-19 on May 26, 2021. Though asymptomatic, he quickly encouraged all of his close contacts to submit for RT PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). The general atmosphere around the region is that it is immensely necessary to take some hits for now in order to gain momentum against this virus. People are encouraged to set aside plans of any outdoor activities or travel and unless everyone does, the monstrous wrath of Covid will continue to rumble on our paths. Covid knows no Goliath--whether one is rich, poor or powerful. 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
and beach) and all tourism activities in IGaCoS. The only exceptions are Department Of Tourism- Star-rated resorts, which may continue to operate as certified by the DOT and those that have passed the Staycation Program of DOT.
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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DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS
CLEMENCY FOR DELISTED SEAFARERS A seafarer who is penalized with delisting from the registry of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) may be granted clemency under certain circumstances. Clemency is the power given to a public official to lower the harshness of punishment imposed upon an erring person. The maximum penalty of disqualification from participation in the overseas maritime employment program or delisting from the POEA registry may be imposed upon an erring seafarer depending on the gravity of the offense committed. When a seafarer commits an act considered as an offense under the POEA contract, he may be penalized by the master of the vessel with dismissal and be made to pay the cost of repatriation and his replacement. Additionally, an administrative complaint or disciplinary action against the seafarer may be filed before the POEA, who, after due
investigation, may impose penalties ranging from suspension to delisting, depending on the frequency of the violation. Under the POEA rules, in the determination of the penalties to be imposed against a seafarer, the following mitigating, aggravating and alternative circumstances attendant to the commission of the offense shall be considered: first offender; admission of guilt and voluntary restitution, where applicable; good faith; exemplary performance; habitual offender; prejudice to the seafarer; gross negligence; or other analogous circumstances. In the actual imposition of penalties, due consideration must still be given to the seafarer’s length of service and the number of violations committed during his employ. Where a penalty less punitive would suffice, like suspension or reprimand, whatever missteps may have been committed by the worker ought not to be visited with a consequence so severe such
as dismissal or delisting. In granting clemency, the POEA will take into account any of the following conditions: the seafarer is a first time offender; the offense committed does not involve a serious offense, or crime involving moral turpitude, misrepresentation or theft; or he should have served at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the period of the penalty imposed; and the case has been settled/resolved with the offended party. There are actuations that the seafarer will immediately be meted with delisting from the POEA registry or automatic disqualification from maritime employment. Two of the acts fall under the category of smuggling or violation of any custom rules and regulations of the Philippines and of foreign port specifically (a) possession or use of prohibited drugs, narcotics and other contraband and (b) gun-running or possession of explosives and the like. Another act falls under insubordination which is as-
saulting a superior officer or other persons on business with the ship with the use of deadly weapon. A seafarer may also be delisted if he is guilty of deserting or attempting to desert. On the other hand, an official may be delisted if he committed grave abuse of authority (with the use of deadly weapon) resulting in harm or injury to subordinates. Dismissal is the ultimate penalty that can be meted to a seafarer because his job is considered as property. The Constitution commands that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. The POEA contract requires compliance with two basic requirements for a lawful dismissal: a just or authorized case as prescribed by law, and observance of due process. The former comprises the substantive requirement, and the latter constitutes the procedural requirement for a val-
id dismissal. The burden of proving that the termination of a seafarer was for a just or authorized cause lies with the employer. If the employer fails to meet this burden, the conclusion would be that the dismissal was unjustified and, therefore, illegal. To discharge this burden, the employer must present substantial evidence, which is defined as that amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to justify a conclusion, and not based on mere surmises or conjectures The penalties for administrative actions shall be separate and distinct from whatever appropriate criminal action that may be filed against the seafarer. In case of an illegal dismissal, either there is no valid ground or he was not afforded due process under the “two-notice” rule, a seafarer is entitled to receive from his employers his salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract.
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
CABURAN’S ROLE IN ZOOLOGY Now known as Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, Caburan’s contributions to science, especially in zoology, are found in numerous scientific papers, accounts, and reports that date to the Spanish rule of Davao. Even after the war, during the 1946-47 Philippine Zoological Expedition, it was one of the significant areas where scientists, with help from local guides, explored and gathered specimens while in search of new animal species. Dr. Harry Hoogstraal, an American who was recognized as the world’s foremost authority on insects and parasites, stayed in Caburan for six weeks to document reports of a good tarsier population and the sighting of a Philippine eagle nest. The expedition visited three mountains south of Caburan, namely Mt. Tacob, Mt. Busaw, and Mt. Batuan. Other important profiles in the expedition, which was
supported by The Edgar E. Ayer Lecture Foundation Fund, were Lt. Donald Heyneman, Infantry, U.S. Army, who was a prewar student at Harvard University, and Floyd Werner, a discharged Army officer employed by the Chicago Natural History Museum. The expedition’s headquarters for its Mindanao operations was in Davao City. Maj. Clinton Feeney, enemy property custodian, supplied the living quarters and provided food, laboratory, and storage space. Assisting him in the chores were Lt. William Patton, Capt. Thomas Bilbo, Sgt. Walter Thompson, and Cpl. Albert Shipske. The expedition departed Davao on a launch on Jan. 6, 1947 but disembarked at the wrong place. Instead of Caburan, they dropped anchor at Calian, the home of the yearlong scientific prewar study conducted by entomologist Charles F. Clagg, the American
lord of the flies. It was only two days later that the group proceeded to Caburan in the company of C.H. Wharton, a live-animal collector based in Manila, and a few helping hands. At Caburan, the contingent had the treat of being hosted by the Joyce family, i.e, William, John, and Henry. More importantly, the Joyces closely coordinated with team members in the collection of tarsiers and a Philippine eagle specimen, aside from providing the much-needed information of the area where the zoological samples could be gathered. Caburan’s prewar landscape, as described by Hoogstraal, had low mountains that bordered the constricted littoral plain and extended inland towards the rambling Mindanao lowlands, while the foothills subsided to the sea. He observed that the coastal areas were principally occupied by coconut trees and
second-growth vegetation, including trees, herbs, and shrubs. As was the condition of other Davao areas at the time, the team found small clearings that were used as agricultural patches although deeper into the territory there were still original forest trees that hosted a cornucopia of animal inhabitants. The expedition’s gathering of specimens where focused in the second growth, which, after decades without human intervention, had become a habitat of a great quantity of animal samples. Dr. Hoostraal wrote his first-hand account of the voyage in Narrative and Itinerary (1951), saying: “The forest streams grassy areas, narrow ravines, old second growth, and burned clearings have a variety of inhabitants. Disturbed original forest with its many logs, small, cleared areas, and alternating dark and sunlit patches is es-
pecially good for invertebrate collecting. Collecting of frogs, lizards, birds, and many kinds of invertebrate is good in the original dipterocarpous forest, and the species are generally different from those outside, but a considerable part of this fauna occurs high in the trees and is ordinarily obtainable.” The zoological team also collected various species of snakes, Malay and palm civet cats, unimagined number of tarsiers and several small bat species. Also observed were monkeys, which are part of the Philippine eagle’s diet. At the heart of town, the expedition found that Caburan was host to only a few houses, mainly settled on a low hill that was roughly a kilometer from the coast. The team also took note of the small hamlet of Marabatuan and the settlement of Culaman, which was accessible by taking the coast on foot or negotiating the low hills.
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SERVICIO AT YOUR SERVICE AT SM SM’s Servicio, which was known as the SM Business Service Center, is one of the largest and most extensive over the counter one-stop shops for bills payments, foreign exchange and remittances, government services, and more in the country.
“With the retail landscape changing, Servicio has embraced technology and is continuously adapting to changes,” says Cedie Nieva, AVP for Business Center Operations. With this, Servicio has introduced products like wifi kits and entertainment for mobile tv, gifting requirements – gift cards and gift passes, SMAC, and even prayer cards making Servicio a full line of service operation. Servicio also offers the cashin of digital wallets (Gcash, PayMaya, Grab Pay), top up of RFID accounts both for Easytrip and Autosweep, top up of reloadable bank cards like Metrobank and BPI and enabling mobile payments are added to the services. “All these transformations created a smoother and more convenient shopping experience for customers of Servicio, as we commit to naturally progress,” says Nieva. “We are SM and we are here to serve.” It began twenty-five years ago, when the SM Department Store – as it was then known - began offering services that went beyond shopping. At the store’s Customer Service counters, shoppers could avail Forex services to exchange their currencies; and pay their bills for utilities, telcos and credit card
companies. As SM grew, its bills payment service expanded to include government agencies like SSS and Pag-ibig payment for monthly dues, fees and contributions. It became the first and only private partner of the Philippine Statistics Authority become a processing center for civil registry certificates, birth, marriage, to death and CENOMAR; and through its partnership with Philhealth, became a processing center for member
registration, premium payment, issuance of I-Philhealth Card. It also accepts now payments for LTO license renewals and NBI renewals. SM also partnered with all of the major electric, water and cable providers in major cities and municipalities nationwide. Today, the SM Business Service Center continues to serve the ever- changing needs of its customers as Servicio. It serves as a full desk financial and non -financial service provider for
both private and government customers. It now has tie-ups with airlines like Cebu Pacific, PAL/Pal Express, Air Asia, Cathay Pacific/TigerAir; BDO Insurance; and 2GO Express to provide courier service for parcels and documents; and 2GO Travel to sell travel tickets to ship passengers. From the Customer Service Counter of the SM Stores where it started, it now serves customers at the SM Markets – Su-
permarket, Hypermarket, and Save More; the info booths and Consumer Welfare Desks, at the SM Malls; and at Waltermart with almost 600 locations nationwide. Servicio has 25 outlets located at SM Supermalls. You can also avail of select services offered at The SM Store Customer Service, SM Mall’s Info Booth, Consumer Welfare Help Desk located at SM Malls, SM Markets - Supermarket, Hypermarket and Savemore, and Waltermart.
KZ AND BGYO’S ‘FEEL GOOD PILIPINAS’ DANCE VIDEO SPREADS GOOD VIBES ABS-CBN is grateful and overjoyed with the warm reception of netizens to its “Feel Good Pilipinas” dance video featuring “Asia’s Soul Supreme” KZ Tandingan and P-Pop boy group BGYO composed of Mikki Claver, JL Toreliza, Akira Morishita, Nate Porcalla, and Gelo Rivera. The new dance challenge premiered on May 16 on “ASAP Natin ‘To,” which can be watched nationwide including in Mindanao on free TV via TV5 by rescanning any digital TV boxes, like the TVplus box. The goal of “Feel Good Pilipinas” is to spread light and joy and inspire Filipinos to find ways to be happy and to con-
nect with each other despite the challenges we are facing in this pandemic. YouTube user Jahna Dane Abucal said that ABS-CBN proved once again its mettle in creating catchy songs.
“Always the best mag-produce ng mga kanta ang ABSCBN. Natupad na ang isa sa mga wish ng BGYO na makacollab si ate KZ. Congrats!” Mae Samson also appreciated the message of the dance
anthem. “Andaming nangyayari ngayon. Thank you for this mga Kapamilya. Sobrang refresher nito sa mga stress na nangyayari. Lahat tayo ay maging light and joy ng bawat isa, Kapamilya.” As for netizen RYAJ DEE, the new dance video shows that there’s no stopping ABS-CBN in giving quality content even without a franchise. “Despite not having a franchise, ABS-CBN is still producing such amazing content.” ABS-CBN will next launch a full music video for “Feel Good Pilipinas” in the coming days that will feature inspiring stories of hope. Meanwhile, after the trending
showcase of the “Feel Good Pilipinas” dance moves by Kapamilya stars led by KZ and BGYO in “ASAP Natin ‘To,” the “Your Face Sounds Familar Season 3” family also accepted the dance challenge, which will spread in other ABS-CBN shows. Pinoys are also encouraged to join in the fun and spread the good vibes by joining the “Feel Good Pilipinas” dance challenge on social media by uploading their videos using the hashtag #FeelGoodPilipinasDance. Watch the “Feel Good Pilipinas Dance Video” on the Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website of ABS-CBN Entertainment.
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FHI DONATES ONE MILLION BANGUS FRY By HENRYLITO D. TACIO
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quaculture, the farming of fish in ponds and other bodies of water under controlled conditions, has been identified as one possible solution for the low-catch from the open seas. In this time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, farmers who are raising fish deserve to be supported for they help provide fish in the table for people who really need protein. The Finfish Hatcheries, Inc. (FHI) – touted to be the first and largest commercial milkfish hatchery in the country today – knows this well. So much so that it donated one million pieces of bangus fry to the National Brackish Fisheries Technology Center (NBFTC) of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Pagbilao, Quezon last May 31. “BFAR will grow the bangus fry into fingerlings at its Pagbilao fishpond,” says Rene B. Bocaya, the FHI’s assistant vicepresident for sales. “The fingerlings will be dispersed to the small fishpond and cage operators in Quezon Province, Camarines Sur
and Camarines Norte.” The donated bangus fry were received by NBFTC senior aquaculturist Carmela Eubion and staff. According to Bocaya, NBFTC chief Roy Ortega sent him a letter requesting for a fry donation for small fish farmers in Quezon Province. With the nobleness of the request, the donation was approved by the FHI President, Mr. Alex I. Alcantara. Bocaya immediately called Ortega to inform about the approved donation and to schedule the delivery soonest. The one million bangus fry were delivered by FHI’s Ardee Conde, Joseph Gaa and Lawrence Maghanoy. For a very long time, the Philippine aquaculture industry was virtually synonymous with bangus culture as it was introduced into the country 400 to 600 years ago. “The backbone of Philippine aquaculture”
is how bangus farming has been regarded by most fishery experts. The Philippines is one of the top bangus producers in the world, along with Indonesia and Taiwan. Bangus – also known as milkfish – can be raised anywhere in the country. It is farmed in brackishwater, freshwater and marine water. The sleek and silvery bangus is still the most favorite fish among Filipinos. It is the most preferred fish because of its mild, sweet flesh, and its melt-in-the-mouth belly fat. The popularity of bangus can be gleaned in such recipes as bangus en tocho (fried bangus served with a sauce of any of the following: tahure, tokwa, or tausi), bulanglang na bangus (with eggplants, ampalaya, sitao, malunggay, onion, tomatoes, rice washing and bagoong), rellenong bangus (formerly a party dish; now available even in school cafeterias and malls), and bangus lumpia. The popularity of bangus even extends to other countries. The Philippines has been exporting bangus to the United States, Middle
East, England, Canada and Japan. It exports bangus in different forms such as smoked, dried, marinated, frozen and canned products. “We export bangus to countries where there are a lot of Filipinos and overseas foreign workers,” said Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, former executive director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) and now an academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). To make fishponds and fish cages productive throughout the year, adequate supply of bangus fingerlings is necessary. “Historically, milkfish fry abound in the country, especially during the fry season,” the PCAMRD primer states. “During recent years, the number collected has been dwindling.” Normally, bangus fry appears in different places and various seasonal peaks. Areas like Southern Leyte, Western Samar, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Antique, and Iloilo have two peak
seasons: March to July and October to November. Provinces like Cotabato and Zamboanga del Sur have fry available year-round. Livelihood Options for Coastal Communities, published by the Silangbased International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, says peak gathering days occur during high tides after two or three days following a new moon or a full moon. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) or peak-spawning season of bangus starts in March to June and drops in August to September. During the breeding season, the rising GSI value coincides with rising
seawater temperature. Spawning regularly occurs among five- to seven-yearold female breeders (called sabalo) in the wild. Fertility is about 300,000 to one million eggs per kilogram weight of sabalo. Several bangus fry collection methods are practiced in the Philippines. This includes fry barriers or fences, seine nets and “bulldozer” nets. The collected bangus fry are placed in wellventilated containers, preferably wooden vats or big earthen jars filled with clean brackishwater. The containers are kept in
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“We are glad nobody died or was injured in the calamity,” Mantawil said. Clearing operations to remove huge boulders and trees along the highway are still ongoing amid light
to heavy downpours. Catamco called on local government executives to place their respective disaster units on standby and available should any emergency occurs. (PNA)
the landmark peace agreement signed by the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in 2014, provide for a comprehensive approach in strengthening peace and order, as well as addressing emerging security concerns in the Bangsamoro region. These effort included the disbandment of private armed groups, the implementation of a program for small arms and light weapons management, the redeployment of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), policing, and the clearing of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines. Aside from successfully disbanding PAGs in Western Mindanao, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also rolled out its program for the disbandment of private armed groups on May 11, 2021. The program’s main
objectives are to ensure the maintenance of peace and security in localities, increase the awareness level of local government units on NTF-DPAGs, and capacitate LGUs so they help NTF-DPAGs in the implementation of peace and security interventions. OPAPP has already downloaded the funds to line agencies such as DILG, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP) which are implementing the program on the disbandment of PAGs. The DILG received P 26,949,82; the AFP P25,683,900; and the PNP got P24,493,350 budget. Earlier, DILG Secretary Eduardo Ańo approved the creation of the National Task Group on Rehabilitation and Reintegration under the NTF-DPAGs to further provide a holistic approach in the disbandment of PAGs.
them, Pfizer (30.9%) and Sinovac (22.2%) are the top choices while 17.7% of the respondents do not mind what vaccines to be used. Most of the respondents also supposed that it would still take a while before they can be vaccinated. Probable waiting time for them to acquire the vaccine is 5 months, so they believed. Respondents were also asked on their perceived effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing them from contracting the disease. The survey revealed that 3 of 10 Dabawenyos are fully confident that the vaccine works while 4 of 10 are hopeful that the vaccine would work. On the other hand, almost a quarter (25%) of the respondents, is still doubtful about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Dabawenyos have a mix bag of feelings when asked if COVID-19 vaccines will be able to stop the pandemic. Though many are only a little bit worried about the
effectiveness of the vaccines, 33.5% of the respondents conveyed that they are still very worried that despite the vaccine, the pandemic would still continue. In addition, 31.3% are also very worried on the possible adverse effect of the vaccine to the body. Respondents were also asked on their attitude and trust towards the government relative to the promotion and disseminating information to the public. The results revealed that 6 out of 10 Dabawenyos trust the vaccine/s provided to them by the government, 6 out of 10 trust the information they receive from the government about COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination. Also, around 5 of 10 said that their indecision to be vaccinated is influenced by media and social media reports. Finally, 6 of 10 Dabawenyos believe that the government does its best to acquire the best vaccine for the people.
these agencies and the community are closely working together and always vigilant in the fight against illegal drugs. Dimaandal is appealing
to everyone to help the government attain its vision for a drug free country by reporting to us those who are involved in illegal drug activities.
of the Barangay Development Projects, and the institutionalization of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority. Around 460 participants joined the event via Zoom and Facebook Live from Davao Region’s State University and Colleges, Regional Development Council-member agencies, local government units,
barangay and community-level offices, youth, academe, business sectors, civil society groups, and other private sector organizations. The event reached over 26,000 viewers with 906 engagements based on the event’s social media Facebook Insights/ Analytics. (PR-NEDA XI/ Prepared by EDS I Joan Irene M. Prantilla)
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May 18, 2021 at the same venue, the parents of the IP children claimed that they were misled by a group of people from Haran who approached them asking them to sign, through thumbmark, an acceptance form consenting for their children to be brought to Haran for 2 months of schooling. In this earlier press conference, it was revealed that an IP mother named Samana Mandacawan died due to depression after losing contact with her child. Larry Mandacawan is the son of Samana Madacawan and Datu Butigon Mandacawan. Larry said that since leaving Talaingod, they (the IP children) were not able to see their parents until they were returned home after the rescue. Bae Pilar Libayao, the Indigenous People Mandatory Representative of Talaingod, Davao del Norte, said the parents came to her for help in finding their children.
“Bakit ganoon ang ginawa sa mga tao ko? Bakit pinapirma ang mga magulang ng hindi nila alam ang sinasabi (Why did they do this to my people? They were made to sign something that they do not understand)?” Libayao asked. Adding to his account, Larry said that throughout this time, they were not allowed to use cellphones except when they were in the University of San Carlos during weekends. He revealed that in the university, they were taught to go against the government. “Gi tudlo-an mi nila nga protektahan ang yutang kabilin para dili ma kuha sa gobyerno (They taught us to protect the ancestral domain from the government),” he added. Reacting to this, NTFELCAC Executive Director and NCIP Chairperson, Sec. Allen Capuyan said, “talagang ni-radicalize ang kanilang isipan (they [CTG] really radicalized the minds of the IP children).”
legal team of the City Legal Office. “Gina-refer nato sila ug bisan kanang dili gacooperate na management sa mga offices not just BPOs,” she said. The mayor also said that the city has a list of establishments recommended for lockdown. Recently, the city has ordered for the lockdown of Teleperformance company due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. “Davao City monitors active cases through our contact tracers and DQR logs. The company failed to provide and declare an honest and comprehensive close contact line list to the District Health Officer (DHO) contact tracer where
the office is located,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, focal person of the Davao City’s Covid-19 Task Force. Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of the City Health Office (CHO), earlier confirmed that transmission of Covid-19 are now happening in various workplaces like banks, BPOs (Business Process Outsourcing), and even government offices. He stressed the need to strictly implement establishment lockdown in Davao City to prevent further transmission of Covid-19 in the workplaces as some of these establishments do not apply mitigating measures against Covid-19 in their premises. By Maya M. Padillo
local coffee,” she said. Pantoja also said through this, Dabawenyos can have a pick-up area for coffee that are freshly roasted, provide a meeting hub for clients and suppliers, help baristas that lost their jobs because of some coffee shop’s closure and can get an exposure and practice talking about the coffee of Region 11. “Farmers who have championed their coffee will be featured with their coffee,” she added. Pantoja said the partnership has a year contract and is eyeing to start operation on July 1, 2021. “We offered a space for them with free rent under Alagang Ayalaland Program in support to local social
enterprise,” said Shimea Caro, associate manager of Abreeza Mall. Meanwhile, ALI’s “Alagang AyalaLand” program aims to provide selling opportunities for local small businesses. Among these is the Street Brews at Abreeza Mall that help displaced baristas gained a place where they can earn income at a hightraffic location that attracts a significant number of shoppers, bikers, and commuters daily. Through this initiative, Abreeza hopes to help segments of the community hard-hit by the pandemic to rebuild their livelihood and empower themselves to grow their businesses even further. By Maya M. Padillo
billion, up by 5.9 percent from PHP233.92 billion in the previous year, while benefit payments recorded a 10-percent drop to PHP69.36 billion. This 10-percent decline was attributed to difficulties
in the processing, filing, and pay-out of claims as an effect of certain community quarantine restrictions imposed by the national government to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
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Sports Commission (PSC). As known sports advocates, Nestle Philippines Inc.- Milo and Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. have shown tremendous support to the Philippine national team through the years. “We are elated with their willingness to share their partnership dynamics with our summit stakeholders since their support to the national athletes has always been a great help in improving the country’s sports,” expressed PSC Chief of staff and NSS Project Director Marc Velasco. The summit’s 16th session speakers all have extensive experience in the field of marketing and brand development. Castillo has over 15 years accumulated in marketing, sales, and business development. He was behind Above-The-Line and Below-The-Line marketing campaigns of their brand and the “Get Your Child
Into Sports” campaign serving over 8 million children across the country. Oyamada, prior to heading the nutraceutical brand in 2018, also served as Strategy and Planning Section Chief / Middle East & Egypt Area Manager at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Otsuka International Asia Arab and Strategy and Planning Specialist at the Human Resource Department Otsuka Pharmaceutical Tokyo Headquarters. Ramos, on the other hand, served as Ethical Marketing Manager until 2019 and now leads the marketing and advertising projects of POCARI Sweat. This batch’s past speakers include PilipinasObstacle Sports Federation (POSF) president Alberto Agra, University of the Philippines Prof. Gerard Lico, and University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses, and Enderun Lady Titans head coach Haydee Ong.
cool areas. Overexposure to sunlight is avoided or the fry dies. Also, the fry are brought to the concessionaires’ buying stations without delay. The lack of fry and fingerlings was cited as one of the many problems that beset bangus production in the country. To save the bangus industry from downfall, some growers have imported fingerlings from Taiwan and Indonesia; although others thought this option was not practical as the fingerlings were very expensive. Enter Finfish Hatcheries, Inc. (FHI), which supplies more than 40% of the country’s national requirement of bangus fry. “We have been in the bangus fry production business since 1997,” points out Bocaya. FHI’s hatchery is in Lun Masla, Malapatan , Sarangani Province. Here, more than 10,000 breeders are maintained and managed to produce bangus eggs on a daily basis throughout
the year. “The hatchery’s production capacity is 1.2 billion bangus fry each year,” Bocaya said. According to FHI, more Filipino farmers are now seeding their ponds and cages with bangus fry being sold by FHI, which has major dealers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its sales offices in Manila, Bacolod, Iloilo, and General Santos enables deliveries to its customers in the following areas: Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tuguegarao, Laoag, Laguna, Bulacan, Quezon, Palawan, Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Calbayog, Catarman, Sorsogon, Legaspi, Dumaguete, Naga, Masbate, Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga. FHI’s expertise in fry hatchery operations goes beyond breeding bangus. It also produces the highest volume and best quality of fry and fingerlings of other high value species that include siganid and seabass. Photos courtesy of FHI
are in many ways modern heroes in the Filipino economy, and prepaid products like top-up make it easier for them to stay in contact with loved ones back home,” Roden added. Moreover, Shaw said restrictions due to Covid-19 also limit transactions using traditional retail channels. “People who needed to support loved ones with money or other micro-value transfers, such as mobile phone top-ups or bill payment but who didn’t want to put themselves at risk by leaving their homes, have sought out digital methods,” he said. Shaw added the company has recorded an uptick of nearly 50 percent in prepaid transactions during 2020 as customers prioritized keeping in contact with their family, friends,
and acquaintances by topping up their own phones or sending e-gift cards to their loved ones. ‘Super apps’ According to Ding’s GPI, almost 70 percent of Filipino respondents said they are interested in ‘super apps’, which is a one-stop shop platform for all their needs. One good example of a super app is China’s WeChat. “Super apps, particularly in the fintech sector, are providing real, viable, and more affordable options for money remitters, without a traditional bank account, to continue to be the lifeblood for communities all around the world,” Shaw said, adding these features of super apps would be ideal for Filipino users, including OFWs. (PNA)
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Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley (10) passes the ball as Memphis Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) defends during the third quarter during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Petre Thomas, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Gov’t okays vaccination of national athletes
T
he national government has now approved the inoculation of all national athletes even if they will not join this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino said on Monday. “This is another great news for our national athletes and all of the Philippine sports,” Tolentino said. The vaccination will take place in the next round of inoculation, which includes the SEA Games-bound athletes who missed out on the first mass vaccination on Friday at the Manila Prince Hotel.
More than half of the 730 athletes got their Sinovac shots last Friday. Tolentino said the vaccination program will be extended to every athlete regardless of whether they will join the SEA Games or not. “We thank the government for putting priority on our athletes and coaches for the vaccine rollout,” Tolentino said. “And this—the absolute vaccination of all national athletes—whether or not they are going to Hanoi—is a relief for Philippine sports.” The POC will announce the date and the venue of the next vaccination round at a later date. (PNA)
Jazz take 3-1 lead
M
ike Conley blocked a Ja Morant floater, then countered with a 3-pointer in a late run that allowed the top-seeded Utah Jazz to hold off the host Memphis Grizzlies 120-113 on Monday night in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. A third straight win gives Utah a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series
and creates an opportunity for the Jazz to advance to the semifinals with a
home win on Wednesday. Down most of the way but just 110-106 after a Rudy Gobert free throw with 3:57 remaining, Morant attempted to cut the deficit in half with a short shot under heavy pressure from Conley. But the former Grizzlies star got a hand on the attempt, grabbed the deflection and, 14
seconds later, buried a 26-footer that gave Utah a seven-point advantage and proved to be the back-breaker. When Morant misfired on a 3-pointer and Bojan Bogdanovic bombed in a 23-footer at the other end, the Jazz had opened a 116-106 lead with just 2:40 to play, allowing the visitors to coast home.
Wizards avoid elimination
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts in the second half against the Philadelphia 76ers during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
B
radley Beal scored 27 points as the host Washington Wizards staved off elimination with a 122-114 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. Russell Westbrook made just 3 of 19 shots to finish with 19 points, but he also collected 21 rebounds and 14 assists. It marked Westbrook’s 12th career triple-double in the playoffs, snapping a tie with Hall of Famer Jason Kidd for third place overall in NBA history. Philadelphia’s bid for its first postseason sweep since 1991 was severely hampered after Joel Embiid sustained a sore right knee following an awkward fall on a drive to the basket in the first quarter. The four-time AllStar center finished with eight points and six rebounds after erupting for
a career playoff-high 36 points in the 76ers’ 132103 win in Game 3. Washington’s Rui Hachimura collected 20 points and 13 rebounds and Robin Lopez scored 16 points off the bench for the Wizards, who will visit Philadelphia for Game 5 on Wednesday. Davis Bertans scored 12 of his 15 points in the first quarter before exiting in the third quarter with a right calf strain. Tobias Harris recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds for the top-seeded 76ers, who were bidding for their first sweep since eliminating Milwaukee in a best-offive, first-round series in 1991. Ben Simmons finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds while dealing with foul trouble. Washington elected to purposely foul Simmons, who made 5 of 11 shots from the free-throw line. He is 5-for-20 in the series.
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SPORTS PARTNERS Milo executive Lester Castillo
Milo, Pocari Sweat featured on NSS 2021’s public-private partnership
L
eading sports consumer brands Nestle Philippines Inc.Milo and Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. grace the 16th session of the National Sports Summit 2021, providing an overview on public-private partnerships this June 2.
Nestle Philippines Inc., Assistant Vice President-Milo, Marketing Mr. Lester Castillo, Otsuka-Solar Philippines Inc. President and Managing Director Mr. Kohei Oyamada, and Brand Devel-
opment Manager Ms. Nelia Ramos will discuss their respective partnerships with government institutions and will highlight their collaboration with the Philippine
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