Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 76 | Saturday, June 12, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 76 • SATURDAY, JUNE 12 , 2021

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Daily Covid cases in Davao City exceeded expectations: CHO STORY ON PAGE 2

A Philippine flag prominently waves in front of a government building, which symbolizes the Filipinos’ resiliency against the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic. The country celebrates its 123rd Independence Day today. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Health Secretary Francisco Duque III gives marching orders when he recently visited Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) as Davao Region experiences a surge in cases since May 2021. Duque talked to Philhealth and hospitals to closely coordinate and ensure that payment is made on time and asked the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) and hospitals to look for ways to increase COVID19 dedicated beds in private and public hospitals. Edge Davao

SURPASSING Daily Covid cases in Davao City exceeded expectations: CHO

By MAYA M. PADILLO n official of the City Health Office (CHO) disclosed that the current daily Covid-19 cases in Davao City has exceeded their expectations as the city is currently under surge.

“Kay naa ta sa surge ang atong expectation sa atong daily cases exceeded our expectations. Honestly, nakuratan gyud ko. Labi na tong niabot ta ug 200 then nisaka ug more than 300 cases. Wala ko ga-expect

na ingon ana ta kadaghan. Although, this is a pattern that is expected because katong miaging October ug November ang first surge na nahitabo sa Davao, mao na ang pattern: nauna ang NCR, ninaog ug Cebu, tapos

pagka-October ninaog ug Davao. Ang trend karon mao lang gihapon,” said Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of CHO, in a recent live broadcast interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR). Based on the latest update on active cases, Davao City has recorded 2,683 cases of Covid-19 adding up the 244 new cases reported on June 8, 2021.

Lopez clarified that the 244 new cases are accumulated after the testing and swabbing done on June 4 to 8, 2021. “In the months of March and April ninaog ta ug more than 200 active cases pero karon nisaka na pud. Pero kaning 244 is an accumulated testing sa reported or those swabbed from June 4 to 8, 2021. Upat na ka adlaw na commulative

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DOH Sec. Duque gives marching orders at SPMC to stem surge

ealth Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama confirmed in a virtual media conference today that Health Secretary Francisco Duque III recently visited Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to give marching orders as Davao Region experiences a surge in cases since May 2021. Dumama admitted that the health secretary personally gave orders as he visited SPMC, one of the COVID19 designated facility in Davao City that also caters patients from other regions and also caters non-COVID cases. Dumama shared that one of the intentions of the health secretary for his visit is to order the Philhealth and hospitals to closely coordinate and ensure that payment is made on time. “Secretary Duque also called for the department and hospitals to look for

ways to increase COVID19 dedicated beds in private and public hospitals”, Usec Dumama said. The SPMC started with only 32 ICU beds. With the recent surge of cases, the medical center then increased it to 87 ICU beds inorder to accommodate more COVID19 patients with severe and critical cases. He also ordered for ample supply of life-saving medications and equipment in the hospitals. Davao City Health Officer Dr. Ashley Lopez that more private hospitals are now offering a percentage of their bed capacity for COVID19 patients. “Before, there were only two private hospitals that are actively catering COVID cases. But we have addressed some of the issues and concerns which is why there are more

also assumed office as the concurrent vice-governor of Davao del Sur. In a Facebook post of Councilor Salvador Dumogho, he showed a photo of Digos City Mayor Josef Cagas signing the oath of office of Marc and John Tracy. Sherwin Cesar, Davao del Sur provincial information officer, also announced during his local radio program at Charm Radio about the two officials

who were sworn in to their new positions. The oath-taking came after the sudden death of the Cagas patriarch at the Medical Center of Digos Cooperative (MCDC) Hospital due to complications from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) based on information from lawyer Ria Cagas-Fernandez, a niece of the late governor. The governor’s

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CPP-NPA-NDF downfall nears Marc Cagas sworn in as DavSur guv as more IPs give testimony V

olice Regional Office XI Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, said that the government is now in the advantage against the CPP-NPA-NDF due to the rising number of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) testifying against the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs). “Kase nga noon, di natin

sila na fi-file-an ng kaso kase walang gustong mag testigo. Napakatagal na panahon na walang gustong mag testigo (Before, we couldn’t file a case against them because nobody wanted to testify. For so long, nobody wanted to testify),” he said. Escobal made this statement during the “In Search for the Truth: Rescue or Raid? Forum Discussion

on IP Human Rights” on June 9, 2021 at the Provincial Pavilion, Tagum City, where the rescued IP children, their parents, and a roster of former rebels told their truth about the workings of the CPP-NPA-NDF. During the 5-part Forum Discussion, child victims, Juvany Diarog; Jolan Digaynon; and Neil

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ice Governor Marc Douglas Cagas assumed as the new governor of Davao del Sur on Thursday afternoon following the death of his father earlier in the day. Marc Douglas is the only son of Governor Douglas Cagas and the province’s lone district Rep. Mercedes Cagas. Senior Board Member for the First District of Davao del Sur John Tracy Cagas, on the other hand,

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NEWS 3

On rainy days, this main road in Barangay Gawang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan in Maguindanao province becomes difficult to traverse for vehicles. For children, however, it becomes a playground. MindaNews photo taken June 9, 2021 by JULES L. BENITEZ.

City Council approves reduction of fees for food delivery riders Davao to have genome sequencing capability T By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Davao Region will soon have genome sequencing capability that can detect new COVID variants. This was said by Department of HealthXI Regional Director Dr. Anabelle Yumang during the online press conference held today (June 10) to mark the arrival of Pfizer vaccines in Davao City. “The Southern Philippine Medical Center is preparing to have sequencing in the region. There are documents needed and also requirements to ensure

SPMC will be allowed to do sequencing,” Dir. Yumang said. She added that the machines for sequencing are already in SPMC particularly in the center’s molecular laboratory. Currently specimens are sent to Manila at the Philippine Genome Center for the samples to be sequenced and eventually confirm the presence of new COVID-19 variants. The City Health Office OIC of the City Government of Davao Dr. Ashley Lopez said he suspects that

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he City Council recently approved the huge reduction of business permit fee for food delivery riders in Davao City from P4, 856 to P1,480. Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata, who pushed for the approval of the measure following the complaints from the delivery riders of high cost of fees in getting a business permit, thanked the delivery riders for their determination and cooperation to reduce the fees of getting business permit. “Thank you so much for your perseverance, for attending consultations and committee hearings and most of all, for standing up for your

rights and interests. Long live with all frontliners this pandemic!” LibradoMorata posted on her Facebook account. On April 13, 2021, Librado-Morata passed a resolution entitled: “A Resolution Urging Food Panda, All Other Similar Entities, and the City Business Bureau to Suspend the Collection of Fees for Food Delivery Riders in Davao City” in light of the situation raised by food delivery riders that even though the Revenue Code is set to be revised,

companies continue to require payments for business permits from delivery riders. The said resolution that aims to suspend the collection of business permit payments for food delivery riders was also passed by the City Council. Librado-Morata emphasized that to require delivery riders to acquire a business permit individually is impractical and inequitable as they will be required to pay the following: electronic fee, garbage fee, mechanical fee, plumbing fee, sanitary permit, signboard fee, sanitary inspection fee, solid waste fee, and zoning fee, which amounts to more than four thousand

pesos (P4,000.00) to be paid quarterly. On top of the regulatory fees, a business permit would necessitate riders to register before the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). They would need to spend an additional amount for paying annual registration fees and monthly filing fees to pay tax returns. In addition, they would need to hire bookkeepers to avoid surcharges and penalties for improper filing and failure to pay monthly taxes. Librado-Morata also stressed that riders decried the amount required for these permits, especially that most of them are still paying loans for their motorcycles and fuel expenses.

continuing process and is not that easy. DOF is doing their job,” Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain said. Meanwhile, the Chinese government and the Philippine government have signed the commercial contract of the Chinafinanced $400 million SIDC

project on Jan. 14, 2021. One of the key cooperation projects between China, PH under the “Build, build, build” program, SIDC project is a 2-way 4-lane 3.86km bridge to connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City across the Pakiputan Strait. The main

Loan for Samal-Davao Bridge 57 seized IEDs detonated Project still in progress: DPWH

by soldiers in Makilala S ome 57 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) seized from the series of operations of the Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division from communist New People’s Army (NPA) were safely detonated in a quarry site in Purok 5, Barangay

Singkatulan, Makilala in North Cotabato last Thursday (June 10). Maj. Jerry Lamosao, Division’s Public Affairs Office Chief and spokesman for the 10th ID, said that these IEDs have been confiscated, captured, surrendered, or recovered

since last year from the NPA operating within Davao Region and some parts in Region 12. He said the detonation was supervised by the explosives and ordnance disposal team of the 11th Forward Service Support

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n official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) told Edge Davao that the loan negotiation for the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project between the Department of Finance (DOF) and China Eximbank is still in progress. “Negotiation is a

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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A woman dries pijanga in Barangay San Roque in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte on Thursday, June 10, 2021. Dried pijanga costs 500 pesos a kilo. The fish belongs to the white goby family and abounds in Lake Mainit, which borders Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

NGCP says power rates to spike if DOE insists on firm contracts for backups

he country’s power grid operator said electricity rates will spike if it follows the Energy Department’s order to enter into firm contracts with backup power providers. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that based on its initial simulations, power rates may rise by P0.64 per kilowatt-hour in Luzon, P0.54 per kWh in Visayas, and P1.39 per kWh in Mindanao if it enters into firm contracts for ancillary services (AS). “Kung ikaw ay taga-Luzon at ang average consumer na 200 kWh ang iyong kinokunsumo, posibleng magbayad ka ng P128 additional kada buwan,” said

NGCP Spokesperson Cynthia Alabanza. (If you’re from Luzon and your average consumption is 200 kWh, you may pay an additional P128 per month.) Visayas and Mindanao consumers who use 200 kWh per month meanwhile stand to pay an additional P108 and P300 per month respectively, Alabanza added. The Department of Energy earlier said the country experienced power

outages last week because of the NGCP’s refusal to procure ancillary services or backup power through firm contracts which oblige providers to deliver power whenever it is needed. The DOE said the NGCP was obliged by its franchise to enter into these contracts. In a statement last April, the DOE said the NGCP has been entering into non-firm contracts for ancillary services, where “the provider decides whether they will provide AS even if they are scheduled by the NGCP.” But in a statement released Thursday, the NGCP said procuring all of its ancillary services requirements under 100 percent

firm contracts, would mean paying AS providers for 24/7 availability, regardless of whether their services are needed. “It’s going to be take or pay,” Alabanza said. The grid operator added that shifting to firm contracting “will not solve the current lack in supply, as they are taken from the same pool of power plant suppliers.” “We get our power to support AS from the same pool of generators, many of which went on unscheduled shutdowns, and whose current collective output is not enough to meet consumer demand. Signing a firm contract will not make

to reveal which banks are considered D-SIBS but he noted that these banks remain on solid footing amid the pandemic. “Total assets and deposits of D-SIBs grew year-onyear by 6.2 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, based on preliminary end-March 2021 data. This is in line with the 5.6 percent asset growth and 7.8 percent deposit growth posted by the Philippine banking system,” Diokno said.

The loans of D-SIBs meanwhile contracted slightly lower at 3.6 percent, which is similar to the 3.9 percent decline in the banking system’s loan portfolio, Diokno added. Diokno said D-SIBs’ non-performing loan (NPL) ratio also slightly increased to 3.3 percent in the first quarter of 2021 but this was matched by a high NPL coverage ratio of 99.4 percent. Meanwhile the BSP also called for more government

assistance for medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) which account for over 60 percent of employment in the Philippines. “BSP recognizes the importance of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises in generating employment and economic activity. To this end, the BSP continues to allow loans to MSMEs be counted as an alternative compliance to a bank’s reserve requirements,” Diokno said.

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‘Too big to fail’ banks remain on solid footing despite pandemic, BSP says

he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said it is monitoring the health of banks considered “too big to fail” but sees no cause for worry despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The BSP said on Thursday that it continues to carefully monitor banks Domestic Systemically Important Banks or D-SIBS. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said it is the central bank’s policy not

DTI lends P4.5B to MSMEs under CARES program

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reported that a total of PHP4.5 billion worth of loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were approved under the Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program as of June 9. In a statement Thursday, the DTI said the PHP4.5-billion loans assisted 30,408 MSMEs that applied under its zero-interest loan. The DTI, through its financing arm Small Business (SB) Corp., rolled out the CARES program in May 2020 to assist MSMEs to recover from their losses brought by the pandemic and the lockdown measures. The DTI started the CARES program with PHP1 billion from its 2020 budget and got another PHP10 billion from the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan 2). Of the PHP10 billion from the Bayanihan 2, PHP6 billion were allocated for MSMEs in the tourism sector which are heavily affected by the ongoing global health and economic crisis. However, the DTI has until the end of the month to roll out the remaining budget for its microfinancing program as the Bayanihan 2 is only effective until June 30.

To accelerate the remaining allocation, the DTI is working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the CARES for TRAVEL (Tourism Rehabilitation and Vitalization of Enterprises and Livelihood). The DTI and DOT will accelerate the utilization of CARES for TRAVEL as more tourism economic activities start to reopen their operations. “With this microfinancing program providing collateral-free and interest-free loans to businesses affected by the pandemic, our MSMEs can begin to rebuild their respective businesses and take part in the recovery that has started around the world,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said. Lopez is also optimistic of the start of the vaccination for the A4 group which include economic front-liners, as this will boost consumer and business confidence. “The country’s vaccination program will prove to be a timely shot in the arm as well for the economy, as it will lead to continuous reopening with less threat of a surge, thus creating a good momentum for sustained recovery, more investments and greater employment opportunities for the Filipinos,” he added. (PNA)

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ECONOMY

Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi urges lawmakers to look into allowing the government to engage in limited power generation to augment energy supply requirements when needed. Edge Davao

Cusi mulls ‘limited’ government participation in power generation

epartment of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi has proposed to the Senate to allow the national government to participate in the power sector, particularly in securing reserve capacity for the country. In a Senate hearing Thursday, Cusi urged lawmakers to look into allowing the government to engage in limited power generation to augment energy supply requirements when needed. “For instance, government power plants are best for the reserve capacity of the grid as they would be outside the competition in the electricity market for

power supply,” he said. Cusi said this initiative aims to complement the power supply of energy companies, and not compete with the private sector. “(W)e are one of those very few (countries) that (the entire power sector) is in the hands of the private sector,” he said. He added the Philippines is also the only country in Southeast Asia that has given the system operation to the private sector. Moreover, the DOE chief said allowing government to participate in power sector would be the “antidote for the continuing non-compliance” of the Na-

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SEC backs changes to bank secrecy law

he Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it is backing amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law to help its efforts against financial crimes. The SEC said amending Republic Act No. 1405, or the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law, will help the country’s fight against money laundering, terrorist financing, tax evasion and other financial crimes. “The amendments put forward under House Bill No. 8991 will, among others, empower the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to inquire into and examine deposits when there is reasonable ground to believe that fraud, serious irregularity or

unlawful activity has been committed by stockholders, owners, directors, trustees, officers or employees of supervised institutions, or their representatives, agents, related parties or conspirators,” the SEC said. Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier called on President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent the bill seeking to amend the country’s banking law. The BSP earlier said it is backing the Bank Deposits Secrecy Bill. The SEC noted that the bill lets the BSP and other regulators examine bank deposits when necessary to prevent or prosecute offenses or crimes.

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PH can now export processed meat products to Japan -- DA

he Philippines’ processed meat products can now be exported to Japan, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday. In a statement, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the favorable development is due to the recent inclusion of the Philippines in the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) list of certified countries that passed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point-based (HACCP) hygiene management protocols. “This is definitely a big boost for our livestock producers, and food manufacturers, meat processors and exporters, as we continue to look for market opportunities to jumpstart the country’s economic recovery amid the pandemic,” Dar said. “It is also a testament to our commitment in providing safe, healthy amd world-class quality food for both domestic and export markets, and Japan is a discriminating market. Thus, we look forward to penetrating more export markets,” he added. With this, the Philippines can start exporting beef, carabeef, pork, chevon, mutton and their by-products to Japan. Article 11 of Japan’s Food Sanitation Law provides that only meat products using HACCP management systems may be imported into the country. “We are pleased that we have successfully hurdled

Japan’s stringent food safety and hygiene management standards,” Dar said. Since 2003, the DA, through its National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), has implemented the mandatory

application of the HACCP program in all licensed “triple A” (AAA) meat establishments. HACCP is a science-based, systematic protocol that identifies hazards and measures for their control to ensure food safety. Prior to getting the thumbs-up to ship processed meat products to Japan, the Philippines was only allowed to export chicken meat, main-

ly used for grilling as “yakitori,” said DA-NMIS director Jocelyn Salvador. Yakitori is a Japanese menu where bite-sized chicken, beef, pork and other meat or fish are put on skewers, which are then grilled and served. “The HACCP certification implies that the systems of certification of the Philippines

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the law creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority: I hope Senator Tolentino will present it on the floor when Congress resumes on July. After the bicameral conference approves a reconciled version, it will be presented to both house for approval, after which the President will sign the bill into law. Medyo mahaba pa ang process.” DAVAO CITY THIRD DISTRICT REP. ISIDRO UNGAB

EDITORIAL Justice for Keith Keith Absalon was a gifted football player who plays for the Malaya Football Club and the Far Eastern University Men’s Football Team. Awarded most valuable player, the future looks so bright for this young booter. Until a landmine planter by the New People’s Army (NPA) took his life. Absalon and cousin Nolven were killed in an anti-personnel mine explosion by communist terrorists in Masbate on June 6.

Absalon is seen by his peers as an example of a nationalistic youth who inspired many other Filipino youths by showing devotion and passion of a true Filipino athlete in the International Sports Arena. Who knows Absalon could be playing for the national team a few years from now had he been alive.

How heartbreaking it is that terrorist rebels took away

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Absalon’s killing shows us that even innocent civilians are all subject to the NPA rebels’ defensive operations against the government.

Not even the offer of indemnity and apologies for their wrongdoing can appease and make up for the loss of this young athlete’s life. Not even the Makabayan bloc’s condemnation of the NPA’s atrocious act is enough to silence the restlessness of those family and the masses who have suffered for decades at the hands of the rebel’s atrocities. There is not just about asking forgiveness and paying for the loss of lives. This is not even about ideological beliefs anymore. It’s time to stop this culture of terroristic violence. 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

someone’s promising future ending it in just a blink of an eye.

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DENGUE FEVER RETURNS Rainy season is here! Soon those lurking in the closets, damp places, and pails, drums and basins full of water will strike. They are just waiting for the right time to become once again the “country’s public enemy number one.” Yes, I am referring to mosquitoes which one Davao scribe describes as “terrorists on the loose.” They attack anytime of the day. They don’t have any weapons but their bite is as deadly as the gun. There’s no blood that will spill out but watch out, they are indeed lethal. This is especially true in the case of mosquitoes that carry one of the four types of dengue viruses. More die from the bite of this dengue-transmitting mosquito than from the kidnappers’ bullets. And like death and taxes, dengue exempts no one: fat or thin, ugly or beautiful, rich or poor, educated and illiterate. Children, who are exposed in open areas while playing, are more prone although adults are not spared. I had a friend, who was a lawyer. He was based in Manila but at one time he went to

Baguio, where he contracted dengue. A few days after being bitten, he suffered high fever, severe headache, and pain behind the eyes. There was also an outbreak of rashes in some parts of his body. From Baguio, he was brought to Manila. But it was already too late. He suffered hemorrhage in the liver and died three weeks after being confined in one of the wellknown hospitals in Makati City. Even doctors die from it, too! There was a case of a lady physician whose daughter suffered from dengue. Unknowingly, a mosquito which bit her daughter had bitten the doctor. A few days after the daughter died, as a result of dengue, the doctor also showed manifestations of having dengue. She also died of the same disease. Dengue fever actually doesn’t kill. It’s when dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) takes over that it becomes lethal. Some five percent of DHF cases are fatal; without proper treatment, the rate rises up to 15 percent DHF was first recognized during the 1950s. The Philippines reported a DHF epidemic

in 1953-45, according to the Philippine Journal of Pediatrics. Before 1970, only nine countries had experienced dengue and DHF epidemics. Today, the disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries. “Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a potentially deadly complication that is characterized by high fever, hemorrhagic phenomena -- often with enlargement of the liver -- and in severe cases, circulatory failure,” explains the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). Generally, dengue starts with a sudden rise in body temperature, accompanied by facial flush and other non-specific conventional symptoms. The fever usually persists for two to seven days and can be as high as 40-41 degrees Centigrade, possibly with febrile convulsions and hemorrhagic phenomena. In moderate dengue cases, all signs and symptoms abate the fever subsides temporarily. But in severe cases, the patient’s condition may suddenly deteriorate after a few days of fever.

“The temperature drops, followed by signs of circulatory failure and the patient may rapidly go into a critical state of shock and die within 12 to 24 hours, or quickly recover following appropriate volume replacement therapy,” the United Nations health agency says. About 20 million dengue cases occur each year and require 500,000 hospitalizations, the WHO estimates. “Dengue is the world’s most important viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” declares Dr. Duane Guble, health administrator of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on someone who has the virus.” Also known as “breakbone” fever, dengue is the Swahili term for “a sudden overtaking by a spirit.” Caused by four distinct virus serotypes (varieties recognized as distinct by the immune system), it is a distant cousin of yellow fever. Dengue viruses are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. It bites only during daytime but its peak

biting time is after sunrise and at dusk – especially one hour before sunset. However, not all Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are carriers of the dengue virus, but only those that have bitten people infected with the virus. Once infected, a mosquito remains infective for life, transmitting the virus to susceptible individuals during probing and blood feeding. However, an infected person cannot transmit the dengue virus directly into another person. When a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the dengue virus is deposited in the person’s bloodstream. The time between the bite of a dengue-carrying mosquito and the start of dengue fever symptoms averages four to six days, with a range of three to 14 days. An infected person can be a source of dengue virus for mosquitoes for about six days. “Although dengue is rarely lethal, its contribution to disease and ill health, especially among young children, should make dengue control a primary public health concern,” says Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

J. L. BURCHFIELD, PIONEER PLANTER A native of Madisonville, Kentucky, USA, Capt. James L. Burchfield was a trooper (1876-81) in the 8th United States Cavalry at Fort Clark, Del Rio Post, and Fort Duncan in Mexico. He asked for discharge to enjoy life in more peaceful places as a young man. He volunteered as captain of the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, arriving in Davao on December 20, 1899. His ‘I’ Company was stationed in Davao town of Davao under Capt. Hunter Liggett as commander and was discharged from military service on July 3, 1902. On April 1, 1901, he invested $5,000, then a huge amount, in developing a hemp estate in the region. By January 1, 1906, he was conservatively worth $66,000 in assets. This declaration did not include income from his coconut farms and money invested in small hemp farms. To his credit, he was the first American to own an abaca plantation in Davao.

While managing his properties, he forged friendly ties with expats in Davao, and joined socio-civic events sponsored by the Davao Planters’ Association and the American Club. But his peaceful lifestyle would be disturbed on June 6, 1909 after 23 native constables from the Second Company of the Philippine Constabulary staged a revolt. His role in the mutiny is well chronicled. He and former American servicemen repulsed the horse-riding renegades in the plan to take the town. They staked along the route of the mutineers and assaulted them while taking the main road to the church site. For his effort in defending the convent inside the San Pedro Church grounds, Capt. Burchfield sustained a wound. On January 8, 1910, Burchfield was appointed as justice of the peace of Davao town. Burchfield’s first farm was the 100-hectare Daliao Plantation at Toril district, which he managed for over a decade. In

1914, due to a juicy offer, he sold his farm to Japanese investors for a princely sum of P200,000, the first transaction of its kind in Davao. With so much profit from the deal, he opened a new estate and named it Piso Coconut and Cattle Ranch, Inc. It was situated at Piso, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, and was chiefly classified as a coconut plantation. He also owned a launch he used in the transport of products to the port of Davao. Like the first venture, his new farm was also flourishing, hosting roughly 100,000 palms, and highly regarded. Once again, the Japanese trooped to make offers. This time, as a middle-aged gentleman, he accepted the tender, moved to Manila, and purchased Luneta Hotel. But staying behind the desk while waiting for hotel guests bored him. So, he decided to dispose his venture and returned to Davao in 1920 and bought another plantation. Capt. Burchfield’s third

farm, the 367-hectare Talomo Plantation Company, was owned by E. M. Barton of Bay Hotel View, in Manila; it was managed by Percy C. Libby, brother of Roy Libby who was killed during the 1909 PC mutiny. Unlike the thriving Piso estate, this new acquisition was a mixed farm with 1,200 coconuts and 350,000 hills of abaca. While his son David was finishing business school in the U.S., Burchfield was joined by his wife in managing the plantation. Upon completion of his studies, David rejoined the family in Davao and ran the general store, the Mercantile Corporation of Davao (MERCO). Overall, he owned three agricultural estates and a general store. He also invested lucratively in small hemp farms which gave him clear profits that provided him material comfort in his retirement years. Now in his sixties, Capt. Burchfield disposed his assets. David, for his part, returned to the U.S. to marry, accompanied

in his journey by his mother, who was asked to enjoy her senior years in California. Consequently, Capt. Burchfield retired in Manila, reconnecting with old friends, and again actively involved in the activities of his fellow Knight Templars. On February 22, 1927, Jim, as he was fondly called, died from stomach cancer at the Sternberg General Hospital, originally named as United States Military Hospital and retitled as Brig. Gen. George Miller Sternberg, an Army physician known as ‘father of American bacteriology.’ Under the auspices of Spanish and other foreign war veterans, his funeral was held at the Masonic Temple, along Taft Avenue, in Manila, two days later. A Freemason all his life, his remains were interred at the Cementerio del Norte (North Cemetery) in Manila. Prelate emeritus Milton E. Springer, highest official of Freemasonry in the country at the time, read the elaborate service.

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LIFESTYLE

GLOBE LAUNCHES FREE ELIBRARY GLOBE acknowledges that quality education is a driver of economic development, thus encouraging parents and students to explore the rich content of its Globe eLibrary to enrich their online learning.

Globe eLibrary’s mobile app and website (https://globeelibrary.ph/) contain hundreds of English classic titles, age-appropriate storybooks, eLearning videos, and other resource materials that can be viewed online or downloaded for later use as students do not have access to traditional libraries at the moment. The Globe eLibrary is rich in English classics from various literary genres such as such as well-known Shakespearean tragedies Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, and Julius Caesar; Robert Louis Stevenson’s travel memoir, Across the Plains; Moliere’s theatrical comedy, Tartuffe (The Hypocrite), Anthony Hope’s collection of short stories and novelettes, Tales of Two People; Oscar Wilde’s Essays and Lectures; and Mary Shelley’s science fiction/horror Frankenstein (The Modern Prometheus), among others. Despite the general perception that Filipinos are good in English, the 2018 Programme for International Student As-

sessment of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) revealed that the reading ability of 15-year old Filipino students is way below their counterparts in neighboring countries such as Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The Philippines’ mean score in the Overall Reading Literacy Scale was only at 340 points, two levels lower than the OECD average of 487 points. This means that 80% of Filipino students struggle with a text of moderate length. The report also showed the same dismal results for Math and Science. “We want to promote the love of reading among the

DAD’S SPECIAL SPACE FROM OUR HOME

AFTER a long day at work and family time at home, Dad craves to have his own special space where he can recharge, rethink, relax and be himself. He longs for a quiet retreat where he can plunk down on a sofa, chill out with a drink, and unwind. This me-time, after all, can make him a better husband and father which will eventually benefit the whole family. After all, what is more pleasant than a man who is relaxed, happy, and stress-free. This Father’s Day, help Dad create this special space – others call it a man cave – with a little help from Our Home. There are cozy recliners where he can sit, recline, and relax. Bar tables, chairs and other bar essentials complete the fun. If he must work at home, there are writing desks as well as ergonomic chairs to bring comfort to WFH corner. Visit Our Home stores nationwide at select SM Supermalls for more Father’s Day gift ideas. Customers who prefer to shop online can expect the same great shopping experience through www.ourhome.ph. In addition, Our Home has introduced Contactless Shopping Options for customers who prefer to stay in their homes. Customers can Call & Deliver – call 0917 8315260, pay online, and have their items delivered. They can Shop Live where a personal shopper takes them on a virtual tour of the store via video call. Curbside Pickup is also available.

youth so they may achieve their full potential. Reading helps strengthen the brain and build vocabulary, and provides the needed mental exercise for a better understanding of the written word, especially a widely-used foreign language like English,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications. Globe eLibrary is a component of the Global Filipino Schools, a long-term educational initiative of Globe that seeks to transform public schools into centers of ICT excellence and innovative teaching methods, in order to set the stage for 21st Century learning. Cur-

rently, it is able to help around 14,000 students, teachers, and parents with their online learning needs, with 120 varied content downloads daily. The Globe eLibrary can also be accessed through DepED Commons (https://commons.deped.gov.ph/) which has around 9.6 million users. DepEd Commons is an online platform for public school teachers in support of distance learning. Both the Globe eLibrary and Deped Commons are free to access by all active Globe customers even if they do not have any “mobile data” credits. Download the Globe eLibrary mobile app on Google

Play store or the App store, or visit the website at https:// globeelibrary.ph. The company strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 4 on the provision of quality education and UN SDG No. 9 which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs. To know more about Globe sustainability efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/ about-us/sustainability.html

SWEET CHEERS! IT’S TIME TO INDULGE IN CBTL’S CARAMEL DRINKS! WE’RE halfway in 2021 and it’s about time for you to give yourself a pat on the back for all the big and small wins! This June 7, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is inviting you to raise your glass, give three cheers and enjoy their luscious caramel drinks. Delight your taste buds with their swoonworthy Caramel Macchiato and Caramel Ice Blended®. Their classic blends, like the Caramel Macchiato is available as hot or iced (P165/small, P180/regular, P195/ large) and the Caramel Ice Blended® (P185/ regular, P205/large) will truly ensnare to your senses. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has also in-

dulged themselves and has joined the Tiktok community! Want ASMR espresso sounds, the decadent visuals of an excellent coffee pour, or the truly mouthwatering, sexy shot of a thirst-quenching Caramel Ice Blended? Go ahead and follow them @thecoffeebeanph. More surprises are also coming soon with exclusive promos, contests and Instagram Story stickers to bring the lusciousness of caramel to your stories! So satisfy your taste buds with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s caramel drinks! Go ahead and order your own delightful drink by visiting their stores or order via GrabFood, Foodpanda.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

COFFEE THAT’S REALLY GOOD FOR YOU: GLORIOUS, ISN’T IT?

or decades, coffee had received a bad reputation. Besides allegedly triggering high blood pressure, insomnia, and hyperacidity, the Filipino habit of adding lots of sugar and cream to one’s cup has been said to aggravate diabetes.

While there’s no denying the Pinoy coffee fan his morning cup, there is concern over the amount of sugar present in commercial 3-in-1 coffee mixes. The leading brand has 14.6 grams of sugar in one 20gram sachet alone. Imagine how much sugar you’re taking in if you drink an average of three cups of coffee a day. What About Sugar-Free Coffee? For health-conscious individuals, especially diabetics, turning to sugar-free coffee mixes seems to be

the only option. This meant enduring tasteless cups of coffee just to satisfy their caffeine fix —until Stevia came along. Stevia is the low calorie, zero sugar sweetener that tastes so much better than artificial sweeteners. Stevia is an herb with a sweet-tasting extract that comes from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It has been enjoyed since pre-Columbian South America where indigenous people used the herb to sweeten their tea and other

drinks. The plant’s taste stems from steviol glycosides, molecules which are 250– 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. It became popular among health-conscious individuals because stevia has a very low caloric content. This makes it perfect for dieters and people who are trying to lose weight. Moreover, Stevia makes coffee and tea taste so much better without adding any calories. Aside from beverages, Stevia is also used as an alternative sweetener when cooking or baking. The Health Advantages of Stevia Stevia is a safe, healthy sugar substitute that can sweeten up food without the negative health effects

of refined sugar. It’s also associated with several impressive benefits such as reduced calorie intake, managed blood sugar levels, and minimized risk of cavities. Additionally, while other sugar substitutes like Aspartame have been linked with cancer, there’s no evidence linking stevia to cancer since it is a natural ingredient. This means you can add stevia to dishes and drinks without fear that you’re taking too much sugar, or that you’ll get sick a few years down the road. For coffee lovers, it’s also good to note that locally-made Glorious Blend coffees and instant beverages have Stevia as its natural sweetener. The blend of natural and healthful ingredients make the drink

Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) says,

not only refreshing and safe, but also good for one’s overall health. The Glorious Blend boasts a full line of healthy drinks, including a 7-in-1 healthy coffee mix. This special blend is made with proven medicinal ingredients like Malunggay, Mangosteen, Calcium, Gotu Kola, and sweetened with Sweet & Fit Stevia. What’s even better is that the Glorious Blend 7in1 Coffee is non-acidic and promotes regular bowel movement. The Glorious line-up also includes the 3-in-1 coffee mix with Stevia; 7-in-1 choco mix; 4-in-1 coffee with Malunggay; 5-in-1 coffee mix with Brown Rice; and the MaxiTrim coffee. All Glorious Blend beverages use Stevia which has no calories, no carbo-

hydrates, and zero glycemic index. All of their instant drinks will keep you alert and energized throughout the day. Also, Glorious Blend products are locally sourced and manufactured. Their company supports local farmers, stevia growers, and other agricultural communities. So if you’ve been cutting back on drinking coffee because of health problems like diabetes or hyper acidity, Glorious Blend coffee mixes are here to help. You can enjoy all the aroma and flavor of freshly made coffee all day —without the guilt! Now, you can drink coffee for better health! Glorious, isn’t it? Glorious Blend coffee and chico mixes are available in Davao and North Cotabato provinces.

“What body pain?”

he effects of COVID-19 are felt to this day most especially eco-

nomically. People lost their jobs, some needed to close shop after years of existence, others are barely surviving. Needless to say, numerous people found themselves working double to make up for income losses. Challenging as it may be, there is a silver lining as the situation proves how resiliency will get one by. This story is evident in the world more so in the Philippines. Not only are Filipinos known

to be a friendly race; Filipinos are also popularly known to be hardworking. For some reason, the more physical the job, the more effort has to be exerted. Often do we hear the term “Push lang ng push!” Push to keep going, push to finish the task, push not to quit. Pushing the body strength reflects a strong and determined attitude translating that Filipinos will go through great lengths in order to provide for themselves and their families. With the pandemic, the roster of heroes has evolved from the National Heroes that we know, to the OFWs, and now the Delivery Riders, Service Crew,

Medical Front liners, who all spend long hours to cater to the needs of many. And do they deserve the recognition! Real life Lodi! But wait! We can also here them say, “Tao lang po! Kapuy!” No doubt that the challenges faced in the past year have already caused some concerns on one’s health and bodies especially for this type of workers. Imagine traversing the roads all day to get packages from one point to another, standing countless hours to check patients here and there, pushing the body never ends. Body aches and pains are inevita-

ble though often ignored. Inasmuch as the motivation to go on is there, these manifestations of long working hours also take a toll on the bodies to a point that ignoring it no longer becomes an option. Fortunately, a product that can be brought to work, what can be called a “work buddy”, is available. Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax), from the same makers of Vice Ganda’s

endorsement Paracetamol + Propyphenazone + Caffeine (Saridon Triple Action), is ready for the hardworking Filipinos. There is no stopping the hustle because Naproxen Sodium (Sarimax) provides upto 12 hours pain relief from body pain and arthritis vs. plain Ibuprofen and Paracetamol. This will allow long hours of non-stop work required to provide for the family.

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SURPASSING... FROMP2 na cases. Pero ang pinaka daghan gyud na kaso katon gi-swab atong June 8, 2021 that accounted about 165 new cases,” he said. Lopez reminded the public to always adhere to the minimum health standards to control Covid-19 cases in Davao City. He said following the health protocols will also prevent the city from extending Davao City’s current risk classification of Modified Enhance Community

Quarantine (MECQ). He is also not certain that the two-week implementation of MECQ can help address the surge in Davao City. “Depende na sa atoang compliance, kung mapaubos nato ang kaso within two weeks baka puwede na mabalik to GCQ or kung musaka or ma-maintain atong kaso of more than 200 a day, then probably maextend ang atong present risk classification,” he said

Calig-onan, all former MISFI Scholars for Liceo de Davao and Former KAGUMA (Katipunan ng mga Gurong Makabayan) members, revealed how child victims are radicalized into being NPA members. Digaynon said KAGUMA is an underground teachers’ organization headed by the CPP-NPA-NDF. “Habang kami ay nagaaral sa Liceo de Davao ng apat na taon, pinipilit po kami na isama kahit saansaan na mga rally (While we were studying in Liceo de Davao for four years, they forced us to be with them everywhere to do rallies),” Calig-onan recalled. He explained that because of their desire to finish college, they had no choice but to follow such orders. Awing Apuga, who was deployed as the Head of Education Committee of the Municipal Revolutionary Committee (MRC) of Talaingod, was tasked to recruit pupils of different Salugpungan schools in Talaingod. “Habang nasa Haran kami, maraming namatay na mga tribo lalo na yung mga kabataan dahil sa pagod, gutom, at sakit. Yung iba, nilibing lang namin doon sa

daan habang kami naglakad papunta sa UCCP Haran (While we were in Haran, many IPs died especially the youth because of fatigue, hunger, and illness. Some of them, we buried in the roads we walked on the way to UCCP Haran),” he revealed. In addition to these revelations, former CPP/ NPA Cadre and current Executive Director of Mindanao IP Council of Elders (MIPCEL), Datu Bawan Jake Lanes, along with Former Secretary General of Lumad Mindanao, Datu Lito Omos Sr. and Former Spokesman of PASAKA under KALUMARAN, Dioleto Diarug, detailed the CPPNPA-NDF’s School Offensive, a systematic, deliberate and organized exploitation of the IP Youth, their parents and entire IP communities. With this, NTF-ELCAC Legal Cluster Spokesperson, Atty. Marlon Bosantog assured that “there has been significant improvement on the ground” as cases on child abuse, violation of the international humanitarian law, human trafficking, and other cases such as the violation of the sanitation code, among others, have been filed against the administration in Haran. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)

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57 SEIZED... FROMP3 Unit of the Army’s Support Command. Lamosao added that these IEDs posed a great threat to civilians if not recovered and destroyed. It can be recalled that a fish vendor Larry Buenafe in Davao City and the recent death of a former football player of Far Eastern University Keith Absalon and his cousin Nolven in Masbate City,Masbate was caused by an exploded IEDs from the NPAs. 10th ID commander Maj. Gen. Ernesto C. Torres Jr. said that despite the huge

number of IEDs detonated in Makilala, the NPA continues to endanger the lives of the innocent civilians in using IEDs. “Can you imagine the impact of these IEDs on a person by just witnessing the detonation? Rocks shattered, shrapnel&#39;s flying 100 feet from the ground that can instantly kill a person. With this safe detonation, we want to show the force of IED to the Filipino people and how barbaric the NPAs using IEDs are to civilians,” Torres said in a statement.

bridge is 1.62km long and will be designed in a cablestayed structure with the twin towers and double cable planes according to the Chinese Embassy. The P23.04 billion bridge, which will span 2.8 kilometers, will be funded through official development assistance. The final bridge landing sites will be in R. Castillo Street, Agdao on the Davao City side and in Barangay Caliclic in Samal. On his end, Lawyer

Ramon Edison Batacan, legal counsel of the Rodriguez Family, disclosed that they are just waiting for things to unfold before they will make their legal move against all concerned personalities. It can be recalled that the Rodriguez Family, who owns Paradise Island and Beach Resort and the Costa Marina Beach Resort in Samal, has requested DPWH for the re-alignment of the bridge in view of its adverse environmental impacts. By Maya M. Padillo

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hospitals now that are allocating their beds for COVID,” Dr. Lopez said. He mentioned that the Davao City LGU allocated P30 million for the needed logistics and equipment of the hospitals in order to handle COVID cases. “The DOH also provided augmentation for the personnel. However, under a surge, the private hospitals are required to allocate 30 percent of their bed capacity for COVID. It turned out that they can hardly reach even 20 percent on their allocation of COVID beds,” Dr. Lopez added. Another priority highlighted in the visit of Secretary Duque is the need to speed up vaccination following the prioritization strategy.

DOH XI regional director Dr. Annabelle Yumang reported that for Priority Group A1 or healthcare workers with a masterlisted number of 88,755, about 72,128 have received the first dose while 48,860 for the second dose. For the A2 Group or the senior citizens which has a masterlisted number of 360,350, those who have received the first dose are 93,571 while 832 got the second dose. The region has also started inoculating the A3 Priority Group with 63,735 masterlisted eligible persons with comorbidities. There were already 27,480 who received the first dose, while 11 got the second dose. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)

remains were immediately transported to a funeral home in Davao City at about 10 a.m. Thursday where it was immediately cremated and transported back to Davao del Sur by the official’s immediate family members. Hiru Gustavo Undalok,

assistant provincial information officer, said the family has yet to determine where to place their patriarch’s urn to allow those who wanted to look at his remains and extend their sympathies to the bereaved family. (PNA)

new COVID variants are contributing to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Davao City. “Grabe ka lagsik (very vigorous),” Lopez describes the current COVID virus as he saw whole household getting infected as compared to last year’s surge when only a few family members got COVID.

He said he can’t say with finality if the surge is attributed to the new strain as it hasn’t been confirmed yet. The presence of a genome sequencing facility in the region can help shorten the time new variants are detected. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

tional Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to secure the required firm ancillary service contracts that will serve as backup whenever there is a thinning of power supply due to forced and unplanned outages of power plants. According to DOE data, the NGCP only contracted 48 percent or 237 megawatts of the required 491 MW regulating reserve as of the last quarter of 2020. The NGCP is also short in securing firm contracts for the required 647 MW contingency reserve, as it only contracted 28 percent of the requirement or equivalent to 180 MW. For dispatchable reserves, the NGCP only secured 145 MW or 22 percent of the required 647 MW. “The ancillary services policy was issued by Secretary Cusi to require the system operator, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, to contract ancillary services among others on firm basis so that

we will have a more reliable grid,” Electric Power Industry Management Bureau director Mario Marasigan said in the Senate hearing. Last week, red alert status was declared in the Luzon grid amid rising power demand due to increasing temperature while power supply was declining caused by unplanned outages of four power plants. The ancillary service capacities should have been the grid’s backup to prevent rotational brownouts in the system whenever there is unforeseen decline in power supply. Meanwhile, Cusi also asked the Senate to look into amending the franchise of the NGCP including taking back the responsibility to prepare the Transmission Development Plan that until now has not been approved. The DOE chief likewise wanted to revert to the government the system control of the grid management of ancillary services. (PNA)

Stringent bank secrecy rules have also limited the effectiveness of the SEC to establish the owners of bank accounts linked to violations of the Securities Code, the agency said. “In certain cases, the Secrecy of Bank Deposits Law has prevented the SEC from validating information on the declared financial position of companies where there are grounds to believe that there

is an effort to conceal misconduct, corporate fraud or noncompliance with certain requirements,” it added. Easing bank secrecy should lower costs of cross-border transactions and ease restrictions in investment and foreign currency inflows by keeping the Philippines off the “grey list” of jurisdictions for high risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, the SEC added.

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for this year under the Indigenous Peoples Games Program. “We have already planned a series of webinars for October this year to coincide with the observance of the Indigenous Peoples Month,” explained Maxey.

The webinar will be held in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The activity, which is sponsored by Pocari Sweat, will be streamed live via PSC’s social media pages.

and defeated Sofia Costoulas of Belgium and Laura Hietaranta of Finland, 6-3, 6-1, in the second round. In May, 2020 Australian Open junior girls’ doubles champion Eala and 2019 US Open girls’ doubles champion Selekhmeteva teamed up and placed as finalists in the W25 Platja D’Aro tournament in Spain. Meanwhile, in the junior girls’ singles, No. 9 seed Selekhmeteva is also in the semifinals where she

will face compatriot Erika Andreeva. No. 2 seed Eala bowed out in the opening round after being overpowered by Matilda Mutavdzic of Great Britain, 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1. “Win some, lose some,” Eala said in a Facebook post, the 2020 Roland Garros junior girls’ semifinalist, Rafa Nadal Academy scholar, and W15 Manacor champion looking on the bright side with her doubles campaign still underway.

ing camp. Eumir Felix Marcial completed his vaccines in Las Vegas earlier this year. Also getting their vaccines while abroad are boxers Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista, James Palicte, Marjon Piañar, Risa Pasuit and Aira Villegas and coaches Donald Abnett, Nolito “Boy” Velasco, Ronald Chavez, Elmer Pamisa and Reynaldo Galido. Yulo and Kugimiya, on the other hand, will be jabbed anytime soon with Tolentino and Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion-Norton securing the guarantee from the Japan Olympic Committee and the Japanese Gymnastics Association. “Although vaccine is not mandatory in the Olympics, we cannot put the well-being and health of our athletes at risk,” Tolentino said. “Once you’re tested positive, you’re automatically out of the com-

petition.” Tolentino said the POC is reaching out to pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena to get his vaccines in Italy, where he is training. Rower Cris Nievarez already got his first dose of the vaccine, along with 729 Southeast Asian Gamesbound athletes and coaches last May 28 in Manila. Taekwondo’s Kurt Bryan Barbosa and newly-qualified skateboarder Tokyo Olympian Margielyn Didal will get their first dose in the second batch of mass vaccination of athletes and coaches within the month. A total of 870 more athletes and coaches from national sports associations which are not on the Hanoi SEA Games program are now in the POC, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Manila vaccination program. (PR)

a large capacity power plant magically appear with the stroke of a pen. The only thing that changes is the charging mechanism,” NGCP said. The DOE said that besides the high heat index

that pushed demand for power, maintenance work and unscheduled outages at key power plants in Luzon and low gas pressure from the Malampaya also contributed to power supply problems last week.

are at par with global standards,” Salvador said. “The significance of this move by Tokyo is that they rely upon and trust our systems of certification. This means that if the Philippines certifies certain establishments and meat products, Japan will automatically accept this certification without question,” she added. To date, there are at least 70 Philippine meat establishments — including slaughterhouses, meat-cutting plants, poultry dressing plants and cold storage facilities — in the country that have “AAA” certification from the DA-NMIS, the list of which has been furnished to the Japan’s MHLW, Salvador said. Japan remains one of the country’s largest trading partners which was further enhanced with the signing of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement in

2006. The country’s major agriculture exports to Japan include Cavendish banana, pineapple, coconut oil, and chicken yakitori. “This is a victory, and we are now reaping the rewards of the DA’s continuing efforts to educate Philippine food manufacturers to adhere to global food safety standards,” Dar said. “This is in line with the Duterte administration’s strategy to increase the country’s exports of farm and fishery products, with emphasis on diversified and expanded value-chain or food systems from farms and fishing grounds, to processing, and finally to dining tables. We will therefore continue to push for more exports of farm and fishery products to propel the agri-industrialization of the Philippine countryside,” he said.

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SPORTS 11

The PSC Board led by Chairman Butch Ramirez has approved the P46.230 million to bolster the country’s medal drive in the coming Tokyo Olympics.

PSC okays Olympic war chest T he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has earmarked P46.230 milOlympics-bound athletes based to bolster the country’s medal abroad to get vax in host countries drive lion in the coming Tokyo Olympics.

he country’s Tokyo Olympics-bound athletes who are training abroad will get their Covid-19 vaccines in their host countries, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said. Tolentino said Malaysia assured that weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and her team will get their second dose of the vaccine, while Japanese sports officials guaranteed the inoculation of gymnast Carlos Yulo and his Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

“I’d like to express my gratitude to all our NOC neighbors for helping our athletes to get vaccinated,” Tolentino, also the PhilCycling president, said in a news release on Thursday. Diaz and conditioning coach Julius Naranjo and Chinese coach Kaiwen Gao have been training in Selangor for more than a year. The boxers—particularly Olymoic qualifiers Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam—will get their shots at their Thailand train-

FATHLETES, P10

The amount was approved Tuesday during the PSC board meeting based on the proposed budget of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said the sports agency is happy to accept and approve the said request reiterating the PSC’s commitment to support the national team’s effort to bring the best contingent possible to the Tokyo Olympics 2020+1 edition. It will cover the inter-

Alex Eala and Oksana Selekhmeteva. Photo from Rafa Nadal Academy Instagram account

national airfare, hotel and accommodation and allowances of athletes and officials as well as the COVID-19 testing prior to departure, hotel quarantine expenses and insurance for COVID-19 treatment, travel and repatriation of the entire Philippine delegation. The POC’s proposal does not include the costs

for other items such as flags, flaglets and pins, luggages, parade uniforms which would be needed should there be an opening and closing parade. The P46.230-million assistance is still subject to adjustment based on the actual participation of Filipino athletes, coaches and officials in Tokyo and to accounting and auditing rules. So far, nine Filipino athletes have officially qualified starring pole vault ace EJ Obiena, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo and

boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Irish Magno and Eumir Marcial, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa and rower Cris Nievarez. 2021 US Open golf champion Yuka Saso and fellow golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan are likewise anticipated to make the cut and join Team Philippines in the July 23-Aug. 8 Summer Games as well as skateboarder Margielyn Didal. All of them are targeting to capture the country’s first-ever gold medal in the Olympics.

the first time at 6-5. Eala and Selekhmeteva forced a tiebreak, which they opened with a mini break. They continued to lead until 6-4, but were unable to convert two set points. At 6-6, a netted return gave Marcinko and Szabanin a set point that Eala and Selekhmeteva saved. The Filipino and Russian earned their third set point at 8-7, and a netted forehand handed them the first set, 7-6(7). Service errors marred the first set as Eala and Selekhmeteva had six double faults versus the two double faults and three aces of Marcinko and Szabanin. In the second set, Eala and Selekhmeteva limited their double faults to two and improved their first serve to 68% from 50% in the opening set. They had an early lead

again at 4-1 before Marcinko and Szabanin won the next three games to equalize at 4-4. Unrelenting, they figured in another tiebreak where Marcinko and Szabanin had a 2-0 lead. It was neck-and-neck until the 11th point where a long return gave Eala and Selekhmeteva a match point at 6-5. A crisp volley from Selekhmeteva closed the match at 7-6(5). Eala, 16, and Selekhmeteva, 18, will face the Italian duo of Eleonora Alvisi and Lisa Pigato in the semifinals. The Filipino and Russian, who are both junior grand slam doubles champions, have not dropped a set so far in their doubles campaign. They ousted Evialina Laskevich of Belarus and Alina Shcherbinina of Russia, 6-4, 6-4, in the first round

Eala, Russian partner through to French Open junior doubles semis

he top seeded pair of Filipino teen tennis star Alex Eala and Oksana Selekhmeteva of Russia advanced to the semifinals after beating the 5th seed duo of Petra Marcinko of Croatia and Natalia Szabanin of Hungary 7-6(7), 7-6(5), Thursday in the French Open juniors at Roland Garros in Paris, France. They fought off the challenge of Marcinko and Szabanin, who were playing aggressively from the baseline as well as the net in the 1 hour and 39 minutes match. Eala and Selekhmeteva kicked off the match with a great start, pulling away with a 5-2 advantage. As the Filipino and Russian were serving for the set, a double fault yielded the 8th game to the Croat and Hungarian, who went on to win the next three games and take the lead for

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12 SPORTS PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey is spearheading the indigenous sports program.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 76 • SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

HERITAGE SPORTS

PSC to launch Indigenous Sports and Games program

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to launch its 2021 Indigenous Sports and Games Webinar Series on June 24. The Association for International Sports for All (TAFISA) Secretary-General Wolfgang Baumann will serve as resource speaker on this web series. The webinar dubbed: “Preserving and Promoting the Rich Cultural Heritage of our Ancestors,” will serve as a strong follow-up on last October’s activity “Preservation of culture and heritage through Indigenous Sports and Games.” The forthcoming webinars aim to highlight the rich and colorful culture and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the country. PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey said that he is expecting some 1000 participants, varying from government officials, IP stakeholders, educators, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs). “We’re going international for our 2021 Webinar Series launching. We are very honored and excited to have Secretary-General Wolfgang Baumann as our speaker,” Maxey said. Maxey added that more virtual activities are scheduled

FHERITAGE, P10