Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 109 | Wednesday, July 21, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

CAN PROCESSED MEATS CAUSE CANCER? HEALTH P9 VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

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NEED FOR SPEED City to speed up cremation of Covid-19 related deaths STORY ON PAGE 2

A young girl watches as female Muslims pray during a pre-pandemic gathering for the celebration of Eid al-Adha or the “Feast of Sacrifice” at Tionko Field along Quimpo Blvd., in Davao City. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Dabawenyos want end of CTG violations thru bicycle event

City to speed up cremation of Covid-19 related deaths By MAYA M. PADILLO

he city government of Davao is collaborating with the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) to speed up the cremation of the remains of individuals whose deaths were Covid-19 related.

“We see nga usahay dugay ma-process ang mga cadavers both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 tungod sa lain-laing issues and concerns so duna tay new arrangement with them para mapaspas ang process

sa cremation sa mga cadavers,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Mayor Sara said from April of last year, there are a total of 944 cadavers cremated in the city and for this week, 12 cadavers are

AT A GLANCE: • 944 CADAVERS CREMATED SINCE APRIL 2020 • 12 CADAVERS AWAITING CREMATION THIS WEEK awaiting cremation. She said unclaimed cadavers are piling up in the morgue of SPMC. She said some of these are Covid-19

Galvez vows more COVID-19 vaccines for CDO, Gingoog amid Delta variant detection

he national government “will give priority” to the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog in the distribution of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine to fend off a possible outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant in the area, Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. vowed Monday. Galvez, chief implementer of the government’s COVID-19 response, said

they will be sending “thousands of doses” of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine with the detection of the Delta variant in the two cities. The two cities were placed under enhanced community quarantine by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on Friday, the most restrictive among quarantine classifications, following the detection of the Delta variant.

The national government would also be sending “thousands more doses” to General Santos City and the island-province of Tawi-Tawi, where there is a largely unchecked cross border connection between Indonesia and Malaysia, to avoid making them the “growth areas” of the Delta variant in the country, Galvez said. Galvez said the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will also be supplied to regions who

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and non-Covid-19 related deaths. “We will make arrangements with the city

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ike enthusiasts, young bike riders, members of the different brigades and battalions of the Philippine Army, and members of the different city and municipal police office in the region joined the nationwide Bike for Peace and Justice last July 17 which took place in the different locations in Davao Region. The biking event was a social mobilization activity to strongly condemn the use of anti-personnel landmines, a violation of the International Humanitarian Law, and the brutal killing by the CPP-NPA of the Absalon Cousins in Masbate earlier this June 2021. The Davao Region, with most of its provinces still under the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), took alternative activities especially in areas where biking is only allowed within their village, and barangay and where mass gathering is still prohibited.

In the municipality of Sulop, Davao del Sur, the personnel of the Municipal Police Station conducted a candle lighting and hanging of tarpaulin in commemoration and support on the justice for Keith Absalon and for all the victims of the human rights abuses of the Communist Terrorist Groups (CTG). The 701st Infantry “Kagitingan” Brigade led by its commander Col. Oliver Maquiling were joined by bike enthusiasts mostly private stakeholders in the said biking event. The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro, on its part, held its Virtual Solo Biking Event which resulted to more than 100 individual bikers who joined the activity, wore blue shirt and displayed a blue flag on their bike, took their best selfie, and won exciting prizes from the organizer. Former rebels in the said

We may need to impose stricter restrictions to avoid mass gathering and prevent super spreader event,” Duterte said in his pre-recorded Talk to the People aired Monday night. Duterte said the Department of Health (DOH) has reported 16 new cases of Delta variant in the country, as of July 16. “We have seen and heard in recent news about

the spike of Covid-19 cases in other countries, including our neighbor Indonesia, due to the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus,” he said. He cited the Covid-19 situation in Indonesia which, according to media reports, has averaged 49,435 new cases, and more than 1,000 deaths a day for the past week.

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PRRD eyes stricter measures vs. ‘more aggressive’ Delta variant

resident Rodrigo Duterte is eyeing stricter health measures in preparation for the possible local transmission of the “more aggressive and fatal” Covid-19 Delta variant in the country. “The reported local cases in the country is a cause for serious alarm and concern. Again it’s redundant but it’s good as any warning that can be given to people.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

NEWS

Police and Marine troops tightly secure the local election office in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao as tension gripped the hearing conducted by the Election Registration Board on 19 July 2021. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH CABRERA

Policemen, Marines swarm Maguindanao townhall as tension grips election hearing

olicemen and Marine troops swarmed Monday the townhall here for security as the election fever heats up even before the filing of candidacy in October. State security forces secured the tension-gripped townhall for the scheduled election registration hearing filed by four residents from Barangay Resa against Bai Ingrid Sinsuat. She earlier attempted to register as a new voter of this town. However, the petitioners claimed she was not staying in the area and had not been seen here for a long time, according to Mayor Marshall Sinsuat, her relative. Bai Ingrid insisted she is a bonafide resident of the said town and that they have an ancestral house in Barangay Resa. The town was named after their grandfather, Datu

Blah Sinsuat. Bai Ingrid was married to the late Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, a son of the late former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr. Datu Hoffer was killed in 2002 following an altercation at a hotel in Cotabato City. A town in Maguindanao named after Datu Hoffer Ampatuan was created in 2009. Bai Ingrid said the Election Registration Board of the Commission on Elections did not resolve the petition against her at the end of the day. Before the hearing started earlier Monday morning, a commotion happened outside the townhall. The camp of Bai Ingrid claimed that two of their supporters were hurt. Mayor Sinsuat said one of the supporters of Bai Ingrid was allegedly caught

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City one-stop-shop for Covid-19 opens By MAYA M. PADILLO

he city government of Davao has opened an online site serving as a one-stop-shop for Covid-19, a platform exclusively for Covid-19-related information including vaccination registra-

The site, covid19.davaocity.gov.ph, will serve as the online portal where Dabawenyos can request Covid-19 swab tests and vaccination certificates. It is also a platform where local issuances and national guidelines set by the Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the

Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will be available. It has an automated answering feature known in cyberspace as ‘chatbot’ that answers the frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding vaccination, travel requirements, and other concerns related to

Laak, Tagum City, and other areas in Northern Davao. “Nakakabahala ang mga pananakot at paninira na kumakalat upang makuha lamang ang prangkisa ng Nordeco. Kapag po napunta sa isang private for-profit company ang prangkisa sa pag-distribute ng kuryente, mas malaki po ang posibilidad na tataas ang electricity rates ng mga consumers nito dahil ang mga for-profit private companies ay maaaring magdagdag ng margin sa kanilang rates upang kumita. At saan po kukunin ang dagdag na kita? Ito po ay manggagaling sa konsumidores sa pamamagitan ng mas mataas na taripa o presyo ng kuryente,” Guya said

in a virtual press conference. Guya said in the case of electric cooperatives (ECs) as non-stock at non- profit entities, have no margin for profit ensuring affordable electricity rates. He added that it is not the goal of the ECs to earn huge income from servicing the member-consumer-owners (MCOs). “Ang tanging layunin lamang nila ay makapaghatid ng mura at maasahang suplay ng kuryente sa bawat kabahayan. Malinaw na ang paninira at tangkang pag-take over ng private for-profit company ay salungat sa interes ng mga electricity consumers,” he said.

Covid-19. The content will regularly be updated to address the needs of Davao constituents. “It has been discussed with the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, and we noticed solution usually sa information problem is to open a hotline. Ang usual problem pud ani people assigned there do not know how to handle kung unsa ang buhaton and they are using numbers which cannot carry multiple calls and they several hundreds of text

messages,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. Mayor Sara is hopeful that the website will address concerns of the people that are not addressed through the Covid-19 hotlines that are sometimes cannot be reached. The Covid-19 Task Force is also in the works of developing a feature for Dabawenyos to secure swab test certificates, aiming for a contactless process so that people will no longer personally go to swab sites.

Presently, a total of 90, 000 legitimate MCOs of Nordeco have expressed support to Nordeco by signing the manifest against the threat of take-over. Guya said the support from the MCOs proves that the company performs its duty to distribute power. He said in more than four decades of transmitting power, the industries have grown, opened up jobs, and built infrastructure. “Kaya naman, mariing kinokondena ng representasyong ito ang tangkang pagyurak sa mga kontribusyon ng Nordeco at naninindigan ako, kasama ang Power Bloc, laban sa panghihimasok ng mga

private-for profit na mga korporasyon sa ating kooperatiba. Hindi namin hahayaan na pagkakitaan ng mga kapitalistang kumpanya at pahirapan sa bayarin ang ating mga member-consumer-owners,” he said. In May this year, PHILRECA has passed a resolution opposing a private firm’s attempt to take over Nordeco. PHILRECA announced in a statement that the Board of Directors recently approved Resolution No. 03-13-21 expressing their “full support to the existence” of Nordeco (formerly Davao del Norte Electric Coop or Daneco) and opposing any threat of private firm takeover.

House ‘Power bloc’ opposes threat of take -over of Nordeco

he so-called ‘Power bloc’ of the House of Representative is opposing a private company’s threat of takeover of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco). The ‘Power bloc’ is composed of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. (PHILRECA) Party-List, Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) Party-List, Ako Padayon Pilipino Party-List, and Rural Electric Consumers and Beneficiaries of Development and Advancement, Inc (Recoboda) Party-list that represent the 121 electric cooperatives (ECs) and the more than 14 million member-consum-

er-owners (MCOs) nationwide in the Congress. Representative Godofredo Guya, who represents Rural Electric Consumers and Beneficiaries of Development and Advancement, Inc (Recoboda) Party-list, said it is sad to think that despite decades of honest and orderly service, Nordeco recently is experiencing the threat of a take-over of a private for-profit company. Nordeco has been providing reliable, quality and affordable electricity for more than 40 years now in the municiplaities of Monkayo, Montebista, Compostela, New Bataan, Maragusan, Nabunturan, Mawab, Maco, Mabini, Pantukan,

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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House of Representative‘power bloc’is expressing its opposition on a take-over bid of a private company of Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco). Edge Davao

2022 budget ceiling pegged at over P5 trillion by PH economic managers

hilippine economic managers are eyeing a budget of P5.024 trillion next year, higher by 11.5 percent than the budget this year. The Development Budget Coordination Committee said it approved the amount as the executive prepares to submit next year’s budget to Congress when it resumes session. Of this amount, around P1.29 trillion, which is equivalent to 5.8 percent of the gross domestic product, is expected to be disbursed for the administration’s infrastructure program next year. “The proposed 2022

national budget will continue to invest in building the country’s resilience amidst the pandemic by prioritizing funding for COVID-19 response measures, such as healthcare development and social services, while also ramping up economic growth through investments in public infrastructure,” the DBCC said. The DBCC, which is composed of the finance, budget and economic development departments and the central bank, also

said it was sticking to the 6 to 7 percent growth target for 2021, despite the surge in COVID-19 cases and the lockdowns imposed in March and April. The DBCC meanwhile said it also approved the revisions to select economic forecasts based on the latest emerging data. Exports of goods this year are seen growing at 10 percent, up from an earlier forecast of 8 percent “following an expected recovery in external demand,” the DBCC said. The outlook for the growth of services exports in 2022 was raised to 7 percent from an ear-

lier forecast of 6 percent “in line with the projected improvements in travel and BPO receipts due to the gradual reopening of the economy.” The DBCC also said it will review the GDP growth projections after the release of the second quarter GDP figures in August. Last May, the DBCC lowered its growth forecast for the economy to 6 to 7 percent, from an earlier projection of 6.5 to 7.5 percent, saying the arrival of new COVID-19 variants and the reimposition of stricter quarantine measures would hamper growth.

program for 2021 up to 2024 in preparation for President Rodrigo Duterte’s submission of next year’s budget to Congress. The DBCC said it “reaffirmed the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 6 to 7 percent in 2021, 7 to 9 percent in 2022, and 6 to 7 percent in 2023 and 2024”

as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country had declined from peaks hit in April, and as the economy gradually reopened. “To support this outlook, the DBCC emphasized its support to manage risks and continue the gradual and safe reopening of the economy, subject to the strictest compliance to

minimum public health standards,” the DBCC said. The DBCC, which is composed of the finance, budget and economic development departments and the central bank, with these actions, it is “optimistic that the country’s GDP may return to its pre-pandemic levels as early as 2022.”

PH economic managers sticking to 6-7% growth target for 2021

hilippine economic managers are sticking to the 6 to 7 percent growth target for 2021 despite the new lockdowns imposed this year. The cabinet-level Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC) on Monday said it had revisited the growth targets and spending

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Imported vehicle sales up 55% in first half of 2021

ales of imported vehicles in the country improved by 55 percent to 30,153 units in the first half of the year from 19,509 units in the same period in 2020, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported Monday. In a statement, AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said the industry has been recovering from the impact of strict lockdowns due to the pandemic and forecast better prospects ahead. “It has been an uphill struggle for the automotive industry, more so among importers, but the recent numbers are encouraging. As our nation progresses towards achieving herd immunity, the automotive industry has proven resilient and poised to emerge stronger than ever,” Perez-Agudo said. AVID reported that all vehicle segments grew double digits in the January to June 2021

period. Sales of passenger cars went up by 26 percent to 7,707 units this year from 6,128 units a year ago. Light commercial vehicle sales increased by 64 percent to 21,684 units from 13,244 units. Commercial vehicle sales surged by 456 percent to 762 units from 137 unit sales in 2020. Sales for June 2020 alone rose 33 percent to 4,936 units in the first semester of the year from 3,698 units sold last year. Passenger car sales increased by 13 percent to 1,350 units, light commercial vehicle sales grew by 44 percent to 3,556 units, while commercial vehicle sales declined by 17 percent last month, it said. “With better prospects ahead, we will continue to give our best to ensure the complete recovery of the industry. This much, we owe the Filipino people,” Perez-Agudo added. (PNA)

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ECONOMY 5

Vendors repack coconut shell charcoal at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Tuesday. The demand for charcoal is growing due to the increasing prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Edge Davao

Fisherfolks in DavOc to benefit from the P1M DOLE assistance

IPOPHL, PCAARRD promote patent search in agri R&D

he Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) is undertaking a new collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to further the country’s research and technology advancements in the agriculture and natural resources sector by encouraging the use of patent information. Through the collaboration ongoing this month, IPOPHL’s Intellectual Property Business Services and Development Division (IPBSDD) is providing a series of training on patent search and patent mining to support 17 state universities and colleges (SUCs) and research and development institutions (RDIs) in conducting studies on 17 farm and fishery commodities identified in the priority R&D programs of the DOST’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The following SUCs and RDIs and their chosen commodities for research, which were selected based on their abundance in their respective regions and on

their specializations: Cavite State University (CvSU) -- coffee; Bohol Island State University (BISU) -- rice; Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) -- mango; Central Mindanao University (CMU) -- swine; Caraga State University (CSU) -- cacao; DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) -bamboo; Ifugao State University (IfSU) -- banana; Isabela State University (ISU) -- goat; Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) -- aqua feeds; Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) -- citrus; Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) -- dairy cattle; Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) -- milkfish; Samar State University (SSU) -crabs (mangrove and blue swimming crabs) University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) -- shrimp’ University of Southern Mindanao (USM) -- rubber; Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) -- native chicken; Western Philippines University (WPU) -- seaweeds/ sea cucumber . “The use of patent information to gain insight

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he Department of Labor and Employment XI, through its Davao Occidental Field Office (DOcFO), awarded P1M to its livelihood project beneficiaries in the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos (JAS), Davao Occidental on July 14, 2021. Caburan Small Seaside Fisherfolks Association, an organization registered with DOLE XI, will be setting up a mini ice plant near the municipality’s “bagsakan center” to

cater the needs of local fishermen and fish traders. The association is looking forward to be the first ice block producer in the said municipality. Municipal Mayor Atty.

Jason John A. Joyce said, “The municipality is extremely grateful to DOLE XI for its unending support in the livelihood of the community. We are working on giving the people of JAS a stable income and our partnership with the department have been substantial in reaching our goals.” Engr. Arce D. Sinajon, Acting Provincial Head DOLE XI-DOcFO, said that the department is ecstatic to respond to the needs of these valued fishermen in the municipality. “As maintaining the

quality of their produce is a crucial element of their business, the supply of ice in the community must be sustainable,” he added. Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy, OIC-Regional Director of DOLE XI, expressed his support for the project and stressed the protection of the income of its members. “We are with high hopes that you will nurture this mini-ice plant and ensure its continued operation. This project is a manifestation of our resilient partnership with the LGU.” (PRDOLE X)

2018 through the various investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and through fiscal incentives granted to cooperatives, according to a report to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. The Department of Finance (DOF) expects future fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to be rationalized to ensure that these are performance-based, targeted, time-bound, and transparent, following the enactment of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives

for Enterprises (CREATE) law last March. According to the report of the DOF-Domestic Finance Group (DFG), of the PHP481.7 billion worth of incentives granted to a select group of corporations in 2019, PHP149.28 billion or almost a third of the total were in the form of income tax incentives. These include the income tax holiday (ITH) accounting for PHP68.4 billion (14.2 percent); the special income tax rate for

IPA-registered enterprises accounting for PHP66.41 billion (13.8 percent); and the income tax incentives for cooperatives accounting for PHP14.47 billion (3 percent), said Assistant Secretary Ma. Teresa Habitan of the DFG at a recent DOF executive committee (Execom) meeting. The incentives for the value-added tax (VAT) accounted for PHP283.45 billion (58.8 percent) of the

Tax perks of favored firms cost gov’t P482-B foregone revenues

iscal incentives enjoyed by favored enterprises have cost the government PHP481.7 billion in foregone revenues in 2019 alone, or a year before the landmark congressional approval of the law that finally introduced bold reforms in the corporate income tax (CIT) system. This substantial amount already represents a decrease from the PHP518.7 billion in tax perks given away by the government in

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DAVAO 6 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

On the move of the city government to decongrest the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) morgue from Covid-19 and non Covid-19 cadavers:

We see nga usahay dugay maprocess ang mga cadavers both Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 tungod sa lain-laing issues and concerns so duna tay new arrangement with them para mapaspas ang process sa cremation sa mga cadavers.”

Sara Duterte-Carpio Mayor, Davao City

EDITORIAL Olympic dream and Covid-19 The 2020 Olympics will finally push through beginning next week in Tokyo and it’s now referred to as Tokyo 2020 plus 1 after its postponement from the original schedule last year due to the onset of the Cpvid-19 pandemic. The Olympics is regularly held every four years or quadrennially and that four-year cycle cannot be broken, hence for record purposes, the cycle continues with years ending in even numbers.

For the Philippines, it is going to be a significant one as it has sent a solid bunch of 19 Olympic athletes out to grind for the country’s first ever gold medal in the event dubbed as “the greatest show on Earth.”

It is also equally significant for Dabawenyos as it has one of its very own--female boxer Nesthy Petecio--as one of the favorites to snatch gold in her weight division. At the helm of this Olympic campaign in Dabawenyo sports czar Butch Ramirez who will be on his third Olympics as Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). In 2016, Butch delivered with a silver medal via

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Of course, President Duterte will also complete his second Olympics as chief executive of this country. President Duterte, a staunch supporter of sports, will be the country’s numero uno cheerleader. A whopping P30 million bonanza awaits the first ever gold medalist produced by the Philippines. However, what makes this mission extra difficult is the fact that it is held when host Japan is battling Covid-19. Whilst athletes will be competing and staying in the Olympic Village under strict protocols, still the risk they are putting in themselves are already a massive sacrifice for the flag.

Although our ultimate wish is for them is to bring home the bacon, we will be praying that they stay safe and Covid-free first and foremost. 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

Mindanaoan bet Hidilyn Diaz of Zoamboanga City who won second place in weightlifting. Diaz will also be back to hunt for the gold this time.

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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VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

TIGATTO’S LUANGBAY CAVE The name Luangbay Cave may not elicit interest; it is not even recognizable. In the official government list of caves classified in Davao region, this underground cavity, which is found in Tigatto village, is not even included. Dr. Harry Hoogstraal, an American entomologist and parasitologists known as ‘the greatest authority on ticks and tickborne diseases who ever lived,’ personally visited and inspected the cave on October 22, 1946 as part of the Philippine Zoological Expedition conducted in 1946-47. To reach the cavern, Dr. Hoogstraal and his group had to negotiate a tight, slippery trail that passed through a second-growth forest before opening into a narrow gully. At the head of the ravine was the cave’s mouth, ‘under the overhanging knob of the hill above.’ He wrote: “The main hall of the cave runs straight into the hill for about two hundred yards and

then turns downward and branches into a network of smaller tunnels, some of which are blind alleys and mere depressions in the wall. One the side tunnels circles into the hill and comes out at a difference entrance; another branch returns to the main passage. Almost everywhere the sides and lower walls are covered with bat guano.” Dr. Hoogstraal’s team found ‘thousands of bats squeaked in every available cranny’ of Luangbay Cave, mostly large dog-faced fruit bats (Cynopterus horsfieldii) and lesser dogfaced fruit bats (Cynopterus brachyotis). They also found two species of horseshoe bats, camel crickets, scorpions, millipedes, centipedes, an ant colony, and cockroaches. According to Velencio Pilar, the tour guide in Tigatto, bat population in the cave had dramatically declined in recent years due to human consumption. Due to lack of appreciation

of the role they play in controlling insect populations and in seeding forests, bats have made man as their chief nemesis. In the 1960s, at dusk, the sight of thousands of bats shielding the fading sunset was an awe-inspiring scene, often rousing emotions and motivating artists. With the menace of coronavirus unnecessarily attributed to the bats, the prospect of seeing their numbers growing again because of health scare may just become a possibility soon. In protecting natural ecosystems, Luangbay Cave (if it has survived rapacious human intrusions) should be placed on the conservation list by local authorities and tourism officials. Davao, interestingly, has already secured its place in the global bat map. The Monfort bat sanctuary on Samal Island, host to a colony of 2.3 million fruit-eating Geoffrey’s Rousette bats, has become a symbol

of protection and conservation. Deemed as the world’s largest congregation of flying foxes, the bat cave was honored since 2010 as the Guinness World Record holder for the largest single sanctuary of fruit bats anywhere on the planet. Bat Conservation International, in an online article (Volume 24 Issue 4), described the condition of the Samal bat cave and the struggle of keeping its population unexploited: “Most of the cave’s limestone walls are densely studded with fruit bats, an average of 60 of them per square foot (645/square meter). Tens of thousands roost in remarkably exposed locations, giving visitors an up-close look from outside the cave. An estimated 1.8 million bats, the largest known population of Geoffroy’s rousette fruit bats in the world, are overloading Monfort Bat Cave on the Philippines’ Samal Island. Yet bat populations have plummeted by more than 99

percent at other nearby caves. Such is the power of uncompromising protection.” Beyond tourism, bat population in the sanctuary has become a problem that necessities the construction of a chiropterium (from chiropter, hand wing bats and torium, a corruption of auditorium), an artificial bat cave to house spillover flying foxes. As early as 2011, plan was afoot to build the unique facility after an American cave-mapping mission found out an abnormally high number of expectant bats in the colony. o Scientists explained that fruit bats do not give birth early in the year and were unsure of the reason for the phenomenon. One factor that was investigated as a possible cause is the protection afforded to the cave and the security against human incursion. Minus the stress of man’s interference, bat habits could have returned to normalcy.

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

SEAFARER’S HAZARDOUS LIFE ON BOARD CAR CARRIERS While consumers enjoy driving their cars, transporting automobiles as cargoes on board vessels can have a toll to a seafarer’s health. Most seafarers live and work under extremely hazardous conditions that can cause serious short-term and longterm damage to their health. In some cases, they are unknowingly exposed to conditions that can even be fatal. The seafarer’s constant exposure to hazards such as chemicals (like benzene) and the varying temperature, coupled by stressful tasks in his employment may cause a plethora of illnesses. Benzene, a known carcinogen, is a colorless, sweet-smelling chemical that is commonly used in the manufacturing of petroleum products such as gasoline, solvents, and crude oil. It is also mainly used as a starting component in making other chemicals and materials including dyes, detergents, drugs, plastics, lubricants, nylon, rubbers, pesticides, resins, and synthetic fibers.

Vessels that can have higher benzene exposure include petroleum oil or chemical tank ships; petroleum or chemical carriers; liquid cargo, flat/deck and open hopper barges; and liquid bulk tankers. Benzene can cause a host of medical issues, including damage to reproductive organs and immune system, internal bleeding, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myelogenous and cancer. In the case of Melchor Deocariza vs. Fleet Mgt Services Phils, Inc. ( G.R. No. 229955, July 23, 2018), the Supreme Court awarded total permanent disability benefits to a seafarer (Chief Officer) afflicted with Aplastic Anemia brought about by chronic exposure to benzene. To be considered as work-related, Aplastic Anemia should be contracted under the condition that there should be exposure to x-rays, ionizing particles of radium or other radioactive substances or other forms of radiant energy. The company-designated physician pointed out that

“exposure to benzene and its compound derivatives may predispose to development of such condition,” and that work-relatedness will depend on exposure to a certain factors. The employers denied liability by arguing that the cause of the Deocariza’s illness was not work-related. They claimed that while the cars loaded in the vessel contained gasoline (which is said to have benzene elements), the cars’ engines were nonetheless always “OFF” during the voyage and turned “ON” only during the loading and unloading of the vehicles in the vessel. They added that seafarer could not have accumulated benzene elements in his body given that the vessel was equipped with many big exhaust fans that drive away the toxic fumes. The Supreme Court disregarded the employers’ argument by noting that the use of safety gears in the performance of the seafarer’s duties did not foreclose the possibility of his exposure to such harm-

ful chemical, given that he was in fact diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia brought about by chronic exposure to benzene. As a general rule, the seafarers most affected by benzene are those who perform vessel maintenance and tank cleaning. But the Court noted that the claimant actively supervised as Chief Officer the loading and unloading operations of cars/ motor vehicles in every voyage that constantly exposed him to an atmosphere of cargoes with nearly 6,000 cars in just one voyage alone. Benzene, an important component of gasoline, is emitted from the engines of these cars in the course of their loading and unloading. The Chief Officer was constantly exposed to the hazards of benzene in the course of his employment. Studies show that since benzene is highly volatile and tends to evaporate quickly, exposure occurs mostly through inhalation without detection. The seafarer’s illness is work-related as the reasonable

link between the nature of his work as Chief Officer and the illness contracted during his employment was sufficiently established by substantial evidence with no showing that he was notoriously negligent in the exercise of his functions. The Supreme Court has consistently ruled that it is not necessary that the nature of the employment be the sole and only reason for the illness suffered by the seafarer for illness to be compensable. It is sufficient that there is a reasonable linkage between the seafarer’s disease suffered and his work to lead a rational mind to conclude that his work may have contributed to the establishment or, at the very least, aggravation of any pre-existing condition he might have had. ( Magsaysay Maritime Services v. Laurel, G.R. NO. 195518, March 20, 2013) (Atty. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

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entertaining, so I’m very excited lalong lalo na sa mga makakasama ko,” he added. Jean also said she is looking forward to her new project. “Excited ako kasi marami akong makakatrabaho na ngayon ko lang makakasama. And medyo kakaiba nga dahil medyo adventure, action. Sana maiba ko yung atake [sa karakter ko]. Papatulong ako kanila Direk Rommel (Penesa) at Direk Rado (Peru), at syempre sa mga writer.” Netizens expressed their excitement for the upcoming GMA primetime series when it dropped its official teaser on 24 Oras late last May, with some praising the graphics and animation used and even compared it

to Disney-produced shows. The idea of making a crocodile-themed drama series came from award-winning journalist and host Jessica Soho, and Kapuso mo, Jessica Soho Program Manager, LJ Castel. “I thought it would be interesting to weave reality with fiction and come up with a riveting adventure drama on primetime TV. I’m also hoping that the story would help educate our viewers about these fascinating but feared creatures with whom we share our many rivers, lakes, and seas,” Soho said through the production team. She added that the inspiration came “from all the crocodile stories we follow on KMJS, even in far-away islands like Balabac in Palawan. Humans versus crocodiles!” Dakila, who will be Lolong’s (Ruru) friend in the story, is made of fiberglass body and silicone skin. Referred to as the “highest paid actor” of the series, Dakila needs to be manned by 14 people. Using pneumatic technology and an air compressor operated by a technician, Dakila’s tail can wag and his snout can open. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) will also be used to make the creature more realistic. Lolong is produced by GMA Public Affairs—the same team behind some of the country’s top-rating primetime series, “Inday Will Always Love You,” “One of the Baes,” “Owe My Love,” as well as the well-loved series that showcased stunning cinematography and superb visual narratives “The Lost Recipe,” “Ilustrado,” “Alamat,” and “Sirkus,” among others. Directing Lolong are Rommel Penesa and Rado Peru. Don’t miss the Philippines’ biggest primetime adventure series of the year, soon on GMA Telebabad. Kapuso abroad can catch it via GMA Pinoy TV.

pop vocal group of De La Salle University, the De La Salle Innersoul. He later became a solo artist, reviving Jay-R’s “Bakit Pa Ba” and interpreting a Himig 11th Edition entry entitled “Tabi-Tabi Po.” He also lent his voice for “Aahon,” the official soundtrack of the “Story of Yanxi Palace” in the Philippines. “Bakit Pa Ba,” “Tabi-Tabi

Po,” and “Aaron” are of part of “Prelude,” which also includes songs “Isla,” “Ano Nga Ba Tayo,” and “Araw.” Check out JMKO’s “Prelude” EP, out now on various digital streaming services. For more details, like Star Music on Facebook (www.facebook. com/starmusicph) and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@ StarMusicPH).

KAPUSO Action-Drama Prince Ruru Madrid will be joined by some of the biggest names in the local entertainment industry in GMA Network’s upcoming primetime series Lolong where he takes the titular role.

It was earlier announced that Shaira Diaz and Arra San Agustin will be Ruru’s leading ladies in what is dubbed as the Philippines’ biggest primetime adventure series of 2021. The rest of the artists who will be part of the GMA Public Affairsproduced show were revealed last July 16. Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Bembol Roco, Malou de Guzman, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Ian de Leon are part of the powerhouse cast of this exciting series about a man’s extraordinary friendship with a giant crocodile. Joining them are Mikoy Morales, Paul Salas, DJ Durano, Marco Alcaraz, and Maui Taylor. Set to portray special roles as well are Leandro Baldemor and Priscilla Almeda. Ruru admits he is overwhelmed with the star-studded lineup that makes up his biggest project to date. “Sobrang nakakataba po ng puso. It’s an honor

na makatrabaho silang lahat. I just can’t wait na magawa itong proyektong ito at maipanood sa atin pong mga Kapuso,” said Ruru. The homegrown Kapuso actor said he is grateful for the trust GMA Network gave him through Lolong. “I feel so blessed na pinagkatiwala sa akin ang proyektong ito. Ang maipapangako ko lamang po sa inyong lahat ay talagang ibubuhos ko po ang lahat dito para po mapaganda nating lahat,” said Ruru. Meanwhile, Shaira shared that Lolong has a lot to offer. “Ang ganda ng kuwento ng Lolong—bukod sa action siya, love story, mayroon kang aral na

mapupulot tulad ng heroism,” she said. “Isa rin ‘yung pag-raise ng awareness sa ecosystem natin, paano natin dapat pahalagahan yung mga hayop sa paligid natin,” she added. Like Ruru, Arra also cannot believe they will be working with some of the country’s veteran actors. “Sobrang honored po na makatrabaho ko ang bawat isa sa kanila, ang sarap po sa pakiramdam na marami pa po kaming matututunan sa kanila,” she said. “It’s an exciting material,” said Christopher of the upcoming Kapuso primetime series. “When I watch any series on TV, gusto ko entertaining. This one, may puso at the same time

JMKO’S ‘PRELUDE’ EP A PEEK INTO HIS MUSICAL JOURNEY SINGER-PRODUCER and TikTok sensation JMKO has dropped his debut EP entitled “Prelude,” his personal soundscape resonant with his music journey featuring seven allFilipino tracks released under Star Music. “Prelude” comes with a fresh new track called “Bitaw Na,” a song composed by Kikx Salazar which serves as the EP’s carrier single. “More than blessed for this opportunity to finally share a song that’s definitely the most sentimental and closest to my heart,” JMKO said. He described “Bitaw Na” as

reflective of one’s battle with uncertainty and indecisiveness. “We often have our own selfconversations especially in times when we are in doubt of our decisions. Oftentimes, the battle happens within us, when the heart and mind don’t agree with each other,” JMKO explained. Over a thousand of JMKO’s TikTok followers immediately reacted to the heartbreaking message of the song. Said @NotYoKevv, “Finally something. We’ve always been told to hold on but never taught that sometimes letting go is an act of courage and apparently, a greater love.”

“Bitaw na. Salitang napakasakit sabihin pero kailangan gawin lalo na kung di mo na kaya,” posted @mhaine1627. Another commenter described the song as tear-jerking even for someone who is not heartbroken. @feresylc25 said, “Download ko agad, ansaket kahit di ako broken.” In the past year, JMKO has quickly gained global attention through TikTok, with 2.2 million followers as of writing who enjoy his singing videos and popcorn duets. The multiinstrumentalist and vocal arranger started his music career as a performer for the premier

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hose who love to eat meat, will you please raise your right hands! These days, more and more Filipinos are eating meat (beef, pork, chicken and fish). But it is not only in the Philippines that meats are getting popular but in other developing countries, too. “Meat consumption in developing countries has been continuously increasing from a modest average annual per capita consumption of 10 kilograms in the 1960s to 26 kilograms in 2000 and will reach 37 kilograms around the year 2030,” according to the projects of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). There are several reasons why meat consumption is increasing in developing countries. “The rising demand for meat in developing countries is mainly a consequence of the fast progression of urbanization and the tendency among city dwellers to spend more food than the lower income

earning rural population,” FAO claims. Man’s propensity for meat consumption has biological roots. In ancient times, meat was clearly preferred, consequently time and physical efforts were invested to obtain it, basically through hunting. “Quantitatively and qualitatively, meat and other animal foods are better sources of protein than plant foods (except soybean products),” FAO explains. “In meat, the essential amino acids – the organic acids that are integral components of proteins and which cannot be synthesized in the human organism – are made available in well balanced proportions and concentrations.” It is common

knowledge that plant food has no vitamin B12. As such animal food is indispensable for children to establish B12 deposits. Animal food, in particular meat, is rich in iron which is of utmost importance to prevent anemia, especially in children and pregnant women. The demand for meat has paved the way to processing meat. “It fully utilizes meat resources, including nearly all edible livestock parts of human food consumption,” FAO

says. Meat processing is defined as “any mechanical, chemical or enzymatic treatment of meat which alters the form from which it originally occurs.” It has six functions, namely: preservation and/ or self-life extension, tenderization, meat cookery, manipulation and control of composition, portion control, and improvement of consumer convenience. On the other hand, the World Health Organization

(WHO) defines processed meat as “meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation.” Most processed meat contains pork or beef, but also can include red meats, poultry and organs or blood. Red meat is defined as unprocessed mammalian muscle meat – aside from pork and beef – such as veal, lamb, mutton, chevon, including mince or frozen meat. Some of the most common processed meats are bacon, ham, hotdogs, sausages, salami, corned beef, beef jerky, canned meat and meat-based sauces. And here’s bad news! The United Nations health agency reports that processed meat does cause cancer – and even those red meats contain carcinogenic agents, too! The WHO classifies agents into one of

five groups: Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans), Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans), Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), Group 3 (not classifiable) and Group 4 (probably not carcinogenic). “ S u s p e c t e d carcinogenic chemicals can form during meat processing,” reports the BBC news. “These include N-nitroso compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.” Cooking the meat at high temperatures, especially on a barbecue, can also produce these dangerous chemicals. Each 50 grams of processed meat each day – that’s fewer than two slices of bacon – increased the risk of cancer by 18%. But WHO admits that the cancer risk is “not yet fully understood.” On the other hand, each 100 grams of red meat – which is classified under Group 2A – per day

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crematorium to ensure nga dili magtapok ang cadaver sa SPMC morgue,” the mayor said. In the new arrangement, the city government will assist the SPMC should the latter struggles to accommodate the number of cadavers in the hospital. The cremation of the cadavers depends on the recommendation of the doctors, such as if the patient died of COVID-19 or is suspected of having died of the disease. “The city crematorium is assisting Covid-19 cadavers

confirmed and suspects. Suspects pag-iingon sa doctor na angay icremate ang isa ka cadaver. Number of cremated since April of last year is 944 cadavers. For this week we have a schedule of 12 cadavers,” the mayor said. Meanwhile, the city’s crematorium at the Wireless Cemetery was established and began operating in February this year and designed to cater to Covid-19 related deaths and address the rising number of referrals for the cremation of patients who died of the disease.

province also participated by sharing their statements on how they were deceived by the CTGs and affected their lives especially their families. Despite quarantine restrictions, the Bike for Peace and Justice participants pushed for the holding of the campaign activity and expressed their strong condemnation against the violence and hostilities brought about by the human rights violations done by the CTGs against Filipinos.

The nationwide bike event was organized by the National Task Force Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) With the strong political will and firm commitment of the President to fully address the long standing communist insurgency in the country. The NTF-ELCAC is comprised of 12 Lines of Efforts and 17 Joint Regional Task Forces including the RTFELCAC in Davao Region. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)

reported local cases of the Delta variant. He and other officials of the National Inter-Agency Task Force met with Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and Gingoog Mayor Erick Cañosa to assess local efforts in combatting the highly infectious Delta variant. “We will supply you with Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine as many as you want as long you double your vaccination drive,” Galvez said. He said Cagayan de Oro City should increase its vaccination drive to 5,000 a day and 2,000 a day for Gingoog City. As of July 16, 2021, a total of 97,853 Cagayan de Oro residents have been inoculated. Of that, 66,231

residents got their first dose while 31,622 already have two doses. Galvez said that if Cagayan de Oro can reach the goal of 5,000 people vaccinated every day, seventy percent of the city’s 700,000 population would be vaccinated by December this year. The Philippines received a donation of 1.6 million doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from the United States last July 17. The US government said that it would be donating a total of 3.2 million doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which its manufacturer said showed promise of “durable protection” against the Delta variant. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

“Marami na silang nastock na bakuna (They have many vaccines in the stockpile). They were one of the few countries that declared that they were almost Covidfree. Ang problema doon sa (The problem in) Indonesia and other countries, may pumasok na variant called Delta (the Delta variant entered). Actually, it’s just a mutation of the Covid-19, but it is more vicious it’s more aggressive and fatal,” he said as he warned the public against the entry of the Delta variant into the country. “That should give us – put us in grave concern because sabi nga na (they say) it is aggressive, vicious, and more virulent and can cause death faster than the Covid-19,” he said. Based on the DOH report, the Delta variant is “60 percent more transmissible than the usual Alpha variant (B 117 UK lineage).” Once more dreaded new variants will be detected in the Philippines, Duterte

said “we will have to go with stricter measures.” “I hope that our existing infrastructure in dealing with the problem of Covid-19 can cope up depende kung(depending on whether) the Covid-19 vaccines can be as effective in dealing with the virus Delta,” he said. Duterte urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to implement the existing health protocols with greater urgency and necessity. “Is only by imposing stricter restrictions that we can fight the Delta variant,” he said. “Remember the reason why the security forces of the government are very strict, is not that they want to be strict and they want to make it hard for the people to move, rather they are strict because they want to protect the country from a very contagious disease and may cause more deaths more than the lives that we lost in the past.”

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carrying a gun and was brought to the local police station for investigation. Bai Ingrid said that her supporter has a license to carry the gun. Bai Ingrid and Mayor Sinsuat are relatives from the Sinsuat clan of Maguindanao.

She kept mum when asked if she is planning to run for the town’s mayoralty post. The filing of candidacy for the 2022 national and local elections is scheduled on October 1 to 8. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)

Lawyer Janeene Colingan, executive director and general manager of PHILRECA, said in the virtual presser that apart from Nordeco there are also other ECs who are facing the threat of a take-over from private companies. “It is unfortunate that this experience is being experienced first hand ng Nordeco. Pero hindi po kayo (Nordeco) nag-iisa dahil marami pong ECs ang nakakaranas yan and I believe in

the next coming years and in the coming days, marami pang ECs ang makakaranas kung ano man ang nararanasan ng Nordeco ngayon. Marami pang kooperatiba na ngayon ay target na rin ng mga dambuhalang korporasyon upang i-take over. Hindi ko na isa-isahin pa ang komplikasyon kung ano ang maaring mangyari kung ang Nordeco o ang ibang ECs ay makuha ng mga malalaking private companies,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

“The DBCC will review the GDP growth projections after the release of the Q2 GDP in August,” the body said. Last May, the DBCC lowered its growth forecast for the economy to 6 to 7 percent, from an earlier projection of 6.5 to 7.5 percent, saying the arrival of new COVID-19 variants and

the reimposition of stricter quarantine measures would hamper growth. The Philippine economy suffered the worst contraction among major economies in Southeast Asia last year as the government imposed what has been dubbed as the longest and strictest lockdown in the world.

on the advancement of technologies concerning particular fields of interest has been part of IPOPHL’s mission of making IP useful for the masses in concrete and tangible aspects made possible through technology and knowledge transfer. This patent mining project is one example of making IP work in the real world,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba said. The IPBSDD’s collaboration with the PCAARRD is ongoing and is the second of its kind that promotes the use of patent information in R&D planning. The first joint project, which ran from 2017 to 2019, yielded 12 PLRs on abaca, bamboo, banana, crab, goat, livestock feed resources, mango, milkfish, natural rubber, rice, shrimp, and swine. The objective of the previous collaboration was to provide a comprehensive analysis of available world-

wide patent data, such as patent grants, published pending applications and utility models and other information on technologies related to commodities, which the PCAARRD and its stakeholders have identified as strategic in making the Philippine agriculture sector more competitive. “The IPOPHL’s collaboration with PCAARRD is in the hopes of bringing awareness on patent information as an important resource for developing research projects or funding strategies in various technological clusters even in agriculture. Understanding the patent landscape also helps in identifying collaborators and partners, exploring jumping-off points for R&D activities, supporting a data-informed approach in decision-making and reducing the likelihood of wasting efforts and resources on crowded technological space,” Barba added.

incentives; exemptions from customs duties, PHP47.59 billion (9.88 percent) and the percentage tax incentive availed by cooperatives, PHP1.38 billion (0.29 percent), she added. The DOF study covered 11,431 enterprises that filed their tax returns, of which 5,749 were IPA-registered firms and 5,682 were cooperatives. Of those that availed of income tax incentives, 3,083 were IPA-registered companies and 4,371 were cooperatives, she added. These amount to a total of 7,454 or 57.5 percent of the 11,431 enterprises that were granted income tax

perks, Habitan said. The various IPAs include the Board of Investments (BOI), Regional Board of Investments - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-ARMM), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZCSEZA), Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO),

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as there is “insufficient evidence.” However, the World Cancer Research Fund suggests eating “as little as possible” processed meat and as much as 500 grams of cooked red meat). That’s not per day but per week! Perhaps, you can start eating plant foods, too, that are rich in protein. Frankie Philippines, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, was quoted as saying by BBC: “The general message is it’s OK to eat red meat but perhaps to look at ways of increasing the amount of plant-based foods – in particular, pulses.”

the golf venue. “Yuka arrived on Monday and she is staying at the Okura Hotel with his father-coach Masakazu, as well as his coaching team,” Araneta said. The Kasumigaseki Country Club, which is hosting both the men and women competitions, is a good 70 kms—an over an hour drive from the Olympic Village— prompting Saso’s team to relocate to a hotel. Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan will also stay at separate hotels near the venue. There are 60 golfers from at least 36 nations competing in Olympic golf. The men’s contest is set

from July 29 to August 2 and the women will follow suit from August 4 to 7. Mariano also bared that boxer Irish Magno hurt her right ankle while jumping rope on Monday, but thanks to coach Nolito “Boy” Velasco, the injury was immediately contained. “Nilagyan ko kaagad ng yelo at ‘nung tinignan ni Doc Randy [Molo, team doctor], ok na siya,” Velasco said. Mariano said pole vaulter EJ Obiena is due at the village at noon on Friday, while runner Kristina Knott is staying in a hotel in Nagasaki where the athletics training venue is located.

the former Chief of the Local Government Capability Development Division (LGCDD) of the DILG Regional

Office XI in Matina, Davao City. From 2009 to 2014, she served as the City Director of the DILG office in Digos, City.

for each other. I think that’s why we’re in the position that we’re in right now. “Representing your country is a whole different dynamic than competing against each other in the NBA Finals, but I can always respect somebody that competes at the highest level.” As they battle for an NBA crown before joining the quest for gold, the Tokyo-bound trio have watched US exhibition games in Las Vegas -- two of them upset losses to Nigeria and Australia. They’ve also watched Washington guard Bradley Beal be lost to Covid-19 with another guard, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, forced to stay home from the team’s flight to Japan after being placed into Covid-19 protocols. “I heard about all that,” Holiday said. “Fortunately for me, I’m in probably one of the biggest games of my career, this coming-up game.”

Both Bucks said it wasn’t a tough decision to play for the US team, even with a tight turnaround from the NBA Finals, which could go to a seventh game on Thursday, to Sunday’s start of Olympic competition. “It wasn’t that difficult,” said Middleton. “Just being an Olympian, representing our country and having a chance to play for a gold medal with a great team, that was it. There was no such thing as too much basketball for Middleton. “Doesn’t bother me at all. I love basketball. I love playing it,” he said. “During the off-season it’s hard for me to take a couple weeks off because I want to be back in the gym doing something, working on my game. “And one advantage of it is I don’t have to get back in shape. Once you get out of shape, it’s hard to get those wheels going again.”

Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA). For 2019, the manufacturing sector took the biggest share at 66.7 percent of the total tax incentives amounting to PHP321.3 billion. The services and energy

sectors were granted PHP114.8 billion (23.83 percent) and PHP26.36 billion (5.47 percent) of incentives, respectively. Tax perks for the other sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries, amounted to PHP19.24 billion or 3.99 percent of the total tax expenditures for 2019, Habitan said.

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Dabawenya boxer Nesthy Petecio (left) with Cebuana skateboarder Margilyn Didal (right).

Role of LGUs in Sports Summit’s 22nd session

he Place of Sports in Local Government Units (LGUs) will be the center of discussion for the upcoming twenty-second virtual session of the National Sports Summit 2021 this Wednesday, July 21. “This is a perfect subject that we need to discuss since LGUs are one of our vital partners. This is a great opportunity to hear their inputs and also assess what we can do to bring sports closer to their localities and part of their local programs,” said National Sports Summit Proj-

ect Director Marc Edward Velasco. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) invited the Department of the Interior and Local Government who tasked their representative DILG Assistant Bureau Director Debie Torres, CESO V to be the resource speaker. Torres is responsible for the development of the capabilities of the barangays in the country. Torres served as the DILG Provincial Director of Davao Occidental from 2016 to 2020 and was also

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PH athletes check in at Olympic Village T OKYO—All but the country’s bets in athletics and golf have already entered the Olympic Village as of Tuesday, a good three full days before the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony. “Everyone who’s here are already training in their respective training venues,” Team Philippines Chef de Mission Mariano “Nonong” Ara-

NBA Finals rivals to become US Tokyo Olympic teammates

ILWAUKEE -- After battling each other for more than two weeks in the NBA Finals, Phoenix guard Devin Booker and Milwaukee stars Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton will quickly become US Olympic teammates. All three will join the three-time defending champion American squad in Japan following the conclusion of the best-of-seven championship series, with host Milwaukee leading 3-2 entering game six on Tuesday. Booker has produced two 40-point performances

for the Suns but the Bucks won both times and no matter how the series goes, winners and losers must set aside their rivalry quickly to unite in red, white and blue. “I think we’ll be fine,” Middleton said Monday. “Right now, we haven’t said a word to each other. I’m sure we won’t be best buddies during Team USA, but we’ll be teammates for sure. “We’ll be on the same path, talking basketball Xs and Os, trying to get the job done. That’s what being competitors is all about, but also what being a teammate

is all about.” There’s a respect between the players that underlies their passionate fight against each other, which saw Holiday make a key steal from Booker with game five on the line Sunday. “I would say just understanding competition and that it’s never personal between who you’re going with, unless lines are crossed,” Booker said. “Those guys aren’t that type and I would never go that way with them, because there’s a high respect level

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neta told BusinessMirror on Tuesday, adding early-day hitches are being addressed by the organizers, including the distribution and adminis-

tration of the daily virus tests for the athletes. “Team Hidilyn [Diaz] is already training, as well as the boxing team,” Araneta said. “There are challenges in bringing the athletes to their training venues, but they are all under control.” Athletes and delegation members have to follow an activity plan

in getting from one venue to another, one of the dozens of protocols to guarantee the safety and health of everyone participating in the Olympics. US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso, according to Araneta, is already in town but prefers to stay in a hotel closer to

FATHLETES, P10

Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) drives for the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the 2021 NBA Finals.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 109 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez owns the distinction as the only chairman since the PSC’s establishment in 1990 to be at the helm of the sports agency in three Olympics—his first Beijing 2008, followed by Rio de Janeiro 2016, and now, Tokyo 2020+1.

THREE’S A CHARM Butch in third Olympics as PSC chair

OKYO—For Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez, three times could be a charm.

Ramirez owns the distinction as the only chairman since the PSC’s establishment in 1990 to be at the helm of the sports agency in three Olympics—his first Beijing 2008, followed by Rio de Janeiro 2016, and now, Tokyo 2020+1. “I always say, Olympic success is more than just a year of preparation,” said Ramirez two days before he and Chief of Staff Marc Velasco fly to Tokyo aboard Philippine Airlines on Thursday. “For some, it took 3 cycles. Experience is good leverage,” Ramirez added. Ramirez’s Olympic journey matches weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s Games sortie. Then 18 years old, Diaz made her Olympic debut in Beijing as a wild card in women’s 58 kg class. So young and so innocent on the Olympic stage then, she didn’t make the podium, nor get close to it, but the prize of Zamboanga City reaped the experience she needed. London 2012 wasn’t Diaz’s time then but

came 2016 in Rio and she brought home a silver medal. “I have the privilege of seeing Hidilyn grow from grassroots to Olympic medalist,” Ramirez said. Diaz and 18 other Filipinos are competing in 11 sports in Tokyo and Ramirez believes all of them have the potential to win the country’s first Olympic gold medal—or perhaps even more. “This batch is strong. Not to discount previous batches kasi lagi ko sinasabi making it to the Olympics is a medal in itself, it is just that this delegation presents us a strong chance for a golden break” Ramirez explained. Ramirez recalled how he felt when Diaz landed that silver in Rio, ending a six Olympic cycle drought since Atlanta 2016 when Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco won a men’s flyweight gold medal in boxing. “Everyone was ecstatic syempre. Dinala ko siya kay Presidente at ang napakalinaw na bilin na tandang tanda ko – Butch alagaan mo ang mga bata” Ramirez said.