Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 158 | Friday, September 17, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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VOL.14 ISSUE 158 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

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Let us give President Duterte our strongest support: Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

President Rodrigo Duterte flashes a thumb down gesture while delivering a speech in Davao City in this undated photo. The Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday granted the Prosecutor’s request to commence an investigation in relation to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign” of President Duterte. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a video message urges Filipinos to give the strongest support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to run as vice president for the 2022 national election. Edge Davao

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‘Most wanted’ NPA leader arrested in Bukidnon town

Let us give President Duterte our strongest support: Sara By MAYA M. PADILLO

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio came out with a plea to Filipinos to give the strongest support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to run as vice president for the 2022 national election. “Ibigay po natin sa kanya ang pinakamalakas natin na suporta sa kanyang desisyon na tumakbong vice president,” the mayor announced via video message posted on her official Facebook Page on September 15, 2021. The mayor delivered

the message amid speculations of conflict with the President following the latter’s announcement of accepting the nomination of PDP-Laban to be the ruling political party’s vice-presidential candidate in next year’s elections. It can be recalled that

Mayor Sara pronounced her openness to any national post in the 2022 election, however, has to forego her decision to run in the sense that their (Duterte) family agreed to field only one family member in the national election. Mayor Sara shut off speculations of conflict saying that she and the President have good agreement on their respective political careers. “Meron kaming maayos na kasunduan ni Pangulong

Duterte sa aming kaniya-kaniyang karera sa pulitika,” the mayor said. Mayor Sara also said that Dabawenyos will show support to the President by following the law and keeping the stability of the city. “Ang sigaw ng suporta naming mga Dabawenyo ay pagiging laging masunurin sa batas at panatilihing matatag ang Davao sa lahat ng problema ngayon at sa darating pa sa aming lugar. A Davao City that is united,

can produce three times more than the needs of the region. However, with the current surge of COVID19 cases in the region, hospitals which don’t have oxygen-generating plants or hospitals which only use cylinder tanks have an average daily consumption of 2,062 tanks while hospitals having oxygen-generating plants have a daily aver-

age consumption of 2,718 tanks. Montejo said that there are six hospitals in the region which have their own oxygen plant. However, the average production is at 5,273 tanks per day and a maximum daily production of 5,583. “So our problem is the oxygen supply of hospitals which are only using cylinders or tanks. Based on

our surge plan, we will be needing 6,805 tanks and we have already submitted to the national government our requirement for the gap of 4,087 tanks,” Dr. Montejo said. Aside from working on the oxygen supply, the DOH XI also requested all hospitals to activate their surge plan which was prepared and planned out even be-

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DOH 11 procures additional oxygen supply

he Department of Health 11 (DTI 11) assured the people in Davao Region of sufficient oxygen supply as it has already procured and will set to distribute such to the different hospitals and Covid-19 facilities in the region. DOH 11 official Dr. Raquel Montejo reported that there are four oxygen suppliers in Davao City which

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communist New People’s Army (NPA) top leader who is wanted for multiple criminal charges was arrested by the combined Philippine Army and Philippine National Police forces at Purok 3, Barangay Paitan, Quezon, Bukidnon on Wednesday (September 15). The NPA leader was identified by the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) as Adelaida “Loida” Magpatoc who carry the aliases of Gwen, Emyang, Kudaw, and Robby. Magpatoc was the former Secretary of NPA’s Far South Mindanao Region, National Democratic (NDF) consultant and also a member of its Central Committee. Magpatoc was arrested in a Law Enforcement and Support Operation launched by the joint forces of the military and police based on warrant of arrest dated September 3, 2001 issued by

Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 7 Executive Judge Zenaida Placer in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur for Robbery with Double Homicide and Damage to Properties. Record show, Magpatoc has also an arrest warrant for murder charged before RTC Branch 10 in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte issued by Presiding Judge Orlando Doyon on September 10, 2001. She has been considered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as one of the most wanted persons. She is currently detained at the Quezon Police Station in Bukidnon for proper disposition. EastMinCom chief Lieutenant General Greg T. Almerol lauded the joint military and PNP operatives for the arrest of Magpatok. He said this is an ultimate example that the security forces could accomplish

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2011 to 2016 killings in Davao City among those to be probed by ICC

he Pre-Trial Chamber 1 of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday granted the Prosecutor’s request to begin investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity in the context of the ‘war on drugs’ campaign from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019 when the Philippines was a state party to the Rome Statute. The investigation in-

cludes the alleged summary killings in Davao City from November 1, 2011 until June 30, 2016, when Rodrigo Roa Duterte was Vice Mayor (2010 to 2013) and Mayor for a seventh term (2013 to 2016). Duterte took his oath as President on June 30, 2016. The Davao City-based Coalition Against Summary Execution (CASE) had listed

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EDGEDAVAO

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Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Colonel Kirby John Kraft says that he has directed all station commanders along with city mobile forces and traffic enforcement unit to intensify security in areas that are possible target for terroristic attacks following the statement from the Embassy of Japan in Manila on Tuesday confirming that it has received

NEWS

information about a possible terror attack that may occur in any of the six Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. Edge Davao

DCPO intensifies security following terror attack report EO on vaccination for city gov’t employees issued

he passage of the Executive Order (EO) No. 45 strengthens Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s recent order mandating all city hall employees to get vaccinated otherwise their contract will not be renewed. EO No. 45 Series of 2021 or “an order mandating the vaccination of all city government of Davao plantilla, job order, contract of service, and volunteers for Covid-19

and stipulating sanctions for the refusal of such” was released on Thursday. The EO ordered department heads and chiefs-of-offices, through their respective administrative officers, to ensure that all personnel assigned in their offices are fully vaccinated on or before November 30, 2021. Section 3 (sanctions for refusal to get vaccinated)

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is intensifying security in areas of convergence in Davao City following a report of possible terror attack in the Philippines.

In a statement, the Embassy of Japan in Manila on Tuesday confirmed that they have received information about a possible terror attack that may occur in any of the six Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines. DCPO director Colonel Kirby John Kraft said in a phone interview that he

has directed station commanders along with city mobile forces and traffic enforcement unit to intensify security in areas that are possible target for terroristic attacks such as various places of worship, vaccination sites, Sanguniang Panlungsod (SP), city hall, quarantine control points, public and private markets, malls,

parks, transport terminals, piers and ports. “Kung matatandaan ninyo may pangyayari sa Indonesia in November 2019 kung saan yung mismong police station nagkaroon ng suicide bomber,” Kraft said. Kraft added that DCPO is also coordinating with intelligence units in the neighboring regions like Regions 10 and 12 and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). “Na kung meron silang makuhang information na

act foundational codes essential to the achievement of the aspirations of unity, genuine autonomy, and development” in BARMM. With the certification, the House can immediately proceed with the third reading approval of the bill without waiting for three days after it was approved on the second reading. The measure aims to provide the Bangsamoro

Davao City Water District advises that the ongoing rotational water schedule implemented in Panacan Water Supply System (WSS) is EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20, 2021. This after the rehabilitation work on Panacan Production Well No. 4, initially targeted to be completed on September 16, 2021, was extended due to bad weather conditions affecting the conduct of sev-

eral rehabilitation activities. Once rehabilitation work is completed, DCWD targets to improve its water yield, thus also increasing the available water supply for Panacan WSS. It can be recalled that DCWD had to shut off the operation of Panacan Production Well No. 4 on August 28, 2021 to carry out said rehabilitation work, thus reducing the available water supply for Panacan WSS. To equitably

maaring pumasok sa Davao City ipagbigay alam nila sa atin,” he said. He also directed DCPO’s intelligence personnel to intensify gathering of information to validate the said terror attack report. “Sa ating mga intelligence personnel, I directed them to intensify info gathering about the report sa mga lugar na posibleng pagtaguan nitong sinasabing gagawa nitong terror attack na ito,” he said. Meanwhile, the city

distribute the remaining water supply, DCWD had to result to the rotational water schedule while the rehabilitation work is ongoing. DCWD is also augmenting water supply in some areas in Panacan WSS through regular water deliveries. Customers are advised to continue storing water in clean and covered containers during their schedule of water supply availability

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House OKs bill resetting BARMM Water supply rationing in Panacan elections to 2025 on final reading WSS extended until Sept. 20, 2021

he House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously approved on third reading a bill seeking to reset the first regular elections of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) from 2022 to 2025. The bill’s final approval came only two days after it was passed on second reading following the certification of urgency from President Rodrigo Duterte.

With 187 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber approved House Bill 10121 proposing to postpone for three years the first regular BARMM elections. In a letter to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Duterte certified as urgent House Bill 10121 to “give the Bangsamoro transitional government sufficient time to complete its mandate, establish a strong bureaucracy, and en-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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The judges listen to the business pitches of the participating students in one of Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Oriental’s activities under the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP). DTI

DTI-DavOr banners the T youth in biz pitching tilt

Hybrid rice production helps PH’s boost food security

into online selling. They pithed their respective concept on how to maximize the online market and how to snatch h a big chunk of it. DTI-Davao Oriental provincial director Rommel Cozosaid it is the agency’s commitment to inspire the youth to become entrepreneurs themselves or at least

support those who are into business. “There have been a lot of successful stories already featuring young entrepreneurs. Mang Inasal, for example, was built by Edgar Sia, who was only 20 years old back then, before the business became part of the Tony Tan Caktiong-led Jollibee Corporations in Davao Region, we also have our own set of successful entrepreneurs, “the local trade executive said. Cozo added that with the pandemic, the digital platform offers enormous opportunities, which are only waiting for the entre-

preneurs to tap. With the help of Arniel Alderite of Davao Oriental State University (DORSU), Van Jorain Rufin of the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and Domingo Cruz, Jr of DTI-Davao Oriental, the winners were named. DavOr Treasures received a cash prize of P7,000.00 or being the champion, Kalinao Youth Associaiton emerged as 2nd with P5,000 cash prize, and Abaca Face Masks Group made it to the 3rd stop wih P3,000 cash prize. The judges also shared

vations put in place to make investing in them easier and more convenient will allow Filipinos, especially overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), to buy government securities without having to pay out “huge commissions to brokers and traders.” These digital innovations include the Bonds.PH, the mobile applications of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) and Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), and the Treasury’s online ordering facility. Bond offerings such as the RDBs will also support

the development of the domestic capital markets, Dominguez said. “The retail dollar bonds will offer our small investors an outlet for diversifying their investment portfolios. They do not need to keep their dollar holdings in deposit accounts that pay minimal interest. With a minimum investment of just 300 US dollars or about 15,000 pesos, small investors can now grow their US (United States) dollar savings,” Dominguez said at the virtual launching of the RDBs. He said shifting the buying

and selling of government-issued bonds online has made investing in them “seamless and nearly friction-free.” To enable investors to learn and understand the fundraising and debt management activities of the national government, BTr also launched a mobile application for the public to access information about them. “I encourage our people to invest their savings in dollar bonds. This is a win-win proposition. Retail dollar bonds provide a safe investment and income opportunity. Buying them will

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has continued to promote entrepreneurship among the youth through the conduct of various interesting activities for them. The latest of which was the business pitching competition conducted earlier this month. Bannering the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), the participants highlighted their business ideas through a presentation that lasted from 15 to 20 minutes. Three groups of young people from the province competed for the best idea that can be explored when

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he government’s goal to further improve the country’s food security levels this year has been largely supported by its effort on hybrid rice production. Frisco Malabanan, senior technical consultant at SL Agritech Solutions, cited the improvement of the country’s rice harvest since interventions to attain a higher rice adequacy level. “Hybrid rice technology [is] the way to food security. More than 600 thousand hectares were harvested to hybrid rice during the last 2021 dry cropping season. This means the average yield was 6.07 metric tons (MT) per hectare or 33 percent higher yield than the average yield of inbred certified seeds of 4.55 MT per hectare,” he said in Facebook post on Wednesday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the total production contributed by hybrid rice in 2021 dry cropping season reached 3.67 million MT (MMT), which is 37 percent of the total palay production last dry season. For 2021, the Duterte administration targets to produce 20.47 MMT of palay from 4.74 million hectares (ha), where farmers will be provided with free seeds of inbred and hybrid rice varieties through major interventions, particularly the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), expanded RCEF, rice resiliency project (RRP), and regular national rice program (NRP). In 2020, the PSA projected that the country’s palay production would total

help raise funds for our economic investments and the nation’s comprehensive effort to defeat the pandemic,” Dominguez said. The bonds issued by the BTr also “open up the financial system to small investors and encourage more efficient intermediation,” he said. “Overall, this aids in restoring the vigor of the Philippine economy at the soonest possible time,” Dominguez added. Earlier, the BTr said it has teamed up with the country’s leading banks to let small investors buy the

RDBs at easy terms. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said several banks have agreed to set the minimum initial deposit and average daily maintaining balance requirement to zero for those who would want to purchase these US dollar-denominated securities. This plan to democratize dollar-bond investing means that banks would do away with their current practice of requiring depositors to open dollar accounts with a minimum balance of USD500 to USD1,000 before being able to invest in the RDBs.

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Investing in retail dollar bonds ‘win-win proposition,’ says DOF chief

epartment of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III urged Wednesday small investors to invest in the Philippines’ first-ever onshore retail dollar bond (RDBs) offering, as this income opportunity is a “win-win proposition” that will promote financial inclusion while raising funds for the country’s economic investments and comprehensive effort to defeat the pandemic. Dominguez said the newly launched RDBs of the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) and the digital inno-

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 158 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

ECONOMY

With commitment to keep the mall safe for all, SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier have taken strides to best serve shoppers. To date, mall workers, tenants, affiliates and agency personnel are now 100% vaccinated. SM PR

NPC, finance group condemn lending apps’ privacy violations

he National Privacy Commission (NPC) and finance groups on Wednesday “strongly” condemned the harvesting of excessive information of some online lending platforms such as saving their users’ contact lists and photo galleries. In a joint statement, the NPC, Fintech Alliance. PH, the Philippine Finance Association, and several entities from the non-bank financing sector said the application (app) permissions that some online lending platforms practice on their mobile app are “unreasonable and unnecessary.” “Such practice is unnecessary because an applicant’s creditworthiness may be determined through other lawful and reasonable means,” the joint statement read. It said non-compliant online lending platforms also exploit the personal data of their borrowers by using it to “shame and coerce them into paying their loans.” “We remind concerned digital lending players to strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics as well as the Code of Collection Standards and Ethics that the FinTech Alliance.PH and the Philippine Finance Association have established and standardized in the industry to ensure strict compliance while promoting consumer

protection,” it said.

Finance entities, it said, are obligated to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and related laws when processing the personal data of their customers.

“Lending companies must bear in mind that they are always accountable for the personal data under their control or custody. Thus, they are obliged to adopt and implement reasonable policies in handling the personal data of borrowers,” it said. It urged non-compliant lending platforms to use lawful and “reasonable” methods in evaluating credit scores and in debt collection without resorting to the harassment of borrowers “such as the use of insults or profane language, violent threats, or false representation and unnecessarily exposing their borrowers’ personal data to unauthorized persons.” The joint statement comes after the Google Store took down four online lending apps on the NPC’s orders -- all found harvesting “grossly excessive data” such as media files to social media data. The orders were the NPC’s latest move in its crackdown against online lenders that violate the privacy rights of its customers. (PNA)

OFW remittances seen to rise as more economies reopen

ains in the vaccination program of countries where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are, along with economic recovery around the world, are expected to further boost remittance growth in the Philippines. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday reported a 2.6-percent year-on-year growth of remittances last July to USD3.167 billion, while year-to-date expansion stood at 6 percent to USD19.783 billion. In a report, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said last July’s remittances growth is

surprising and “impressive given that this was the highest non-December level recorded with the funds sent home in July matching that which is usually sent home during the Christmas season.” “Secondly, the higher dollar amount also surprised us as OFs (overseas Filipinos) had in the past opted to send home less

remittances whenever the peso tends to weaken as exchange rate dynamics help beneficiaries cover peso needs with less dollars sent home,” he said. The local currency closed at the 49-level on Wednesday, but it has weakened to the 50-level these past days on growth concerns due to the pandemic, among others. “In the coming months, we can expect remittance flows to sustain their upward trajectory with OFs still finding a way to help support domestic consumption,” Mapa said. He said with job loss-

es remaining up and the economy still weak, OF remittances is expected to accelerate to pick up the slack and boost local spending. “Sustained OF remittance flows coupled with the recovery in BPO (business process outsourcing) receipts will help offset the widening trade deficit and limit the impact on the country’s current account,” he added. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort believes that with some OFW-host countries reaching or at near commu-

percent. The BSP lowered the offer volume for both tenors this week and tenders remained higher than the offers. It offered the seven-day facility for PHP150 billion from last week’s PHP160 billion, and tenders amounted to PHP216.55 billion. This was fully awarded. The large volume of tenders for this tenor resulted in a bid coverage ratio of 1.443, higher than the 1.1960 last week when

tenders amounted to PHP191.356 billion. Tenders for the 14-day facility, which was also fully awarded, amounted to PHP391.113 billion. This was higher than the PHP360-billion offer. Bid coverage ratio stood at 1.0864, higher than last week’s 1.0568 when the PHP400-billion offer was met with PHP422.712 billion worth of bids. TDF is among the BSP’s excess liquidity-siphoning tools.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said TDF auction results for this week “continue to show strong interest from market participants for the BSP’s deposit facility amid sustained ample liquidity in the financial system.” “Looking ahead, the BSP’s monetary operations will remain guided by its assessment of the latest liquidity conditions and market developments,” he said. (PNA)

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Excess liquidity pushes TDF rates down anew

anks have continued to place funds in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF), which registered a lower interest rate this week as domestic liquidity remained high. The rate of the seven-day TDF declined to 1.7083 percent from 1.7143 percent during the auction last Sept. 8. The average rate of the 14-day facility slipped to 1.7423 percent from the previous week’s 1.7517

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to run as vice president for the 2022 national election:

Ibigay po natin sa kanya ang pinakamalakas natin na suporta sa kanyang desisyon na tumakbong vice president.” Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL The other side of midnight After several weeks of brouhaha in the Philippine Senate that culminated in a word war between President Duterte and a number of senators eyeing higher offices in the 2022 elections, things are developing in favor of Malacañang. First is a statement by Atty. Michael G. Aguinaldo, chairman of the Commission on Audit, which he made during an appearance in the Senate.wherein he said that the much publicized COA report on the PS-DBM (Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management.) did not mention that there was overpricing. “There’s no statement to that, the observations related more to inventory management than overpricing,” Chairman Aguinaldo was quoted to have said. “So hindi po tama na ang COA ang nagsabi na may overprice. Kasi wala naman pong sinabi doon sa report,” he said.

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On the other hand, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, in a headline story yesterday, reported that “HOUSE ALLIES BACK DU30 VS SENATE PROBE”.

Among the congressmen who defended President Duterte and attacked the concerned senators were DIWA Rep. Michael Aglipay and Deputy Speaker and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta. Marcoleta questioned the Senate blue ribbon committee’s insistence in pushing its investigation when COA chairman Aguinaldo said there were no findings of overpricing in its report. We expect more twists in this developing story in favor of Malacañan Palace. ABANGAN! 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

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

Of course, mainstream and social media were almost silent over Aguinaldo’s statement.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 158 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THE POWER OF PRAISE “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticisms.” – Norman Vincent Peale ***

When was the last time you praise someone? The truth is, you cannot remember it anymore. “Giving praise is much like giving love,” says American poet and English professor Irving Feldman. “The giver is usually the most benefited. He casts bread upon the waters and often gets back cake.” And so, it came to pass that a married couple came to a counselor for advice. Once they were seated, they immediately started speaking simultaneously in a duel of criticisms. When they finally stopped for lack of breath, the counselor suggested that now they tell each other all the good they see in the other person. There was a total silence from both. The counselor gave each a pen and a sheet of paper. They were told to write down something praiseworthy about the other person. Neither of them wrote. They both sat and stared at the paper.

But after what seemed like a long time, the husband started to write something. At once, the wife also began to write – fast and furiously. Finally, the writing stopped. There was silence again. The wife pushed her paper over to the watching counselor. He pushed it back signaling that she was to give it directly to her husband. She reluctantly shoved the paper half way across the table. He took it and in turn, slid his paper towards his wife. Each began to read. The counselor watched. Soon a tear slid down the cheek of the wife. She crumpled the paper in her fist and held it tight. That proved that she treasured the sudden revelation of good things her husband had expressed about her. The whole atmosphere of the room changed. There was no need for anything to be said. Praise had healed a thousand wounds. The husband and wife left the room arm in arm. “The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated,” reminds American philosopher and psychologist William James. “In the best, the friendliest and simplest relations flattery or praise is necessary,

just as grease is necessary to keep wheels turning,” wrote Leo Tolstoy in War and Peace. “So long as men praise you, you can only be sure that you are not yet on your own true path but on someone else’s,” penned German philosopher and cultural critic Friedrich Nietzsche. The story below illustrates: One day, a field marshal requested an audience with Napoleon, and Napoleon knew what was coming. But as every good leader must, Napoleon agreed to hear him out. The field marshal brought news of a great victory he had achieved. He talked for a long time about his accomplishment, piling detail upon detail. Napoleon listened closely throughout the entire narration but said nothing. The officer was disappointed. He had hoped for a more enthusiastic reception, as well as Napoleon’s congratulations. Neither was forthcoming. Summing up, the field marshal repeated much of what he had already stated. As the officer rambled on, Napoleon continued to listen politely, and the marshal interpreted this as encouragement. Surely, he thought, Napoleon will now give me the praise I so richly deserve. When the field marshal fi-

nally stopped talking, Napoleon asked him one question, “What did you do the next day?” The field marshal was speechless. But the lesson was not lost on him. From then on, the officer understood that he should never rest on his laurels. So, he left it to others to bestow the praise. In some instances, what people actually wants is not praise but flattery. As American inspirational speaker Dale Carnegie pointed out, “Flattery is telling the other person precisely what he thinks about himself.” Nancy Golden tries to explain the difference between flattery and praise. “Flattery is underserved praise,” she said, “and is usually general in nature. For example, when Grandma comes over and says, ‘Son, you are so handsome and smart, too,’ that is flattery. Praise, on the other hand is specific and well-deserved positive reinforcement. When a mother says to her son, ‘Mark, I really like the way you kept your room clean all day today.’ That’s praise. “Respect and praise support children’s growing sense of themselves,” Golden continues, “and encourages positive behaviors.”

Give praise to someone who really deserve it and not for the sake of praising someone. Say those words that further will further encourage him to do what is best not only for himself but also for others. “Nothing else can quite substitute for a few well-chosen, well-timed, sincere words of praise,” said Sam Walton. But don’t overdo it or it may lose its true value. Samuel Johnson, in The Works of Samuel Johnson: The Rambler, reminds: “Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value only to its scarcity. It becomes cheap as it becomes vulgar, and will no longer raise expectation or animate enterprise.” Here’s what Emily Post also said, “An overdose of praise is like 10 lumps of sugar in coffee; only a very few people can swallow it.” Finally, here’s a word of wisdom from David Brandt Berg: “Most people are not really conceited, but feel a certain amount of inferiority and tend to get a little discouraged with themselves, therefore encouragement is a very important thing. I do it all the time! I praise everybody for everything they do that I see is good.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DEMYTHOLOGIZING DATU BAGO (4) Animosity between the Moros and the tribes of Davao date back to the pre-Oyanguren period. Exaction of tribute, extortion, and threat were among the reasons why tension between the two groups eventually obliged the Mandayas of Samal under Datu Daupan to side with the Spanish-led expedition that overthrew Datu Bago, the Moro chief at the mouth of Davao River. Fr., Quirico More, SJ, in his Jan. 20, 1884, letter to his superior, cites the massacre of the Moros at Olaniban, in Balut Island, Sarangani, as one of the bloody episodes that erupted between the two factions. The Moros mercilessly hacked to death the influential Manobos on a fishing boat: ‘The victims had been looking for tortoiseshell in Olaniban, the third and smallest of the Sarangani Islands. It so happened that the

boat was manned by members of the most powerful families of both coasts of this gulf, San Agustin and Kulaman. Manobo-style vengeance came swift. This race slit the throats of all the Moros they could find living alone.’ The victims were mostly Moro Sanggils from Banus Point, not far from Sarangani islands. Moreover, not all tribes paid obeisance to the Moros. The B’laans, Manobos, and Atas were among the ‘other races’ that opposed paying tribute to the Moros, who at the time were living ‘in the coast or the mouth of rivers navigable for their small boats’ as opposed to tribesmen who populated inner areas that were separated from any form of Moro harassment. In the early 1840s, the sultan of Maguindanao ceded the gulf of Davao to the Spaniards.

This meant the sultanate had allowed Spain to enter unimpeded the territory it once controlled. But this event did not sit well with the Moros who felt betrayed and wanted to launch a vendetta against the colonizers instead of earning the ire of the Maguindanao kingdom. In an intent not to antagonize the Moros of the gulf, a letter of recommendation was secured from the sultan of Maguindanao, a shortsighted move the expedition failed to figure out. The letter, addressed to ‘the datos of the sea of Davao,’ was a gesture of goodwill so the trading ship San Rufo could be freed from harassment, but the Moros saw it as a form of intervention. After the sultanate gave up of the gulf, the Moros considered themselves ‘independent and separate from the rest of the Moros.’

Interestingly, the letter was not address to Datu Bago but to the datus of the gulf. This gives the impression Datu Ongay, who led the attack of the vessel, acted on his own, presumably angered by support of the sultan to the Spanish-led expedition. This also suggests he was not an underling of Datu Bago but only an ally who acted on his own volition. Don Jose Oyanguren’s information that the attack was ordered by Datu Bago could have emanated from Maria de Azaola, his ladylove, whose brother Antonio was a victim in the massacre. The Moros’ lack of a central command can be deduced from Fr. More’s observation they did not reside in organized settlements but in patchy communities: ‘The Moros have never even formed an excuse for a village… but live scattered in tiny hamlets,

or in miserable huts more or less contiguous to one another over a territory spread out over two or three leguas upstream.’ Living in dispersed homesteads has its attendant problems, namely: (i) the difficulty of securing a territory; (ii) problems in rule and authority; (iii) struggle in organizing people in time of emergency or looming attack; (iv) absence of a nerve center where activities can easily be managed; and (v) the hardship in checking loyalty among community members. Underscoring the argument that Datu Bago was a mere ruler of a small Moro enclave can be deduced from the presence of several Moro settlements in the gulf. The Moro polity during this time was based on coercive collection of tribute from tribes in exchange for peace.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

SHOOTING HOOPS & MORE AT LEGACY LEISURE RESIDENCES AN EXCITING ARRAY OF AMENITIES IN ONE EXPANSE - YOUR ADDRESS! LIVING in Legacy Leisure Residences is an everyday staycation experience. Everything that you expect from a well-deserved get-away is right at your doorstep— an Olympic size swimming pool, kiddie spray park, a green oases for a picnic and barbecue, and areas dedicated to bring out the best sportsman in you, be it tennis, running, golf, bodybuilding or basketball.

Legacy Leisure Residences can be your dream lifetime vacation or your sports training ground. Let’s head to the basketball court. It’s one amenity that’s present in any community development. Why? First, there’s always that lover of this sport in any community, especially Filipinos. Second, it can be the breeding ground to the next big shot cager. Remember that future stars are born in the most unexpected places. Third, it’s a very versatile space. Its use is limitless, this is why it’s the most utilized space. “Basketball can be a sport or a hobby. People of any age can play it. It can be a team sport or a pastime among peers or family members,” said personal trainer Cocoy Molbog, Holiday Gym’s Assistant manager and sports director. How can one jumpstart the love for sports? Basketball may be one of the most convenient. From infancy to childhood, the ball is probably the first toy on hand. “At Holiday Gym, we go beyond personal improvement and foster family ties by hosting sports events among members. It builds a more healthy environment which makes you look forward to another day at the gym. This program can be accomplished in a community like Legacy Leisure residences. It’s healthy for both physically and mentally,” says Molbog. School breaks are the perfect time for kids to engage in outdoor activities. Summer basketball clinics can develop kids’ interest in the sport. To encourage adults to stay

The Basketball Court is one of the many amenities of Legacy Leisure that occupies the 70% open space of the community project.

“Go beyoned physical improvement and foster family ties by hosting sports events among residents. It builds a more healthy environment,” said Cocoy Molbog, personal trainer & sports director for Holiday Gym. active, a professional player can be invited to to hold a clinic to improve their skills in the game. Taking it further and developing community bonding, Legacy Leisure residents can organize a 3 on 3 basketball league. It’s easier to form teams of three for court games. But a full court game with five players in a team can be more

Basketball can be a sport or a hobby. People of any age can play it. It can be a team sport or a pastime among peers or family members.

exciting. “Make Friday nights the assigned basketball tournament days that may run for just four Fridays of the month. It’s easier to organize since only a day in the week is required and the weekend basketball game can be a good after-work stress reliever,” Molbog shared. Going beyond the ball game, the basketball court is a great

venue for group exercises. Group exercises give you that motivation to be fit like the rest. Aerobics, HiiT (High Intensity Interval Training) or athletic boot camp can be executed in the basketball court. Weekends are good times to get that boost of energy. A boot camp can further develop one’s skills and stamina. How about a mini sports week for the other members of the community as well? Basketball games can be just one of the highlights. Create team events that will include the rest of the family members, like tug of war, or more fun games

like egg relay or Pass the message. These are team building games. The good thing about living in a community with its own court is the privacy and safety. A space where residents can play a relaxing game or train to be a better athlete. All that’s needed is the motivation to be active and the drive to excel. The court is there, make the most of it. What does it take to be a good basketball player? One Filipino legendary basketball player said, “Practice, practice, practice. Scouting and studying your opponents.”

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r. Teofredo “Doc Ted” Esguerra, an advisory council member at the International Disaster Response Network, and I have four things in common. We were both born in Bansalan, now a first-class municipality of Davao del Sur. We were both recipients of Outstanding Bansaleño Award, given to those born or live in the town who have brought honors to the municipality, excelled in their chosen profession, or uplift the standard of living of people. We both attended the Southern Mindanao Academy (now known as South Philippine Adventist College), a school based in Matan-ao, Davao del Sur. Just recently, we had another one thing in common: We were both infected with SARS-CoV-2, the distant cousin of the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. SARSCoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While I experienced mild symptoms (I still had to undergo the mandatory 10-day isolation at a government quarantine facility, Doc Ted’s case was severe. Here is his story:

Doc Ted was infected with the dreaded virus around first week of March in 2020. He believed he got it when he drove his wife, who is also a doctor, to and from work due to lockdowns. “My wife works as a frontline physician in a government hospital,” Doc Ted said. “While being with her, I was getting viral load little by little until symptoms surfaced on March 20.” Among the initial symptoms he experienced were dry cough, body pain and on-and-off fever. Not only that, he also lost his sense of taste and had to lie in a prone position to sleep. Doc Ted was tested on March 25 and got the result on the 30th. He was immediately admitted to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City the following day. The old folks living with the couples were not infected since as early as February they were already in isolation due to the nature of their work. “We understood the situation early on,” he

Portrait of a Covid-19

SURVIVOR By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

courtesy of Dr. Teofredo Esguerra pointed out. “I was already working from home mode so that chances of getting ill were low. Except that I had to drive my wife from the hospital to the house.” Upon admission, he was given lots of medicines, which are no longer given to COVID-19 patients with pneumonia. “I was in the experimental phase of it being one of the first batch of doctors who was hit by the disease,” he recalled. “I was worsening despites of the medicines given.” His dry cough worsened (“like there was no stopping”) which brought his oxygen saturation down. “It was so agonizing that I was hooked on supplemental oxygen 24/7,” Doc Ted said. As he told a television network, “Ang COVID ay grabe ‘yung tama sa katawan, hirap na hirap akong huminga dahil ang ubo ko ay walang katapusan. Hindi ka pa nakakabawi ng hangin, uubo ka ulit. Parang mas masarap pa na mamatay ka na lang kasi sobrang hirap.” Despite all the medications, his chest x-ray results were worsening (“infiltrates

were slowly eating the whole of my lung fields”). So, he was transferred to an isolation room where he slowly developed nightmares. He attributed those frightening dreams to low oxygen level – despite the fact that he adjusted the delivery (liters per minutes) at the maximum. As days passed by, Doc Ted was not getting better. So did something. “I already know I was prepped up for the intensive care unit,” he said. Still confined at the isolation room, he was able to change his maneuver by taking a hot bath (as he can remove the attachments of monitors and the fluid around him). While having a hot shower for one-and-a-half hours, he tried to hit his upper back with the hot water. “This maneuver gave me a relief in doing deep breathing as part of my breathing yoga,” he said. “Slowly, I was increasing my oxygen saturation.” Simultaneously, he shifted his diet into fruits, vegetables and fish meat at times. From then on, he used his IV

pole to “scooter” around as part of his exercise – aside from doing sit-ups, pushups and breathing yoga. “The little window in my isolation room allowed me to expose my back to the morning sun for 20 minutes,” he said. “Every time the doctor and nurses would visit me, I would do my breathing yoga and remove my supplemental oxygen and show them the good saturation reports to convince them that I was not an ICU case.” Even though he was in a dire situation, he still managed to post some updates about his situation in his Facebook account. He received lots of well wishes from all walks of life: from simple jeepney drivers to the famous Dr. Scott Parazynski, an astronaut with the International Space Station. Doc Ted also got some words of encouragement from friends, colleagues and fellow doctors. Among the famous personalities who sent him messages were actor Matteo Guidicelli, singer Freddie Aguilar, and television host Kim Atienza (who

followed his daily updates of his ordeal). “My Facebook wall became a source of inspiration to those who were suffering like me because I was posting about hope, about humanity, about family, about life,” Doc Ted said. “I told myself that even if I die (since I accepted it already and was ready as I was having extreme difficulty in breathing), I would fight it out to my last breath.” Even if he was at the brink of death, he still would like to do humanitarian work. As he received hundreds of messages from all over the world, he decided to share what he had learned in beating the virus. Doc Ted called it NEW PASSES. Actually, it’s an acronym, which stands for: N (nutritious food), E (exercise), W (water for hydration and hygiene), P (prescribed supplements and medicine), A (away from vices and anxieties), S (sleep), S (sunshine), E (evergreen in an elevation), and S (salt water bathing and sea breeze). “I reckon that the first

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strong and resilient. We will show our patriotism, our love for our country, by taking care of our city,” she said. Mayor Sara also expressed her gratitude to the more than 700 parallel groups organized nationwide to convince her to run for president in the 2022 election. “Ipinapaabot ko ang aking taos pusong pasasalamat sa mahigit kumulang 700 parallel groups na nag-o-organisa para ako tumakbong pangulo. Ito ay isang karangalan na hindi nabibili at hindi binibigay sa lahat ng politiko at hindi ko makakalimutan ang ginagawa ninyong para sa akin. Sana ay ituloy natin ang pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan kahit hindi para sa kandidatura o eleksyon. Ang pag-asa ay nasa ating mga kamay kahit saan man tayo nanunungkulan,” she

said. The mayor said the darkness brought about by the pandemic can be pushed away if the people will unite and help each community. “Ang dilim ng pandemya ay maari nating tutulakin papalayo kung magkaisa po tayo sa pagtulong sa kanya-kanyang komunidad,” she said. Meanwhile, on September 15, 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) approved ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda’s request to commence an investigation in relation to crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court allegedly committed on the territory of the Philippines between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019 in the context of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign of President Duterte.

more if there is synergy among themselves. “Together, we can bring the peace and security situation in the country to newer heights,” Almerol said. Almerol further said that every arrest of a key communist terrorist group (CTG) personality brings the country one step closer to its ultimate goal of becoming an insurgency-free nation. He added that this victory

is not only a milestone for Eastmincom but a triumph for the people of Eastern Mindanao. Almerol said that the participation of the local populace is crucial to the attainment of long-lasting peace in the communities. “I enjoin the people to continue cultivating the culture of peace and security as we aim to make our country free from any threats of terrorism,” Almerol said. (AMA)

fore the actual surge. The DOH XI submits its weekly recommendation to the regional IATF containing the risk classification of local government units for a particular period based on the 2-week growth rate. “We recommended 4 provinces that may be categorized as MECQ and 2 provinces under GCQ. But again, the IATF also considers not just

health parameters in deciding on quarantine classification. It has also considered economic and security parameters,” Dr. Montejo added. Following the recent surge of cases in the region, the DOH XI issued an advisory to government hospitals to increase bed capacity for COVID19 cases up to 50 percent while private hospitals are advised to increase bed capacity to 30 percent.

a total of 1,424 summary executions in Davao City from 1998 to December 2015 but the ICC probe covers only the period when the Philippines was a state party to the Rome Statute: from November 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019. On March 17, 2018, the Philippine government deposited a written notification of withdrawal from the Statute which took effect a year later. “The theory is the 2016-2019 killings follow the pattern of the Davao killings,” Law professor Tony La Vina, former Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, told MindaNews. The Chamber’s authorization came three months after the June 14, 2021 request of the Prosecutor to open an investigation into the Situation in the Philippines, as

provided for in Article 15(3) of the Rome Statute. Composed of Judge Péter Kovács, Presiding Judge, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera, the Pre-Trial Chamber I examined the Prosecutor’s request and supporting material, considered 204 victims’ representations and found “reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation.” The Chamber noted that “specific legal element of the crime against humanity of mur-

der under Article 7(1)(a) of the Statute has been met with respect to the killings committed throughout the Philippines between 1 July 2016 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign, as well as with respect to the killings in the Davao area between 1 November 2011 and 30 June 2016.” It stressed that “based on the facts as they emerge at the present stage and subject to proper investigation and further analysis, the so-called ‘war on drugs’ campaign cannot be seen as a legitimate law enforcement operation, and the killings neither as legitimate nor as mere excesses in an otherwise legitimate operation.” “Rather, the available material indicates, to the required standard, that a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population took place pursuant to or in furtherance of a State policy, within the meaning of Article 7(1) and (2)(a) of the Statute,” the ICC’s press statement said It said the Court retains jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes that occurred while the Philippines was still a State Party.

Transition Authority (BTA), the 80-member interim lawmaking body of BARMM, another three years to complete its mandated duties, as cited in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Maguindanao Rep. Esmael Mangudadatu, who chairs the Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, said the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed the programs of the BTA, including the normalization

and decommissioning process for thousands of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) combatants. “The remaining nine months before the May 2022 elections or the (previous) months before the October 2021 filing of candidacy is not enough for both sides to deliver the remaining 65 to 75 percent in the political task alone,” Mangudadatu said.

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stated that a personnel who refuses to get inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine shall be meted with the following sanctions: plantilla personnel shall be held administratively liable for insubordination and shall be penalized by suspension of one month and one day to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense, pursuant to Section 50 (d) of the 20I7 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (2017 RACCS). It is also stated that the city government of Davao shall prioritize the hiring of job order, contract of service, and volunteers who are fully vaccinated. Section 4 stated that a personnel may be exempted

from the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination if his/her name is endorsed by the Vaccine Cluster head to Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) as exempted due to medical reason that is listed as a contraindication in all the available vaccines. Earlier this month, Mayor Sara has ordered to make vaccination mandatory among city hall employees including job orders and contract of services by December 31, 2021, or their contracts would not be renewed next year. The mayor has been urging the Dabawenyos to get vaccinated as protection against the ill effects of Covid-19. By Maya M. Padillo

to prepare for their no water schedule and possible emergency water service interruption. Following is the SCHEDULE OF WATER SUPPLY AVAILABILITY: AREA 1 Tibungco (from corner Eliong Road) to Bunawan areas: anytime between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM of Sept. 15 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 16 and anytime between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM of Sept. 18 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 19 Bunawan to Lasang Proper areas: anytime between 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN of Sept. 15 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 16 and anytime between 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN of Sept. 18 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 19 Lasang Bucana areas: anytime between 12:00 NN to 3:00 PM of Sept. 15 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 16 and anytime between 12:00 NN to 3:00 PM of Sept. 18 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 19 AREA 2 Tibungco areas (Davao-Agusan Road, Eliong Road, Cal Vill., Calvo Vill., Tibungco Public Market, and Manggahan Vill.): anytime between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM of Sept. 13 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 15, anytime between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM of Sept. 16 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 18, and anytime between 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM of Sept. 19 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 20 Ilang areas (Davao-Agusan Road, Upper Ilang, Amparo Vill., Bugac Ilang, Central Ilang, and Riverside Ilang): anytime between 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN of Sept. 13 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 15, anytime between 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN of Sept. 16 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 18, and anytime between 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN of Sept. 19 until 6:00 AM of

Sept. 20 Panacan areas (Davao-Agusan Road, Luzville Subd., Sarmiento Subd., Malagamot Areas, MALUPIHA Vill., Muslim Vill., Panacan Valley, Pizzaro Vill., Doña Mercedes Vill., Benjamin Hills, San Miguel Vill., Sunrise Vill., St. Michael Vill., Celedoña Vill., PMPC Vill., Don Ramon Vill., Veteran’s Vill., Panacan Avenue, Panacan Public Market, and Km. 13 Panacan): anytime between 12:00 NN to 5:00 PM of Sept. 13 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 15, anytime between 12:00 NN to 5:00 PM of Sept. 16 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 18, and anytime between 12:00 NN to 5:00 PM of Sept. 19 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 20 Panacan Relocation and Sasa areas (Doña Caridad Subd., De Guzman Vill., PDRHAI Vill., Km.12 Sasa, Bayview Vill., Doña Socorro Vill., San Jose Vill., Landmark Vill. II, Nelia Ville Subd., Cabayugan I, II, & III, San Vicente Vill., BAT Compound, San Lorenzo Ruiz Vill., Airview Heights, SUHA Vill., Doña Mercedes Vill., Mahayahay Settlers, San Antonio Vill., and Plainview Vill.): anytime between 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM of Sept. 13 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 15, anytime between 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM of Sept. 16 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 18, and anytime between 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM of Sept. 19 until 6:00 AM of Sept. 20 The DCWD management apologizes to all affected customers and asks for their understanding and cooperation. For any concerns and queries, please contact DCWD’s 24-hour hotlines 244-6767, 0927-7988966, 0908-441-0653, and 0925-511-3293 and chat support at DCWD’s Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/officialDCWD) and DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov.ph).

some inputs on how to improve theparticipants’proposedprojects such as the establishment of an online store and the production of broiler chicken and disposable abaca face masks. DTI-Davao Oriental chief for business development, Sylvia ORdiz emphasized on the importance of involving the youth in the agency’s entrepreneurship initiatives. She said that this sector plays a crucial role in nation building because of their brilliant ideas and their drive to see the country moving forward.

The winning team, the DavOr Treasures will represent the province during the 2021 YEP business pitching competition – regional level on September 23 to 24. Ordiz noted that their office will continue to hold activities to develop more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). As of July this year, DTI-Davao Oriental has already assisted a total of 2,921 MSMEs throughout the province. For this year, they aim to extend the most necessary assistance to 5,109 MSMEs.

19.44 MMT, comprising of the actual harvest of 11.9 MMT, from January to September 2020, and a projected yield of 7.54 MMT in the fourth quarter, based on standing crop on Nov. 1, 2020. The 2020 palay harvest is 3.3 percent more than the 18.81-MMT output in 2019, and surpassed the previous high of 19.27 MMT recorded in 2017. Department of Agriculture

Secretary William Dar has attributed the feat to the timely and sustained interventions under the Duterte administration’s “Plant, Plant, Plant” program. The program includes the provision of free certified inbred seeds under the RCEF, and hybrid seeds and fertilizers under the RRP and NRP -as well as the strong support of governors of top rice-producing provinces, and of farmers’ groups and federations. (PNA)

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government of Davao advised Dabawenyos to be alert against acts of terrorism. In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the city urged various religious groups to strengthen their security and strictly check individuals wearing jacket, carrying backpack, and other things that could possibly hide bombs.

Dabawenyos are also advised not to bring backpack and wear jacket when going to vaccination sites, church, hospitals, and malls to avoid security inspections. Those who have information with this terror threat are advised to call the hotlines 0917-131-4333, 0999-2271111, and 082-224-0911.

thing you need is a healthy body to have a healthy immunity,” he explained. Doc Ted was confined at St. Luke’s Medical Center for 20 days. He was brought to Eugenio Lopez Center in Antipolo for his post-confinement 14-day quarantine. From the time he was discharged and during his quarantine phase, his reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was always positive. It took three weeks after his mandatory 14day quarantine that he showed negative two results (he had weekly RT-PCR). After that near-death experience, Doc Ted believed that health is indeed wealth. “I learned how a crude virus was able to bring me to my knees and realize how fragile life is,” he admitted. “I became closer to myself, closer to God, closer to my family, closer to nature, and closer to humanity.” When asked for his final words, Doc Ted replied: “The war to survive, thrive and live is not yet over. So, I would like everyone to apply what I learned in life along the ordeal I was into. Like humanity, I am still into the warrior mode in getting out of this quagmire despite the fact I got vaccinated. The danger is still up.” Doc Ted also provided his 12 commandments against COVID-19: C – Cover properly your mouth and nose with appropriate mask and if possible, with face shield; O – Observe frequent hand washing (with soap and water) or hand sanitizing; M – Mind the physical dis-

tancing norms (6 feet apart), the coughing and sneezing etiquette; M – Minimize face-to-face interaction; A – Avoid touching your face particularly the mouth, eyes, or nose; N – Never stay or move away quickly from crowded areas. D – Do not go out of your house unless it is necessary. If you need to go out to attend meeting, limit to 30 minutes if it is in an enclosed area; room capacity should only 50% of the usual room occupancy; M – Minimize or avoid contact with frequently-touched public materials (e.g. knobs, toilet faucets) or common public surfaces (e.g. rails, counter/ teller platform). Use foot, back of hand or elbow to open doors, use ‘finger knuckle’, or use ‘extensions’ in pressing ATM and elevator buttons; E – Emphasize in having air movement inside vehicle (2-3 inches opening with or without aircon) or in enclosed rooms by opening windows or doors to allow ventilation (better if with fans to form wind corridor); N – Never forget to sanitize item/s frequently used or handled (cellular phone, car keys, computer keyboard). Never forget to secure in a small plastic bag or simply fold properly used mask, gloves or any PPE before throwing it in the trash bin; T – Try not to eat while in public transport and not to smoke in crowded smoking area; and S – Secure cashless transactions. If you’re riding a commuter vehicle, bring exact fare

in when certain players are

defended well or not making their shots. Hopefully, we can just continue that,” said Reyes. The loss cut short NorthPort’s three-game winning run and dropped it to an even 4-4 slate, spoiling the return to the bench of its coaching staff led by head coach Pido Jarencio. Paolo Taha paced the Batang Pier with 20 points and Jamie Malonzo added 15, but usual top scorer Robert Bolick was held to just 12 points, on 3-of-16 field shooting, after

bearing the brunt of TNT’s defensive scheme that stymied him from getting any real rhythm going. Also, a big disadvantage for NorthPort was the absence of Greg Slaughter (skin infection) and Sean Anthony (sprain). After missing his first eight shots from the field, Bolick did boom in a triple to knot the count at 49-all, but that third and last deadlock proved to be brief in the face of TNT’s steady barrage.

Lucas played eight NBA seasons for six teams. He was a player development coach with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2017-19. Lucas will take over some of the responsibilities left behind by Lionel Hollins’ decision to leave the Lakers’ staff when they couldn’t agree on a new contract, and by Miles Simon’s promotion to head coach of the G League’s South Bay Lakers. Phil Handy, Mike Penberthy and Quinton Crawford return on Vogel’s staff. The Lakers didn’t renew the contract of head athletic

trainer Nina Hsieh in June after the club experienced significant injury problems throughout last season. Their defense of their 2020 championship ended with a first-round loss to the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Alex Caruso, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and other Lakers were sidelined or significantly limited by injuries throughout the second half of the season. Sancho spent the past seven seasons with the Golden State Warriors, including the last five as an assistant athletic trainer.

nity-level protection against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), demand for OFWs and remittances growth will increase further. Ricafort said remittances being sent to the Philip-

pines have been “somewhat defying the pandemic” as a lot of OFWs are economic and medical front-liners, which he described “a sign of resilience/bright spot/ greenshoots.”

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SPORTS

Ginebra guard L.A. Tenorio slips past Phoenix defenders Matthew Wright and Justin Chua.

Ginebra rallies past Phoenix

Lakers officially name Fizdale lead asst coach

OS ANGELES — Former Knicks head coach David Fizdale has joined his hometown Los Angeles Lakers as the lead assistant coach on Frank Vogel’s staff. The Lakers also hired John Lucas III as an assistant coach and named Roger Sancho their head athletic trainer on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time). Fizdale was the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach for 101 games from May 2016 until November 2017, leading them to the playoffs in his only full season. He

took the top job with New York in May 2018, but was fired in December 2019 after New York got off to a 4-18 start. Before taking over the Grizzlies, Fizdale was an assistant coach for 13 seasons at Miami, Atlanta and Golden State. Fizdale, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, fills the lead assistant vacancy created on the Lakers’ staff in June when Jason Kidd left to become the Dallas Mavericks’ head coach.

FLAKERS, P10

arangay Ginebra breathed life on its sagging title-retention bid with a crucial come-from-behind 94-87 win over Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym Wednesday. Stanley Pringle and LA Tenorio bounced back strong from woeful showing the last time out and provided big punches as the Kings rallied from 19 points down in the first half and smothered the Fuel Masters to move up to joint seventh with the NLEX Road Warriors at 4-5. Christian Standhardinger also played a key role in the absence of the injury-hit Japeth Aguilar (MCL strain) as Ginebra snapped Phoenix’s two-game roll and

sent its victim to ninth place at 4-6. “It’s been a rollercoaster for everybody but we decided to stay positive and stay together as a team,” said Pringle, leading the Kings with 31 points that went with seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Tenorio had a big turnaround from a scoreless outing in their 67-88 blowout by TNT, with the peppery guard exploding for 23 this time highlighted by six three-pointers.

9-of-19 field goals and added 12 rebounds for another double-double effort. Scottie Thompson had his own double-double game with 12 markers and 11 boards.(PBA) The scores: Ginebra 94 - Pringle 31, Tenerio 23, Standjardinger 21, Thompson 12, Mariano 3, Dillinger 2, Tolentino 2, Salado 0, Caperal 0, Enriquez 0, Aguilar 0, R. Aguilar 0, Devance 0, Holmqvist 0, Ayaay 0. Phoenix 87 - Perkins 30, Wright 18,Jazul 15, Chua 12, Calisaan 3, Melecio 3, Banchero 2, Pascual 2, Demusis 2, Faundo 0, Muyang 0, Garcia 0, Manuel 0, Tamsi 0, Rios. Quarters:16-33, 46-52, 69-76,94-87

their team out of the Batang Pier’s clutches. “He’s a dog, just a dog,” said Williams of the former La Salle standout. “He’s given us that energy, the spark that we need day in, day out. Taking on, most of the time, the best challenges that we have. And he’s holding his own, he’s doing really well. We’re all pushing each other, we’re all finding ways to get it done.” The Tropa as a whole did and, as a result, notched their third straight win for a 9-1 record overall and a

sure No. 1 seeding in the quarterfinals which carries with it a win-once advantage over the No. 8 team in the quarterfinals. TNT coach Chot Reyes was simply glad with the way his relatively new acquisitions led by Montalbo continue to show improvement, this time enabling him to give Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy limited minutes. “We want to make sure we have guys we can count on, who can deliver, step

Tropang Giga blasts Northport

M Mikey Williams led TNT with 29 points. (PBA)

Versus the Tropang Giga, Tenorio was 0-of-13 from the field. Pringle, Tenorio and Standhardinger themselves starred in a 21-6 windup propelling the team to their first win in their last three games. The Fuel Masters, led by Jason Perkins with 30 points and Matthew Wright with 18, took control most of the way and were in command at 8173 before Tenorio and Pringle buried back-toback treys to spark a run that shoved Ginebra ahead at 83-81. Tenorio’s last conversion from deep sealed the deal for the Kings at 92-87. Standhardinger was a third King who scored in the 20s, making 21 on

ikey Williams and teammate Kib Montalbo conspired to lead TNT over NorthPort ,102-92, Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. Williams again showed the way for the Tropang Giga with 29 points while Montalbo, the 11th overall pick two years ago, backstopped him with a career-high 22 as they mostly led and sustained a second half charge that totally put

FTROPANG, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 158 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Under the leadership of PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, the PSC has produced rising stars in taekwondo.

FUTURE STARS

Next gen of taekwondo champs in PSC Rise Up Shape Up

oung and promising women and girls taekwondo practitioners of the country will headline the upcoming webisode of Rise Up Shape Up (RUSU) this coming Saturday, September 18. RUSU is a weekly web series of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under the Women in Sports program. It highlights the inspiring stories of women and girls who demonstrated excellence in the field and provides equal opportunity and exposure for them. In the latest webisode, PSC-RUSU will feature forty-five (45) taekwondo rising stars who shone in the recent 7th Women’s Martial Arts Festival. “Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and an indomitable spirit—these are the five tenets of taekwondo that any practitioner or athlete knows by heart. These are also the same characteristics manifested by these 45

young taekwondo champions.” shared PSC Women in Sports Commissioner oversight Celia H. Kiram. The brief history of Taekwondo will also be discussed during the 10:30 am web program which will be explained further by Commissioner Kiram in the “K-Isport: Kwentong Isport” segment. “This project echoes the agency’s commitment to supporting and nurturing women in the field of sports.” told the lady commissioner. In the previous webisodes, PSC’s Rise Up, Shape Up also starred different martial arts presented in the 7th Women’s Martial Arts Festival such as karatedo, judo, arnis, muay thai, wrestling, among others.