Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 146 | Friday, September 3, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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City extends ban on nonessential gov’t events until STORY ON PAGE 2 Dec. 31, 2021 A vendor prepares choice pork meat cut for a customer at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. The Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) has reported that the cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Davao Region are declining and there were only two cases detected in the region for the last two months. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 146 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021

BAN STAYS

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go maintains his decision not to run for the presidency in the May 2022 national and local elections, despite appeals from his partymates to do so. He also bared that President Rodrigo Duterte may run as vice president without a running mate. Edge Davao

City extends ban on non-essential gov’t events until Dec. 31, 2021 By MAYA M. PADILLO

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio extended the ban on non-essential government-organized activities in Davao City until December 31, 2021, due to the increasing cases of Covid-19 and the detection of Delta variant in the city.

Mayor Sara signed on August 31, 2021, Executive Order (EO.) No. 43, series of 2021, otherwise known as “An Order Extending until December

31, 2021, the Regulations On All Barangay, Local, and National Government Office Events Including Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation Events”.

“There is a need to extend the provisions of Executive Order No. 31 Series of 2021 to regulate some activities that can contribute to local transmission in the city,” Mayor Sara said. The new EO ordered for the banning of all face-toface non-essential events from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, such as inauguration, anniversary, thanksgiving, ribbon-cutting, blessing,

turnover, groundbreaking activity, launching program, salo-salo, birthday, press conference, oath-taking program, photo opportunity, retirement honors, welcome honors, testimonial program, summer outing, team building, and all other similar activities. The Mayor stated that all the banned events are, however, allowed to be adapted to online plat-

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Sen. Go insists he won’t run for President in 2022; says PRRD may decide to run for VP

enator Christopher “Bong” Go has maintained his decision not to run for the presidency in the May 2022 national and local elections, despite appeals from his partymates to do so. Go said in an interview that while he is grateful for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)’s trust and confidence in him when its National Executive Committee endorsed him as President Rodrigo Duterte’s running mate for the 2022 elections, he said he is

already content serving the Filipino people as a senator. “I am deeply honored by the trust and confidence of the members of the [PDP-Laban] National Executive Committee in my capability to run for presidency in the coming 2022 elections,” Go said when asked about his plan for the 2022 polls. “Napakalaking bagay po ‘yung endorsement na ‘yun mula po sa mga kapwa miyembro ko po sa PDP. It’s a great personal honor for me. But, as much as I wish to respond to the clamor of

many of my party mates, I most respectfully decline the said endorsement,” he added. In a letter dated August 30 to party president and Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Go expressed his gratitude for the “trust and confidence” in him to be endorsed as presidential candidate and to run with President Duterte as vice presidential candidate. Go, on the other hand, made it clear that he politely declines the endorsement. Cusi responded to Go later that day in a letter,

saying that the party’s National Executive Committee understands his decision but is still committed to endorsing him as the PDP-Laban presidential candidate. Cusi added that Go is “the best candidate to tandem with President Duterte” and that the two of them are “the best pair to lead our country forward.” Despite his partymates’ constant support, Go stated that he is steadfast in his decision. “Ako na po ang nakikiusap sa inyo na unahin n’yo

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Breaking away from pandemic stress through utilizing arts

agumenyo healthcare workers utilized the arts to break away from stress related to the pandemic, as the Tagum City Historical and Cultural Center organized its first-ever Art in the Park aimed at championing the arts to help certain sectors deal with mental health concerns in these trying times. An ancillary event of the Center’s National Heroes Day celebration, the first-ever Art in the Park gathered five nurses who were previously enlisted in the Center’s Art as a Tool for Therapy lecture by Resident Artist Victor Augustus Dumaguing. “Art therapy can improve your mental health because for me it relieves stress, enhances my mood and helps me to let go of my emotions,” shared Trisha Jay Jao of the City Health Office. Held at the Tagumpay Nature’s Park last August

ix Moro tribes under United Muslim Council for Peace and Development (UMCPD) have affirmed their willingness to propagate the safety and security in Davao City by signing a Manifesto of Support to the “Culture of Security” on Wednesday (September 1 ). Culture of security is the city’s campaign to raise security awareness to counter threats of terrorism. The campaign encourages the public to volunteer themselves for inspection and help in the implementation of security measures in the city and reporting of

27, the one-day event featured a brief lecture and demo by Mr. Dumaguing on the many ways how to create art, specifically self-portraits. Healthcare workers were asked to paint their projection of themselves on the canvas, resulting in a colorful mixture of hues in one grand painting. Prior to the event, all of the participants have little or no background in painting, and their collective output surprised them. Their output will be one of the artworks that will be exhibited in the Center’s participation in the Mindanao Art Fair in October, the annual gathering of the best artists on the island. Mayor Allan Rellon, who also participated in the event, also announced that a similar event will be conducted for the department heads of the local government. Louie Lapat/ TCHCC

all suspicious persons and activities in the community. All pieces of information are important and should be reported to the security sector, the manifesto declared. It also aims to solicit public cooperation in the awareness campaign by reminding friends and family members of all security regulations within Davao City. The public must also take part in the implementation of the Culture of Security within their workplace, school, purok, or subdivision and be an active part of the community

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EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

A biker pedals by the blast site memorial in honor of the victims of the September 2 bombing along Roxas Avenue in Davao City on Thursday. Five years ago, 15 innocent lives perished and 69 others left injured in one of the city’s most tragic incidents. Edge Davao

he coalition of animal welfare Bantay Hayop Davao (BHD) is appealing for assistance to help the 22 dogs and two persons including a 70-year-old elderly woman living in a burnt down house totally destroyed by fire in Ecoland, Davao City. “Their house was 80 percent destroyed. They moved from place to place with clothes and some dining wares and their dogs. And nibalik sila sa ilang nasunog na balay. The daughter has no work. We went there, the place is miserable. So miserable I thought I was not on earth. They sleep in a room around five square meters or less with 22 dogs. They literally have nothing,” Rovie Bullina, program director of BHD, told Edge Davao. Bullina said the City Veterinarian Office (CVO) and

the City Health Office (CHO) already conducted ocular inspection after complaints were raised from the neighborhood. “The CHO and CVO advised already that the dogs be relocated. Thing is to help the humans we have to help the dogs, to help the dogs, we have to help the humans,” she said. BHD found out about the sorry state of the dogs and the two individuals from a report of a concerned citizen. BHD posted in its Facebook Page “Nakatira po ang mga asong ito sa isang nasunogang bahay, and kung ano man ang natira sa sunog. 20 dogs po ang binubuhay nila, gipit po ang dalawang taong nag-aalaga sa kanila. We will hide their identities po for their privacy. Isa sa mga naiiwang nag-aalaga sa mga aso ay

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Live-in couple nabbed with P112,000-‘shabu’ in Toril

couple found in possession of illegal drugs was arrested in a joint military and police checkpoint operation in Toril Davao City Wednesday morning (September 1). Capt. John Louie Dema-ala, spokesman of Task Force Davao, identified the suspects as Arman Paraiso Dumaop,35, of Mabini Street, Digos City, Davao del Sur and Gwendolyn, 33, his live-in partner. Dema-ala said the authorities were able to seize 8 grams of suspected shabu

with an estimated value of P112,000. The couple also yielded cash of P200,000 a caliber .22 rifle, magazine, and 86 pieces of bullets. The suspects were arrested while attempting to enter the city from Digos onboard a white transformer multicab. TF Davao commander Col. Darren Comia lauded the harmony of the military and police in conducting checkpoint operations as it consistently filters unwelcomed elements in the city. (AMA)

Household transmission is rising, says Covid-19 TF By MAYA M. PADILLO

ore families are getting sick due to household transmission of Covid-19 according to Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force. Schlosser said a number of households were placed under lockdown due to transmission adding up to the sources of infection in the city. Schlosser said the city is now mobilizing Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs), district health officers, and security cluster to intensify household lockdown. “Based on our data, mas

daghan na ug cases ang household. karon gina-mobilize nato ang atoang mga BHERTS and security cluster and PNP to strenghten and intensfy household lockdown kasi due to surge of cases na naa ta karon, dili lang usa-usa ang na-infect sa panimalay becasue a lot of our cases karon kanang naghawaay dili lang isa ka miyembro sa pamilya ang mag-positive kundili

tag-tulo or tag-upat, worst is the entire family. So mas daghan ta ug household transmission mao mas daghan ta ug household lockdown,” she said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Schlosser disclosed that 15 establishments are undergoing risk-assessment by the city’s district health officers, security cluster, and BHERTs and if proven to be high risk, will be placed under lockdown. “For commercial establishment lockdown, sa week 35 covering August 31, 2021 onwards naa ta’y gina-risk-assessed na 15 es-

he cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) are declining in Davao Re-

provinces of Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur, wherein there is an ongoing monitoring and surveillance, including environmental swabbing. As of August 15, 2021, 236 barangays in the region were affected by the outbreak, culling a total of 49,315 pigs from 10,664 farmers. The province of Davao Occidental, where the epidemic started in the first quarter of 2020, has the most number of culled pigs with 23,483 from 5,669

farmers. This is followed by Davao del Norte with 8,189 culled pigs, Davao del Sur with 6,684, Davao City with 4,463, Davao Oriental with 3,938, and Davao de Oro with 2,558. Pineda also disclosed that the government has distributed a total of PhP 172.535 million as indemnification for the culled pigs. He added that another PhP 12.89 million will be released this second or third week of September.

tablishments recommended for lockdown. Although, humanon sa nato ang risk assessment, tan-awon sa atoang district health officers, BHERTs and security cluster kung high risk ba gyud ang establishment, kung high risk definitely ma-lockdown,” Schlosser said. Schlosser added that for week 34, there were 15 establishments placed under lockdown already. “Ang basis sa lockdown sa establishments is the cluster of cases, meaning kung naa gyud sila’y number of cases maapil sila sa

Meanwhile, in Davao de Oro, Provincial Veterinarian Rolando Simene hopes that a vaccine will be made to put an end to ASF. “Pero samtang wala pa ni vaccine, prevent nalang sa jud ta,” he said. (Since there is still no vaccine yet, we just have to prevent it (ASF).) He stressed that among the prevention measures he suggested to the piggery owners is to avoid transporting the boar to the gilt, or locally known as ‘hi-

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ASF declining in Davao Region T gion. Livestock Coordinator Dr. Karl Laurence Pineda of the Department of Agriculture XI (DA XI) reported during the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council – Technical Working Group Meeting that for the last two months, there are only two cases detected in the region. Dr. Pineda revealed that the two cases are in the

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Linemen do repair work amid the chaos of electrical and telecommunications cables in downtown Davao City on Wednesday (1 September 2021). MindaNews photo

DTI-DavSur reaches out to brgy entrepreneurs amidst pandemic T he Department of Trade and Industry in Davao del Sur has continued to deliver its livelihood assistance to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) in different barangays in the province, despite the pandemic threat. DTI-Davao del Sur has already reached out to fourteen (14) barangays from across the province to extend the various assistance under the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay – Livelihood Seeding Program

(NSB-LSP). As of Aug. 26, 2021, a total of 160 barangay entrepreneurs benefited from the sari-sari store livelihood kits and free entrepreneurial mind setting seminars and business cliniquing.

The beneficiaries, who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, were also taught of sari-sari store management and simplified record keeping. DTI-Davao del Sur’s implementation of the NSB-LSP has benefitted the MSMEs in the following barangays: Rizal and Kiblagon (Malalag); Saliducon and Matutungan (Sta. Cruz); Dalumay, Glamang and Balnate (Magsaysay); Lanuro and Aplaya (Hagonoy); Kimlawis (Kiblawan);

Saub and Dongan Pekong (Matanao); Clib and Labon (Sulop). According to DTI, the NSB-LSP aims to assist MSMEs affected by natural and man-made disasters, to recover economically and to encourage them to restore their sustainable livelihood enterprises by providing grant-in-kind assistance and capacitate them with seminars and trainings on basic entrepreneurship skills. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)

2 hyperscalers from China, US to locate in PH this year

t least two hyperscale companies will locate in the Philippines this year, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said Wednesday. Ceferino, who is also the managing head of the Board of Investments (BOI), said these companies are from China and the United States. “Since this is a new industry, (the interests) range

from exploratory to advanced… Within this year, we could have at least two hyperscaler investors coming in,” Rodolfo said in a virtual event promoting the Philippines as a strategic hub for hyperscalers in the Asia Pacific region. He said these firms are still studying the green energy market here as a main driver, as well as the data privacy regulatory frame-

FTAs provide certainty amid SEC approves public offerings health and economic crises by CASA, ACE Center-CDO

epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has underscored the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs) amid unstable conditions brought by the global health and economic crisis. During the virtual Belt and Road Summit Wednesday, Lopez said FTAs have provided predictability in the business environment

that encouraged firms to pursue their investments. “Through this stable and predictable business environment, participating countries can encourage more investments as investors are assured that trade will follow what is committed under the agreement and would not be subject to volatile changes that can negatively affect their businesses,” he said.

As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Philippines has FTAs with Hong Kong through Asean-Hong Kong FTA (AHKFTA) and trade pact with Asia Pacific countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Lopez said these FTAs

will be a key in reestablishing supply chains and will provide opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the global value chain. “These FTAs further strengthened the rulesbased, transparent, and open business environment in the region,” he added. He also encouraged

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has considered favorably the maiden public offerings by Allied Care Experts Medical (ACE) Center- Cagayan de Oro, Inc. (CDO) and Central Azucarera de San Antonio, Inc. (CASA). In its meeting on August 31, the Commission En Banc resolved to render effective the registration statements of ACE Medical Center-CDO and CASA

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covering 240,000 common shares and 1,850,000 common shares, respectively, subject to the companies’ compliance with certain remaining requirements. ACE MEDICAL CENTER - CDO ACE Medical CenterCDO will offer 3,600 blocks composed of 10 shares each, with a price ranging from P200,000 to P400,000 per block. The shares will be traded over the counter

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

A pedestrian walks by an“ukay-ukay”store along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

DOLE says Oman lifts ban on Pinoy travelers

he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced that the Sultanate of Oman has lifted the temporary travel ban on Filipino workers and tourists. In a virtual forum, DOLE spokesperson Rolly Francia said the decision to lift the ban was based on the communication sent by Muscat to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. “The Secretary wishes to announce that the Sultanate of Oman, effective today, is set to admit traveling Filipinos, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and tourists likewise, are allowed to enter the Sultanate of Oman based on the communication sent him,” he said. Reciprocating the Arab country’s move, Francia said the Philippine government is also set to allow

travel to Oman “subject to the clearance to be provided by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID)”. “So we will just wait. Although we had preliminary word that such will be lifted with the effectivity of the travel ban to other countries that will...that will end on September 5. The reciprocal decision of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to lift the ban to Oman will be lifted also on the 5th of September,” he added. Currently, Oman is included on the list of countries covered by travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government, which is in effect until Sept. 5. “So as soon as the new

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Gov’t revenues climb to P1.7-T in Jan-July N ational government revenues for January to July 2021 rose by 3.6 percent to PHP1.75 trillion from PHP1.69 trillion in the same period in 2020. Despite the increase, government revenues have yet to reach the pre-pandemic level with revenues amounting to PHP1.82 trillion. According to the Department of Finance (DOF), higher government revenues in the first seven months of the year were driven by robust tax collections.

Tax collections through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) grew by 7.8 percent to PHP1.2 trillion this year from PHP1.11 trillion in the previous year. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) posted total tax collections amounting to PHP358.9 billion in the January to July period, increasing by 18.5

creased risk of diabetes,” she said. The study, however, said more than 75 percent of the respondents still consume polished or white rice at least twice a day, Abilgos-Ramos said. The study showed all respondents signified interest in rice with naturally low GI but only half of them are willing to consume brown rice. “Identifying factors that influence food behavior

percent from PHP302.9 billion in the same period last year. “BOC’s collections this period already surpassed its pre-pandemic revenues even if modestly by more than PHP1.2 billion. Both collection agencies’ revenues also exceeded the 6.2 percent nominal GDP (gross domestic product) growth in the first semester,” the DOF’s Economic Bulletin said. On the other hand, non-tax revenues decreased to PHP173.2 billion this year from PHP259.7 billion in 2020.

“Non-tax revenues declined by 33.3 percent due to last year’s hefty non-recurrent dividend remittances by government corporations,” the DOF added. Government expenditures for the first seven months of the year rose by 8.2 percent to PHP2.58 trillion compared to January to July 2020’s spending of PHP2.39 trillion. This left the government with a deficit of PHP835.2 billion, a 19.2-percent increase from last year’s deficit of PHP700.6 billion. (PNA)

ufacturing PMI last month was the first deterioration since May and one of the sharpest decreases for 15 months. Despite the deterioration in manufacturing activities, the Philippines’ PMI is higher than Asean’s average manufacturing score of 44.5 and only behind Thailand’s index of 48.3 whose manufacturing sector also slowed down last month. Myanmar’s manufacturing index in August was at 36.5, Vietnam at 40.2, Ma-

laysia at 43.4, Indonesia at 43.7, and Singapore at 44.3. IHS Markit economist Shreeya Patel said the deterioration of the country’s manufacturing conditions came as no surprise after the announcement of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and also tightening of community quarantine measures in nearby provinces last month. “Factories and their clients in the (Mega) Manila

More Pinoys aware of low- PH, Asean manufacturing glycemic rice benefits: DA activities down in August

here are now more Filipinos who are aware of the health benefits of low-glycemic index (GI) rice, a study from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PRRI) showed. “Results of our study showed that majority of our respondents from all 17 regions in the country had high level of awareness on GI,” said Riza Abilgos-Ramos, DA-PhilRice’s supervising science research specialist, in a statement released

by the DA on Wednesday. GI, according to DA-PRRI, is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels. Abilgos-Ramos said foods with low GI, such as brown rice, are recommended for controlling blood sugar levels because these release glucose in the body slowly after intake. “White or polished rice has high GI. Consumption of this is associated with in-

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he Philippines, along with other Southeast Asian nations, recorded a slowdown in manufacturing activities in August amid the surging cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and increasing Delta variant in the region. IHS Markit reported Wednesday that the Philippines’ manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) in August declined to 46.4 from 50.4 in July. IHS Markit said the man-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 146 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021

On households placed under lockdown due to transmission adding up to the sources of infection in the city:

Based on our data, mas daghan na ug cases ang household. karon gina-mobilize nato ang atoang mga BHERTS and security cluster and PNP to strenghten and intensfy household lockdown.”

Dr. Michelle Schlosser

Spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force

EDITORIAL Big Brother house More than a decade ago we were all caught in a frenzy as Big Brother changed the way we watched television. The concept of reality TV was fresh and the social experiment that the show promoted was unique and revolutionary. That Big Brother tested how people behave when locked up in a household and deprived of the outside world gave us the idea of how life will be inside a virtual box and living with a handful of strangers around.

Little did we know that the ‘boxed’ life was a prelude to the lockdown era we are all going to experience during this Coronavirus pandemic. There is not much of a difference between the Big Brother house and this lockdown life people are going through. The mental ordeal and the test for one’s patience, resilience

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The only difference we are going through now is that this boxed life could even be more stressful as the pressure is coming from both external and internal. The risks of household transmission has made our boxed life even more depressing. There is now a current trend, as reported by the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force of rising cases stemming from household transmission. Hence, the risk of contracting the contagion is not only in the outside world but also internal. Unless we all strictly follow the words of Big Brother (health protocols), eviction from this world -- or death in present times -- awaits. This is the hard reality we are all playing a part in. 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

and obedience are all the same ingredients present in both environments.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

THREE BRIDGES TO FREEDOM, 1945 Days before Davao City was freed from Japanese juggernaut on May 3, 1945 by the 19th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, three bridges stood between the liberators and the enemy forces. To allow military transports to cross the remaining waterways from the southern sector of Davao, the badly demolished crossings had to be repaired On April 30, 1945, the division began driving towards north, negotiating costal road linking Digos City to Davao City, the same route that connects both cities today. For the liberators to pass the road safely, the engineers and ordnance bomb disposal experts from Company B had to clear booby traps and mines planted by Japanese forces on the highway. But the problems did not stop there. At night, the

U.S. forces had to contend with enemy attacks that resulted in the wounding of members of the engineering team and the destruction of a heavy equipment. The Japanese also managed to pester the line of communications. Before safely liberating the city, the last eight kilometers of the campaign to free the city proved to be a difficult challenge. Fortunately, the first wave of advancing American infantry men managed to save the two-span, 179-foot steel bridge at Talomo, near the present-day Coca-Cola Plant, which the Japanese demolition unit was about to blow up. From here, the troops moved forward only to be confronted with a damaged 125-foot concrete Matina bridge. The riverway below the span was not low enough

to allow the jeeps and other military transports to cross. The combat engineers had to labor fast also the repair of the bridge so that trailers carrying engineer assault boats could move forward and do forced crossing of Davao River. But the last span, known as the Gov. Generoso Bridge and regarded as ‘a major natural barrier to Davao,’ was destroyed and not passable. Kenneth J. Deacon, in an article (‘Engineers in the Drive to Davao, 1945’) that came out in the May-June 1959 issue of ‘The Military Engineer,’ wrote: “[The] three-san, 492foot steel and concrete bridge lay in ruins. Crossing [Davao River] in assault boats seemed necessary. On May 1 engineer reconnaissance patrols selected a site for launching small boats to transport to Ice House

Point, near the mouth of the river, and for a possible ford leading to that municipal reservoir, about 1.25 miles upstream.” Ice House Point was at the end of the old Bolton Extension while the municipal reservoir was found at Madapo Hills in the same area where the Davao City Water District (DCWD) now has a training center. That same day, a combat engineer repaired a destroyed 800-yard ponton footbridge north of the highway, removed mines and booby traps, and built an improvised ‘catwalk with a ladder and planks.’ As this happened, the Ice House Point was pounded by guns. Nevertheless, the infantrymen managed to slip across the bridge before they became the targets. The following day, May 2, the infantrymen of Com-

pany C were met with 20mm and machinegun fire as they shifted to the boat assembly area. The spot meant for beachhead was earlier blown up by Japanese longrange artillery. Meanwhile, Company B found the ford that they planned to cross was inundated, thus forcing them to adjust to cross Davao River. “On May 3,” Deacon wrote, “the infantry wrested Davao from remnants of the Japanese garrison. The city had been almost totally destroyed by aerial bombardment and hostile demolitions. Removal of numerous mines and booby traps required much effort by the combat engineers and ordnance personnel. Although the 24th Division had recovered the last major city in the Philippines, the pursuit and destruction of the enemy still lay ahead.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

LESSONS FROM AFGHANISTAN “I’m for truth, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” - Malcolm X *******

I’m certain everyone (ooops, perhaps not everyone, sorry) is already aware of the on-going bizarre and oddly nerve-wracking developments around us. The screaming global headlines of the swift and surprising Taliban take-over of the US-aided democratic government of Afghanistan some weeks ago should capture our undivided attention. Why? Because the United States of America, on whom plenty of our past elected leaders and regimes have kowtowed to, has abandoned this tiny beleaguered Asian nation after twenty years of propping

it up against the onslaught of terrorism and inter-tribal conflict and disunity. The Taliban ruled the Afghan people from 1996-2001 when they provided refuge and haven to Osama Bin-laden and the Al Qaeda terrorist organization whose notoriety to conduct jihadist (suicide) bombings were the concern of the US and its allies everywhere. In retaliation for the infamous Sept. 11 (2001) twin tower bombings in New York City where thousands of American lives perished and scores injured, the US decided to invade the Taliban-controlled Aghan country and colonize it, in a manner of speaking. Former Pres. Donald Trump, in fulfillment of his campaign promise wisely ordered the US withdrawal but ensured making contractual arrangements with the Taliban that ALL US service men and women and citizens will be given safe conduct and be

allowed to fly back to the US mainland. The incumbent Joe Biden, however, ignored Trump’s methodical policy towards the Taliban and is now employing damage control measures when the Taliban assumed control of Kabul despite Biden’s pronouncements to downplay the discouraging event. What is clear now is that the US displayed its true color. When push comes to shove, America will not defend our country from external aggression. How can the Philippines rely on American military assistance viz-a-vis the WPS and China’s hegemonic attempts to control the expansive waterway if it even abandoned and left behind hundreds of Americans during the evacuation panic? The Republicans in both the Senate and Congress are explosively expressing their

disgust over Biden’s weak display of executive leadership and are asking Biden and company to leave office. Although the truism that no man is an island applies, it always is good to be able to stand on one’s own two feet. Self-reliance is a virtue that we all recognize. In this case, Afghans relied head over heels on American aid because they could not simply spell the true meaning of nationalism and national unity. Oddly enough, democracy seemed alien to these fundamentally Islam-based people who differed contrastingly in practice and lifestyle. A civil war is already ensuing as anti-Taliban groups led by the Massoud clan in Panshikar provine are organizing themselves as a resistance action to oppose the cruel Taliban. Reports of rape, mass murder and retributionof thousands of Afghans who

aided the US during those twenty years of Amerian occupation are reaching the four corners of the globe. I pray this grim scenario is not the objective of those who want to bring down duly-constituted authorities. Quite naturally, I am wrong. Those who are outside of the law today ambitiously desire to be on top if and when that opportunity comes along. To the victors, belong the spoils. Democracy remains, to me, the best system and lifestyle there is in this material world. My heart bleeds for the innocent victims who died during the suicide bombings at Kabul airport: 13 US armed forces personnel and more than one hundred Afghan civilians. Let us pray. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

Every child is born with certain set of talents and skills. The tricky part is how to develop them.

These are the things that Stockbridge American International School (SAIS) aim to develop among children. “In SAIS, we aim to develop the skills like leadership, integrity, open-mindedness, and stewardship,” said Dyan Joyce Bian Cortez, international consultant of SAIS in an interview. It is believed that children learn best when the parents are there to support them and this is why SAIS has a program called Smartplay, which is open for six- month- old babies. It is a parent-child class wherein classes are done just like playing with the use of the school’s proprietary and

licensed play equipment. “In this program, the school uses a special play equipment for them and the program aims to nurture the baby’s development,” she said. Cortez encouraged the parents to send their kids to SAIS as early as six months because the babies at this age are like sponges and absorb information very fast. “That when you stimulate the baby’s brain and give them a very an optimal environment for learning they grow and developed quickly also. At SAIS we are the only school in Davao that have this special equipment and program that can cater to their age group. We’ve seen these babies grow since we started in 2004, all the way up to now, we’ve seen these kids grow and a lot of them are now teenagers and college,” she said. SAIS really takes pride of its very special equipment, great learning environment, very competitive, innovative and research-driven curriculum. Because children love to play together even Pre-K12 students can also enjoy these equipment. “When they got to Kindergarten, they tran-

SKILLFUL KIDS AT

SAIS sitioned into really formal learning. This part serves as passing on the information to the student. At SAIS the students are encouraged to be active learners and to be in control with the things. It means that when we study a topic at SAIS children are encourage to do their own research, to learn about the topic,” Cortez said. In K-12 program, the students of SAIA are active learners. They are in control of the things that they learned and they are hand-

in-hand with the teachers. Cortez said with this type of method the students are more interested and they have the ownership of their learning and retain the information better and the understanding of the topic is also deeper. The highlight of the K-12 Program in SAIS is also the entrepreneurship classes. As early as kindergarten, the students are hone to become leaders, businessmen and entrepreneurs. “They are taught with different skills based on their age. Our goal is at the end of the program, when they reach Grade 12, they will be confident entrepreneurs with the global mindset,” Cortez said. In terms of the programs in SAIS, the children are really exposed to a variety of teaching methods that are research-back. “We use a holistic approach not just academic focus but most importantly personality development,” Cortez said. SAIS is the only school in Mindanao that has a dual diploma program: a diploma from Department of Education (DepEd) and from international partners.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 146 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

FOR BAMBOO PRODUCTS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

DOST

ntellectual Property Rights (IPR) are the rights acquired by an owner of an intellectual property. Intellectual property is a category of property that includes intangible creations of the human intellect. In Occidental Mindoro, a bamboo community has filed with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for IPR over their distinct bamboo crafts that have raised their income opportunities, according to an information released by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The Ansiray Tree Planters Development Association, Inc. (ATPDAI) did so to protect their business interest as they were the ones who developed their own products and designs. It has produced 31 types of bamboo products. Occidental Mindoro had 326,000 hectares of natural forests, extending over 57% of its land area of 5,865.71 square kilometers. That was in 2010. In 2020, the province lost 1.19 thousand of natural forest. The environment department is promoting sustainable kind of forest management in the province as the forests are heavily threatened with illegal human activities such as char-

coal making and kaingin. These result in degradation of soil and forest destruction. One of the programs the DENR implements is the “Handicraft Industry for Sustainable Community Development and Environmental Protection” in San Jose, the province’s largest municipality. Through this project, DENR has helped maximize bamboo production for ATPDAI. Among the bamboo products the association has developed include four types of lampshades, two types of wine holders, two types of centerpiece table, placemats, hamper, mobile speaker, tower racks, curtains, pitcher, cup, necklace, earrings, bracelet, key chains, ballpen holder, and tray. There are also two types of baskets, accessory organizer, Chinese design bamboo sala set, bilao, television rack, modern crib, modern style sala set, and mugs and pitcher. Bamboo was known be-

fore as the “poor man’s timber.” These days, bamboo has graced many high-end homes, hotels, and offices around the world. This is the reason why the government is promoting the use of bamboo as a substitute to wood as it is as durable as any wood. Promoting bamboo may also reduce deforestation. In San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, the 47-square kilometer Ilin island has abundant natural stands of bamboo. Ansiray, one of the island’s barangays, has been known for its bamboo furniture-making community. According to the press release, more than 30 households have furniture making skills. Eighteen households are engaged in bamboo tree production. The DENR’s project, costing P868,000, included capacity building, enterprise development and marketing, operations management, and project management. The project generated a product trademark and label that qualify for IPR and a business plan for the bamboo enterprise operations. The ATPDAI has gained support from the local government and other organizations. The San Jose local government unit (LGU) provided an area in the town’s

población which is used as a display area to showcase their bamboo products. The local government, which has committed itself to engage in a project on diversification of the use of bamboo, is also planning to establish a bamboo ecopark in Ilin island. The Divine Word College of San Jose-Occidental Mindoro, another collaborator, is extending training for the community’s financial and technical literacy. The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), an attached agency of DENR, is training the people of Ilin Island on bamboo propagation and best practices in bamboo farming. Barangay Ansiray – with 60-70% of its agricultural area planted with bamboo – has a total of 224 households with an average of 8 members per household with a usual monthly income per capita of P 3,000. With the DENR project, the households have been observed to have raised their income. Under the DENR’s Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) agreement, ATPDAI has a tenure over 382.15 hectares of forestland. They have 152 hectares of bamboo planta-

tion that are now under the management of the National Greening Program. CBFM is a government’s program to encourage reforestation and sustainable management of forests. Under a CBFM agreement, a community is entitled to develop and use a forest area and its resources for 25 years. The DENR’s city environment and natural resources office (CENRO) in San Jose has conceived the bamboo project as the community’s income from beds and sala set, their traditional products, is not enough to sustain their livelihood. DENR is asking assistance from other government agencies in maximizing business opportunities of ATPDAI. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), for instance, can lend assistance in machineries and product design. Infrastructure should also be improved in barangay Ansiray as their production area is on an island. As such, they need a boat for the efficient transportation of their products. The press release said that lack of investment, weak institutional framework, and limited skilled people in the bamboo craft are among the reasons blamed for the

slow growth of the bamboo industry in the country. The absence of reliable raw material sources also discourages investments in bamboo processing. Bamboos, along with rattan, provide several environmental, economic, and social benefits to society. “Bamboo is a sustainable resource that can grow under a range of climatic conditions, but preferably a tropical climate,” said the website, grandviewresearch. com. “It provides approximately 35% more oxygen and absorbs 40% more carbon dioxide as compared to trees, which results in a substantial improvement in the air quality. Further, cultivation of bamboo offers carbon fixation, controls soil erosion, and purifies the environment.” In the world market, bamboo is more preferred over timber as the former is easier to harvest, transport and are relatively affordable. “(Bamboos) are water-resistant by nature and offer high durability,” the website said. “These benefits result in the sustainable use of bamboo in applications such as furniture, shelter, and handicraft products. They are also used to produce flooring, charcoal,

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forms. The new EO applies to all barangay, local, and national government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities, including Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs). It also suspends all face-to-face non-emergency essential government activities including trainings and seminars but allowed only on online platforms. It is also stated in the EO that all offices may apply for exemption from the coverage of this section to the City Mayor’s Office. The letter must include a comprehensive plan on how to execute their non-emergency essential activity without creating a mass gathering situation. The mayor, however, exempt all disaster and emer-

gency activities including the distribution of financial, food, and non-food items from the ban. She said that non-disaster or non-emergency distribution of food and non-food items should be distributed house to house via contactless delivery by organizers or in a distribution system where no mass gathering is conducted. These activities are not limited to the distribution of livelihood kits, information materials, distribution of government aid, community pantry, food aid, and all other similar activities. It can be recalled that Mayor Sara issued issued E.O. 31, banning non-essential government activities starting May 26, 2021 until August 31, 2021 to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

na lang po ‘yung mga interesado, ‘yung mga gusto, ‘yung mga atat na atat na tumakbo bilang pangulo. Alam n’yo, kuntento na po ako sa trabaho ko bilang senador at siguro naman po makakapagserbisyo pa rin po ako bilang inyong senador,” said Go. “Iyan naman po ang ipinangako ko sa mga kababayan natin – tulungan kayo na maiahon po tayo mula sa krisis na ito dulot ng COVID-19. ‘Yun po ang una kong konsiderasyon sa ngayon – tutukan muna itong pandemyang ito at malampasan natin. Ayaw kong pag-usapan po ‘yung pulitika. Dahil nakatutok po ako ngayon na malampasan muna natin itong krisis natin na tulungan po ‘yung mga mahihirap,” he added. Meanwhile, Duterte may decide to run for vice president even if he does not have a running mate,

according to Go. “Yan sa ngayon, sa pagkakaalam ko po, wala. Pwede po siyang tumakbo bilang isang Bise Presidente na walang ulo. Ibig sabihin, magiging free for all ang kanyang ulo. So desisyon po iyon ng ating mahal na Pangulong Duterte as of today, na tatakbo po siya bilang Bise Presidente,” said Go. Go stated that if Duterte decides to run for vice president, he will support him. He also expressed his support for a presidential candidate who can continue the progress that the current administration has begun. “So ngayon naman po, ako, bilang isang Senador ay handa po akong sumuporta and, of course, sa ating mahal na Pangulong Duterte kung ano pong magiging desisyon niya, kung tatakbo po siyang Bise Presidente,” said Go.

through the hospital’s internal staff. The company expects to net P996,696,895 from the offer. Proceeds will be used for construction expenses of its hospital in Cagayan de Oro estimated at P778.4 million, the acquisition of medical equipment, the partial payment of a loan, as well as for the hospital’s working capital requirement. The intended market for the IPO will be medical practitioners and their relatives, as well as the public. Physicians and other medical specialists who subscribe to at least one block or 10 shares from the offer will be allowed to practice in the company’s hospital, subject to restrictions, limitations, and obligations as may be imposed by ACE Medical Center-CDO. ACE Medical Center-CDO is currently constructing an eight-story, 176-bed healthcare facility covering a floor area of 21,198 square meters in Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City. Subscribing to the offer shares is a prerequisite for physicians and medical specialists to practice at ACE Medical Center-CDO. Physicians looking to hold clinic at the hospital must

have paid in full one block or 10 common shares and must have undergone the required screening process and minimum requirements prescribed by the hospital. Subscribers to the IPO will also be given benefits and privileges such as discounts on medical and dental services, which the stockholder, his/her spouse, dependents and natural parents may avail of in other medical facilities affiliated with the ACE Group of Hospitals. CASA CASA will offer 277,500 common shares, consisting of 214,551 new common shares by way of a primary offer and 62,949 secondary shares offered by a selling shareholder, priced at up to P2,012.52 per share. The shares will be traded over the counter. The company is conducting the offering pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, which mandates generation companies that are not publicly listed to offer and sell to the public not less than 15% of their common shares within five years from the effectivity of Energy Regulatory Commission Resolution No. 4-2019.

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MUSLIM... FROM2 defense system. The signing of the manifesto at the Task Force Davao headquarters in Sta. Ana Wharf, took place a day before the fifth anniversary of the Roxas Night Market bombing on September 2, 2016 that claimed the lives of 14 persons and injured 74 individuals in an IED explosion.. The deputy mayors of the Iranun, Sama, Maranao, Kagan, Maguindanao and Tausug tribes urged members of their communities to adhere to the culture of security being implemented by Task Force Davao and other peace initiatives. They (Moro leaders) assured the city government and authorities of their allout support to maintain peace and order and help to end the atrocities by following the set guidelines and

reporting suspected individuals in their community. Based on record, since 1981, the city had already experienced 8 bombing incidents. Col. Darren Comia, commander of Task Force Davao, thanked the Muslim brothers for their active support to the government’s effort to battle terrorism and to protect the safety and security of Dabawenyos. Comia also encouraged them to develop and implement activities in their communities aimed to the people about the security campaign. “Let’s go down to the community level. Let’s strive to create plans to engage the people in our community through the community support program,” Comia stressed.

ang nanay na 70 years old na. At ang anak ang naghahanap ng trabaho upang may ipangtustos sila.” The group also calls for a “bayanihan” from concern citizens to help for the relocation of the dogs and improve the living condition of their caretakers. “We appeal that we help the dogs and their humans rise above their losses from the fire and the pandemic. We are pleading for help to rehabilitate the dogs and their humans to improve their living conditions and the dogs to be relocated,” Bullina said. BHD is appealing for

help as rescuing the animals is not an easy task. The group is asking for financial donation to buy medicines, rehydrating formulas, supplements, veterinary check, rice, dog food, cleaning agents, cleaning materials, leash and collar, cages, and other needs. The group is also asking the help of the veterinarians to help check the animals, people who will help clean the place, and transportation and driver to move the donations. “And help sa mga caretakers, gamit like kitchenware ug sinina,” Bullina said. By Maya M. Padillo

work in the country. Aside from these two companies, many hyperscalers are eyeing to put up their infrastructure in the country. Hyperscalers are firms that offer scalable data storage services. Examples of these companies include Alibaba Cloud, Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, among others. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Philippines is a prime location for hyperscalers as the country tops in social media and internet usage worldwide. Citing data from the 2021 Digital Report, e-commerce adoption in the Philippines grew from 76 per-

cent in 2020 to 80.2 percent in 2021. The country also has 89 million active social media users. According to global social media use ranking, the Philippines ranked 6th in Facebook, 10th in YouTube, 11th in Twitter, and 18th in Instagram. Citing data from Frost & Sullivan, Lopez said the Philippines is one of the countries with high growth in projected data center supply for the next three to five years, growing at an average of 24 percent. “The Philippines’ digital landscape makes it an ideal setting for hyperscalers,” he added.

area once again paused their production lines in a bid to curb the spread of the new Delta variant,” Patel said. IHS Markit recorded production volumes fell in August amid lower customer demand. Travel restrictions and closure of some businesses also led to lower output requirements and shedding of employees, the report added. Meanwhile, manufacturers’ outlook for the next 12 months remains positive even after it fell to a fourmonth low in August. “On a brighter note, firms’ expectations towards the outlook remained optimistic owing to hopes that the latest downturn is only temporary.

Looking at prices, easing input costs suggests that the sharp price pressures seen since the start of the year are starting to ease,” Patel said. Overall business optimism in the region hinges on the faster rollout of Covid-19 vaccines. “As with all regions, vaccinations remain paramount to controlling the spread of the disease and the associated variants. Policymakers have once again reiterated the importance of inoculating the population, which it endeavours to do by early next year. Firms will hope shocks to the supply of vaccines are brought under control to prevent this being pushed back again,” Patel added. (PNA)

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mats/screens, and woven products.” In the Philippines, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is promoting the use of engineered bamboo. Engineered bamboo, designed to be a replacement for wood, is a low-cost product manufactured from bamboo. It has been used as paneling, vehicle beds, concrete formworks, lightweight building construction. It is even used for shelters after the 2004 tsunami. In comparison to the woods that have been traditionally used, a number of benefits and drawbacks have been identified with engineered bamboo. Lower cost, especially when replacing wood that would otherwise have been imported, is a key advantage. Further benefits include greater hardness and shape retention, especially in high temperatures. “We are happy to say that the Philippines now has its own engineered bamboo industry,” says Dr. Romulo

T. Aggangan, FPRDI director. “Although still immature and bugged by various problems, it is also blessed with a lot of strengths, and given enough support from concerned groups, can be expected to grow strong, and in time be able to meet the needs of local clients or even capture a slice of the global market.” Although often listed as a “minor” forest product, bamboo is fast regaining its rightful place these days. According to an article, which appeared in Reader’s Digest, bamboo “is delicate enough to be used in phonograph needles, yet strong enough to be used in bridge construction.” As such, bamboo can replace or indirectly decrease consumption of three critically scarce resources: wood, metal and oil. Bamboo is also indispensable in the fishing and banana industry. In Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, people use bamboo as material for making rafts, fishing rods, outriggers for bancas and for fish pens. In salt-water areas, bamboo is used as stakes in the culture of mussels and oysters.

risk assessment and if ang ilahang risk assessment turn out to be high risk maapil gyud sila sa lockdown,” she said. Schlosser also said that

establishment’s failure to follow the minimum health standard protocols and alternative work arrangement will be the basis also for placing them as high risk.

marako.’ “On breeding, mas prefer pa nako ang AI (artificial insemination), pero dapat ang technician should observe proper hygiene and sanitation,” Simene underscored. (On breeding, I prefer more on artificial insem-

ination but the technician should observe proper hygiene and sanitation.) He added that one way to also prevent the spread of ASF is to prevent the traders and buyers from going inside the piggery. (PIA 11, Michael Uy)

validity of that extension lapses then that will be the time that we will reciprocate with our own lifting of the ban through the POEA,” Francia said. Francia added that there no was reason indicated over Muscat’s move. “There was no indication in the communication that was sent to the secretary. The communication

stated that the lifting ...or the travel restrictions will be lifted effective September 1 and that is today, September 1, Oman time,” he said. Last June, the POEA issued a temporary suspension of deployment of OFWs to Oman, in response to the travel restriction imposed by the Arab nation on travelers from the Philippines. (PNA)

among consumers is also key in improving diet to lower the risk of diabetes mellitus, which is one of the top five non-communicable diseases (NCDs) causing deaths among Filipinos,” Abilgos-Ramos said. According to the study, primary considerations of consumers when buying food are taste, satiety, and nutritional value. The DA-PRRI said there will be further study on reasons behind the high level of awareness and willingness to buy low-GI rice and yet the majority of the respondents are still consuming white rice. “A campaign on consumption of whole grains, particularly brown rice, should be intensified,” Abilgos-Ramos said.

Rosaly V. Manaois, senior science research specialist of RCFSD and one of the researchers, said that they are now doing a more in-depth market study focused on millennials. “Millenials represent a group where interventions for prevention of NCDs, particularly diabetes mellitus, would be most useful,” she shared. This study, which was conducted by Abilgos-Ramos, Manaois, and Alcel B. Atanacio also of Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division (RCFSD), bagged the Best Scientific Poster award under the Social Sciences category during the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on July 12-15, 2021.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 146 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021

SPORTS

Former amateur standout Charly Suarez continues his journey in the pro ranks.

TNT waylays Blackwater in PBA return

NT sustained an unbeaten start to its PBA Philippine Cup campaign with a 96-76 rout of Blackwater in the league’s first game from a one-month postponement on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga. The Tropang Giga blew a solid start but still managed to pull away from the Bossing with a redhot third quarter en route to going 4-0 in the season-opening tournament. TNT surged late in the first quarter to take a 2818 lead at the end of the period only for Blackwater to go on a 25-9 second quarter blast to go up, 4337, at halftime. The Tropang Giga

pulled away for good in the third quarter after matching their first-half output while holding the Bossing to just 17. Mikey Williams played his best game in his rookie campaign for TNT with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals off the bench. RR Pogoy added 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Playing at the said arena for the first time since his high school days, DHVSU alumnus Jayson Castro finished with 11 markers, two rebounds, two dimes, and one steal off the bench. Simon Enciso had 14 markers, one board, and two dimes for the Bossing, who fell to 0-5. (PNA)

DavNor fighter Suarez takes on Rosas in Palawan

ndefeated Charly “King’s Warrior” Suarez of San Isidro, Davao del Norte will make his return to the ring against southpaw Lorence Rosas of Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Sept. 4 at the Urdaneta Cultural Sports Complex, Urdaneta City.

The 33-year-old Suarez wants another win to get a possible crack at the title. “Di ko po iniisip ang pabagsakin po siya, gawin ko lang po ang best sa laban po na Manalo (I’m not thinking of knocking him out, I’ll just do my best to

win the fight),” said Suarez (7W-0L,5KOs). Suarez has won three fights this year. He first scored a unanimous decision against Jon Jon Estrada of Pasay City at Paniqui last Feb. 13. Suarez then stopped Pablito Canada of Zambo-

will take on Gary “The Hawk” Tamayo (4W-1L-0D, 3KOs) of Samar in the supporting bout. The other fights: Arnel Baconaje vs. Danny Tampipi; Roy Sumugat vs. Glenn Bismanos; Jules Victoriano vs. John Lawrence; Jon Jon Estrada vs Pablito Canada; Remon Basas vs. Marklin Itim; Ali Caneda vs. Richarda Morales; Jover Amistoso vs. Kenneth Lloves; Jonniel Laurente vs. Fernando Tagpuno Jr. The promoters are Robert Hill of VSP Boxing and Cucuy Elorde of UKC Pro Boxing Edition.

can work with on TV. Berto has faced Floyd Mayweather, which seems to be the only standard needed to put you in a match-up with Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather did fight Conor McGregor after Berto, but that was in a cross-codes capacity and specially sanctioned to be Floyd 50th. Stating the Pacquiao fight was “in the works,” who knows what will come of Berto’s potential return to the ring. Pacquiao is linked to retirement and a rematch with Yordenis Ugas, who inflicted an eight career defeat on the Filipino Senator last month. Anyone can guess where Berto comes into the equation, but the Florida man was vocal about Pacquiao’s latest outing in and around

fight week. “Ugas has to be on cloud nine,” pointed out Berto after the Cuban shocked Pacquiao. “To be a last-minute replacement after Spence got injured. “To beat Manny Pac to defend his title. That’ll let you know God may not come exactly when you call, but he’s always on time.” Esther Lin MANNY PACQUIAO – FATHER TIME Mutterings of father time got labeled as “facts” by Berto when responding to fans. Nonetheless, interest in being the “Pacman’s” next foe remains. He questioned: “Why are so many people so surprised or upset that Manny didn’t come out looking like he did when he fought Cotto or Marquez? “Man, Father Time gonna come for you if you like it or not.” (World Boxing News)

Floyd’s last ‘real’ foe wants Manny

Brian Heruela of Tropang Giga shoots over Blackwater’s Simon Enciso.

anga last May 1 in Urdaneta, He was then won by UD Eduardo “The Nightmare” Mancito of Jose Abad Santos last July 3 in Urdaneta. Rosas (9W-5L-2D, 3KOs), on the other hand, recently lost to Mark Anthony Geraldo of Bukidnon for the battle for the Philippine super bantamweight title last Sept. 20, 2019 in Mandaluyong. Rosas did not fight last year. Meanwhile, featherweight Lorenz “Cerberus” Ladrada (10W-1L-1D, 3KOs) of Cagayan de Oro

he last fighter to share the ring with Floyd Mayweather in a complete professional capacity claims he’s in talks to fight Manny Pacquiao next. A former WBC welterweight champion and top contender, Andre Berto, told Elie Seckbach of his plans at the recent Showtime event. Currently 32-5, Berto hasn’t fought since a 2018 victory over ex-ruler Devon Alexander. Berto won a close split decision at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale. Three long years have passed since then, and at the age of 37, Berto is far past his prime. However, we now live in an era where anyone with a former name or a social media following can fight. There’s a place for you if you sell tickets. Provided you have a name that networks

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Gary Bejino (right) with Dabawenyo teammate Ernie Gawilan (left).

TOUGH LUCK

PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION/FACEBOOK

Bejino misses cut in 400m freestyle-S6

ara swimmer Gary Bejino did not qualify to the final of the men’s 400-meter freestyle-S6 event in the Tokyo Paralympics, after finishing last among 13 athletes in the heats.

Swimming in the first heat on Thursday at the Tokyo Aquatics Center, Bejino finished last with a time of 5:52.28. He was 46 seconds behind Brazil’s Talisson Henrique Glock, who clocked 5:06.28. Only the top eight finishers across the two heats qualified to the final later in the day. Earlier, Dabawenyo bet Ernie Gawilan finished 10th overall in the men’s 100-meter backstroke S7 event, while Bejino came in 14th overall in the men’s 50-meter butterfly S6 event following the conclusion of the preliminary rounds. Gawilan finished last in Heat 2 of the 100-meter backstroke prelims, clocking in at 1 minute and 21.6 seconds. He was 6 seconds off the Top 8 with Argentina’s Inaki Basiloff punching the last ticket to the final later Monday with a time of 1:15.43. There were 11 confirmed

participants in the event, but Gawilan was last among those who actually swam as Christian Sadie of South Africa did not swim in Heat 1. In wheelchair racing, Jerrold Mangliwan has been fine-tuning his starting technique in preparation for the men’s 100-meter-T52 race, his final event. “Jerrold’s training the last two days has been focused on his starts. That is his weakness. The start is important in the sprint event. His one-hour training has been devoted mostly to this,” said para-athletic coach Joel Deriada from Manila. Deriada was pleased with Mangliwan’s sixth-place finish in the men’s 1,500-meter finals last Sunday. “His time of 3:58.24 is 11 seconds better than his previous personal best of 4:09.95 so that is a remarkable improvement by any standard,” the coach said.