Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 203 | Wednesday, November 10, 2021 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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PRELUDE?

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

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Sara, Baste withdraw CoCs for Mayor, VM

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Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio arrives at the Commission on Elections 11 (Comelec 11) on Tuesday afternoon to withdraw her Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for mayor of Davao City in the 2022 elections. Mayor Sara has nominated her brother, Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte for the mayoralty position. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

PRELUDE? Sara, Baste withdraw

A resident receives a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at San Roque Central Elementary School in Bo. Obrero, Davao City. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has attributed the downtrend of COVID-19 cases in the city to vaccination. Edge Davao

CoCs for mayor, VM

By MAYA M. PADILLO

n a spate of moves that fanned winds of her looming declaration to run for a national office, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and brother Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte withdrew their Certificates of Candidacy (CoC) for Mayor and Vice Mayor of Davao City, respectively, on Tuesday afternoon.

The mayor confirmed the withdrawal this through her Facebook Page Mayor

he Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, with the help of the International Decommissioning Body (IDB), on Monday started decommissioning the third batch of MILF combatants here. Former members of MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) patiently waited for their turn

Inday Sara Duterte. “Ngayong hapon wini-withdraw ko ang akong

here to hand over their firearms for safekeeping and deactivation later. The IDB will safely keep the firearms while other government agencies will attend to the reintegration process of the GPH-MILF peace agreement. Those who were decommissioned on Monday were part of the estimated 5,000 to 7,000 former MILF

kandidatura sa pagka-Mayor ng Davao City. Si VM Baste ang papalit sa akin. Si Atty. Melchor Quitain ang nominado namin sa pagka-Bise Alkalde. Ito lamang po muna. Maraming salamat po,” the mayor posted. Vice Mayor Baste also withdrew his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) as vice mayor in the 2022 elections

fighters set for decommissioning until December this year. Some 9,000 others will undergo processing by early next year. Undersecretary David Diciano, chairman of the GPH peace implementing panel, and his counterpart, Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF peace panel chair, led the opening ceremonies held at 8 a.m. at the old provincial

hours earlier. Photos of Duterte going out from the Commission on Elections-Davao (Comelec-Davao) morning of November 9, 2021, circulated on social media. These developments renewed hopes for her supporters of a possible change of mind from her decision not to run for President

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capitol building in Barangay Crossing Simuay here. Diciano said aside from the decommissioning of combatants, the government is determined to push with the other aspects of the peace process. “The panels are also committed to the implementation of all other components for the full

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2 suspected NPA rebs killed in Agusan del Sur clashes

wo alleged members of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in a 45-minute gunfight with elements of the 401st Infantry Brigade in the vicinity of Barangay Villa Undayon, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur last Sunday (November 7). The rebels were identified by the soldiers only as alias Joseph and Kaykay who are both members of the Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) The government troops launched a simultaneous Focused Military Operations (FMO) when they encountered around 40 members of the NPA’s Regional Operational Command (ROC) led by Edilberto Dabal Y Reponte alias Bong/Waco and Regional Sentro de Grabidad (RSDG) led by Judel Vertudazo Y Cayapos alias Janjalani/ Jerby of the Northeastern Regional

Committee (NEMRC). The soldiers seized two high powered firearms, ammunition, two commercial radios, a detonating switch, 45-meter detonating cord, firing wire, IED, 7 improvised firing devices, portable generator, medical items, blasting cap, and backpacks w/ personal belongings. According to Capt. Linley Marl Dajao, civil military operation (CMO) officer of the Philippine Army’s 401st IB, there were blood stains discovered in the encounter sites during the clearing operations believed to be from their wounded comrades. Barangay Villa Undayon is one of the recipient barangays of the Barangay Development Program of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTFELCAC). The civilian popu-

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Get vaccinated to ‘overcome’ pandemic, PRRD tells Pinoys

resident Rodrigo Roa Duterte renewed his appeal to the Filipinos to get vaccinated and strictly follow the minimum health standards to help overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. Duterte made the call as he welcomed the arrival of more than 2.8 million doses of Russian-made Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Monday night. “I appeal to all our kababayans (fellow Filipinos) to cooperate and do their

part to help overcome this pandemic. The government cannot do this alone and we need your active participation by getting vaccinated and strictly following the minimum health standards,” he said in speech. He thanked the Russian government for facilitating the largest shipment so far of Sputnik V vaccine into the country. “Let me express my gratitude to the Russian Government for the continued supply of life-saving

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

NEWS

The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) announces that COVID-19 bed utilization of the hospital was reduced by more than half with only 37% of its total beds occupied as of November 4. Edge Davao

Info officer loses job over presence in busted party COVID-19 bed utilization at SPMC down to 37%

outhern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) medical center chief Dr. Ricardo Audan announced in the One Davao Virtual Presser that COVID bed utilization in SPMC was reduced by more than half with only 37% of its total beds occupied as of November 4. Dr. Audan bared that recent COVID situation at SPMC eased up the operations of the said facility being the sole hospital in Davao City assigned to accommodate cases of COVID. In the past months, SPMC consistently advised the public on the critical status of COVID bed utilization of the said facility. It also coincided with the COVID19 surge experienced in the Davao Region. Dr. Audan also bared that positivity rate in the said facility was also low at only 1.94% comparing it to previous positivity rate that reaches as high as 70%. There was also no recorded COVID-related

death in the November 4 data. “I hope na tuloy-tuloy na ito,” the medical center chief is optimistic that the situation in the region would lead to a happy and COVID-free holiday season. With few COVID cases admitted at the said facility, Dr. Audan shared that the center will start to cater the face-to-face consultation of all services. He said many services were affected when the SPMC concentrated their efforts on COVID cases during the surge. “Now our emergency room has been accommodating 99 percent nonCOVID cases. We will also start elective surgeries,” he added. The medical chief emphasized that while SPMC starts to cater face-to-face consultation, the management would still require a teleconsultation prior the face-to-face visit. “In the teleconsulta-

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

In a statement, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed the report in a statement that read in part: “last Sunday, Jefry signified

his resignation and on the same moment he was informed that he is terminated from work with the city government of Davao.” “The former City Information Officer, Jefry Tupas, of the city government of Davao was involved in a drug raid last November 6 in the Municipality of Mabini, Province of Davao de Oro. The details of the raid are known only to the PDEA officers in Davao de Oro and Mr. Tupas.” Mayor Sara said

in the statement. Tupas earlier issued a statement admitting that she attended the said party as a guest but said she left the party right after dinner. “I was there because like the other guests, I was invited. But I left right after dinner with my boyfriend and another friend,” Tupas said in a statement. Tupas issued the statement after questions were raised by some netizens on

them kung para unsa ang bakuna ug ngano kinahanglan magpabakuna,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday. This is one of the challenges the city is facing today concerning the vaccination drive. Mayor Sara said the city will look for individuals of the same belief and send the correct person to talk to lumads. “As an example, ganiha naa’y panagtapok para sa pagpasabot sa kaigsoonang lumad sa Marilog kung unsa ang bakuna ug kung

ngano importante ang bakuna,” the mayor said. Meanwhile, Mayor Sara affirmed the downtrend of Covid-19 cases in Davao City and has attributed the decline to vaccination. “That is my opinion bakuna lang na sya because kana atong mga gina-implement kaniadto na mga lain-laing mga guidelines sa prevention and enforcement, mubaba man especially kanang duna tay ECQ o MECQ pero dili ingon ana kadako ang iyahang pagbaba o ingon ana kapaspas compared it kaniadto nga

wala pay pagpabakuna,” the mayor said. The mayor is hopeful that the city will continue to see a decrease in COVID-19 cases and that no more surge will be experienced until the new year. “Kini siya sa pagkakaron considering na low ang compliance sa mga tawo sa mga guidelines with regards to the community quarantine status kaniadto karon alert levels na. Dako ang bakuna nga factor sa pagbaba sa COVID-19 cases,” Mayor Sara said. By Maya M. Padillo

he city government of Davao has terminated former City Information Officer Jefry Tupas following her alleged ‘presence’ in a party that was a subject of a lighting drug raid on Saturday evening at the Sea Eagles Beach Resort in Pindasan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, a 90-minute drive from Davao City. Tupas, who claimed in an interview that she had left an hour before the raid, was terminatted the following day.

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City to educate Lumads in Marilog on vaccination

he city government of Davao will reach out to lumads in Marilog District to explain to them the importance of getting vaccinated with anti-Covid 19 vaccines after a “pastor” told them not to get vaccinated. “Because we found out nga dunay mga kaigsoonan natong lumad nga uba’y uba’y nga ilahang mga kaigsoonang tribu nga kuno pastor or pastora nga nagaingoon nga dili dapat magpabakuna and the strategy is to go there and personally explain to

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

Fishermen try their luck to catch tilapia at the Tubod River in Barangay Tipanoy, Iligan City Sunday morning (7 November 2021). MindaNews photo by BOBBY TIMONERA

2nd quarter GDP growth F revised upwards to 12%

DA banks on new engineers to strengthen food security

he Philippines revised upwards its second quarter gross domestic product growth rate to 12 percent from a preliminary estimate of 11.8 percent.

The Philippine Statistics Authority made the revision on the eve of its announcement of third quarter GDP data. Major contributors to the upward revision were the higher than earlier es-

timated growth rates in education, financial and insurance activities, and construction, the PSA said. GDP are revised estimates based on an approved revision policy which is consistent with in-

a simultaneous activity launched by the agency in various regions, including those in Mindanao. He said the enforcement and monitoring activity, which will cover all products covered by the BPS mandatory certification, will run until Nov. 12.

ternational standard practices on national accounts revisions, the agency added. The Philippine economy contracted a record 9.6 percent in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered businesses and weighed down economic activity. GDP continued to decline in the first quarter of 2021, shrinking 3.9 percent compared to the same peri-

od in 2020. Last August, Philippine economic managers lowered the growth target for 2021 for a third time to 4 to 5 percent due to the effects of the pandemic. This was after the government reimposed the strictest quarantine level that month following a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases triggered by the spread of the virus’ Delta variant.

quality standards. It also aimed to raise the level of awareness regarding products as well as consumer protection in the area, he said. In Region 12, the team has set random inspections on establishments in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan, Kudarat, and Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, and Tacurong. Mary Ann Morales, head of DTI-12’s consumer protection division, said they will specifically monitor the compliance of business establishments with various technical regulations, especially the Philippine Standard (PS) and Import Commodity Clearance

(ICC) requirements. The products that are covered by mandatory certification and should have the required PS markings or ICC stickers include electrical and home appliances. The enforcement teams will issue notices of violation and seize the uncertified products that would be found inside the business establishments. “This is intended to protect our consumers. If there are violations, we will ensure that they will be corrected and will not happen again,” Morales said. Abrenica said the erring business establishments could face administrative and criminal charges,

DTI launches crackdown against ‘substandard’ products in R-12 he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched another round of enforcement and monitoring activities against possible uncertified and non-conforming products being sold by business establishments in parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen). A team from the DTI central office’s Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau and Bureau of Philippine Standards arrived here on Monday for the week-long campaign, which will cover three provinces and three cities in the region. Ronnel Abrenica, DTI Assistant Secretary for the Consumer Protection Group, said it is part of

“We will not be focusing on a particular product. We will look into all possible violations,” Abrenica said in a press conference in Koronadal City. He said the move is in line with their continuing efforts to ensure that products sold in the markets or business establishments have conformed with or passed the government’s

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ood security in the Philippines received an added boost as the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (DA-BAFE) welcomed 507 new agricultural and biosystems engineers. The new engineers were among the 1,392 who passed the September 2021 Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) board examinations held in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Davao, Koronadal, Legazpi, Tacloban, and Tuguegarao. “Our wish is for you to realize the dream of President Rodrigo Duterte for a food-secure Philippines and to double the income of farmers and fisherfolks which is a commendable and high-caliber approach in uplifting the morale and socioeconomic status of Filipino farmers and fisherfolks toward a modernized agriculture sector which the Department of Agriculture is aiming for,” said Engr. Sherwin Valdez, Professional Regulatory Board for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (PRBABE) member, in a statement on Monday. He told the new engineers that their services are needed in several industries. “Marami tayong puwedeng pasukan dahil napaka in demand ng ating propesyon (You can be employed in various fields due to the high

demand for our profession),” he said. The board passers took their oaths online on Friday, administered by PRBABE Chair, Engr. Ariodear Rico, who is also a DA - BAFE Director. PRBABE member Engr. Juana Tapel, PhD, said there is a lower passing mark this year as against the previous board examination in 2019. She explained some ABE graduates decided not to take the board examination because it might be postponed or canceled just like what happened in 2020. The topnotcher of the 2021 batch, Juven Genovia Luzorata of the University of Southeastern Philippines - Tagum, obtained an 83.02 percent grade. Jan Gabriel Urriza Bernardo of Laguna State University - Siniloan ranked second with a rating of 82.65 percent while Abdullah Peralta Meriales of Central Luzon University placed third with 82.64 percent. University of the Philippines - Los Baños, under Dean Rosanna Amongo, was the top-performing school for attaining a 93.94 percent passing rate (31 out of 33). Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, according to the PRC, refers to the profession requiring the “application of the fundamental and known principles of engineering to the peculiar condition and requirements of agriculture as an industry and as a field of science”.

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

A group of young professionals gathers for an after work chat at a coffee shop along V. Mapa Street in Davao City on Tuesday. Restaurants and coffee shops were already allowed to increase their customer capacity after the city’s Covid-19 cases went down. Edge Davao

PH invites Chinese vax producers to partner with local pharma firms PH, Singapore ink FinTech D Cooperation Agreement

he central banks of the Philippines and Singapore have inked a cooperation agreement to boost collaboration and partnership between the two countries involving financial technology. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) it signed an enhanced FinTech Cooperation Agreement (CA) with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to facilitate

interoperable payments between the two countries on Monday, November 8. “The CA will facilitate the linkage of both countries’ real-time and QR payment systems, to facilitate instant, seamless, and low-cost cross-border payments,” the BSP said in an emailed statement. Central bank data indicates that remittance flows between the two countries

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo is inviting vaccine manufacturers from China to partner with local pharmaceutical companies to locate their facilities in the country. During the virtual Philippines-China (Fujian) Economic and Trade Promotion Conference on November 7, Rodolfo urged Chinese vaccine manufacturers to seize the opportunity in the country as the government got support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to be self-reliant in terms of the coronavirus disease 2019

(Covid-19) jab. “For vaccine manufacturing in particular, the Asian Development Bank is assisting us to realize a vaccine self-reliance program. We are reaching out to Chinese vaccine originator companies who are interested to partner with Philippine pharma companies, who can provide initially even just a fill-and-finish facility,” he said.

The government also offers fiscal incentives to vaccine manufacturers locating here as the country aims to have a local source of Covid-19 vaccines to prevent its reliance on the volatile supply in the global market. Opportunities for vaccine manufacturers are still high as only 26.7 percent of the population were fully vaccinated and 31.5 percent have received their first dose, according to government data. Chinese Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers include Sinovac and Sinopharm. Sinovac’s CoronaVac

jabs were also the first Covid-19 vaccine brand to arrive in the Philippines in February. Aside from vaccine manufacturing, Rodolfo said there are other opportunities for Chinese companies in the health sector as the government pushes for improving the healthcare system. “Growth in the field of medical devices in the Philippines is expected to be driven by (the) government’s initiative to upgrade more health care facilities to support the projected demand from 2025 to 2040,” he added. (PNA)

He said more than half of the items in the list of basic necessities did not implement upward price adjustments. “Those that will not increase their prices, they are lucky. The government will promote their products,” Lopez said in Filipino. Earlier, the DTI called on manufacturers of noche buena items not to raise prices this year as the

country is celebrating the Christmas season again during a pandemic. “And those that increased their prices, the increments are within 3 percent only,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino. The DTI last year convinced manufacturers to maintain the 2019 prices for noche buena products. (PNA)

PhilSys-LandBank partnership DTI to promote noche buena key toward financial inclusion goods that maintain prices

he opening of transaction accounts with Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) by Philippine Identification (PhilID or national ID) card registrants is part of the initiative of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to realize the objective of financial inclusion. The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Act’s goal is specifically

aimed at low-income families who can’t gain access to financial services because of the lack of a bank account. The most common reason for their exclusion is the lack of a valid ID, the primary requirement in all transactions. Thus, PSA and LandBank’s partnership pave the way for the low-income sector to finally have a bank

transaction account. PSA reminds in its recurring social media posts that PhilID registrants who will open a LandBank account will not pay any fee. It is also voluntary. Upon completion of the Step 2 biometrics registration, the Transaction Reference Number and supporting documents may be presented at LandBank ki-

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the agency will promote manufactured noche buena items that did not increase their prices. In a Palace briefing Monday, Lopez said among the noche buena goods that keep prices this year include ham, queso de bola, fruit cocktail, pasta, and spaghetti sauce.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

On the involvement of former City Information Officer Jefry Tupas in a drug bust:

The former City Information Officer, Jefry Tupas, of the City Government of Davao was involved in a drug raid last November 6 in the Municipality of Mabini, Province of Davao de Oro. The details of the raid are known only to the PDEA officers in Davao de Oro and Ms. Tupas. Last Sunday, Jefry signified his resignation and on the same moment he was informed that he is terminated from work with the City Government of Davao.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Rolling, shaving heads Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will be living under the high power objective of the political microscope until at least the close of working hours on Monday, November 15.

The anticipation over her ‘change of mind’ and ‘discernment’ to reconsider her decision to avoid the presidential derby will be the obsession of her followers and the attention of her political rivals--the opposition to be specific.

Mayor Sara’s decision is just as anticipated as her father’s five years ago when supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte including his family and close allies shaved their heads to push for the candidacy of PRRD. Mayor Sara was among those who lost their locks for the much prayed for change of mind of then Mayor Digong.

Are we going to see people shave their heads in the next few days? There is a big likelihood it ill happen, a deja vu that’s forthcoming. But before that could happen, an unfortunate twist of event around

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The event could work both ways. It could be a speed bump as Mayor Sara’s rivals and the anti-Duterte media outlets will surely pound on the issue to gain leverage. However, it could also work on her favor as it only showed that she is a no-nonsense leader who is ready to fire anyone within her cordon sanitaire if they err.

And then there’s the withdrawal of Certificate of Candidacy by Vice Mayor Baste Duterte. Are we bracing for a deja vu?

If heads can roll around Sara’s camp. Heads will likewise probably shine in the coming days. 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

Mayor Sara’s camp took place this weekend involving her information officer and fellow media personality Jefry Tupas whose presence in a party that became the subject of a drug bust led to his eventual firing at the City Hall. For sure, Mayor Sara dreaded having to do that to a close ally but she had no choice.

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)

VOL.14 ISSUE 203 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

PLASTIC AND CLIMATE CHANGE “Plastic is one of the most persistent pollutants on Earth,” declares Kerri Major, engagement manager partnerships and innovation of the Worldwide Fund for Nature-Australia. “It’s made to last – and it does, often for 400 years or more.” What is alarming is its link to climate change. “At every step in its lifecycle, even long after it has been discarded, plastic creates greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to the warming of our world,” Major deplores. The Centre for International Environmental Law, in a report, said that the impact of plastic production on the world’s climate this year will equate to the output of 189 coal-fired power stations. “By 2050, when plastic production is expected to have tripled, it will be responsible for up to 13% of our planet’s total carbon budget – on a par with what 615 power stations emit,” Major points out. It is indeed frightening! “The plastic crisis’s connection to the climate emergency and environmental justice impacts are undeniable,” said a press statement from a group of environmental, public health and civil society organizations. “The cost of the continued dependence by corporations on single-use plastics

and planned expansion of plastic production are too high to be ignored.” To ensure the safety of Filipinos and our environment from such impacts, they are calling on consumer goods companies and the plastic industry to urgently phase out single-use plastics packaging and adopt reuse systems. The years 2021 to 2030 are “a decisive decade for the climate,” the statement said. “The world has less than 10 years to deliver on drastic decarbonization and climate goals, yet the petrochemical and consumer goods industries remain on a trajectory to increase carbon-intensive plastic production and use,” it said. “As fossil fuel demand declines, major fossil fuel corporations are investing billions in the expansion of plastic production,” the statement continued. “The continuing significant investments in plastics signal the lack of commitment of the consumer goods, petrochemical, and fossil fuel industries to take significant action to address the climate emergency.” Plastic does not only disrupt the climate but it also harms endangered wildlife species and disturbs fragile ecosystems.

According to a United Nations report, plastic pollution has affected an estimated 800 marine and coastal species through ingestion, entanglement, and habitat change. A study conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) confirmed the presence of microplastics in Philippine waters escalates the urgent need for action. Marine turtles, for instance, are affected by single-use plastics. About 20% – or half a million tons – of the 2.7 million tons of plastic waste the Philippines generates annually leaks into the oceans, according to the 2015 report on plastic pollution by the Ocean Conservancy. “Plastics endanger marine life and other animals, because they can mistake a piece of plastic for food when it isn’t,” a study pointed out. After eating plastic, marine turtles starve and die. Another study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that ingesting even a single piece of plastic can be deadly for these marine animals. Researchers studying the impacts of plastics on terrestrial ecosystems have equally concerning findings. Plastic surfaces or particles can carry disease-causing organisms, cause inflamma-

tion, and traverse highly-selective membranes in animals. “Plastics also threaten soil fauna functions and can leach toxic additives into the soil and groundwater, some of which can disrupt the hormone systems of vertebrates and invertebrates,” the statement said. “Combined with the stress of climate change and other pollution on our ecosystems, plastics create grievous environmental conditions in ecosystems that support our food, water, and livelihoods,” the statement said. “Thus, plastic’s impact on nature has disturbing consequences for people.” The problem of plastic has been with us in the last twenty years or so. Some groups try to find possible solutions but the statement said that those are “false solutions” and thus “cannot resolve the plastic crisis.” Consider the following: “Plastic neutrality”: “Instead of addressing the problem at root by reducing plastic production, companies continue producing more plastics, justifying increased production by saying they will collect the amount they produced. Following collection, some plastics end up in incinerators, which release carcinogens that harm nearby communities, while the rest are supposedly recycled.”

Waste-to-energy: “Plastics are used as fuel for so-called “waste-to-energy” (WTE) plants, which are being passed off as renewable energy sources. However, these waste burning plants are not only inefficient and non-renewable, but are also highly polluting and harmful to human health.” “Bioplastics”: “Designed to be disposable, bioplastics’ mass disposability is as wasteful, resource-intensive, and unsustainable as regular plastic. Relying on bioplastics may also lead to exploitation of regulatory loopholes for biodegradables, false marketing or improper labeling, and unintentional pollution.” “Many people still see the plastic crisis as a problem about waste and individual responsibility. However, the gravity of their impacts extends not only across boundaries, but also across generations,” the statement said. “Without drastic interventions, its adverse impacts on environmental health and subsequent economic and social effects would be felt from the global to the local level for decades. This makes the plastics crisis an impediment to intergenerational justice, hindering the ability of the current youth and future generations to achieve sustainable development in an individual or collective capacity.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

JUST A LITTLE TENDERNESS “To love truth for truth’s sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed plot of all other virtues.” - JOHN LOCKE *******

Because we are rational human beings, there is a personal touch - we must admit - to everything we do. This may sound a little romantic but even the title of this piece already is a give-away. In the politics of life, man rumbles and bumbles, sometimes in a kind of eerie way. It might be difficult to fully explain the things we must do but we forget to do because we are afraid of the pain that might occur as a consequence of our acton and response to stimuli. Bob Dylan said: “People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then

repent.” See what I mean? Yes, oftentimes you see this as man’s second nature. I may sound philosophical but it cannot be helped. Human characteristics equip us to become what we aspire to be but hey, they still reveal to a certain degree the mortality of man and his failings, though success (and victory) is within reach. Look at the presidential contenders wooing our votes. Don’t some of them look silly as they publicly extol their virtues as if he/she is the “messiah” the people are waiting for? Then when prospects don’t look encouraging, one monkeys around with a nasty thought, hitting a rival below the belt with allegations of a past scandal that raises doubts about integrity and honesty? They say people who live in glass houses should not throw

stones at their enemies. But our politicians are a different breed. They play dirty when necessary. They amass all the tricks they can muster to wound, destroy and kill the character of their foes. Political assassination, they call it. And when caught red-handed, they vehemently profess innocence with a Mona Lisa smile. Painful as it may be, all politicians have something to hide. Sigmund Freud said: “No mortal can keep a secret. If the lips are silent, he chatters with his fingertips; betrayal oozes out of him at every pore.” Hahaha! I wish this quotation from Freud is read by all the presidential aspirants and all those ambitioning for lofty political offices. Do you realize that we have

long been living in a wounded society that needs healing and rehabilitation as a result of mis-management and the mis-conduct of public officials? I am saying it as it is. How long will Filipinos endure their exploitation? Hasn’t this country reached its tipping point yet? The partisanship and polarization of Filipinos have grown unabated as extensively as the poverty that has seeped into the lives and consciousness of the inhabitants. Seems like nobody cares anymore. After 1986, there was a euphoria of hope. But it lasted just for a while. It did not linger for as long as the people expected it to last. The Filipino dream evaporated like a wisp of bad air. The dream has turned into a nightmare. Filipinos need to move on.

The new generation of this millennial era must move forward with confident steps and bury the gloomy past their elders have unfortunately generated. The problems of yesterday must be pushed aside and all those attempting to foil and prevent these positive agenda should be gotten rid of. Filipinos have to desire the ideal society they want to live in. Desire grows and dwells in the heart. Without it, this country will remain stagnant and the people under the tutelage of fools. “A desire,” wrote John Adams, “to be observed, considered, esteemed, praised, beloved and admired by his fellows is one of the earliest as well as the keenest dispositions discovered in the heart of man.” Add a little tenderness, please. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

HARLEY-DAVIDSON WELCOMES A NEW ERA OF UNRELENTING PERFORMANCE

arley-Davidson has announced today the arrival of its all-new sport custom motorcycle, the Sportster™ S, in The Philippines. Ushering in a new era of Sportster™ performance, the bike is designed to deliver extraordinary power and performance, elevating the entire riding experience. With a taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension, riders can expect responsive, intuitive handling on a stylish and powerful ride. An addition to the 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle line, the Sportster™ S was unveiled on 14 July 2021, at the global virtual launch experience “From Evolution to Revolution”, and participating Harley-Davidson authorized dealerships across The Philippines will be hosting an Open House exclusively for the Sportster™ S model on 20 November 2021, so customers can meet the Sportster™ S motorcycle and be one of the first to own the latest model with pricing starting at PHP 1,030,000. “We look forward to seeing the bike on the roads of The Philippines as riders enjoy the enhanced riding experience that the Sportster™ S offers. Designed with premium features, outstanding performance, and innovative technology, this next generation Sportster™ S sets a new

performance standard for the Sportster™ line” said Sajeev Rajasekharan, Managing Director, Asia Emerging Markets & India at Harley-Davidson. “As we lead the charge with our cutting-edge design and engineering capabili-

ties, we are excited to see where the Sportster™ S will take us and are confident that the Sportster™ S will resonate well with riders in The Philippines.” Defined by Power,

Performance, Technology and Style The Sportster™ S motorcycle is powered by the 121-horsepower Revolution™ Max 1250T V-Twin engine which puts

andaluyong City. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Vice Chairperson and General Manager Royina Marzan Garma represented by Dr. Roel Aparato, Division Chief III of the Satellite and Medicines Division of the Medical Services Department together with Nurses Joanne Alonzo and Margaret Me-

jia, and Pharmacist Sonya de Leon led the donation of medicines to deserving claimants from Tagaytay City, Northern Samar and Trece Martirez Cavite on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the lobby of the Conservatory Building, Mandaluyong City on PCSO’s 87th week-long Anniversary Celebration. Gala Vocational HS

class of 1982 of Gamay, Northern Samar was also given various medicines amounting to Php50,000.00 to be utilized in their own civic medicines donation programs benefitting other alumni and their families. Hazel Doxi, class president thanked GM Garma with a greeting “Happy 87th Anniversary po sa PCSO Family and congratulations to all your achievements in helping our country through medically related programs such as the Medicines Donation Program. Salamat po muli at magkaroon pa kayo ng 87 years more! Mabuhay po kayo!” Tagaytay City Mayor Reymond Ambion represented by Dennis Monteza, received various medicines worth Php100,000.00 to be used for their community program by donating the medicines to local residents of Tagaytay City. “Sa ngalan po n gaming butihing Mayor ng Tagaytay

the Sportster™ S rider in command of unrelenting, on-demand torque, while a taut, lightweight chassis and premium suspension delivers responsive, intuitive handling. It is equipped with a host of technologies designed to the enhance the riding experience. Three pre-programmed, selectable Ride Modes (Sport, Road and Rain) electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle, and the level of technology intervention is presented

PCSO donates medicines on its 87th Anniversary Celebration M

Pharmacist Sonya De Leon with Nurse Joanne Alonzo as they donate medicines worth Php50,000.00 to Hazel Doxi.

nagpapasalamat po kami kay GM Garma at sa PCSO sa pinagkaloob n’yong gamot para sa aming kommunidad. God bless po PCSO.” Dennis Monteza said. The last to receive a donation was the 8th District of Trece Martirez Cavite Reyniel Ambion represented by Mr. Emilio Enovajes. Medicines worth Php100,000.00 was also approved by PCSO for the benefit of local residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Kami po ay bumabati sa PCSO ng isang maligayang ika 87th anniversary at kay GM Garma kasama na ang buong pamilya na bumubuo sa nag-iisang mapagbigay na ahensya sa mga mahihirap o mga institusyon o mga civic organizations na pang medikal na tulong ang layunin. Mabuhay po kayo sa PCSO.” Enovajes said in a short interview. (By Justin B. Santos / photos by Arnold T. Ramos)

on a round, 4.0-inch-diameter TFT screen. The screen also displays all instrumentation and supports infotainment generated by the rider’s Bluetooth®-equipped mobile device and helmet headset, including music, incoming and out-going calls. With its amplified performance and array of technology, style is not compromised. The Sportster™ S appears crouched and powerful with the fuel tank and tail section frame the engine as the

predominate centerpiece of the motorcycle. The massive front tire recalls the fenderless front end of a classic bobber, while the tail section, high-mount exhaust and slim solo seat draw inspiration from the Harley-Davidson XR750 flat tracker. The thick inverted forks and wide-profile tires suggest high-performance sport bike. Riders can choose from a range of colours including: Vivid Black; Stone Washed White Pearl; Midnight Crimson.

Dr. Roel Aparato, Division Chief III of the MSD take a photo opportunity with recipient, Dennis Monteza representing Mayor Reymond Ambion of Tagaytay City

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ENVIRONMENT

CYANIDE FISHING: A POISONOUS BUSINESS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO courtesy of SeaWeb

atching live fish using cyanide is really not difficult. All you have to do is crush a couple of sodium cyanide tablets into a squeeze bottle of water, dive into the sea where coral reefs abound, look around for the fish that caught your fancy, and then squirt the toxic liquid into its face. As a result, the fish is stunned by the mixture but without killing it, thus making it easier to catch in a net or even by hand. Although there is already some laws banning cyanide fishing in the country, it is still very much around. “Cyanide fishing may not be as rampant as in the 1970s and 1980s, it is still being done in the Philippines,” said Dr. Alan White, who used to be the chief of party of the Coastal Resource Management Project in Central Visayas. Pramod Ganapathiraju, in last year’s evaluation of the Fisheries Monitoring Council and Surveillance report for the Philippines, wrote that destructive fisheries practices, including cyanide fishing for aquarium and live reef fish trade, is still “widespread.” The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said the country loses P68.5 billion yearly to illegal fishing. Philippine Daily Inquir-

er reported last year that three fishermen were arrested after being caught fishing using sodium cyanide in the waters of Patnanungan in Quezon Province. The suspects were arrested for violation of Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 as amended by Republic Act 10654. Live reef fish trade Since the late 1970s, the poison has been used to capture larger live reef fish (primarily grouper species) for sale to specialty restaurants in Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asian cities with large Chinese populations. “Selected and plucked live from a restaurant tank, some species can fetch up to $300 per plate, and are an essential status symbol for major celebrations and business occasions,” the Washington, D.C.-based World Resources Institute

(WRI) said. “As the East Asian economy boomed over the past several decades, live reef food fish became a business worth some $1 billion annually.” When the business was booming, some 20,000 tons of live fish were eaten annually in the restaurants of Hong Kong alone. Most of those fish came all the way from the Philippines. According to many Hong Kong gourmands, live fish taken from Philippine waters “have the best taste.” For Filipino fishermen, it means big bucks for them. The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) said a fisherman can earn a huge income between P300 and P1,100 for a top-price live coral trout, 5 times the price of a dead fish. “This makes live reef fishing very attractive,” WWF says. Live fish trade may be boon to Filipino fishermen but it is a bane to the environment. By some estimates, fishermen may have poured more than a thousand tons of cyanide into Philippine waters. Coral reefs annihilation Cyanide fishing is harmful. “It is a deadly poison not only to people and fish, but also to other marine animals like corals,” deplored Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, a fishery scientist with the National Academy of

Science and Technology (NAST). When people talk of corals, they usually think of those structures in the shallow waters of the seas. But these are actually remnants of fragile creatures called polyps, tiny animals that absorb calcium carbonate from seawater and excrete limestone, from which reefs are made. The ornate, visually stunning structures are vital for the health of surrounding waters. They host microscopic organisms on which larger creatures feed and provide shelter for a variety of marine life like fish, lobsters, octopi, eels, and turtles. Fishermen use cyanide illegally to catch fish that hide in coral reefs. A study commissioned by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in 1982 established that two applications of cyanide on coral reefs four months apart caused high coral polyp mortality. “Unlike blast fishing, which reduces corals into rubble,” explains marine scientist Vaughan R. Pratt, “cyanide fishing keeps coral intact, but dead.” Fifty percent of the fish exposed to sodium cyanide die in the reef. The ones caught and later recovered are transferred to clean wa-

ter, but they are doomed to die within weeks or months because of the damage caused by poison to their internal organs. Worse, only 10% of the fish that get poisoned are of commercial value. A Hong Kong restaurateur who imports a ton of live grouper a day from the Philippines told WWF that the issue of cyanide fishing doesn’t concern him. However, he told his trading partners not to buy cyanide-caught fish. But the fish soon excrete the cyanide so it’s impossible to check, and “there is no risk to my customers,” he said. Humans as collateral Corals, fish and other marine creatures are not the only collateral. There are reports that young men who have been paralyzed by the diving sickness called the bends. “Accidental deaths or paralysis due to the ‘bends’ are widespread and fishermen say the frequency of such accidents is increasing as they find themselves forced to go deeper and stay down longer to get fish after depleting the stocks in shallow waters,” said the Nature Conservancy report, Environmental, Economic and Social Implications of Live Coral Reef Food Fishery in Asia and Western Pacific. In 1993, a coastal community in the country re-

ported that 30 of its 200 divers got the bends, and 10 died as a result. “Cyanide fishing is universally outlawed but still a significant problem,” said Dr. Elizabeth Wood, marine resource management and biodiversity conservation consultant of Britain’s Marine Conservation Society. Cyanide is found naturally in plants like cassava and sorghum. However, there are two types: organic (called nitrites) and inorganic (salts of hydrocyanic acid, a volatile weak acid). Both are highly toxic. The lethal sodium cyanide was first widely used in the extraction of gold and silver. Ornamental fish trade Actually, cyanide fishing is not a Filipino discovery but an American ingenuity. A certain Bridge first used sodium cyanide to stun and capture tropical fish in 1958 in Illinois. A Filipino aquarium fish collector picked up the practice. By 1962, Earl Kennedy, an American exporter from the Philippines, was surprised by a sudden increase in aquarium fish from Lubang Island off Batangas. “When local collectors started using cyanide, we didn’t realize at once that was happening,” Kennedy said. “We were happy that there was so much supply

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with six days left before the deadline set by the Comelec for substitution. In a statement, the vice mayor confirmed his withdrawal as Vice Mayor candidate of Davao City and nominated Atty. Melchor Quitain Jr. as his substitute. “I am deeply grateful to the Dabawenyos for the support they have given me all this time. I have no other details to share at the moment. Thank you,” Duterte said in the statement. Duterte was reported receiving instructions from Mayor Sara that prompted

his decision to withdraw. His withdrawal also reinforces the speculation that he will replace Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who is seeking reelection as mayor of Davao City. Meanwhile, Quitain Jr., who is the son of Jesus Melchor Quitain, the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former officer-in-charge of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP), is a member of the Davao City legislature, representing District 1. He is also the Majority Floor Leader of the 19th City Council.

lace of the said barangay who have enjoyed relative peace and discarded atrocities reported to proper authorities the presence of a large number of rebels temporarily encamping near their area which was acted upon by 401st Brigade. Brig. Gen. Allan D Hambala, commander of 401st IB, said they launched the combat operations in swift response to the informa-

tion voluntarily given by concerned local residents. The civilians in the barangay were alarmed by the presence of the armed groups and we deployed to ensure the safety and security of the people in Brgy. Villa Undayon and the neighboring communities, he said. Hambala has called on the members of the CPPNPA to lay down their arms and surrender peacefully.

transformation of the combatants and their communities in the Bangsamoro,” Diciano said. “The normalization, including the process of decommissioning, is and has always been a joint effort between the GPH and the MILF,” he added. Iqbal, concurrent education minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, has stressed the need for both parties to continue with the commitment and the active participation of third parties to ensure the peace process will move forward. “Today, our determination to fulfill the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) led us to a critical component of the normalization process -- and that is the third phase of decommissioning,” Iqbal said. “We are grateful that the GPH-MILF (peace pro-

cess) is enforced by [a] robust partnership and commitment by stakeholders. I thank our local and international partners for the unwavering support,” Iqbal, who also served as chief MILF peace negotiator, added. The IDB, led by Turkish Ambassador His Excellency Ahmet Idem Akay, facilitated the decommissioning, the third since the peace accord was forged in 2014. “We would like to congratulate the GPH and MILF for attaining yet another important chapter in the peace process not only in Mindanao but in the entire Filipino nation and beyond, “Akay said. “The implementation of the decommissioning process despite the pandemic is a testament of the commitment of parties to attain peace in the Bangsamoro,” the visibly optimistic Turkish envoy added.

Covid-19 vaccines to the Philippines. These deliveries affirm Russia’s commitment to [achieving global] vaccine equity and improving vaccine accessibility to countries, especially the Philippines,” Duterte said. Duterte said he deeply appreciate Russia’s efforts in fostering cooperation in various areas, including the fight against Covid-19. “Goodwill initiatives, such as this vaccine donation and others, demonstrate the strong ties and friendship between Russia and the Philippines,” he added. Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov, who was present during the arrival, said the Russian government would continue to support the Philippines’s Covid vaccina-

tion program and stressed the vaccine shipment is just one of more points of future cooperation between the two countries. Duterte also acknowledged the strong efforts of the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the National Task Force against Covid-19 (NTF), and other institutional partners for ensuring a steady supply of vaccines in this country. “Amidst the threat of variants, you attended to the prompt, safe and effective delivery, distribution and administration of the vaccines across the country,” he said. “Let us work together to put an end to this disease and its harmful effects to our people and economy for nearly two years now.”

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social media why he was not among those who were detained and his name was not on the list of those arrested when he was seen in the photographs posted on social media by those who attended the party. Tupas, who is also known for her amusing and informative social media posts, deactivated her Facebook account after the raid. Tupas is a staunch supporter and defender of the Duterte family and a close friend of Mayor Sara whom she calls “sis” (sister). On Saturday, Mindanews reported that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)Davao raided the birthday party of celebrator Revsan Ethelbert P. Elizalde, single, and a resident of Catalunan Pequeño, who was allegedly caught selling one plastic sachet believed to be a party drug worth P2,000 and marijuana worth P6,000 to an agent who acted as a buyer. Arrested during the operation were Elizalde’s guests namely Eana Faye Marie Olea, Bryk Jiordan Archival, Kurk Bryan Tiubot, Paolo Guerero, and 12 others identified as Jomark

Aping, Ariel Bueno, Edel Caballero, Ronald Chuan, Fritz Dinopol, Tom Jhun Doblas, Mark Christopher Isip, Janlord Masong, Christopher Prudente, Jesus Ragas III, Giovanni Tabanao and Jason Viduya while allegedly having a drug session. According to the report, PDEA-Davao recovered 26 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets believed to be marijuana leaves weighing around 200 grams worth P24,000; three pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 10 grams worth P150,000; 722 tablets/capsules of suspected party drugs worth P1,227,400; nine plastic bottles with suspected liquid party drugs worth P15,000; two vials containing suspected liquid party drugs worth P17,000; 77 pieces suspected lysergic acid diethylamide(LSD) worth P130,000; and seven bottles of energy drinks. The apprehended individuals, who are detained at a detention facility of NBI-Davao, will face cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

tion, we need to ask if the patient is vaccinated. We would prefer patients who are vaccinated,” Dr. Audan said. The SPMC committed

to improve its teleconsultation service and better their communication as it re-opens most of its services. (PIA XI/Frances Mae G. Macapagat)

which will include possible imprisonment. Under the administrative sanctions, he said the violators could face hefty fines, depending on the quantity of the seized uncertified products. “The fine will cover per item and model so it could reach up to PHP100,000,” he said. Last June, DTI-12 destroyed around PHP2.3 million worth of uncerti-

fied products that were seized in a series of product surveillance and enforcement operations in the region. The confiscated products, which were found in seven out of 19 establishments inspected by DTI-12 teams, included assorted light-emitting diode or LED bulbs, assorted electrical products, household appliances, and equal leg angle bars. (PNA)

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osks in PhilSys registration centers nationwide. In its October 27 post, the PSA said over 5 million registrants have already applied for LandBank accounts as of October 14. The LandBank Mastercard prepaid card will enable account holders to do cash-in, cash-out, and

transfer fund transactions at any branch or Agent Banking Partner. They can also withdraw cash at automated teller machines and Point of Sales terminals, perform cashless transactions, tap payments, shop online, and receive government subsidy digitally.

totaled $2.15 billion in 2020, and averaged some 900,000 travelers between both countries prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BSP said the latest agreement is in line with the G20’s efforts to address existing issues in global cross-border payments, and the goal of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) to integrate regional payments by 2025. Both central banks have also committed to explore multilateral interoperability of the projects, in line

with regional efforts to establish further linkages within the ASEAN and countries outside the region. “Effectively linking our QR and real-time payment systems will enhance the safety and efficiency of cross-border payments through the smoother and seamless international transfer of funds, ultimately promoting the financial welfare of Filipinos that regularly use cross-border payment services,” BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said.

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for everybody, and there was an export boom. But after a while, we smelled something fishy. Then we found out that the collectors were using cyanide.” The practice spread throughout the country in no time. The reef fish were collected for the fish aquarium trade and exported to the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Ornamental fish trade is globally valued at $15 billion and growing by 14% annually, an Inquirer report said. “Around 2,000 species are traded yearly with 65% coming from Asia,” said the paper, “Status of Ornamental Fish Industry in the Philippines: Prospects for Development,” which was published in The Philippine Journal of Fisheries. The Philippines is a major player in the ornamental fish industry being one of the largest exporters of marine ornamental fish species in the world. “No other country can match the diversity of colorful species desired by the marine aquarist,” said Peter Rubec of the International Marinelife Alliance (IMA) Some of these fish, however, are still collected via cyanide fishing. “Internet chat boards are rife with comments about cyanide-caught aquarium fish developing cancer within a year of being purchased,” WRI reports. “And many aquarium owners are willing to pay a premium for ‘netcaught’ ornamental fish as they have a longer life expectancy.” Although cyanide fishing is already illegal in the country, the ornamental fish and live reef fish trade is still booming. “In the early 1960s, there were only three companies exporting aquarium fish from the Philippines and export of live food fish did not yet exist,” reports One Ocean Organization. “By the 1990s, there were

some 45 aquarium fish exporters in the country and 8 companies exporting live food-fish.” Concrete action vs cyanide fishing Whether for food or for aquariums, cyanide fishing should be stopped. “(Cyanide fishing) is illegal, so people should just stop doing it,” says Dr. Arnel “AA” Yaptinchay, director of the Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines. “There may be short term gains now but we have to really think about the serious repercussions for the future generation. Remember this: no reef, no fish.” But there is some good news. The Philippines is taking some concrete action against the problem. This is done through the Cyanide Fishing Reform Program, a unique partnership between the government and the local non-governmental organization IMA. The program has trained thousands of fishermen to use alternatives to cyanide such as finemesh barrier nets draped over a reef section to catch aquariums for the re-sized fish and hook-and-line techniques to catch larger fish for the restaurant trade. The government has also stepped up enforcement of anti-cyanide fishing laws by establishing a network of cyanide detection laboratories, operated by IMA, that randomly sample fish exports at shipment points throughout the country and monitor all aspects of the trade. There is also a public awareness campaign in the media and public schools which help educate Filipinos about the value of coral reefs and the threats posed by cyanide and other destructive fishing practices. “Cyanide fishing has not ceased in the Philippines, but it has certainly been reduced as a result of these efforts,” WRI claims.

recovery of the country to eventually provide a comfortable and sustainable life for those in the countryside. “I am also confident na marami ang mabibigyan ng trabaho dahil sa pagbubukas ng SISTC. Magbubukas ito ng maraming oportunidad para sa mga nasa isla at buong rehiyon,” Go said. “Kinakailangan lang po natin na panatiliin ang mga nasimulang magagandang adhikain ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga susunod na administrasyon upang magtuloy-tuloy ang magagandang pagbabago para sa ating mga kababayan kahit saang sulok man sila ng bansa,” he added. Aside from the Siargao Island Sports and Tourism Complex, President Duterte also unveiled other projects under the Build, Build, Build program by the Department of Public Works and Highways, including the opening of Catangnan-Cabitoonan Bridge Three-Point Bridge System which has an overall budget of PhP434 million.

“The construction of additional roads and bridges is vital to our country’s economic development by enhancing the mobility and accessibility of people, goods and services,” Duterte expressed. The event was attended by First District Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II, Governor Francisco Matugas, Dapa Mayor Elizabeth Matugas, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas Jr., Burgos Mayor Emmanuel Arcena, Claver Mayor Georgia Gokiangkee, and Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar. Also present were DPWH Undersecretary Eugenio Pipo Jr. representing Secretary Roger Mercado, Assistant Secretary Ador Canlas of the Regional Operations in Mindanao, Regional Director Pol Delos Santos, and Assistant Director Nomer Canlas of Regional Office 13, and Surigao del Norte 1st District engineer Alex Ramos.

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SPORTS

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Arwind Santos and Vic Manuel.

Santos, Manuel swap teams V

ic Manuel will now be part of San Miguel for the upcoming PBA Governors’ Cup after he was traded on Monday.

The six-foot-four forward was traded for the second time in four days with the Beermen holding Manuel at least for now. After just one conference with Phoenix, the team traded him and Michael Calisaan to NorthPort

on Friday for Sean Anthony, Sean Manganti, and a future second-round pick, which was later revealed to be for Season 47. The draft for the said season is expected to take place early next year. But on Monday, Manu-

el was on the move again with the Batang Pier sending him to the Beermen for Arwind Santos. The trade came as a huge surprise as many thought the era of San Miguel’s so-called “Death 5” would only come to an end if either Santos, Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, or Chris Ross decides to call it a career very soon.

after the Bucks announced they would not participate in Game 5 of a first-round playoff series as they sought to shed light on what they said were racial injustices facing African-American communities. The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, seemed genuinely excited to get back to the tradition of NBA champs visiting the White House. Antetokounmpo even posted a video on social media of him practicing his greeting for the president. Antetokounmpo helped the Bucks end a 50-year drought, bringing home an NBA championship for the first time since Lew Alcindor (the Hall of Famer who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after converting to Islam) and Oscar Robertson led the

team. Biden spoke of Antetokounmpo’s humble upbringing before he came to fame in the NBA. Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian immigrants, said after the ceremony he became emotional hearing Biden tell his story. He was also proud that the president highlighted his and his teammates’ activism. “What we did had never happened in sport,” he said. “I’m proud of my teammates that we were able to stay in the locker room, talk about it, voice our opinion. ... I was able to take a stand for something I believe in.” Joe Biden, Milwaukee BucksGiannis Antetokounmpo says he is proud that President Joe Biden highlighted the Bucks’ activism.

Instead, the team chose to break up its superstar core by giving up the 40-year-old Santos as it looks to infuse youthfulness to its lineup. Like the Fuel Masters, the Beermen were among Manuel’s preferred destinations when he publicly declared his intention to be traded from the Alaska Aces during the preseason. (PNA)

Biden lauds Bucks for NBA championship, activism

ASHINGTON — President Joe Biden welcomed the NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks to the White House on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time), praising team members not just for their achievements on the court, but also for their efforts to promote coronavirus vaccinations and for speaking out after the 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake sparked protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Bucks were the first NBA champions to visit the White House in nearly five years, ending a Donald Trump-era hiatus. “You took a stand for justice and peace in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and you’ve gotten people engaged,” Biden said. The NBA postponed games in 2020

Ginebra gets Onwubere, North Port nabs Dela Cruz in trade

orthPort continued its roster shuffle ahead of the PBA Governors’ Cup, this time acquiring Arth dela Cruz in a trade. For the second straight day, the Batang Pier was on the trading block again, getting dela Cruz from Barangay Ginebra for Sidney Onwubere. The PBA trade committee approved the deal on Tuesday. The trade means a new lease on dela Cruz’s career as he never got to play for Ginebra during

the Philippine Cup. Onwubere, on the other hand, was among those whose numbers improved for NorthPort also the last conference, averaging 9.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.8 blocks a game in 13 outings. Both teams somehow addressed their situation at the small forward position with the said trade, although the Batang Pier previously got Arwind Santos in a Monday trade with the San Miguel Beermen for Vic Manuel. (PNA)

President Joe Biden receives a Bucks jersey from team owner Marc Lasry. PHOTO: AP

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FRESH HOPES

President Rodrigo Duterte with Sen. Bong Go and local officials during the inauguration of the Siargao Island Sports and Tourism Complex recently.

Go upbeat with tourism as Siargao opens new sports, tourism facility

enator Christopher “Bong” Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte and other key officials as the President led the inauguration of the Siargao Island Sports and Tourism Complex and other big-ticket projects in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Saturday, November 7. Citing Siargao Island’s reputation as one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country, Go said that the opening of the PhP630.2M Siargao Island Sports and Tourism Complex will greatly boost the island’s tourism sector and the country’s economy recovery. Established in the town of Dapa, the Siargao Island Sports and Tourism Complex can accommodate a total of 1,632 persons with its first-class facilities and amenities. It can also hold various national and international sports and tourism events. The 6.3-hectare complex, which was started in 2015, is also equipped with basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, a dormitory for student-athletes, rubberized athletic oval, soccer field, swimming pool, the two-storey, six-classroom Siargao Sports High School, and a convention center. The senator then echoed the President’s appeal to the local governments in Siar-

gao Island to take care and preserve the natural beauty of the island to ensure that next generations of Filipinos will also get to enjoy it in the future. Go, as the Chair of Senate Committee on Sports, also mentioned that the said complex also aims to inspire young athletes to hone their athletic talents and skills. “Masaya ako sa pagbubukas ng Siargao Sports and Tourism Complex dahil ito po ay isa sa maraming proyekto ng Duterte Administration na makakatulong sa ating ekonomiya at pag-unlad ng bansa,” Go expressed. “Ito rin ay magbibigay daan sa ating mga atleta upang maipakita ang kanilang angking galing sa iba’tibang uri ng sports,” he added. As part of his pledge to continue the positive changes initiated by the Duterte Administration, the vice presidential aspirant also cited that the pursuing infrastructure development will boost the economic

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