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GEARING UP
Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Uniteam lead the opening of the BBM-Sara headquarters at the Aeon Towers along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Thursday afternoon. Facebook page of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte
BBM-Sara Uniteam opens Davao City headquarters in time for campaign STORY ON PAGE 2
2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO
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GEARING UP
Mall goers gather at the Chinese New Year themed installation to take pictures and read the Chinese horoscope wall at the Annex of SM City Davao three days before the celebration of Lunar New Year. Edge Davao
BBM-Sara Uniteam opens Davao City headquarters in time for campaign By MAYA M. PADILLO
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he BBM-Sara Uniteam of presidential aspirant Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr and vice presidential aspirant Sara Duterte-Carpio is gearing for the start of campaign period next month by opening four BBM-Sara headquarters in Davao City.
These are located at Rizal Memorial College (RMC) in Torres Street, Panorama Summit Hotel in Tigatto Road, Buhangin and in Aeon Towers in Bajada. Mayor Sara thanked their supporters saying the headquarters will cater to all the supporters and friends of the BBM-Sara tandem in Mindanao.
“May this home be a haven for supporters coming together the peace and development of our country and thank you for everyone for coming together and creating this symbol of UniTeam that we hope will show what Bongbong Marcos and I stand for,” Mayor Sara said in a statement. On his end, Marcos said
the headquarters will play a big role in his tandem with Mayor Sara, especially now that the trend of the campaign is different due to the pandemic. “Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat sa aming supporters sa inyong pagdating hindi nga natin magawa yung dating gawi na marami tayong crowd, kahit hirap tayo lumabas dahil nga sa covid ngunit mas makabuluhan ang ganitong klaseng pagsasama dahil nakikita natin kung sino nga ba ang mga tunay na nagtatrabaho at nagsasakripisyo sa
ating kandidatura para sa ating ipinaglalaban na adbokasiya na pagkakaisa,” he said. Two headquarters for BBM-Sara were also inaugurated in Digos City. The BBM-Sara tandem topped the online survey recently conducted by the University of Mindanao-Institute of Popular Opinion (UM-IPO) conducted from December 21 to 28, 2021 that involved Filipino social media users from different regions of the Philippines relative to their preference for the two highest positions in the country.
latest edition of Network Briefing News, Boston Municipal Mayor Rowell Rosit said he has instructed police of the border checkpoints to ask for the vaccination cards of all those entering the province. The last east-coast town at the northern tip
of Davao Oriental, the Municipality of Boston bears the task of checking entrants to the province coming from the three adjacent provinces. “Kailangan po ng vaccination card bago pumasok sa probinysa Davao Oriental para na din po sa safety ng ating
mga kababayan. (Vaccination card is needed before entering Davao Oriental for the safety of our fellows in Davao Oriental),” he said. Meanwhile, Boston already hit 90.4 percent vaccination rate but Mayor Rosit is still aiming to reach out and con-
GenSan City veterinary office confirms 1st ASF case in years
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he City Veterinary Office (CVO) confirmed on Thursday one positive case of African swine fever (ASF) in a village here. Dr. Antonio Ephraim Marin, the CVO chief, said the case came from Purok San Lorenzo, Barangay Apopong after several years of zero ASF cases in the city. On January 24, Marin said the Department of Agriculture (DA) satellite laboratory in Barangay Lagao called him up to confirm the case. “The finding was based on the laboratory test result in a blood sample taken from a backyard swine raiser in the village,” he said. Veterinary authorities here are in a frantic move to prevent the spread of the ASF that could affect backyard swine raisers. The panic began on January 12 after residents in Purok San Lorenzo, Barangay Apopong were alarmed by the deaths of several hogs that start-
ed from the backyard of Franco Magway, a buyand-sell hog dealer. Reports said since Tuesday, a total of 508 hogs have been culled from the affected area. The city has been strictly imposing a policy prohibiting the entry of live swine and processed products containing pork. The city maintains an PHP8-billion hog industry, the third-largest in the country with more than 5,000 workers relying on it for income. The province of South Cotabato and the city have been categorized under the “dark green” zone or among the areas in the country that remain free from ASF. The area is among the top producers of live hogs in the country, shipping out at least 15,000 heads every two weeks to Metro Manila and Luzon. The South Cotabato Swine Producers Association, the biggest group of commercial swine farms
vince more constituents to get themselves vaccinated. Rosit said he had no difficulty convincing his constituents to get jabbed as he had coordinated with and mobilized Punong Barangays to advocate and rallied people to avail of the free
COVID-19 vaccination. His “Bakuna sa Roleta” initiative augurs well with his thrust to get his constituents submit themselves for vaccination. Thru the “Bakuna sa Roleta”, prizes are given to vaccinees. (PIA XI/ Jeanevive Duron Abangan)
FGENSAN, P10
Boston town checking vax cards of entrants to DavOr
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he Municipal Government of Boston in Davao Oriental is enforcing the checking of vaccination cards of commuters and riders entering the regional borders with Davao de Oro, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Guesting during the
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NEWS
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A resident of Poblacion 12 in Dapa town in Siargao Island rebuilds his house that was destroyed by super typhoon Odette in December 2021 using materials he salvaged from other properties. MindaNews photo taken on Thursday, January 27, 2022 by ROEL N. CATOTO
Nordeco opposes House’s approval to remove areas from its franchise cover Vaccination rollout in med clinics soon
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n the hope of further increasing the number of vaccinated individuals against COVID19, the Department of Health (DOH) XI is also preparing for the vaccination rollout in medical clinics. DOH XI clarified that the rollout is conducted in a phased approach. The Phase 2 will cover additional vaccination sites in NCR as determined by the NVOC. The Phase 3 will expand the rollout in other regions, depending on site readiness as determined by the Center for Health Development. As soon as Phase 3 will be implemented, vaccination in medical clinics in the region will then start to accommodate individuals 12 years and above under all priority groups: Priority Group A1 (health workers), Expanded Priority group A1, Priority
Group 3, Group 3 Pregnant Women, Pediatric A3 or 12 to 17 years old and with co-morbidities, A4 or workers in essential service, A5 or poor population, the rest of the adult population, and the rest of the pediatric population. Vaccination in medical clinics would cover the administration of primary dose series and booster doses of all priority groups. Vaccine brands allowed for administration in medical clinics are Sinovac, Astrazeneca, Sinopharm, Janssen, Pfizer, and Moderna. Meanwhile, the LGUs are to provide oversight to the implementation of vaccination services in medical clinics and to serve as the implementing unit. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)
By MAYA M. PADILLO
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The said bill would remove the municipalities of New Corella, Asuncion, Talaingod, Kapalong, and San Isidro, and the cities of Tagum and Samal in Davao
del Norte, and the municipality of Maco in Davao de Oro from the franchise coverage area of Nordeco. Nordeco’s franchise in Davao del Norte and Davao
de Oro will expire in 2028 except in Samal which will expire in 2033. In a statement, Nordeco asserted that the bill is not yet a law and will still pass through the legislative mill, the Senate. According to the statement, the said bill was recommended for approval by the Legislative Franchise Committee on November 29, 2021 despite the
r. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said on Friday that fake news is the reason why some people are skeptical to get booster shots. “One of the reasons why naay apprehensions ang mga tao sa booster kay ang kalaban nato ani is the fake
news, just like before nag slow down ang atoang vaccine rollout because of the fake news,” Schlosser said. Schlosser is referring to some reports that people who got booster shots died or some claimed that those who got boost jabs will turn into zombies. “The only way we can
counter that is to continue educating the people. Ang mga media we are all asking for your help na kamo mismo maging champion of other people labi na sa inyong kapamilya na kamo ang living proof nga kung nagpa booster mo wala pa man mo nanga zombie ug wala pa mo nangamatay.
he Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (Nordeco), Inc., formerly Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative or Daneco, expressed opposition to the approval of House Bill 10554 before the 18th Congress on January 24, 2022.
non-submission of position papers from the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Department of Energy (DOE), and Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) after an hour and 45 minutes discussion. “House Bill 10554 is not yet a law as the same would still be deliberated before the Senate where Nordeco, Inc. believes that the Electric
Booster is okay. Maskin surrounded ta na positive na mga colleagues kicking ass gihapon ta and that is the beauty of having the booster,” she said. Schlosser also said that apart from fake news, some Dabawenyos refused to get jabbed due to religion and
FNORDECO, P10
Fake news lures people to be skeptical of booster jab D
FFAKE, P10
4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 265 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) approves the suggested retail prices (SRPs) hike of processed canned products and other basic necessities and prime commodities. Edge Davao
DTI approves SRP increase of 73 basic, prime commodities
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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released Thursday the updated suggested retail prices (SRPs) of basic necessities and prime commodities, approving SRP increments for 73 units. Data provided by DTI listed basic goods and prime commodities that hiked their SRPs, which include canned sardines, processed milk, bread, instant noodles, salt, detergent soap, bottled water,
candles, processed canned meat and canned beef products, toilet soap, and battery. Out of 73 shelf keeping units (SKUs), 20 items have an SRP increase of 1 to 5 percent. These in-
clude 3 SKUs of canned sardines, four SKUs of instant noodles, four items of detergent soap, three bottled water, one processed canned meat and canned beef, two units of toilet soap, and three SKUs of battery. More SKUs have hiked their SRPs between 6 and 10 percent with 43 units in the list, including canned sardines (2), processed milk (7), bread (2), salt (6),
he continued reopening of the Philippine economy made officials of a Singapore-based ride-sharing company optimistic about a four to five times expansion in ridership following the launch of its local operations in 2020. Swat Mobility Philippines’ ridership has reached around 1 million to date, which accounts for 25 percent of the technology-based ride-sharing company’s total ridership and is on top 3 after Singapore and Japan, af-
ter it started operations in May 2020. “For this year, in terms of goal, we’re looking at four to five times (growth). Pretty much this is challenging (but) I think this is something achievable because currently, we have actually set-up a number of clients already,” Swat Mobility Philippines country business head Maria Theresa Busmente said in a virtual briefing on Thursday. Busmente said the company has “secured long-term contracts now
being set up as compared to our experience in the early parts where most of our operations are just on trial basis.” “But now these are all long-term,” she said. Busmente said they continue to look at large companies and enterprises that provide shuttle service to their employees. “Pretty much there are also requests coming from insurance companies, even pharmas (pharmaceutical companies). Also, a number of hospi-
detergent soap (2), bottled water (4), candles (8), processed canned meat and canned beef products (7), toilet soap (4), and battery (1). Ten SKUs have an SRP increment of above 10 percent, which include one SKU each of detergent soap and bottle water soap and eight SKUs of candles. DTI’s previous SRP update was on Aug. 29, 2021. (PNA)
tals are also trying to give us interest,” she added. During the same briefing, Swat Mobility president Grace Ho said there are a lot of opportunities in the Philippines given its large manufacturing, services, and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors, among others. Ho said essential workers, such as those from the medical field, are among their initial clients, with the help of Toyota Mobility Foundation. “Opportunity came
Ride-sharing firm bullish on PH ops as economy recovers T
FRIDE, P10
Dar hopes for renewal of US GSP to energize agri sector
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epartment of Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Thursday said he is hoping for the renewal of the United States General System of Preferences (US GSP) to boost the chances of higher performance of the country’s agriculture sector. “It helps the Philippines attract investments, create new industries and new jobs and encourage supply chain resiliency,” Dar said in a message to reporters. On Wednesday, Dar discussed possible areas of strengthened partnership with American Charge d’Affaires Heather Variava during their virtual meeting on Wednesday. The US GSP is the largest and oldest US trade preference program designed to promote economic growth and development in the developing countries through preferential, duty-free entry to the US market of products coming from 122 designated beneficiary countries (BDCs) and territories, including the
Philippines. Trade Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez said the system helps beneficiary countries to increase and diversify trade with the US. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that the US is the top export destination for Philippine products in 2020. About 70 percent of the Philippine exports to the US were eligible for GSP and about 15.2 percent or USD9.71 billion of the country’s exports last year went to the US. Due to the impacts of the pandemic, the Philippine exports to US declined by 16.1 percent in 2020 compared to the USD11.57 billion revenues in 2019. The US GSP expired by end of 2020 and has not been renewed since. Dar, meanwhile, thanked Variava and the US for their support in the agriculture sector. He said he invited US investors to invest in coco chips and coco board manufacturing and sea-
FDAR, P10
EDGEDAVAO
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ECONOMY 5
Hundreds of sacks of palay grains are collected after a day of sun drying at a rice mill in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The Department of Agriculture (DA) bared that the country attained a record-high harvest of palay and corn last year. Edge Davao
PH attains all-time high palay, corn harvests in ‘21, DA says PCC pursues ‘role’ in approving body for frequency reallocation
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he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has proposed for the amendments of rules in the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) so that it can become a member of the approving body for frequency reassignment. PCC made the statement following the reallocation of frequencies utilized before by broadcasting company ABSCBN to Advanced Media Broadcasting System (AMBS), Aliw Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), and Swara Sug Media Corporation (SSMC). “The PCC recommends amending the rules to include it as (the) approving body in the assignment of vacated or available frequencies. This is a practice done by many jurisdictions across the world, in consideration of the impact on competition of players over scarce public goods like frequencies,” the antitrust body said. The approving body for frequency reallocation cited in the NTC rule, which was there even be-
fore the Philippine Competition Act (PCA) was passed in 2015, includes the NTC itself, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Justice, and the Malacañang Palace. PCC clarified that the reassignment of frequencies is not covered by the merger review provisions under the PCA, “and thus need not be notified to the PCC”. “In the case of AMBS, this limits PCC’s purview until details of AMBS’ acquisition by the Villar Group, including its relation to Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc., are made public,” it added. The PCC also expressed its support for the passage of the Open Access in Data Transmission Act that will pave the way for more transparent and fair management of spectrum, which is a scarce public asset. “The overarching principle followed by the PCC is to foster a level playing field among new or existing players. The PCC invites
FPCC, P10
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said in a news release on Thursday. The palay output was 3.4 percent higher than the 19.29 MMT in 2020, while corn yield was 2.2 percent better than two years ago, the feats attained despite the Covid-19 pandemic, community lockdowns and logistical bottlenecks, and adverse weather conditions, he said.
The record harvests were a result of more resources poured into both rice and corn programs, palay procurement, and irrigation services. These include PHP15 billion for the national rice program (NRP) and rice resiliency project (RRP); PHP10 billion for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF); PHP7 billion for the National Food Authority (NFA); and PHP30 billion for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). As for corn program, the DA spent P1.5B last year. “With better technology, modern high-yielding seeds, farm machinery and equipment, training,
credit and marketing, the country’s rice and corn farmers were able to deliver record-breaking performance,” said Dionisio Alvindia, director of the DA’s Philippine Integrated Rice Program (PIRP) that oversees the NRP, RRP, and RCEF. Under the RCEF program that is in its third year of implementation, the following are the notable achievements, said Alvindia, based on survey of farmer-participants and monitoring conducted by the DA’s Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice(sad) *For dry season 2019 and 2021, palay seeding rate decreased by one-
million common shares, subject to certain remaining requirements. The actual number of common shares to be issued will depend on the final offer price. Philex Mining will offer the shares to eligible shareholders for a maximum offer price of PHP4.81 per share. Net proceeds from the offer could amount to PHP3.059 billion.
Proceeds will be used for the company’s investment in subsidiary Silangan Mindanao Mining Company, Inc. through Silangan Mindanao Exploration Co., Inc. for the capital expenditures and development cost of its Silangan Project, which includes mine development, construction of the mill plant and support facilities, and storage tailings facility.
The stock rights offer will run from February 28 to March 10, in time for the listing of the offer shares on the Philippine Stock Exchange on March 21, according to the latest timetable submitted by Philex Mining to the SEC. The company has engaged BDO Capital & Investment Corporation as the issue manager and lead underwriter for the offer. (PR)
igger budget, focused plans and interventions, and hardworking farmers and industry partners translate to record-breaking sectoral performance as the country’s national palay (paddy rice) and corn production hit record levels at 19.96 million metric tons (MMT) and 8.3 MMT, respectively in 2021.
“These palay and corn production levels are the highest in the country’s history under the Duterte administration. Thanks to our continued strong partnership with organized farmers’ groups, local government units (LGUs), the private sector, other institutions, and rice and corn industry stakeholders,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar
FPH, P10
SEC clears Philex Mining stock rights offer
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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has considered favorably the stock rights offer by Philex Mining Corporation for a maximum of PHP3.15 billion. In its meeting on January 27, the commission en banc resolved to render effective the registration statement filed by Philex Mining for a stock rights offer covering up to 842
6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL.14 ISSUE 265 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2022
On modernizing the Bureau of Fire Protection:
Modernizing the country’s Bureau of Fire Protection has always been one of our main advocacies with President Rodrigo Duterte. Just like you, it is our vision to see a better and modern fire response service that is capable of ensuring that this country will be fire-safe.”
Sen. Bong Go
EDITORIAL Stop spreading the lies In a debate concerning medicine, we have to rely on science over religion. Truth be told, Covid-19 vaccination do not make one a zombie or worse, kill.
thee coronavirus, having the protection that comes only from vaccination is better than no protection at all.
The proof to that is everywhere. Most of the population moving about are vaccinated
It’s as basic as wearing a helmet when riding motorcycles given the high percentage of road deaths caused by head injuries attributed to not wearing a helmet. Does a helmet protect you 100 percent? No. But it’s better off that having nothing to protect one’s head at all.
While vaccination may not work like bullet-proofing from
Faced with this dilemma, we can only prevail over the spread of lies by educating people. And this must be everyone’s busines, not just the government’s. We must be all in this together.
The Davao City Covid-19 Task Force has found another hump along the road with some religious faiths standing firm against vaccination. The reasons vary from the baseless presumptions to the absurd and ridiculous. The truth is that we cannot anymore tolerate ignorance amidst the continuing threat to infection by this dreaded virus.
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It is unbelievable that in the age of advanced technology in a seamless world, how can ignorance and false beliefs even prevail in this debate on whether or not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
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THE YEAR THAT WAS – IN
AGRICULTURE Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO
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ere are some of the agricultural stories that made headlines in 2021: Golden rice: Game changer in rice production (September 6): A “potential game changer for the rice industry in the country.” That was how House Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda (Albay, Second District) described golden rice after learning that the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) of the Department of Agriculture granted a biosafety permit for the commercial propagation of genetically-engineered cereal in the country. “Rice accounts for onefifth of the basket of goods for the poor. And agriculture in general accounts
for 22.5% of the labor force, even though it merely contributes 8% to gross domestic product. So, any-
thing that raises value for the sector, such as golden rice, will make a difference,” Salceda said. Now, here comes Bt eggplant (August 1): Finally, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BAI) – a line agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA) – has approved the transgenic eggplant for direct use as food, feed, or for processing (FFP). In issuing Biosafety Permit No. 21-078FFP, the eggplant – called Bt eggplant event ‘EE-1’ – is found “to be safe as conventional eggplant” and “can substitute for its traditional counterpart.” The biosafety permit,
which was sent to the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), was issued after rigorous assessment pursuant to the Joint Department Circular (JDC) No. 1, Series of 2016 by five government agencies. The good news was announced by the Laguna-based International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA) in its website (www.isaaa.org). “The FFP approval of Bt eggplant is the latest milestone in the biosafety regulatory process in the Philippines,” ISAAA said in a statement. “To complete the biosafety regulatory process, Bt eggplant will need commercial propagation approval for environmental safety assessment before it can be made available to the public.” Pancit canton with squash gaining popularity (December 13): Pancit canton is made of wheat-flour and eggs. But some Filipino entrepreneurs are adding some twist to it: they literally add squash to the popular noodles. Yes, pancit canton with squash. With technology coming from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), some busi-
ness-minded farmers of Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte tried it – with success. “Farmers of this fertile valley in the eastern part of Mindanao have started processing their excess squash production into a high value product, a very tasty and nutritious pancit canton,” reported Emmanuel Piñol when he was still the chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). Farming systems that can offset methane emissions from rice fields (November 11): Filipino farmers can help minimize methane emissions by adopting sustainable – yet profitable – farming systems. This is particularly true among farmers who grow rice in their farms. Rice farmers can help offset the release of methane from irrigated rice fields by raising ducks. The
integrated farming of rice and ducks in irrigated fields has long been practiced in China, Japan, and Korea. Filipino rice farmers can also help reduce methane emissions released into the atmosphere by adopting controlled irrigation or alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology, which the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has developed. A study headed by Cheryll C. Launio of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) found out that early incorporation of both stubble and straw into the soil is “the most cost-effective way of disposing rice straw.” More importantly, it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Urban farming possible answer to food insecurity (August 3): When pandemic stirred lockdowns and
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COMPETITIVE EDGE
AboitizPower attributes strength in synergy in post-Odette recovery
STRENGTH IN SYNERGY. Linemen from various distribution utilities and electric cooperatives across the country recite a safety pledge before deployment to their respective areas of repair within the franchise area of Visayan Electric in Cebu. Synergy among key stakeholders is crucial to building more resilient power systems, an official of Aboitiz Power Corporation said in light of the rebuilding efforts after typhoon Odette (international name Rai) damaged communities across the Visayas and Mindanao in December last year. In a webinar dubbed “Road to Resilience: Preparing Our Communities for Natural Disaster” on Wednesday, Jan. 26, AboitizPower Distribution Business Group Chief Operating Officer Anton Mari G. Perdices said Odette was a sobering experience for many utilities, adding that “when a natural disaster like Typhoon Odette strikes with severity that no single corporation can handle, collaboration really is the way to go.” “We have a long way to go before we can have truly resilient power systems, especially against the backdrop of more severe weather incidents like this recent typhoon, but we will get there. There has to be
a balance between the responsibilities of the government, private sector, and even consumers to make this system work,” he shared. The webinar, organized by Liveable Cities Philippines, sought to address the steps needed to take to prepare for and build resilience against similar storms in the future or in other parts of the country. “The experience with Supertyphoon Odette (international name: Rai) illustrates the need for more resiliency measures across the country. Odette knocked out Power, Telecommunications, Water, and Fuel supply aside from destroying homes and buildings. More than a month after it made landfall, relief operations for food, water, and hygiene kits are still ongoing in some places while early recovery and rebuilding need to start in earnest. The recovery could take months,” Liveable Cities Challenge Chairman Guillermo “Bill” Luz said. During his talk, Perdices cited the advantage of moving utility lines underground just as they have already done for some parts of the cities of Cebu and Davao. He noted that this should be done strategically, given the required investment for such undertaking. Nonetheless, he said they are willing to work with gov-
linemen recite safety pledge. ernment and industry partners to come up with mechanisms to make these projects commercially viable. He added that investing in embedded generation facili-
Free limited-edition, acrylic bottle with your next FamilyMart purchase
The local franchise of Japanese convenience store brand, FamilyMart, is giving away free acrylic bottles for a minimum of Php 2,000 worth of products purchased at its Metro Manila stores. Featuring Kohi-san, an original FamilyMart brand character, the limited edition bottle is available for redemption until January 31 at any of the 48 FamilyMart stores in the metro. It can be filled with water, milk, and other beverages, hot or cold.
“For the past years, FamilyMart has been actively improving its offerings, and building better customer experience to be able to delight them beyond the typical convenience store transactions. Hence, in line with our goal of providing products and services at the best value, we are gifting our loyal customers with branded, limited-edition FamilyMart merchandise,” FamilyMart General Manager Celina Matias said. Last year, FamilyMart
offered limited-edition merchandise such as umbrellas and face masks featuring all the brands’ characters. The initiative was part of the company’s strategy to build a stronger relationship with its customers through a value-added brand experience. True to its Japanese roots, the brand also started its own comics series regularly published on its official Facebook page, showcasing slice-of-life and daily routine depictions of FamilyMart characters.
ties and exploring avenues for collaboration within the private sector are also among the ways they are looking to move forward after Odette. AboitizPower subsidiary Visayan Electric Co., Cebu’s major electric distribution utility, saw practically its entire franchise area affected when the strongest typhoon to hit the island since Ruping in 1990 made landfall in the southern part of the province on Dec. 16, 2021. Perdices said that as of Wednesday, January 26, 2022, power consumption within the Visayan Electric franchise area has reached 437.71 MW, which is 88% of the preOdette power consumption of 495 MW. He added they estimate to have already restored power to 411,579 customers or 86.8% of the total 474,182 customers within our franchise area. However, Perdices shared that there are still some key challenges that they are facing now that they are down to the
last stretch. A few pockets in urban areas still need power, which will require house-tohouse visits, specific troubleshooting, and addressing load-side issues or damage to customers’ electrical systems. “As we move to the outskirts of our franchise area, access to trucks and heavy equipment will become more limited, work will be slower and more labor-intensive, given that these are remote locations. There are even some areas that are totally inaccessible to vehicles, prompting us to use alternative means of transporting poles and equipment such as carabaos,” he said. On a more positive note, Perdices pointed out that they would not have reached great progress in restoring power to Cebu today if it were not for the linemen and industry support they received in the past month, reinforcing his belief that synergy is indeed necessary to rise again. Linemen of Visayan Electric and Cagayan Electric
Power and Light Co., Inc. (CEPALCO) demonstrate strength in synergy as they work together in fixing poles in Cebu City damaged by typhoon Odette. As of last week, Visayan Electric had around 280 additional linemen from distribution utilities and electric cooperatives from other parts of the country augmenting its 308-strong Visayan Electric workforce currently on the ground. On top of this, the utility also had local engineering companies that helped in the power restoration efforts. The company official called on the public sector to create a clear roadmap and policy guide rails towards a more resilient energy system; compliance, support, and innovation from the private sector; as well as cooperation and buy-in from civil society. “If we constantly work together, not only are we building more resilient power systems, we’re also building a resilient future for all,” said Perdices.
FamilyMart is giving away this limited-edition Kohi-san acrylic bottle for free until the end of January.
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s a journalist, part of my job is to attend international conferences in other parts of the world.
I have seen the Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand. I have scaled the Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have walked through the fine white beaches in Bali, Indonesia. I have toured the award-winning zoo in Melbourne, Australia. I have experienced real safari while I was in Durban, South Africa. I have learned to speak French (not fluently but just barely) while staying for almost a week in Montreal, Canada (more so, when we traveled to Quebec). I have been to the United States several times. I
rode a snowmobile while I was in Hibbing, Minnesota. I did surfing twice – once in North Carolina and the most recent one while I visited my aunt and uncle in Savannah, Georgia. I marveled at the mysterious Wakulla Springs in Tallahassee, Florida. In Iowa, I saw the Old Faithful, the world’s best known geyser, spew out hot water. I have been at the top of the Washington Monument. I have touched the Statue of Liberty in New York City. I became a little kid again as I toured Paramount’s King’s Island in Ohio. I got tired after board walking in New
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SO DO YOU WANT
TO TRAVEL? Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO
Jersey’s Atlantic City. As I write this, the song popularized by Nancy Sinatra came to my mind. Well, while in the US, I have never been to Texas, but I have been to Utah. I have never been to Alabama, Nebraska, or Alaska, but have visited Indiana, Montana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Now, can you name the title of the song? The chorus said, “I know you’re tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes; for they’re only fleeting things, my elusive dreams.” (If you hear me singing this song in videoke bars, now you know the reason.) Indeed, there are many songs which travels are featured. Frank Sinatra’s “Around the World” tells the story of a man who travels around the globe searching for the right girl for him. “I traveled on when hope was gone to keep a rendezvous,” song goes. “I knew somewhere, sometime, somehow you’d look at me and I would see the smile you’re smiling now.” At the end of the song, the man in love expresses his final thought: “No more will I go all
around the world for I have found my world in you.” But for those who are madly in love and who love to travel at the same time, “the world is not enough,” to quote the title of a James Bond movie. The film’s theme song has these words: “The world is not enough but it is such a perfect place to start, my love;
and if you’re strong enough, together we can take the world apart, my love.” “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page,” commented Saint Augustine. “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go,” novelist Robert Louis Stevenson once said. “I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.”
When you travel to another uncommon place, you don’t have to worry what other people will say about you. As William Least wrote in Blue Highways, “When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the
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in the area, has a combined sow population of 55,000 and produces more than 45,000 heads of hogs a month. About 10 percent of the
group’s production is consumed in Soccsksargen and supplies the 90-percent surplus to markets in Luzon and the Visayas. (PNA)
Cooperative and its 234,644 member-consumer-owners would be accorded with due process and that a thorough deliberation and study would be conducted,” it said. Nordeco stated that once this bill is approved into law the Municipalities of Laak, Mabini, Pantukan, Monkayo, Montevista, Compostela, New Bataan, Nabunturan, Maragusan, and Mawab, Davao de Oro Province member-consumer-owners would bear the burden of an increased generation rate of about P17 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) from about P6 per kwh. Nordeco also stated that the prerogative of the House of Representatives to amend and/or repeal the franchise according to Article 11, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution must have been curtailed by the prevailing laws. Nordeco maintained that its franchise is legal and still valid and existing to date and
shall continue to uphold what is stipulated in Section 41 (c) of Republic Act 6038 (the National Electrification Administration Act) that “no franchise for service shall be granted to any other person within any area or a portion for which a cooperative holds a franchise” which is fortified further under Section 27 of Republic Act 9136 (Energy Power Industry Reform Act) that “ all existing franchise shall be allowed in their full term.” On the other hand, Nordeco thanked the 11 Representatives of the 18th Congress who stand for Nordeco and its member-consumer-owners. “Rest assured that Nordeco continues to stand on its ground protecting the electric cooperative as it shall continue to serve its member-consumer-owners towards attaining sustainable development through Rural Electrification within its franchise coverage area,” it said.
beliefs. “Katong mga churches nga dili mu-believe ug vaccines kay naa pa gyud actually na surprise ko nga naa gyud diay ingon ana nga church. Naa ko’y na encounter na gusto kaayo siya magpabakuna but the church does not want him para mabakunahan. So naa gyud diay ingon ana na church,” she said. Schlosser said these challenges lie in the behavior of the people. “Again ang pagpapabakuna ang atong battle ana is the behavior of the people and its not because walay kapasidad ang city or because walay
kapasidad ang atong health office to do the rollout. In fact, daghan kaayo ta ug strategy to achieve faster outcome sa atoang vaccination. Tanan tanan strategies na puwede nato i-offer sa atoang mga tao nga mapa easy ilang pag avail sa vaccination,” she said. She said the city government of Davao already set up a traditional vaccination hub, mobile vaccination hub, drive-thru vaccination, vaccination nights and she also said that the city is now also planning to bring back Saturday vaccinations. By Maya M. Padillo
quarantines, agriculture experts then suggested urban agriculture as an alternative food security solution in urban areas. “Urban agriculture refers not merely to the growing of food crops and fruit trees but that it also encompasses the raising of animals, poultry, fish, bees, rabbits, guinea pigs, or other livestock considered edible locally,” explains Dr. Irene Tinker, an American professor in the department of city and regional planning at the University of California. Urban agriculture is nothing new. The hanging gardens in Babylon, for instance, were an example of urban agriculture, while residents of the first cities of ancient Iran, Syria, and Iraq produced vegetables in home gardens. Oysters: An ally against COVID-19 (September 4): Zinc – along with vitamin C and vitamin A – is one of the nutrients recommended by doctors to be taken against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It helps to slow down the immune response and control inflammation. Zinc can be found in red meat, poultry, crabs, baked beans, chickpeas and yogurt. One of the best sources of zinc is oyster; a 100-gram serving contains 605% of the reference daily intake (RDI). Although low in calories, oysters are loaded with nutrients, including protein, healthy fats, and minerals. Aside from zinc, a 100-gram serving provides over 100% of the RDI for vitamin B12 and copper, and over 75% of a per-
son’s daily needs for selenium and vitamin D. Fighting hunger through gardening (June 26): There are several ways of raising vegetables in the garden. But Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan, Jr., a retired professor of soil science at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB), has developed a better and easier method. He called it Enriched Potting Preparation (EPP). Designed for communities with little space for gardening, it can provide urban families with healthy and pesticide-free vegetables and herbs. EPP is an easy and affordable way of growing plants right in the comfort of everyone’s home. Among the vegetables which can be grown using EPP are lettuce, pechay, mustard, tomato, eggplant, ampalaya, okra, ginger, beans, kangkong, sweet potato, saluyot, spring onion, hot pepper, sweet pepper, Chinese celery, cucumber, kale, kinchay, and spinach. For herbs, the following may be grown: basil, mint, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, wansoy, coriander, kaffir lime, tarragon, stevia, gotu kula, oregano, gynura, and mollocan. Siganids can now be raised commercially (March 26): In the past, siganids were harvested only from the wild in the open seas. But today, thanks to science, they can be raised in brackishwater ponds, pens and cages as well as in sea pens and cages. “Of the 26 species of siganids in the country, the two most commonly cultured are the Siganus guttatus (spotted
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during the crisis but at the same time, there was good product market-fit because we’re a technology-enabled mobility solution,” she said. Asked for the amount of investment in the Philippines so far, Ho did not give exact figures but said they plan to triple it this year to “more
than a quarter million (Singapore dollars).” “While we are headquartered in Singapore, we are on a very aggressive expansion agency so we hope that (the) Philippines will continue to be ranked not just top three but maybe even top two of my business as we track the year,” she said. (PNA)
food processing and canning in the Philippines. With several agricultural partnerships between the two countries, Variava said
the US programs are in place to support and complement the Philippines’ undertakings in the agriculture sector. (PNA)
the public’s attention to check on the quality and price options available to the viewing public during the tenancy of AMBS,
ABC, and SSMC as provisional authority-holders of frequencies previously managed by ABS-CBN,” it said. (PNA)
It’s been such a journey, so many years of hard work.” Barty, though, has been rampant so far, dropping serve just once through six matches and is yet to drop a set as she powered through the top half of the women’s draw. - ‘Going to be incredible’ She is also looking to add to her 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon titles and is on a 10-match win streak to start the year. “To be in the finals weekend of your home Grand Slam is what a lot of Aussie players dream of. Yeah, it’s going to be an incredible experience come Saturday,” said Barty. Top seed Barty crushes Keys to reach final “Obviously I was able to make Maddie uncomfortable and make her press, and that was kind of part of the plan, as well. I felt like we did a really good job all in all of playing the match in kind of our terms.” Barty paid tribute to Keys, a former top-10 player who is on the rise again after some difficult years. “It’s just so nice to see her back where she belongs,” said Barty. “She’s an amazing human being.” The top seed, who played cricket with her team on Wednesday to relax, was once more in full command of her game with an attacking forehand and lethal backhand slice. The Australian immediately pressured Keys’ serve to create a break point that she converted with a cross-court
winner to assert early control. She consolidated as Keys struggled to get her racquet on the ball and the American was broken again in the fifth game. Keys finally won her first points on the Barty serve in the next game, but it was a blip as the Australian stormed 5-1 in front before a double fault handed her two set points and she slammed a forehand return to convert. It went with serve to 2-2 in set two before Barty stepped up a gear, with a passing shot earning another break to 4-2 clear and there was no way back for the American. Collins also flew out of the blocks against former French Open champion Swiatek, racing to a 4-0 first set lead. Tennis-Imperious Barty marches on to Australian Open semis A nervous Swiatek double faulted in the opening game to gift Collins an early break and the unrelenting American’s fierce groundstrokes earned her another. But the gutsy Pole fought back as Collins double faulted to give a break-point opportunity. But the all-action American, who opted not to sit down and rest at each change of ends, recomposed herself to serve out the set. Collins was now on a mission and quickly broke to take charge of the second set as she jumped on Swiatek’s second serve, breaking again to race 3-0 clear and it was all over for the 20-year-old.
variety) and Siganus vermiculatus (striped variety),” says Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology and former executive director of Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. Lowering tariffs on corn may kill production (October 21): Despite the abundance of corn production, income of corn farmers didn’t increase. What made corn farmers even more cautious is when the Department of Agriculture (DA) will lower tariffs on corn imports. Doing so would mean a “death sentence” to farmers given the prevailing low price of corn. “(The implementation will bring) revenue loss of P10 billion,” said House Resolution 2289, which Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed. The resolution is supported by the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (Philmaize) and the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA). The resolution was
directed as a petition to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Tariff Commission. So you want to raise your own bonsai? (July 10): Originally, the Japanese bonsai only attempted to produce small trees that mimic the shape of real life trees. Today, it has become an umbrella term in English, attached to many forms of potted or other plants, and also on occasion to other living and non-living things. As an art, bonsai is more than a thousand years old. As a hobby, it is very much rewarding. “All you need is a few basic materials and some basic tools,” The Hobby Nerd wrote in his blog. “You don’t even have to buy an ‘official bonsai tree’ because there really is no such thing! Bonsai isn’t a particular type of tree. It is the art of taking any type of tree or shrub and growing it and trimming it in ways so that it remains small yet has the proportions and uncanny look of its larger counterparts.”
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road.” When going to a foreign land, ask not those who have never been there but those who are always on the go. Here’s a piece of advice from Susan Heller, “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” Got that? One of the most important documents to bring when traveling is a passport. It is very important but Lemony Snicket can’t help making fun of it. “A passport, as I’m sure you know, is a document that one shows to government officials whenever one reaches a border between countries, so the officials can learn who you are, where you were born, and how you look when photographed unflatteringly.” Traveling gives you all kinds of emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, excitement, disgust, politeness, inconsiderate, hunger, pain, thrill, loss of energy – name it and you have it. Award-winning film director Orson Welles (of Citizen Kane distinction) observed, “There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.” For those who experienced the latter, Mignon McLaughlin has these words: “Whenever we safely land in a plane, we promise God a little something.” Flying is indeed not for the faint-hearted. But even if you travel by bus or boat, you still encounter a lot of hazards like accidents and typhoons. But these are just a few reasons why some people don’t travel. “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home,” advises James Michener. Funny incidents every now and then are bound to
happen while traveling. A family living in Montreal, Canada traveled by land to Orlando, Florida last November. A day before their departure, the mother told her two kids: a 6-year-old son and a 4-yearold daughter. “Let us make this clear. No one should ask if we are almost there,” the mother said. The two children agreed. Almost two days later, they were still on the road. The mother was driving while the father took his turn to sleep. The two kids were already feeling bored. They wanted to ask their mother if they were almost there but they backed off such thought remembering their agreement before. The little girl could not hold any longer, so she inquired, “Mom, will I still be four years old when we get there?” Robert Frost penned this famous line: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.” Wherever you are, enjoy the most of it. “To awaken alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world,” said Freya Stark. And try to get the most of it. Listen to the words of wisdom from Moslih Eddin Saadi, “A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” I have been to different parts of the world. But there is no place like home. Most of the time, I always look forward to coming home. After the excitement has died down and fatigue has engulfed your being, all you want to do is to go back to familiar surroundings. (That is why I don’t get enough when I am in Davao.) How true were the words of Lin Yutang: “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.”
rounding their success, Annis said the team wouldn’t let themselves be overwhelmed by the results. “I think what we’re trying to do is stay present, in the moment, and embrace all of the good things that are happening because of the hard work that we put in and preparations,” she said. Stajcic said he expected Sunday’s match versus Chinese-Taipei to be about which side manages the pressure more. “The team that handles the nerves better would probably start the better, but that doesn’t mean you finish the better,” he said. “And you know, I think it’s gonna be a really even game.” -- Aussies, Japan, China top groups -Meanwhile, Australia defeated Thailand 2-1 to secure top spot in Group B and set up a quarterfinal clash with South
Korea. The Matildas finished the group stage with 9 points, ahead of the Philippines. Despite the defeat, Thailand advanced on account of finishing among the best 3rdplaced teams alongside Vietnam. Thailand will face 2-time defending champions Japan, who clinched the top spot in Group C on goal difference despite being held to a 1-1 draw by 2nd-placed South Korea. Vietnam, who came from behind twice to hold Myanmar to a 2-2 draw in Navi Mumbai, will take on Group A winners China in the last 8. Group A ended with only three teams with hosts India thrown out of the tournament after a COVID-19 outbreak meant they were unable to field a team for their match against Taiwan. — With a report by Reuters
third or 33 percent from 96 kilograms (kg) per hectare (ha) to 64 kg/ha; *Average yield increased by 15 percent or 560 kg/ha, from 3.65 metric tons (MT) per hectare (ha) in 2019 to 4.22 mt/ha in 2021; and *Due to the reduced cost of seeds and increased productivity, cost of production (COP) has decreased, and farmers earned additional gross income of PHP10,000/ha, at PHP19/kg dry palay buying price. For farmers who plant hybrid rice, they attain bigger average yields and income per hectare, DA Hybrid Program Director Frisco Malabanan said. He said hybrid rice farmers in Nueva Ecija obtained the highest average yield at
7.6 mt/ha in dry season 2021 and 5.75 mt/ha in wet season 2021. In addition to Nueva Ecija, Malabanan said hybrid rice farming is now popular and focused in 14 other provinces: Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Cagayan Valley, Isabela, Tarlac, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Leyte, Bukidnon, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. Since 2019, the total area planted to hybrid rice has reached 1.1 million hectares, contributing roughly 26 percent to total palay production. Malabanan said DA-PhilRice data show that current average cost of production (COP) of palay is at PHP12/ kg, and that the COP of hybrid rice ranges only from PHP7to PHP8/kg. (PR)
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The Malditas celerate after a win.
PH books last 8 seat
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aking history has been a theme for the Philippine women’s national football team at the currently running AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Now, head coach Alen Stajcic and his crew have their eyes on an even bigger breakthrough win this weekend. The Philippines put on a scoring clinic in their final group-stage game on Thursday, bludgeoning Indonesia 6-0 to advance to the knockout phase and continue their fantastic campaign in India. Captain Tahnai Annis led the way with a brace and Katrina Guillou, Sarina Bolden, Jessica Miclat and
Malea Louise Cesar added a goal each at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune for the Filipinas’ 2nd win in 3 matches, good for 2nd place in Group B and a spot in the quarterfinals. They next face Chinese-Taipei on Sunday; a win by Stajcic, Annis and co. would send the Philippines to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the country’s first appearance there, if ever. “The team just keeps raising the bar. Every time
we do something new, and create a bit of history, it’s a new ceiling for the team and the country,” said Stajcic, an Australian coach who called the shots for his native country’s women’s team in several high-profile competitions, including 2 World Cups and an Olympics. “I’m really happy for the team, and I know everyone back home in the Philippines will be really happy and proud of the team as well.” The Filipinas set the tone in India with a first-ever win against Thailand to open the tournament, before losing 4-0 to Australia. The Philippines hadn’t won 2 matches in a single
Barty to meet powerhouse Collins in final
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ruthless Ashleigh Barty swept into her first Australian Open final on Thursday with a clinical, straight-sets demolition of Madison Keys to set-up a title match with the hard-hitting Danielle Collins. The world number one overwhelmed 51st-ranked Keys 6-1, 6-3 in just 62 minutes with another American awaiting after the all-business Collins crushed Polish seventh seed Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-1. Barty is the first Austra-
lian woman into the decider of her home Grand Slam since Wendy Turnbull in 1980 and is aiming to become the first winner since Chris O’Neil two years earlier. But the tenacious Collins stands in her way on Saturday with the 28-yearold enjoying a second coming after surgery last year for endometriosis left her pain free. Collins overpowers Swiatek to set up final with Barty Nine months on and she
has 32-7 win-loss record, capturing her maiden WTA singles titles last year in Palermo then San Jose. After making the semi-finals at Melbourne in 2019, she is now in a first Slam final and will break into the top 10 for the first time to cap a remarkable comeback. “To play against the number one player in the world in her home country, it’s going to be spectacular,” said Collins of the final. “I couldn’t be happier.
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Women’s Asian Cup in 9 previous iterations of the competition. In the 2018 edition, they won once — versus Jordan — to secure third place in Group A and a playoff against South Korea for a spot in the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The Filipinas lost 5-0. In 8 of the previous Women’s Asian Cups, the Philippines ended up winless 5 times (2001, 1997, 1995, 1993 and their tournament debut in 1981), and settled for a solitary win thrice (versus Guam in 2003, Nepal in 1999 as hosts, and Hong Kong in 1983). This team in India has shown they’re built differ-
ently. -- Philippines ‘staying in the moment -“We’re just so grateful for the opportunity to be here again,” Annis said. “And you know, we came here to compete, and we came to win, and we came to you know, progress from how we did 4 years ago, and I think we’ve really shown a lot of people, and shown ourselves what we’re capable of.” Against Indonesia, defender Guillou drew first blood in the 6th minute, her first goal for the Philippines, before forward Bolden headed it in off a cross by midfielder Miclat. After the break, that’s when Annis and her team-
Aussie favorite Ash Barty is through to the finals.
mates opened the floodgates. Annis scored her 3rd international goal with a strike from outside the box in the 56th, then the Filipinas made it 4-0 thanks to Miclat, who converted the penalty in the 72nd after Indonesia was called for a handball. Annis added another from long-distance in the 82nd , before midfielder Cesar completed the rout with an injury-time strike. All in all, the Filipinas had 31 shots with 12 of them on target. They also enjoyed 61 percent of possession against the overmatched Timnas. Amid the buzz sur-
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PSC chief disappointed by mediation postponement
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hilippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez rued the latest roadblock to the potential reconciliation between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.
Speaking for the first time since Obiena begged off from joining the mediation process, Ramirez expressed disappointment that the process had to be called off. “I’m very disappointed. As a matter of fact, mediation is something we stand for because it is the best option to seek resolution from the matter. However, there should be a voluntary willingness from both parties, something that is not possible at the moment,” Ramirez, who volunteered to be the
Sen. Ronald dela Rosa works out at the Arcadia Fitness Gym during a recent visit. (Arcadia photo)
peacemaker, said in the PSC’s People Sports Conversations podcast on Thursday. He, however, reiterated that the PSC remains open should Obiena finally decide to agree to the mediation. “The PSC is open to that. It is the best option that we have. Contrary to what has been wrongly claimed that mediation does not silence the truth, it is aimed at operating the truth since it offers a safe neutral for discussion for both parties to clarify issues without the noise of the outside world,” Ramirez said. “It is an opportunity for both parties to lay down their cards and where we can seek ways to address issues without judgment and a place where facts will speak, so we are sad because the elite athletes are under the principles of Olympism that speak about friendship, respect, excellence, and for-
giveness and this is happening in our Philippine sports,” he added. He admitted that his concerns over the row have also affected how he is monitoring the other national athletes like the women’s football team’s stint in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Mumbai and Asa Miller’s upcoming bid in the Winter Olympics in Beijing. “We are bothered by this internal problem of PATAFA and EJ Obiena,” Ramirez said. Despite the situation locally, Ramirez congratulated the athletes competing abroad and wished them good luck as they aim to go deep into their respective runs. He appealed to PATAFA president Philip Ella “Popoy” Juico and Obiena to unite and settle their differences for the good of Philippine sports. (PNA)