EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society
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DENGUE ALERT
VOL.15 ISSUE 5 • TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
A hawker sells fresh fish to travelers and passersby along the national highway in Trento, Agusan del Sur. The prices of fish and other sea produce, which went up last week, remained high at Davao City’s public markets even after the observance of the Holy Week. Edge Davao
DOH 11 warns public on dengue, leptospirosis outbreak STORY ON PAGE 2
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VOL.15 ISSUE 4 • TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista and Senator Christopher“Bong”Go, distributes relief goods and assistance to families affected by Tropical Storm Agaton at the Pontevedra Elementary School Evacuation Center, Poblacion Tacas in Pontevedra, Capiz on April 16, 2022. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
DENGUE ALERT V
Gov’t agencies to craft a disaster preparedness plan for Mindanao
outbreak. We are monitoring the dengue cases throughout the region by looking into the cases from different provinces,” said Dr. Gerna Manatad, assistant regional director of DOH-Davao Region. Manatad reported that as of April 12, 2022 there are 1,308 dengue cases recorded in Davao Region and as to cumulative number of cases per area: Davao de Oro, 125 cases; Davao City, 449; Davao del Norte, 281; Davao del Sur, 284; Davao Occidental, 20;
and Davao Oriental, 149. “We are monitoring the dengue cases because it has the potential to cause an outbreak and if left unmanaged will also have severe form and even have mortality out of dengue cases,” she said. DOH 11 is also monitoring cases of leptospirosis disease in Davao Region especially now that some of the areas in the region are hit by flooding, which may be the cause of transmission of such disease. “Based on our monitoring there are areas where flooding due to the LPA situation brought about by bad weather so now we are
also looking into the leptospirosis cases. Again the way the disease is being transmitted, especially during flooding and typhoon, this makes our people vulnerable and be contaminated with leptospirosis,” Manatad said. Manatad reported that as of April 12, 2022, DOH 11 recorded a total of 25 of leptospirosis cases in Davao Region: two from Davao de Oro, 15 from Davao City, four from Davao del Norte, and one from Davao Occidental. “We don’t document yet in Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental, no reported cases of leptospirosis yet,” she added.
arious government agencies will join forces in crafting a Mindanao Disaster Preparedness Plan that will provide an island-wide outlook for coordinated “planning, preparation, mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation efforts” during calamities among local government units, an official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said. MinDA public relations head Adrian Tamayo said on Sunday that it is important to come out with a single plan since a disaster affecting one area will likely have an impact on other local governments in terms of public safety, economic recovery, and overall growth. He said the plan is a joint project of MinDA with the Office of the Civil Defense and the National Risk Reduction and Management Council, in coordination with other government agencies including, among others, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine National Police, and Armed Forces
(DepEd) announced Monday. In a Facebook post, the DepEd cited its Order No. 29 from 2021, which indicates that the dates are dedicated for “elec-
tions-related activities.” Some 320,000 teaching and nonteaching personnel under the DepEd will serve as Board of Election members in the May 9 polls, Undersecretary Alain Pascua
earlier said. But despite the class suspension, teachers are still expected to report to schools, even in days without election-related duties or activities, the
agency added. The DepEd recently required all personnel in areas under Alert Level 1 to physically report to schools and offices for work. A number of educa-
DOH 11 warns public on dengue, leptospirosis outbreak By MAYA M. PADILLO
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ther than Covid-19, the public has to be aware of other diseases that could lead to an outbreak.
The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) issued a dengue alert after seeing a 4 percent increase in cases this year. Dengue is the fastest spreading vector-borne disease in the world endemic in 100 countries and is transmitted by day-biting Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. “We all know that dengue is an endemic disease in the country and specifically in our region and this disease has the potential to cause an
of the Philippines. “The plan will take into huge consideration the regional and LGU plans in developing the Mindanao Plan,” he said. He added that the plan would be used as a major reference for disaster preparation, response, recovery and rehabilitation. “It is an effort to address the whole spectrum of disaster governance, from planning, preparation, mitigation, response, recovery and rehabilitation, in the wide array of continuous and unimpeded basic economic activities, logistics, transportation,” he said. Tamayo explained that “any disaster has a face of its own” and its impact on communities is “more or less the same.” “As to the details of which, it is one thing to be crafted but agencies of government are already in agreement that there is urgency to coordinate, integrate and harmonize our plans because what happens in one region affects another region,” he said. (Antonio L. Colina / MindaNews)
tors’ groups have criticized the policy, arguing that many schools still have unstable internet connectivity that would only disrupt teachers’ online classes.
No classes in public schools on May 2 to 13 due to elections
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here will be no classes in public elementary and secondary schools from May 2 to 13 to give way for the national and local elections, the Department of Education
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NEWS
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Vice Mayor Patrocenio Veroy of the Municipality of Cateel in Davao Oriental calls on the Department of Interior and Local Government 11 (DILG 11) to resolve the issue in the province particularly requiring incumbent Mayor
Talks still ongoing for PAL’s Zambo-Kota Kinabalu flights BARMM sets special vax days to reach population immunity
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he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Health (MOHBARMM) will hold regionwide special inoculation days next month to meet the region’s 70 percent population immunity by June this year. Dr. Zul Qarnayen Abas, acting BARMM health minister, said the initiative aims to curb the possibility of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) surge in the region amid the low vaccination rate. “The fight against Covid-19 in BARMM in particular and in the country in general needs a multi-sectoral approach and engagement from all stakeholders of the society,” Abas said in a statement Monday. Abas said the special vaccination drive will be an expanded partnership of BARMM ministries and offices, including development partners and local non-government organizations. He said a multi-sec-
toral approach is the best way to meet the ideal vaccination target. “Beating Covid-19 cannot be attained by MOH alone, it should be a multi-stakeholder approach because each partner has crucial and unique roles in influencing the public to get vaccinated,” Abas said. As of Monday, the BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force Against Covid-19 administered a total of 1,966,281 vaccines to eligible individuals. “Our vaccination rate is still low at 27.5 percent or 960,089 fully vaccinated individuals,” Saida Diocolano-Ali, MOH BARMM information officer, said, adding that about 1,006,192 were partially vaccinated. MOH-BARMM is eyeing the inoculation of 340,000 more individuals across the region. The special vaccination days are set on the following dates: Maguin-
FBARMM, P10
By MAYA M. PADILLO
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The said service was scheduled for launch on March 31, 2020, but was canceled when international and domestic flights were canceled due to Covid-19. “There is an ongoing talk with PAL that aims to open Zambo-Kinaba-
lu air route. It indicates that they are really up for opening but have no timeline yet but they continue to discuss. MinDA is there to facilitate the discussion,” said Adrian Tamayo, MinDA’s public relations head. MinDA as the Philip-
pine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE) was expecting that the said flights will spur more trade and economic activities between Mindanao and the rest of the BIMP-EAGA sub-region, particularly Malaysia. The Zamboanga- Kota Kinabalu air connectivity is a major BIMP-EAGA project under the Transport Cluster in convergence with the Joint Tourism Development (JTD) Cluster. Meanwhile, Tamayo said after the Zam-
mid the inclement weather, an official here has advised Dabawenyos to make their homes more resilient to flooding by having them retrofitted or redesigned. For instance, owners of flood-prone houses in urban areas may consid-
er turning their ground floors into commercial areas and relocate the main living quarters on higher floors, said Engr. Ivan Cortez, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) officer-in-charge. “There are some residential areas that are constantly being flood-
ed, and these residential properties are recommended to be retrofitted to add another floor, or commercialize the lower floor,” Cortez said during Monday’s Kapehan sa SM City here. If that doesn’t work because the area is low-lying and regularly visited
n official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) confirmed that there is an ongoing discussion with the Philippine Airlines (PAL) for the launch of the Zamboanga-Kota Kinabalu flights.
bo-Kota Kinabalu flights, the resumption of the Davao-Manado air service is expected to follow. After 12 years since the air route was available, in May 2007, it was relaunched on September 27, 2019, through Indonesia’s national flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, but halted in mid-March of 2020 following the travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The service is said to be part of Garuda’s effort to provide seamless con-
by floods, Cortez said the city offers a resettlement site for homeowners living in disaster-prone areas. CPDO, he added, is set to release data on available housing opportunities for residents. By freeing up disaster-prone areas, the CPDO
FTALKS, P10
Dabawenyos urged to build homes resilient to flooding A
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Cebu Pacific announces the resumption of local flights from Davao hub as it seeks to restore full pre-pandemic capacity during the summer season. The airline has resumed direct flights from Davao to Bohol, Iloilo, and Zamboanga this month, and would resume flights between Davao and Cagayan de Oro in May. Edge Davao
No extension of income tax return filing deadline -- BIR
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here will be no extension of the deadline for the filing of annual income tax returns after already being moved due to the Holy Week holidays, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) reiterated Monday.
In a post on its social media account, the BIR said there will be no extension of the April 18, 2022 deadline for the filing and payment of taxes for 2021, but taxpayers are allowed to amend their returns until May 16, 2022 without penalties. The agency said allowing taxpayers time to
amend returns until next month is in a bid “to alleviate the difficulties in bearing the deadline on a holiday and considering the challenges encountered in the hybrid working arrangement adapted by most taxpayers.” The deadline for the filing of returns was originally set April 15, but this fell on Good Friday, which
was declared as a regular holiday by Malacañang. Taxpayers can file and pay their corresponding taxes through authorized agent banks (AABs) and revenue collection officers (RCOs), which they can choose to do in cash or in check. Checks should be made payable to the BIR, with or without the IFO name and TIN of the taxpayer written on the check as previously required. The name and the branch of the AAB also need not be indicated. For those who choose to use the electronic filing and payment system
(eFPS), they can do so through their chosen payment channels such such as GCash, PayMaya, and MyEG. The BIR is mandated to assess and collect all national internal revenue taxes, fees, and charges, and enforce all forfeitures, penalties, and fines connected. This includes cases decided in its favor by the Court of Tax Appeals and ordinary courts. The agency collected P2.086 trillion in 2021, 0.25% higher than the collection target and 6.94% higher than the P1.951 trillion collected in 2020.
flights to four new destinations from Cebu this April — Calbayog, Surigao, Puerto Princesa, and Legazpi, bringing its Cebu flights to 21 domestic destinations. It also boosted direct flights from Cebu to Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Coron, Boracay,
Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Clark, General Santos, Siargao, Tacloban, Dumaguete, Pagadian, Butuan, Ozamis, Camiguin, and Dipolog. The firm also resumed direct flights from Davao to Bohol, Iloilo, and Zamboanga this month, and would resume flights be-
tween Davao and Cagayan de Oro in May. “Cebu and Davao are very important for us as they serve as our main hubs in the VisMin area. We know that now is the perfect time for us to resume these direct flights while we see an increase
CebPac resumes more domestic flights from Davao, Cebu hubs
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udget carrier Cebu Pacific over the weekend announced the resumption of local flights from Cebu and Davao as it seeks to restore full pre-pandemic capacity during the summer season. Cebu Pacific said it would resume direct
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DAR to boost abaca production in NorCot
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he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in North Cotabato recently turned over a Php300,000.00 worth of enhanced abaca processing and drying center to Perez ARB Rubber Farmers Association of Barangay Perez, Kidapawan City, to improve their abaca fiber quality. Aside from the facility, the abaca farmers would also benefit from a Php2-million worth project entitled, “Environment Responsible Abaca Value Chain to North Cotabato Farmers,” through the World Vision Development Foundation, with funding support from the government of Singapore. Assistant Regional Director and concurrent Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Rodolfo Alburo said with the enhanced processing and drying center, they expect to further improve the livelihood of abaca farmers in the area and increase their income by improving the quality of
their product. Alburo added that with the processing facility, provided through Village Level Farm-focused Enterprise Development (VLFED) project, the farmers were also provided with skills and institutional training as part of the soft component of the project. “Through the training, our farmers were already producing and selling abaca by-products such as bags, slippers, placemats, bags, and twines, among others,” he said. Meanwhile, World Vision’s Program Officer Samuel Ocon said the Php2-M project would highlight the expansion of abaca production by establishing more nurseries in the area, which will directly benefit 500 farmer-beneficiaries. “The project will help further develop farmers’ knowledge of environmental protection and climate change adaptation, and generate alternative
FDAR, P10
EDGEDAVAO
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ECONOMY
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A sidewalk vendor makes herself busy checking out her mobile phone during a quiet Monday morning. Edge Davao
Sarangani farmers enlist in farm business school
Marcos wants price cap on rice
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residential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he would recommend a price cap on rice and mandate government agencies to serve as middlemen in procurement of harvests if he is elected in May. In an emailed statement, Marcos said a price cap would bring down prices of rice by P20 to P30 a kilogram. Latest data available from the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that local commercial prices in Metro Manila range from P38 to P50 per kilogram, and imported commercial rice prices from P37.00 to P52.00 as of April 13, depending on the variety. Marcos noted, however, that the country should have a “regular and thorough” inventory of rice harvests for this to be achieved. This is already being conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority
(PSA), with production of palay (unmilled rice) estimated at P403.893 billion in 2021, up from P390.213 million in 2020. Marcos also renewed his suggestion to amend the Rice Tariffication Law, which allows the unlimited importation of rice as long as private sector traders secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry, and pay the 35% tariff for shipments from neighbors in Southeast Asia. “Hindi natin kailangang mag-import ng bigas kung sapat naman ang supply ng ating magsasaka dahil ang dapat mas pinapalakas pa natin ang pagtanim at pag-ani ng ating mga palay,” Marcos said. [We do not need to import if our supply is enough. We need to strengthen our planting and harvesting of palay.] In the same statement, Marcos said he would also direct all concerned gov-
FMARCOS, P10
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oping with the challenges of the new normal, members of the Kapate Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Association (KARBFA) will soon acquire better farm entrepreneurial skills as they committed to participate in the farm business school (FBS) conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in this province starting this month of April.
DAR Sarangani Chief Cenon S. Original said the activity will help the farmers upgrade their knowledge and skills in developing competitive
farm enterprises that will open opportunities for them to earn more. “In collaboration with other government agencies and local government
units, this training will enhance the farmer-beneficiaries capacity towards higher productivity and income. This way, it will also help alleviate poverty and contribute to national food security,” Original said. During the launching of the FBS in Barangay Kapate, Kiamba, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Ramonito C. Marciano urged the farmer-beneficiaries to make a difference in their lives. “They need to devote some time to train their
angko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday urged the public to use available security features and practice cyber hygiene to avoid becoming victims of fraudulent activities. Consumers should enable “multiple layers of security features” such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) in BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) and digital
platforms, the central bank said in a statement. Using MFA requires consumers to verify their identity through several methods before proceeding with a transaction. The BSP said the multi-factor authentication includes one-time PINs (OTPs), biometric authentications and mobile banking PINs (MPIN).
Authentications are sent via SMS, e-mail or phone call, it said. When enabled, it will prompt the user if a transaction was completed. “The BSP continuously reminds the public that e-safety is everyone’s responsibility,” it said. Consumers should also practice cyber hygiene by refraining from sharing
minds and hands so that their talents in farming and marketing will propel them in acquiring their most desired treasures,” Marciano said. The FBS weekly sessions which will be conducted by Provincial FBS facilitators Kristine Joy C. Carriedo and Lorna S. Acanto will cover 25 modules designed for on-site training. The 25 enlisted ARBs will be trained to become agricultural entrepreneurs through learning agro-enterprise
personal and sensitive information, using strong passwords, changing passwords regularly, updating device operating systems and reporting suspicious or unusual activities, the BSP said. Phishing, SMS and other scams have proliferated as the adaption of digital transactions accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FSARANGANI, P10
BSP urges public to turn on multi-factor authentication B
6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO
VOL.15 ISSUE 4 • TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
In recognizing the need to further institutionalize the mechanisms necessary to ensure full recovery and rehabilitation:
Kaya ako paulit-ulit na umaapela na ipasa na ang batas na magtatayo ng Department of Disaster Resilience. Ilang kalamidad at sakuna pa ba ang kailangan para maintindihan na kailangan na nating aksyunan ito upang mas palakasin pa ang mekanismong mayroon tayo ngayon?” Sen. Christotpher “Bong” Go
EDITORIAL Return to normalcy That children are now back to face to face classes is just the right beginning to the road back to normalcy.
With the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic favorable for the gradual expansion of in-person classes nationwide, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) is making the timely transition.
The transition as ordered by DepEd will allow schools in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2 to conduct limited F2F classes, subject to health protocols. As of March 28, about 13,692 public and private schools have been participating in in-person classes, according to DepEd data. As of April 11, more than 10 million children have so far been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
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It has been two years since children have been plucked out of classrooms as the coronavirus wave swept through the country changing the way we lived. Among the biggest changes involved the young school children who transitioned from face-to-face learning to online classes. As kids return to schools, one thing will remain and that’s the face masks which will perhaps become part of the academic lifestyle. 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
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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
From April 4 to 10, the country logged an additional 1,906 Covid-19 infections, with an estimated daily average case of 272. Given the low number of reported Covid-19 cases, more than half of the country’s total cities and municipalities, including Davao City, have been placed under the most lenient Alert Level 1 for the second half of April.
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EDGEDAVAO
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VANTAGE POINTS
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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!
EDUCATION IS A NEVER-ENDING PROCESS After an incident trending on the reality show, “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB), where teen housemates called the three Filipino priests who were executed by garrote in 1872 – Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora – as Majoha instead of Gomburza, Rob Domingo called for improvement of the education system in the Philippines. Filipino educators and others protested. “You don’t get to blame the teachers or the education system itself,” said Aileen Rose Nadela-Cruz. “The teachers are undeniably doing their best to teach the students. It’s on the students who lack interest and discipline and neglect themselves from learning.” “The educational system is in perfect working order,” Marinel Hizon Perez commented. “Teachers are unquestionably carrying out their responsibilities to educate your youngsters. However, there is a problem with certain PBB contestants. They are uninformed because they do not take their academics seriously. I believe they did not represent all of today’s kids.” A certain Queen Sam called out the attention of PBB and Robi. “Do not blame it on the education system,” she wrote. “We teachers always do our 1000% to give them high quality educa-
tion. If they don’t know basic education, it is their responsibility as a student. Also, their parents have to do something for them (poor parenting). If they have no focus on studying, that’s for sure they know nothing.” “A little learning is a dangerous thing,” Alexander Pope once said. “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance,” Andy McIntyre once pointed out. Indeed, education is very important. And it is a never-ending process. Just because you already know something – like finishing high school, getting a college degree or have undergone training, you have to stop learning. You need to continue learning. After all, the permanent thing in this world is change. If you stop learning, then you will be left behind. “Learning is like rowing upstream: not to advance is to drop back,” said a Chinese proverb. Let me tell you an anecdote I read somewhere. One night, three horsemen were riding across a desert. As they crossed the dry bed of a river, out of the darkness a voice called, “Halt!” Although feeling surprised, they obeyed. The voice then told them to dismount, pick up a handful of pebbles, put them in their pockets
and remount. The voice told them, “You have done what I have commanded you. Tomorrow, when the sun shines, you will be both glad and sorry.” Mystified, the three horsemen continued their travel. When the sun rose, they reached into their pockets and found that a miracle had happened. The pebbles had been transformed into diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones. They remembered the warning. They were both glad and sorry – glad that they had taken some, and sorry that they had not taken more. That’s the same thing with education. Education doesn’t really mean going to school. There are people who don’t have a college diploma and yet they became very successful. In fact, I have known some famous people who were high school dropouts but still managed to excel in their chosen careers. From Hollywood, Al Pacino, Cary Grant, Ellen Burstyn, and Tracey Ullman come to mind. Others in the same category were Richard Avedon (photographer), Amadeo Peter Giannini (founder of the Bank of America), Peter Jennings (newscaster), Billy Joel (singer and song-
writer), John Major (British prime minister), Herman Melville (author), James Naismith (inventor of basketball), Wayne Newton (singer), Arnold Schonberg (composer), Leon Uris (author), and Lawrence Welk (bandleader). In the Philippines, I can think of the late filmmaker Lino Brocka. Although he quit college, it did not stop him to pursue his ambition: to direct some of the country’s high-caliber movies. In 1985, he was chosen as one of the five recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award. There were others who were expelled from school. Comedian Richard Pryor was expelled from a Catholic grammar school in Peoria, Illinois, when the nuns discovered that his grandmother ran a string of brothels. Musician Roger Daltrey was expelled from Acton County Grammar School in England. “I was an evil little so-and-so,” he recalled. “I didn’t fit in.” “The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education,” reminds Ralph Waldo Emerson. “A college degree is not a sign that one is a finished product but an indication a person is prepared for life,” Reverend Edward A. Malloy remarks. Clifton L. Hall has also said,
“It is easy – even natural to think of education as something that ends when one finishes school, or graduates from college, or is decorated with doctorate. But it might be nearer to the truth to say that real education begins when formal education ends.” People who have degrees already may not go to school anymore but it doesn’t mean they quit learning. So, you think you are old now and it’s a privilege to quit learning? Well, it’s never too old to learn. A mother was having a hard time getting her son to go to school one morning. “Nobody likes me at school,” said the son. “The teachers don’t and the kids don’t. The superintendent wants to transfer me, the bus drivers hate me, the school board wants me to drop out, and the custodians have it in for me. I don’t want to go.” “You’ve got to go,” the mother insisted. “You’re healthy. You have a lot to learn. You’ve got something to offer others. You are a leader. Besides, you are 42 years old. And you’re the school principal.” To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of Henry Peter, Lord Brougham: “Education makes people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.”
ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD
WOMEN IN DAVAO’S POLITICS (2) The other elected Davao City councilors in the post-millennial era are Maria Isabel Suñga-Acosta (2001-04, 200407, 2007-10, 2013-16 and 2019-January 6, 2022), later appointed head of the Mindanao Development Authority; Angela Librado-Trinidad (2001-04, 2004-07 and 2007-10); Teresita Mata Marañon (2001-04 and 2007-10); Susan Isa-bel Reta (2001-04, 2004-07 and 200710); Rachel Zozobrado (200710, 2010-13 and 2013-16); Leah Librado (2010-13 and 201316); Marissa Salvador-Abella (2010-13 and 2013-16); Antoinette Principe Castrodes (201316); and Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte (2013-16). The longest-serving lady city councilor in the post-Marcos period is Pilar Cañeda Braga, daughter of former Davao governor Gregorio Cañeda, who has so far served eight terms (199295, 1995-98, 2001-04, 2004-07,
2007-10, 2010-13, 2016-19 and 2019-22). Elsewhere in Davao Region, women’s political inroads surfaced in the 1960s. In the November 1963 polls, Cecilia D. Almendras-Dela Paz, sister of Alejandro D. Almen-dras, Davao’s first senator, won as vice mayor of Mon-kayo, Davao de Oro, and later, by succession, became its first lady mayor (July 12, 1966–December 31, 1967). Two decades later, she was installed OIC-governor (January-February 1988) of Davao del Norte. Among the five provinces of Davao, the eastern sea-board is regarded as the epicenter of gender politics when it comes to women. Since its inception in 1967, Davao Ori-ental has already been served by four lady governors be-tween 1991 and 2013. By succession, Josefina Cunanan Sibala assumed as governor on August 13, 1991,
complet-ing her predecessor’s term on June 30, 1992. She was fol-lowed by Rosalind Ybasco Lopez (1992-95, 1995-98 and 1998-2001), Maria Elena Toroba Palma Gil (2001-04 and 2004-07), and Corazon NuñezMalanyaon (2007-10 and 201013). Meanwhile, Bienvenida ‘Benben’ Saceda, ex-publisher of Digos Times, was vice governor of Davao del Sur, while Luz Mercado-Sarmiento became second governor of Da-vao de Oro. Maria Carmen Zamora, a three-term con-gresswoman, was also elected vice-governor of Davao de Oro thrice. After assemblyman Fely Santos’ win in 1978 as Davao’s first lady legislator, a parade of figures followed. Edith Nakpil-Rabat represented Davao Oriental in the regular Batasang Pambansa (1984-86). Among the female politicos in the post-Marcos epoch are
M. Zamora, representing Davao de Oro; Palma Gil (1995-98 and 1998-2001), Malanyaon (2001-04, 2004-07, 2016-19 and 2019-22), and Thelma Z. Almario (1987-92, 1992-95, 1995-98, 2007-10, 2010-13 and 2013-16), represent-ing Davao Oriental; Mercedes Chan-Cagas (2013-16, 2016-19 and 201922), representing Davao del Sur; and Lorna Bautista-Bandigan (2016-19 and 2019-22), representing Davao Occidental. Four female lawmakers from Davao Region have also represented the party-list system in Congress, namely: Andrea Ma. Patricia Mangrobang-Sarenas (Abanse, Pi-nay!, 1998-2001, 2001-04), Luzviminda Calolot Ilagan (Ga-briela: 2007-10, 2010-13 and 2013-16) Angelina Ludovice-Katoh (Akbayan, 2015-16), and Claudine Bautista (Dump-er, 2019-22). The cities and towns of Davao also shared women
of stature to politics, among them are Michelle Nakpil Rabat (2007-10, 2010-13 and 201922), city mayor of Mati; Justina MB Yu (1998-2001, 2001-04, 2004-07, 2013-16, 2016-19 and 2019-22), mayor of San Isidro, Davao Oriental; Veronica R. Rimando-Alvera (201316, 2016-19 and 2019-22), of Maco, Davao de Oro; Maria Theresa R. Timbol (2016-19 and 2019-22), of Kapalong, Davao del Norte; Virginia J. Peran-dos (2016-19 and 2019-22), mayor of Carmen, Davao del Norte; Evalina J. Jampayas (200710, 2010-13 and 2013-16), of Mawab, Davao de Oro; and Chelita C. Amatong (2016-19 and 2019-22), of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; and Lema P. Bolo (2013-16, 2016-19 and 201922), of Compostela, Davao de Oro. It was only in 2013 that Davao City got its first lady mayor in Sara Duterte-Carpio.
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COMPETITIVE EDGE
Lions taking action for the environment Davao Light’s Power Systems Planning and Design team revisited the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park and collected sacks of trash during their coastal clean up activity. Members of the Chinatown Lions Club, with support from the Knights of Columbus of Mintal and Catalunan Pequeño, planted 500 bakhaw mangrove propagules at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park at Sitio Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City on April 5, 2022. Chinatown’s Lions Club, a socio-civic organization and one of the partners of the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, aims to strengthen its commitment to the environment and the community through coastal clean up
and tree planting activities On the same date, the employees of Davao Light from the Planning and Design Department conducted a coastal clean up along the shore of Aboitiz Cleanergy Park. They are also the first group of employees to revisit the park since the pandemic hit the country. “With restrictions now lifted, the team decided to go back and check the area once again after more than two years. It’s also a way for us to introduce the Cleanergy Park to our new team members,” Mar Ulysses Relacion, Head of Power Systems Planning Department, said. “Before the pandemic, we [did] regular coastal clean ups and contribut-
ed in our own simple way to preserve the Cleanergy Park” Mar added. One of the members of Chinatown Lions Club plants 1 out of the 500 bakhaw mangrove propagules at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park. Among the participants of the coastal cleanup are Cadet Engineers Macky Sabordino and Mae Berleen Dela Cerna. “It was a fun activity. I entered Davao Light two months ago and this is my first [coastal] clean up experience,” Macky said. “It would be dangerous if left alone,” Macky described that aside from rocks, the coastal area has a lot of broken glass swept by the waves onshore. These shards of glass may also
harm the critically endangered hawksbill turtles that visit the shore to lay eggs. “Regardless of how much we clean, the garbage will eventually come back,” Mae expressed, recognizing that while the coastal clean up is a temporary solution, the said activity can still help, no matter how small. “We hope to come again and possibly do other activities such as tree planting,” Mar Ulysses Relacion said. Aboitiz Cleanergy Park is an eight-hectare biodiversity park, a nesting ground of the critically endangered hawksbill turtles, and a haven for over 100 bird species. The park is managed by AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light, and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.
can also rock your favorite playlist and get the summer party started with LG’s powerful systems with fabulous sound and exciting color changing lights. Chill out with energy saving inverter air conditioners. The Panasonic Split
Type Aircons eliminate allergens, bacteria and viruses with its most advanced purification system, Nanoe Technology that deodorizes and purifies the air in your room. Give your kitchen an upgrade with LG Side by Side Inverter Refrigerators to store your ingredients, and create nutritious meals – including barbecues - for your family this summer with durable and versatile La Germania Ranges. You’ll also be amazed by how inverter washing machines help you save energy, time and money in doing all your laundry chores. LG Inverter Washing Machines allows you to remotely operate your laundry, download additional cycles and interact with it with smart convenience with Smart ThinQ features. Now is the best time
to shop for your favorite appliances with SM Appliance Center’s Summer FUNalo promotion and get a chance to win exciting prizes which is ongoing until April 30, 2022. You will earn 1 e-raffle entry for every P1000 single receipt of purchase at SM Appliance branches or online channel at www.smappliance. com or ShopSM at https:// shopsm.com/collections/ sm-appliance when you shop. Five lucky winners can
drive home the KYMCO KRV 180i TCS Motorcycle. They can also win prizes for their home: 40 Carrier Airconditioners and 200 Camel Electric Fans. Check out these Summer FUNalo items on sale at any SM Appliance branch or visit https:// www.smappliance.com/ collections/summer-funalo. For more updates, like us at http://facebook.com/ smappliance or follow us at instagram.com/smappliance/.
SUMMER FUNALO AT SM APPLIANCE CENTER
SM Appliance Center has all the cool and innovative appliances that will make staying indoors fun, comfortable and convenient this summer. More than that, you can win exciting prizes in the Summer FUNalo Raffle Promo.
There are state of the art Home Entertainment Centers for your family like Skyworth 4K LED Smart TVs with exceptional performance, which you can automatically share your mobile apps and photos on TV via smartphone. You
9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO
VOL.15 ISSUE 4 • TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
HIV/AIDS: THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NEW DIAGNOSES ARE IN PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND 35. (GETTY IMAGES)
“I
t is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance.” – Elizabeth Taylor, American actress
At the height of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), people were paranoid of going to hospitals. And if ever they did, there were so many protocols to be followed before they could be admitted. Health services were also greatly affected. It’s not only those health problems related to heart, mental, and respiratory but even those infectious diseases like tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the microorganism that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). “It is without a doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected HIV work, both in the laboratory and the clinical setting,” admits Dr. Louie Mar Gangcuangco, a Filipino doctor who’s a tropical medicine specialist and senior preventive medicine resident at the Griffin Hospital-Yale School of Public Health in
Connecticut, United States. “In several institutions globally, laboratory work slowed down, with a decreased number of researchers performing experiments and taking turns in the laboratory to ensure social distancing,” adds Dr. Gangcuangco, who has worked as a researcher at the Hawaii Center for AIDS. At the time when the pandemic was at its peak, many clinical staff had to focus on caring for COVID-19 patients. “Patients were encouraged to stay home for ‘non-urgent’ concerns, which unfortunately includes delaying HIV testing,” says Dr. Gangcuangco, adding that it was not unique only to HIV testing but also affected other services such as routine cancer screening. Davao City was not spared from such predicament. Dr. Jordana P. Ramit-
HIV/AIDS AT THE HEIGHT OF PANDEMIC By HENRYLITO D. TACIO
Dr Louie Mar Gangcuangco: tropical medicine specialist and senior preventive medicine resident at the Griffin Hospital-Yale School of Public Health in Connecticut.
HIV 101: Know the basic of the disease (CDC)
erre, head of the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, told SunStar Davao that “the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic affected their office’s delivery programs and services for the prevention of HIV/AIDS.” She added that treatment, care and support to people living with HIV were greatly suffered, especially during the enhanced community quarantine, where people were required to stay at home and movements
were restricted. In 2021, a total of 12,341 new HIV infections were diagnosed in the country, based on a report released by the Philippine News Agency. This was up by 54% from the 8,036 new cases detected the previous year. “This number (of HIV cases) is tricky to interpret,” Dr. Gangcuangco says. “We need to find out how many people were actually tested for HIV in 2020 and how many people were test-
ed in 2021,” he explains. “If you will review the data from the Department of Health, only 254 people were newly diagnosed to have HIV in April 2020, compared to the 1,119 people diagnosed with HIV in April 2021. “Since in 2020, people’s mobility has decreased and many were encouraged to stay indoors, it is likely that fewer people got tested for HIV during that time (and hence, the number of new detected HIV cases was lower),” he continues. “We also do not know how the pandemic affected people’s sexual risk behavior. This needs further research to answer.” Early this year, the HIV/ AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines (HARP) of the health department said there were 875 confirmed HIV-positive individuals in January 2020. The National Capital Region topped had the most number of newly reported cases with 285 cases (33%), followed by Region 4A or Calabarzon with 156 cases (18%), and then Central Luzon with 100 cases (11%). Western Visayas came fourth with 65 cases (7%). Davao and Central Visayas tied with 50 cases each. All in all, these top regions comprised 81% of the total number of cases in January 2020. Of the total reported cases, 99% (863) were infected through sexual contact: male-male sex, male-female sex, and sex with males and females. The male-to-male registered the highest number: 592 cases.
Less than one percent (3) of the reported cases each have acquired HIV through sharing of infected needles and through mother-to-child transmission. What is alarming is that 32% of the new cases involved young people. About 283 of the reported cases were among those 15-24 years old and 96% (272) were male. Some 69 of these youths were in advance infection of HIV. Ninety-nine percent of the cases were infected through sexual contact. This phenomenon is not confined to the Philippines alone. “Majority of people newly diagnosed with HIV are among persons between 25 and 34 years old,” Dr. Gangcuangco says. “This is likely driven by the higher risk of sexual behavior within this age group. The accessibility of casual sex through online platforms is also likely contributing to the increased incidence of HIV in this age group.” HIV respects no one; it spares no one. HIV, a virus that damages the immune system, is primarily acquired through unprotected sex from an infected partner. “The highest risk is through male-to-male receptive anal sex,” Dr. Gangcuangco explains. “Regardless of gender identity, high-risk behavior include sex without a condom, having multiple sexual partners, sex under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and sex in exchange of goods or favor.”
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Remains of alleged NPA execution HIV / AIDS... FROM9 victim exhumed in Davao de Oro
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uthorities exhumed Monday the body of a communist New People’s Army (NPA) combatant believed to have been killed by his own commander on suspicion that he was a government spy. Police said the skeletal remains dug up by the Army’s 25th
Infantry Battalion (IB) and the Montevista police personnel in the Davao de Oro town of Montevista belong to Reneboy Abiao, 39. A squad leader of the NPA’s Guerrilla Front 33, Abiao was killed in 2019 by the commander of his own unit after he was accused of being a
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official said the city will have an opportunity to transform these spaces into recreational parks and other green spaces to maximize livability. Flood-control investments Last year, CPDO said some PHP2 billion worth of investments were allotted for various infrastructure projects to mitigate the flooding problem in La Verna area -- one of the 41 floodprone areas in Davao City. The budget went to the completion of the PHP100 million pump house, PHP500 million for the construction of a retarding basin, PHP105 million for the improvement of La Verna Creek, and PHP3 million for the rehabilitation of the
drainage system. For this year, CPDO said the DPWH’s proposed projects in the La Verna area include the PHP395 million drainage structure and PHP340 million retarding basin. Next year, the same flood-prone area is expected to be allotted with PHP300 million for the construction of another retarding basin and PHP500 million for the improvement of the creek. Meanwhile, Cortez said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has also expressed willingness to fund some PHP507 million for the land acquisition and compensation in improving the Sasa Creek drainage area.
danao on May 5-7 with at least 70,321 jabs; Marawi City on May 5-7 (70,321 jabs); Sulu on May 11-13 (25,500 jabs); Basilan on May 11-13 & May 16-18
(35,400 jabs); Lamitan City on May 11-13 (70,321 jabs); Lanao del Sur on May 16-20 (50,250 jabs); Tawi-Tawi on May 18-20 (18,405 jabs). (PNA)
nectivity for passengers in both countries through the first regular flight connecting Manado to Davao. In March this year, Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly has vowed
to push his country’s flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, to resume flights between Manado and Davao following a visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
ernment agencies—including barangays and local government units—to serve as middlemen when the national government procures rice harvests from local farmers. A number of presidential candidates already expressed their views that the Rice Tariffication
Law should be reviewed or repealed, such as Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, labor leader Leody De Guzman, and Dr. Jose Montemayor.
principles. “Since the official registration of our organization last year, we have seen the interventions of DAR unfolding at great length, and for this, we are very grateful. As a farmer-leader, I encourage my fellow ARBs to seize this op-
portunity to become better because I believe this training will open opportunities for us,” said Alejandro Sanchez, KARBFA President. The KARBFA is a newly registered organization where the majority are agrarian reform beneficiaries.
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government agent. Abiao’s cadaver was identified by his mother, Rose Tumanan, through the identification card found at the shallow grave of her son. The Montevista police said the discovery of the grave site was made possible through the help of a former rebel.
Interviewed by the Montevista Public Information Office (PIO), the NPA surrenderer said Abiao had planned to surrender days before he was killed. “His wife eloped with another man, and he has a 13-year-old daughter who is left under her mother’s care,” the former reb
in overall passenger confidence,” Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said in a statement. Its operator Cebu Air mounted 34,463 flights covering 3.411 million passengers in 2021, 32% lower than the previous year due to the high base recorded in the first quarter of 2020 before the
COVID-19 pandemic. Commercial air travel to and from Metro Manila was restricted from March to May 2020, and resumed in June after the easing of the community quarantine. Shares in Cebu Air closed last Friday at P47.5, down by 40 cents or 0.84%.
livelihood to promote and improve the sustainability approaches of the community,” Ocon said. During the turn-over ceremony, the convergence efforts of different government agencies and non-government organizations, such as the Philippine Fiber Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, local government of Kidapawan City, and the World Vision Development Foundation, were recognized for boosting the abaca industry and for extending assistance to the recipient ARB organization.
In the acceptance speech of the project, Association President Allan Masibay, Sr., expressed his gratitude to all the agencies that extended their help in reviving and expanding the abaca production in their barangay. “The enhancement of our abaca processing center posed a great challenge and inspiration to all the members of the organization and abaca farmers in our community. This shows the sincerity in upscaling abaca production and product innovation in our community,” Masibay said.
game, but he appeared visibly shaken up. Afterwards, he said his head was feeling “fine.” Suns coach Monty Williams said it was a “physical and emotional game,” but said he didn’t think the contact on Ayton was a cheap shot: “I’m not quite sure it was a malicious shot. I got to look at the film to make sure, but I didn’t see that.” Bucks start title defense with win over Bulls Everything looked ready as the Milwaukee Bucks began their quest for back-to-back NBA titles. Fiserv Forum had a different energy before Game 1 on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. There were white “Built for This” towels draped over every seat and a palpable playoff buzz in the arena that felt edgier than the 41 regular-season games. The Bucks also start-
ed like they were keyed up on adrenaline. But all that energy soon dissipated and Milwaukee had to fight for a 93-86 victory in a slugfest despite 27 points and 16 rebounds for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee’s lead in the first quarter ballooned to 32-16 when Bobby Portis drained a 3-pointer. The opening adrenaline soon wore off and Milwaukee’s shots started clanging off the rim after going 14 for 26 (53.6%) in the first quarter. The Bulls trimmed the lead down to 44-39 when Zach LaVine hit a 3-pointer and then two free throws. The Bucks took a 5143 lead into the locker room after Antetokounmpo made 1 of 2 from the charity stripe with 0.1 of a second remaining in the second quarter.
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Aside from sex, HIV can also be transmitted through sharing of needles among people who inject drugs. HIV can be passed from mother to child if the mother’s HIV viral load is not controlled. How will you know you are infected with HIV? “Some people have flu-like symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks after infection,” says the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “These symptoms may last for a few days or several weeks.” Possible symptoms include fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and mouth ulcers. “But some people may not feel sick,” the CDC states. “These symptoms don’t mean you have HIV. Other illnesses can cause these same symptoms.” These days, being infected with HIV is no longer a death sentence. “HIV is not and should not be a death sentence anymore,” points out Dr. Gangcuangco. “If HIV is detected early and if the patient takes antiretrovirals early, the virus can be controlled.” However, in order to be treated, you need to know if you have HIV. And you will only find out if you undergo HIV testing. “Testing for HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections is strongly advised for all people exposed to any of the risk factors,” said the World Health Organization (WHO) in its website. “This way people learn of their own infection status and access necessary prevention and treatment services without delay.” However, all HIV testing services must follow the 5 principles recommended by WHO: consent (informed), confidentiality, counselling, correct test results, and connection (linkage to care, treatment and other services). In Davao City, there are three facilities where people can go to be tested for HIV: Southern Philippine Medical Center in Bajada, Davao Doctors Hospital in Quirino Street, and Davao Reproductive Health and Wellness Center in Emilio Jacinto Street. In Tagum City, they can go to Davao Regional Medical Center in Apokon. “HIV testing must be made accessible to everyone,” Dr. Gangcuangco urges. “The Philippines must develop the infrastructure to facilitate HIV self-screening using home-based kits. This would entail a telephone hotline for anyone who has questions about HIV or among those who might test positive using the screening test. “Clinics must also be able to expand to accommodate HIV testing after office hours and during weekends,” he suggests. “Free HIV testing must be made available and accessible to those who could not afford it.” According to Dr. Gangcuangco, knowing one’s HIV status is not just a right but also a responsibility. “People with HIV can live normal and productive lives as long as they take their medications and follow-up regularly with your doctor. Getting tested is not only for yourself, but also for your loved ones,” he says.
Dr. Gangcuango believes that educating the public on safe sex practices, such as the importance of condom use, is key to curbing the HIV epidemic in the country. He suggests several changes in the health care system have to be made. Aside from having HIV testing accessible to all people, he also includes HIV treatment to be more available to everyone. “This includes training of medical practitioners on the appropriate care of people living with HIV,” he says. “Clinic hours should be expanded to ensure that those who work 8am to 5pm jobs can also access HIV testing and treatment outside of work hours.” He also talks about pre-exposure prophylaxis. Better known as “PrEP,” it is a daily pill that people can take to prevent HIV. “PrEP is slowly being rolled out in the Philippines and its expansion would be a great addition to our armamentarium against HIV,” he says. “Among those who have HIV infection, ensuring that patients have enough social and clinical support so that they remain adherent to antiretroviral therapy is also very important.” Right now, there is still no cure for HIV but thanks to continuing medical advances in medications, HIV can now be seen as a chronic disease. In fact, people infected with HIV can enjoy long careers, get married, and raise families. “There’s no cure for HIV, but treatment options are much better than they were a few decades ago,” Dr. Gangcuangco says. “Because of medical advancements, many people now live long, active lives with HIV.” The medicines that treat HIV are called antiretroviral drugs. There are more than two dozen of them, and they fall into six main types. Each drug fights the virus in your body in a slightly different way. Research shows that a combination, or so-called “cocktail,” of drugs is the best way to control HIV and lower the chances that the virus becomes resistant to treatment. A doctor can recommend a patient to take three different medicines from two of the groups. “Which specific ones your doctor prescribes depends on what other medical conditions you have or are likely to get, how well your immune system is working, and even how many pills you want to take each day,” WebMd.com says. Once an HIV-infected person starts having treatment, he should not stop doing so. “Keep taking your HIV medications,” reiterates WebMd.com. “It’s dangerous to change how you’re taking them – or to stop altogether – if you’re unhappy with how you feel or how they affect you. That can make it easier for HIV to become resistant to drugs and harder to treat. “Continuing treatment is the key to not only preventing the development of AIDS, but is key to maintaining a relatively normal lifestyle. It is possible, with the correct treatment, to obtain a normal life expectancy,” the website says.
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SPORTS
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Jayson Tatum celebrates after converting the winning layup.
Tatum’s layup at buzzer gives Celtics 115-114 win over Nets
B
OSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum has been adamant he didn’t view the Celtics’ matchup with the Nets as a chance to prove anything opposite two of the league’s elite scorers.
His finish in Game 1 said otherwise. Tatum made a layup at the buzzer on a pass from Marcus Smart to give Boston a dramatic 115-114 victory over the Brooklyn
Nets on Sunday in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. “When he took that dribble we just kind of made eye contact. He
Playoffs underway: Suns, Bucks win series openers
T
he opening weekend of the NBA playoffs is always one of the most exciting times on the league calendar, and the 2022 postseason got underway Saturday in typical fashion. The four series openers began with a pair of lower-seeded teams stealing home-court advantage with Game 1 upsets, as the Jazz topped the Mavericks in Dallas and the Timberwolves stunned the Grizzlies in Memphis. Then a couple championship hopefuls got breakout performances from young guards as Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points to lead the Sixers past the Raptors and Jordan Poole had 30 points to lift the Warriors over the Nuggets. Home teams held
serve Sunday, but there was plenty of drama – especially in Boston, where the Celtics defeated the Nets on a buzzer-beater. Suns beat Pelicans; Deandre Ayton ‘fine’ after taking shot to the head The Suns held off the surging Pelicans, taking Game 1 at home 110-99 on Sunday. The Pelicans cut the Suns’ lead to seven points heading into the fourth quarter before Chris Paul took over, scoring 19 of his 30 points in the frame. Devin Booker scored 25 and Deandre Ayton added 21 points. Things took a scary turn when Ayton took a shoulder from Herb Jones to the jaw late in the fourth quarter. The contact was ruled incidental and Ayton remained in for the remainder of the
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made a great pass,” Tatum said. “It doesn’t get any better than that. A buzzer-beater in a playoff game at home.” Sports news, no matter the season. Stop by for the scores, stay for the stories. Tatum scored 31 points, the last two on the first buzzer-beater of his career. It was Boston’s first in the postseason
since Paul Pierce in 2010 against the Heat. Tatum’s bucket came after a poised Boston possession in the frantic final seconds. Kevin Durant missed on the other end, Boston rebounded and raced up the court, electing not to call a timeout. Jaylen Brown dribbled toward the middle and swung the ball out to Smart. He fired it into a
Chris Paul led the Suns over the Pelicans.
cutting Tatum, who spun around and dropped in his layup just before time expired. “I’ve always been told you have more time than you realize you have,” Smart said. “I was about to throw it to Al (Horford) off the dribble and I saw JT cut at the last minute.” All five Celtics touched the ball on the
possession. “I think that’s kind of a microcosm for our season, guys moving the ball being unselfish,” coach Ime Udoka said. Brown added 23 points for the Celtics, who host Game 2 on Wednesday. Horford had 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Smart finished with 20 points, including four 3-pointers.
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Japan B League’s Thirdy Ravena began the exodus of Filipino cage talents overseas.
KOREA-BOLISTA Pinoy cagers can now play in Korea Basketball League as Asian imports
E
xpect more player exodus as Korea becomes the latest destination for Filipino basketball players.
According to a report, Pinoy cagers can begin playing as imports in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), starting its 2022-23 season. Korean sports website Jumpball, citing a press release from the league, reported on Monday that the KBL has expanded its Asian player quota program. KBL teams were previously allowed to sign Japanese players but can now hire Filipino players as well. Naturalized Filipino players cannot be signed, however. Moreover, the Filipino player must have played in the PBA or a local league, according to another report. At least one parent of the Filipino player must be a Philippine citizen or a passport holder. The KBL has been in talks with the PBA since January over possible player trans-
fers. Several Filipino players have taken their talents overseas in the past couple of years, starting with Thirdy Ravena who signed with the San-En NeoPhoenix in Japan’s B.League. He was followed by his own brother, Kiefer Ravena, who gained permission from the PBA to play for the Shiga Lakestars for one season. Other Filipinos in the B.League include Kobe Paras (Niigata Albirex), Javi Gomez de Liano (Ibaraki Robots), Dwight Ramos (Toyoma Grouses), and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Nagoya Diamond Dolphins). Taiwan’s T1 League has also emerged as another destination for Filipino players, with the likes of Jason Brickman (Kaohsiung Aquas) and Caelan Tiongson (Taoyuan Leopards) seeing action in the league.