Edge Davao Volume 15 Issue 23 | Thursday, May 12, 2022

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A man uninstalls and folds a tarpaulin of candidates along R. Castillo Street in Davao City on Wednesday.

He said he was commissioned to cleanup the candidates’ political tarps and posters as compliance to the city government of Davao’s executive order on removal of campaign materials after the election. Edge Davao

DELETED DATA Comelec reports accidentally deleted SD card in one Davao City precinct

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

Vice presidential frontrunner Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio renews her call to the public days after the elections to take booster shots for protection and to work together to recover from the effects of the pandemic. Edge Davao

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LTFRB awards Notice of Selection for 10 routes

Comelec reports accidentally deleted SD card in one Davao City precinct

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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awyer Gay Enumerables, assistant regional director of the Commission on Elections 11 (Comelec 11), said a polling precinct in Davao City accidentally deleted the data in the SD card of the Voting Counting Machine (VCM) for transmission.

“Naa’y isa ka presinto sa Davao City nga nagre-zero. Ang advise is re-feeding the entire more than 500 ballots of the said polling precinct,” Enumerables said during the AFP-PNP media briefing on Wednesday.

Enumerables did not give the details of the said polling precinct but assured that the backup of the deleted data was still used for the manual transmission.

“Dili ta makabasol sa teachers kasi from kad-

lawon pa lang, ang kakapoy nila seguro tungod sa ilang kakapoy na re-zero nila.

Wala pa sila ka transmit na re-zero sila. But we were shocked because during the training gina-emphasized namo na wala’y re-zeroing ang mahitabo on Election Day kasi wala gyud sulod ang SD card,” she said.

Enumerables said Comelec 11 also received issues encountered with the use of VCMs on election day that include paper jams, rejected ballots, and

vote-counting machines not printing returns properly.

“First few hours ang reklamo was paper jam.

Naa pud machine nga niaso and naa pud machine nga nag-flicker ang LCD,” she said.

She assured that the issues did not affect the conduct of the election as Comelec 11 has contingency VCMs. Meanwhile, Enumerables announced that all pre-

quests to local candidates on the matter but have not received feedback yet.

“We started (the cleanup) today and we have to ready the school before May 14,” he said in an interview Tuesday.

Atilo said they also asked several organizations to help them clean the schools.

Last month, DepEd an-

nounced that classes will be suspended in all public schools nationwide from May 2 to 13.

In adherence to DepEd Order No. 29, classes at all levels were temporarily halted for two weeks to give way for the teachers’ electoral functions for the May 9 national and local polls.

On May 8, DepEd-11 also issued a memorandum

for the immediate clean-up drive following the election.

“DepEd schools have always been designated as venues during local and national elections. As observed in the previous elections, sample ballots, posters, election paraphernalia, plastics and wastes from voters, candidates’ watchers, and monitor/

FDELETED, P10

DepEd-11 urges local candidates, groups to help clean schools

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s the “Brigada Eskwela” or operation school cleanup started Tuesday, the Department of Education in Davao Region (DepEd-11) appealed to the candidates and civic groups to help them clean their schools of election materials.

DepEd-11 spokesperson Jeneilito S. Atillo said they have already sent re-

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wenty-two (22) transport cooperatives in Davao Region gathered during the LTFRB Davao’s Transport Forum on May 6, at the Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.

Highlighting the event is the awarding of Notice of Selection for ten (10) new routes under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program to six (6) transport cooperatives in Davao del Sur and Digos City.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region XI (LTFRB XI) Regional Director Nonito A. Llanos II, expressing pride for the high consolidation percentage of the transport cooperatives in the Region, said in his welcome address, “Kining atoang kalipay nga na-consolidate ta, dili ni gikan sa amoa [LTRFB XI] kon dili sa inyohang pagpaningkamot.”

Among the transportation cooperatives which were awarded with Notices of Selection for these most recently opened routes were DIPATRANSCO, DASUTRANSCO, MINTRANSCO, MAKIBAMAG, KATCO and RB TRANS CORP. These coops successfully applied and are now given the franchise to operate the following routes under the PUVMP or Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program- Zone 3 Digos City to Poblacion Malalag route and vice versa; Zone 3 Digos City to Tacul Magsaysay via Hagonoy & Matanao and vice versa; Zone 3 Digos City to Inawayan, Sta. Cruz and vice versa; Zone 3 Digos City to Upper Bala, Magsaysay Route and vice versa; Aplaya, Digos City

to Poblacion Bansalan via Kapatagan route, Brgy. Sinawilan Central Terminal via Super Highway Loop; Aplaya, Digos City Loop Service via Brgy. Tres de Mayo and Brgy. San Miguel; Brgy.

Colorado Central Terminal (New Business Center) via National Highway and vice versa and Digos City to Sta. Maria and vice versa.

The Transport Forum featured a refresher presentation and updates on the Modernization Program given by Engr. Ronnel Victor Panigon, PUVMP Planning Officer III. The PUVMP Transition Plan Guidelines was also presented by Atty.

Ernest Benz Davila, Legal Officer of LTFRB XI. Funding partners Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines gave updates on their respective special funding programs that aim to support the implementation of the PUVMP. Mr. Joseph Dela Cruz discussed the DBP PASADA Program while Ms. Elma Fe Baltazar presented the LBP SPEED PUV Program.

Further, Forland, one of the country’s modernized vehicle providers, also attended the event to give details on the importance of quality vehicles, effective set-up and maintenance support.

A most-awaited Q & A also highlighted the forum and successfully provided insights on the cooperatives concerns on PUV modernization. Joining the event speakers in the Q & A panel were Ms. Mizarah Arraz, CPA, LTFRB XI Admin Officer V and Mr. Ronald Fabrea of Forland Philippines.

FLTFRB, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

NEWS

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Robin Padilla continues to lead the senatorial race, according to the partial and unofficial count of votes released by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). Political analysts said several factors such as his popularity and “strong” support from President Rodrigo Duterte, have helped the actor lead the senatorial race. Edge Davao

Sara calls on the public anew to get booster shots Generally peaceful election in DavSur, DavOcc: PNP, AFP

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he Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines in Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental declared the conduct of the National and Local Elections 2022 in the provinces as generally peaceful and orderly.

“I’m happy to report na dito sa Davao Occidental ang halalan ay naging mapayapa. Walang naganap na karahasan o kaguluhan, at ang mga tao ay malayang nakaboto ng walang takot,” stated PCol. Roel Flores, provincial director of Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office.

PCol. Julius E. Silagan, chief of the Davao del Sur Police Provincial Office, has also reported that the election has been relatively peaceful with no untoward incident transpired in all voting centers in the province.

Silagan said that they are now focused on areas where the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is canvassing all election returns, as of this writing.

He lauded the dedication of the PNP personnel and the other government

agencies in the entire province, saying “We remain onguard for a safe, accurate and fair election. We give our commitment to the people of Davao del Sur.” Lt. Col. Ezra L. Balagtey, commander of the 39th Infantry Battalion, has thanked every community who took part in the peaceful conduct of the NLE 2022 in the province of Davao del Sur. Balagtey said that it should have been a chaotic election if they weren’t able to win over the peace in the province over the past few months against the influence of the communist-terrorist groups.

“We are thankful sa ating mga communities na natapos ang election na ito… Nagkaroon sila ng kani-kanilang vigilance nang sa ganon ay ang mga masasamang elemento sa ating society ay hindi nakapaghasik ng kanilang mga criminal activity,” he added.

Meanwhile, as of 2:30pm of May 10, 2022, the Sta. Maria Municipal Board of Canvassers has been the first to have com-

FGENERALLY, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he election is over but Covid-19 is still here.

That is why vice presidential frontrunner Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has again called on the people to take booster shots for protection and to work together to recover from the effects of the pandemic, which heavily crippled the country’s economy.

“Sa pagmamahal natin sa bayan ay nanawagan ako sa lahat na magpa-booster

shot against Covid-19 para tuloy na ang paghina ng virus at malampasan na natin

ang pandemya at ang mga hamon na dala nito sa ating buhay,” she said in a statement shared by Hugpong Ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Mayor Sara is currently in Manila to hold a series of thanksgiving meet-ups for the UniTeam slate, headquarters employees and staff, and volunteer support groups.

On Monday, Mayor Sara announced that win or lose, her team will be conducting an online thanksgiving for

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Global Justice at the American University of Sovereign Nations, told Edge Davao that, although it is not yet declared but looking at the number, a Marcos would reign again.

Based on the partial, unofficial results aggregated from the Commission

on Elections (Comelec) data as of 6:47 a.m. of May 11, 2022, and from 98.22 percent of election returns, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong” Marcos Jr, of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) amassed 31,071,674 votes and tailing him is Leni Robredo with 14,806,539 votes.

all the supporters and the UniTeam’s campaign team, which started on May 10, 2022.

The mayor also said that she and her team will personally thank the people and the support group for their contribution and help during the campaign.

Mayor Sara thanked all the supporters for rallying behind her in her decision to run for the vice presidency and thanked the Filipi-

“The reality of Martial Law cannot be denied. But BBM succeeded in remaking the Marcoses as a brand.

His campaign message of unity is plain and simple.

The masses do not think that politics can change their lives, but social media

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EDSA failed, a Marcos is back: AdDU Prof

professor of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) shared his analysis of the recently concluded May 9 national and local elections.

Christopher Ryan Maboloc, associate professor of Philosophy at AdDU and visiting professor for

FEDSA, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar says the agricultural sector is likely to have its place among the next administration’s top priorities. Edge Davao

Loan condonation program extended ‘til June 30: GSIS

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also gives them the option to pay their loan balances on a three-year installment basis at 10 percent interest per annum only,” Macasaet said in a statement.

Dubbed Program for Restructuring and Repayment of Debts (PRRD),

Macasaet said the one-time condonation and restructuring program covers various service loans like salary loans, cash advances, consolidated loans, emergency loans, educational assistance loans, and policy loans.

PRRD availees may settle their loans directly at GSIS offices or through partner payment facility Bayad Center.

“If the borrower is a retiree who will receive the pension at age 60 or after

five years, the payment may be deducted from his or her pension. If the loan will be settled by the legal spouse, he or she may have it deducted from the survivorship pension or pay through the almost 3,000 Bayad partner outlets nationwide,” Macasaet added.

He said the GSIS intends to recover and collect outstanding loan accounts through PRRD to ensure members will continue to receive their benefits. (PNA)

same financial challenges due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and lately the geopolitical storm in Ukraine similar to other countries (debt & inflation issues),” PCCI president George Barcelon said.

As of end-March 2022, the national government’s running debt balance widened further to a new record-high of P12.68 trillion, 4.8% higher than the P12.09 trillion recorded as of end-February 2022 amid continued borrowing efforts to boost the state’s war chest for COVID-19 recovery measures coupled

with a weaker local currency during the period.

Should he be proclaimed as the next president, Marcos Jr.’s administration will inherit the debt accumulated by the Duterte administration.

“But we know better our macroeconomic fundamentals are intact and the economic reforms of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, kudos to Finance Sec. Sonny Dominguez who provided a sound take off point for the new administration,” Barcelon said.

“Let’s give the incom-

ing administration time to draw up and share their plans in making our country more progressive. Let’s stay positive,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) congratulated the Philippines “for showing the strength of its democracy during the campaign period and elections.”

“As business chambers, we hope to continue to work closely with government officials at all levels throughout the country for the recovery from the pandemic and to maintain

nactive members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will have more time to settle their loans as the condonation program has been extended to June 30.

GSIS president and general manager Rolando Macasaet announced on Tuesday that they will waive all penalties from outstanding principal loans.

“We encourage our inactive GSIS members to apply for this program, which

PCCI on looming BBM presidency: Give new admin time to draw, share plans

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he Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday said the public should stay positive and wait for the plans of the incoming administration to unfold.

Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are leading the presidential and vice presidential race, according to the partial and unofficial count of votes as shown in the Commission on Elections transparency server.

“The president elect BBM will be faced with the

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DA chief sees Marcos Jr. putting premium on agri

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he agricultural sector is likely to have its place among the next administration’s top priorities, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said on Tuesday.

In a virtual press briefing, Dar expressed his optimism as partial and unofficial tallies show a landslide win for presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “I believe that the next administration will have that political will, that ability to give the topmost priority or one of the topmost priority areas that is the sector of agriculture and budget for would be at the level of double of the present or tripling the present budget of the Department of Agriculture,” he said.

Dar also urged the public to support the president-elect to continue aiming for stability despite the “brewing food crisis.”

“We must unite and support the presidency of Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” he said.

The secretary, meanwhile, noted that one of Marcos’ slogans of PHP20

price is only viable for palay.

“I surmise that the PHP20 per kilo is for palay, not for rice, so we have a present farmgate price of palay at PHP19, so increasing that to PHP20 is very viable,” Dar said.

Banner programs With 51 days left before the Duterte administration ends, Dar said they will introduce their banner programs to the incoming administration to ensure food security in the country.

He particularly mentioned the National Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization and Industrialization Plan (NAFMIP).

“It was there that we launched itong strategic plan for the next 10 years, with a very solid foundation. Sa transition po, ito ‘yung pinaka, isang (this is the most, one) big attachment. We will summarize this but there will be many other agenda items,” he said.

Dar said this is very vital amid looming global effects of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis and continuous crude price hike.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

ECONOMY

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Vendors sell fresh vegetables for P50 per pack from a mobile store parked along Lanang, Davao City. Edge Davao

DTI 11 continues review SSF projects, implementation Oil prices fall with demand fears in China, strong dollar

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il prices declined on Tuesday, dropping to the lowest level of the past two weeks with demand concerns due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the world’s second-largest oil consumer China, coupled with a rise in the US dollar index that is making dollar-priced oil more expensive for buyers.

International benchmark Brent crude was trading at USD105.31 per barrel at 0659 GMT for a 0.59 percent decrease after closing the previous session at USD105.94 a barrel.

American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $102.59 per barrel at the same time for a 0.48 percent loss after the previous session closed at $103.09 a barrel.

Brent fell to the lowest level in the past two weeks to USD102.60 a barrel during the previous session due to rising demand worries as millions of Chinese people in Shanghai, Beijing, and elsewhere face strict lockdowns.

China’s export growth dipped to single digits, the slowest in two years, as the country tightened its controls to combat the spread

of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Amid geopolitical tension due to the Russia-Ukraine war and China’s ongoing strict pandemic measures, rising fears of high-interest rates hindering economic development are also threatening investor appetite for risk.

The US dollar index is also placing more pressure on dollar-indexed oil prices. The index, which measures the value of the American dollar against a basket of currencies including the Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona and Swiss franc, reached as high as 103.77 before falling back to 103.59.

Lingering EU sanctions on Russian oil Global oil markets have come under supply pressure since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24.

Western countries continue slapping Russia with numerous sanctions to cripple the country’s economy, the latest of which is likely to target Russian oil exports.

However, negotiations

FOIL, P10

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aimed at improving the productivity and efficiency of small enterprises by giving them access to better technology and equipment.

“The facilities should help the target beneficiaries increase their production capacities and improve the quality of their products.

Hence, the SSF projects ac-

corded to them are expected to, result in increased markets and sales, as well as job generation,” Ambi shared.

An SSF Project is provided to an eligible cooperator, which must be willing to make the SSF accessible to MSMEs and other users.

The cooperator could be a government or a private entity. The government cooperator may be a local government unit (LGU), national government agency (NGA), state university or college (SUC) or a technical school and other government training/ research

institution while a private entity can be a non-government organization (NGO), people’s organization, cooperative, or industry trade/ business association.

Certain parameters are considered to become eligible cooperators before they are granted the chance to become DTI’s partners in carrying out the SSF program’s mandate.

Ambi further clarified that the facilities are not given to the cooperators, but are only provided to them with the legal rights to use the DTI-SSF machines and

disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the impacts of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, he said.

“There will be blips in rating and downward trend, but we know better our macroeconomic fundamentals are intact and the economic reforms of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, kudos to Finance Sec. (Carlos) Sonny Dominguez who provided a sound take off point for (the) new administration,” the PCCI chief added.

Among the economic reforms passed during the Duterte administration include the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law, Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery (EODB) law, as well as the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign Investments Act, and the Public Service Act. “Let’s give the incoming administration time to draw up and share their

plans in making our country more progressive,” Barcelon said.

He also called on Filipinos to remain optimistic for the country’s future.

The country’s largest business organization also thanked the Commission on Elections, National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, as well as teachers and volunteers that facilitated a “generally peaceful and credible” elections. (PNA)

he Department of Trade and Industry Region 11 (DTI 11) has continued with the review of its existing Shared Service Facility (SSF) projects to ensure that such is still productive and being maximized by the respective cooperators.

The SSF, a flagship program of the agency, has already implemented a total of 215 projects in Davao region since its inception in 2013. These are scattered in the different parts of the region.

DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said that the program is

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Duterte admin provides ‘sound take off point’ for next leadership

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he Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said the Duterte administration has provided a strong economic foundation for the next leadership.

In a statement Tuesday, PCCI president George Barcelon said the next administration will be faced with the same financial challenges that needed to be addressed.

These economic challenges were brought by the prolonged coronavirus

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

On the report that a polling precinct in Davao City accidentally deleted the data in the SD card of the Voting Counting Machine (VCM) for transmission:

Dili ta makabasol sa teachers kasi from kadlawon pa lang, ang kakapoy nila seguro tungod sa ilang kakapoy na re-zero nila. Wala pa sila ka transmit na re-zero sila. But we were shocked because during the training gina-emphasized namo na wala’y re-zeroing ang mahitabo on Election Day kasi wala gyud sulod ang SD card.”

Lawyer Gay Enumerables Assistant Regional Director, Commission on Elections 11 (Comelec 11)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

NEVER LOSE HOPE! “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate ***

The river was flooding its banks and the waters were rising around Jonathan’s house. The waters had gotten to the level of the front porch where Jonathan was standing.

A man in an outrigger came by and called to Jonathan, “Hop in and I’ll take you to high ground.”

Jonathan replied, “No, my God will save me!”

The river continued to rise to the second story windows and Jonathan, looking out, saw a speedboat come up. The man in the speedboat called to Jonathan, “Hop in and I’ll take you to high ground.”

Again, Jonathan’s reply was: “No, my God will save me!”

The river had now risen to the roof of the house. Jonathan was sitting on the ridge at the top of the house, with the waters swirling around his feet.

He saw a helicopter fly over

and the people inside yelled over a loudspeaker, “Grab the rope and climb in and we’ll take you to high ground.”

Jonathan’s usual reply: “No, my God will save me!”

The river continued to rise and finally it engulfed the house and Jonathan was drowned. The next thing he knew, Jonathan was standing before his God. In anger, he asked God, “I put my trust in you. Why have you forsaken me?”

God calmly replied, “What do you want from me? I sent you an outrigger, a speedboat, and a helicopter!”

God has given him signs that he will be saved. But he never saw those signs because he wanted God to appear before him. And that’s what hope is all about. It is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Several proverbs have been written about hope. “A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day,” states an ancient proverb. “He who has health, has hope; and he who has hope, has everything,” an Arabian proverb points out.

An English proverb says: “Hope for the best, but pre-

pare for the worst.” A Turkish proverb takes one step further: “Things never go so well that one should have no fear, and never so ill that one should have no hope.”

Famous people have also written something on the subject. “Man is, properly speaking, based upon hope, he has no other possession but hope; this world of his is emphatically the place of hope,” says Scottish essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle.

World peace advocate Norman Cousins believes: “The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient’s hopes are the physician’s secret weapon.

They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription.”

American President John F. Kennedy advises: “We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.” The reason, according to author and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson, is because “we judge man’s wisdom by his hope.”

“The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for,” Barbara Kingsolver quips. “And the most you can do is live inside

that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.”

Do you think you are already a hopeless case? Well, read this anecdote which I came across some years back.

I don’t know who wrote it but it goes something like this: “If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope. If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope. If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.

If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.

“If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.

If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope. If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.

“If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope. If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to

others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.

“If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.

“Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we’d rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.

“Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused about the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

MASSACRE IN CARAGA Amid the atrocities performed by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Davao region, hun-dreds of innocent individuals became victims of insurgency. Among those traitorously killed or assassinated were city cops, politicians, suspected informants, and government troops.

But the government, on October 3, 1985, got its revenge. A platoon of Philippine Con-stabulary and Army troops, with support from the militiamen and Mandaya tribesmen, ambushed a 200-strong rebel group at sitio Sangab, Pichon, Caraga, Davao Oriental.

The joint command was led

by Capt. Peter Sumondong of the Army’s Home Defense Forces Group, who injured in the encounter. The waylay led to the massacre of three notori-ous rebel field commanders and

twenty-seven of their men.

A military press statement identified the slain rebel leaders as Alexander Navarro, com-manding officer of 234th Secondary Regional Guerrilla Unit (SRGU) of the CPPNPA-NDF, who was known as Commander Saulo; and Pablo Estander, also known as Commander Ramil; and Joel Fernandez, alias Commander Karim, members of the SRGU’s Operational Command.

The ambush took place while the commanders and their men were about to converge for the Front 15 plenum, which would have gathered insurgents from the municipalities of the towns of Tarragona, Manay, Baganga, and Caraga.

Lt. Col. Carlos I. Peña, Davao Oriental provincial commander, acted on time upon receipt of

information there was an unusually large insurgent groups about to converge in a remote Caraga location. He organized two platoons to intercept them, one led by Capt. Binang Hadjiril, commander of the 433rd PC Company who positioned his troops on a hill hours be-fore the NPAs arrived. The units also sealed all possible exits.

A reinforcement of PC and Marine troops led by M/Sgt. Isaias Silvestre, Jr., a Medal of Valor awardee and the ‘hero of Calapagan,’ was sent to hunt down fleeing rebels who were reported to have escaped to the fringes of barangay Calapagan, in the town of Lupon.

An informant who joined the government during the encounter reported that what was left of the NPAs fled to sitio Tinaan, an NPA redoubt roughly 36 kilometers from

the ambush site. Efforts to locate the fortified rebel camp by helicopter fly-over, however, failed.

Calapagan is the same place where a total of fifty-three rebels, cornered and outfought, were annihilated by Army servicemen in May 1985. This was one of the biggest loss of the insurgency since it strategically controlled most of Davao region.

Seized in the aftermath of the 15-minute ambuscade were an M-70 grenade launcher, a caliber .30 Browning automatic rifle (BAR), caliber .30 rifle, medical supplies, documents, and briefing charts for use in the supposed plenary.

Also recovered from the ambush scene were a dump truck commandeered from a logging firm accused of contributing P60,000 and forty sacks of rice

monthly to the rebel movement, a motorcycle, and a Land Cruiser pick-up.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Dionisio Tan-Gatue, PC regional commander, announced that the three fallen rebel commanders were among in the government’s wanted list, saying the same unit was also involved in the arms and explosives raid of the Apex Mining compound in Maco, Davao de Oro, and the twin assaults of the 41st and 17th Army detachments, also in the same province.

Due to the clash, Mandaya residents of the sitios of Sangab, Palaylasan, Langawitan, and Tagalongdong had to make forced evacuation. Red Cross and military teams supported the evacuees, whose livestock and poultry were depleted by rebel raids, with medicines and food.

8

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VOL.15 ISSUE 24 • THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

EDELWEISS FROM

THE BODY SHOP A new name, new improved Edelweiss formula for drops of youth

The Body Shop has taken the bold move to change the name of its best-selling skin care range, Drops of Youth, to Edelweiss.

The new name also comes with a new formula and extended line-up. The game changer is the Edelweiss extract containing Leontopodic acid, a unique and powerful ingredient that’s 60% stronger than ferulic acid, a known antioxidant.

Edelweiss, after all, is the resilient flower with the antioxidant power.

Many of us know Edelweiss from a song in the classic movie The Sound of Music, but it’s so much more. For centuries, it has been widely used in folk medicine and in Alpine tradition, giving this flower to a loved one is the ul-

timate show of dedication.

Found growing in brutal Alpine conditions against extreme wind, snow and rain, the resilient Edelweiss flower thrives. It protects and repairs itself, thanks to its natural antioxidants, including Leontopodic acid, which is only produced when the flower is in distress.

The properties of Edelweiss have been shown to maintain skin barrier health, as well as smooth the skin’s surface, helping you keep a radiantly fresh face, whatever your age.

That’s why Edelweiss is the beauty industry’s bestkept secret.

The new and improved range has been reformulated to deliver double the concentration of Edelweiss. Edelweiss

The Body Shop’s Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Cream is perfect for drier skin types and helps skin to look re-energized and refreshed every day and night.

Boost your skin defense mechanism with The Body Shop’s new and improved Edelweiss skincare range that has been reformulated to deliver double the concentration of Edelweiss. This includes Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate, Daily Serum Concentrate, Intense Smoothing Cream, Intense Smoothing Day Cream and Liquid Peel.

Exfoliate and gently peel environmental stressed skin twice a week with this Edelweiss Liquid Peel to help your skin feel clean and purified.

Have stronger, smoother skin as The Body Shop’s Drops of Youth makes way for Edelweiss with its game changing extract containing Leontopodic acid.

stem cells and Edelweiss extract which contain hard-working antioxidants are combined with natural-origin peptides, known to boost the skin’s defense mechanism and barrier function. While most peptides on the market are synthetic, The Body Shop sources from rice, a natural-origin alternative.

The Edelweiss line-up still includes the legendary Concentrate and favourites from Drops of Youth range but has been expanded to include two more products – Edelweiss Cleansing Con-

This Edelweiss Daily Serum Concentrate now enriched with antioxidant Leontopodic acid, is clinically proven to help protect skin from pollution and for skin that appears smoother.

centrate and Edelweiss Intense Smoothing Cream – so all your daily skin needs are covered.

Made within strict ‘green chemistry’ principles, Edelweiss is organically farmed and responsibly harvested by hand by The Body Shop’s trusted supplier. It is carefully and respectfully cultivated in areas where the flower is

not endangered to respect the Alpine biodiversity.

It is then extracted using zero chemical waste, first through drying the plant, and then distilled using a renewable process.

The Body Shop’s Edelweiss Skincare Range is available at The Body Shop stores and on its online store www.thebodyshop.com.ph

Cebu Pacific stimulates domestic tourism through Davao hub expansion

The Philippines’ leading airline Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) strives to enable everyJuan in the Davao region to travel as it further ramps up its flights to and from the Davao hub.

Right in time for the summer season where travel junkies are expected to go full swing, Cebu Pacific has recently strengthened its air connectivity in one of

its Mindanao hubs, now connecting the King City of the South to renowned domestic tourism destinations without the need for connecting flights.

The Davao hub currently stands with a total of six (6) domestic routes in its direct network. Besides its direct flights to Manila which flies up to 8x daily, and Cebu which operates up to 3x daily, four (4) new routes were

recently restarted in line with the airline’s push for 100% domestic capacity restoration - now, Dabawenyos can fly direct to Bohol, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, and Zamboanga.

Flight frequencies have also expanded with the Davao-Iloilo route now operating daily, and the Davao-Bohol flight set to fly thrice weekly (every Wednesday, Fri-

day, and Sunday) by May 11.

These ongoing expansions are in line with the airline’s commitment to make domestic travel easier to further jumpstart domestic tourism across the country.

“Travel confidence is at an all-time high as both the government and the tourism industry continue to prioritize health and safety

among travelers. Now that flying has become considerably easier compared to a year ago, we are looking forward to flying more people and reintroducing them to the diverse and undeniable beauty of the Philippines as there are plenty to rediscover in our own country, ” said Carmina Romero, Spokesperson at Cebu Pacific.

CEB continues to of-

fer its guaranteed low fares to stimulate travel across its widest domestic network in the Philippines, covering 33 destinations. It continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, while it operates with a 100% fully vaccinated crew, 90% of whom have been boosted – all to ensure its every Juan flies safely and conveniently on Cebu Pacific.

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What is mercury: The World Health Organization considers mercury as a “major public health concern.”

MERCURY: A MAJOR

PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO Images from WHO

F

rom Baguio to Davao, skin whitening cosmetics that contain the toxic chemical mercury are still proliferating.

Most of these beauty products are entered into the cities illegally, according to EcoWaste Coalition, a toxics watchdog group.

“Our latest market investigation covering nine cities from Baguio to Davao shows blatant trade in smuggled cosmetics, particularly facial creams, with undisclosed mercury content as high as 30,410 parts per million (ppm),” said Aileen Lucero, the group’s national coordinator.

“Companies target and lure consumers into buying these facial creams with the promise that using these so-called skincare products will lighten the skin tone, get rid of dark spots, and fight aging,” she said.

Test buys conducted by the group from March 27 to April 27 collected 44 facial creams sold for P62 to 250 each at cosmetic, general merchandise, and Chinese drug stores operating in the cities of Baguio, Tarlac, Angeles, Mabalacat, Manila, Pasay, Pasig, Antipolo, and Davao.

Except for one, the products have been flagged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for con-

taining mercury and/or for lacking the required Certificate of Product Notification (CPN).

The products were then screened for mercury using an Olympus Vanta M Series X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, which detected high levels of mercury in 42 out of 44 samples.

FDA is a health regulatory agency under the Department of Health. In its Advisory No. 2017-289, it has warned the public against the purchase and use of these products.

“Adverse health effects brought about by highly toxic mercury in cosmetic products include kidney damage, skin rashes, skin discoloration, and scarring,” the advisory said. “Chronic use reduces the skin’s normal resistance against bacterial and fungal infections. Other effects include anxiety, depression or psychosis and peripheral neuropathy.”

Filipino women are the main target of these haz-

ardous cosmetics. Some women believe that men fall for ladies who have white skin. So much so that they resort to using skin whitening cosmetics.

What most Filipinas don’t know is that some of the skin whitening cosmetics they are applying to their skins actually contain mercury. “Despite the 2020 phase-out for such cosmetics under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, traders continue to flout the laws with impunity,” deplored EcoWaste.

In a press statement released to the media, the group said that skin whitening cosmetics containing mercury “still abound on store shelves in open defiance of the national and global efforts to make these hazardous products a thing of the past.”

According to EcoWaste, Women are also the most vulnerable to the toxic effects of mercury exposure, especially if they are of child-bearing age. “The transfer of mercury to fetuses of pregnant women may manifest as neurodevelopmental deficits later in life,” the FDA explained.

The Minamata Convention was launched because of the mercury poisoning

that happened in Minamata, Japan, between 1932 and 1968, where a factory producing acetic acid discharged waste liquid into

Minamata Bay. The discharge included high concentration of methylmercury. The bay was rich in fish and shellfish, providing the main livelihood for local residents and fishermen from other areas.

For many years, no one realized that the fish were contaminated with mercury, and that it was causing a strange disease in the local community and in other districts. History records showed that at least 50,000 people were affected to some extent and more than 2,000 cases of Minamata disease (as it became known) were certified.

Minamata disease peaked in the 1950s, with severe cases suffering brain damage, paralysis, incoherent speech and delirium.

The Minamata Convention, which entered into force in August 2017, has set a 2020 phase-out deadline for the manufacture, import, and export of mercury-added products, including skin-lightening creams and soaps with mercury above one ppm, which is also the limit for mercury as a contaminant in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Cosmetic Directive.

Mercury, a naturally occurring element that is found in air, water and soil, is considered by the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals “of major public health concern.”

The phrase “mad as a hatter” refers to the 19th century occupation disease that resulted from prolonged contact with mercury used in the manufacture of felt hats.

People may be exposed to mercury in any of its forms under different circumstances. “Exposure to mercury – even in small amounts – may cause serious health problems,” the WHO points out. “Mercury may have toxic effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and

eyes.”

Once released in the environment, mercury can be transformed by bacteria into what experts called methylmercury. Scientists say this white powdery substance “smells like the sulfur in a hot spring.” It is easily absorbed from the stomach into the blood and carried to the liver and kidney, and then the brain and even the fetus, where it is absorbed and concentrated and causes great damage to the human body.

When mercury is released into the atmosphere, it dissolves in fresh water and seawater. This fact is very important as Filipinos consider fish as their staple food along with rice.

Here’s what happened next, according to Live Science feature written by Alina Bradford: “Once in the water, mercury makes its way into the food chain.

Inorganic mercury and methylmercury are first consumed by phytoplankton, single-celled algae at the base of most aquatic food chains.

“Next, the phytoplankton are consumed by small animals such as zooplankton. Small fish that eat the zooplankton are exposed to food-borne mercury that is predominantly in the methylated form. These fish are consumed by larger fish, and so on until it gets to humans.”

Even if you cook fish and shellfish well, cooking won’t eliminate the mercury they contain. Predatory fish such as large tuna, swordfish, king mackerel, pike, walleye, barracuda, and marlin contain the highest methylmercury concentrations.

Among the fish species with the lowest levels of mercury include dilis (anchovies), hito (catfish), galunggong (mackerel), salmon, sardines, tilapia and bangus (milkfish).

What is alarming is that people who eat fish and shellfish that contain methylmercury are also ingest-

Mercury exposure: Mercury poisoning is its biggest health threat.

FMERCURY, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO DELETED ... FROM2

cincts in Davao City have already transmitted 100 percent of the electoral returns.

“Nahuman na ang atong election until such time

maka-proclaim ta in Davao City and Davao del Norte this afternoon. Thankful mi na maayo ug peaceful and no untoward incidents sa among end,” she said.

volunteers were found scattered inside and outside the school premises,” the memorandum said.

With the predicament, DepEd-11 has asked the

help of barangay officials, stakeholders, candidates, and other volunteers to help clean the polling precincts and their surroundings. (PNA)

DEPED-11 ... FROM2 LTFRB ... FROM2

The LTFRB XI expresses its gratitude for the cooperation of these 22 transport cooperatives of Region XI present at the event - DATRASCO, MODAROTAMAC, TMTC, PATRANSCO, PELODA TRANS COOP, SAMTRANSCO, STV TRANS COOP, KATRANSCO, NE-

CODTRANSCO, TAGDASAB TC, MATTCO, TATRASCO, Davao AVANTE TC, MANDAYA VAN TRANSPORT COOP, DAMAVODA TC, DASURTRANSCO, MAKIBAMAG TC, DIPATRANSCO, BANDIVA TC, MINTRANSCO, KidSUV TC, and SEMTRAMPCO. PR

pletely finished the canvassing of election returns in the entire province of Davao Occidental.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Davao Occidental bared that the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) was awaiting the full electronic transmission of ERs from Sta. Maria MBOC. The municipality has a total of 34,891 registered voters with 58 clustered precincts and 25 voting centers covering 22 barangays.

The MBOC of Sarangani was also awaiting the

transmission of election returns from one clustered precinct to get 100 percent of the ERs in the entire municipality, and be able to fully transmit to the PBOC. Jefrey Bagongon, Sarangani District Principal InCharge and DepEd Election Task Force head, disclosed as of 3:20pm.

The municipality of Sarangani has a total of 16,294 voters with 27 clustered precincts and 12 voting centers covering 12 barangays. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon with reports from Franchette Delfin)

high levels of GDP (gross domestic product) growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and FDI (foreign direct investment) inflows best achieved by continuing the governance and policies of the current and previous administra-

tions,” JFC said.

JFC is a coalition of the American, Australian-New Zealand, Canadian, European, Japanese, Korean chambers and the Philippine Association of Multinational Companies Regional Headquarters Inc. (PAMURI).

equipmentfortheuseof MSMEbeneficiariesunder ausufructagreement.The termistwoyearsandthereafter,theDTImaygrantthe ownership of the SSF to thecooperatorbywayofa donationifitpassesthecriteriasetforevaluatingthe project’s success.

Priortotheawardingof theidentifiedSSFprojects, DTIholdstechnicalskills trainingforthecooperators toimprovetheircompetitivenessandoptimizethe opportunitiesthatthetechnologyorequipmentwould comewith.Oneofthemost recentlyconductedtraininginterventionswaswith Google my Business on March1wherein45beneficiaries attended.

Inthemeantime,Ambi emphasizedthattheTWG’s reviewoftheexistingSSF projects is crucial since this will help the agency incraftingthemostnecessarystepstocontinuously achievetheobjectives.She notedthatthiswillevaluate projectswithexpiredusufruct agreement.

“Thisusufructagree-

mentwiththecooperators states that they can use thefacilitiesorequipment as long as they preserve those.Otherwise,wehave to retrieve and look for morequalifiedcooperators,” Ambi said, adding that those who fail to do theirpart,asstipulatedin theagreement,willhaveto relinquishtheSSFprojects for transfer to others.

On April 28, the TWG evaluated40SSFprojects.

Theteamcarefullystudied thestatusofeachproject andassessedtheprojects for possible transfer of ownershiptothecooperatorbywayofadonation basedonthecriteriasetby the program.

Ofthe215SSFprojects intheregion,102projects werealreadydonatedto the cooperator.

“Thetransferwasmade afterathoroughevaluation anddeliberation.Wewant our local enterprises to benefitfromtheprogram, so we see the regular reviewasahighlyimportant componentinensuringthat thefacilitiesaremaximized

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nos for accepting the UniTeam’s message of unity.

“Maraming salamat sa naniwala at nagtiwala sa aking desisyon sa tumakbong Bise-Presidente.

“Maraming Salamat sa pagtanggap ninyo ng kilusan ng pagkakaisa na handog ni Bongbong Marcos. Ang UniTeam ay magiging simbolo ng mga magigiting, masisipag, at nagkakaisang Pilipino,” she added.

Based on the partial,

unofficial results aggregated from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) data as of 7:32 a.m. of May 11, 2022, and from 98.22 percent of election returns, Mayor Sara has 31,522,495 votes, and coming in second is Kiko Pangilinan with 9,223,693 votes.

Mayor Sara urged the people to continue guarding their votes until the proclamation.

created a different kind of enthusiasm,” Maboloc said.

He said the tandem of Marcos and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is a marriage between North and South and the fact that Mayor Sara is with BBM sends the message of continuity.

“PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) enjoys a high trust rating two months before he vows out from office. The brand of politics that PRRD is known for, by implication, is helping BBM. It was EDSA that created Duterte. And as he is about to leave from office, they have not really understood the man. PRRD remains a puzzle to academics who insist on their liberal values, save for a few who are mature enough to recognize the fact that EDSA failed,” he said.

He added that the Marcoses never left their power base but have maintained it, including the loyalty of their followers.

“By choosing to run with BBM, Sara strengthened the candidacy of the former. Yet VP Leni, being the face of the opposition, has failed to rally the other political forces in the country,” he said.

Maboloc said while Robredo chose a different color to portray a different image, she is surrounded by members of the Liberal Party (LP).

“People do not trust the Liberal Party. The fact that VP Leni chose pink instead of yellow meant that she knows the bias against the party, which was burdened by issues such as Yolanda and Mamasapano,” he said.

He also said that the message of moral reform of Robredo has been used before during the time of the late President Benigno Aquino III. “ButmuchofPhilippine society has not changed.

PNoyfocusedongoingafter GMA(formerPresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo) to justify his campaign promiseinsteadofinstitutingthe radical changes needed by the country in order to improve the lives of the poor,” he said.

He also blamed Robredo’s supporters, whom he described as repulsive and condescending, for her defeat.

“The main problem of

the opposition is the “repulsive and condescending attitude of many Leni supporters, who believe that they are seated on a moral high chair, insisting that their choice is the most supreme so that all who belong to the other side of the political fence are simply labeledorcanceled,”hesaid.

“VP Leni was late into the game. 1Sambayan was represented by a critic of the President, Justice Antonio Carpio. The fact that the group unilaterally wanted the VP to run erased any chance of a united opposition. BBM started his campaignimmediatelyafterthe 2016 VP race,” he added.

Meanwhile, Maboloc reminded that an election is a zero-sum game and has nothing to do with morals.

“It is politics as usual.

Ideals can inspire us, but politics is about people makingstrategicdecisions.

Even good people fight out of their loyalty and political commitments,” he said.

He said that beyond this election, Filipinos must work together to achieve thecommongood,putaside their political biases, and support institutional reforms.

“The constitution must be changed to make it adaptable to the reality of globalization. A political structurethatwillestablish a federal system of government that also clamps on local elites and dynasties is crucial in the early stage of thenextadministration,”he said.

Hesaidthe“Build,Build, Build”programoftheDuterte administration must be continued as well as free college education and emphasis must be given to trainingfarmersandfuture agriculturists.

He added that special attention must be given to the environment by promoting alternative sources of energy to minimize dependence on coal and that funds should be allotted to pay for the education and therapy of children with special needs.

“SMEs must be encouraged to generate more employment. To achieve this, Filipinosmusttrustthegovernment while remaining vigilant to protect the interests of the people,” he said.

By Maya M. Padillo

andoptimized,”Ambisaid.

“TheSSFprogramhas alreadywitnessedthesuccessofvariousbeneficiaries in the cacao industries.

FARDECOinDavaoCity wasgrantedaMultipurposePulverizingMachine,

Butterfat Extractor, UprightFreezer,Grinder,Dehydrator,itincreasedtheir productivityfrom500to 1000piecesoftableyaper productionloadtherebyresultingtoincreaseoftheir sales” she bared.

EDSA... FROM3

MERCURY... FROM9

ing the compound. A study published by the Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health said that about 80%-90% of organic mercury in a human body comes from eating fish and shellfish, and 75%-90% of organic mercury existing in fish and shellfish is methylmercury.

“All humans are exposed to some level of mercury,” the WHO says. “Most people are exposed to low levels of mercury, often through chronic exposure (continuous or intermittent long-term contact). However, some people are exposed to high levels of mercury, including acute exposure (occurring over a short period of time, often less than a day). An example of acute exposure would be mercury exposure due to an industrial accident.”

According to WHO, there are factors that determine whether health effects occur and their severity. These include: the type of mercury concerned; the dose; the age or developmental stage of the person exposed; the duration of exposure; and the route of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or dermal contact).

There are people who are more sensitive to the effects of mercury than others. “The populations most vulnerable to mercury are pregnant women (because it affects foetuses) and small children,” wrote Linda Greer, Michael Bender, Peter Maxson, and David Lennett, authors of Curtailing Mercury’s Global Reach, one of the reports included in the State of the World published by Worldwatch Institute.

“A child’s brain develops throughout the first several years of life, and mercury interferes with development of the neuron connections in the brain crucial to a healthy nervous system.

High levels of prenatal and infant mercury exposure can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy, deafness, or blindness,” the four authors noted.

Even in much lower doses, mercury exposure is still dangerous. “(It) may affect a child’s development, leading to such results as poor performance on neurobehavioral tests, particularly those relying on attention, fine motor function, language, visual spatial abilities (such as drawing), and verbal memory,” the four authors pointed out.

Also, there are people described as “vulnerable,” people who are regularly exposed to high levels of mercury. Examples include fishermen on subsistence fishing or people who are occupationally exposed like those working in a factory.

In a study released

by WHO, it was found that among selected subsistence fishing populations, between 1.5/1000 and 17/1000 children showed cognitive impairment (mental retardation) caused by consumption of fish containing mercury.

Meanwhile, to protect human health and the environment, the EcoWaste Coalition again urged the government, including local government, health, and police authorities, to get to the bottom of the illegal trade of mercury-containing cosmetics, identify and prosecute the culprits, and completely rid the marketplace, including online shopping platforms, of such dangerous cosmetics.

The group further urged the authorities to initiate a participatory review of the implementation of the country’s “National Action Plan for the Phase-Out of Mercury-Added Products and the Management of Associated Mercury-Containing Wastes” adopted in 2019.

Philadelphia bench and getting tended to by doctors.

And now Philadelphia must beat the Heat in Games 6 and 7, with almost all the odds pointing to how difficult that task will be.

All-time in best-of-seven series, entering this round, teams that won Game 1 of a matchup ultimately prevail 75.6% of the time. Game 1 winners at home, 85% of the time.

Teams that start a series with a 2-0 lead, 92.4% of the time. And teams that win Game 5 for a 3-2 series lead wind up advancing 82.2% of the time.

All those stats favor Miami, obviously.

Tyrese Maxey made a deep 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left in the third to pull Philadelphia within 81-66.

Whatever hope remained for the 76ers in that moment was short-lived.

A jumper from Herro and then five straight points from Strus were the start of Miami’s game-sealing flurry that opened the fourth.

A three-point play from Adebayo pushed the lead to 25, at which point Embiid checked out with the outcome clearly no longer in question.

among EU member states about the sixth sanctions package against Russia, which includes, among others, a ban on Russian oil imports, have stalled after Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, which are highly dependent on Russian energy imports, raised concerns about the European Commission’s sanctions proposal and asked to opt out.

Although the draft of-

fered a phase-out period for Hungary until the end of 2024, the Hungarian government has been adamant and the most vocal among others in its rebuttal of the oil embargo.

Bulgaria likewise said on Sunday that it would not support the bloc’s new set of sanctions against Russia if the Balkan country does not get an exemption from the proposed ban on buying Russian oil.

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SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

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PH kickboxing sure of 8 medals Eight kickboxers have assured themselves of medals in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at the Bac Ninh provincial gymnasium.

K

ickboxing lived up to its name as the Philippines’ potential kick off bid to retain the overall title when eight athletes assured themselves of medals in the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Tuesday at the Bac Ninh provincial gymnasium.

Zephania Ngaya drew a bye for a guaranteed silver medal in women’s 65 kgs class of full contact. She

will face the winner between Huyinh Thi Aikvee of host Vietnam and Jessie Yothawan of Thailand in

the final set on Friday.

Four more Filipina kickboxers also assured themselves of bronze after similarly drawing byes.

But Renalyn Dacquel could advance to a potential bronze medal if she beat Boonpeng Kanwara in a women’s full contact -48 kgs class fight, set late Tuesday.

Gretel De Paz faces either Le Thi Nhi of Vietnam or Pieter Fiandra Ariesta of Indonesia in the gold med-

al round of the -56 kgs, also of women’s full contact on Wednesday.

Claudine Veloso battles Vietnamese Bui Hai Linh in the semifinals of the 52 kg women’s low kick class, and Gina Iniong meets Malaysian Radzuan Hayatun Nahijin in the semifinals of 60 kg women’s low kick event.

The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas headed

by President Francis “Tol” Tolentino is hoping the

seven bronze and one silver will turn to gold medals on the final day of kickboxing.

Former wushu champion Jean Claude Saclag also assured himself of a bronze medal via a 3-0 victory over Souliyavong Latxasak of Laos last Sunday.

Honorio Banario and Emmanuel Cantores joined Saclag as potential gold medalists by disposing of their opponents on Monday night.

Banario scored a 3-0 win over Indonesian Tanoi Yermias Yohanes in the quarterfinals in male low kick -71 kg class and Cantores beat Malaysian Ain Kamarrudin, 3-0, also in the quarterfinal phase of low kick -60 division to advance to the semifinals stage.

Daryl Chulipas unfortunately lost to Indonesia’s Salmri Stendra, 0-3, in the men’s full contact 51 kg quarterfinals.

Heat a win away from East Finals

M

IAMI — Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Max Strus added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and the Miami Heat moved one win away from a trip to the Eastern Conference finals by topping the Philadelphia 76ers, 120-85, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Victor Oladipo scored 13 for Miami, which got 12 from Bam Adebayo and 10 apiece from Tyler Herro and P.J. Tucker. The top-seeded Heat now lead the East semifinal series 3-2, and improved to an NBA-best 6-0 at home in these playoffs.

Joel Embiid scored 17 points for fourth-seeded Philadelphia, which got 14 from James Harden and

12 from Tobias Harris.

The 76ers were down by 15 going into the fourth, then gave up 12 consecutive points to open the final quarter.

Game Six is in Philadelphia on Thursday.

It was a tough night all the way around for the Sixers, especially for Embiid — their best player, already wearing a mask to protect a facial fracture and dealing with a significant thumb injury.

Embiid got shaken up in the first quarter when he tried to dive into some baseline seats while attempting to save a loose ball. He doubled over shortly afterward, grabbing at his back.

He remained in the game after that scare.

He also remained in the game after the next scare, which was much worse.

It came midway through the second quarter, when Miami’s Dewayne Dedmon missed a shot and Embiid grabbed the rebound. Dedmon, flailing for the ball, made contact with it — and wound up pushing it back into Embiid’s mask-covered face.

Embiid lost the ball and went down in pain, covering his face with both hands. Oladipo picked up the ball and scored to make it 42-31, but Embiid writhing was of much greater importance to the 76ers than giving up two points.

Embiid remained down for several moments, before making his way back to the

FHEAT, P10

Jimmy Butler goes 9 for 15 in 35 minutes of action. PHOTO: AP

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Commissioner Ramon Fernandez (third from left) of the Philippine Sports Commission led Team Philippines during the warm reception by the host country signaling that all 11 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have already settled for the Games in the Vietnamese capital.

HANOI HOSPITALITY Vietnam rolls out red carpet for Team PH

H

ANOI—Host Vietnam formally received the entire Philippine delegation during the Team Welcome Ceremony on Wednesday along with the 10 other nations set to compete in the 31st Southeast Asian Games here.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission led Team Philippines during the warm reception by the host country signaling that all 11 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have already settled for the Games in the Vietnamese capital.

“Host Vietnam has been taking care of the preparations, competitions, and the activities surrounding the SEA Games pretty well,” said Fernandez, the Team Philippines chef de mission.

“So far, everything’s been going on smoothly,” added Fernandez, who was accompanied by Philippine Olympic Committee general manager Dinah Remolacio, PSC Public Communications Office head Emmalyn Bamba, and CDM assistant Liza Ner. The Philippine flag was likewise raised during the ceremony at the My Dinh Stadium, fluttering proud-

ly alongside the flags of the other participating countries. It was announced that over 8,000 athletes, coaches, and officials will be actively joining the ongoing Games until the closing ceremonies on May 23.

The parade of nations and opening rites are scheduled on Thursday, formally kicking off the Vietnam version of the biennial sportsfest last hosted and won by the Philippines in 2019.

The nation’s participation in the multi-sports meet has been funded by the PSC, the government arm in sports, to fuel the title-retention bid of the 980-strong delegation, including 641 athletes from 38 sports.

Team Philippines captured the overall title when it hosted the Games in 2019 where Filipino athletes collected 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals from 56 sports.