Edge Davao Vol. 15 Issue 55 | Friday, June 17, 2022 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

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Security measures in place for Sara’s inauguration STORY ON PAGE 2

Incoming Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s inauguration is moved from June 22 to June 27 at Sangguniang Panlungsod along San Pedro Street in Davao City. Incoming councilors and elected congressmen of Davao City will take their oath of office along with Duterte. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 55 • FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

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Authorites conduct a random checkpoint on one of Davao City’s main thoroughfares. The security cluster of Davao City gave their assurance that the security measures for the inauguration of incoming Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, which will be held at the San Pedro Square in Davao City on June 19, 2022, are already in place. Edge Davao

Security measures in place for Sara’s inauguration By MAYA M. PADILLO

t’s all systems go for Sara’s inauguration as the country’s No.2. The security cluster assured that security measures are already in place for the inauguration of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, which will be held at the San Pedro Square in Davao City on June 19, 2022. “There is a lot of a series of security coordination meetings with regards to the upcoming oath-taking of Vice President Sara and

it seems that everything is in place. All security and safety units in Davao City are involved dito. For me naka-ready na ang security

cluster,” Retired Police Lt. Colonel Angel Sumagaysay, head of Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), told the media in a press conference during the ceremonial turnover and blessing of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) main building inside Camp Captain Domingo E Leonor in Davao City on June 15, 2022. Sumagaysay said all the city ordinances pertaining to peace and order will be

implemented at all times specifically backpacks, pointed objects, non-transparent bottled water, and jackets are not allowed in the inauguration area. “Drones are not allowed, alcoholic drinks, illegal drugs, firearms are not allowed inside the event area. Kung ano yung ginagawa natin dito sa Davao City na mga best practices just to secure the event ay yun ang gagawin natin,” he said.

chronic kidney disease. To prevent the body’s organ rejection, the kidney recipients are maintained on drugs. This research will correlate the patient’s genes to the dose of this drug intake to ensure safer and more accurate monitoring of the drug usage. DOST through the Philippine Council for Health

Research and Development (PCHRD) will grant funds for the conduct of data collection, blood sampling and processing, DNA extraction and sequencing, and statistical analysis which are vital to the project’s success. The project will be headed by Dr. Maria Theresa Bad-ang, chairperson of

the Renal Transplant Section of Nephrology of SPMC and chairperson of the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) for Zone 4A of the Department of Health. The results of this project will serve as baseline for future studies that would help patients prepare for the tedious process of healing after kidney transplant.

FALL, P10

‘Best face mask’ prize up for grabs in Kadayawan’s Indak-Indak event

he Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) is pushing for a new feature in the Kadayawan Festival Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan event by putting up a prize for the “Best Face Mask” of the street dancing participants. Chief Tourism Officer Generose Tecson bared this on the Davao City Disaster Radio Tuesday saying, the face mask is the newest Kadayawan festival feature that her office proposed and to make it part of the judging in the street dancing competition. “Wala po tayong bago na activities maybe yung pinakabago is that naka-mask tayong lahat. For the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan sinali po natin ang mask as part of the competition of their costume and we will be giving prizes for the best mask in-sync with the costume (We do not have new activities, maybe the newest is that we are all wearing masks. For the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan we included the face mask as part of the competition of the costumes and we will be giving prizes for the best mask in synchrony with the

costume),” Tecson said. Apart from Indak-Indak, the CTOO has also proposed for the face-to-face Pamulak sa Kadayawan, Pitik sa Kadayawan, and Sayaw Kadayawan which are tourists attractions. She said that CTOO has also proposed to build the tribal village and this has been discussed with the different tribes. The Bantawan Stage located at Magsaysay Park is already finished and ready as a venue for the Bantawan Cultural Shows. Hiyas ng Kadayawan will also be back. According to Tecson, the official announcement for the schedule of the events from August 15-21 will be announced soon. “We are the first biggest festival in the country which will hold a face-toface activity,” Tecson said, adding that the city also allocated a lesser budget for the festival budget and lesser participants in group competitions. “Planadong-planado na po at least ang sa office namin kung ano ang activities. It is just a matter of approval from the Execom

The study will also determine the clinical outcome through a blood test that checks how well the patient’s kidneys are working and the amount of medical expense spent by kidney transplant recipients in Mindanao based on their metabolic rates. The project will be governed under the guidelines

of the DOST Grants-In-Aid program. This is part of DOST’s program which aims to harness the country’s scientific and technological capabilities by providing financial grants to S&T programs/projects to spur sustainable economic growth for the country. (PR/DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion)

F’BEST, P10

SPMC secures P1M funding for kidney transplant research

he Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) secures P1 million research funding grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to strengthen kidney transplant research in Mindanao. Kidney transplant is one of the most common surgeries for people with

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 55 • FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

NEWS

A light plane touches down at the Mati City airport. The heirs involved in the talks for the land ownership concerning the opening of Mati City airport for commercial operations have already signed the documents. Edge Davao

Incoming Mayor Baste’s oath taking set on Jun 27 Covid-19 Task Force creates transition team

he Davao City Covid-19 Task Force is working out procedures on how to relocate vaccination hubs to the district health centers. Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser said the task force is creating a transition team to led the redeployment of the vaccination hubs and is hoping that the team will come up a decision within the week. “Nagstart na sila (vaccination cluster) ug create ug transition team, but the finality of the decision whether ma-transfer siya sa district health office, at the moment we do have meetings with the districts or ibalhin sa mga barangay health centers. We have 182 barangay health centers, ginaplanuhan pa sa atoang transition team. We are hoping that the transition team of the vaccination cluster will come up with the decision within this week,” Schlosser said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday. This is in line with the instruction of Vice President-elect Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday

to the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force to wrap up all vaccination hubs in Davao City and continue the vaccination for Covid-19 and make the availability of the vaccines semi-permanent at the district health centers. Schlosser added that the main goal of setting up vaccination hubs in barangay health centers or district health centers is for the vaccines to be accessible to the people. “Nagmiting nami ug naghinay-hinay nami ug turover sa vaccination hubs gamay na lang man gud nagaadto para magpabakuna. I-turnover na namo siya sa district health centers ug ang among vaccination team ma-assign na pud sa mga district health offices para didto na sa districts ang vacciantion plus kana na pud na among team sila ang musuyod sa mga barangay for the mobile vaccination. Mas near na sa mga tao ang atong vaccination ug ang atong objective dinha is suyuron ang mga barangay,” said Dr.Josephine Villafuerte, head of Vaccination Cluster, in an interview with DCDR.

FCOVID-19, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he inauguration and oath-taking of incoming Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte was moved to June 27, 2022 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) along with the incoming councilors and elected congressmen of Davao City.

His oath-taking was originally scheduled on June 22. “For the convenience of everybody. It will be held during lunch maybe, but I am not sure yet. We are still finalizing the schedule,” he told the media. Duterte said part of his executive agenda when he assumes office is to make the city government of

Davao’s delivery of service will be basic. He said he will elaborate on this during his oath-taking. “Everything will be basic in terms of the delivery of services of the city government to the people. That is a very broad statement but I can elaborate during my oath-taking or inauguration speech. Maybe you can review what

will happen in the coming three years,” he said. He did not comment also on what will happen to the contractual (contract of service employees) and the job orders as he is yet to see the situation. “I am not yet in office so I cannot act on some questions until I’m in the office and I am yet to see the situation,” he said. He added that his office and the office of the City Mayor have smooth communication in terms of transition. “We are in the same party and I think most of the personnel from the

previous administration will be staying to assist so they will be extending for a clear transition,” he said. When asked about any tips that Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio has given to him as the new mayor of Davao City. “Good luck lang gyud ang iyahang giingon, mao ra na akong matiman-an,” he said. Meanwhile, the incoming mayor has confirmed his attendance at the inauguration of Duterte-Carpio as the 15th Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines on June 19, 2022.

(PRIME-HRM) where it got recommended for Maturity Level III or Silver Award. It can be recalled that Tagum was among the first LGUs to successfully obtain the Maturity Level II or Bronze award for PRIME-HRM in 2018. After four years, the LGU through the City Human

Resource Management Office attempted to gain the higher level of accreditation which is the Level III or Silver Award starting last June 6 until June 10, 2022. If Tagum passes the evaluation, the city will be the first to be conferred with the Silver Award. CSC validators were welcomed

by no less than Mayor Allan L. Rellon during his speech at the opening program for the evaluation, motivating the employees as well in answering the interview questions which will be asked by the CSC validators. The five-day evaluation consisted of an interview

CSC-11 recommends LGU Tagum for PRIME-HRM Maturity Level III

he City Government of Tagum proved yet again its competency after a rigorous evaluation and assessment of its best practices under the project of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) known as Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management

FCSC-11, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), distributes sari-sari store package to qualified small entrepreneurs of Toril District. 40 sari-sari store owners received P10, 000.00 worth of grocery items from the DTI under its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program on Wednesday afternoon. CIO

Tax incentives still key factor for investing in PH: IT-BPM group T he IT and Business Process Association of the Philippine (IBPAP), the umbrella organization of information technology (IT) and business process management companies in the country, has underscored the importance of maintaining fiscal incentives in attracting investments from the industry.

IBPAP president and chief executive officer Jack Madrid said IT-BPO firms value fiscal incentives being provided by the government, and it is often “the tiebreaker in their investment considerations”. “As a global leader in IT-BPM services, the Philippines finds its competi-

tive advantage in the Filipino talent, our expanding digital infrastructure, and strong government support that creates an enabling and conducive business environment. It is the harmonious combination of these factors that allows the Philippines to maintain its global leadership in the

industry,” Madrid said in a statement. Some IT-BPM registered business enterprises (RBEs) have decided to forego their tax perks from the government to maintain the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement for ITBPM employees, as the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) ordered RBEs in the sector to bring back 100 percent of their operations in the office. RBEs that will not comply will lose their fiscal incentives. “The decision of IT-BPM RBEs to forego their income tax perks is a difficult interim measure to address the

needs of their employees and meet the demand of clients who prefer WFH/ hybrid work arrangements. As such, the industry hopes that the FIRB will soon reconsider its decision and rule in favor of the IT-BPM industry by allowing its players the privilege of fully implementing the PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) Letters of Authority (LOA) on WFH,” Madrid said. Madrid added the industry group stands by its position on hybrid work arrangement and the legal basis of PEZA’s granting of LOA to allow 30 percent of

FTAX, P10

Kinetic energy storage firm expands capacity in PH

mber Kinetics will complete its second manufacturing plant of kinetic energy storage system (KESS) here by the end of this year, expanding its production capacity by more than double. In a media briefing Wednesday, Amber Kinetics Philippines director for business development Roberto Kanapi said the new manufacturing line for its flywheel technology will increase the company’s ca-

pacity to produce 1,800 to 2,000 KESS annually. The firm’s facility in the First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto. Tomas, Batangas currently manufactures 600 to 700 units of flywheel energy storage in a year. Kanapi said the new line is expected to cater to the huge demands from Australia, as well as the increasing demand in the Philippines amid the increasing renewable energy

he newly-approved wage hike for domestic workers in the region will take effect on June 30, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the Caraga Region (RTWPB-13) said Wednesday. In a statement, RTWPB-13 said this is contained in Wage Order No. RXIII-DW-03 approved on June 9. The wage order indicated, among others, the existing economic conditions in the region that led to the approval of the wage increase

for domestic workers, the agency said. The conditions include the increase of the consumer price index in the region from 101.9 in May 2019 to 115.9 in May 2022; the latest poverty threshold in the region for a family size of five at PHP348 based on data provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority; and the poverty incidence among families recorded at 24.1 percent based on the 2018 family income and expenditure survey. “The domestic work-

FKINETIC, P10

wage hike for domestic Auto industry records 3 straight Caraga workers takes effect June 30 months of double-digit growth T

he Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported that local automotive vehicle assemblers recorded three consecutive months of double-digit growth in May. Joint report of CAMPI and TMA on Wednesday said the industry grew 19.5 percent last month to 26,370 units from 22,062 units sold in May 2021.

The 34.2-percent sales of commercial vehicles offset the 8.4-percent decline in sales of passenger cars last month. Commercial vehicle sales in May 2022 increased to 19,406 units from 14,463 units in the same month last year. Sales of passenger cars decreased to 6,964 units from 7,599 units year-onyear. “Based on our data, the industry has already

recorded double-digit percentage growth for three consecutive months on a year-over-year basis, indicating that recovery is underway,” CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said. Gutierrez said the economic recovery and strong demand for vehicles have contributed to the sales increase of the industry in the previous month. “The industry is optimistic for a sustained eco-

nomic growth anchored on domestic demand amid the continued containment of the pandemic –all-important to the full recovery of the industry,” he added. Meanwhile, year-todate sales of the industry reached 126,273 units in January to May 2022, higher by 14.6 percent from the 110,217 units sold in the same period last year. For 2022, the industry eyes to sell 336,000 units of automotive vehicles. (PNA)

FCARAGA, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 55 • FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

ECONOMY

Porters unload sacks of commercial rice for an establishment along Monteverde Avenue in Davao City. The incoming Department of Agrarian Reform chief said it’s impossible in the near future to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo. Edge Davao

Next DAR chief shuts down P20 per kilo of rice for now Importation, increasing fish catch needed to stabilize supply: DA

he Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday defended its decision to import fish despite opposition from fishers’ group Pambansang Lakas ng Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya), saying it is part of the government’s balancing act to stabilize supply. For Pamalakaya, importation may add a burden to local fishers, as it could reduce the value of locally-produced fish products, aggravating their struggle amid persistent crude price hikes. However, in a phone patch interview, Agriculture spokesperson Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes argued the move was necessary considering the projected shortfall of 90,000 metric tons of fish for 2022. “We’re balancing, we are doing a balancing act kasi maliit ang ating fish catch sa ating karagatan. Sinasabi nila na maraming isda, yes, pero ganun pa rin ang kakulangan sa ating infrastructures (...because we have low fish catch in our oceans. They are saying there’s a lot of fish, yes, but

lapses in infrastructures remain),” he told the Philippine News Agency. Reyes noted that besides low fish catch, the closed fishing seasons have also contributed to the insufficiency of supply. Closed fishing seasons are effective in the Davao Gulf, Visayan Sea, Sulu Sea, and Northern Palawan, from June onwards, on varied timelines. “I understand the market supply situation, why? Tumataas kasi kulang pa rin ang supply. Kapag marami ang supply lalo ‘pag summer, bababa ang presyo, pero lalo na ngayon (It’s increasing because the supply remains insufficient. During summer, the price will drop but) towards the rainy season na nga ‘tas may close fishing season pa, tataas ‘yan (prices will increase), that’s why the need [to import],” he said. However, Reyes clarified that importation is not the mere solution and pointed out the need to advance the construction of infrastructures needed by local fishers, to help them increase fish catch.

resident Rodrigo Duterte is optimistic that President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will continue the economic policies and infrastructure projects initiated by his administration, a Palace official said Tuesday night.

It’s “not possible” in the near future to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo, incoming Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III said Thursday. Outgoing Agrarian Reform chief Bernie Cruz earlier said the price of rice prices in the country

can decline to P20 a kilo as early as second quarter of 2023 through a “mega farm” or consolidated production. Estrella said he had a dialogue with fellow farmers who told him the farm gate price cannot be lower than P10.

“Di kaya eh, ang kaya P14. Pagdating sa miller, tapos retailers pwede tayo sa P28,” he said. (It can’t be, the price can only go low as far as P14. When it arrives to millers and retailers, the price could be P28.) “I don’t think it is [possible] In the very near future, it’s not possible. But you know how technology is.” Estrella, grandson of first Agrarian Reform chief Conrado F. Estrella Sr., said President-elect Ferdinand

homegrown startup wants to become the first local company to bring innovation to the construction industry with its artificial intelligence (Al)-driven construction management platform AIMHI (Artificial Intelligence Meets Human Intelligence). AIMHI is a landmark product of Eve on Top (Eve), a Tagum City-based women-led tech startup. During Wednesday’s

press briefer here, Eve co-founder Cherryann Lee Angoy said the technology addresses most construction woes and at the same time ensures a 10 percent profit increase in construction projects. “AIMHI is developed to mitigate the long-standing problems in the construction industry such as delayed projects, over budget, and falling below the target profit margins,” Angoy said. As chief executive offi-

cer of the construction firm SECKKA Empire Builder, Inc., Angoy said she has extensively explored the causes of most problems in the sector. She said contractors suffer profit losses and delay due to lack or poor cost management, planning, estimation, monitoring, and control, poor risk and resource management, and a host of other problems. “Project delay average is 20 percent to 30 percent

“Bongbong” Marcos offered him both the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). “I chose DAR and for the obvious reasons,” he said. “We would like to be issuing titles under the presidency of President Bongbong Marcos.” Estrella said he would prioritize looking into the arrest of 91 farmers, land reform advocates, media, and students at Hacienda Tinang in Concepcion, Tar-

while the average overrun is 28 percent,” she said. She added: “For a 10-million project with an end date of 9 months, an additional PHP3 million in unnecessary cost will be incurred due to delay and PHP2.8 million in overrun.” She noted that the Philippine construction industry is expected to record a 14.4 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) reaching PHP871.1 billion

FNEXT, P10

Local startup seeks to solve construction woes with AI tech A FLOCAL, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 55 • FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

On the inauguration of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte Carpio on Sunday:

DCPO is ready but of course the briefing and the laying down of the personnel on ground sa amin yun so I think meron pa kaming maraming bagay pa na gagawin but overall in terms of security operational okay na.”

Police Colonel Alberto P. Lupaz

DCPO acting city director

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.15 ISSUE 55 • FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

LOOMING FISH SHORTAGE Aren’t you wondering why fish prices these days are quite high? This is due to the “enforcement of the three-month ban on fishing at the Davao Gulf,” according to a news report which was published in Edge Davao last June 14. The source of the information was the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Raul Millana, BFAR Davao regional director, said in an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the fishing in the open seas of Davao Gulf started last June 1 and will end on August 31. Because of this fishing ban, the price of fish being sold in the market are most likely to increase. The prohibition of fishing in Davao Gulf started nine years ago. The implementation “must be enforced to allow pelagic fish to reproduce since the period from June 1 to August 31 has been established as their spawning season,” explained Millana. Most fish reproduce by spawning. “The process of spawning typically involves females releasing ova (unfertilized eggs) into the water, often in large quantities, while males simultaneously or sequentially

release spermatozoa (milt) to fertilize the eggs,” Wikipedia states. Actually, there are two main reproduction methods in fish. The first method is by laying eggs and the second by live-bearing (meaning, producing their young alive). In the first method, according to Wikipedia, the female fish lays eggs either on the sea floor or on the leaves of an aquatic plant. A male fish fertilizes the eggs, and both then work together to protect the eggs/babies from danger until they can defend themselves. In the second method, the male fish uses its anal fin to transmit sperm into the female fish and fertilize the fish eggs. Later, the female gives live birth to her fry. Davao Gulf, which spans more than 10 coastal municipalities from Malita in Davao Occidental in the south to Boston town in the eastern coast of the region, occupies about 308,000 hectares. In 2014, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued joint Administrative Circular No. 2 which established a threemonth closed fishing season in

the Davao Gulf. The reason for the ban was to “conserve marine resources, to secure the spawning period of pelagic fishes in the gulf and continuously implement measures to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.” Studies have shown that “IUU fishing accounts for about 68.5 billion pesos of fish taken from Philippine waters annually, and unsustainable trade and consumption only makes the problem worse by encouraging overfishing and bad fishing practices.” In the Davao Gulf, the most abundant fish family, according to studies, was the Carangidae (jacks, pompanos, mackerels, runners and scads) with 32% followed by Scombridae (mackerel, tuna and bonito) with 20%, and Clupidae (herrings, shads, sardines, hilsa and menhadens) with 10%. Data from the agriculture department said the fisheries sector contributes about 18% to the gross domestic product in agriculture. The problem of fish shortage is not confined in the Davao Gulf but in other parts of the country. “The current condition of fisheries in the Philippines and worldwide is bleak,”

stated oneocean.org. “Overfishing, illegal fishing and habitat destruction combined with increased demand for fish and population growth continue to drive fisheries production into a deeper abyss. “Seemingly impossible just 20 years ago, protein deficiency among fishing communities is now increasing at an alarming rate,” oneocean.org added. Fishing has been an important source of livelihood for Filipinos, fish being the second staple food – next to rice. “About 62 per cent of the population lives in the coastal zone,” says World Bank’s Philippine Environment Monitor. On average, every Filipino consumes about 98.6 grams of fish and fish products each day. The fishing industry provides employment to about one million Filipinos, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). “Our problem is population,” observed a noted newspaper columnist. “We are having more children faster than we can grow the food to feed them.” A former government official seemed to agree. “Demand for food is growing fast not because our incomes are growing but because our population is

growing at an alarming rate,” he said, adding that about two million mouths are being added to be fed every year. Fishery experts claim that all fishing activities depend on a fragile resource base which, if mismanaged and overexploited, can easily collapse. “Coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are among the world’s most important and most endangered ecosystems,” says Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, a marine scientist and the first Filipino to receive the prestigious International Biwako Prize for Ecology. “They are also the major life-support and protective ecosystems of the coastal zone.” Aside from the destruction of coastal ecosystems, another factor that contributes to the depletion of fishery resources in the country is the siltation and sedimentation of the water ecosystem due to deforestation, mining and other human activities. “Besides bringing in poisonous and toxic substances into the water, silts and sediments lead to shallowing of the riverbeds killing phytoplanktons and other aquatic organisms, which are responsible for photosynthetic activities,” the PSA said.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CARAGA PARISH OF 1919 Two decades after the Americans took over the district of Davao, which also meant the entry, four years later, of American Protestant preachers, the existing Roman Catholic parishes organized by the Spanish missionaries remained in the hands of Jesuits. The Cartas y Noticias Edificantes de la Provincia de Aragon Año 1919, a summary of Jesuit letters and good news, provides contemporaneousaccounts of present-day life in Davao Oriental. Fr. Jose Grimal, S.J., the parish priest of Cateel, in his May 19, 1919, letter addressed to the Mission Superior in Manila, wrote that life in town was ‘so monotonous and without accidents that can get someone’s attention, that one does not really feel inspired to take up the pen and not be able to interest oth-

ers by telling them new things.’ In yet another letter dated May 22, 1919, written while in Cateel, he wrote that during this time the entire Caraga jurisdiction had only three houses, namely: the parish priest’s residence at Caraga, and the two other structures—one each--in Baganga and Cateel. Records show that about this time the town of Caraga, with control over the missions in the town of Manay and Mati, was assigned a priest to handle the spiritual needs of various reductions or settlements. On top of this, there were Moro settlements to visit and proselytized, which he described as ‘either under government supervision or not.’ Cateel parish, with about 6,000 Christian, Mandaya, and Manobo censused population, separated from the Baganga

mission only in November 1914. Meanwhile, the parishes of Baganga and Caraga, comparatively smaller than Cateel, was the youngest parish and similar in size to the missions of Manay and Mati. Fr. Grimal’s Caraga house of worship is actually the San Salvador del Mundo Church built in 1877 by the Jesuits after they took over the spiritual direction of the town in 1871 from the Recollects. It was completed in 1884 and dedicated to Christ, the Holy Savior of the World. Made from limestone blocks, hardwood, and corals, the church looks like a fort, with its front door inscribed with a Christian symbol. Inside it is the decrepit retablos and artifacts dating to the early Spanish colonial period. The other church features include the centuries-old giant seashells used as

holy-water vessels and a colonial-era baptismal font that has since been archived. Other interesting relics and objects in the church are the 1802 church bell, an antique San Isidro Labrador image, and the old baptismal registry. On July 16, 2012, the church was declared a historical site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The oldest in southern Mindanao, it survived the December 4, 2012, onslaught of super-typhoon ‘Pablo.’ In 2021, the Diocese of Mati and the Ateneo de Davao University signed a memorandum of understanding to digitize the parish’s old records or books of registry covering sixteen volumes and involving close to 2,500 oversized pages containing info and details of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, death registrations, and books of fi-

nancial accounts. Fr. Grimal’s narratives also included events outside his range. He reported that the parish house and church in Mati, like the convent and church of Manay, were dilapidated, and the structures were made from wood and their roofs from the tin. In contrast, the church and convent of Caraga were in the best condition due to the kind of woods used, which was similar to Baganga. He noted that the Cateel church measured two by fifteen meters, rather bigger than those in the towns of Baganga and Caraga. He described its roof as rusted and wanted repair while its posts, made from the best wood, had nipa walls, like the convent, and sand floor. Each mission owned a convent and a church, defined as small and built from nipa, by the entire village.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

FILIPINO FAMILIES AT RISK

AS BREADWINNERS CONTINUE TO BE UNINSURED Research conducted by Swiss Re Institute indicated that 75 percent of families in developing countries like the Philippines are vulnerable to emotional devastation and loss of income when a family breadwinner or income-owner passes away. This is known as the mortality protection gap. It’s typical for a healthy breadwinner with a steady income stream to think of himself as a “superman” who will always be around to provide for his family. However, the possibility of serious illness, disability, or even premature death constantly looms over this “superman” idea—and ignoring these threats will not make them go away. Without a Plan B in the form of proper financial planning and a risk management plan, households are left vulnerable to financial ruin. How a Plan B protects the family from emotional and financial distress “A lot of Filipino breadwinners, especially those in the middle-class, know that if anything unpleasant happens to them, their families will be severely affected. How will their family pay for housing? Utility expenses? How will their children continue their schooling? How will they pay for their daily needs? Unfortunately, many do not face

this reality or prepare for the worst. Doing so underestimates the potential financial impact on their families,” said Renato Vergel De Dios, President and CEO of BDO Life, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank. Vergel De Dios pointed out how the coronavirus

pandemic proved how financially vulnerable Filipino families are. “In the past two years, we’ve all lost a relative or a friend to COVID-19. One day, they’re okay. A few days later, we hear that they were rushed to the emergency room. We next learn that they’ve been hooked up to a ven-

tilator. A few days later, they’re gone. This pandemic has served as a wake-up call to the fact that we need to be financially prepared for such contingencies,” he explained. To protect families from financial vulnerability, Vergel De Dios advised that aside from saving

money to fund emergencies and future plans, it’s most important to have a Plan B aka life insurance. “Life insurance is the ultimate Plan B. When the breadwinner passes away, it provides funds to family members and buys them time—from a few months to a few years—to readjust their

May Plan B ka na ba? Having life insurance is the ultimate Plan B to protect your family from the mortality protection gap. See how BDO Life can help you prepare for life’s what if’s here: www.bdo.com.ph/bdolife/we-protect.

lives. It’s hard enough for family members who are grieving over the death of a parent or a spouse. It is heartless, to say the least, to impose on them the financial responsibility to pay for the next round of bills. They deserve to be protected from all that pain and suffering. And life insurance is the only financial instrument that can alleviate that,” said Vergel De Dios. Vergel De Dios added that because the life insurance industry has thrived for over a century in the Philippines, breadwinners are assured of a dependable and trustworthy source of financial protection for their loved ones. Being without it is equivalent to thrusting one’s family to journey across the turbulent sea of life with only a life jacket on. “We all assume that we will always stay healthy, that we will always be around to bring home the required family income month after month. But life makes no guarantees. A high-paying job, a successful business, and reasonably good health—these are no assurances that our family’s financial security is assured, without a Plan B. Just ask the family members of individuals with those same qualities yet who lost their lives during the pandemic,” concluded Vergel De Dios.

GSIS GRANTED P221B IN LOANS TO OVER A MILLION GOV’T EMPLOYEES, PENSIONERS NATIONWIDE The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has released a total of P221 billion in loans to 1.38 million active members and pensioners nationwide from January 2021 to May 15, 2022. “We rolled out several programs under our Ginhawa for All benefit bundles to extend financial assistance at a time when our members and pensioners needed it most. Alam namin na GSIS ang inaasahang mangalaga sa seguridad at kapakanan ng mga kawani ng gobyerno. Ang malaking responsibilidad na ito ay bahagi ng ating tungkulin,” GSIS President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet said. Of the total amount of loans granted, P165 billion was in multi-purpose loan (MPL), which benefitted 468,872 borrowers from January 2021 to May 15, 2022. The loan aims to help active members, particularly those who have reached their bor-

rowing limit and unable to pay their loans. MPL consolidates members’ existing loans and waives surcharges on in-default loan accounts. In April 2022, GSIS launched the enhanced MPL program by coming out with the MPL Plus. Under MPL Plus, members may apply for up to 14 times their basic monthly salary, but not to exceed P5 million, depending on their premium payments. The loan has a low interest rate of 7% and its term has been extended to 10 years. Under another loan product, the Computer Loan program, GSIS disbursed P7.6 billion in gross proceeds to 253,481 borrowers. It is a loan window that grants a P30,000 assistance to GSIS members for the purchase of a computer unit for their work-from-home arrangement or their children’s online classes. The computer loan is payable in three years with 6%

interest per annum. This year, GSIS extended the implementation of the program for another three months (or until June 2022) to give more time for the 1.56 million qualified members to avail of the loan. GSIS also processed a total of 64,381 applications under the GSIS Financial Assistance Loan (GFAL) program from 2021-May 15, 2022, disbursing a total amount of P27.8 billion. GFAL is a balance- transfer facility aimed at enabling GSIS members settle their outstanding loan balance with other lending institutions with reduced interest rate and longer payment term. Through GFAL, GSIS intends to improve the financial capability of GSIS members and save them from the bondage of debt. Aside from MPL, computer loan, GFAL and GFAL Educational Loan, GSIS also offers the regular policy loan

and emergency loan. It released P8.8 billion to 355,956 policy loan borrowers and another P5.519 billion to 165,352 emergency loan borrowers from January 2021 to May 15, 2022. Policy loan is a program where members may avail of from their GSIS life insurance policy. The loan, bearing an 8% interest rate, may be paid either through monthly amortization or deduction from a member’s existing life insurance policy contract. Emergency loan, on the other hand, aims to assist government employees and old-age and disability pensioners in times of natural calamities and disasters. The pension fund also released P175 million to 1,504 members through the GFAL Educational Loan program from 2021 to May 15, 2022. This program was GSIS’s response to the call of the government for credit support to education in light of the

economic effects of the pandemic. It is a studynow pay-later loan program intended for the college education of children or relatives of active GSIS members. The maximum amount that may be borrowed per academic year is Php100,000 covering tuition and other school fees. The interest rate is only 8%. A GSIS member may nominate up to two student-beneficiaries under the program. Meanwhile, a total of 56,110 pensioners benefitted from the P4.6 billion released by GSIS from January 2021 to May 15, 2022 under the Enhanced Pension Loan. Another 7,903 pensioners were granted Pensioners’ Emergency Loan from the total amount of P204 million paid by GSIS in the same period. Even inactive members were given the opportunity by GSIS to restructure their loans. Under the Program for Restructuring and Repay-

ment of Debts (PRRD), GSIS released a total of P203 million to 1,498 inactive members. PRRD is a one-time condonation and restructuring program for inactive GSIS members with outstanding loans. GSIS members who are already out of government service and financially incapable to settle their outstanding loan balances in full may apply for PRRD. “We faced the struggles and embraced the challenges brought about by the pandemic, so we can provide the essential needs of our clients — convenience, protection, and safety. We encourage our members and pensioners to avail of GSIS loan programs to aid them in their various expenses. By doing so, they are also helping GSIS sustain its actuarial life and enable us to pay our members and pensioners their benefits as and when they fall due,” Mr. Macasaet appealed.

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Watch out for stray dog as it may bite without notice.

he lively eight-year-old Justin was bitten by a puppy dog on his hand while playing with the three-month pet. The parents did not give any significance to the small tooth mark (as a result of the bite) and just cleaned the wound with antiseptic. They forgot the whole incident and never bothered to consult a doctor even when the puppy died five days after Justin was bitten. Ten days after the biting incident, the boy developed a fever and it was then that the parents brought the child to a doctor who prescribed some medicine. Two more days passed and the boy started talking irrelevantly, looked confused and became sleepless. On the thirteenth day after he was bitten by his puppy, Justin refused to take any water and even food. At this time, the parents brought him back to the hospital where both the mother and father were interrogated. They told him about the biting incident. The attending physician suspected rabies and offered the boy a glass of water. Just by looking at the glass of wa-

ter, the boy went into spasms and looked terrified. “I feel pity staring at the little boy who’s suffering from an incurable malady just because he had played with a puppy,” the attending physician lamented. It was just a matter of time that Justin finally succumbed to rabies, a viral infection of the brain to which all mammals, including human beings, are susceptible. “Rabies is one of the most terrifying diseases known to man,” said Dr. Dey G. Brato, who was president of the southern Mindanao chapter of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases when he uttered those words. Rabies is indeed deadly but preventable. “(Rabies) has a case-fatality rate of almost 100% and so remains a major public health issue, even though it is known to

Puppy, like adult dog, is also a carrier of rabies virus.

RABIES: DEADLY

BUT PREVENTABLE Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

be 100% preventable,” said a paper that was published in the June 2020 issue of Philippine Journal Science. Although rabies is not among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) still considered it as a significant public health problem because it is one of the most acutely fatal infections. In a 1999 paper published in British Medical Journal (BMJ), it was reported that the number of rabies cases in the Philippines “is increasing, despite government promises to rid the

country of the problem by 2020.” In 1996, 337 people died of rabies and went down to 321 in 1997 but increased in 1998 with 362 deaths. In Davao Region, over 200 human rabies cases are recorded each year, according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Still a health issue Despite the enactment of Republic Act 9482, otherwise known as the Rabies Act of 2007, rabies remains a health issue in the country. One reason why rabies is still with us – when it is already eliminated in Singapore, Japan and other highly industrialized countries – is that rabies is one of the most misunderstood diseases by Filipinos. Many, especially those in rural areas, still believe that garlic and a few drops of vinegar can cure rabies. Others believe that a quack doctor – called tandok – has the power to eliminate the virus from the body with the use of a stone or by sucking with the use of a carabao horn. A document obtained by this author from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) cites several other reasons why rabies is still a problem in the country: lack of appreciation by local chief executives to the rabies program as public health threat leading to poor implementation and

ineffective local ordinance in the implementation of the rabies prevention and control program. Other more reasons are as follows: poor vaccination coverage by the province; numerous stray dogs, poor implementation of stray dogs and no dog pound; lack of funding; and limited, if not lack, of personnel. Principal sources Although rabies is also present in other animals, dogs remain the principal animal source of rabies. This has been supported by a recent study that was published in PLoS ONE. “Most of the animal rabies cases (in Davao City) are coming from dog samples with a total of 210 rabies-infected dogs reported from 2006 to 2017,” the study reported. If you are bitten by a dog, don’t kill the animal. But a man from Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur, did not only kill the dog but butcher it for meat after being bitten by his dog. He cooked the meat and gave some to his friends and relatives. Fifteen days after he was bitten, he died. Those that had eaten the meat were reported to be infected too with rabies. Medical experts say cooking does not kill the rabies. “Since rabies is a nerve-lover, it is concentrated in the brain. So, don’t eat the (dog’s) brain,” they caution.

Any mammals are possible carriers of rabies, according to petmd.com. Aside from dogs and cats, domesticated animals like cattle, carabao, pigs, goats and horses also have rabies. No rabies has been isolated from a bird, wild rat or rabbit, nor from such pets as white rats or mice, hamsters, or guinea pigs. The rabies virus is present in the saliva, brain and spinal cord of an infected animal, according to the health department. There are two types of exposure: bite and non-bite. “People usually get rabies from the bite of a rabid animal,” the WHO says. “It is also possible, but rare, for people to get rabies from non-bite exposures, which can include scratches, abrasions, or open wounds that are exposed to saliva or other potentially infectious material from a rabid animal.” A person can also get rabies by kissing a rabid person and by using his or her utensils. Because of this, the Department of Health discourages members of the family dying of rabies from giving a farewell kiss as it could mean a “kiss of death.” The victim, after all, is a reservoir of rabies virus. “Other types of contact, such as petting a rabid animal or contact with the blood, urine or feces of a

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Sumagaysay said they will allow vendors to display their products in the authorized area within the vicinity of the event. Meanwhile, DCPO will be deploying a total of 3,732 personnel. “DCPO is ready but of course the briefing and the laying down of the personnel on ground sa amin yun so I think meron pa kaming maraming bagay pa na gagawin but overall in terms of security operational okay na,” said Police Colonel Alberto P. Lupaz, DCPO acting city director. Lupaz said the DCPO has scheduled convoy run, run through, simulation of deployment of personnel in San Pedro Square. “Yan ang mga bagay na tinitingnan natin and we will also informed our personnel, definitely we are ready for the inauguration,” he said. Lupaz said DCPO in coordination with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) will be setting up railings at the crossroads of San Pedro, Bolton, and the whole stretch of San Pedro to guide the public where to go in the event area. There will be four entrances for those who want to attend the inauguration. “Yung mga railings na yan ilalagay yan at diyan papasok yung ating mga general public. Hindi masyadong masikip kailan-

gan maka-move yung mga tao sa loob (railings). Meron tayong apat na entrance for the general public at may magchi-check (inspection) sa kanila,” Lupaz said. Lupaz said DCPO is expecting more or less 25,000 attendees during the inauguration. On the other hand, PRO11 Regional Director Police Brigade General Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said PRO-11 is now ready to implement their security plan and will be deploying 2,722 police personnel. “We already presented this (security plan) to the national headquarters and it was already approved and all we have to do is to implement it and by June 17 we are going to have a send-off ceremony,” he said. Silo urged the public to support the security cluster and comply to the policies to be implemented by the police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the city government of Davao to ensure that the inauguration will be peaceful. “Ang activity on June 19 is a national historic event. Magiging successful ito sa tulong ninyo. Maasahan ninyo na ang kapulisan, kasundaluhan ay nandiyan sa okasyon na iyan para seguraduhin ang kaligtasan hindi lamang ng unang pamilya pati na lahat ng manonood sa araw na yun,” he said.

[Executive Committee] so that we can go on with the processing of papers para sa ating sponsors (It is all planned - at least in our office on what the activities would be. It is just a matter of approval from the Execom so that we can go on with the processing of papers for our sponsors),” she said. Tecson is optimistic that the festival would help

revive the city’s tourism industry, including the hotels, as it would bring in tourists to the city. She said that while there are no restrictions on coming to Davao, not even a vaccination card, they still encourage people to be vaccinated and get booster shots besides the mandated wearing of a face mask and practicing hand hygiene.

session of random city employees and validation of documents. During the exit conference, CSC validators highlighted the LGU Tagum’s strengths in systems management such as; (1.) Defined and clear role as management partner, (2.) Focal person in every HR system, (3.) Evident application of CS Law and Rules,

(4.) Strong management support to various HR programs, (5.) Empowered HR management officer and staff, and (6.) Commitment of the employees. Furthermore, the LGU passed all four of the systems validation with 100% score hence, the recommendation for Maturity Level III.

ers in Caraga shall receive an increase ranging from PHP500 to PHP1,000 in monthly minimum rate,” the wage order said. It added that domestic

workers in cities and firstclass municipalities in the region shall receive a PHP500 wage hike while those in other municipalities with a PHP1,000 increase.

lac.

told some of the beneficiaries were not able to enter the lands assigned to them kasi may konting (because there’s some) pressure from the original land owner, harassment and all sorts of things. We will look into so we could prevent incidents such as Hacienda Tinang.”

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The farmers arrested were included in a list of beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). “If you prolong this, it might lead to violence we might not be able to control,” he said. “In some places, I was

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rabid animal, are not associated with risk for infection and are not considered to be exposures of concern for rabies,” the WHO says. Aside from bites and scratches, other modes of transmission are uncommon. “Although extremely rare, contraction of rabies through inhalation of virus-containing aerosols or through transplantation of infected organs is possible.” “Human-to-human transmission through bites or saliva is theoretically possible but has never been confirmed,” the WHO says. “The same applies for transmission to humans via consumption of raw meat or milk of infected animals.” Rabies in dogs In dogs, there are two types of rabies: “dumb” type (present in about 60%) and “furious” type (reported in about 40%). Also known as paralytic rabies, the dumb type is observed when the dog has a dropped jaw with tongue hanging out and saliva drooling. This manifestation is due to paralysis of the throat muscles. “This dog cannot bite and is not dangerous unless you put your hand in its mouth,” said Dr. Virgilio M. Ofiana on a rabies feature. “Occasionally, the paralysis may start in the hind legs and rapidly progress forward. This type can bite but is usually not vicious. It usually dies within three to five days.” It is entirely a different story for the furious type. The symptoms, according to Dr. Ofiana, occur in the following sequence: change in “personality,” starting with a horse bark due to paralysis of the vocal cords; tries to hide in dark corners, closets or under the bed; becomes highly excitable, is restless and tries to get away; keeping it in a pen is difficult; and starts to roam and may do so for kilometers, snapping and biting at anything that moves and gets in the way. It dies within 4-8 days due to complete paralysis. “The bite of a rabid

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animal is not the cause of rabies infection,” Dr. Brato explained. “It is the saliva of the affected animal. The bite is just an instrument so that the virus-infected saliva can be transferred to the victim.” Rabies in human beings The incubation period – the time elapsed between exposure and when signs and symptoms first become apparent – of rabies among human beings vary from one week to one year, depending upon factors such as the location of virus entry and viral load, according to the United Nations health agency. Medical researchers say rabies develops with three main phases: prodromal period, acute neurological period, and coma. In the prodromal stage (lasting 2-10 days), the symptoms are mild and non-specific. They include a slight fever, chills, malaise, headache, anorexia, nausea, sore throat, and a persistent loose cough. A specific early symptom is local or radiating pain, burning, or itching, a sensation of cold, and/or tingling at the bitten site. The acute neurological phase starts when the patient experiences nervousness, anxiety, agitation, marked restlessness, apprehension, irritability, excessive salivation (one to 1.5 liters in 24 hours), secretion of tears, and perspiration. As the virus begins replicating in the brain, nerves in the skull are impaired causing eye problems like absence of corneal reflexes. At the same time, there is weakness of facial muscles and hoarseness. This period is also called excitation as the patient is often lucid between excitation and hydrophobic episodes. “Hydrophobia (the fear of water) is experienced by 17 to 18 percent of rabies patients,” said Dr. Alberto Romualdez, Jr. when he was the health secretary. “In this stage, there are forceful, painful muscle spasms of the throat, which expel any liquids administered orally.”

WFH until Sept. 12, 2022. In 2021, revenues of the IT-BPM sector increased to USD29.49 billion, 10.6 percent higher than the industry’s 2020 revenues.

The industry also created 122,000 full-time employees despite the pandemic, bringing the total FTEs in the sector to 1.44 million.

projects here. “We have identified the countries that we like to go in(to), and Australia is a huge market for energy storage. We were also completely surprised by the potential of the market. So the two main markets for the Philippine plant at this point are Australia and the Philippines,” he said. The Philippine market

is also becoming a potential market for energy storage systems as the country targets to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and to 50 percent by 2040. A flywheel technology energy storage system is a mechanical battery that stores energy in the form of kinetic energy.

by 2024. In 2018, the growth rate of the construction industry in the Philippines was about 15.9 percent and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) share of the con-

struction industry to the total GDP was 6.8 percent. In the same year, the number of Filipinos in construction rose to 4.02 million compared to 3.55 million the previous year.

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Hydrophobic episodes last 1-5 minutes. Coma is the terminal phase. “After the patient has become comatose, hydrophobia is replaced by an irregular pattern of respiration-cluster breathing with long apneic periods,” explained Dr. Brato. “This is soon followed by progressive paralysis until the patient dies.” Actually, “a person dies of rabies because of the overwhelming viral infection of the brain or central nervous system,” said Dr. Mary Elizabeth Miranda, who was the leader of the rabies research program at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) when interviewed by this author. What to do when bitten The Davao-based Animal Bite Center (ABC) urges that once you are bitten by an animal – whether infected or not – immediately wash the wound with running water. “Washing with soap and water for 15 minutes with lather formation kills the majority of the viruses,” it says. Applying antiseptic/alcohol after wound wash kills the viruses further. “Do not apply powder, milk or other irritants on the wound,” ABC warns. “They do not kill the virus but cause its further spread.” The US-based Cleveland Clinic adds the following tips: Wrap the wound in a sterile bandage. Keep the wound bandaged and see your doctor. Change the bandage several times a day once your doctor has examined the wound. “Animal bite is not an emergency case, there is no need to panic,” the ABC reminds. “Anti-rabies injection can be delayed by a day or two. However, if there is a massive nonstop bleeding or torn flesh, the nearest hospital can help you manage it.” People not previously immunized with rabies vaccine should receive immediate treatment with human rabies immune globulin

(HRIG) – made from purified serum of people who were previously immunized with rabies vaccine and contains rich antibody against rabies – which is injected into and around the wound followed by rabies vaccination. Two types of rabies vaccine are now available. The original human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) and a new purified chick embryo culture vaccine (PCEC). After exposure, five doses of either rabies vaccine must be injected into a muscle (intramuscularly) over a one-month period. While this treatment should be adequate to prevent the development of rabies, treatment can be simplified if a rabies vaccine is given prior to exposure. Prior vaccination may also offer some degree of protection in cases when treatment after an animal bite may be unavoidably delayed. Vaccination against rabies would consist of three low dose injections into the skin (intradermal) of the HDCV or three intramuscular injections of the PCEC vaccine given over a onemonth period. The first dose is followed by a second in one week and the third in 3-4 weeks. Once vaccinated, if a person experiences an animal bite, treatment would then consist of only two booster doses of vaccine three days apart. Protection against rabies Unknowingly, there are several ways of protecting Filipinos from rabies. First is to reduce the risk of exposure. In high-risk areas, people need to avoid contact with wild animals and stray dogs (particularly if they appear in distress or are behaving unusually). Another is to vaccinate pets and animals, which may be carriers of rabies. “Vaccination and dog population control are more cost-effective and more doable in controlling the disease in animals,” Dr. Miranda said.

Brown said of a season that saw the Celtics languishing under .500 at the halfway point. “We wear everything that we learned this year as a badge of honor,” Brown said. “We don’t let it hang over our heads. We bounce back. We’ve been able to respond well all year.” Teammate Marcus Smart, the defensive player of the year, echoed those sentiments. “We’ve kind of been forced to play with our backs against the wall,” Smart said. “We got real used to it where it’s kind of part of us, in our nature now. It’s nothing new to us. It’s another game. It’s another tough game.” Smart said it won’t take

a revolutionary plan to stop Curry and Co, but an attention to detail. “We all know deep in this run and in this game when you are going up against some of the greats, the margin of error is very small,” he said. While the Celtics are chasing a record-setting 18th NBA title for the franchise, none of the current players had appeared in the Finals before. Nevertheless, Brown said there’s no doubt among the Celtics that they can force game seven. “We have all the belief in ourselves,” he said. “We’re going to come out and leave it all out there. That’s the whole intent.”

Villafuerte reminded that Dabawenyos can still get vaccinated at the current operational vaccination sites in Davao City are Abreeza Mall, NCCC Mall Buhangin, Gaisano Grand

Toril, SM City Ecoland, Calinan Central Elementary School, People’s Park, and Crocodile Park, SM Lanang, Gmall Bajada, Gmall Toril, and Gaisano Grand Citygate. By Maya M. Padillo

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Center Ange Kouame and swingman Dave Ildefonso have suffered various injuries and will not be joining Gilas in the friendly series.

No Kouame, Ildefonso in Gilas’ games vs. SoKor

ilas Pilipinas will be without two key players for its two-game series against South Korea in Gyeonggi-Do on June 18 and 19. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced on Wednesday that center Ange Kouame and swingman

Dave Ildefonso have suffered various injuries and will not be joining Gilas in the friendly series. According to the SBP,

Kouame, Gilas’ designated naturalized player, was diagnosed with a meniscal sprain and a partial ACL tear. On the other hand, Ildefonso suffered an ankle injury. “We wish Ange and Dave all the best in their recovery,” the SBP said in

a statement. This leaves Gilas with only 10 players against South Korea, namely Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, LeBron Lopez, Will Navarro, Kevin Quiambao, Kiefer Ravena, Dwight Ramos, and Carl Tamayo.

The SBP also announced that the extent of Kouame’s injury makes him doubtful for Gilas’ campaign in the mid-year window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. “The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is exhausting all options,

including looking for a replacement and securing a New Zealand visa for the game on June 30,” the SBP said. Gilas will travel to Auckland to play New Zealand before hosting India on July 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (PNA)

Celtics face must-win Game 6

he Boston Celtics’ backs are against the wall heading into Game 6 of the NBA Finals, but Celtics star Jaylen Brown vowed they won’t back down against the Golden State Warriors. “We’re looking forward to the challenge,” Brown said Wednesday. “We’ve got to embrace it. Ain’t no other way around it. Last game on our home floor to kind of embody our whole season. “We’re looking to give it everything we’ve got. We are not scared. We do not fear the Golden State Warriors. We want to come out and play the best version of basketball that we can.” The Warriors moved one win away from their fourth title in eight years with a 104-94 victory in game five in San Francisco on Monday. Warriors on brink of

NBA title as Wiggins punishes Celtics Warriors star Stephen Curry had a rare off-night but former No. 1 draft pick Andrew Wiggins came up big on both ends of the court, pouring in 26 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and coming up with two steals and a block as Golden State took a 3-2 series lead. NBA Finals: Why missing all 9 3-pointers doesn’t bother Curry The Celtics, meanwhile coughed up 18 turnovers, something they can’t afford to do on Thursday if they want to force a decisive game seven back in California. Brown said Boston’s rocky start to the season will stand the team in good stead now as they try to bounce back from two straight defeats. “Everything has been a learning experience,”

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Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, Warriors forward Draymond Green, and Warriors center Kevon Looney in action in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 5, 2022. John G Mabanglo, Shutterstock Out/EPA-EFE

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VITAL FITNESS

PSC’s webinar shares physical fitness tips for the elderly

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in line with its mandate, encourages people of all ages to be active, get fit and have fun through sports and other physical activities. Following the previous episode focused on kids, PSC’s web series ‘Rise Up! Shape Up!’ dedicates its June 18 episode to seniors and the elderly to help them achieve a healthy and active lifestyle.

A gym member works out at the Arcadia Fitness Gym inside the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Escandor Street, Quimpo Boulevard.

Featured in the episode are 4-time World Champion Filipino Bowler, Bong Coo, and Philippine Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion. Both will share tips on aging gracefully, staying fit, and living a healthy lifestyle. UP Diliman Associate Professor Dr. Maria Luisa Guinto will also be discussing the psychological aspects of aging, while Adventist Hospital-Santiago City Geriatrician Dr. Florosita Reyes will share tips on health care for the elderly. PSC Women in Sports Oversight Commissioner Comm. Celia H. Kiram stresses the importance of a fit and healthy lifestyle especially when one gets older. “As we age, our bodies change. But we can help our bodies ease into aging through exercise

and a healthy diet.” She adds that the elderly must also ensure their overall well-being and take into consideration mental and emotional wellness. The ‘Rise Up, Shape Up’ episode will be hosted by Bam Mogato, a certified fitness instructor of the American Council on Exercise. Mogato also joined the board of jurors during the Zumbarangay Dance Challenge organized by the PSC-Women in Sports last year. PSC’s Rise Up! Shape Up! is a weekly web series streamed via Facebook and YouTube every Saturday and Sunday at 7 PM. For more information on Rise Up! Shape Up! visit its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/riseupshapeup and YouTube page https:// www.youtube.com/riseupshapeup.