Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 102 | Saturday, August 8, 2020

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PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE HEALTH P9

COVID HOTSPOTS

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

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Barangay 26-A, 23-C, Sasa, Buhangin are tops in Covid-19 cases in Davao City STORY ON PAGE 2

A hawker peddles face shields along Chavez Street in Davao City on Friday. Consumers are urging concerned government agencies to look into the sudden increase in the prices of face shields due to the huge demand after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the mandatory wearing of face shields or eye protectors in public transports. Edge Davao

A resident move his family’s precious belongings from their house to the street to spare them from the flash flood in Bangkal, Davao City on Tuesday evening, 04 August 2020. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO BUENO

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

A church in Davao City announces the temporary suspension of masses. The suspension started on Sunday, 15 March 2020. Davao City under its community quarantine guidelines has discouraged the holding of religious activities where people can converge, to prevent COVID-19 infection. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

COVID HOTSPOTS D Barangay 26-A, 23-C, Sasa, Buhangin

DILG chief urges LGUs to exert all efforts in Covid-19 prevention

are tops in Covid-19 cases in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO arangays 76-A, 23-C, Sasa, and Buhangin recorded the highest positive cases of Covid-19 among barangays in Davao City for the past 14 days traced mostly from locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and returning OFWs (ROFs).

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The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) bared the Covid-19 hotspots in Davao City with the highest cases from July 24 to August 6, 2020.

Dr. Raquel Montejo, Center for Health Development-DOH 11 head, in a virtual presser said the mentioned barangays with high cases comprised

80 percent of the total cases for the past 14 days.

“This is a cumulative case that we get the past 14 days, 80 percent of the total cases. We noticed that Buhangin ranked first and most of the cases involved health care workers, followed by Barangay 76-A particularly in Bucana area and Brgy. 23-C with 13 cases and also

Brgy. Sasa. There is still transmission in Brgy. 23-C and also in Brgy. 76-A,” she said.

In terms of administrative district clustering, the top five with high number of cases are: Buhangin with 40 cases, District C with 24 cases, Talomo north and District A with 22, and Talomo Central with 19 cases.

Dr. Rachel Pasion, data management officer of DOH-Davao, said DOH 11 also noticed high cases of Covid-19 in Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental after the region opened borders to returning residents.

Pasion said in Davao Oriental, between March

12, 2020 to May 8, 2020, the province recorded a total of three cases only but after May 8, 2020, the cases climbed to 94 which comprised of ROF and LSIs; Davao del Norte had 10 cases before May 8 and since the return of LSIs and OFWs in the region, the province now has 146 cases.

The province of Davao Occidental, particularly in the town of Malita, likewise recorded high number of cases.

Angela Villareal, member of the health facility monitoring team of DOH 11, assured that despite the high cases in Davao Region, there are still

grading works on its 69 kV line.

To avoid longer duration of power interruptions, load from the affected lines will be transferred to nearby lines anytime between 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 am.. Normalization or return of load back to its normal set-up will be from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m..

Specifically affected

are customers in Leon Garcia Street, R. Castillo Street, Mamay Road, Lanang, Pampanga, Sasa, some parts of Panacan and neighboring areas.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience brought about by these scheduled power interruptions. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or

earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our 24/7 Customer Contact Service at 229-3572, 0917864-2793 (Globe) or 0920970-1357 (Smart) for any power interruption that will fall outside the given schedule.

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Two 45-minute power interruptions August 9

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avao Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct two 45-minute power interruptions on August 9, Sunday, affecting customers in some parts of Downtown and northern part of Davao City.

These service disruptions will be necessary to facilitate maintenance works at Davao Light Pampanga Substation and up-

epartment of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año urged the local government units (LGUs) to exert all efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in their respective areas.

Año made his call during the coordination meeting with the Laguna Task Force, Regional Task Force, and the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 on Wednesday.

He also noted Laguna has higher fatality rate compared to national level.

He said one reason for the hike in fatality rate could be the people’s behavior where they only seek medical help once their symptoms worsen.

“Kapag sinusunod ang minimum health standards tulad ng pagsusuot ng face mask, pag-observe ng physical distancing at palagiang paghuhugas ng mga kamay ay hindi basta-basta mahahawaan ng virus ang isang tao(When minimum health standards are observed, like wearing of masks, physical distancing and regular handwashing, people won’t easily contract the disease),” he said.

Meanwhile, NTF chairperson Secretary Delfin Lorenza said the purpose of their visit in Laguna was to help the local government prevent the increase of infections.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Jose Odilon Inoncillo reported

the province’s industrial parks have weak points where transmission of the disease happens.

These include the canteen, locker room, comfort room, designated smoking area, shuttle service, and dormitory.

“Sa mga nabanggit na weak points nagkakaroon ng pagkakahawa ang mga manggagawa tulad na lamang sa mgacanteens na nag-aalis ng mga face mask kapag kakain at mag-kukuwentuhan habang kumakain at walang (In these weak points, workers get infected, like in canteens where face masks are removed while eating and chatting, and no) physical distancing,” Inoncillo said.

He said about 50 percent of its shuttle passengers have no face masks while using cellphones, chatting, and sharing snacks inside the shuttle service.

The health official also said most employees are not observing proper disinfection like washing of hands and at least 45 workers stay in one dormitory.

Año reiterated the strict implementation and adherence to the minimum health standards set by the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

As of Aug. 4, Laguna has 3,548 Covid-19 cases, with 1,640 recoveries and 110 deaths. Of the confirmed infections, 1,798 are active cases. (PNA)

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Pinoys killed in Beirut twin blasts climb to 4

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A young boy cuddles his dog while strolling in a neighborhood in Washington Street, Davao City on Friday. The Davao City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO) has started going around to barangays to give anti-rabies shots

to dogs as part of the city government’s Anti-Rabies Campaign. Edge Davao

12,000 city employees as walking ‘stay home’ billboards

By MAYA M. PADILLO or Dabawenyos to always remember that the Davao City is still under quarantine, the 12,000-strong city hall personnel will serve as virtual walking advertisements by wearing shirts printed with ‘Stay Home’ messages as uniform starting Monday.

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This is in line with the city government’s ‘Stay Home’ campaign to create awareness among Dabawenyos who remain stubborn and do not follow health and quarantine protocols implemented.

“Sa pagka-karon we have a new campaign, Stay Home campaign of the city government of Davao and this consists of awareness pag-pahibalo sa mga tao nga there is a quarantine its called modified general community quarantine and pag-muingon ta ug quarantine we need to stay home.

You only go out according to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) para mu-tra-

baho or for essential goods and services,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in a live interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Friday.

The city has established a memorandum with all city government of Davao employees to make the ‘Stay Home’ shirt as uniform until further notice.

“Gibuhat nato na walking advertisement ang atoang mga 12,000 city hall employees, because daghan sa atong employees naa pud sa dalan atoang frontliners CENRO, CTTMO, police auxiliary. Tanan employees nato since

they move around gibuhat nato silang walking ad. We asked them to wear the uniform “stay home” until further notice,” she said.

Employees will wear the new uniform beginning Monday throughout the week except Friday which is wash day.

Through the said campaign, the city has also mounted ‘Stay Home’ banners all around the city reminding the people that the city is still under quarantine and need to stay home.

“Kung makita nila naa na’y mga areas sa atong mga dalan nga naa na’y tarpaulins which says save money, because kung mag-pondo ka sa imong balay, therefore wala gyud kay gasto. Dili ka mugasto ug plete, palit ug pagkaon sa gawas, dili ka ma-tempt mupalit ug mga butang nga dili nimo kinahanglan, and all others nga kinahanglan gamitan nimo ug kuwarta.

You save money. And save

lives. Kung dili ka matakdan ug dili ka makatakod and you save lives and stay at home,” Mayor Sara said.

Apart from the ‘Stay Home’ campaign, the city is also intensifying the promotion of the three basic health protocols that Dabawenyos need to remember: wearing of face mask in all public places, social distancing, and frequent handwashing.

“Gi re-intensify nato ni because ingon sa doktor mao lang gyud ni ang buhaton para maputol ang transmission,” the mayor said.

The city has resorted to implement the new campaigns considering that almost 5,000 individuals were apprehended in Davao City for various community quarantine violations.

“Sa tinuod lang, kanang out of ideas nami kung paunsa pa pasudlon sa alimpatakan sa mga tao

there should be distancing inside your residence,” she said.

She said that keeping themselves away from the rest of the household— for instance, a second- or third-degree cousin—is the best thing to do amid the pandemic.

“If they are not your mother or father and there is no need – for example, they are just your second cousin or third cousin in the same household – do not go near them,” she said.

Extended families living together in a single house are a common scenario in the Philippines.

The Department of Health-Davao reported

earlier that transmission of the virus was happening even among household members.

Duterte appealed to residents to strictly adhere to the basic health protocols, stated in Executive Order 47 issued last Tuesday, such as staying at home, wearing face mask, observing a one-meter distance from other people, and frequent handwashing with soap and water.

She said the city wanted to remain open by maintaining its modified general community quarantine status (MGCQ) classification.

She added she does not want the city to be

placed under more stringent quarantine measures, arguing that its effects on keeping the Covid-19 cases low were temporary.

“We want to remain under this status for now.

We don’t want to go back to GCQ, MECQ, or ECQ because we have seen, by experience, that its effects on keeping the positive cases were temporary. It’s very temporary and it’s not sustainable and long-term,” she said.

She said what the local government wanted to focus on is reducing transmission and testing to immediately put infected individuals in isolation facilities. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

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Families in Davao told to observe physical distancing inside homes

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xtended families living under one roof should observe physical distancing to avoid the transmission of Covid-19 among themselves, Mayor Sara Duterte said.

Duterte said during her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that it is best for household members to avoid others who are not part of the immediate family, such as one’s mother or father, to arrest the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city.

“In fact, for households with extended families, if you can avoid other members of your household, if they are not your immediate family, it is better that

he number of Filipinos killed in the twin explosions in Lebanon’s capital Beirut on August 4 has risen to four, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Friday.

The DFA said those wounded also climbed to 31, with one Filipino domestic helper still missing since the blast.

“We are saddened by the latest turn of developments. The higher figure comes as our embassy personnel work to ascertain the condition of the Filipinos in its jurisdiction,“ Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement.

Of the injured Filipinos, two remain in critical condition at the Rizk Hospital.

“Our embassy officials shall continue to ascertain the condition of our community in Beirut. The DFA reaffirms its commitment to bring the much-needed support and assistance to our kababayans, (e)specially at this hour of need,”

Arriola said.

An estimated 33,000 Filipinos are residing in Lebanon, 75 percent of whom are in the Greater Beirut area, according to the department.

Footages showed an initial explosion, followed by a colossal blast that sent a mushroom cloud billowing into the sky and shock waves barreling across the city, killing more than 100 people and injuring thousands.

Seismologists measured the event, which flattened most of the nearby buildings at the Port of Beirut and blew out windows of establishments kilometers away, as equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake.

A warehouse storing about 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate is seen to have sparked the disaster, described by the local media as the “Beirutshima”, referring to the Aug. 6, 1945 atomic blast in Hiroshima, Japan during World War II. (PNA)

Japan sends Avigan for Covid-19 patients in PH

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he Philippine government has received from Tokyo the anti-viral medicine Avigan, a potential treatment against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Japanese embassy in Manila said Thursday.

The medicine, whose generic name is favipiravir, was turned over to the Department of Health on August 6 and will be allotted for 100 patients who are part of the Avigan clinical trial.

"Japan hopes that this ongoing cooperation with the Philippines would further contribute to the advancement of clinical research to contain the Covid-19 pandemic," the embassy said in a statement.

Some researches have revealed that Avigan, developed by a subsidiary of

Japan-based Fujifilm Holdings Corp., is seen as an effective drug in treating Covid-19.

It has drawn interest from many countries for its potential to counter viral replication.

In Japan, the drug showed some promise in treating Covid-19 infected patients as some of them recovered after taking it.

However, health experts cautioned against its use because the drug has one dangerous potential side effect -- birth defects.

The arrival of the drug is part of Tokyo's emergency grant aid to countries severely affected by the pandemic.

Each recipient government acknowledged Avigan’s proper usage and prescription in view of its known adverse side effects, the embassy said. (PNA)

Gov't can fund ARISE but not this year: DOF exec

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ranking Department of Finance (DOF) executive said the proposed Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) bill can be funded but not this year.

In a virtual economic briefing hosted by Security Bank Corporation (Security Bank) on Thursday, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the DOF can look for the needed revenues but not this time since the proposed measures need a huge budget.

“The (revenue) estimates for 2020 to 2022 have been very conservative. We know that we can look for efficiencies somewhere,” he said.

Among the keys to get the needed funds for the

proposed measure include the more efficient tax collections, tax administration improvements, and electronic invoicing (e-invoicing).

The government targets to fully implement e-invoicing by 2022 to further improve tax collections and tax administration.

Beltran added that as much as the Finance department wants to fund ARISE, this will not happen this year because this measure will exceed the financing program set by economic managers.

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading its version of the ARISE bill, which needs about PHP1.3-trillion budget.

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

PhilHealth executives told to fix info system

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Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo B. Tria says the latest President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) contained “measures to help businesses to bring the country’s economy back on its feet”. Edge Davao

Economists cite add'l measures, to boost PH recovery from Covid

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mplementation of more fiscal measures, approval of additional stimulus measures, and more stringent implementation of health protocols will boost recovery of the Philippine economy from the pandemic.

Michael Ricafort, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist, expects the domestic economy to still post contractions in the second half of the year but not deeper than the -16.5 percent in the second quarter.

He said implementation of the 15-day modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal starting August 4 “could reduce/ slow down economic activities amid tighter quarantine standards/health protocols to prevent Covid-19

(coronavirus disease 2019) from spreading further.”

“Monetary easing tools already in place and any social amelioration program for the two-week MECQ period would be offsetting factors as part of intervention measures to help shore up greater economic activities,” he said in a reply to e-mailed questions from PNA. Ricafort projects fullyear output to be around -5 to -7 percent, “consistent with the latest government estimate of -5.5 percent”.

He expects further reduction in banks’ reserve requirements after the 200 basis points reduction in

Security Bank hosts its first online economic forum

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ecurity Bank Corporation (SBC) held its first online forum today, August 6, 2020, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in the economy, economic outlook and recovery plans.

Appearing as the main keynote speaker of the event is Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, who projected a strong economic rebound of around 6.57.5% GDP growth in 2021.

Secretary Dominguez, who has been vocal on its projection on the country’s economic curve, reiterated the need to find the balance between safety and the economy to ensure the country’s continued growth at the time of the pandemic.

“Even as we navigate through ongoing circumstances, we intend to main-

tain fiscal discipline, make our financial sector more inclusive and introduce more reforms that will help us consolidate and progress this environment,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez highlighted the four legislative imperatives to revive the economy and bring it back to its robust position. This includes seeking congressional approval to infuse additional capital to government financial institutions, allowing banks to dispense of non-performing loans and assets through asset management companies, immediate passing of the CREATE Act, and providing greater support to the agriculture sector.

“CREATE is not industry-specific. It is to reduce

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universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) and the 100 basis points in rural banks and cooperative banks (RCBs) reserve requirement ratio (RRR) to date.

“Though any further cut/s on the local policy rates (from the current record low of 2.25 percent) cannot be completely ruled out, that would further reduce borrowing costs as may be needed most by the economy as this time,” he said.

To date, the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) has slashed the central bank’s key policy rates by a total of 175 basis points.

Ricafort said approval of the various tax reform measures like the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which aims to cut corporate income tax from 30 percent to 25 percent immediately, “may be-

come the biggest economic stimulus measure in the coming years”.

The Bayanihan 2 and the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act will also boost the recovery process, he added.

BDO chief market strategist Jonathan Ravelas also forecasts a -5.9 percent output for the domestic economy this year, as he hopes that the 15-day ECQ in Luzon and four nearby provinces will not be extended.

Aside from the government’s infrastructure program, he considers as factors that will further boost economic recovery the additional spending on health and education and the election spending ahead of the 2022 polls.

In an interview with PNA, Ravelas said additional fiscal spending, and not just central bank’s mon-

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Thursday said officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) have been asked to put in order their questionable information system since October 2019.

During the joint briefing of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the inter-agency Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC), Dominguez said Department of Finance (DOF) officials cannot make secure projections on PhilHealth’s fund life, or the period wherein their funds can finance their expenses and liabilities as its information system is not fit for this.

“Their information system is and I’ve used this term publicly, is in shambles. And we’ve pointed this out to them since October of last year,” he said.

Dominguez said PhilHealth officials claim the agency spent about PHP2.1 billion for their information system “when in fact, they spent close to PHP200 billion.”

“And they have no way

or their information system is not robust enough to capture all the data,” he said.

If the state agency that was tasked to implement universal health coverage for the country will have a good information system, the DOF would be able to make not just a one-year projection but a 10-year projection for PhilHealth’s fund life, Dominguez said.

“As of now, I will take their word that probably by 2021 or late 2021 or late 2022 they may run out of money and that is why, we have in our budget for this year. I believe it is around PHP70 (billion) or around PHP80 billion to subsidize PhilHealth,” he said.

Dominguez, however, said “in the long term, we have to fix up the administration of PhilHealth in order to be able to get a good handle of what exactly their liabilities and fund life are.”

PhilHealth officials said the agency’s funds are now short especially because of the expenses of members who got hospitalized due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. (PNA)

MSMEs call for speedy release of loans, other economic reliefs

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he government can help struggling micro small medium enterprises (MSMEs) that are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by devising ways to speed up the release of loans and other economic reliefs, a business leader said.

Marian Mahinay Comilang, the executive director of Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, Inc. (MTEFI) said the business sector was "encouraged" by the recent State of the Nation Address of the President Rodrigo Duterte, which underscored the role of MSMEs in the country's recovery efforts from the pandemic.

Comilang's group or-

ganizes the annual Mindanao Trade Expo, where the island's MSMEs’ products and services are showcased.

“We must facilitate the country’s economic recovery. I call on Congress to fast-track the passage of proposed measures such as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act. This immediately cuts the corporate income levy from the current 30 to 25 percent and give the government flexibility to grant a combination of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, among others," the President said in his SONA. "We pump-primed the

Veteran Financial Journalist Cathy Yang acts as the moderator for the Q&A portion of the 2020 Security Bank Economic Forum.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

San Miguel Brewery, Inc.-Davao plant in Darong, Davao del Sur. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has suffered a financial net loss of P4 billion in the first half of 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

San Miguel bleeds P4 billion due to Covid-19 pandemic P

‘Build, Build, Build’ to usher in PH economy’s recovery

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iversified conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC) suffered a financial beating in the first half of 2020 amid COVID-19’s spread.

The full impact of the pandemic that virtually shut all economic activity in the country from midMarch to mid-May limited growth and reflected on the company’s first half performance, according to SMC. The company ended the first semester with a net loss of P4 billion, a reversal from a net income of P26.15 billion in the same period in 2019.

Consolidated revenues stood at P352.8 billion, down 31% while consolidated operating income declined by 74% at P14.9

billion.

“The first half was particularly challenging for most in the business sector but we are seeing strong indications of a recovery for SMC businesses, and we remain focused and determined to build on these gains,” SMC president and COO Ramon Ang said.

“Government reopening the economy, and allowing businesses to operate under strict health and safety protocols, was a very good call. Given that we’re still in a pandemic, saving lives is still our priority. As such, we fully support the

new Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in support of our medical front liners,” he added.

Ang noted that with the recent reimposition of restrictions, the company is prepared to execute on its plans and support government initiatives to the fullest to help the country recover.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan under MECQ from August 4 to 18 following pleas from the medical community for a “time out” amid rising COVID-19 cases being admitted to hospitals.

SMC said two of its subsidiaries were particularly hit the hardest by the pan-

demic, namely San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) and Petron Corporation.

“The implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in mid-March did not help SMB’s operations which was already reeling from the effects of higher excise taxes,” it said.

SMB’s consolidated revenues dropped 39% to P42.8 billion, while operating income slid 61% to P7.4 billion.

Meanwhile, Petron suffered inventory losses of nearly P15 billion during this period, the recent stability in crude prices in July is seen to provide an estimated P3.5 billion in inventory gain for the company by the 2nd half of the year,

officer, whether a security officer, nurse, or doctor, who will monitor that minimum health protocols are being implemented.

The new guidelines will also be in line with the government’s move to strengthen isolation efforts of Covid-19 suspects or positive individuals.

Lopez said the new health protocol will put a standard operating procedure (SOP) guiding the

business establishments on what to do if they have workers who are showing symptoms of Covid-19 or are positive of the virus.

The SOP will involve allotting an isolation room for those tested positive of Covid-19, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, and those with symptoms within the workplace.

Lopez said small-scale businesses might have no means to have an isolation

room, but what they can do is to coordinate with their barangay when such incidents take place.

“According to our protocol, (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) testing is recommended every three months. We will include this as a reminder in our new protocol that will be soon released,” the trade chief said in Filipino.

(PNA)

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Government issues new protocol in workplaces

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rade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the departments of Trade and Industry (DTI), Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Health (DOH) will issue a new health protocol in workplaces strengthening the minimum health standards in business establishments.

In a television interview Thursday, Lopez said establishments will be required to assign a health

residential Adviser for Flagship Programs Vivencio Dizon said on Thursday infrastructure projects under the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program will help in the recovery of the economy after shrinking for the second consecutive quarter.

The government reported a 16.5-percent contraction in the gross domestic product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2020 brought by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that made the country’s decision-makers to impose community quarantine measures that restricted economic activities.

Dizon, however, sees a “silver lining” as infrastructure projects can fuel economic growth in the coming months.

In a joint Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) press conference, he said the government has delivered infrastructure projects under the infrastructure program amid the pandemic.

“We have not only continued with ‘Build, Build, Build’ and our flagship projects, we will further intensify this in order for this to serve as a major driver in our recovery for the coming months,” he added.

Dizon said the government has reprioritized the infrastructure program, retaining 92 flagship projects amounting around PHP4.1

trillion.

Eight projects that are still undergoing studies were replaced with projects that are ready for implementation and those responsive to the country’s post-pandemic needs, he added.

“This (pandemic) should not deter us from pushing further the country’s infrastructure projects. On the other hand, it should push us to invest more,” he said.

Amid the community quarantine measures in the past months, various infrastructure projects were completed, including the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project, which provides more water in Metro Manila and the Tarlac–Pangasinan-La Union Expressway Rosario Exit that cuts travel time between Manila and Baguio City to three to 3.5 hours from the usual six to seven hours.

Dizon said infrastructure projects that are nearing completion include Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal Building that is expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2021; the Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road; the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Link Bridge that allows people to travel between the two central business districts in only five to 10 minutes; and the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project that will be com-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

On the city government’s ‘Stay Home’ uniform campaign to be boosted by the 12,000 City Hall personnel wearing shirts bearing the message: Gibuhat nato na walking advertisement ang atoang mga 12,000 city hall employees, because daghan sa atong employees naa pud sa dalan atoang frontliners CENRO, CTTMO, police auxiliary. Tanan employees nato since they move around gibuhat nato silang walking ad. We asked them to wear the uniform ‘stay home’ until further notice.”

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

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KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL Layout/Cartoons

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Cartoonist Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA JASPER V. BACSAL OLIVIA D. VELASCO General ManagerPresident Advertising Specialist General Manager/Finance VP-Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

EDGEDAVAO LIVING

ALL-NEW FORD TERRITORY TO REDEFINE SUV SEGMENT

THE FORD-ENGINEERED AND DESIGNED ALL-NEW FORD TERRITORY, Ford Philippines’ latest SUV offering that will launch in the country next month, is set to redefine the SUV segment in the market as a spacious, feature-packed, and competitively-priced SUV with the Ford DNA at its core.

Designed to empower the modern Filipino on the road, the

all-new Ford Territory combines a stylish sleek look, impressive performance, compact size, spacious interior, and smart and safe technologies that will offer an upgraded driving experience to value-seeking young professionals and starting families.

With dimensions of 4.6m in length, 1.9m in width, and 1.7m in height, the all-new Ford Territory is powered by a 1.5L EcoBoost engine mated to a CVT transmission for refinement and fuel efficiency. With this powertrain, customers can

enjoy lower service maintenance costs with a once-a-year scheduled service interval instead of twice a year.

Available in Titanium and Trend variants, the 5-seater SUV will be equipped with driver-assist technologies such as 360-degree camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Park Assist with parallel and segmentfirst perpendicular parking function, leather power adjust seats with cooling function, and an in-vehicle infotainment system with 10-inch touch screen

with multi-view function and wireless charging. The all-new Ford Territory also comes with panoramic moonroof and 18” inch alloy wheels.

“With the Ford DNA ingrained in its design, quality, and capability, the all-new Ford Territory is designed and engineered following Ford’s highest global quality standards to deliver an all-in-one SUV package that will deliver great value to Filipino customers looking for a stylish, spacious and technologically-advanced SUV,” says PK

Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines.

Ford Philippines is the first market in the company’s International Market Group (IMG) composed of nearly 100 markets around the world to offer the allnew Ford Territory, which will reinforce Ford’s presence in the small and mini-SUV segments in the country.

Customers can sign up for exclusive updates and product details on the all-new Ford Territory by visiting www.ford.com. ph/kmipage/.

GLOBE HELPS SARANGANI’S STUDENT-ATHLETES, TEACHER-COACHES

GLOBE has boosted Sarangani Province’s Sulong Karunungan and Sulong Atleta Development Programs by giving much needed access to communication tools to help student-athletes, teachers and coaches cope with the challenges of online learning.

In a simple ceremony held recently at the Provincial Capitol in Alabel, Globe turned over 80 units of mobile phones, sim cards and at least P640,000 worth of prepaid cards to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon in support of the Sarangani National Sports Academy (SaNSA), the first of its kind in Region 12, for the start of the new school year.

Sulong Karunungan is the educational component of the flagship Sulong Sarangani program of Governor Solon. It includes innovation in the K-12 Program of the Department of Education while Sulong Atleta trains student-athletes in various sports disciplines such as

combative sports, swimming and athletics in the SaNSA. “Globe Telecom has been an active partner of Sarangani Province in commerce, telecommunications and tourism promotion. Now, I am grateful to have you as a partner in developing the Filipino athlete.

Through our Sulong Atleta and Sulong Karunungan development programs, we created the Sarangani National Sports Academy (SaNSA). This is the first of its kind in Mindanao as it is partnered with DepEd to give our student-athletes a leg-up in sports and academics.

Our classes start this school year with its first batch of student-athletes. We need to continue building the future of our Sarangani youth following the new normal in health protocols and education. It is our prayer that this partnership will provide momentum for program success. Thank you very much Globe Telecom. Sulong Atleta!

Sulong Sarangani!,” said Governor

Solon Globe’s assistance will go a long way, literally, especially for students and teachers coming from far-flung barangays of the province. The mobile phones give them access to the internet where they can get information and research materials they need when classes start. It also provides a platform for the academic and sports training sessions to be online. The load cards will also come in handy

because the need to find loading stations will no longer be a problem.

“We are one with Sarangani Province in ensuring that studentathletes, their teachers and coaches will have tools to help them face the daunting task of making education accessible despite the challenges and concerns brought by the pandemic. We would like to help ensure that they will remain connected and updated especially

when blended learning is the new norm,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer.

Globe has provided communication support for DepEd skeletal teams during the pandemic aside from hosting several online conferences to highlight government efforts for students and teachers.

The company, in cooperation with the Department of Education, has launched a free e-library, designed for public school teachers and students to have access to hundreds of free international and local titles appropriate for K-12 learning.

Aside from helping students and teachers, Globe has been very supportive in assisting health and other medical workers, military and security frontliners even at the start of the implementation of travel restrictions and quarantine protocols in mid-March this year.

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Cotabato Light continues to support communities affected by COVID-19

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s the country continues to fight COVID-19, many communities struggle to keep up with the effects brought about by the ongoing pandemic. Cotabato Light, an AboitizPower distribution utility, actively seeks to provide assistance to those affected in its area.

The employees of Cotabato Light offered their support for the local government of Cotabato City, donating an arsenal of medical supplies. The donations include 5,950 surgical masks, 3,500 pairs of nitrile gloves along with 82 pairs of surgical gloves, 695 N95 masks, and 10 units of IR thermometers.

The donations were turned over to the city’s local government and received by the Secretary to

the Mayor Atty. Kitem D. Kadatuan, Jr, Chief of Staff Atty. Jarissa G. Guiani, and City Administrator Dr. Danda N. Juanday, all of whom were very thankful for the timely donations.

Cotabato Light also extended help to the Bahay Maria Foundation, a home for the aged and the sick, providing them with sacks of rice, canned goods, and other food items.

The members of the foundation expressed

Lazarus employs multi-platform malware framework in series of data espionage and ransomware attacks

K

aspersky researchers have uncovered a series of attacks which use an advanced malware framework, called MATA, to target Windows, Linux and macOS operating systems.

In use since spring 2018, the framework is linked to Lazarus – a well-known and prolific North Korean APT group.

Malicious toolsets used to target multiple platforms are a rare breed, as they require significant investment from the developer. They are often deployed for long-term use, which results in increased profit for the actor through numerous attacks spread over time.

In the cases discovered

by Kaspersky, the MATA framework was able to target three platforms – Windows, Linux and macOS – indicating that the attackers planned to use it for multiple purposes. The framework consists of several components, such as a loader, an orchestrator (which manages and coordinates the processes once a device is infected) and plugins.

According to Kaspersky researchers, the first artefacts found relating to MATA were used in or around April 2018. Since then, the actor behind this advanced malware framework has taken an aggressive approach to infiltrate corporate entities around the world. It was utilized for a number of attacks aimed at stealing customer databases and distributing ransomware – software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

According to Kaspersky telemetry, victims infected by the MATA framework were located in Poland, Germany, Turkey, Korea,

Japan and India, indicating that the threat actor was not focusing on a specific territory. Moreover, Lazarus compromised systems in various industries, including a software development company, an e-commerce company and an internet service provider.

Kaspersky researchers were able to link MATA to the Lazarus group, known for its sophisticated operations and links to North Korea, and for cyberespionage and financially-motivated attacks. A number of researchers, including those at Kaspersky, previously reported on this group targeting banks and other large financial enterprises, including the ATMDtrack attack and AppleJeus campaigns. This latest series of attacks suggest that the actor is continuing this type of activity.

“This series of attacks indicates that Lazarus was willing to invest significant resources into developing this toolset and widening the reach of organizations targeted – particularly in hunting for both money and data. Furthermore, writing malware for Linux and macOS systems often indicates that the attacker feels that he has more than enough tools for the Windows platform, which the overwhelming majority of devices are run on.

This approach is typically found among mature APT groups,” comments Seongsu Park, a senior security researcher.

“We expect the MATA framework to be developed even further and advise organizations to pay more attention to the security of their data, as it remains one of the key and most valuable resources that could be affected,” he adds.

their gratitude for the company’s provisions, thanking the employees for their continued support for the city’s elderly constituents.

The AboitizPower unit worked hand in hand with the frontliners of Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC), the primary COVID-19 testing and care center in Cotabato City and nearby municipalities. Received

by Chief of Hospital Dr. Helen Yambao, Cotabato Light was able to distribute a much-needed array of medical supplies and PPEs to support the health workers in the battle against the effects of the virus.

These support initiatives of Cotabato Light come off the heels of several other projects in collaboration with the Co-

tabato City local government and CRMC over the past few months.

AboitizPower and its subsidiaries continue to lend assistance to host

communities, especially for those most affected by the pandemic.

sumers during uncertain economic times. More reliable and highly predictive trended usage and payment data becomes even more valuable when recent signs of consumer financial stress are invisible to lenders; now often the case under COVID-19.

“It is crucial for the finance industry to be proactively identifying both risks and opportunities early on to mitigate credit losses and strengthen customer relationships during these trying times.

CreditVision provides a more stable view of which consumers represent good credit risk, positioning it to drive strong consumer and business benefits as the country navigates challenging economic conditions. It also helps those who were previously under the radar be considered as the additional variables and attributes now in play help lenders understand shifts or patterns in the consumer’s behavior, which will enable lenders to offer the right products,” said TransUnion Philippines President and CEO Pia Arellano.

Getting a more complete picture of a customer’s total debt obligation and payment behavior is key to getting an early indication of risk profile changes and being able to make the best decisions in this rapidly evolving crisis. TransUnion’s technology-assisted solutions are specifically crafted to strengthen capacities in order to help effect positive outcomes within the business community and the local economy as a whole.

Extensive Benefits CreditVision’s trended credit data and pro-

prietary algorithms help lenders achieve better results by truly understanding consumers’ needs and predicting future customer performance more accurately than traditional risk scores. It also allows organizations to lend with more confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing a more comprehensive understanding of consumers who have over time represented good credit risk.

Designed specifically with account management strategies in mind, CreditVision allows lenders to understand consumer behavior to a degree not previously possible, giving a dynamic view of changes in balances, shifts in utilization, payment amount, payment history and more. In contrast to traditional models, lenders can see whose credit behavior is improving over time.

With CreditVision, lenders can both manage losses by pinpointing consumers showing signs of financial stress and improve the customer experience, offering better rates and terms on credit products. This empowers lenders to effectively manage risk and find new revenue opportunities.

TransUnion’s CreditVision delivers strong benefits and creates significant value across the consumer lifecycle, including:

Demonstrated Effectiveness First launched by TransUnion in the United States, CreditVision has proven highly effective in regions where TransUnion has comprehensive credit data, including Canada, India, Colombia, South Africa, Hong Kong, and, most recently, the UK. TransUnion India, for instance, saw a client achieve a 28% increase in approval rates at the same risk when using trended data through CreditVision. Meanwhile, TransUnion South Africa saw clients achieve as much as a 56% increase in risk predictability, a 20% improvement in approval rates, and a 29% decrease in bad debt amounts on portfolios when using this approach.

“The bottom line is that being able to predict where a consumer’s performance is heading is actually much more important than where they are at a certain point in time.

Prediction enables lenders to say yes to consumers more often because it enhances trust: lenders can see good payment performance of consumers in the past that were never visible before,” said Arellano.

“Some who never qualified for credit before will now be available in the lending market. In the same way, lenders can now offer competitive rates to a new generation of consumers, allow consumers to build up their credit background and increase economic opportunities. As such, the launch of CreditVision in the Philippines represents a major milestone,” concluded Arellano.

TransUnion’s creditVision set to advance credit market and economic recovery in the Philippines

T

ransUnion announced today the launch in the Philippines of CreditVision, its revolutionary suite of trended data capabilities that has changed the way financial institutions around the world understand, manage and evaluate their customers. CreditVision provides a more detailed and accurate picture of a consumer’s financial behavior over a period of time compared to traditional scoring models.

By analyzing up to 24 months of financial information, versus the conventional approach of looking at data at a single point in time, CreditVision provides a deeper understanding of the consumer’s current and likely future financial situation, enabling more accurate lending decisions.

TransUnion’s CreditVision has empowered lenders to offer loans to millions of new customers and new-to-credit individuals in global markets and is set to transform lending in the Philippines where it is unique: the only trended data product available in the market.

CreditVision’s breakthrough capabilities come at an important time, as the economic downturn due to the pandemic is causing rapid shifts in consumer financial situations and changes in consumer actions. CreditVision builds on TransUnion Philippines' database of 24 million account points that features a more insightful, holistic view into consumer behavior. The trended data solution gives businesses the clarity and assurance needed to lend, predict risk, and continue to support con-

· Onboarding applicants who may otherwise have been rejected; ·

Reducing costs; and

acquisition

· Improving decisioning across score bands with more granularity and accuracy.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

Public enemy number one

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

O

ne night last week, I didn’t have a good sleep. I went to bed early at around 8:30 pm since I had to wake up early since I had a meeting the following day. It was about 9 pm that I was awake in my deep sleep. I was bitten by those blood-sucking creatures.

I wanted to go back to sleep but I couldn’t. There was that urge to scratch those bitten areas. The more I scratched, the more they became more painful. Now, the pain robbed the sleep out of me.

The put some alcohol in those bitten areas. It soothed somehow but the itchy feeling was still there. I decided to transfer to another room.

There, I managed to find peace but only to be awakened again by evil, treacherous, cunny, and deadly creatures.

Once and for all, I decided to use the electric fan to shoo them away. By now, it was already 2 in the morning. I only had a “good” two hours of sleep because at 4 am, I had to get up, take a bath, and be ready to go to the event of the day.

Ah, mosquitoes. While the dinosaurs had become extinct, these blood-sucking creatures are still here with us. Much as we want to exterminate them, they keep on coming back.

They are sort of the modern-day version of vampires.

Mosquitoes, as I said earlier, are deadly. In fact, they are deadlier than those serial killers.

They can kill a person or do mass execution all at once. A mosquito – which is formed from two words, “mosca” and diminutive “-ito,” is Spanish for “little fly” – deserves to be called as “public enemy number one.”

Every year, mosquitoes kill 725,000 people, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). Beating their wings 300 to 500 times a second produces that distinctive whine that novelist D.H. Lawrence penned as a “small, high, hateful bugle” in his ear.

Mosquitoes have been around since time immemorial.

The oldest known mosquito with an anatomy similar to modern species was found in 79-million-year-old Canadian amber from the Cretaceous. An older sister species with more primitive features was found in Burmese amber that is 90 to 100 million years old.

“Few animals on Earth evoke the antipathy that mosquitoes do,” wrote the National Geographic. “Their itchy, irritating bites and nearly ubiquitous presence can ruin a backyard barbecue or a

hike in the woods. They have an uncanny ability to sense our murderous intentions, taking flight and disappearing milliseconds before a fatal swat.

And in our bedrooms, the persistent, whiny hum of their buzzing wings can wake the soundest of sleepers.”

There are over 2,500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world, all of which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite different types of animals. Though the average mosquito lifespan is only about three weeks, some varieties have been known to live as long as two months in laboratory conditions.

“Some mosquitoes have adapted perfectly to urban environments,” says Assistant Professor Richard Russell, head of the medical entomology department at the University of Sydney. “We unwittingly provide abundant standing water, from the tin cans and saucers to clogged gutters, septic tanks and drainage ditches.”

Mosquitoes track people down by sensing their body odors and temperature, and the carbon dioxide human beings exhale. “Only female mosquitoes have the mouth parts necessary for sucking blood,” notes National Geographic. “When biting with their proboscis, they stab two tubes into the skin: one to inject an enzyme that inhibits blood clotting; the other to suck blood into their bodies. They use the blood not for their own nourishment but as a source of protein for their eggs.”

After a female-sucking mosquito has bitten, some saliva remains in the wound. The proteins from the saliva (called

anticoagulants) evoke an immune response from man’s body. The area swells (the bump around the bite area is called a wheal), and people itch, a response provoked by the saliva.

Eventually, the swelling goes away, but the itch remains until man’s immune cells break down the saliva proteins.

which may indicate a severe allergic reaction to the bite).

But then again, mosquitoes are deadly – as they transmit certain serious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, and Japanese encephalitis, to name a few.

Malaria is caused by

To treat mosquito bites, health experts advise that you should wash them with mild soap and water. Try to avoid scratching the bite area, even though it itches.

Some anti-itch medicines or over-the-counter cortisone creams may relieve the itching. Typically, you do not need to seek medical attention (unless you feel dizzy or nauseated,

a parasite that grows in your bloodstream and can produce symptoms that develop anywhere from six to eight days to several months after infection.

Around 500 B.C. in India, Brahmin priest Susruta deduced that mosquitoes are responsible for the spread of malaria. It wasn’t until in 1902 that British army surgeon Dr. Ronald Ross got the Nobel

Prize for establishing the link between mosquito bites and malaria.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection and is caused by one of four dengue viruses that produce a range of illnesses, from viral flu to hemorrhagic fever. “The increase in dengue cases in recent years is the result of the expanding geographical distribution of the mosquitoes which carry the virus,” the WHO reports. “At the same time, the rapid rise in urban populations has increased the number of people exposed to the virus.”

In January 2016, popular Thai television actor Thrisadee “Por” Sahawong died from complications related to dengue fever after spending more than two months in a coma.

Ye l l o w fever, a disease that once plagued Europe and North America, has the potential to spread beyond its present range – into Asia, for example – wherever the mosquito vector exists.

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease with a high fatality rate. There are over 50,000 reported cases of the disease every year and approximately 4,000 deaths.

Besides malaria, dengue and Japanese enceph-

alitis, mosquitoes have been in the news for carrying a whole host of new and deadly blood-borne diseases. Until 1999, West Nile virus – originating from the Nile River valley – had not previously been documented in the Western Hemisphere. The virus causes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, and can be transmitted by mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are not only deadly, but they’re powerful, too. They have been manipulating the course of human history since its very beginning.

Around 323 B.C., Alexander the Great was felled by a mosquito, dying from malaria at the age of 33.

His dream of a united Greek empire collapsed within a few years, and widespread malarial infection contributed to the decline of Greek civilization.

Bitten by a mosquito, Oliver Cromwell died of malaria in 1658, paving the way for the return of the British monarchy. In 1658 in Barbados, yellow-fever carrying mosquitoes halted a British expedition en route to attack the French in Canada.

In 1905, mosquitoes almost succeeded in halting construction of the Panama Canal, as panicked workers fled a yellow fever epidemic.

This happened in New Orleans in 1802. Napoleon Bonaparte sent troops to reinforce France’s claim to Louisiana and put down a slave rebellion in Haiti. Of 33,000 soldiers, 29,000 were killed by mosquito-borne yellow fever.

Louisiana became part of the United States while Haiti became independent.

For nearly 10 years, from 1965 to 1975, mosquitoes infected as many as 53 American soldiers per thousand with malaria each day. – ### (Photos courtesy of Wikipedia)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

available beds to cater to Covid-19 patients.

To prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, DOH 11 has set up Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) to cater the mild cases and preserve the makeshift

isolation facilities for severe cases.

As of August 5, 2020, the region has a total of 860 TTMFs with a total bed capacity of 7,330 with an occupancy rate currently at 42.86 percent.

“This suggests that

we still have these beds unoccupied, thus we can still quarantine identified mild Covid-19 cases, close contacts, LSIs, ROFs, and healthcare workers,” Villareal said.

In relation to hospital ICU beds, occupancy rate

is at 56.7 percent and for hospital isolation beds occupancy rate is at 52.7 percent.

“This suggest that our critical utilization rate for our hospital is still manageable at this point in time,” she said.

nga duna ta’y quarantine and they need to stay at home. Kung mugawas man ta mag-suot ta ug mask and distancing ta mag-palayo sa mga tao at least one meter and then handwashing, kaning upat dako na kaayo ni siya ug tabang to reduce cases,” she said.

“Ingon sa doktor, bisan kani lang daw ang buhaton sa mga tao strict compliance sa quarantine, sa face mask, ug sa distancing ug sa handwashing dako na kaayo ug tabang sa pagpush down sa cases sa Covid-19 because according to medical specialist,

ang transfer ana is from person to person so kung walay another person na matakdan ang virus therefore putol na ang transmission. Mao pud na siya ang explanation sa isolation, nga ang tao na positive gina-isolate siya all others so that wala’y maambakan

ang virus. Importante lang na mahinumduman sa mga tao nga dili maka-ambak ang virus kung layo mo sa tao nga infected. Since daghan ang asymptomatic, its best to assume na mainfect ang tanang tao nga magian nimo,” Mayor Sara added.

recovery and rehabilitation of MSMEs. The DTI, through the Small Business Corporation, set up the PhP1-billion COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises or CARES Program to provide zero-interest loans for MSMEs affected by the pandemic,” Duterte added.

Comilang said the local business sector was buoyed when "President Duterte gave emphasis on the recovery and rehabilitation of MSMEs through SB Corp. loan at zero interest rate. The CARES Program is there. It has been offered."

However, Comilang said the government's recovery initiatives would be further accelerated if the government tackled the issues surrounding the "difficulty" in accessing the credit window mentioned by the President.

"Given the numerous number of businesses af-

fected, MSMEs are worried about the perennial problem of accessing the assistance in relation to processing, securing requirements and most importantly, the urgency of fund release," she said. “The business sector would like to appeal to fast-track processing and more importantly the release of funds.

She added: "A loan is loan. At no interest or a minimal interest, enterprises have to consider long-term sustainability plan considering the drastic decline on sales and profitability performance that affects closure or slowdown of business operations."

Comilang said she and the other leaders in the MSME sector remain optimistic that small businesses could weather the impact of Covid-19.

Her optimism, she said, lies on domestic consum-

ers who she believes would greatly help raise the falling economy through the government's “BuyLocalGoLokal” campaign.

"Thriving MSMEs will definitely survive in this trying time. It needs support from domestic consumers. The industry is backing on the campaign for “BuyLocalGoLokal," she said.

She also called on the public to "patronize local products and services."

“We are optimistic of government’s plan for inclusive recovery to consider equally the health of the citizen and the health of the economy as well, she added.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo B. Tria agreed with Comilang, saying the latest SONA contained "measures to help businesses to bring the country’s economy back on its

feet."

“The major part of the president's SONA stressed the economy and measure to help it, and our businesses and livelihoods recover. I think the proposed stimulus programs, and the CREATE bill need to be passed by Congress. i believe these are big helps especially for small businesses, and restoring livelihoods,” Tria said in a recent interview.

In addition, Tria said DCCCII has been helping promote the programs of Small Business Corporation (SBC).

Tria also sees improvement of internet connectivity as key to help revive the businesses.

“The call for better internet also helps many of our businesses especially the small ones since they can transact with more customers and reach out to more markets,” he said.

(PNA)

the tax rate for all companies, not only big foreign companies. That is a reduction from 30% CIT to 25%, and further reductions down the road. That will provide the economy with the biggest stimulus if ever. This proves that the government is trusting the private sector,” Dominguez added.

Meanwhile, Security Bank President & CEO Sanjiv Vohra, said that the Philippines is in a better position to withstand the economic impact of the pandemic, citing reports from The Economist as well as the country’s im-

proved revenue flows, tax reforms and wise spending.

“Overall, the Philippines is said to be in a good position to withstand the economic impact of COVID-19.

We’ve been ranked sixth by the UK’s Economist newspaper among other emerging global economies. The country’s fiscal and economic strength borne out of improved revenue flows, tax reforms, debt management, and wise spending and investing, have served us well.”

Security Bank’s Chairman Alfredo S. Villarosa opened the forum by describing the situation

through the acronym VUCA and thanking the event’s guest for allowing Security Bank to make them more informed of the situation and be well-equipped to handle what’s coming.

“We are certainly facing something we have not faced before, at least not in our lifetime. This is something totally new and unknown. What best describes this current situation comes from the US Military College, the acronym VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity,…We believe that the more you know, the better your chances to

not only survive, but thrive in these trying times.”

Each year, the bank organizes an economic forum as part of its efforts to arm business leaders with information that will guide them in making the best business and financial decisions. The bank conducted its first economic roadshow last year and visited six key investment hubs nationwide to provide insights straight from the experts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank decided to hold its forum online.

Over 700 clients and stakeholders nationwide joined the forum.

Katowice," the team said.

The organisers were not immediately available for a comment.

The 77th Tour of Poland was meant to be held in July but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The race began on Wednesday, with the 196km first stage taking the riders from the Slaski Stadium in Chorzow, southern Poland, to Katowice.

The race was reduced to five stages from the seven

originally planned in order to leave room on the calendar for other re-scheduled races.

The crash, which happened in the southern city of Katowice, took place exactly a year after Bel-

gian cyclist Bjorg Lambrecht died in the hospital from injuries he sustained when he crashed into a concrete barrier during the third stage of the 76th edition of the Tour of Poland.

putt on 18.

“The big par putts ... keep momentum of the round going, and that was a big putt for me to make after making a mistake on my tee shot, missing it left,” Woods said.

Woods gained +1.4 strokes on the greens Thursday after averaging -0.84 per round this season. Switching to a longer putter, which puts less strain on his back, paid immediate dividends.

He fell back to even par after a bogey at 2. Another fairway missed left forced him to rely on his short game, but he missed a 7-footer for par. He saved his best for the end of the round, though. Woods hit

five of his final six greens and his last four fairways.

Woods, who was three strokes behind leader Jason Day when he walked off the golf course, is scheduled to tee off at 4:58 p.m. Eastern on Friday.

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DBCC revises GDP assumptions due to Covid-19 pandemic's impact

E

conomic managers have revised their growth targets for 2020 and 2021 and these have been included in the proposed PHP4.506-trillion national budget for next year that has been approved by the President last July 30.

In a statement Thursday, the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) said this year’s growth figure has been revised to -5.5 percent, deeper than the previous revised figures of between -2.0 to -3.4 percent.

The latest figures were arrived at after considering the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on tourism, trade, and remittances, it said.

Economic managers also changed their growth target for next year to 6.5 to 7.5 percent, which is

also the new target for 2022. This was previously between a range of 8 to 9 percent.

“The priority implementation of the Build, Build, Build infrastructure program and revitalization of the industry and services sectors are expected to lead the recovery,” the statement said.

Similarly, inflation assumption for 2020 was changed to a range between 1.75 to 2.75 percent due to weaker demand because of the pandemic, while the assumption for 2021-2022 was kept between 2 to 4 percent.

The target for the period was kept at between 2 to 4 percent.

“This means that prices in the typical consumption basket of Filipino families will remain stable and predictable,” the statement said.

The Senate’s version, in turn, requires about PHP140 billion.

Business groups support the said measure but Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III earlier cau-

tioned legislators on the approval of stimulus measures that the government cannot finance or are unsustainable, as these will just push the government’s budget gap wider. (PNA)

etary measures, is now needed.

“To be able to steer the ship out of the port out and into the waters, the government needs to spend. It’s a balancing act,” he said, referring to the need to also manage spending vis-à-vis the budget deficit.

Other crucial needs this time are the passage of the tax reform measures such as CREATE and the stimulus package like the Bayanihan 2 and the Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economic (ARISE) bill, he said.

Ravelas also cited the need for wider and more efficient information drive on health protocols because although coronavirus cases (Covid-19) cases continue to rise, some people seem to disregard these protocols.

“It is the civic duty of people not to get infected by the virus,” he said.

In a report, ANZ Research added that “although monetary policy can be eased further, the larger burden is on fiscal policy”.

It said “growth outlook is challenging”, noting the re-implementation of MECQ in NCR and four nearby provinces will hamper the recovery process.

“Real time indicators signal a very modest improvement,” it said, projecting that “investment is likely to remain weak” because of “subdued business sentiment and excess capacity”.

It said aggregate demand will have to be boosted by increased fiscal spending which remains below potential.

“At the same time, the pace of improvement in high frequency indicators cannot assure a recovery in H2 (second half) 2020,” it added. (PNA)

according to SMC. Petron incurred consolidated net loss of P14.2 billion for the first six months of 2020 versus its P2.6 billion net income in 2019.

Consolidated revenues amounted to P152.4 billion, down 40% from P254.8 billion in the same

period last year.

Consolidated sales volumes from Petron’s Philippine and Malaysian operations also fell 19% to 41.9 million barrels from 51.9 million barrels a year ago, amidst a sharp decline in fuel demand due to the pandemic.

pleted by the end of 2020.

Since the “Build, Build, Build” program was launched in 2017, he said the Duterte administra-

tion completed 121 airport projects; 369 commercial, social, and tourism ports; 23,657 kilometers of roads; and 4,959 bridges. (PNA)

lot of live action, and it just takes time,” said Lillard, who was 10 for 30 on 3′s in Portland’s first three games at Walt Disney World. “But

it felt good. I knew eventually it would click.”

Gary Trent Jr. had 27 off the bench and Jusuf Nurkic scored 22 for Portland.

GOV’T... FROM3

ECONOMIST... FROM4

SAN MIGUEL... FROM5

BUILD... FROM5

LILLIARD... FROM11

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VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

11

Ivica Zubac goes for a slam over Tim Hardaway Jr. as Luka Doncic and Paul George look on. PHOTO: AP

Clippers beat Mavs L to lock on no.2 spot

Lilliard fires 45 as Blazers close in on no. 8 in West

L

AKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Dallas Mavericks 126-111 on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

Paul George scored 24 points and Ivica Zubac added 21 points on 10for-10 shooting and 15 rebounds for the Clippers,

who strengthened their hold on the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference standings. The Clippers entered the night a just

half game ahead of Denver in the standings, but they shot 54% against the Mavericks to improve to 2-2 in the restart.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points and Luka Doncic added 29 for Dallas, which fell to 1-3 in the restart. Doncic was coming off a monster game — 34 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists against

the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

The Clippers led Dallas by 12 in the third quarter before the Mavericks rallied and tied the game at 101 midway through the fourth. Los Angeles responded with a 9-0 run to regain control. The Clippers shot 62% in the fourth quarter to pull away.

AKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Damian Lillard wasn’t off to a great shooting start inside the NBA’s so-called bubble.

If it was a slump, it seems to be over now.

Lillard tied his franchise record with 11 3-pointers and scored 45 points, and the Portland Trail Blazers moved closer to the No. 8 spot in the Western

FLILLIARD, P10

Dutch cyclist in induced coma after crash in Tour of Poland

D

utch cyclist Fabio Jakobsen has been put in a medically induced coma after crashing at the finish line on stage one of the Tour of Poland following a collision with compatriot Dylan Groenewegen.

Jakobsen, who rides for the Deceuninck-Quick Step team, was jostling for position with Groenewegen in the final metres, but the pair came together with Groenewegen sending Jakobsen flying into the barriers, where he collided with a race official.

The sport's governing body, the UCI, issued a statement strongly condemning what it called the "dangerous behaviour" of Groenewegen, accusing him of causing the crash and disqualifying him from the race.

"The UCI, which considers the behaviour unacceptable, immediately referred the matter to the Disciplinary Commission to request the imposition of sanctions commensurate with the seriousness of the facts," the UCI said.

Czeslaw Lang, the race director, also criticised Groenewegen for the incident.

"The competitor who

caused this accident drove very incorrectly, because while riding in the middle, seeing that someone was coming out on the right, he started to pull down to the right," Lang told state-controlled TVP. The race official's condition is not life threatening, the state-controlled news agency PAP reported.

J a k o b s e n' s team, Deceuninck-Quick Step, put out a statement later describing his condition as serious but stable.

"Diagnostic test (sic) didn't reveal brain or spinal injury, but because of the gravity of his multiple injuries he is still kept in a comatose condition and has to remain closely monitored in the following days at the Wojewódzki Szpital in

FDUTCH, P10

Conference by beating the Denver Nuggets 125-115 on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

Lillard was 11 for 18 from 3-poi nt range, plus had 12 assists for Portland.

The Blazers (32-38) closed to within a half-game of Memphis in the race for eighth in the West, where a play-in series for the last playoff berth -- and the right to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round -- now seems almost certain.

“We haven’t been playing games, a

The Wizards did not make it easy on Ben Simmons. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/ Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Simmons lucky to avoid serious knee injury

A

ustralian NBA star Ben Simmons has avoided serious injury after scans on his left knee came back clear following a setback during Thursday’s 107-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

Simmons put a scare through the 76ers camp when he exited the game with a left knee scare in the third quarter after grabbing an offensive rebound.

Despite being seen limping off the court, early indications on his injury were encouraging with no swelling and pain.

These initial positives proved to be correct with an MRI scan later clearing Simmons of a serious injury.

The Melbourne-born

power forward is expected to be day-to-day, placing him in doubt for Philadelphia’s next game against Orlando on Saturday from 8.30am.

After missing the final eight games of the season before the NBA was stopped amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Simmons has endured a slow start since action resumed, experiencing foul trouble in games against the Pacers and Spurs.

He managed just eight points, six rebounds and four assists while shooting 2/10 from the field against the Wizards in 23 minutes before exiting the game.

Joel Embiid again led Philly as it improved to 2-1 since the restart, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

ROARING

VOL.13 ISSUE 102 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020

START Tiger Woods out strong in PGA Championship with 68

C

oncerns about the cold weather’s effect on Tiger Woods’ back and his lack of competitive reps were put to bed by a first-round 68 in the PGA Championship.

It was Woods’ lowest opening round in a major since 2012.

Woods wore a sweater all day, but the cold, damp conditions at TPC Harding Park didn’t impact his ability to swing freely. He led the field in driving distance when he walked off the course, averaging 313.5 yards off the tee on the two measured holes.

He hit just half his fairways Thursday, missing several left after hitting tee

shots off the toe. His iron play was strong when he was in the short grass, especially on his back nine.

“The most part of the day, I missed the ball on the correct sides,” Woods said. “This golf course, you have to hit the ball

in the fairway. You get a ball in the rough, into the grain, there’s no chance you can get the ball to the green. I felt like I did a decent job of doing that.”

Woods was even par after 12 holes, but then rolled off three birdies in a four-hole stretch.

It started on the par-5 fourth, where he missed the fairway left and could only advance his second shot 150 yards. He hit his 160-yard approach to 4 feet, though.

On the next hole, he hit just his fourth fairway o f

the round and hit his 148yard approach to 14 feet.

He hit an iron off the tee on the short seventh before sticking his 131-yard approach to 13 feet. He bogeyed the next hole out of a greenside bunker before hitting a 319-yard tee shot on 9 and finishing with a par.

Woods, who teed off on No. 10 with Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, got off to a good start with birdies on two of his first four holes.

He hit a high flop to 8 feet on the par-5 10th, then holed a 33-footer for birdie on 13.

He bogeyed the next hole, appearing befuddled when his 9-foot par putt lipped out after he started walking after it.

Woods finished his front nine with four consecutive pars, punctuating his play on that side with a 21-foot par

FROARING, P10

Tiger Woods wore a sweater all day to fight the cold. He was also hot all day in the first round.