Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 103 | Sunday-Monday, August 9-10, 2020

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A man fits a half-face face shield being displayed at a sidewalk stall along City Hall Drive in Davao City over the weekend. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Dabawenyos with “singkit” eyes are allowed to use goggles, eyeglasses or eye protector while those who have medium size eyes can use half-face face shield but “budlat” Dabawenyos should use full-face face shield. Edge Davao

WHAT’S NOT ACTED UPON?

No pending applications for cell sites in Davao Region: DILG 11

STORY ON PAGE 2

WORLDWIDE COVID-19 NUMBERS BOARD

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PHILIPPINES

WORLDWIDE

CONFIRMED: 19,549,901 • DEATHS: 724,186 • RECOVERED: 12,550,631

CONFIRMED: 122,754 • DEATHS: 2,168 • RECOVERED: 66,852

As of August 8, 2020, here’s the Top 5 list of countries with most number of COVID-19 cases 1. U.S.A CONFIRMED: 5,095,748 DEATHS: 164,104 RECOVERED: 2,617,458

2. BRAZIL CONFIRMED: 2,967,064 DEATHS: 99,702 RECOVERED: 2,068,394

3. INDIA CONFIRMED: 2,089,773 DEATHS: 42,602 RECOVERED: 1,429,100

4. RUSSIA CONFIRMED: 877,135 DEATHS: 14,725 RECOVERED: 683,592

5. SOUTH AFRICA CONFIRMED: 545,476 DEATHS: 9,909 RECOVERED: 394,759

SOURCE: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

PRRD: Asean leaders can defeat Covid-19

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President Rodrigo Duterte says the 10-man Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will become successful in the fight against Covid-19 through continued cooperation and collective efforts to arrest the

spread of the disease in the region. The regional bloc celebrates its 53rd founding anniversary. Presidential Photo

he 10-man Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will become successful in the �ight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) through continued cooperation and collective efforts to arrest the spread of the disease in the region, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Saturday.

Duterte issued the statement as the regional bloc celebrates its 53rd founding anniversary.

“We are con�ident that the Asean way of partnership and mutual aid will help us overcome the Covid-19 pandemic and move forward with our community-building endeavors,” he said in his message for the occasion.

The regional bloc was established on Aug. 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand following the signing of the

Asean declaration by its founding fathers -- Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The total number of Asean member-states eventually went up to 10 after Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia joined the organization.

Duterte said despite the present challenges the region is facing, including the Covid-19 crisis, Southeast Asian leaders’ commitment “has never been stronger.”

“Bouncing back from the pandemic appears to be a daunting task. But if pursued with friends, the burden is shared and transformed into an opportunity to create a more resilient Southeast Asian region,” he said.

PRRD, P9

No pending applications for cell sites in Davao Region: DILG 11

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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here appears to be a con�lict in claims by a telecommunications company that local government units were slow in acting on permits for construction of cell towers.

This after the regional of�ice of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed on Friday that based on its inventory, there are no pending applications for the construction of cell sites of telecommunication companies—Globe and Smart —in the entire Davao Region.

“Starting on August 6,

2020, amoang gikuha ang inventory kay usa sa mga rason nga gisulti sa mga telcos nga hinay ang atong mga local governments sa pag-respond sa ilahang mga applications for building of towers. Now nakuha namo ang initial reports on the inventory of towers available sa tibuok region ug tibuok Pilipinas,” said Alex Roldan, regional direc-

Around 600 individuals flee clash between military, NPA in Bukidnon

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round 600 individuals �led two sitios bordering Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon and Kapalong town in Davao del Norte after government troops clashed with suspected New People’s Army guerrillas on Friday last week.

Cabanglasan Mayor Renante Inocando, in an interview Friday with dxDB-Malaybalay said some evacuees stayed in Barangay Mandahikan, Cabanglasan and others at the municipal gymnasium.

Inocando, however, said the evacuees had returned to their homes on Monday.

He said one rebel was killed in the encounter with the 88th Infantry Battalion.

He said soldiers carrying the rebel’s body arrived in Cabanglasan three days after the encounter.

He added the fatality was a Lumad from Baran-

gay Cawayan, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

“We no longer had the body embalmed because it was already decomposing.

We just injected it with formalin before turning it over to the local government of Cawayan,” Inocando told dxDB. The mayor said the evacuees expressed fears and anxiety, but he assured the incident was isolated.

Also in an interview with dxDB on Friday, 88IB commander Lt Col Franklin Fabic identi�ied the slain guerrilla as alias Dodong, reportedly a squad leader of the rebel group.

Fabic said his men recovered an M16 ri�le, mobile phones, personal belongings and documents at the encounter site.

He said the rebels retreated towards Agusan del Sur. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)

tor of DILG 11 in a virtual presser on Friday.

Telecommunication giants, Globe and Smart, were in “hot water “when President Rodrigo Duterte, during his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 27, 2020, called out the companies’ attention for their lousy services. The President even threatened to shut down their operations if they fail to improve their services by December 2020.

In a statement, Globe stated that challenges remain and cited the long drawn permitting process across local government

units (LGUs), homeowners associations (HOAs) and national agencies including the Department of Health (DOH) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have hampered building of cellsite and laying down of �iber to homes.

“Dinhi sa Region 11 namatikdan nako sa mga reports nga gikan sa �ield, ang mga existing operators such as Globe and Smart wala na sila’y pending applications for new towers,” Roldan said.

Roldan said this also signi�ies that LGUs in Davao Region have completed

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio visits the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 11 Isolation Facility along C.P. Garcia Highway on Friday afternoon. The DPWH 11 targets 1,000 bed capacity upon

procedure of applications of these telecom companies without delay.

“Kadtong applications sa karaan na mga telcos walay pending na mga applications sa atong mga LGUs, buot pasabot nahatag na ni tanan ug walay ingon nga pending kay basin isipon nga ang mga LGUs maoy naglangay-langay,” he said.

Roldan said one telecom company that has pending application for cell site construction in Davao Region is DITO Telecommunications.

“Ang naa lang pending nga application sa pag-

ka-karon mao lang ang third telco na DITO,” he said.

DITO has recently unveiled its new tower in Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte. The tower is part of 170 towers to be installed in the entire country. It is expected to begin its commercial operations by March 2021.

The company committed to serve around 25 to 27 megabytes per second (mbps) to about 30 percent of the whole population in the entire country for its �irst year of operation. It is also currently building cell sites throughout Mindanao.

completion on September 2020. At the moment, the facility can accommodate 60 individuals. CIO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Metro Shuttle to re-apply for interim bus service franchise

By MAYA M. PADILLO fter failing in the �irst round of selection, the management of Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation is eyeing to re-apply for a franchise to serve the Davao City’s interim bus project or the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) bus routes.

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In the �irst round of selection on July 17, 2020, Metro Shuttle failed to comply with all the requirements. Metro Shuttle has applied for Catalunan Grande to downtown route.

“We failed because we don’t have ready units pa because of logistical issues caused by the pandemic,” said De Carlo Uy, president of Davao Metro Shuttle, in a text message.

Uy said they are keen on re-applying for the second round of selection. He said as of the moment, they are preparing the needed documents.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has opened another round of franchise application.

The routes up for grabs are Toril to downtown and Catalunan Grande to

downtown.

Applicants have until 9 a.m. of August 20, 2020 to submit their documents for evaluation.

“We have every intent on joining and serving the route. We are planning on re-applying,” Uy said.

Considered one of the premier bus companies in Mindanao and the country, Metro Shuttle, has a �leet of about 300 buses and operates bus transport services in and outside Davao Region with its headquarters, main garage and of�ices in Davao City. Its main terminals are located in Davao City and Tagum City.

The bus company has also started serving an intracity route in Davao City as part of its expansion program which started in February this year deploying two units for the said program. The two new buses are part of the

ower grid operator NGCP donates 6 sets of real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines to government hospitals in the National Capital Region, as the country continues to grapple with increasing numbers of con�irmed COVID-19 cases.

As part of its PhP1 Billion donation for COVID-19 response and relief efforts, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) received two (2) sets each of RTPCR machines from NGCP on 01 July 2020, while the V. Luna General Hospital (VLGH) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory also received one (1) set of PCR machines each on 05 August 2020. A complete set is composed of an ABI 7500 FAST RT-PCR machine, a desktop computer, and UPS. RT-PCR tests, which are described by the Department of Health (DOH) as the gold standard in testing for COVID-19, are con�irmed through an RTPCR machine by detecting the actual presence of the virus even when a person is asymptomatic or does not register any of the common COVID-19 symptoms. One machine costs around PhP 2.4 million.

"NGCP recognizes that the availability of vital medical equipment plays a huge factor in the government's COVID-19 response efforts particularly in large government hospitals. We hope that our donation of 6 sets of RT-PCR machines to RITM, LCP, VLGH, and PNP Crime

Lab will expedite the con�irmatory process for COVID-19 testing. NGCP's stakeholders and the public can be assured that the company will continue to ful�ill its commitment of supporting the country's efforts to combat this pandemic," stated NGCP. NGCP's PhP1 Billion donation includes grocery items to over 1,000 LGUs and medical equipment such as mechanical ventilators, ultrasound machine, portable x-ray machine, and PPEs to more than 300 hospitals and city/municipal/rural health units across the country. Five (5) brand new ambulances were also turned over to UP-PGH, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Heart Center, and Binan Doctors Hospital.

NGCP also donated 10,000 rapid test kits and 50 testing booths to the local government of Quezon City, and another 500 test kits to Navotas City. More projects aimed to help the country in its �ight against the virus are currently in the works, including the donation of four donning and dof�ing chambers and �ive isolation rooms for several government hospitals.

The company also donated P5 million to Project Ugnayan which gave supermarket vouchers to families in Metro Manila, initiated the Meals on Wheels feeding program for indigent communities, and donated PPEs to LGUs and medical frontliners.

NGCP is a Filipino-led, privately owned compa-

NGCP donates RT-PCR machines

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NGCP, P9

total franchise of 17 units originally owned by Annil Transport Services Inc., which Davao Metro Shuttle recently bought.

The franchise covers the Roxas-Bankerohan-Calinan route.

The bus �irm, established in 1995 with its main of�ice in Tagum City, has been operating inter-city, inter-province and inter-regional routes.

Apart from Metro Shuttle, another Mindanao-based bus company, Bachelor Express Inc., also failed its bid to service the Toril-downtown route under the interim bus service.

LTFRB has widened the scope by opening the application to all aspirants even to non-area based applicants.

Quali�ied existing area-based (within Region 11) operators in routes which will be covered by the Davao Interim Bus Service shall be given preference provided that they pass the legal, technical and �inancial capability quali�ication. If no area-based operator applies or not quali�ied to apply, other operators may apply.

A passerby walks by a “Stay Home” campaign banner placed on wall of City Hall building along City Hall Drive in Davao City over the weekend. The city

government's latest campaign aims to cut the chain of the coronavirus transmission in the city. Edge Davao

DCPO vows to keep up with challenges amid Covid-19

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he Davao City Police Of�ice (DCPO) vows to keep up with the challenges of the times when it is required to balance crime-busting and assisting in the �ight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the city.

“Rest assured that even we are faced with these additional challenges brought by this health crisis, we will continue to be dedicated, committed, and steadfast in the ful�illment of our mission which is to serve and to protect,”

said DCPO Director P/Col. Kirby John Kraft.

Kraft also assured Dabawenyos that the Davao police will continue to serve and protect its people.

Kraft said this after the DCPO was named as the Best City Police Of�ice in Region XI during the 119th Police Service Anniversary celebration on Thursday, August 6, 2020.

DCPO's Mobile Force Company is also 2020's best plus �ive (5) of its police units.

Individual awards

were given to Kraft as Best Senior Police Commissioned Of�icer (PCO) for Operations; P/Msg. Adnan Ahadain as Best Police Non-Commissioned Of�icer (PNCO) for Operations; P/Cpl. Lucky Leparto as Best Junior PNCO for Operations; and, Gemma Abejaron as Best Non-Uniformed Personnel (NUP)/Non-Supervisory Level.

Kraft expressed his gratitude to the personnel of the DCPO for their continued service despite the challenges brought by

Covid-19.

Kraft also attributed the achievement of the DCPO to the unwavering support of the Davao City government and the leadership of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

The 119th Police Anniversary was celebrated via live simulcast in all 17 Police Regional Of�ices across the country with the theme “Towards A Pandemic-Resilient PNP: Deploying Digital Technologies and Adopting Protective Protocols in The New Normal.” CIO

blast.

"The President (Rodrigo Duterte) heard the clamor of our kababayans.

This chartered �light is the most concrete, immediate, and timely assistance that the Department of Foreign Affairs could provide given the current situation in Lebanon," Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a statement.

Before the outbreak of

the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the DFA launched repatriation efforts in Lebanon to arrest the worsening condition of Filipinos in the country due to economic woes.

"Since December 2019, the department has repatriated at least 1,508 Filipinos from Lebanon.

When Covid-19 struck, the DFA moved to provide assistance to our overseas

Filipinos in the country," Arriola said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Embassy in Lebanon reported that 34 Filipinos were among the thousands injured in the blast, while four died, and one remains missing.

Based on previous DFA data, two of the wounded remain in critical condition and are being monitored at the Rizk Hospital. (PNA)

Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

"All necessary bureaucratic procedures in order to get an of�icial administrative approval may be completed mid-August. After that the Russian industrial facilities will be ready to prepare all necessary conditions to launch the production of this Russian vaccine," Khovaev said.

The Philippines, should it agree on a partnership,

could opt for a deal on vaccine supply, local production on Philippine soil, and clinical trials if necessary.

"The third most promoted option is local production of vaccine on the Philippine soil. It means that we are ready to combine our efforts (and) that we are ready to make necessary investments together with our Philippine partners and share our technologies," he said.

As of this posting, Khoavev said Russia is still waiting for a response from Manila.

"What we need now is get the of�icial response of our Philippine partners about (their) willingness to cooperate with us in this �ield. After that we'll be ready to launch a negotiation process and to agree upon relevant details," he said.

400 Pinoys from Lebanon returning to PH, says DFA

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bout 400 Filipinos are expected to return home in the coming weeks following the catastrophic twin explosions in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on August 4.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said a �light scheduled on August 16 also seeks to bring home the mortal remains of Filipinos killed in the

Russia ready to supply, invest in 'vaccine production' in PH

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oscow is ready to supply Manila and invest in the "local production" of a coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine once mass production in Russia starts.

In a virtual presser on Friday, Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev said the country has already developed an "effective and safe" vaccine, created by the Gamaleya National

RUSSIA, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

Cleanfuel’s recently opened retail station at Doña Soledad in Parañaque City shows a testament that the company remains upbeat in expanding their network footprints in Southern portion of Metro Manila.

Cleanfuel strengthens retail B network in Southern Manila

BPO firm eyes hiring OFWs

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n the last �ive months, the country has seen and experienced the unprecedented effect of Covid-19 damaging and paralyzing the economy as well as the health and welfare of 109 million Filipinos.

Cleanfuel, the leading independent oil company in the country, believes in the resiliency of the Filipino people that would bring and sustain solid economic recovery amid health crisis.

Their recently opened retail station at Doña Soledad in Parañaque City shows a testament that the company remains upbeat in expanding their network footprints in Southern portion of Metro Manila.

“While 2020 is a challenging year, Cleanfuel has remained optimistic riding in the resiliency of Filipinos towards economic recovery. This is the reason why Cleanfuel Group of Companies continues to invest and opened more stations as a testament and commitment to its people to provide top-notch fuel to every motorist,” said Atty Bong Suntay, President of

Cleanfuel.

“The opening of the new station in Doña Soledad is in line with Cleanfuel’s goal to expand its reach and strengthen its customer base in the Southern part of Metro Manila,” Suntay said.

Situated at the busy thoroughfare of Doña Soledad Avenue Extension at Barangay Don Bosco in Parañaque City, the new station offers a top-notch fuel and lubricants including Clean91 (Unleaded), Premium 95 gasoline, and Euro-4 diesel. It provides access to both public and private motorists from Better Living going to Moonwalk, connecting in the bustling intersection of eastern Parañaque.

In addition, the second district of Don Bosco is the primary residential Barangay of Ninoy Aquino International Airport and

one of the 16 Barangays in Parañaque City. Key factors of the city’s progress include banks, shopping malls, restaurants, residential properties, and commercial manufacturing.

Motorists heading towards the busy streets of Doña Soledad Avenue Extension from east-west and northern side of Parañaque can gas up to experience Cleanfuel’s brand mantra: Quality fuel for Less!

Further, Cleanfuel Doña Soledad station will become a key driver of growth to more than 60,000 population of Barangay Don Bosco. As the city relies on shopping centers as part of major contributors, the company sees that the opening of Cleanfuel Doña Soledad will further strengthen and boost economic con�idence. “We’re grateful and honor to inaugurate Cleanfuel Doña Soledad as our �irst station to open in these unprecedented times. The economy in the City of Parañaque has been growing consistently with massive projects in property and commercial man-

ufacturing,” the company’s chief executive said.

Suntay adds that in the next coming months Cleanfuel is adding more stations not only in NCR but also in provinces to provide quality fuel for business and opportunities for others.

“We intend to leverage our business aggressively and expand our retail network across the country, focusing on Mega Manila and Northern Luzon,” concludes Suntay.

Cleanfuel is expected to open more stations in coming weeks in Ortigas Avenue Extension in Pasig and mega branch in Mabalacat Pampanga as part of the long-term business expansion plan.

Aside from expansion, the company has extended its support by providing fuel subsidy for the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr’s) Free Bus Ride for Health Workers Program and drive relief donations to northern provinces, which include Pangasinan (Villasis, Binalonan, Pozorrubio) and San Fernando (La Union) and other cities in Metro Manila.

said in a text message.

He added that the government also recognizes that the country is now on the second phase in its Covid-19 �ight, “where the general direction is toward the safe and gradual reopening of the economy” to bring back jobs for Filipinos but still ensuring strict health protocols.

He said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is pushing for its ‘REBUILD’ strategy which stands for ‘revitalizing businesses, investments, livelihoods, and domestic demand’.

“Part of stimulating demand is also the current campaign of DTI to ‘Buy

Buy Buy Local’, to patronize locally produced goods to generate more local employment,” he added.

Lopez is also promoting e-commerce that can stimulate demand while minimizing the risk of getting infected with the coronavirus.

Consumer spending forecast In a report of Fitch Solutions dated August 5, it forecast that consumer spending habits in the country this year will have a more negative impact than the Great Financial Crisis over a decade ago.

“Over 2020, we forecast real household spending

contracting by -4.0 percent year-on-year, a signi�icant drop from the 5.5 percent year-on-year growth we estimate for 2019,” the report noted.

During the 2009 global �inancial crisis, the country’s household spending declined by 2.9 percent.

Fitch Solutions noted that according to Google mobility data, travel to retail and recreational outlets dropped when the community quarantine measures were announced.

It slightly improved on May 16 when the government eased lockdown measures but improve-

Gradual reopening with strict rules to help PH economy recover: DTI

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rade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Friday said only through resuming business activities will the country’s economy be able to recover after it plunged 16.5 percent in the second quarter of the year.

But with the risk of Covid-19, Lopez underscored that strict health protocols should remain in place while easing lockdowns and gradually reopening economic activities.

“We recognized the primacy of health over economy, as the country tried to build up more testing capacities and health and treatment facilities,” he

GRADUAL, P9

usiness process outsourcing (BPO) company Alorica Inc. said it is offering jobs to repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) particularly those lost their jobs amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement, Alorica said returning OFWs can pursue agent and nonagent career paths in the BPO �irm.

“For agent positions, new hires may progress as subject matter experts or team leaders after six to 24 months of tenure, and potentially move up to operations manager after 48 to 72 months of tenure. Meanwhile, non-agent career paths in the company include roles in recruitment, administration, human resources, training, and information technology,” the company said.

Bong Borja, Alorica president for Asia-Paci�ic Operations, said OFWs are an ideal addition to the BPO workforce with their experience abroad of providing customer service and solutions, as well as having the basic command of the English language.

“OFWs are experienced individuals who have been immersed in diverse environments with different employers. Apart from having the basic command of English, OFWs demonstrate adaptability, integrity, and commitment, which are important factors for anyone looking to build a career,” Borja said.

In June, Alorica announced it is opening 4,000 job vacancies in the country despite the pandemic.

These BPO jobs are located in Alorica of�ices in Alabang, Cebu, Centris, Clark, Cubao, Davao, Fort Bonifacio, Ilocos Norte, Lipa City, Makati, Marikina, Pasay, and Sta. Mesa.

The BPO industry is one of the sectors that continue their operations amid the community quarantine measures.

The industry said the Covid-19 has shifted the demand to healthcare, telecommunications, and logistics services.

This drives BPO �irms to continue hiring despite the decline for other services that were hit by the pandemic like tourism and hospitality services. (PNA)

DOF chief: Gov't judiciously spending based on budget

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government spending according to program and additional requirements are being addressed through prudent borrowings.

Dominguez replied to a question regarding President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s statement that the government is running out of funds to �inance additional expenses related to its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

“We have to distinguish between our cash and our ability to borrow and what we are authorized to spend (in) our budget,” he said.

Dominguez said the government is mandated

by law to spend based on its annual budget, which amounts to PHP4.1 trillion for this year.

He said the Constitution prohibits the government from having an additional supplemental budget without supplemental revenues.

“As you know our tax revenues are down and savings, basically re-allocations within our budget, are pretty much used up.

So, essentially, we have our PHP4.1-trillion budget and we have used it judiciously,” he said during an interview by Bloomberg television Friday.

Dominguez said the government plans to borrow about USD60 billion

DOF, P9

5 VANTAGE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

On Davao City Police Office (DCPO) balancing its role in crime-busting and assisting in the fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the city:

Rest assured that even we are faced with these additional challenges brought by this health crisis, we will continue to be dedicated, committed, and steadfast in the fulfillment of our mission which is to serve and to protect.”

DCPO Director P/Col. Kirby John Kraft

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VANTAGE POINTS EDGE DAVAO

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

ADVERSITY UNITES A NATION The groundswell of sympathetic gestures from all people of all walks of life re the Taal volcano eruption indicated, without any iota of doubt, that the proverbial declaration that adversity unites a nation was truthfully proven.

Although in the latest dispatch there was just a single mortality during the hysterical and frenzied mass evacuation of residents in the affected areas around the island, the ‘bayanihan’ spirit and compassion the Filipino is famous for resurfaced to somewhat ease the pain, difficulties and trying times.

Pres. Duterte’s visit, along with some government officials, helped assuaged the helplessness of hundreds of thousands of victims of the volcanic eruption; his physical presence as well as his comforting remarks were like a calming balm that soothed a burning pain.

I wonder if it is politically correct for some legislators to even insinuate or express dissatisfaction with the work of Phivolcs in the wake of the volcanic explosion. A lawmaker has suggested to have the government agency investigated for its slowness and sluggishness in promptly relaying warnings of the impending disaster.

At this point, as I myself fully monitored the situation and Phivolcs pronouncements on the matter, I would strongly suggest that this agency be provided with more funds, state of the art equipment and qualified personnel in the light of this sad experience.

Instead of the usually boring rhetoric that permeates every congressional probes and hearings, both houses of Congress should intelligently look at the mess with a positive eye with the end in view of putting to an end the reactionary mindset of govern-

ment institutions.

Untold misery is now gripping four areas due to the Taal emergency – regions 4, 4A and 3 and parts of Metro Manila where children and senior citizens are trying to cope with the dire situation.

Dep-Ed Sec. Leonor Briones has expressed fears that the schooling of elementary and secondary students in these areas could be hampered and their educational development.

She said Dep-Ed funds for the rehab of more than a hundred school buildings and classrooms heavily damaged by the ashfall will have to be utilized as soon as effectively possible.

School buildings and classrooms, in the absence of evacuation centers, are now being used to accommodate thousands of evacuees.

I wonder why LGUs need to be prompted by the national government to erect evac-

uation centers on their own volition? Even barangay councils themselves can pass resolutions for the construction of barangay evacuation centers which will make them readily prepared to meet exigencies of this kind.

This is the weakness I see in the leadership of many LGUs who depend too much assistance from the national government and line agencies.

They become helpless, inutile and lazy to a point.

Simply defined, governance is the application of practical wisdom to benefit the constituency. Even an elementary school graduate who becomes head of an LGU will agree to this.

Today, because of the frequency of calamities hitting our country, practical wisdom dictates that everybody, every citizen, every resident must be well-advised and informed of things happening around

him.

I wonder how applicable this Plato quote is to our situation today. He said: “This city is what it is because our citizens are what they are.”

Of course, the resiliency of the Filipinos has proven its good merits.

We have survived four hundred years of cruel Spanish colonization, more than forty years of American exploitation, nearly five years of brutal Japanese occupation and decades of tyrannical Filipino administrations.

What else?

I guess Filipinos are predisposed already to this type of life and living.

One man has emerged to tell us in our face that change has come. ### (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Prov. 12:19. “Truthful lips will be established forever but a lying tongue is only for a moment.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK THINK ON ON THESE! THESE!

OSCAR DERBY 2020 THE CHARACTER IS THE THING Every year, the Hollywood A scorpion, being a poor – the filmasked capital of thetoworld swimmer, a turtle carry – gives the prestigious him on his out back across a river. “Are you mad?” exclaimed the turtle.

Oscar to those people who “You’ll sting me in while I’m swimare involved filmmaking. ming and I’llby drown.”

It is given the Academy of “My dear turtle,” laughed the Motion Picture Arts and you, Sciscorpion, “if I were to sting ences as adrown way of recognizing you would and I would go thosewith whoyou. excel “inwhere cinematic down Now, is the achievements logic in that?’ as assessed by right,” voting agreed the turthe “You’re Academy’s memtle.

“Hop in!” bership.”

The climbed aboard Herescorpion are some of records halfway across the river and gave you need to know in this year’s the turtle a mighty sting. As they Oscar derby: both sank to the bottom, the turOf the nominees for mind Best tle resignedly said, “Do you Actor Oscar, only Leonardo if I ask you something?

You said DiCaprio has won – for The there’d be no logic in your stinging me.

Why did do it?”

Revenant in you 2016.

He was also “It has nothing to do with catlognominated for the same ic,” the in drowning sadly egory 2005’s scorpion The Aviator, replied.

“It’s just my character.”

2007’s Blood Diamond, 2014’s “There is no substitute for The Wolf of Wall Street, character,” reminds Robertand A. this year’s Once Time Cook.

“You can buy Upon brains,abut you in Hollywood. cannot buy character.” Character, according to D.L.first Moody, “isnomwhat DiCaprio’s Oscar you are inwas the dark.” ination for Best SupportA life for built theinsands of ing Actor hisonrole What’s celebrity can beGrape. wreckedHe byalso the Eating Gilbert rains of reverses. A life built on has sands a nomination Best Picture the of materialism can be for The Wolf of �loods Wall Street as destroyed by the of adverhe was film’son producer. sity.

A the life built the sands of Before Joaquin pleasure can beJoker, blown down by the windshas of disillusionment.

Only Phoenix three Oscar nomthe life that built on theHe rock of inations to ishis credit. was character can for withstand the temnominated his supportpests of time. ing Our role in Gladiator. He recharacter was built when ceived two nominations we were still Oscar young by our parents for whoever Best Actor for of Walk the (or took care us). One Line (2006)reminded: and The“IfMaster psychologist a child (2013). lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives withBest hosThe three remaining tility, learns to are �ight.

If a child Actorhe nominees newcomer lives with fear, he learns to be ap-

to the OscarIf history: Antonio prehensive. a child lives with Banderashefor Paintoand jealousy, learns feel Glory, guilty.

Adam Driver Marriage If a child lives for with tolerance,Stohe learns be patient.Pryce If a child ry, andtoJonathan for lives The with he learns to Two encouragement, Popes. be con�ident.

In the Best Actress catego“If a child lives with praise, he ry, only Charlize Theron and learns to be appreciative.

If a child Renee Zellweger have lives with acceptance, he won learnsbeto fore. IfTheron wonwith for Monster love. a child lives approval, (2004). other Oscar he learns Her to like himself.

If anomchild lives withaside recognition, he learns ination, from this year it good to have was a goal. a child foris Bombshell, forIf2006’s lives with honesty, he learns what North Country. truthZellweger’s is. If a childOscar lives with for fairher ness, he learns justice. If a child supporting role in 2004’s Cold lives with security, he learns to Mountain. is nominated have faith inShe himself and those this year leading role about him.forIf her a child lives with as Judy Garland in Judy; before friendliness, he learns the world is athat, nice place which tothe live.” same she in received Different for strokes for different nomination 2002’s Bridget folks, so goes a familiar saying.ChiIt’s Jones’s Diary and 2003’s no wonder why each person has cago. different views about a traditional The three othertonominees practice.

Take going church for – CynthiaA Erivo for Harriet, instance. poet scribbled these Scarlett Marfew lines: Johansson “Some go to for church to take walk; some to church to riagea Story, and go Saoise Ronan laugh andWomen talk; some go all there to for Little – are newmeet a friend; some go there to comers. spend their time.however, Some gomade there Johansson, to meet a lover; some go there at a record as the fault to cover; sometwelfth go thereperfor former to some receive two for Oscar speculation; go there obnominations in go thethere same servation.

Some to year. doze She nod; is also nominated her and the wise go therefor to worship God.” role in Jojo Rabbit. supporting A number famous quotes The first toofdo so was Fay about character through the Bainter when down she nominated years havefor focused one attriin 1938 Best on Actress for bute: The hidden nature of characWhite Banners (she lost) and ter. Thomas Macaulay said: “The Best Supporting Actress for measure of a man’s real character Jezebel (forwould which she won). is what he if he knew he The same happened to never would story be found out.”

An anonymous author the exTeresa Wright: winning plained: “Therole difference between supporting in Mrs. Minipersonality and character: Per-

ver andislosing the are leading sonality what you whenrole lots in Pride the Yankees in of The people are of around; character 1942. is what you are when everybody goesBarry home.” Fitzgerald made a characterinthat mostwhen peosortOne of record 1944 ple received �ind laudable integrity. My he twois nominations dictionary de�ines integrity as for the samecondition.” role in Going “unimpaired SuchMy atWay. Hemanifested won again for the tribute is

by American supporting Hisauthor co-star, novelist John role.

Grisham, of Bing Crosby,books won the Acblockbuster thatBest become blockbuster tor Oscar. movies. He has been called “a straight arrow making his Others who went home way along very crooked path.” with onea Oscar of their two In an earlierJessica interviewLange with nominations: a magazine, Grisham has said he (for Tootsie, 1982), Al Pacino would rather be a nice guy than (for of a Woman), resortScent to �illing his booksHolly with Hunter (The Piano, 1993), and sex and gore.

He refuses to write Jamie Foxx 2004). anything that(Ray, would offend or embarrass his mother orwin his Theeither following failed to children. any: Sigourney Weaver (Goto what many in the rillasContrary in the Mist and Working publishing worldEmma might have preGirl) in 1988, Thompdicted, his approach has paid off son (Themail Remains offrom the “The Day big. Fan and sales and the“The Name of theBrief,” Father) Firm”Inand Pelican are in 1993, Julianne Moore (Far proof.

Films made from his novels are boxHeaven of�ice hits! from and The Hours) Integrity is synonymous with in 2002, and Cate Blanchett honesty.

American president (Elizabeth: The Golden Age George pointed out: “I and I’mWashington Not There) in 2007. hope I shall possess �irmness and Alenough Pacino’s performance virtue to maintain what I in The Irishman earned ofhim consider the most enviable all his nomination from titles,ninth the character of an honest the man.”Academy. Actually, it is “Honesty is the �irstfor chapter his fourth nomination Best of the book ofActor. wisdom,” Thomas Supporting PreviousJefferson Groucho ly, he wascontributed. nominated for The Marx suggests: “There’s one way Godfather (1973), Dick Tracy to �ind out if a man is honest – ask (1991), Glengarry Glen him. If heand says, ‘Yes,’ you know he Ross (1993). is a crook.”

Nineteen ninety-three, This reminds me of the story however, wasinhis year as he that took place the United States a couple years back. for Rosalie also got aofnomination Best Elliott had madeperformance it to the fourth Actor for his in round of a national spelling con-

Scent a Woman.TheAlthough test in of Washington.

11-yearhe lost South the supporting role old from Carolina had been award went Gene Hackasked to(itspell theto word “avowal.”

In herfor softhis southern accent she man performance in spelledEastwood’s the word, but the Unforjudges Clint The were nothe able to determine she given), settled for the ifBest had used an “a” or an “e” as the Actor next toOscar. the last letter.

Pacino was debated also nominatThe judges among ed for Best for Actor for his leadthemselves several minutes ing roles in Serpico (1974), as they listened to tape recording playbacks.

The crucial letter, howThe Godfather II (1975), Dog ever, was too accent-blurred deDay Afternoon (1976), …toAnd cipher. Finally, chief judge put Justice for Allthe (1980).

It was thethe question the that only he person in 1975 toflick dewho knew the answer. livered one of the most “Was the letter an ‘a’ ormemwas it orable lines in cinema: “Keep an ‘e’?” he asked Rosalie. By this your friends close, but your time, being surrounded by whisenemies closer.”spellers, Rosalie pering young knewHis theco-star correct in spelling the The of Irishword. Joe Still,Pesci, without hesitation, she man, also got a nomreplied that she had ination in the samemisspelled categothe word and she his walked from the ry.

He earned first Oscar stage. nomination in 1980’s Raging Here’s what happened next Bull but he won the award for as reported by one journalist: 1991’s Goodfellas. all these, “The entire audienceInstood and applauded, including some �ifty he co-starred with Robert De newspaper reporters. The moNiro. mentAnother was a heartwarming and A-lister nomiproud one for her parents. Even nated in the supporting role in defeat, she was a victor. Indeed, is Tom for A Beautiful more hasHanks been written about RoDay the Neighborhood.

He salie in Elliott over the years than has two Oscars: 1994’s aboutwon the ‘unknown’ winner of the Philadelphia and 1995’s Forevent!” once “The berest Someone Gump. He hassaid: three more ginning of greatness is to be little, nominations: 1989’s Big, the increase of greatness to be 1999’s Saving PrivateisRyan, less, 2001’s and theCast perfection of greatand Away. ness is to be nothing.” He was acan A-lister is Anthony tuallyAlso talking about humility.

Hopkins, whoisreceived nom“Humility the �irstaof virination for The TwoHolmes Popes.said, He tues,” Oliver Wendell won a Bestpeople.”

Actor Oscar The “for other Johnfor Ruskin noted, “I of believe the �irst test Silence the that Lambs (1992) of a truly man is his humility. and wasgreat nominated for the I do not mean by humility, doubt

same in 1994 forBut Thereally Remains of his own power. great of thehave Day aand in 1996 for Nixmen curious feeling that on.

He wasisalso nominated the greatness not in them, but through And theyActor see somefor Bestthem.

Supporting for thing divine in every other man…”

1998’s Amistad.

“Humility,” said, “is Only Brad Confucius Pitt has not won the solid foundation of all the viran Oscar; is nominated tues.”

Manyhe years ago, a riderfor on Once Upon a across Time ainsquad Hollyhorseback came of wood. was also nominated soldiersHe who were trying to move for Bestpiece Supporting for a heavy of timber.Actor The rider noticed a well-dressed 12 Monkeysthat (1996) and Best corporal by and Actor forwas The standing Curious Case of giving commands “heave.” and The Benjamin Buttonto (2009) piece of timber was just a little too Moneyball (2012). heavy, however, for the group of Kathy Bates leads the men to move. nominees in the Bestthem?”

Sup“Why don’t you help porting for women.

She the manOscar on horseback quietly already an Oscar for Best asked thewon important corporal.

“Me?”for the her corporal responded Actress performance with shock (1990). in his voice.

I’m in Misery She“Why, is noma corporal.” inated this year for Richard The Her riderother then supporting dismounted Jewell. and took his place with the solnominations for he 1998’s diers. Smilingwere at them said Primary Colors 2002’s encouragingly, “Now,and all together About boys – Schmidt. heave!” The big piece of timber moved easily withwas the prehelp Laura Dern, who of the additional man. The viously nominated forstrangBest er then silentlyActress mountedinhis2015’s horse.

Supporting He saidistorunning the corporal as he preWild, for Marriage pared to ride on, “The next time Story. gotofatimber Best Actress you haveShe a piece for your nomination forcorporal, Rambling Rose men to handle, send for (1992). the commander-in-chief.”

Margot Robbie is the nomiIt was only then that corporal and his men realized that nated for Bombshell; her prethe helpful stranger vious nomination waswas for none Best other than president himself – Actress forthe 2018’s I, Tonya.

George Washington.

The last remaining nomPhillips Brooks concluded: inee is Florence Pugh for “The true way to be humble isher not role as till Amy in Greta to stoop youMarch are smaller than Gerwig’s adaptation Little yourself, but to stand at of your real Women. height against some higher nature that Now, shall showthe you what the real envelope, smallness of your greatest greatplease… ness is.”

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LIVING

FOUR MEGAWORLD HOTELS VOTED AMONG ‘BEST’ BY TRAVELERS

EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC, four of Megaworld Hotel’s homegrown hotel brands still snagged prestigious international recognitions from the 2020 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards.

Savoy Hotel Manila and Belmont Hotel Manila in Newport City, Savoy Hotel Boracay in Boracay Newcoast, and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Iloilo Business Park all received prestigious recognitions at the highlycoveted annual awards program spearheaded by Tripadvisor, the world’s largest travel platform.

All four were likewise recipients of the Certificate of Excellence recognition back in 2019.

In the restaurant category, Café Belmont, Savoy Café Manila, and The Granary at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo also emerged as winners for consistent positive reviews from diners.

“These accolades will only serve to boost the kind of service and dedication our homegrown hotels provide. With the pandemic affecting the hospitality industry, these recognitions come at the best time since most travelers need a highly-recommended hotel to stay in and this will definitely inspire our associates to do more as they serve our guests,” says Cleofe Albiso, group general manager, Megaworld Hotels.

Savoy Hotel Boracay.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

Based on a full year of Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, award winners are known for consistently receiving great traveler feedback, placing them in the top 10% of hospitality businesses around the globe.

For many years, Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice and Certificate of Excellence programs have

Belmont Hotel Manila. honored select destinations, airlines, accommodations, attractions, experiences, and restaurants around the world.

This year’s awards program honored more than 4,000 exceptional businesses all over the world, thus serving as testament to the excellent quality of service

KIANA V, LEILA, AND MOOPHS JOIN PARADISE RISING’S DEBUT MIXTAPE TARSIER RECORDS artists Kiana, Leila Alcasid, and Moophs are among the featured Filipino talents in the newly released mixtape “semilucent” by international media company 88Rising’s localized label PARADISE RISING. “Excited and grateful to be part of this @88rising project. We at @tarsierrecords licensed two tracks to their new PH imprint @paradiserising,” said Tarsier Records label head Chris Lopez a.k.a. Moophs.

The five-track “semilucent” mixtape includes a collaboration between Leila and Moophs called “Clouds,” freshly produced during the quarantine, and Kiana V’s ”Safe Place” which she recorded in the US last year.

The EP, released just last Friday, is the maiden offering of record

label PARADISE RISING, which is a partnership between 88Rising and Globe dedicated to establishing a presence for Filipino artists in the west and globally.

Launched in 2017, Manilabased label Tarsier Records is the home of Moophs, Leila, and Kiana V, as well as the likes Inigo Pascual, Sam Concepcion, and

Markus Paterson. The label takes pride in producing and releasing music designed to break borders and showcase Filipino talent to the world.

Find out more about Tarsier Records’ artists and their music on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and listen to this Spotify playlist.

and experience provided by the winners.

“Winners of the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition. Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements.

Savoy Hotel Manila.

Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well-deserving, but they are also a great source of inspiration for travelers as the world begins to venture out again,” Kanika Soni, chief commercial officer, Tripadvisor.

AHA! AIRS BRAND-NEW EPISODE THIS SUNDAY WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING STUDIO AWARD-WINNING Kapuso infotainment program AHA! airs a brand-new episode this Sunday and launches its fully animated virtual learning studio.

Join AHA! host Drew Arellano as he takes viewers to a virtual tour of the learning studio and introduces his new techie BFF A! Robot.

New aha-mazing stories also await Kapuso viewers this Sunday.

What is the mystery behind the so-called “witch dog”? Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez tells the story in a special cartoon produced by the program.

Meanwhile, TV and social media personality Jelai Andres helps viewers discover the latest educational apps that can assist them study and learn online.

AHA! also presents inventions that have leveled-up versions now.

Get to know the aha-mazing Pinoy inventors who have extraordi-

nary creations in the new normal.

And everyone’s favorite interactive quiz, AHA Quiz Party, returns with new and exciting features.

Wake up early, learn from home, and watch the all-new episode of AHA! with Drew Arellano this Sunday, 8:15 am on GMA-7

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Among the 10 Asean member-states, the Philippines now has the highest number of Covid-19 infections, which is at 122,754.

It is followed by Indonesia (121,226), Singapore (54,797), Malaysia (9,063), Thailand (3,345), Vietnam (750), Myanmar (359), Cambodia (243), Brunei Darussalam (142), and Laos (20).

Duterte was con�ident that the current Asean leaders would continue the resolve of the regional bloc’s founding members to bind themselves in friendship and cooperation to secure “enduring peace, freedom and prosperity” for their peoples.

He also acknowledged that the Asean’s one vision

and shared destiny, as well as its force for peace and prosperity, have helped the region gain “unparalleled success.”

“With a deeper sense of common purpose, we will continue to work together as one Asean and strengthen partnerships with friends within and outside the region,” Duterte said.

With Asean being the �ifth largest economy in the world today, Duterte believed growth and development across the region will continue.

“More importantly, Asean is moving closer to becoming one politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible community,” he said. (PNA)

ny in charge of operating, maintaining, and developing the country’s power grid, led by majority share-

holders and Vice Chairman of the Board Henry Sy, Jr. and Co-Vice Chairman Robert Coyiuto, Jr.

Khovaev said the vaccine developer is the same laboratory that created a vaccine against Ebola and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Citing Russian scientists, he said the results from clinical trials have been "promising".

"Believe me, we don't like risky undertakings.

That's why I'm saying again that the vaccine is effective and safe. It's an absolute necessary pre-

condition, which was articulated by Russian President (Vladimir) Putin. We are responsible people," he said.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs conveyed its appreciation for Russia’s willingness to assist the Philippines, as well as its offer to supply the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine developed by Gamaleya.

The offer has been referred to relevant agencies for proper assessment and evaluation, it said. (PNA)

annually for this and next year, with bulk or about 75 percent to be sourced domestically while the balance of 25 percent will be tapped overseas.

“And we feel that our credit ratings have been

maintained and not downgraded and we have been able to tap both local and foreign markets at very favorable interest rates and tenors. So our ability to tap markets is very strong,” he added. (PNA)

cally denied.

Loan processing of applications of formally registered MSEs who are able to submit the following documents shall be completed in a few working days upon documents veri�ication: SSS registration of employees in 2019, to serve as the basis for the number of employees prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

BIR-�iled �inancial statements for 2019, to serve as the basis for the volume of annual sales. The subject �i-

nancial report should indicate a positive net income.

“Likewise, loan applicants must ensure the correct encoding of their �irst, middle and last names. The name on the application must be the exact same name on the borrower’s government issued ID and supporting documents,” SB Corp. said.

“Otherwise, the loan application shall be rejected. The loan applicant will have to submit a new online application,” it said.

World Champion and mixed martial arts legend Rich “Ace” Franklin.

Socialbakers is a social media data analytics company that provides businesses around the world

with data and analytics across multiple platforms.

It serves thousands of enterprise brands and SMBs, including over 100 companies on the list of Fortune Global 500.

City Thunder were well beaten by the Memphis Grizzlies 121-92.

Lakers face Pacers The Los Angeles Lakers

(51-17) will be aiming to bounce back from back-toback losses when they face the Indiana Pacers (42-27) on Saturday.

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Covid-19 hastens newspapers’ slide into shaky digital future

T

he coronavirus crisis has weighed heavily on print newspapers already battling for survival around the world, with the number of copies sold tumbling while less pro�itable digital readerships surge.

Simply delivering printed papers to the shops -- or having customers come in to buy them -- has become a challenge, worsening a years-long decline in sales and advertising revenue.

"Consumption of printed newspapers has fallen as lockdowns undermine physical distribution, almost certainly accelerating the shift to an all-digital future," the Reuters Institute's 2020 annual report said.

Major dailies in Brazil and Mexico have already switched to online-only or dropped some days' editions, while in the Philippines 10 of the 70 newspapers in the PPI association have shuttered.

"Times are hard. There are no advertisers and noone is reading us," PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino told AFP. The archipelago nation's small local newspapers were hardest hit during lockdown as street sales tumbled.

"The industry is under siege and we've all taken bruises," Sebellino said.

Far from affecting only journalists, the disappearance of print papers deals out pain all up the production chain, taking in printers, paper makers and delivery people.

Major British media brands could boast of 6.6 million new online readers in the �irst quarter in what their industry association said was a new record.

But most have not seen the same bounce in

print sales.

The coronavirus has become "the greatest threat to the global news industry since the 2008 economic crash" wrote industry publication Press Gazette -- which itself moved online-only in 2013.

Between 2005 and 2018, some 250 local papers closed across Britain, while today one in three journalists' jobs are believed to be under threat.

Fond memory The picture is similar in the US, where dozens of papers have closed or merged with local competitors since the crisis.

Between 2008 and 2019, half of all workers in American newspapers lost their jobs, according to a Pew institute count.

Around the world, audiences have melted away for the free sheets once handed out in busy urban centres.

Unable to count on funding from advertisers, some have paused publication, including Metro or Destak in Brazil or France's 20 Minutes.

With its ageing population used to holding a paper in their hands, Germany's newspaper publishers "were all making money before the coronavirus crisis, even if circulation �igures kept falling," said Frank Ueberall, president of the DJV journalists' federation.

"Things are different now," but "text journalism still has good days ahead," Ueberall said.

"Old people in partic-

ular are far from adopting digital technologies en masse."

"Printing is expensive, but it's swings and roundabouts," said Gilles Dechamps, head of a printing company in northern Paris, arguing that "it's important for readers and for advertisers to have the landmark" of a printed paper".

Despite efforts like cutting their size to save paper or investing in the web over the past 30 years, few papers have found the winning formula to make money from 21st-Century journalism.

"Even in the smallest markets, Facebook and Google syphon three-quarters of the digital revenue," said Penelope Abernathy, a former Wall Street Journal and New York Times vice-president who now teaches media economics at the University of North Carolina.

"That leaves all other legacy media �ighting for the digital scraps."

Strong brands like the NYT may survive the transition, with the Grey Lady's digital revenues outstripping paper for the �irst time in the second quarter this year.

But the smaller �ish may have to continue reducing their output and hiking prices to survive, with successful new magazine launches in recent years mostly targeting a niche audience.

"Print will survive in some form," Abernathy predicted, although likely more in weekly and monthly options than daily.

"The era of the print daily will be remembered fondly. The whole notion was capturing the history of the last 24 hours," she said.

ment stalled from June 1 onward despite the lifting of restrictions, the report said.

But Fitch Solutions has

an optimistic outlook for next year.

“This easing, along with the government’s stimulus plan, leads us to project

a recovery in consumer spending, as we look into 2021. We believe there is the potential for consumer spending to bounce back in

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EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

9

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL ORDINARY REGULAR Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2020-6-1568 (2016-XI-01568) LEA N. RONDINA, Petitioner. x----------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: ECOLAND SUBDIVISION (SM CITY OF DAVAO) with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on June 13, 2021. In the petition filed on June 30, 2020, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of the said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Atty. ARMAND B. DIOSO, Regional Director, this 1st day of July 2020 at Davao City, Philippines.

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR

Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

Petitioner, Lea N. Rondina Counsel, Atty. Raul C. Espina

2021 and we are forecasting real household spending to expand by 6.3 percent year-on-year,” it said.

(PNA)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RODOLFO MONTEMAYOR CABAÑOG has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE executed among his HeirsVendor, per Doc. No 473; PageNo.96; Book No.LXXXVII Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ANTOINETTE G. PRINCIPE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late JOSE T. GULFIN has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS executed among his Heirs per Doc. No 522; PageNo.106; Book No.06 Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC JORLITO O. PINGAL

8/10, 17,24/20

8/10, 17,24/20

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

DTI’s SB Corp. to reopen CARES loan online applications on Aug 17

T

he Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Small Business Corp. said Friday it will reopen its COVID-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) Program online Borrower Registration System (BRS) on August 17 as part of the economic relief program for micro and small enterprises affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the SB Corp, said online loan applications received prior to the said date are already on the �inal stages of process-

ing, maintaining a queueing of �irst come �irst serve basis.

Tagged as CARES 2 to distinguish from the initial run of the program, the upcoming CARES window will require all applicants to apply through SB Corp.’s online BRS in this link https://brs.sbgfc.org.ph.

Manual applications will no longer be accepted.

The loan features of CARES 2 will have the same features as CARES 1 including loan limit, zero interest rate, service fee, grace period, and repayment terms.

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ISABELO AQUINO JALDON has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE leaving the following real properties described as follows:TCT No. T-154465,TCT No. T-179,719, Residential house covered

by Tax Declaration No. AG-09004-06860, Personal Property, A.Soriano Corporation Common Stocks executed among his Heirs, per Doc. No 312; PageNo.64; Book No.lll Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC FREDERIC VOLTAIRE Y. TAN

The same identi�ication and business registration documents are required.

However, for ease of loan release as well as to reduce physical contact and minimize community transmission of COVID-19, loan applicants under CARES 2 requesting loans more than P30,000 are required to have a bank account where the SB Corp. will deposit the loan release proceeds.

The bank account should either be at the Land Bank of the Philippines or any PESONet or InstaPay

participating banks.

For loan applications below P30,000, electronic money accounts (EMA) such as GCash and PayMaya may substitute the bank account requirement.

The bank/EMA account must be under the name of the loan applicant.

Loan applicants will not be able to proceed with their online application without their bank/EMA account details.

Moreover, SB Corp. said it will not allow a change in bank/EMA account details during the loan release

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late LUCIA F. GICA who died on July 5, 2020 at Davao City has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No.145; PageNo.30; Book No.LXXXIX Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. ANTOINETTE G. PRINCIPE.

phase, relative to what is indicated in the online loan application.

CARES 2 loan applicants will also be required to submit the following during the online application: Three photos of the enterprise’s operations and �ixed assets, inclusive of business signage. Image �ile size should be limited to less than 2 MB; and A one to three-minute video on the business’ operations, with the loan applicant explaining the enterprise’s products and

services, buyers and suppliers, level of sales, and number of employees. For ease of uploading, the video may be cut into one-minute sections.

In case the loan applicant has an outstanding negative credit track record with any �inancial institution (FI) prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an approved payment arrangement with subject FI should be �irst secured, said SB Corp.

Otherwise, the loan application will be automati-

DTI, P9

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Spouses PILAR RUBIO BUENACOSA and ROMEO MALAGA BUENACOSA who died on May 31, 2019 and August 3, 2005 at Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital, Libertad Butuan City and Davao Medical Center Davao City, has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.449; PageNo.91; Book No.LXXXVII Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. ANTOINETTE G.

PRINCIPE.

7/27, 8/3,10/2020 7/27, 8/3,10/2020

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11

TOP 10 SPORTS PROFILES

ONE Championship in Top 10 Facebook sports engagements

S

ingapore-based martial arts organization ONE Championship has broken into the Top 10 Most Engaging Sport Pro�iles on Facebook Worldwide, according to �igures released by independent social media marketing company Socialbakers. The data was collected between 1 January and 30 June, 2020.

ONE landed in the eighth spot overall, with 46,299,362 interactions, slightly edging out the National Basketball Association (NBA), which sits in the ninth spot at 45,049,463 interactions.

ONE is surrounded by some of the most high-pro�ile sports properties in the world, including Manchester United, International Cricket Council (ICC), and LaLiga, among others.

ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong shared a multimedia infographic and a message to fans of the promotion on his of�icial Facebook.

“Thank you to the

Nonito Donaire now gets his reward of a WBC mandatory chance at champion Nordine Oubaali.

greatest fans in the world for inspiring me and my team to dream more, do more, and be more in life!”

Sityodtong wrote.

ONE is the only Asian representative and martial arts property on the list.

The Top 10 is mostly dominated by football organizations, with only ONE, the NBA, and ICC representing other sports.

Football is extremely popular in many Asian nations, and it is arguably the most popular sport in the world. Manchester United claimed the top spot on the list with 98,753,757 interactions, which certainly comes as no surprise being

the most popular football team in the world.

ONE, meanwhile, features the world’s most exciting martial arts action and enjoys a massive fan base not only in Asia, but also across Europe and South America. Its global footprint projects over 2.7 billion potential viewers worldwide, and it broadcasts events to 150 countries through freeto-air, linear, and digital channels. The promotion has a passionate following among key demographics on social media, particularly on Facebook and Youtube.

Apart from its �lagship mixed martial arts product, ONE also offers a striking-only league – ONE Super Series – which hosts kickboxing and Muay Thai contests, as well as reality shows such as ONE Warrior Series and the upcoming The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition. It also recently launched a podcast called Franklin Speaking, which stars multiple-time

TOP 10, P9

Facebook’s top 10 most engaging sports profiles.

Donaire gets title crack against French champ

N

onito Donaire will get the opportunity to build on his impressive performance in the World Boxing Super Series at the end of this year.

The Filipino superstar, who has won titles in multiple weight divisions, pushed pound for pound ‘Monster’ Naoya Inoue all the way in the �inale of the tournament.

Donaire now gets his reward of a WBC mandatory chance at champion Nordine Oubaali.

Prior to that, young contender Chris Colbert c a n a n -

nounce himself on the world stage two weeks earlier.

Nordine Oubaali (170, 12 KOs) vs. Nonito Donaire (40-6, 26 KOs).

Donaire will take on Nordine Oubaali for the WBC Bantamweight World Championship on December 12.

France’s Oubaali will be defending the WBC bantamweight world title for the third time.

Donaire is the No. 1-ranked contender and �ighting for his eighth world championship.

A four-division titlist. A former pound-forpound mainstay, Donaire fought brilliantly in what many picked as 2019’s Fight of the Year, a decision loss to Naoya Inoue.

At the age of 37, Donaire is attempting to defy the belief that the smaller the �ighter, the earlier the prime.

The Celtics were too good for the Raptors 122-100 as Jayson Tatum fired 18 points.

Celtics topple Raptors as Nets, Magic clinch playoff spots Saturday’s Results: San Antonio Spurs 119-111 Utah Jazz Memphis Grizzlies 121-92 Oklahoma City Thunder Brooklyn Nets 119-106 Sacramento Kings Philadelphia 76ers 108-101 Orlando Magic New Orleans Pelicans 118107 Washington Wizards Boston Celtics 122-100 Toronto Raptors The Boston Celtics crushed the Toronto Raptors in the NBA on Friday, while the �inal two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference were secured.

The Celtics were too good for the Raptors 122100 after another even team performance at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Jaylen Brown scored 20 points, with Boston seeing seven players in double-digits for points.

Jayson Tatum (18 points) and Kemba Walker (17) were among them as the Celtics improved to 46-23.

Toronto struggled in defeat, with Fred VanVleet going four-of-14 from the

�ield for his 13 points.

The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic clinched playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Nets were too good for the Sacramento Kings 119-106, while Orlando lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, but secured their spot after the Washington Wizards' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Harris, Embiid lift 76ers as Holiday shines Tobias Harris (23 points and 15 rebounds) and Joel Embiid (23 points and 13 rebounds) saw the 76ers to their 108-101 win over Orlando.

Jrue Holiday went 11of-16 from the �ield for 28 points in the Pelicans' 118107 victory against the Wizards.

The San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 119-111 thanks to 24 points from Derrick White.

Gilgeous-Alexander wayward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went three-of-13 from the �ield as the Oklahoma

CELTICS, P9

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 103 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, AUGUST 9-10, 2020

TOO BIG FOR ME Manny not jumping to middleweight to fight GGG

B

oxing icon Manny Pacquiao is reluctant to make the step up to middleweight and take on Gennady Golovkin.

The Filipino �ighter’s former coach, and Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach mentioned earlier this year that Pacquiao may move up in weight in pursuit of more belts.

And despite a titantic clash with pound-forpound king Golovkin having been touted, Pacquiao is now unwilling to �ight about the 147lb welterweight limit.

Pacquiao does, however, appear willing to embrace a showdown with IBF middleweight champion Golovkin but only if both �ighters were to compromise.

He told the Manila Times: ‘As long as it is 147lbs, I am OK with that.

‘But if it’s above that, it’s too big for me.’

Golovkin boasts a formidable record in the ring, having recorded 35 KOs, while his potential opponent Pacquiao

holds a 62-7-2 record.

Meantime, reports say Pacquiao may now have to step up his efforts to face Terence Crawford in order for just two boxers to hold all the marbles in the division.

Once the dust settles on this year, the 147 weight class should be in a position to see a fourbelt undisputed uni�ication in 2021.

It all depends on whether Pacquiao and Crawford agree on terms. If they don’t the welterweights will remain fragmented for at least another six months.

Spence is a huge favorite to overcome Garcia, although Pacquiao may begin any collision with Crawford as the underdog. Considering his resume, that’s hard to fathom but possibly the correct decision by the bookmakers.

Manny Pacquiao is unwilling to fight above the 147lb welterweight limit