Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 108 | Saturday, August 15, 2020

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DISCRETIONARY

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

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Restrictions eased on motorcycle backriding, face shields STORY ON PAGE 2

Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) director Allan Borromeo (right) and Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Jr., representing Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Z. Duterte, lead the ceremonial drive through of Talomo Bridge in Davao City on Friday. 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 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

Davao City task group formed to address quarrying issues

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Mugshots of Abu Sayyaf leader Abduljihad “Edang” Susukan. (Photo courtesy of Davao City Police Office)

DISCRETIONARY Restrictions eased on motorcycle backriding, face shields

By MAYA M. PADILLO Pillon riding or motorcycle back riding is now allowed for everyone other than couples while wearing of face shield is no longer mandatory to drivers after the city government of Davao amended Executive Order (EO) No. 47-A on Thursday.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the city has amended the said EO following the pronouncement of Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) who said that the agency is leaving the decision to the local chief executives on how to implement the policy on motorcycle back riding during the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meeting last Tuesday.

Under EO No. 47-A Section 13, pillon riding or back riding is allowed for all and will not be limited

to couples only, however, wearing of face mask, helmet, and barrier will still be observed.

Mayor Sara said the barrier may be made with any design or material provided that it will cover the upper body of the driver but not extend above the head.

“Because nag-ingon si Secretary Año na “we leave it to the local chief executives to look at the situation and adjust the implementation of policy”.

Sa atoa dinhi naa gihapon ang barrier kay required and mandated man sa doc-

tor,” she said.

In terms of the face shield, Mayor Sara said in Section 2-B.1 of EO No. 47, face shield that covers the mouth area is optional to the general public but is mandatory for employees of offices and establishments where there is high volume of people moving inside the premises.

“Face shield is mandatory for employees whose job is receiving clients, waitress, security guards and all others in the frontlines. where the job of the worker puts him impact with other individuals,” she said.

In Section 2-B.2, the mandatory use of face shield among drivers of jeepneys, buses, vans for hire, tricycles, and other public utility vehicles has been removed, however, the driver should ensure protection by mounting

barriers around him just like what the taxi drivers did.

“Pag-ingon ana there is no need for face shield.

For review usahay man gud ang mga tao malimtan nila kung ngano gina implement isa ka policy. Ang laway nga naay kagaw na mulagpot unya ma-inhale sa isa ka tao mao na siya ang mag-cause na matakdan ka. Kanang face mask, face shield ug barriers mag prevent na siya na mulagpot padulong sa imoha ug mahnaggba nimo ang laway,” Mayor Sara said.

The said meeting was also attended by Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Chief Implementer of the Philippines’ Declared National Policy Against Covid-19 Carlito Galvez, and mayors and governors of Davao Region.

ue crops and vegetables.

“With the needed support for processing and value-adding, farmers and fishermen will earn more and are expected to produce more. With poverty addressed and productivity enhanced, Mindanao's economy which was stalled by the pandemic is expected to rev up and restart,” he said.

Piñol said the establishment of fish centers would be included in the listing of proposed projects under the PHP2.1-billion European Union-funded Mindanao Rise Program.

Fisheries and aquaculture are among the commodities that Piñol is pushing for funding support be-

cause of the sector's great potential.

“In my travels to the remotest areas of the country, even when I was Agriculture Secretary, I saw the squandering of opportunities in the fisheries and aquaculture sector simply because of the lack of a simple ice-making facility and cold storages,” he said.

He described that Mindanao seas are "bountiful", especially with the institutionalization of the annual closed fishing season in the country's major fishing grounds.

“For so many years, however, this simple solution to the problem of lack of productivity in the fisheries and aquaculture

sector has largely been ignored and neglected. In Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat, I saw large Tunas being preserved using only ice made from refrigerators,” Piñol said.

He added that it prompted the fishermen to limit their catch due to the lack of ice for storage.

“Under the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program which I propose, at least 22 major fishing grounds in the region - from Camiguin Island to Tawitawi, and even Balut Island near our border with Indonesia, will be provided with ice-making facilities, blast freezers (when feasible), cold stor-

MinDA seeks to establish interconmected fish centers

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has proposed the establishment of fish centers which will be interconnected through a digital platform that monitors the volume of daily catch and classification of fishes.

MinDA chief, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said in a statement Friday the digital platform would serve as a virtual market identifying the catch and could be marketed under the Mindanao Food Supply and Demand Map. Other commodities proposed for inclusion in the funding support are coconut, banana, rubber, corn, organic rice, high-val-

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avao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has created an inter-agency task group to address issues relating to quarrying activities in the city, especially the unregulated and illegal operations.

In her latest issuance, Executive Order (E.O) No. 48, released on Tuesday, August 12, 2020, Mayor Sara noted the many complaints received by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on alleged unregulated and illegal quarrying activities by permit holders and other individuals.

In EO No. 48, the mayor emphasized the need to address all issues and to guarantee the proper implementation of quarrying laws and other related policies and ordinances.

The task group is composed of the head of CENRO as chairperson, the head of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB)-XI as vice-chairperson, and the head/representatives of the City Engineer’s

Office (CEO, City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)-Zoning Division, City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR), Mindanao Association of Mining Engineers, Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI), and Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) as members.

The members are tasked to conduct regular ocular inspections, prepare reports on violations and recommendations, monitor and ensure all terms and conditions of quarry permits are complied with, formulate mitigating measures to properly address any negative environmental impact during operation, and make a periodic report to the mayor.

Davao City has several approved quarry permits for commercial sand and gravel, earth fill, and limestone along the Davao, Lasang, Matina Pangi, and Talomo rivers. CIO

Davao City offers free flu, pneumonia vaccines to senior citizens

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HE DAVAO City government has called on Dabawenyo senior citizens to avail of influenza and pneumonia vaccine shots offered free by the City Health Office (CHO).

These vaccines may be accessed at the CHO or the health centers accessible to senior citizens.

Davao City Health Office chief Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said that they are prioritizing senior citizens because they are more vulnerable and likely to get respiratory illnesses.

“Our senior citizens can visit the CHO dispensary and the nearest health centers for the free flu and pneumonia vaccine.”

The CHO is administering the vaccine shots to senior citizens every Friday

to avoid crowding and ensure that health protocols against Covid-19 are being followed.

She urged them to avail of the vaccines, especially that the rainy season is here and during this time, flu and respiratory diseases are very common.

Villafuerte said that the flu vaccine costs around P1,000 per vial while the pneumonia vaccine costs Php 2,000 if bought privately but are offered by the CHO for free.

CHO has more or less 5,000 vials of flu vaccine available for the senior citizens, while a limited supply of pneumonia vaccines.

The flu vaccine is administered yearly while the pneumonia vaccine is given every five (5) years.

(PR-CIO)

Wearing face shield mandatory for frontline employees

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he City Government has amended Executive Order No. 47, particularly the use of face shields that is now mandatory for employees who have to meet people from all walks of life every day, but optional for ordinary people.

Speaking at the Davao City Disaster Radio, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the use of face shields will only be for employees like security guards and counter personnel who need to entertain people all the time.

She said that public utility drivers are not obliged to wear face shields because it may lead to accidents due to human error.

“The vision of drivers is impaired when they wear face shields,” Duterte-Carpio said.

She stressed since the city is under the modified general community quarantine, face shields are not compulsory for Davaoenos.

Duterte-Carpio discouraged buying face shields especially now that unscrupulous businesses overprice them.

She also confirmed meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force in Davao City last Tuesday when Health Secretary Francisco Duque III gave the verbal guidance of crushing the clusters of COVID-19 infection in the region in order to minimize the impact of the pandemic.

Duterte-Carpio said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano also left it to the chief executives to discern on how to implement the health protocols like back riding especially on areas under MGCQ. She explained that due to this development onboard pillion can now be done by everyone, but with the barrier, face masks and helmets.

“Angkas is now pre-

FWEARING, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

NEWS 3

BARMM, UN agencies launch social protection program

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he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, in partnership with United Nations (UN) agencies in the country, inked Thursday a social protection program for the vulnerable sectors of the region.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim said the confluence is an intervention that will institutionalize a risk-informed, shock-responsive social protection system.

“The direction of this program will also pave way for a Bangsamoro that is compliant and prioritizes the global call to subscribe in the sustainable development goals,” he said.

The partnership also highlights the regional government's commitment to ensure the Bangsamoro is prepared even after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“I am immensely excited for the eventual outcome and hopefully, its lasting impact on Bangsamoro communities who desire nothing more but a more peaceful life with opportunities that lie ahead for them,” Ebrahim added.

The social protection program’s objective is to reduce social and economic risk and vulnerability and to alleviate extreme poverty and

deprivation, as stated in the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) UN website.

“Planning and acting early through shock-responsive social protection, before a disaster has happened, or reached its critical peak, can save lives and protect livelihoods from the immediate shocks while increasing the resilience of local communities over time,” said Gustavo Gonzalez, UN resident coordinator.

In May, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the provision of emergency cash transfers to 1,000 families in Lanao del Sur with children 0-2 years old that were excluded from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the social amelioration program of the region’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) office.

“UNICEF aims to provide critical support during the crucial first 1,000 days of a child’s life,” said Gonzalez, who is also UN’s country humanitarian coordinator.

FAO, in partnership with the MSSD, is set to conduct an emergency cash assistance initiative that will cover 1,800 indigent farming families in the BARMM that is complementary to the national government’s SAP subsidy package. (PNA)

Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) spokesperson Dean Ortiz says the agency is implementing series of road projects in Davao City to help alleviate traffic congestion and eventually after

projects are completed, bigger investment opportunities will come in the city. Edge Davao

Talomo Bridge opening could ease traffic congestion: DPWH 11

By MAYA M. PADILLO he inauguration of Talomo Bridge led by the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) on August 14, 2020 is expected to ease the traffic congestion along the road sections of the Davao City Diversion Road and Davao-Cotabato Road (Davao City to junction of Digos section).

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Talomo Bridge, which connects Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Ulas and Bangkal, is a single span bridge located along Davao-Cotabato Road, Davao City, serving as one of the main artery for the travelling public coming to and from the central business districts of Davao City.

“We have to widen this because dati naka-six lanes nata tapos four lanes ang atong bridge and we need to widen that para

ma-accommodate ang bigger volume of traffic,” said Dean Ortiz, spokesperson of DPWH 11.

Traversing Talomo River, the P164.8 million bridge project has a length of 40.44 meters with construction started in 2015 and has extended to 2019.

The scope of works include replacement of the existing superstructure, construction of the Bailey Detour Bridge (upstream and downstream) in Taal St., Bangkal; widening of the bridge from two to six lanes and its approaches, slope protection works (construction of retaining wall and rubble concrete revetment with steel sheet piles), and construction of reinforced concrete approach slab at both abutments.

The bridge features reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings, sidewalk with curb and gutter, and solar pavement levelled marker/stud flush type and asphalt overlay.

The bridge has two abutments with a total of 12 meters to 30 meters depth bored piles at 1.20 diameter and 12 prestressed girders.

“Wider roads and bridges, translates to lesser traffic and easier access, which in turn will open better opportunities for tourism and economic development in our beloved City,” said said Allan Borromeo, regional director of DPWH 11 in his speech.

Currently, DPWH is also widening the existing Talomo-Puan bypass road.

Ortiz also said by the end of August DPWH 11 will be opening the 2.7 kilometers Bago-Talomo portion of the Davao City Coastal Road.

“We are doing all these series of road projects that we are implementing here in Davao City to help alleviate traffic congestion once these projects are completed para mahatagan ug opportunities ang investment,” he said.

(COVAX) facility, an international collaboration to speed up the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments.

As a member of the COVAX facility, the Philippines is assured of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Vergeire said this when asked about updates on the negotiations for Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

She emphasized that the government is exploring other avenues, including the upcoming World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial for vaccines.

“We are not very specific na sa Russian vaccine lang (on just the Russian vaccine),” she said.

While the Philippines has long been in talks with Chinese manufacturers who are among the vaccine frontrunners, Russia made headway this week by granting regulatory approval for its vaccine for limited use.

Government officials said the Philippines might be included in Russia’s Phase III clinical trials, which could begin in September or October.

Asked if the Philippines

PH in talks with more than a dozen Covid-19 vaccine developers: DOH

T Health workers wear personal protective equipment while working in the frontline.The Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) and the Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers

of PPE (CPMP) have appealed to the government to provide more support to local manufacturers of medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) through the Bayanihan 2. Edge Davao

he Department of Health on Friday said the government is in talks with more than a dozen COVID-19 vaccine developers as the country continues to grapple with the fast-spreading disease.

“We have about 16 vaccine manufacturers na may different stages ng pag-uusap (that are in different stages of talks),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing.

Vergeire added that there are also 9 vaccine manufacturers who are part of the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

Megaworld nets P5.9 billion in H1

Local PPE makers ask M for more gov’t support

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he Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) and the Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP) have appealed to the government to provide more support to local manufacturers of medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) through the Bayanihan 2.

“We would like to request the critical support of (the) government to provide a sustainable environment for this sub-sector to grow, an emerging sub-sector critical to meet the national need for medical-grade PPE during (a) health crisis,” CONWEP and CPMP said in a joint statement.

The local PPE makers, particularly those that repurposed their manufacturing facilities heeding

the call of the government to domestically produced critical Covid-19-related products such as medical-grade N95, N88 masks, medical-grade seam-sealed coveralls, isolation gowns, and head and shoe covers, requested the lawmakers an exemption from payment of duties, taxes, fees, to include value-added tax (VAT) on local sales, for locally manufactured medical-grade PPE; and

strict implementation of the government to qualify and impose Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FDA-accredited third party laboratory testing on imported PPE. They also called for the imposition of duties, taxes, and other fees, to include VAT on local sales on imported PPE; the retroactive application of capital equipment exemptions on import and duties, and exemption on VAT on local sales treated as exports to cover the period from the time Bayanihan 1 expired; and prioritizing Philippine-made medical-grade PPE in government procurement.

“We request our legislators to implement fiscal policy reforms that would allow the local PPE industry to grow and be sustainable. We need to level

off the playing field from the influx of substandard PPE,” the groups said.

For CPMP alone, the group is producing over 57 million pieces of masks and three million pieces of coveralls and isolation gowns, which products passed the highest standard requirements.

Its repurposing initiatives saved 7,450 jobs during the pandemic and invested more than USD35 million for the past three months.

CPMP is composed of Medtecs International Corp. Ltd., EMS Components Assembly Inc., Reliance Producers Cooperative, Luen Thai International Group Philippines Inc., and Tacca Industries Pty Ltd from Australia.

CONWEP, on the other one, is the first group that locally produced medical-grade coveralls. (PNA)

egaworld, the country’s leading developer of integrated urban townships, posted a 34-percent drop in its net income during the first half of 2020 to PHP5.9 billion from PHP8.9 billion during the same period last year.

In a statement Thursday, the company said its consolidated revenues for the first six months declined by 25 percent yearon-year to PHP23.8 billion from PHP31.7 billion last year.

It recorded PHP2.1 billion net profit during the second quarter this year, a 56-percent decline from PHP4.8 billion during the same period last year, as the country was reeling from the impact of the nationwide lockdown that affected most businesses.

“Just as the pandemic began in the last month of the first quarter, we already anticipated a decline in our earnings in the second quarter, but what actually surprised us was the fact that the drop wasn’t as bad as we have expected it to be, and it remains manageable. Our strategic decision of further strengthening our office leasing business way before the pandemic started is now evidently making us more resilient,” said Kevin Tan, chief strategy officer at Megaworld.

Leasing revenues from Megaworld Premier Offices, the company’s office leasing arm, was up 10 percent during the first six months from PHP5.1 billion last year to PHP5.6 billion during the same period this year.

Contribution of Megaworld Premier Offices now stands at 78 percent of the company’s total rental income, which mitigated the impact of partial operations of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls due to the pan-

demic.

This year, the company is set to complete construction of five new office developments in its various townships, adding around 213,000 square meters of completed projects in the company’s leasable office portfolio.

“Business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and traditional offices such as corporate headquarters of multinational companies still occupy around 90 percent of our spaces, which still continued their operations even at the height of the lockdown. We are closing some deals from many Metro Manila-based BPO companies that require an immediate expansion in our provincial townships due to eased quarantine rules there. Our current portfolio of active BPO tenant partners is still huge, and these are our first-line takers in our provincial developments,” Tan added.

Megaworld is expected to end the year with 70 completed office developments covering 1.4 million square meters of leasable office inventory, excluding those that have already been sold.

Megaworld’s rental income for the first half of 2020 declined by only 11 percent at PHP7.2 billion, while hotel revenues were down 29 percent to PHP917.9 million from PHP1.3 billion.

Even as the lockdown limited selling activities for residential projects, Megaworld’s reservation sales during the first half of the year reached PHP38 billion, which peaked during the second quarter when most parts of the country was placed under ‘enhanced community quarantine.

Real estate sales during the first six months reached

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Dennis Uy stepping down as president of DITO CME

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Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy resigns as president of DITO CME Holdings Corp. effective August 16, 2020. Edge Davao

avao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy is stepping down as the president of listed DITO CME Holdings Corp. in a bid to foster an independent decision-making in the company.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, DITO CME announced that during a special meeting, its board of directors accepted Uy’s resignation, effective August 16, 2020.

The businessman said the reason for his resignation is “for appropriate balance of power, increased accountability, and better capacity for independent decision-making.”

Nevertheless, Uy shall remain as chairman and chief executive officer of DITO CME. Ernesto Alberto was appointed as new president, effective August 17, 2020, to serve Uy’s unexpired term.

“The Board's nomination committee is currently in search of Mr. Alberto's replacement as independent director. The Company shall advise the Exchange as soon as a re-

placement is named,” DITO CME said.

DITO CME, formerly ISM Communications Corp., is a holding company engaged in information technology, multimedia telecommunications, and other similar industries. It currently has no operating business.

In December, it fully acquired the Udenna Communications Media and Entertainment Holdings Corp.

DITO CME chief operating officer Donald Lim earlier said the company will own indirect interest in third telco DITO Telecommunity Corp. “once the necessary governmental approvals are obtained and the appropriate transfer documents are executed; however, the holder of the government franchise is DITO Telecommunity.”

DITO Telecommunity Corp. — a venture of Uy's Udenna Corp., Udenna's subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunications Corp.

— earlier said it is still on track to onboard subscribers by March 2021.

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ECONOMY 5

Rural, coop banks extend lifeline to pandemic-affected MSMEs

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) policy to accept as reserve requirement the compliance of rural and cooperative banks’ (RCBs) lending to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the pandemic has posted gains.

In a virtual briefing Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said 66 RCBs lent about PHP1.5 billion to MSMEs in the

reserve week ending July 23, 2020.

This is an expansion from the PHP1 billion extended by 39 RCBs in

Nestlé PH transitions to paper straws in ready-to-drink products

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estlé Philippines is switching from plastic to paper straws for its ready-todrink (RTD) products – a move that will eliminate 130 metric tons of plastic straws by end of the year.

The first of its in kind and scale in the country, Nestlé’s paper straw shift is targeted to be completed by yearend. The shift is part of its global commitment to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

“As the world’s largest food and beverage company, Nestlé envisions a waste-free future in which none of our packaging, particularly plastic, ends up in landfills, the oceans, or as litter.

Shifting to paper straws

is a critical step towards plastic neutrality, and one of many we are taking to address the urgent, and at the same time complex, plastics challenge,” said Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO Kais Marzouki.

RTD brands CHUCKIE, BEAR BRAND (Sterilized, Fortified, and Yogu), NESCAFÉ, and MILO already utilize the paper straws in the 180ml and 200ml portion packs, while the 110ml and 250ml packs are currently in the pipeline for transition.

The newly-developed bended paper straws are of food-grade quality and made without plastic or wax, which makes them fully recyclable. Several tests were made to ensure

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operative banks also exhibited commitment to empower and assist MSMEs in critically impacted large enterprises in rural communities by extending, renewing, and restructuring loans to the sectors,” he added.

In a statement, the central bank said results of a latest BSP baseline survey showed that RCBs adopted properly to the movement restrictions imposed by the govern-

ment since middle of March to arrest the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

It said the sector also tapped technological innovations to continue to serve their clients and was able to return to normal operations following the easing of quarantine measures.

Citing BSP data, it added RCBs’ balance sheets continue to show positive figures, with the

end-March 2020 resources up by 5.9 percent yearon-year to PHP265.7 billion.

The sector’s lending business was mainly driven by deposits, which grew by 6.1 percent yearon-year to PHP188.2 billion.

Non-performing loan ratio declined to 11.2 percent at the end of the first quarter from 11.6 percent in the same period last year. (PNA)

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Businesses can’t afford another lockdown: ECCP t will be harder for businesses to survive and recover if the government will extend stringent community quarantine, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) president Nabil Francis said on Thursday.

In a webinar and press conference, Francis said the current modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) should be the last and the government should start to ease restrictions.

“No, it cannot happen,” Francis answered when asked if businesses could survive an extended MECQ after August 18.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal reverted to MECQ since August 4.

He said lockdowns are measures to help boost the healthcare capacity of the country while slowing down the spread of the virus.

“Our recommendation would be to ease the restrictions starting from mid-August.

Otherwise, the longer we close, the more difficult the recovery is going to be,” Francis said,

the week ending April 30, 2020.

Diokno said 10 RCBs also used new loans to finance critically impacted large enterprises worth PHP100 million as their compliance to the reserve requirement.

He said “amid the Covid-19 pandemic, rural banks have been actively lending and extending financing relief to the MSME sector.”

“The rural and co-

adding the Philippines has the longest and hardest lockdown.

The ECCP released during the webinar the results of its survey on impacts of Covid-19 on European businesses in the Philippines, wherein 56.6 percent of the respondents said the pandemic has high impact on their businesses.

Majority of the respondents cited that travel restrictions, reduced demand, and business cash flow are among the top concerns for European firms here.

About 75 percent of the respondents also expressed they are dissatisfied over the current measures and economic stimulus efforts of the Philippine government.

European enterprises also called for government support, such as fast-tracking internet and infrastructure improvements, further ease of doing business, as well as providing tax breaks and extending tax filing.

The survey also reported that 57.2 percent of

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PH's 1st REIT listing shows domestic market ready to resume business

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday the Philippines’ first Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listing done by the Ayala-backed AREIT Inc. signals that the domestic market is ready to resume business amid the challenges arising from the coronavirus-induced global health and economic crisis.

Dominguez said the country’s first REIT will deliver to the economy a “powerful financial concept” that aims to promote greater inclusiveness in the financial system among Filipinos as it will democratize wealth by opening for thousands of small investors the opportunity to invest in secure and profitable real estate projects.

“This public offering is a strong vote of confidence in our good economic prospects and in the resiliency of many of our industry sectors, some of which will be occupants of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI)'s REIT properties,” said Dominguez in his videotaped message congratulating ALI on the success of its initial public offering (IPO) and listing of its REIT at the Philippine Stock Ex-

change (PSE).

"It shares in the optimism that, notwithstanding the global economic downturn today, the Philippine economy has strong fundamentals to rise quickly from the devastation brought about by the global health emergency," he added.

Dominguez said he is optimistic that AREIT’s public offering and listing will encourage more companies to form REITs that would “provide attractive and dependable investment opportunities for the average Filipino.”

On top of being a secure investment vehicle for small investors, REITs also provide multiplier effects on the economy, considering that the capital and profits to be raised by REIT sponsors will be reinvested exclusively in the domestic real estate and infrastructure sectors, he said.

“A REIT public offering not only signals that there is strong confidence in existing real properties, but that the company sees new opportunities for expansion with the proceeds of the offering,” said Dominguez, who had strongly pushed the implementation of the 11-year old Re-

public Act (RA) No. 9856 or the REIT Law ever since he assumed the finance portfolio in 2016.

In bringing the long-dormant REIT law back to life, Dominguez made sure the review and redrafting of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) would guarantee that any profit earned or capital raised by REIT promoters or sponsors would be reinvested in the domestic economy, rather than squirreled away overseas.

“This ensures that the funds invested by Filipinos will stay in our domestic economy and will contribute to the modernization of our infrastructure,” he said.

The REIT law, with its amended IRR, now allows both small and large investors to own real estate assets, presenting an alternative and secure investment instrument for middle-income families and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), while providing real estate companies a cheaper source of capital as they help develop the Philippine capital market.

“Today is a momentous event. More than a decade since the enactment of the REIT Law or the Real Es-

tate Investment Trust Act, we will witness the Philippines’ first REIT listing through Ayala Land’s public offering,” Dominguez said.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman Emilio Aquino and PSE president Ramon Monzon were among those present at the event marking AREIT’s listing in the local bourse.

ALI chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala joined them via Zoom.

Dominguez further said it was under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte when contentious issues that for years had prevented REITs in the country from taking off were finally resolved.

‘We took on the challenge of crafting a regulatory framework for this financial instrument that is right for the country,” he said. “Ayala Land’s REIT public offering is timely. It signals that our market is ready to resume business after all the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

AREIT’s public offering is “very encouraging” especially at this time when the government is preparing the economy to re-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

On the use of face shield covering the mouth area being optional to the general public but is mandatory for employees of offices and establishments where there is high volume of people moving inside the premises:

Face shield is mandatory for employees whose job is receiving clients, waitress, security guards and all others in the frontlines. where the job of the worker puts him impact with other individuals.

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO City Mayor

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NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

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 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

EDGEDAVAO LIVING

MICROTEL DAVAO AMONG 2019 BEST OF MICROTEL BY WYNDHAM AWARDEES ONE OF THE BEST Microtel hotels in the world happens to be right in the Philippines.

Microtel by Wyndham Davao has been named as one of the best Microtel hotels worldwide— an accolade it shares with branches around the world who have met Wyndham’s exceptional level of service, quality and commitment to excellence.

In its congratulatory message, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts lauded Microtel by Wyndham Davao and other awardees for their dedication, and for delivering a memorable travel experience to guests, “an achievement that would be unattainable without the passion and commitment of you and your team.” The winners were evaluated on specific criteria–including exceptional quality scores, outstanding guest reviews, and an unwavering commitment to the Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program and members.

Microtel by Wyndham Davao’s inclusion among the awardees is hardly surprising, with highly satisfied guests expressing their satisfaction with the hotel’s offerings and high quality service–which have remained attentive, reli-

able and friendly amidst the challenges posed by the new normal. Guests continue to be assured that they can stay safe and healthy during their stay with its health and safety protocols, while still enjoying the hotel’s brand of service.

Located in the Damosa Gateway Complex and IT Park, Microtel by Wyndham Davao is close to corporate offices, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the Davao International Airport. It has 51 stylish rooms and suites to meet the needs of travelers, and features 3 meeting rooms for business and conference needs.

As part of its commitment to its loyal customers and to

the people of Davao, DLI also opened its doors to major

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firm Concentrix earlier this year amid the community quarantine. Microtel Davao served the BPO company by means of housing and accommodation for its employees working inside Damosa IT Park. Aside from ensuring the safety of the people of Davao, this partnership also highlights DLI’s continuous efforts to carry on with business operations in the city, and ensure the steady flow of support to the local communities who need assistance the most.

“These may be challenging times for all of us, but Microtel by Wyndham Davao has always believed that we cannot let this pandemic get in the way of our vision, which is to offer hotel services that meet global standards. Being one of the Microtel hotels in the Philippines to achieve this award is a testimony to our commitment to deliver only the best to our guests. This award reaffirms our commitment not only to our guests and partners, but to the development of Davao, which stands ready to offer world-class hotel services through Microtel,” concluded Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, Head of Damosa Land Inc., the company behind Microtel

by Wyndham Davao’s operations.

DESCENDANTS OF THE SUN PH WINS BIG IN 15TH SEOUL INTERNATIONAL DRAMA AWARDS GMA Entertainment Group’s Pinoy adaptation of one of the world’s most well-loved drama series, ‘Descendants of the Sun’ (DOTS), brought honor to the Network after winning the Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year in the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards.

DOTSPh is the very first Philippine TV program to receive this recognition from the annual global festival.

The primetime series was included in the list of winners together with two other foreign dramas ‘Snowpiercer’ produced by US broadcaster TNT and ‘The New Pope’ produced by Sky Atlantic and HBO. The prestigious award ceremony selected GMA’s Pinoy version among several remakes that originated from the KBS drama aired in South Korea in 2016, highlighting the

infuence of K-drama not only in Asia but also around the world.

DOTSPh, which premiered last February 10, is headlined

by Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes and Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado as alpha team leader Captain Lucas Manalo and cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Maxine Dela Cruz, otherwise dearly known as ‘Big Boss’ and ‘Beauty’ respectively.

Completing the star-studded cast are Rocco Nacino, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Antonio Aquitania, Ricardo Cepeda, Paul Salas, Jon Lucas, Lucho Ayala, Prince Clemente, Pancho Magno, Renz Fernandez, Chariz Solomon, Andre Paras, Nicole Donesa, Reese Tuazon, Jenzel Angeles, Bobby Andrews, Neil Ryan Sese, Ian Ignacio, Rich Asuncion, Carlo Gonzales, Roi Vinzon, Hailey Mendez, Marina Benipayo,

among others. The series is under the helm of esteemed director Dominic Zapata.

For the remake, the Entertainment Group inked a partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines which sealed

the Network’s commitment to accurately represent the country’s military forces.

Seoul International Drama Awards is a festival that brings together all professionals in the field of TV drama produc-

tion and media industry and global audiences who enjoy television dramas.

This year’s festival will be held on September 10 at MBC Media Center Public Hall without an audience.

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

Driving away pests with botanical “chemicals”

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

hen Secretary Emmanuel Piñol of Mindanao Development Authority visited the vegetable growing region of Bukidnon recently, he observed that native Talaandig farmers were using a wild shrub which drives away mites and lice in chicken.

Ryan Danio, a Talaandig farmer leader, said the shrub is locally known as gentong, adding they placed the mint-scented leaves in the nests of brooding hens to get rid of mites and lice – and it works.

When Piñol inquired if they use gentong, too, as a method of driving away insects and worms from their vegetable fields, Danio replied that they have not tried it yet. Instead, they relied on chemical pesticides and insecticides.

“Uncontrolled and unsupervised, the excessive use of chemical pesticides and insecticides could result in very high residue levels which could endanger human health,” Piñol wrote in his Facebook account.

The reason why he asked Danio was because he brought with him a sack of the Java variety of citronella, a grass similar to lemon grass which is used to produce mosquito repellants. These were planted in the area and encouraged farmers to identify places where the gentong shrub grows.

Piñol was thinking of concocting an herbal solution which he would experiment on vegetables to check its effectiveness in driving away insects and pests. Aside from gentong and citronella, other probable raw materials include cosmos flower, neem tree leaves, oregano, basil and lemon grass.

“We will extract natural oil and hydrosol from

these materials which then would be sprayed on vegetables to check if the formula could drive away insects and pests,” said Piñol, who was formerly the secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

“These early, we cannot say if it will work effectively but there is no harm in trying and it is worth trying,” he pointed out. “If proven effective, this could give more value to the vegetables produced by farmers as it will have fewer chemical residues. Most of all, it will ensure safe and healthy vegetables for Filipinos.”

The Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that up to 35% of the losses in annual crop production worldwide are due to pests – insects, weeds, plant diseases, rodents, and birds.

Of the estimated one million insects in the world, between 150 to 200 species frequently cause serious damage to crops.

When losses due to pests are combined together with post-harvest losses, worldwide food losses would amount to 45%.

“This is almost one half of the world’s potential food supply,” FAO surmised.

To annihilate pests, most farmers use pesticides. The Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority defines pesticide as “any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any insects, rodents, nematodes, fungi or weeds, or any

other form of life declared to be pest.” It also refers to “any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.”

Pesticides are classified according to their degree of danger. The pesticide’s label should give a warning notice in the shape of a symbol. Skull and crossbones on the label mean that the pesticide is extremely or highly toxic. A highly toxic pesticide may be lethal when an adult ingests less than a teaspoon.

For a long time, no one seemed to question the safety of pesticides. It was not until 1962, when marine biologists and writer Rachel Carson wrote the now classic Silent Spring.

In her book, she described how pesticides cause longterm hazards to birds, fish, other wildlife, and humans, but provides only shortterm gains to controlling the pests.

“Pesticides are like bombs being dropped in the food web creating enormous destruction,” said Dr. K. L. Heong, an entomologist who once worked with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Unknowingly, pesticides are killing more than just the pests. “Some pesticides harm the living organisms other than the targeted pests,” noted the Davao-based Technical Assistance Center for the Development of Rural and Urban Poor. “Some travel to the food chain to bioaccumulate in higher organisms.”

In their book, Pesticides and You, Gretta Goldenman and Sarojini Rengam explain that pesticides concentrated even to toxic levels via the food chain.

Thus, an increased feeding on plants sprayed with pesticides might be eaten by another insect which might be eaten by a bird. “Traces of pesticides too small to kill the targeted pest

can accumulate to levels high enough to harm species further on up the food chain,” the authors warn.

Health experts claim pesticides can enter the human body through the lungs, digestive system, or skin. Depending on the kind of pesticide, health effects can be immediate (acute) or they can occur after years of low-level exposure.

Generally, acute poisoning occurs after an accident such as pilling a bottle of pesticide on the skin or drinking from a bottle containing pesticides. The symptoms of acute poisoning occur within 24 hours: vomiting, headache, respiratory problems, and heart failure, among others.

Long-term effects of pesticides include skin disorders, damage to internal organs (particularly liver, kidneys, and lungs), increased sensitivity to pesticides and effects on the progeny.

“Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are killed due to accidental poisoning by agricultural chemicals,” said Jethro P. Adang, director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center Foundation, Inc. The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) reports that three people are poisoned by pesticides every minute around the world. All in all, about 10,000 die annually to pesticides.

“The health hazards associated with pesticide use have been known for years and the extent of harm they cause has increased, yet, chemical companies keep on pouring millions of tons of pesticides annually into the world’s biosphere,” deplored Dr. Romeo F. Quijano, a professor at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine.

The lack of regulation

in most developing countries often accounts for the importation of banned pesticides. In some instances, farmers try to apply untested chemicals which they think could drive away insects and pests. In 1992, the illegal use of cyanide compounds by cabbage farmers in the Cordillera region provoked a public outcry.

In time, the use of botanical pesticides again gains wider acceptance among farmers. Botanical pesticides are derived from plants which have been shown to have insecticidal properties. Used widely until the 1940’s, these natural pesticides were displaced by modern synthetic pesticides that at the time seemed cheaper, easier and longer lasting.

“The increasing awareness of the dangers posed by chemical pesticides to human health is prompting many Filipino farmers to use botanical formulations that they themselves are preparing,” said a paper written by L. Masana and A. Manuel.

“Natural pest controls like the botanicals are safer to the user and the environment because they break down into harmless compounds within hours or days in the presence of sunlight,” wrote Eric Vinje in an article which appeared in

Planet Natural. “They are also very close chemically to those plants from which they are derived, so they are easily decomposed by a variety of microbes common in most soils.”

Many plants have insecticidal properties. Extracts of these plants can be sprayed on the crop to either kill or repel insects.

“Kakawate” (Gliricidia sepium) is one good example.

FAO reports that “kakawate” leaves contain coumarin, which can be converted into an anticoagulant discoumerol found to be an efficient rat killer.

Aside from rodents, “kakawate” also acts potently on insects. In many countries, its leaves are placed in chicken runs, or left to soak in hot water and used to eliminate fleas and lice on domestic animals.

Many other plants can also be used to prepare extracts with pesticidal properties. A mixture of garlic, onion, marigold, and hot pepper (siling labuyo) can annihilate a wide range of insect pests.

One Filipino farmer who believes in using botanical pesticides is Benjamin Lao, owner of the Lao Integrated Farms, Inc in Eman, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “I had a tragic experience with chemical pesticides when I was still

FDRIVING AWAY, P9

9 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

(Agapito S. Cuadra, Jr., TMC’s dive master prepares employees of the mining company as first time divers.)

Taganito Mining to give free diving to recruit environment warriors

T

aganito Mining Corp. (TMC) launches ‘DiSCUBA’, a program that aims to get more people in the mining community of Claver and adjacent towns in Surigao del Norte to experience and appreciate diving.

Diving has been considered a sport for the elite due to the expenses for a single dive plus the cost of travel to dive spots.

TMC, a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corp. (NAC), has a different objective for introducing the sport and that is to invite more people to become environment warriors – protector of the environment especially of the marine resources around the mine site.

Agapito S. Cuadra, Jr., a marine biologist and TMC’s Coastal Resource Management Specialist, says that part of his job is to research on the characteristics of marine landscapes and help design programs for environment enhancement and protection.

“I have seen many dive spots, in and out of protected areas, near and far from mine sites, and the learnings are the same, that if we do not introduce structured protection programs, these dive spots will be endangered,” explains Cuadra.

But, Cuadra says, seeing is believing. Thus, DiSCUBA, a portmanteau of Discover and Scuba, was launched to bring more people to see the underwater beauty around the

mine site.

“The pilot program will first have TMC employees as participants – 2 per department – each of whom will go through a medical check-up and thorough orientation before the actual dive. And as soon as necessary clearances are in, we will open it to the community hopefully by January,” Cuadra details.

TMC is the first mining company to have this kind of program and Engr.

Artemio E. Valeroso, Resident Mine Manager, is proud and excited.

“Our challenge has always been to make more people appreciate what we do as a responsible mining company and what it means that as miners we are also environment protectors and we are environment warriors,” exclaims Valeroso.

Valeroso is confident that once people experience actual diving, there will be many more to link arms with TMC in its campaign to protect and enhance the environment.

As a dive master, Cuadra explains why TMC is proud of a dive spot that the mining company has adopted – the Malingin islet, some 791 meters from the wharf of TMC

“Seeing is believing. It makes one feel part of a grander world and to become an environment warrior” and about 1,234 meters or 1.2km from the mouth of Taganito river.

“The beauty of the natural corals around the dive spot in Malingin, right in front of the mine site, is proof that responsible mining and the sport of diving can co-exist,” declares Cuadra.

Cuadra shares that the cost of a basic dive in a commercial setting starts

at around P6500 pesos so he believes that the success of DiSCUBA is a matter of commitment from TMC. “First off, DiSCUBA is possible because TMC has a dive master like myself, which is a strict requirement in diving. The use of the equipment, the orientation and snacks, and the dive certificate to be given to participants, are

courtesy of TMC,” Cuadra excitedly shares.

And because of strict health protocols due to the pandemic, participants will be limited and dive suits will not be shared and will be disinfected for 7 days before it can be used again.

“Diving makes one feel part of a much wider, much grander, world and I believe after a dive,

everyone will want to be part of TMC’s campaign to convert everyone to become environment warriors,” Cuadra ends.

TMC mine site is located in barangays Cagdianao, Hayanggabon, Taganito and Urbiztondo, municipality of Claver, province of Surigao del Norte. Its area of operations is within the Surigao Mineral Reservation.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

MEGAWORLD... FROM4

Damosa Land redefines real estate experience

D

amosa Land introduces Damosa Land 360 - the newest feature in the company’s website (www.damosaland.com) that serves as an online platform for brand new experience of doing real estate.

Damosa Land 360 offers various features that allow users to touch base with one of Mindanao’s premiere property developers even in a virtual space.

“We have always been an advocate for innovation and excellence. So we want to translate that into how we engage with our clients.

We want them to experience a whole new level of doing real estate anywhere they may be in the world,” said Damosa Land Head, Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo.

Making it online, thus, accessible anytime and anywhere, Damosa Land

360 allows anyone to explore Damosa Land’s projects in different perspectives and frames.

Damosa Land 360 banners the company’s very first Virtual Reality (VR) tours. This interactive feature enables the user to see a full 360° view of each of the projects right in their own gadget. Users can navigate through the streets and buildings of properties as well as the interiors of houses or warehouses to be able to fully appreciate each project.

Project updates will also be a main stay in the page as Damosa Land provides still images to reflect

progress of each of its properties in varying levels of development. These images include renders and artist’s perspectives as well as actual construction updates.

Another feature is the Guided Tour, which presents a different frame to the users where it showcases what Damosa Land properties offer. Hosted by its in-house project officers, Damosa Land gives a sneak peek to its residential communities, office space, mixed-use and even industrial developments.

A host of lifestyle videos that showcase Damosa Land in various angles are also available for the audience. The selection ranges from CNN Philippines’ The Final Pitch Season 5, which features Damosa Land and Lagdameo as one of the panel of investors, to a collaboration with Davao’s homegrown chef Patrick

age and fish processing equipment,” he added.

Those located outside the power grid will be provided with Solar-Power Generating Units which could be funded by another EU Grant Fund under the Access to Sustainable Energy Program, Piñol added.

He said a technical team

from the agency has been working out to finalize the priority projects under the EU grant.

He said he has set three parameters in the prioritization of projects for funding: projects must contribute to reducing poverty in Mindanao by creating income-earning or job; op-

portunities, especially in the Agriculture and Fisheries Sector; projects must result in increased productivity, especially in food commodities to ensure sufficiency and affordability and, projects must trigger the immediate economic recovery of Mindanao.

“The program will be

area-based, meaning specific areas especially those with high poverty incidence and great potentials for productivity, and commodity-based which intends to identify the major commodities produced in Mindanao needing support for added value,” the MinDA chair said. (PNA)

scribed not only for couple but for everyone regardless of relationship.”

Duterte-Carpio noted that early diagnosis, fast contact tracing and early isolation of cases are ways

to crush the clusters of infection.

She observed getting the correct and full information are problems in the contact tracing.

Duterte-Carpio sur-

mised that deemed to be implemented is to make a step ahead, in contact tracing by getting ahead the data of infection or close contact of the close contacts.

“The city government will continue to look for isolation facilities, a space in every home as isolation room or isolation areas,” she said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

will have the capability for local production of vaccines since Russia said it would allow it, Vergeire said there are plans in place.

She said there are already talks for possible public-private partnerships.

“Mayroon tayong dating vaccine institute sa RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) kaso hindi na nag-move forward,” she explained.

“Titignan natin ngayon ADB (Asian Development Bank) has this grant na tinutulungan ngayon ay

RITM at ginagawan ng feasibility study at tinitingnan ano ang puwedeng gawin para matuloy ang vaccine institute sa RITM.” (We used to have a vaccine institute in RITM but it didn’t move forward. We’ll see, ADB has this grant helping out RITM to make

a feasibility study and we’ll see if the vaccine institute at RITM can push through.)

She said one possibility is to ship the vaccine and to do the “fill and finish” part in the Philippines. This involves transferring the vaccine to vials or other containers.

a teenager while cultivating rice in our farm located at the neighboring barangay,” he reasoned out why he uses botanical pesticides in his farm.

He applies what he calls as Eman, which stands for

“epektibo, mura, at natural” (effective, cheap, and natural). “This is a concoction composed of fresh goats’ manure, kakawate, makabuhay, and hot pepper,” he informed. “These are soaked together for 48

hours and after that the concoction is ready for application.”

According to him, Eman is effective in repelling plant pests and diseases.

In addition, it is also a good course of foliar fertilizer.

“We are committed to help preserve our environment.

We want to teach Filipino farmers the right way of farming through natural methods and that is by not using commercial fertilizer or pesticides,” he said.

MINDA... FROM2

WEARING... FROM2

PH IN TALKS... FROM3

DRIVING AWAY... FROM8

Co, which shows how to prepare a healthy dish with ingredients picked fresh from Agriya’s urban garden. And with local festivities such as Kadayawan coming up, the audience need to watch out for online activities that resemble the vibrant events which Damosa Land is known for.

“We want to make it exciting for our potential buyers and investors to explore our projects even before we formally engage in business with them. We will break through barriers so we can connect with them anytime,” added Lagdameo.

On top of its social media assets, Damosa Land’s website will also serve as channel for interested property seekers to explore opportunities on how to invest in the company through its dedicated chat support.

PHP14.3 billion, reflecting a 29-percent decline from PHP20.2 billion during the same period last year, as the company implemented ‘more flexibility’ payment terms during the quaran-

tine period.

To date, Megaworld has 26 masterplanned integrated urban townships, integrated lifestyle communities, and lifestyle estates across the country. (PR)

quality of paper straws so that they can withstand soaking in beverage for one hour. With the transition to paper straws, the company now has in place a responsible sourcing program that ensures suppliers practice responsible forest management.

“In developing alternative materials, in this case papers straws, we are reducing our use of plastics, particularly components that are hard to recycle and litter-prone,” said Nestlé Philippines SVP and Business Executive Officer for Lifestyle Beverages and Confectionary Joey Uy. “We want to ensure that our RTD products are packaged safely, and we enjoin our consumers to take part in our waste-free journey by committing to choose sustainable products and disposing of them properly.”

Driven by its deep

commitment to look at every option in solving the complex challenge of plastic waste, Nestlé embraces multiple solutions that have an immediate and future impact. Nestlé’s approach focuses on three areas of work: developing the packaging for the future; helping to shape a waste-free future; and driving new behavior and understanding.

“A waste-free future can be realized and we are determined to do our share, by finding innovative packaging solutions that will continue to uphold food safety while protecting our environment,” Mr. Marzouki said, “We urge our consumers to join us in this quest as they play a big part in helping us achieve this vision. By working together, we can help address theplastics challenge that we all face.”

European businesses “put on hold additional investments” and “delay investment decisions or implementation”.

“We might not have seen the worst yet,” Francis said, adding the uncer-

tainties for new projects in the pipeline.

“If you put yourself in the shoes of the investor and you don’t see the light in the tunnel, it’s hard for you to put the money in the economy,” he said. (PNA)

cover from the pandemic, Dominguez said.

“REITs will help boost our 'Build, Build, Build' program, given the wide range of real estate property assets it can own. Infrastructure investments

will primarily fuel our bounce back plan. With their high multiplier effect, these investments will stimulate demand and create much-needed new jobs and businesses,” he added.

(PR)

NESTLÉ... FROM5

BUSINESSES... FROM5

PH’S 1ST REIT... FROM5

NBA... FROM11

7

Saturday, Aug. 29, Game

No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, TBD, TBD* No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Boston Celtics vs.

No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, TBD, TBD* *If necessary

7

Sunday, Aug. 30, Game

No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, TBD, TBD* No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Play-in Winner, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs.

No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, TBD, TBD* *If necessary

WILD RACE... FROM11

Phoenix and Memphis for the right to play Portland would be in keeping with the spirit of this restart. But these eight games were a great run either way.

So now the top-seeded Lakers sit back and wait to see who their opponent will be in the 1-8 matchup.

All other matchups are set.

Here's a look at the standings with one more day of seeding games (again, no matchups can change) to go.

To be clear on the Houston-OKC situation, yes, they

can technically flip spots if OKC loses on Friday and Houston wins, but it doesn't matter. They're going to play each other either way and home-court advantage obviously isn't a factor.

As for the play-in series between Portland and Memphis, it's simple: The Blazers, as the higher seed, only have to beat the Grizzlies once to secure the final payoff spot, while the Grizzlies have to beat Portland twice. Game 1 of that series is set for Saturday at 2:30 ET.

EDGEDAVAO

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NBA Playoffs first round sked is out

T

he 2019-20 NBA season, which began 10 months ago in an entirely different world, has finally reached the playoffs. And even though all of the seeding, and even one of the 16 teams, is yet to be determined, we have the full first-round schedule. All the action will get underway on the afternoon of Monday, Aug. 17.

Because of the need to play inside a bubble at Disney World, homecourt advantage does not exist this year, and with travel no longer needed, teams will play every other day. Otherwise, the format remains the largely same, with the top-eight teams in each conference playing best-of-seven series, and the winner of each conference meeting in the Finals.

The only slight adaptation was the addition of a play-in tournament if the No. 9 seed was within four games of the No. 8 seed at the end of the seeding games. That scenario has been activated in the Western Conference, and that mini event will take place this weekend, with the Memphis Grizzlies facing either the Portland Trail Blazers or Phoenix Suns.

Here's a look at the schedule for every day of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Monday, Aug. 17, Game 1 No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, 1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs.

No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN Tuesday, Aug. 18, Game 1 No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, 1:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, 4 p.m. ET, TNT No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Wednesday, Aug. 19, Game 2 No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7

Brooklyn Nets, 1:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, 4 p.m. ET, TNT No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs.

No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Thursday, Aug. 20, Game 2 No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN Friday, Aug. 21, Game 3 No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, 1:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, 4 p.m. ET, TNT No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs.

No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Saturday, Aug. 22, Game 3 No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, 1 p.m. ET, TNT No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC Sunday, Aug. 23, Game 4 No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, 1 p.m. ET, ABC No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7

Brooklyn Nets, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Monday, Aug. 24, Game 4 No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, 1:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, 4 p.m. ET, TNT No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, 9 p.m. ET, TNT Tuesday, Aug. 25, Game 5 No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, TBD, TBD* No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, TBD, TBD* *If necessary Wednesday, Aug. 26, Game 5 No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, TBD, TBD* No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, TBD, TBD* *If necessary Thursday, Aug. 27, Game 6 No. 2 Toronto Raptors vs. No. 7 Brooklyn Nets, TBD, TBD* No. 2 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Boston Celtics vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers, TBD, TBD* No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Utah Jazz, TBD, TBD* *If necessary

Friday, Aug. 28, Game 6 No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic, TBD, TBD* No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Playin Winner, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Miami Heat vs. No. 4/5 Indiana Pacers, TBD, TBD* No. 4/5 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4/5 Houston Rockets, TBD, TBD* *If necessary

FNBA, P10

Wild race for last playoff spot

A

Damian Lillard led the way for the Blazers over the Nets.

11

wild race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot will come down to the Blazers and Grizzlies, who both took care of their business on Thursday with wins over the Nets and Bucks, respectively.

The Grizzlies cruised past Milwaukee, but the Blazers had to pull out yet another heart-stopper as Brooklyn's Caris LeVert missed a potential game-winning step-back as time expired.

The Suns, meanwhile, finished their seeding games 8-0 with a win over Dallas, but their hole coming into the bubble was just barely too big to crawl out from, and they'll head back to the desert, despite being

the only undefeated team at Walt Disney World. San Antonio was eliminated once Memphis and Phoenix both won, making their loss to Utah a moot point.

There will be lots of clamoring about the validity of a bubble that doesn't reward a team that went undefeated, but we know this was an extension of the regular season. The Suns earned the 39 losses they entered Orlando with the same as they earned the eight wins inside. To me, this bubble experience was about entertainment.

The race for the play-in series made these games so exciting, and it is through that prism that I believe one more game between

FWILD RACE, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 108 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020

JOINING FORCES. Jalen Green (right) attempting to dunk against Kai Sotto during the 2019 NBTC National Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Green and Sotto will team up in a select team formed by the NBA G-League as part of its professional pathway program, but they could also be teammates with Gilas Pilipinas Men for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

TIME WILL TELL

Jalen Green still open on joining Gilas Men

F

ilipino-American rising star Jalen Green did not rule out a potential stint with Gilas Pilipinas Men in the future.

Asked by reporters in an online press conference on Thursday, Green said it is still possible that he can shore up the wing rotation of the national team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. "It could be a possibility," the six-foot-five guard said.

If he gets cleared, there is a possibility that Green will join forces with teen sensation Kai Sotto for Gilas Men in the next FIBA World Cup that the Philippines will co-host with Japan and Indonesia.

Green and Sotto could suit up in a select team formed by the NBA G-League as part of its professional pathway program.

The dilemma, however, is Green's eligibility.

Green already played for the United States in FIBA-sanctioned youth tournaments.

Green led Team USA to the 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup title, where he won the Most Valuable Player award, and also made significant contributions for the team's title run in last year's FIBA U19 World Cup. "I have already played for the USA. I've won gold medals with the USA, so I'm not sure [if I am still eligible to play for Gilas Men]," he said.

The 18-year-old Green has already attained a Philippine passport.

FIBA eligibility rules state that a player of mixed descent can play for a national team of his choice provided that he already got a passport from where he wants to represent before his 16th birthday.

On whether he will be eligible for Gilas Men, Green just said, "Only time will tell."

(PNA)