Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 113 | Friday, August 21, 2020

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Davao tour operators lament financial struggles, join call for P10B assistance STORY ON PAGE 2

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A man pours down a sack of soil onto a pile of wood pulp in preparation to make garden soil at a vacant lot in Toril, Davao City on Thursday. Garden soil is currently an in demand commodity in Davao City after flower planting became popular in the city. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

TOURISM AID Davao tour operators lament financial struggles, join call for P10B assistance

By MAYA M. PADILLO efore the Covid-19 pandemic, business was booming for Pia Lourdes Partoza-Montano, general manager of Par Travel and Tours.

B Pia Lourdes Partoza-Montano, general manager of Par Travel and Tours and president of Davao Association of Tour Operators (DATO), says her group is joining the call of the Tourism Congress of the

Philippines for the allocation of the P10 billion for the financial assistance to the tourism stakeholders.

Photo courtesy of Pia Partiza-Montano

SPMC: Mindanao’s poor man’s hospital

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itting on a wheelchair by a windowpane at his rented house here while listening news reports from his transistor radio, Simplicio Ontua, 57, couldn’t imagine surviving his ordeal as a chronic kidney failure patient over a year ago.

Simplicio was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in March last year due to severe vomiting and pain and diagnosed to have impaired kidneys resulting in complications, including high blood pressure and diabetes.

Simplicio is a farmer back in Surigao del Sur and three of his eight children are staying in Davao City for work.

His wife Edina Ontua, in an interview, said his husband was discharged from the hospital after more than a month of battling with the illness.

Grateful to be alive Breathing deep, Simplicio said he still found it difficult to recall his medical conditions without getting emotional.

"I just thank God for he let me survived after I almost gave up that time. I am also thankful because the doctors and nurses (at SPMC) took care of me for quite a long time,” Simplicio told the Philippine News Agency in the dialect, in a recent interview.

Edina said Simplicio underwent 10 dialysis sessions and suffered various reactions after every procedure. Living in the hospital for over a month, she said, was very difficult for the family as she and her adult children took turns in watching over the patient.

“We thank God because up to now he (Simplicio) is still alive though irritable, but we have to understand his situation,” Edina said. "SPMC was a big help to our patient.

We availed of many benefits."

SPMC is the only public hospital based in Davao City that also caters to poor patients throughout Mindanao.

Unlike other public hospitals, SPMC is equipped with modern facilities such as a seven-storey Medical Arts building, a five-story Central ICU, a five-storey Children Institute, a five-storey Kidney Transplant Institute, a four-storey Trauma Complex, and four-storey Institute for Women’s Health and Newborn.

It also boasts of a four-storey Orthopedic and Rehab Institute, a four-storey OPD building, a three-storey Mindanao Heart Center, a threestorey Cancer Institute which was expanded to another two-storey building, a two-storey Isolation Facility, and a two-storey Institute for Pyschiatry and Behavioral Medicine.

Its main building is an iconic red brick, three-storey edifice.

According to Edina, their PHP200,000 bill was almost reduced to nothing when PhilHealth benefits were applied, including discount privileges Indigenous Peoples. In addition, the family also managed to avail of the hospital's internal social welfare benefits.

What they only had to shell out, she said, was for their food and other medicines that were not available inside at the

hospital's own pharmacy.

P50 hospital bill Armando Fenequito was 17-years-old when he was diagnosed to have Tuberculosis with a spot in his lungs in 2005.

“I was brought to the ER (emergency room) where the attending doctor started to inject a medicine that cost PHP750 for every vial. My mother that time was financially broke while my policeman-father here in Davao City cared less for me at that time,” Armando said in the dialect.

He said he stayed at SPMC’s ward section for three days and every day, he was injected with the costly vial of medicine.

SPMC that time was still called the Davao Medical Center or DMC. “We were really nervous because we didn’t have enough money to pay the hospital as we spent a lot on the needed laboratory examinations.

I was worried I might not get out of the hospital--my mindset at that time, coming from a poor family,” Armando said.

He and his mother were surprised when their PHP50 bill came out.

Armando attributed the almost non-existent cost to SPMC's Social Service Office at SPMC — the same privilege that the Ontua family had availed of.

“We didn’t expect that our bill was that low. My mother only had PHP80 in her wallet at that time, and we used the remaining PHP30 for our fare when I was discharged from the hospital,” Armando recalled.

SPMC was established

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This was before the end of January 2020 when reports of the new coronavirus broke out.

“There were clients who bought tickets for flights but without land tour packages. They decided to wait on the situation if it will get worse or better. So puro tickets lang ang nabenta ko. Walang gustong kumuha ng packages. This was during January to first two weeks of March,” Montano said.

Her sales for January and February this year were affected.

“January to March is peak season for the summer. Last year was a good year. Wala kaming problema. When the first news of Covid-19 came out, sa China palang yun, cautious na ang mga tao,” she said.

Montano said sales have decreased 80 percent to 90 percent from compared to the same period last year. She added that starting March 16, 2020 cancellation of flights began.

“Wala nang bookings.

Until now and we don’t know when this will end,” she said.

Montano, who is also the president of Davao Association of Tour Operators (DATO), is one of the

travel and tour operators in Davao Region who’s greatly affected by the travel ban on both local and international tourists which was implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19.

DATO, which comprises of 35-member travel agencies, has also joined in the call of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines for the allocation of the P10 billion for the financial assistance to the tourism stakeholders.

Along with over 50 national and regional association representing various tourism sectors, the Tourism Congress of the Philippines is earnestly calling on the government and lawmakers to provide the rescue package that the Senate version of the Bayanihan 2 bill has provided, a P10 billion credit facility that would allow them, the micro and small players of the tourism industry, to quickly recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the P10 billion fund was realigned to the infrastructure programs of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) after the House of Representatives approved on third and final

reading its version of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, or “Bayanihan 2,” last week.

In July 2020, its counterpart at the Senate, Senate Bill No. 1564 approved on third and final reading allocates the P10 billion stimulus package for the tourism industry.

In a statement, DATO stated that currently, majority of its member tour operators have not yet restarted their operations since the second week of March this year due to the unavailability of flights, travel restrictions and lack of demand due to concern health safety and the members are now expressing great concern on how to keep their businesses afloat, doing the best they can to save whatever is left.

Montano said 80 percent of the tour operators and agencies remain closed until now and 20 percent are open but continue to incur losses due to fixed expenses.

She added that 35 percent to 40 percent of membership were displaced from their offices and the rest either moved to a cheaper offices while others are now based at home.

The statement also emphasized that the group has agreed infrastructure is important in stimulating the restart of the economy and that it

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Riders on a motorcycle without a barrier cruise along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has clarified that motorcycle barriers remain a requirement for riders in Davao City. Edge Davao

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

PhilHealth urged to shoulder Covid-19 testing costs for MSMEs employees

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Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao Li Lin says a twoday training organized by the Alibaba Group and attended by officials of the city government of Davao and representatives from the business sector

aims to introduce how to build smart city, digital government, and boosting the economy by integration of information communications technology (ICT) with traditional economy. Edge Davao

party-list lawmaker on Wednesday said the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should shoulder the costs for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) tests for employees of micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera said the Department of Health should issue guidance to MSMEs on where they can have their employees undergo reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for free with costs fully shouldered by PhilHealth.

“MSMEs cannot afford to shoulder the cost of Covid-19 testing because they simply have no funds.

The PhilHealth must learn their lessons from all the congressional hearings. We do not want any corruption allegation in the implementation of this,” Herrera said.

“PhilHealth must get

their act together fast. Kailangang maging bahagi ng solusyon ang PhilHealth upang mapabagal natin ang pagkalat ng virus (PhilHealth should be part of the solution to slow the spread of the virus),” she added.

For consumer protection, Herrera said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the DOH should already be strictly regulating the prices of Covid-19 tests and traditional medicines like Lian-Hua Qing-Wen. “Yung mga bagong lumalabas kasi na gamot nag-iiba-iba na naman ang presyo. Yung PCR test kits umaabot saPHP7,000 to PHP10,000 bawat isa.

Mahal na nga, matagal pa ang resulta (The newly-released medicines have varying prices. The PCR test kits cost around PHP7,000 to PHP10,000 each. These are expensive, and also slow to achieve results),” she said.

The activity was also participated by Alibaba’s regional directors Raymond Xie and Allen Guo who gave their messages during the training. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Lin also delivered their messages.

Lin said the two-day training was just an in-

troduction and if the local government and the business community in Davao City find specific areas of interest, Alibaba may continue to assist.

“As the Chinese Consulate General in Davao, we have the same goal, which is to implement the

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Alibaba trains city officials, biz sector on building ‘smart city’

By MAYA M. PADILLO

By MAYA hinese global technology company Alibaba Group conducted a twoday training for officials of the city government of Davao and representatives from the business sector on building a ‘smart city.’

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Entitled “Build A Smart Davao,” the two-day

training through Alibaba’s Ding Talk, which start-

ed on August 19, 2020, was organized by the city government of Davao, Alibaba Group and the Chinese Consulate General in Davao.

The training was attended by around 120 participants representing the city government and business sector.

he 2 chambers of Congress are at odds on how to help the tourism sector cope with the coronavirus crisis through a proposed law that will let President Rodrigo Duterte realign funds for the pandemic, a senator said Thursday.

The Senate wants P10 billion of the P140-billion budget under the Bayanihan 2 bill to go to subsidies for the loans of small tourism businesses like hotels and resorts which were left empty of visitors by the pandemic, said Sen. Franklin Drilon.

However, the House of Representatives wants this budget to go to infrastructure, particularly roads that

lead to tourist hotspots, said the Senate minority leader.

“Hindi po kami pumayag dahil sa aming basa, hindi naman kailangan ng infrastructure sa panahong ito,” Drilon said.

(We did not agree because we think infrastructure is unnecessary at this time.)

“Wala naman pong turistang pupunta ngayon at lalo na pong mamamatay iyong mga tourism enterprises,” he added.

(No tourist will come anyway and the tourism enterprises will die.)

Lawmakers have also yet to iron out how to help struggling businesses and the transportation sec-

tor with P50 billion from the Bayanihan 2 bill, said Drilon.

The executive branch wants a holding company to be set up, where government-run banks could invest the P50 billion. The holding company, in turn, will help distressed companies, said the senator.

“Ang sinasabi namin, ang ilagay na muna natin, authorization. Kung ano ang structure ay hiwalay na nating pag-usapan,” he said.

(We are saying that we should first the authorization. Let’s talk separately about the structure.) Lawmakers want to complete Bayanihan 2 talks “hopefully by the end of the day,” Drilon said.

orkers in the tourism and hospitality sectors are required to undergo nasal swab tests for the novel coronavirus every 4 weeks, the labor department said Thursday.

"Dahil po sa nature ng business... alam nyo naman maraming taong pumapasok. Kailangan talagang i-protect natin ang mga kliyente," he said.

(Because of the nature of the business... there are many people who are in and out. We must protect these tourism/hospitality clients too) Restaurants fall under the hospitality sector, he said.

The labor and trade departments earlier required

regular RT–PCR or real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests for workers in some industries.

Bello said this week he would reconsider this requirement because the PhilHealth might not be able to cover costs for the tests.

Outside the tourism and hospitality sectors, only workers with symptoms of COVID-19 are mandated to go through swab tests, he said.

“Any kind of industry po, walang exempted d’yan (none is exempted there),” he told ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo.

Face masks and face shields are also mandatory in workplaces, said

Bello.

"Mahirap talaga pero talagang kailangan natin para maiwasan natin iyong contamination,” he said.

(It’s really difficult, but we need to do this to prevent contamination.)

The Philippines as of Wednesday confirmed 173,774 cases of COVID-19, of which 57,498 were active.

The pandemic has left at least 3.3 million Filipinos jobless, said Bello.

The labor department's record is different from that of the Philippine Statistics Authority, which said 7.3 million Filipinos were unemployed in April.

Meanwhile, a recent

House, Senate clash on where P10-B tourism aid should go

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Swab tests for tourism, hospitality workers every 4 weeks

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Chinese Consul General Li Lin said the training aims to introduce how to build smart city, digital government, and boosting the economy by integration of information communications technology (ICT) with traditional economy especially in time of the pandemic.

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4 ECONOMY LTO to roll out 10-year Davao City to reinvigorate licenses by Oct. 2021 sluggish tourism industry T EDGEDAVAO

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he City of Davao is preparing to reinvigorate its tourism industry that has suffered a major slump this year due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.

Mayor Sara Duterte said in her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) the local government has been preparing for the possibility of reopening the city to tourists, by working doubly hard to establish a separate COVID-19 testing laboratory devoted for air travelers since tourism establishments are allowed to operate at limited capacity under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

“For local (travelers), yes, within the region but

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if you are outside of Davao Region since there is a requirement of a travel authority, this makes our movement difficult. Under MGCQ, leisure establishments are allowed open,” she said.

Under MGCQ, she said the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) prohibits the operation of cockpits, beerhouses, and kids’ entertainment or playrooms.

City Tourism Office and Operations head Generose Tecson said on Wednesday

that hotels, with a provisional certificate of authority to operate from the Department of Tourism, are allowed to resume operations.

The city’s eco-tourism destination, Eden Nature Park & Resort, has already resumed operations while Davao Crocodile Park is slated to reopen next month, Tecson added.

She said that more tourism establishments would reopen gradually.

But Duterte reminded the public to not lower their guard and practice the basic health protocols since the quarantine measures remain due to COVID-19.

“Our priority is ‘stay home’,” she stressed.

The local government of Davao required all inbound passengers who have no negative reverse transcrip-

tion-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result issued within 72 hours before scheduled departure from the airport of origin, to undergo COVID-19 testing at the Davao International Airport, at the expense of the local government.

Passengers will be placed in isolation facilities within the airport where they will have to wait for RTPCR test results to be issued within 24 hours.

Duterte said the COVID-19 laboratory of DOT-Davao would be placed at the Los Amigos Health Center.

She said that the local government is complying with the requirements to accredit the health center as a Biosafety Level 2 laboratory. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

through the digital application process and without the need for a medical examination, was offered since March 25, a few days after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon.

The investment portion of the insurance will be placed in two new funds -the Peso Global

Technology Fund and the Peso Global Equity Fund– while the lifetime coverage is five times more than the annual premium.

Christina delos Santos, InLife senior assistant vice president, and head of e-commerce and product portfolio department told PNA the product has attracted more customers

“because of the heightened awareness for protection, such as the 5x annual premium insurance coverage.”

Delos Santos said excluding medical examinations as among the requirements for this product is a plus for the customers given the movement restrictions imposed by the

Strong uptake for life insurance product seen

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n executive of Insular Life (InLife) is optimistic for the continued strong uptake for the company’s Wealth Assure Guaranteed Issue Offer (GIO), which will be offered only up to September 30 this year.

Inlife’s Wealth Assure GIO, a life insurance product that can be availed

FSTRONG, P10

he Land Transportation Office (LTO) will be rolling out 10-year valid driver’s licenses by October 2021, but only those who have not committed violations will be entitled to get them.

“Ang pagpapalawig ng lisensya up to 10 years mangyayari ito starting October 2021. [Pero] hindi lahat ng driver’s license possessor makakapag-enjoy nitong 10-year validity ng license kung siya ay merong demerit points,” LTO chief Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante said in a virtual briefing on Wednesday.

“Isa iitong incentive para sa mga sumusunod sa batas trapiko, walang mga violation,” Galvante said.

The 10-year valid driver’s license is contained in a provision in Republic Act No. 1093, signed into law in 2017, which states that “except for student permits, all drivers’ licenses shall be valid for five years reckoned from the birthdate of the licensee, unless sooner revoked or suspended: Provided, however, That subject to Section 26 hereof, any holder of a professional or nonprofessional driver’s license who has not committed any violation of Republic Act No. 4136 and other traffic laws, rules and regulations during the five -year period shall be entitled to a renewal of such license for 10 years, subject to the restrictions as may be imposed by the LTO.” To implement the law,

the LTO devised a “demerit” system, in which a motorist accumulates “demerit points” depending on the gravity of his or her violation. “[G]rave violation will cause a violator five demerit points, less grave three demerits points, ‘yung yung light naman one demerit point,” Galvante said.

“Kung ang [motorist] ay maka-accumulate ng several demerit points during the duration of the five-year validity of the license, maaring magkaroon ng imposition of fines and penalties kasama na ‘yung maaring required siya na magdaan siya sa reorientation as a driver,” he said.

“Hindi siya makakapag-enjoy ng kanyang pribilehiyo nang pagda-drive hanggat hindi nase-serve ‘yung penalty, which can range from suspension to even ma-revoke ang lisensya,” he added.

Violations will be recorded in the LTO’s system.

When a motorist renews their license, they will be notified of the demerit points they have accumulated.

The LTO chief said the 10-year valid driver’s license aims to incentivize drivers who strictly observe traffic laws.

“Hopefully, with this measure mabawas-bawasan ang road crashes, road or traffic accident na nagka-cause ng injuries and even pagkamatay,” Galvante said.

5 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO EDGEDAVAO

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Eradicating tuberculosis at all cost LIVING

Yaltanding, Jessica P. Cordova. Image courtesy of Bai Hinang.

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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enator Christopher “Bong” Go, one of the senators from Davao Region, has recently filed a bill that would strengthen the national program that would finally eradicate the deadly tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines.

In a press statement ob- mated one million Filipinos. tained by EDGE Davao, the In fact, it is the third highest chair of the Senate Commit- documented prevalence tee on Health and Demog- rate – after South Africa and raphy filed Senate Bill No. Lesotho.

1748 which seeks to amend “TB is preventable and Republic Act No. 10767, curable,” pointed out Health otherwise known as the Secretary Francisco Duque Comprehensive Tuberculo- III, “yet many Filipinos consis Elimination Plant Act. tinue to die from this dread“The proposed measure ful disease. We are making will provide for the cre- this a priority under the ation of a TB registry and Duterte Administration to monitoring system which finally put an end to TB.” will address the issue of In the past, TB has been the underreporting of TB glamorized as an “artist’s cases, a gap identified in disease.” After all, it has the 2016 National TB Prev- affected such famous peoalence Survey,” the press ple as Manuel L. Quezon, statement said. “The regis- Antoine Watteau, Amadeo try will record the personal Modigliani, Carl Maria von information of all TB pa- Weber, Frederic Chopin, Antients, the TB type and the ton Che­khov, Henry David treatment received, among Thoreau, Paul Anka, Wilothers.” liam Somerset Maugham, In addition, the bill and Mahatma Gandhi. seeks to expand the PhilTB had been on the Love Between 2 ippine Trees, NinaHealth Sta. Ana Insurance decline for years, and sciCorporation’s Custodio. Image benefit pack- entists thought they had it age for of patients, adults and beat. Now, it has staged a courtesy Bai children alike, to include comeback. “Tuberculosis Hinang. the coverage of multidrug is humanity’s greatest killresistant TB and extensive- er and it’s out of control in ly drug resistant TB. many parts of the world,” Last year, the Depart- deplores the United Nament of Health and the tions health agency.

KADAYAWAN IS A World Health Organization TB is caused by Mycoissued a joint call for of thethe bacterium tuberculosis, an CELEBRATION eliminationofofnature TB by 2030. bounty and acid-fast bacillus first idenIn the Philippines, TB re- tified by German medical the cultural and ethnic mains a major public health scientist Robert Koch in diversity embraced issue as it infects an esti-by 1882. It is an obligate para-

the people of Durianburg. Some of the more notable events that usually happen during the season are the openings of various art exhibits by many of the city’s art groups.

With the current global pandemic situation, this year’s Kadayawan celebrations have turned to the power of the Internet to keep the festival alive in the hearts and minds of Dabawenyos. In the spirit of Kadayawan, Bai Hinang, Davao City’s all-woman art collective, recently launched their 11th exhibit ’Ode to Davao: Highlighting the Positive Amidst Troubled Times’ online, making it the first time the group showed their works directly to the world wide web.

Exhibiting are Amanda Echeveria, Anne Worsley, Charlmaila Macadawan, Elenita Dumlao, Fides Baddongon, Glory May Lariego, Imelda Pangan, Jessica Cordova, Jing Rabat, Josie Carriedo-Tionko, Ma. Aimee L. Suarez, Ma. Amor Delos Santos, Madoline A. De La Rosa, Mean Tan Guinoo, Nina Custodio, and Tanya Gaisano-Lee For the exhibit, the group decided to echo Davao’s spirit through 17 paintings with subjects that reflect all things positive. It is a hopeful re-

site infecting humans, other primates and other mammalian species in contact with humans. However, humans are the only reservoir of the organism.

TB is not a modern-day disease. It has existed since at least 2000 B.C., as shown

by TB tubercles found in mummified bodies. References to TB can be found in the writings of ancient Babylonia, Egypt, and China.

According to Wikipedia, the term “tuberculosis” was first used in 1839, and it is derived from the Latin word tubercula, meaning small lump, referring to the small scars seen in tissues of infected individuals. TB reappeared in Europe and the United States in epidemic form in the 19th century.

Aerial route Tuberculosis infection is transmitted almost entirely by the aerial route. “TB is transmitted from person to person, usually by inhaling bacteria-carrying air droplets,” writes Maria Luisa Padilla in Encarta Encyclopedia. “When a person sick with TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks, small particles that carry two or three viable bacteria surrounded by a layer of moisture and released in the air. When these particles are inhaled, bacteria lodge in the lungs and multiply.”

A less common route of transmission is through the skin. Pathologists and laboratory technicians who handle TB specimens may contract the disease through skin wounds. TB has also

Mclovin and the Phalaenopsis, Josie Carriedo Tionko. Image courtesy of Bai Hinang. been reported in people who have received tattoos and people who have been circumcised. A person may become infected with TB bacteria and not develop the disease. His or her immune system may destroy the bacteria completely. In fact, only 5-10 percent of those infected with TB actually become sick.

The four most familiar signs of TB, according to health experts, are chronic cough, mild fever in the after­noon and sweating at night, chest and back pain, and progressive weight loss. In more serious or advanced cases, the symp­ toms are spitting blood, pale and waxy skin, and a hoarse voice.

The disease can occur in two stages: primary and secondary. “In primary TB,” explains Padilla, “a person has become infected with the TB bacteria but often is not aware of it, since this stage of the disease does not produce noticeable symptoms. Macrophages, immune cells that detect and destroy foreign matter, ingest the TB bacteria and transport them to the lymph nodes where they may be destroyed or inhibited.”

Not contagious in early stage TB is not contagious in the early stage. “About three weeks after initial infection,” Padilla continues, “bacteria may be inhibited, destroyed, or allowed to multiply. If the bacteria multiply, active primary TB will develop.”

Symptoms of carriers include coughing, night sweats, weight loss, and fever. A chest X-ray may show shadows or fluid collection between the lung and its lining.

If the bacteria are inhibited, rather than destroyed, the immune cells form a mass known as granuloma or tubercle. In effect, the immune cells form a wall around inactive bacteria.

“As long as the immune system remains strong, the TB bacteria remain walled off and inactive,” Padilla maintains. “The tubercle gradually collects calcium deposits to form what is known as a Ghon focus. These initial tubercles in the lung usually heal, leaving permanent scars that appear as shadows in chest X-rays.”

At this primary stage of TB, the disease does not progress, but bacteria may remain dormant in the body for many years. If the immune system becomes

weakened, the tubercle inconsistent or partial opens, releasing the bacte- treat­ ment, when patients ria, and the infection may do not take all their medidevelop into active disease, cines regularly for the reknown as secondary TB. quired period because they In the secondary TB, start to feel better, doctors the formerly dormant bac- and health workers preteria multiply and destroy scribe the wrong drugs or tissue in the lungs. They the wrong combination of also may spread to the rest drugs, or the drug supply is of the body via the blood- unreliable. stream. Fluid or air may “From a public health collect between the lungs perspective, poorly superand the lining of the lungs, vised and incomplete treatwhile tubercles continue ment of TB is worse than no to develop in the lung, pro- treatment at all,” the WHO gressively destroying lung admits. “When people fail tissue. Coughing of blood to complete standard treator phlegm may occur. At ment regimens or are given this secondary stage, carri- the wrong treatment, they ers of TB can infect others. may remain infectious.”

TB drugs The organism responsiIn the past, TB was con- ble for TB mutates and desidered the world’s deadli- velops resistance to anti-TB est disease. Then, in 1944, drugs. People they infect 21-year-old “Patricia” with will have the same drug-reprogressive, far-advanced sistant strain. MDR-TB, the pulmonary TB received the UN health agency warns, “is first injection of streptomy- more difficult and more excin. She improved dramati- pensive to treat, and more cally during the ensuing five likely to be fatal.” months and was discharged Poverty has been cited in 1947. as the major reason for the “Patricia” was evalu- resurgence of TB. “Overated in 1954 and found to crowded, impoverished be healthy and the happy dwellings are its breeding mother of three children. ground, and TB thrives on “This injection began the immune systems weakened age of modern anti-TB by other chronic infections treatment and led – until and by malnutrition,” said recently – to dramatic re- The Stop TB Initiative Reductions in TB in industri- port.

“Even before the alized countries,” the WHO cause of TB was discovered says. in 1822, thus paving the Other anti-TB drugs are way to effective drug treatthiacetazone (first intro- ments, the rates of disease duced in 1946), isoniazid were falling in many develand pyrazinamide (both oped countries because of first tried in 1952), and eth- an improvement in peoples' ambutol (used for the first standard of living.” time in 1961). The most Another contributing recent one, rifampicin, was factor is overcrowding and released in 1966. the constant movement of Thought they had de- people. Most urban cenfeated the disease and so ters in Asia, particularly the medical scientists shifted Philippines, are crammed their research priorities with people. On the othto other diseases. It is a er hand, global trade has matter of time that new increased six-fold and the antibiotic-resistant TB number of people travel­ling strains have emerged. “The in airplanes has increased disease, preventable and 17-fold since 1960, the treatable, has been grossly WHO reports. neglected. And no country A third factor is the acis immune,” deplores Dr. celeration of human immuArati Kochi, manager of the nodeficiency virus (HIV) WHO’s TB program. which causes the dreaded The current resurgence Acquired Immune Deficienof the disease has been cy Syndrome (AIDS). “HIV traced to the poor manage- and TB form a lethal comment of TB programs. Until bination, each speeding the 50 years ago, there were other’s progress,” the WHO no new medicines discov- says. ered to cure TB. Today, up TB is here to stay – and to 50 million mayWomb be infectit must eliminated at all of Protection, TanyabeGaisano-Lee. Image ed with drug-resistant cost now. “There is nothcourtesyTB, of Bai Hinang. the United Nations health ing a person can do to not agency claims. “There is get TB,” laments the WHO. no cure affordable to devel- “You can change your beoping countries for some havior to lower the risk of multidrug-resistant (MDR) AIDS, but you cannot stop strains,” it points out. breathing.” – ### (Photos Drug-resistant and illustrations from the MDR-TB is caused by net)

ODE TO DAVAO BAIHINANG’S FIRST ONLINE EXHIBIT minder of who Dabaweños are despite the trying times.

The works depict old Davao houses and picturesque waterscapes, while some works tell tales of myths and legends.

The all-female art group’s pieces also tell tales of Dabaweyas and the many roles they play in the day-to-day life of Davao City.

Ode to Davao: Highlighting the Positive Amidst Troubled Times can be viewed on www. bestofdavao.com.ph/ode-todavao. The show will run from August 17, 2020 to September Grand Old House, Imelda Pangan & Mean Tan-Guinoo. Image courtesy of Bai Hinang.

17, 2020.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

On the government’s advise for the church to follow the latest and temporary guidelines on the conduct of religious gatherings in the country: Pupwede naman po na mag-online tayo sa ngayon at obserbahan muna natin ‘yung 10 persons dahil ito naman po ay temporary lamang (We can do online mass for now and observe the 10-person capacity for religious services because it’s just temporary).”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

FERNANDEZ PIANO SCHOOL Established in 1950, Fernandez Piano School, a pioneering institution, was the brainchild of Encarnita Fernandez.

She was chief instructress of the iconic school and was tutor to dozens of pianists who later graced the music scene, mainly daughters of high-up families in Davao City.

Born in 1923 in Cebu, Encarnita was the biological daughter of Engr. Gandiongco and her wife, Encarnacion. For undisclosed reason, she was adopted by judge Enrique Fernandez, later appeals justice and acting justice secretary, who was married to her aunt, Anselma Gandiangco.

Under her legal parents, she was afforded the chance to explore her talents. While the judge was assigned in Zamboanga, she enrolled in piano under Pilar Blanco-Sala, a famous pianist, and later pursued tertiary education at St. Scholastica College of Music in Manila. The war, though, cut short her studies.

Unable to return to Cebu, she

decided to stay with the nuns of Pila, Laguna until it was safe to find a passage back home.

After the conflict, she continued her studies. At the time, judge Fernandez had already moved to Davao as judge-atlarge of Davao and Cotabato.

He later became district judge of Davao (1947-58) and Court of First Instance judge, appointed justice undersecretary and concurrently acting Director of Prisons in the Garcia administration, and acting justice secretary in 1959. A year thereafter, he was appointed justice of the Court of Appeals.

After graduating from St. Scholastica’s College of Music, Encarnita joined her parents and sister Ana Maria in Davao and opened the piano school in 1954. Later, she pursued Professional Studies in Chamber Music at the Mannes College, known also as The New York School of Music, in New York, USA. To her credit, Encarnita personally performed One of her compositions, Moonbeams,

during the annual St. Cecilia’s Concert at St. Scholastica’s College on November 18, 2001, which was a tribute to National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro. She later became a recipient of the 2007 Music Centennial Awards from her Alma Mater. She is also a member of the Piano Teachers’ Guild of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. The conservatory, meanwhile, was housed along Cortez Street (now Bonifacio) in a two-story structure painted to mahogany and white, with sliding windows adorned with kapis shells. It did not take long for her school to see daughters from known Davao families enrolling.

A disciplinarian by orientation, Ms. Fernandez inculcated in her students the emotion involved as the pieces were played out and in the way the compositions were put into motion on the keyboards and the pedals.

As a mentor, she was tireless, firm, consistent, and wanted integrity in the rendition of the

pieces.

Among her distinguished students were Dr. Evelyn Abellera-Magno, president of Rizal Memorial Colleges; Ana Marie Pamintuan; Perla Palma Gil; Melinda Garcia-Alonzo; Aurora Quimpo-Paez; Mila Cabaguio-Jocson; Elenita Roque-Aquino; and Fortune Ranada-Castillo, wife of the late city councilor Antonio Suazo Castillo. There were also male students who elicited good impressions.

Norma Iñigo-Monfort, daughter of Davao sportsman Carlos V. Iñigo, was one of her exceptional students; she won gold as a student of the piano school. After completing high school at Philippine Women’s College, she proceeded to Manila where she earned her Bachelor of Music degree, major in Piano.

Another student, Daphne Cabaguio Jocson, was in Ms. Fernandez’ musical care for over a dozen years. On the other hand, Mila Cabaguio Jocson, another protege, completed her

music degree at the Fernandez Piano School; consequently, she taught music in schools like Stella Maris Ateneo de Davao University, Philippine Women’s University.

When her parents passed away and she was left alone to tend the school, Encarnita decided to close the institute in 1994 and relocated to Kuala Lumpur two years later to join her adopted daughter. In the next couple of decades, she took on the life of a semi-retired musician in Malaysia. However, in 2015, at age 92, she returned to Manila to spend her last years in the city that has given her honors and the school she founded.

The best tribute that can be accorded to Ms. Fernandez is the widely known fact that most of the leading instructors of piano schools in Davao today are former students of Fernandez Piano School or are second-generation musicians taught by pioneering students of the piano institute.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE POWER OF FAITH It was raining outside the house and I had nothing to do.

So, I decided to file all the old issues of scattered Reader’s Digest in a cabinet. But I couldn’t help getting a few copies and scanned the pages. Now, in the reading mood, I started to glance at some of the articles.

One January 2001 feature caught my attention: “Faith is Powerful Medicine.” Is the author – Phyllis McIntosh – writing about faith healing? No, she was talking about religious faith – that heals.

Dr. Dale Matthews, associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, was quoted as saying: “We cannot prove scientifically that God heals, but I believe we can prove that belief in God has a beneficial effect.”

The author said that more than 30 studies have found a connection between spiritual or religious commitment and longer life. Among the most compelling findings: ·A survey of 5,286 Californians found that churchgoers have lower death rates than non-churchgoers – regardless of risk factors such as smoking, drinking, obesity and inactivity. ·Those with a religious commitment had fewer symptoms or had better health outcomes in seven out of eight cancer studies, four out of five blood-pressure studies and four out of five general-health stud-

ies.

·People with strong religious commitment seem to be less prone to depression, suicide, alcoholism and other addictions, according to one research analysis.

A person does not need to know how or why faith works.

But faith does work! Sir Wilfred Grenfell has this to say: “Why is it that the very term ‘religious life’ has come to voice the popular idea that religion is altogether divorced from ordinary life? That conception is the exact opposite of Christ’s teachings. Faith, ‘reason grown courageous,’ as someone has called it, has become assurance to me now, not because the fight is easy and we are never worsted but because it has made life infinitely worthwhile, so that I want to get all I can out of it, every hour.

“God help us not to neglect the use of a thing – like faith – because we do not know how it works! It would be a criminal offense if a doctor would not to use the X-ray even if he does not know how barium chloride makes Gamma rays visible. We must know that our opinions are not a matter of very great moments, except in so as in what they lead us to do. I see no reason whatever to suppose that the Creator lays any stress on them either. Experience answers out problems – experience of faith and common sense. For faith and common

sense, taken together, make reasonable service, which ends by giving us the light of life.”

Just what is faith, anyway?

“Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of evidence,” says Sherwood Eddy.

“Faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences.” Elton Trueblood points out: “Faith not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.”

Allow me to give you an illustration. In his book, The Edge of Adventure, author Bruce Larson tells a story about a letter found in a baking powder tin which is wired to the handle of a pump. It offered the only hope of drinking water on the seldom-used trail across a desert. The letter in the tin read as follows: “This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new leather sucker washed into it, and it ought to last several years. But this leather washer dries out and the pump has to get to be primed. Under the white rock, I buried a bottle of water. There’s enough water in it to prime the pump. But not if you drink some first. Pour in about one-quarter, and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You’ll get water. The well has never run dry. Have faith.

“When you get watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller.”

There was postscript. It said: “Don’t go drinking up the

water first. Prime the pump with it first, and you’ll get all you can hold.”

That’s what faith is all about. Believing that there will be water even if you have not seen it yet. The Holy Bible assigns high importance to faith: “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed… nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, one of the world’s most-widely read American authors, explains: “The implication is that while you may not have perfect faith, or considerable faith, or even faith as small as a tiny mustard seed, yet, if what you do have is real faith, then life will be predicated, not on an impossibility concept, but rather upon the fact of great possibilities.

Faith strongly held can move you from the area of the impossible into a way of life that is full of exciting possibilities.”

A famous heiress keeps her priceless collection of jewels in the vault of a large bank. One of her prize possessions is a very valuable string of pearls. It is a scientific fact that pearls lose their original luster if not worn once in a while in contact with the human body. So, once a week, a bank secretary, guarded by two plainclothesmen, wears these priceless pearls to lunch.

This brief contact with the human body keeps them beautiful and in good condition.

Our faith is a lot like a pearl.

It must be used in order to be

useful. It must be worn out among the masses of mankind where faith and hope are needed.

“We live by faith or we do not live at all,” wrote Harold Walker. “Either we venture – or we vegetate. If we venture, we do so by faith simply because we cannot know the end of anything at its beginning. We risk marriage on faith or we stay single. We prepare for a profession by faith or we give up before we start. By faith, we move mountains of opposition or we are stopped by molehills.”

This brings us to the subject of belief. Someone once asked Jay Kesler, former president of Youth to Christ International, if he believed that God could make a fish big enough to swallow a man. As a college president and above average in intelligence, in a world in which we have learned to split the atom and go to the moon, did Kesler really think that God can make a fish big enough to swallow a man?

Dr. Kesler’s reply is one of simple trust in a great God. “Let me tell you,” he said, “I not only believe that he can make such a fish, but the God who made the sun and the moon and the stars, if he wanted to, could air-condition and carpet the fish!”

Here’s a final word: “Faith draws the poison from every grief, takes the sting from every loss, and quenches the fire of every pain; and only faith can do it.” That’s what J.G. Holland said.

8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 23rd Regular Session Series of 2020

19th City Council 20th Regular Session Series of 2020

PRESENT: Councilor Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor ABSENT: Councilor

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

PRESENT: Louie John J. Bonguyan - Temporary Presiding Officer Sebastian Z. Duterte Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III Jaffar U. Marohomsalic

-

On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0307-20 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE MASKS AT ALL TIMES IN PUBLIC PLACES DURING THE COMMUNITY QUARANTINE AND/OR UNTIL AFTER THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IS LIFTED

Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE MASKS AT ALL TIMES IN PUBLIC PLACES DURING THE COMMUNITY QUARANTINE AND/OR UNTIL AFTER THE STATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IS LIFTED”.

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS – For purposes of this Ordinance, the following terms shall be defined as follows: (a) Face Mask- shall mean a protective device that is firmly fastened over the face and covering at least the nose, mouth and chin which serves as a protection or barrier against possible infection from a disease such as the COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens. These shall include surgical masks, cloth masks, bandanas, washable mask, N95 masks among others; and (b) Public Places- means all places, fixed or mobile, that are accessible or open to the public or places for collective use, regardless of ownership or right to access, including but not limited to, schools, workplaces, government facilities, establishments that provide food and drinks, accommodation, merchandise, spas, professional services, salons, barbershops, entertainment or other services. It also includes outdoor spaces where facilities are available for the public or where a crowd of people would gather such as, but not limited to, playgrounds, sports ground or centers, church grounds, health/hospital compounds, transportation terminals, markets, parks, resorts, walkways/sideways, entrance ways, and the like.

SECTION 3. MANDATORY WEARING OF FACE MASK - All persons within the territorial jurisdiction of Davao City shall, at all times, wear face masks in public places during the Community Quarantine and/or until after the State of Public Health Emergency is lifted as part of the precautionary and safety measures adopted by the City Government against COVID-19 to control and prevent the transmission of such infectious disease.

SECTION 4. PENALTY - Any person caught in violation of this Ordinance shall be penalized as follows: (a) First Offense - P 500.00 (b) Second Offense - P 2,000.00 (c) Third Offense - P 5,000.00 or 1 month imprisonment or both.

SECTION 5. CITATION TICKETS - A citation ticket shall be issued to violators of the provisions of this Ordinance. The Citation ticket shall state, among others, the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed and the corresponding administrative penalty.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and such other appropriate enforcers as commissioned by the City Mayor shall have the power to apprehend violators of this Ordinance and issue citation tickets.

The City Mayor may deputize Barangay Officials or representatives of the private sector, nongovernment organizations and government organizations in the strict implementation of this Ordinance, as the need arises.

SECTION 6. NO CONTEST PROVISION - A person liable or violator of this Ordinance who is apprehended or cited for violation and who does not wish to contest the violation and is willing to pay voluntarily the administrative penalty imposed upon him/her prior to the filing of formal charges with the proper court shall be allowed to pay a penalty of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) with the City Treasurer’s Office to avoid being criminally prosecuted within three (3) days from apprehension.

Otherwise, the case shall be prosecuted in court. The no contest provision can only be availed once.

All proceeds from the payment of the herein penalty imposed shall accrue to the City’s General Fund.

SECTION 7. ENFORCEMENT - The Davao City Police, Task Force Davao, City Health Office, as well as the barangay officials and other law enforcers and City officials to be determined by the City Mayor, shall implement this Ordinance.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - The provisions of these Rules are hereby declared separable, and in the event that anyone or more of such provisions are declared invalid, the validity of all other provisions shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE - All ordinances, resolutions, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least three (3) newspapers of general circulation in Davao City.

ENACTED, on the 7th day of July 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

ATTESTED: LOUIE JOHN J. BONGUYAN City Councilor Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Sebastian Z. Duterte - Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ORDINANCE NO. 0278-20 Series of 2020

AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING RELIEF TO MITIGATE THE ADVERSE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING RELIEF TO MITIGATE THE ADVERSE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)”.

SECTION 2. AUTHORITY – Section 192, Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, provides that “Local Government Units may, through ordinances duly approved, grant tax exemptions, incentives or reliefs under such terms and conditions as they may deem necessary”.

SECTION 3. INCENTIVES/RELIEF - Any person firm, or entity conducting business in the City of Davao is hereby granted the following incentives/relief in view of the COVID-19 pandemic: 1. Proportional Reduction of Garbage Fee for Calendar Year (CY) 2021; 2. Deductibility from Gross Sales/Receipts of the Items provided under Section 5 hereof; 3. Waiver of Rental Fees for those Real Properties under the City Economic Enterprise Closed during Community Quarantine (CQ) and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ); 4. Suspension of Implementation of Final Tranche of Increase in Real Property Payment.

SECTION 4. PROPORTIONAL REDUCTION OF GARBAGE FEE FOR CY 2021 - Business establishments which were mandated to close during the period of CQ and ECQ may avail of proportional reduction in the annual garbage fee imposed under Section 293 of Ordinance No. 0291-17, Series of 2017.

The garbage fee shall be reduced based on the number of months the establishment was closed, provided such closure is within the period of CQ and ECQ. The proportional reduction of the amount of garbage fee is considered as advance payment and shall be applied only during the renewal period for CY 2021.

SECTION 5. DEDUCTIBILITY FROM GROSS SALES/RECEIPTS - The following shall be deductible from the CY 2020 gross sales/receipts of business establishments and shall be applied during the CY 2021 renewal: 1. Waived rental fees granted by lessors to lessees, provided that a duly notarized Certification from the lessee evidencing such waiver is submitted; 2. Monetary value of contributions of establishments utilized as quarantine facilities; and 3. Monetary value of donations made to the City Government of Davao as aid to respond to COVID-19 situation; The gross sales/receipts less the aforementioned deductible amount shall be the basis for the computation of business taxes for CY 2021.

SECTION 6. WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES - Rental fees for real properties under the City Economic Enterprise which are mandated to be temporarily closed during the period of CQ/ECQ shall be deemed waived.

SECTION 7. SUSPENSION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FINAL TRANCHE OF THE INCREASE IN REAL PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT - The implementation of the final tranche (3/3) of the increase in real property tax payment as provided for in Ordinance No. 0257-17, Series of 2017, otherwise known as “An Ordinance approving the Schedule of Market Values of All Lands and Base Unit Construction Cost as Basis in the 2018 General Revision of Real Property Assessments in Davao City and to Take Effect Beginning Calendar Year 2019” due on calendar year (CY) 2021, shall be suspended and moved to CY 2022.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon approval.

ENACTED, June 9, 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian present, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: ATTESTED:

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/ray

23 JULY

APPROVED : ________________, 2020

15 JULY

APPROVED : ________________, 2020

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TOURISM.. FROM2

is a vital part of tourism, however, they are appealing for the Bicameral committee of the Bayanihan Act 2 Bill to hear the plight of the industry, see its current situation and understand that the tourism players are in dire need of assistance.

DATO is pushing for the efficient utilization of the stimulus fund (P10 billion) in the form of loans for MSMEs, upscale programs for the stakeholders as well as marketing and product development project through the Department of Tourism (DOT) that would benefit

the industry and help the stakeholders gradually restart tourism-related activities in the whole country.

DATO is an association of inbound and domestic tour operators in Davao Region with strong membership made up of DOT accredited operators and agencies working with several national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) in the tour product development and marketing of Davao Region and other Philippines destinations to domestic and international tourists.

Social Weather Stations survey showed that around 27.3 million individuals or 45.5 percent of

the adult labor force was unemployed in July, a new record-high since the 34.4 percent in March 2012.

consensus of President Xi Jingping and President Rodrigo Duterte as well as promote cooperation of the Belt and Road initiative and the Build Build Build strategy currently focusing on cooperation in battling pandemic and reopening economy,” Lin said.

Davao City is poised to become a smart city which is a designation given to a city that incorporates ICT to enhance the quality and performance of urban services.

In November last year,

Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) offered to help the city to be developed into a smart city through innovations. In fact, TAITRA Chairman James Huang described Davao City as the engine boosting regional economy.

TAITRA also saw agriculture and fisheries as two of Davao’s most important industries showing potential to become an innovation hub in various fields. It expressed to help the region in precision farming.

SWAB.. FROM3

9

ALIBABA.. FROM3

An AirAsia aircraft lands at the Davao International Airport in Davao City in this file photo. The airline company has bared that domestic flight bookings "spiked" after the government announced the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in Metro Manila starting Aug. 19. Edge Davao

CHANGES.. FROM12

Guangzhou Asian Games and break dancing will be included in the Tokyo Olympics, which was reset from this year to next due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DSCP, which raked in 11 gold medals when the country hosted the SEAG in December last year, was once a regular member in

the 90s when it was played in the Southeast Asian Games two consecutive editions but was reverted to associate after it was not included in the calendar in the next staging.

The addition of DSCP will now raise the POC’s list of regular members to 41.

It can be recalled that last month, not much changes took place in the POC’s constitution and bylaws when it was tackled by the executive board.

This was after two key amendments that were being proposed for inclusion were strongly opposed.

Board members could

not come to an agreement on the scheme which sets an age limit of 70 for POC positions.

There is also no decision yet on the issue requiring an NSA to be recognized by its International Federation first for it to become a part of the POC family. (NJB)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

BIGGER PICTURE

IT’S OK TO BE NOT OK Beauty in Madness

By ATTY. ANGELA LIBRADO-TRINIDAD

Editor’s Note: Atty. Angela Librado is the Philippines’ Labor Attache to the United States and is based on Washington. She is a former three-term City Councilor in Davao City.

I

t is not dark although everything in this Kdrama is crazy. ITS OK TO BE NOT OK illustrates the madness our world has already seen and experienced.

Brothers Moon Gang and Moon Sang Tae are haunted by the memories of their slain mother driving them irrationally to different places and work environment. Sang Tae, the older brother with autism, having witnessed the murder, struggles hardest as he is constantly confronted by the “butterfly” that tore his family apart in his dreams (nightmares) Finally, the brothers circle back to their roots with Gang Tae, who is a health worker/caregiver, settling in ITS OK (TO BE NOT OK).

He finally meets his preteen crush Ko Moon Young, who although a famous author of well-loved children’s books is a callous, foul-mouthed, spoiled brat who peddles her own wild interpretation of fairy tales and “tortures” even her young followers.

ITS OK TO BE NOT OK is the health facility which caters patients with mental health issues .From a war veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, famous , rich alcoholic and drug dependents,

women victims of domestic abuse to a father whose dementia was also precipitated by paranoia or his incessant fear that his daughter will turn out far worse than her mother---the hospital sheltered them all .

All through out, Gang Tae, Sang Tae and Ko Moon Young exhibited deviant, violent and eccentric behavior either towards each other or their friends alternately and consistently as they fought (against) their banshees. Their set of equally crazy friends completes the picture. Ko Moon Young’s publisher Lee Sangin and the latter’s assistant, Yoo Seung who proved they were willing to explore the most outrageous means to motivate her to write more enterprising stories. Gang Tae’s best friend, Jo Jae Soo, who almost fanatically follows him everywhere.

Slowly but definitely, ITS OK drew all these characters and its patients closer providing the space for everyone’s emotional and psychological therapy.

As KO Moon Young becomes fatally attracted to

Gang Tae and stalks him incessantly, she is “forcibly reunited” with his paranoid, dementia-afflicted father and homicidal “resurrected” mother, On the other , the artistically inclined Sang Tae, who was commissioned to paint a mural in the hospital, conquered his fear of butterflies. Gang Tae learns that in letting other people in(to his life) , he is letting go of all the negative energy he has nurtured.

And while the series occasionally shows medical personnel administering pills, the drama actually suggests that a collective acknowledgement of but with no judgement on one’s violent past and behavior, idiocy and folly is not only a sure pathway for initial healing but a sound formula for cultivating loving relationships.

Thus, Ko Moon Young, while still basically ruthless, has mellowed because of the maddening but uplifting love of Gang Tae and which same love that has healed and metamorphosed Sang Tae to become the mature brother he so desires.

Its OK TO BE NOT OK is neither dark nor terrifying. Instead, it assures that there is beauty in madness.

in 1917 as the Davao Public Hospital. It was initially a 25-bed capacity hospital.

In 1986, the bed capacity was increased to 600. It officially became the largest hospital in the Philippines after it was authorized to expand its capacity to 1,500 beds when the Republic Act No 11326 was approved on April 17, 2019.

The hospital’s name was changed to Southern Philippines Medical Center to underscore its capability to serve to the needs of patients not only in Davao Region but throughout Mindanao.

Poor man's hospital Another patient who is from Agusan del Sur, Ber-

nardo Guingue, Sr. suffered from schistosomiasis.

He opted for treatment at SPMC after learning from other patients that SPMC admits anyone, even those without a centavo in their pocket.

Because of the hospital's considerable distance from his hometown, he said he opted to stay in one of his relatives in Davao City as he underwent several consultations.

Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever and bilharzia, is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called schistosomes. The urinary tract or the intestines may be infected. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea,

bloody stool, or blood in the urine.

Bernardo said attending physicians at SPMC prescribed Bernardo several medicines to help cure his ailment. As he had no money, he was granted PHP5,000 worth of medicines through the hospital's Lingap Center.

While he has not yet availed of the surgery recommended by SPMC l, doctors for his illness due to transportation costs, Bernardo credited the medicines provided by the hospital to his health.

"I just maintained the medicines prescribed by the doctor at SPMC. With God’s help, I am still okay.

I am thankful I was able to

SPMC.. FROM2

go to SPMC for treatment," Bernardo said, conceding that he should eventually avail of the needed procedure to completely cure his schistosomiasis.

Having grown for more than 100 years since it started in 1917, SPMC continues to serve the masses for their much-needed health needs.

Today, SPMC is the nerve center for Covid-19 patients all over Mindanao.

As of August 17, the hospital said it is treating 30 new Covid-19 patients and has handled a total of 1,193 cases since the pandemic was declared in March. It currently admits 205 Covid-19 patients.

(PNA)

PHILHEALTH.. FROM3

She said the DOH and Food and Drug Administration should review all the Covid-19 tests they have approved, considering the latest data on their proven

effectiveness and ineffectiveness.

She said conditional approval status may be given for the poorly performing test kits. (PNA)

government to address the rise of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infections.

“We believe that Wealth Assure GIO will continue to be relevant in the market,” she said, citing “more people have realized the need for financial protection because of this pandemic.”

She said the product caters to people like “entrepreneurs, managers, company officers, essen-

tially, breadwinners who should ensure that their families' financial future is secure and that they are able to address impending financial responsibilities well.”

“Wealth Assure GIO is for those who already have extra savings which have accumulated due to the limited movement brought about by the extended community quarantine,” she added. (PNA)

STRONG.. FROM4

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

11

Mavs even series with Clippers

L Jordan Clarkson scored a personal playoff-best 26 points on a day the Jazz shot 51.7% percent from the floor. They also had 32 assists and hit 20 3-pointers.

Fil-Am Clarkson’s playoff career-high lifts Jazz

L

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — Donovan Mitchell scored 21 of his 30 points in a big third quarter and the Utah Jazz beat the Denver Nuggets, 124105, on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) to even the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

Mitchell was 10 of 14 from the floor, helped the Jazz break open the game in the third quarter and increase the lead to 31 in the fourth.

His performance was on the heels of scoring a Jazz playoff-record 57 points in a 135-125 overtime loss in Game One. Mitchell was the focus of

Denver’s defense, which helped open up other avenues for teammates.

Jordan Clarkson scored a personal playoff-best 26 points on a day the Jazz shot 51.7% percent from the floor. They also had 32 assists and hit 20 3-pointers.

Game Three is on Friday.

Nuggets rookie Michael Porter Jr. had 28 points, and Nikola Jokic added 28 points and 11 rebounds.

It was a rare blowout in what’s been a tight showdown between the two teams all season. Despite Denver winning the previous four games, counting the regular season, the total margin was only 21 points.

Denver forward Torrey Craig was assigned to cover Mitchell and early on it worked. But Mitchell took over in the third quarter, going 5 of 5 from 3-point range and hitting all four of his free throws.

Utah went on a 22-6 run to end the first half. It

was punctuated by Gobert’s put-back dunk at the buzzer.

Jokic and the Nuggets couldn’t get anything going late in the second quarter, with one trip down the floor illustrating their struggles. They had about five shots — several in close by Jokic — but no points to show for it.

This bodes well for the Jazz: Guard Mike Conley could back for the next game. He returned to the NBA bubble Monday night after leaving for the birth of his son and is going through a four-day quarantine.

ping, according to taiwannews.com, making him eligible for the national team.

The 31-year-old Lin, born in California to Taiwanese-American parents, averaged of 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in the 2019-2020 season in the CBA. The first American of Chinese or Taiwanese de-

scent to play in the NBA, Lin had regular-season averages of 11 points, two rebounds and four assists in nine seasons in the big league while also having stints in the developmental league.

Lin burst onto the NBA scene in 2012, starring in several games for an injury-riddled New

York Knicks. He went on to suit up for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks.

He became the first Asian-American to become NBA champion when the Toronto Raptors claimed the the crown last season.

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — Luka Doncic scored 28 points and the Dallas Mavericks put together the pivotal run when he was out to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 127-114, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) and even the Western Conference playoff series at a game apiece.

Two nights after scoring 42 points in the highest-scoring debut in postseason history, Doncic played just nine minutes in the second half. He finished with eight rebounds and seven assists.

Kristaps Porzingis added 23 points for the Mavericks. They beat the Clippers for the first time in five meetings this season and earned their first playoff victory since 2016.

Kawhi Leonard had 35 points and 10 rebounds, but Paul George had a mostly miserable

performance for the second-seeded Clippers. They played without starting guard Patrick Beverley because of a calf injury.

Doncic picked up his fourth foul less than a minute into the third quarter, shaking his finger toward the Dallas bench that he didn’t want to come out.

He stayed on then and when he did come out toward the end of the period, Dallas put together a strong stretch of basketball. A finishing 14-4 spurt made it 98-85 entering the fourth, the Mavs pushed the lead to 18 in the final 12 minutes.

Reserves Trey Burke, Seth Curry and Boban Marjanovic were all in double figures for the Mavs, who shot 50% from the field.

George finished 4 for 17 for 14 points.

G a m e Three is on Friday.

Luka Doncic became the first player in the NBA to score 70 points in his first two playoff games.

Jeremy Lin obtains Taiwanese passport

C

HINESE Taipei’s national basketball team is getting a big boost, with former NBA player Jeremy Lin acquiring a Taiwanese passport.

A guard for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association, Lin obtained the passport with the help of Taipei City Councillor Chung Hsiao-

Jeremy Lin is now eligible to play for Chinese-Taipei in all FIBA-sanctioned tournaments.

Celtics rout Sixers, take 2-0 lead

L

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — Jayson Tatum scored 33 points and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 128-101, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Tatum scored a career playoff high for the second straight game after scoring 32 points in the opener Monday.

Kemba Walker added 22 points and Jaylen Brown had 20 for the Celtics. Boston shot 51% from the field and committed just seven turnovers, including two in the first three quarters.

Joel Embiid had 34 points and 10 rebounds

for the 76ers, and Josh Richardson added 18 points.

The Celtics lost starting forward Gordon Hayward to a right ankle sprain in Game One, and expect him to be out for approximately four weeks. Marcus Smart stepped into the starting lineup, and Boston adjusted seamlessly.

The 76ers led by 14 in the first quarter, but the Celtics rallied to lead 65-57 at halftime.

Brown's 360-degree dunk with just under eight minutes left in the third quarter put the Celtics up 74-59. Boston extended its lead to 98-75 at the end of the third quarter. The Celtics held the 76ers to 22 percent shooting in the period.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 113 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

CHANGES IN POC

Tan elated over recognition of Karate Pilipinas by POC

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arate Pilipinas regional director Rommel Tan could not hide his elation after news broke out on Thursday that the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is set to recognize its as the new local governing body of the sport when it holds its first General Assembly of the year on August 29 online.

“Karate Pilipinas, POC recognized na!,” Tan, who also heads the Association for the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK-Davao Chapter), posted on his social media account.

“We are happy that at last the POC recognizes Karate Pilipinas as the sport’s official NSA in the country. This will encourage us to work even more in order to contribute to the development of Philippine sports,” Tan said.

The POC will formally accept to its fold Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. as the new local governing body of karatedo and will reinstate the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines as a regular member.

“Yes it will be in the

agenda and both are qualified,” said POC and PhilCycling president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Karate Pilipinas replaced Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF) after it got the recognition of the international federation.

The PKF lost recognition from the POC after cases of malversation of funds were filed against its leaders back in 2018 and a new body eventually took over in handling the situation concerning the national team and its affair.

The DSCP, which is headed by Becky Garcia, regained its regular membership as the sport was played in the 2010

FCHANGES, P9

Karate Pilipinas regional director Rommel Tan (standing second from right) is happy to know the POC will officially recognize Karate Pilipinas as the karatedo NSA in the country.