Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 116 | Tuesday, August 25, 2020

EDGEDAVAO PANDEMIC WASTE Serving a seamless society

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Pandemic looms as greater threat to environment: Environmentalists STORY ON PAGE 2

A Dabawenya teener shows a compilation video of the best of Sayaw Kadayawan cultural dance theater competition on her tablet. As this year's Kadayawan sa Davao activities were canceled due to the pandemic, an online retrospect video of past activities dubbed "The Best of Kadayawan Events Viewing Parties" were aired by the city government of Davao. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

JOLO BLASTS. Nine people, including four soldiers, are killed in two successive bomb explosions in Jolo, Sulu. The first bomb explosion was around 11:53 a.m. Monday (Aug. 24, 2020) in front of an eatery in Barangay Walled City, Jolo, Sulu.

The second explosion occurred around 1:06 p.m. (Photo courtesy of 11th Infantry Division Explosive Ordnance Demolition)

PANDEMIC WASTE Z Pandemic looms as greater threat to environment: Environmentalists

By MAYA M. PADILLO f you think Covid-19 pandemic is a threat to humans alone, wait until you know how it poses risk to the environment.

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While everyone thought that with the pandemic forcing heavy industries to shut down and fewer cars are on the road and as such improves the quality of air, there is a bigger crisis up ahead--wastes.

Where do wastes during the pandemic go?

This was the main topic of the web forum: “Where Do Our Disposable PPEs Go? Assessing Waste Management” organized by MindaNews via Zoom on Monday.

Engr. Neil Anthony Jamili, research and development manager of RAD Green Solutions Corpora-

tion, presented how dense Covid related wastes are generated amid the pandemic.

“This is an imminent fear that we are facing infectious waste just being thrown everywhere without solution. The presence of our company and Maya Med Waste has been considered very important,” Jamili said.

RAD Green Solutions is a Davao-based engineering company responsible for the manufacturing of the systems used by Maya Med Waste Corporation, which is the only waste treatment in Davao Region accredited

by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR).

Medical waste is transported to RAD in yellow bags, but after the treatment it is already considered as general municipal waste so is placed now to black bag and considered to be thrown at landfills in a separate section or area.

Jamili said across Davao Region they are currently capable of treating 50 tons of medical waste per month.

“That include all Covid facilities in Davao Region.

So far 80 percent usually of medical waste we considered infectious is Covid related wastes,” he said.

RAD has different systems under ISO certifications which include the Pyroclave systems, these are

he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is set to convene heads of all Mindanao electric cooperatives to discuss the energy situation in the island by September this year.

The planned assembly would either be held via a Zoom online conference or a strictly-observed safe physical distancing gathering of 29 electric cooperative heads across the island in one huge venue provided that minimum health protocols for the deterrence of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are observed.

MinDA chair Sec. Emmanuel Piñol made the statement on Sunday, after

a visit by officials of the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) at the former’s farmhouse at Barangay Paco here.

The planned September meeting targets to review the current energy status, performance, and projections of electric cooperatives (ECs) in consonance with the economic growth and energy requirement in Mindanao.

The same conference aims to address peculiar issues with viable to improve electric distribution services concerning the rising number of investors planning to put-up ventures in Mindanao.

“The island will soon be the paradigm of invest-

ments, the very reason why this sector must be ready to supply the needed electric demand sooner,” Piñol said.

MinDA, as the coordinating body of the national government for Mindanao-wide inter-regional development plans, programs, and projects, also joined hands with ECs to upgrade its capacity in providing ample power supply energy to their respective franchise areas in Mindanao.

“We will try to tap all necessary measures and approach to ensure that development will commence with enough and sufficient energy services even in the rural areas potential for agri-business and trades”,

the systems that e company has installed across the country.

The company has installed a pyroclave Beetle in Tugbok, which is currently being used in Davao City. Although, it does not have shredding, but it is capable of treating medical waste including PPEs (personal protective equipment) reaching up to 300 degrees celsius for more than 30 minutes and this through indirect burning.

It undergoes the process of thermal disinfection- this is compared to the health care waste management manual of the Department of Health (DOH) mandating of burning to 121 degree celsius in 30 minutes.

The waste output is dry and shredded. After the

Piñol said.

Piñol said he remains optimistic that development is reachable with a planned and feasible outlook of electricity use as support to drive industries to a manageable future.

ECs are service-oriented, non-profit, and non-political entities that have the primary advocacy of providing electrification in farflung areas of the country.

“This is a significant stance in partnering MinDA to craft necessary initiatives to realize the common goal of attaining the prosperous and well-developed Mindanao”, said Engr. Godofredo B. Homez, Cotelco general manager and concurrent

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9 killed in 2 successive bomb explosions in Jolo AMBOANGA CITY-Nine people, including four soldiers, were killed in two successive bomb explosions in downtown Jolo, the capital of Sulu, where troops are continuously pursuing the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits.

Military and police reports said all the deaths were related to the first explosion, which occurred in front of an eatery around 11:53 a.m. Monday in Serrantes Street, Barangay Walled City, Jolo, Sulu.

Police investigation showed that the explosion occurred moments later when an unidentified person parked a bomb-laden motorcycle beside an M35 truck of the Army’s 11th Infantry Division.

The explosion site is the usual place where the troops park their vehicle whenever they go on marketing duties.

“Immediately after the (first) incident, elements of Jolo MPS (Municipal Police Station) responded to the scene purposely to cordon the area and to

evacuate casualties of the said explosion,” the local police said in a report.

The second explosion occurred around 1:06 p.m. just 100 meters away from the site of the first explosion.

Sonny Abing, Sulu provincial information officer, said those hit in the second bomb explosion were the responding soldiers and policemen.

Abing cannot immediately say how many victims were injured in the second explosion.

Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief, said the blasts wounded 17 individuals but did not say how many are soldiers and policemen.

Vinluan said they have no details yet about civilian injuries or casualty.

In a statement following the blasts, the Joint Task Force Sulu assured the public that “we will continue to sustain the security efforts for peace and stability in the province”.

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MinDA, electric coops to review power situation in Mindanao Utilization of Covid-19 ward beds

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in Region 11 nears “danger zone”

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he utilization level of ward beds for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Davao region has nearly reached the “danger zone,” according to the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao.

Dr. Cleo Fe Tabada, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-Davao, said that while the COVID-19 ward beds are still within the “warning zone,” its utilization level was already at 60.49-percent as of August 20, very close to the “danger zone” of from 71-percent to 100-percent.

The bed capacity is considered in the “safe zone”

when the occupancy rate is from one to 30 percent, and warning zone from 31to 70-percent.

According to Tabada, the occupancy rate for other COVID-19 beds has remained within the “warning level:” isolation beds at 39.47-percent; intensive care unit beds at 41.86-percent, severe cases at 43.54 percent, and severe to critical at 43.38 percent.

She said at least 9.80 percent of the mechanical ventilators have been used already.

“We do not want critical cases to be in but we are

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Covid-19 requires gov’t’s ‘full attention’: Palace

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alacañang on Sunday distanced itself from efforts of a pro-Duterte group to establish a revolutionary government, saying the administration’s focus remains to be on coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained that the call to establish a revolutionary government came from a private group and not the government.

“The organizers are free to publicly express their opinion,” Roque said in a statement.

Roque emphasized that the government is too busy finding ways to cushion the socioeconomic impact of the lockdowns that arise from the prevailing health crisis.

“The focus, however, of the Administration is addressing Covid-19 and mitigating its socioeconomic impact,” he said.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic requires the government’s “full atten-

tion”.

“The most pressing and most urgent concern, which requires the Executive’s full attention, is the gradual opening of the economy while safeguarding the people who are working/going back to work amid the pandemic,” he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 4,933 new confirmed Covid-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the country’s total infections to 187,249.

Twenty-six more fatalities were reported, bringing the country’s total death toll to 2,966 while another 436 were reported to have recovered, increasing the total recoveries to 114,921.

On Saturday, the People’s National Coalition for Revolutionary Government and Charter Change assembled at Clark Freeport in Pampanga to present a resolution to establish a revolutionary government and adopt a new federal constitution.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, confirmed that he received an invitation from the group last August 17.

However, he failed to make it to the meeting because the physical copy of the invitation did not reach him personally.

The group also sent invitations to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay.

In previous speeches, Duterte himself threatened to impose a revolutionary type of government instead of declaring martial law amid alleged destabilization plots by his critics and detractors.

(PNA)

and it was only the Senate that pushed for certain provisions out of “pure advocacy”.

He said the House had actually come up with a “superior” version of the Bayanihan 2 bill, stressing that the minutes of the deliberations would show that members of the House contingent were fair and objective during the discussions on some of the contentious provisions of Bayanihan 2.

"My suggestion is to authorize the secretariat to release the minutes of the sessions of the bicam

talks so the public would know who had presented the majority of the major provisions in the final Bayanihan 2 bill and who among the bicam members had actually been lobbying actively for which interest groups during the entire discussions to come up with the consolidated version,” Defensor said.

Deputy Speaker Dan Fernandez, meanwhile, slammed the “showboating” of some senators who scoffed at the bicam-approved Bayanihan 2 bill, despite it being ratified by the Senate last Thursday.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says the government is pushing for the planting of adlai, a gluten-free grain, to ensure food security and as a source of livelihood for

farmers, indigenous peoples, rebel returnees as well as those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Edge Davao

Bicam adopts 40 provisions in House version of Bayanihan 2

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party-list lawmaker on Sunday said around 40 major provisions from the House-approved version of the proposed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act were adopted by the bicameral conference committee during last week’s threeday marathon deliberations.

Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Michael Defensor made the statement after the supposed insinuations made by some senators that the House contingent had advanced their personal interests

“If our high and mighty senators feel that the consolidated Bayanihan 2 bill was not up to their standards, then why did they approve it during the bicam talks?” Fernandez said. “The truth is a majority of the good features of Bayanihan 2 were actually introduced by the House and were only adopted by the Senate.”

Fernandez said the senators appear “conflicted” between taking credit for passing President Rodrigo Duterte’s priority measure and pleasing the “ragtag band of anti-gov-

ernment critics”.

House set to ratify Bayanihan 2 Majority Leader Martin Romualdez said the House of Representatives is set to ratify on Monday the Bayanihan 2 Bill with provisions that would allow the chamber to scrutinize the strict implementation of programs related to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response and emergency subsidy to cash-strapped individuals.

"We are set to ratify the Bayanihan 2 bill when we resume session tomorrow.

But this time, we made

ment Service (DBM-PS) to provide support in order for the Philippine-made personal protective equipment (PPE) will be prioritized in government procurement. Edge Davao

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No present clamor for RevGov: Panelo

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A medical frontliner wears personal protective equipment as he screens locally stranded individuals (LSIs). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has announced that the agency is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management Procure-

sure that certain provisions are set in place for a strict implementation of the law," Romualdez said.

"From Day One of the implementation of law, the House of Representatives will closely monitor how government agencies disburse the budget allocated to them. Delays in disbursing funds to the needy are no longer acceptable.”

The bill, once signed by Duterte, provides an emergency subsidy of PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 to affected low income households in areas under granular lock-

hief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Sunday brushed aside efforts of a pro-Duterte group to establish a revolutionary government, saying it will only matter if there is an “overwhelming call” from the public.

In a statement, Panelo said the call of a revolutionary government “must come from the people and not from a single organization or an individual”.

“It must be an overwhelming call, and there is no present perceptible people’s clamor for such,” he said.

Panelo described it as an idea “pregnant with repercussion”, noting that the society might not even be “ready” for a revolutionary government.

“If it is a workable concept, it may be late in the day,” he said.

He recognized that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself threatened to impose a revolutionary type of government but noted that it was only due

to alleged plots to oust him.

“While the President may have at one time in the campaign or in another in one of his speeches, expressed a need for it, he was quick to qualify it as only if all others means constitutionally allowed to effect a radical change in the social, political, and economic structure fail,” he said.

With or without a revolutionary government, Panelo emphasized that Duterte is already carrying out “necessary changes” in the country.

“Presently PRRD is effecting the necessary changes in our country and succeeding despite the opposite view of a boisterous minority,” he said.

He, however, said calls for a revolutionary government could be subject for debate.

“For academic discussion, it is a titillating idea for discourse,” he added.

On Saturday, the People’s National Coalition for

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

DTI chief assures support for local PPE manufacturers

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Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Mindanao Arturo Milan says there’s a need to balance health and business when imposing community quarantine (CQ) so as not to sacrifice economic activities and the movement of workers. Edge Davao

Balance health, business when imposing quarantine: PCCI

By MAYA M. PADILLO he counterpart of the country’s largest business group, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), in Davao Region sees the need to balance health and business when imposing community quarantine (CQ).

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Reason? Not to sacrifice economic activities and the movement of workers.

That said, PCCI has appealed for a seat in the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in a discussion of Covid-19 policy particularly when deciding what type of community quarantine will be implemented.

“PCCI wants that the perspective of business be also considered in the fight against Covid-19 to balance health and business when deciding what kind of community quarantine will be imposed,” said Arturo Milan, regional governor of PCCI in a text message.

A resolution was passed by PCCI’s Board of Directors urging the government to engage the business sector in consultation before coming up with policy recommendations on the lockdowns and the resumptions of economic activities.

In a statement, the group is appealing for the inclusion of the business sector in the IATF. The IATF will be able to use the on-the-ground experience of the business sector to come up with a holistic approach that will make it easier for businesses to fully resume operation and

for workers to return to work.

Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico, PCCI president was also quoted in the statement that the longer the economy stays in its current state where businesses cannot function 100 percent nor even up to 75 percent, the more protracted the recession that will follow and the more people will be permanently out of jobs.

Yujuico also cited the mandatory use of face shields for workers, the observance of two-meter physical distancing and the designation of an isolation area of one room for every 200 employees, is simply not realistic in a production-line setting.

The top concerns of the business sector are the stringent regulation on public transportation that limits the mobility

lobe Telecom-backed financial services provider GCash is ramping up its security measures to protect customers from fraudsters and cybercriminals amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, GCash said it is putting in different safety nets that keep customers alert and aware of their accounts’ security and safety.

The mobile wallet app said it has ensured that users receive SMS, in-app and social media advisories against fraudulent pages, including fake donation drives and fake financial aid offers under the government's social amelioration program.

It also rolled out app notifications informing customers not to share their account details.

As soon as a customer

opens the GCash app, the reminder not to share any information such as MPINs and OTPs (one-time pins) with anyone can be seen, it said.

GCash noted that it has also taken a more active role in ensuring that fake social media advisories and accounts are taken down.

"As the fight against the coronavirus ensues, we're also waging a war against unscrupulous individuals who are taking advantage of this pandemic to defraud Filipinos. We want to ensure that GCash users who are dependent on our services have trust and confidence in our app, which is why we are doing everything we can to improve our own programs that promote cybersecurity awareness,” GCash president and CEO Martha

Sazon said.

"We want to ensure that GCash users who are dependent on our services have trust and confidence in our app, which is why we are doing everything we can to improve our own programs that promote cybersecurity awareness," Sazon said.

GCash notes it has also partnered with authorities in fraud investigations, offering assistance and cooperating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In May, GCash said it helped the NBI arrest three online swindlers who violated the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 and committed estafa. The individuals asked for users' personal details, including birth dates, addresses, authentication codes, and email addresses.

of workers, the policies and regulations imposed by the local governments on top of, or inconsistent with those implemented by the IATF; the impractical standards that must be adopted in workplace settings; slow consumer confidence that negatively impact on sales and revenues; and cash flow and liquidity.

The group is hopeful that the government will recognize the vital role of businesses in creating labor demand and providing incomes and the urgency of addressing the issue on livelihood and poverty before these could lead to social unrest arising from subsistence living and hunger.

“Hopefully, they will accept the request and make PCCI a member of IATF and its regional counterparts,” Milan said.

"We are committed to ensuring that our users' data is protected and that they enjoy the app safely and securely," Sazon said.

"This is why we're always on the lookout at how we can intensify our drive against criminals who continue to sully the company's name,” she said.

The mobile wallet also introduced the Customer Protect program, wherein qualified users are assured of compensation for unauthorized financial transactions on their GCash app, arising from stolen mobile phones or identity theft.

"At GCash, we understand that the surge of users can also breed fraud risks like cyberattacks and identity theft, which is why, since day one, we have always worked toward prioritizing security and re-

GCash boosts security efforts to protect users amid pandemic

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nswering the call of manufacturers to prioritize Philippine-made personal protective equipment (PPE) in government procurement, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said his office is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service (DBM-PS) to provide support for the domestic industry.

“DTI is now coordinating with the CPMP and the Department of Health and the DBM-PS on the implementation of Bayanihan 2 – anticipating its passage into law; as well as on aligning PPE demand requirements, timing of procurement, and flow of production,” Lopez said in a statement Saturday night.

He said the DTI and DBM have pushed to have a provision of preference to locally-manufactured and internationally-certified medical-grade PPE under the Bayanihan 2.

“DTI emphasizes that we have always been pushing for patronizing local manufacturers in sourcing PPE in the government procurement process.

Thus, we also thank the Senate and the House of Representatives for incorporating our proposals in the Bayanihan 2 and their continued support of our Philippine-based manufacturers as well as our partners from the DOH and DBM-PS,” the trade chief added.

He noted that prioritizing locally-made products will help in saving jobs for Filipinos and Philippine-based firms amid this challenging business environment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“For the DTI side, we continue to work with the Industry to further strengthen the country’s PPE ecosystem including filling-in the remaining

value chain gaps such as linking polypropylene resin producers with non-woven medical grade fabric manufacturers, attracting investments in important support services like local PPE testing laboratories, and developing an online real-time platform for matching supply and demand including from private hospitals,” Lopez mentioned.

Earlier, the Confederation of Philippine Manufacturers of PPE (CPMP) identified that the local industry’s key challenge is getting the demand from the government.

CPMP President Lawrence delos Santos has urged the DOH and the DBM-PS to coordinate with the industry on their PPE requirement so that the local manufacturers can prepare to supply the demand from the government.

He said up to 99 percent of the government’s PPE requirements are being served by imported products, mostly coming from China.

However, the group noted that the quality of imported PPE are not being tested when it arrived in the Philippines unlike the locally-produced PPE that have undergone inspection by the Food and Drug Administration and passed the highest testing standard done by international testing laboratories.

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. Except for medical-grade surgical face masks maker Medtecs, the four other firms repurposed their businesses into PPE-making to support the country's need for these products for medical workers in their fight against Covid-19. (PNA)

Help stranded overseas job applicants, DOLE urges local recruitment agencies

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abor Secretary Silvestre Bello III is urging licensed recruitment agencies in the country to help applicants for overseas jobs who were stranded locally due to quarantine restrictions.

This, after the governing board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has approved late last week separate resolutions directing all Philippine Recruitment Agencies (PRAs) to help their stranded applicants, and allowing the withdrawal of their escrow deposits in excess of P1 million.

Bello, who is also the chair of the POEA board said that in order to provide relief to legitimate manpower exporters, their payment of additional escrow deposit has been suspended for two years to help them cope with the impact of the pandemic.

In Governing Board Resolution No. 11, private recruitment agencies are ordered to act on issues or complaints brought to their attention and to closely monitor and to submit report on the status and condition of their respective processed OFWs whose deployments were deferred on the account of community quarantine restriction.

POEA also instructed PRAs to help overseas employment applicants currently housed in their accommodations and those who were promised or assured employment assistance.

“All PRAs are directed to assist the locally stranded individuals, which shall include but not limited to, temporary accommodation or shelter, food, COVID-19 test, and transportation back to their respective provinces,” Bello said. (DOLE/PIA-NCR)

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Gov’t ‘saving lives’ from virus, hunger: DOF sec.

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top Cabinet official has assured the business community that the government is focused on saving lives not just from the coronavirus pandemic but also from hunger and other diseases that could happen as a result of the economic fallout from the global health crisis.

A pump attendant is filling a vehicle with gasoline at a gasoline station in Davao City on Monday. Fuel companies are expected to implement mixed adjustments on its petroleum products tomorrow as price of diesel

is expected to go down by P0.20 per liter while gasoline price may increase by P0.10 to P0.20 per liter. Edge Davao

Diesel prices seen moving down, gasoline going up

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uel companies are expected to implement mixed adjustments on its petroleum products this week, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said.

In its fuel forecast for August 25 to 31 trading week, Unioil said the price per liter of diesel may go down by P0.20.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are expected to increase by P0.10 to P0.20 per liter.

Fuel companies usually implement price ad-

justments very Tuesday of the week.

Last week, oil firms implemented their price adjustments. They increased gasoline by P0.60 per liter and diesel

by P0.10 per liter.

Gasoline prices range between P41.60 and P55.30 per liter, while diesel range from P30.10 to P39.20 per liter.

Year-to-date adjustments to stand at a net decrease of P4.17 per liter for gasoline and P8.69 per liter for diesel.

DICT urged to monitor couriers as they maybe used in illegal drug trade

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lawmaker on Sunday urged the Department of Information and Communications Technology to tighten its supervision of couriers in the country following the discovery of alleged illegal drugs in one of its warehouses.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said the DICT has the "exclusive power and authority to regulate the postal delivery services industry, or those engaged in domestic postal commerce."

There are some 110 courier service providers in the country, Gullas said citing DICT data.

“We strongly suspect that traffickers might be moving illegal drugs in-

creasingly through established courier firms, rather than via individual smugglers or mules, on account of foreign and domestic travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Gullas said in a statement.

Some 12 kilos or P81.6 million worth of suspected shabu were seized from the warehouse of J&T Express in Central Visayas, authorities earlier said.

The origin of the package remains unclear but drug enforcers are in pursuit of the shipper and consignee, Gullas said.

“If the shipment came from abroad, then the contraband slipped through the Bureau of Customs again,” he said.

Even though the Philippines may not have one of the biggest economic stimulus packages when compared to other countries, Dominguez said it has performed better compared to some economies owing to its fiscal strengths.

Citing data from various sources, Dominguez said that there appears to be no correlation between the size of a country’s stimulus plan and the coronavirus-induced contraction of its economy.

While the Philippine economy shrank by 16.5 percent in the second quarter with a stimulus package at 4.2 to 6.4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Malaysia’s economy contracted even more by 17.1 percent in spite of a bigger economic stimulus equivalent to 18.2 percent of its GDP, he noted.

The United Kingdom’s (UK)’s total stimulus is at 23.4 percent of GDP but its economy went down by 21.7 percent. Sweden’s economy decelerated by 8.2 percent, despite having a bigger stimulus package of between 10.8 and 16.6 percent of GDP. “It appears that no matter how much money countries pump into their economies, their GDP would have shrunk massively,

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government is fully aware that fighting Covid-19 should be done alongside efforts to rebuild the economy, given that unemployment and reduced incomes resulting from the lockdowns also have public health consequences.

“We cannot fight a pandemic with a weak economy; nor can we restore economic vigor without solving the public health crisis.

We need a healthy people and a strong economy,” he said in his video message to participants of the 29th North Luzon Area Business Conference, which was organized online via Zoom by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Dominguez lauded private sector employers for their own brand of heroism as they continue to shore up businesses and help their employees survive in this time of crisis.

“We have seen much

heroism from all sectors during the five months that the nation has been battling the Covid-19 pandemic. While our medical workers braved the frontlines to save lives and treat the infected, you, our entrepreneurs, worked day and night to shore up businesses and help your employees survive,” Dominguez said.

“You have ensured continued access to basic goods and services. The country is grateful for your efforts.”

As for the government, Dominguez said it will continue to be judicious in its use of its fiscal and financial resources, considering that the global health emergency will likely be going to be a drawn-out series of battles, with no knockout punch against Covid-19 and its resulting economic crisis.

“We are therefore conserving our fiscal stamina for a full, 12-round fight.

Our capacity to fight can and will outlast this health challenge,” he said.

with TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance -- effectively setting a deadline for a potential pressured sale of the viral video sensation to a US company.

"Even though we strongly disagree with the Administration's concerns, for nearly a year we have sought to engage in good faith to provide a constructive solution. What we encountered instead was a lack of due process as the Administration paid no at-

tention to facts and tried to insert itself into negotiations between private businesses," TikTok said in a statement.

"To ensure that the rule of law is not discarded and that our company and users are treated fairly, we have no choice but to challenge the Executive Order through the judicial system," it said, adding it expects to file its suit next week.

TikTok's kaleidoscopic

feeds of short video clips feature everything from hair-dye tutorials to dance routines and jokes about daily life. It has been downloaded 175 million times in the US and more than a billion times around the world.

Trump claims TikTok could be used by China to track the locations of federal employees, build dossiers on people for blackmail, and conduct corpo-

poverty,” Nograles said in a statement.

Nograles, chair of the Zero Hunger Task Force, described adlai as a “great potential” to be a key food and livelihood source for the region.

"Adlai is more nutritious than corn and brown and white rice. Its propagation is appropriate for upland and highland areas in Mindanao where there is a higher incidence of poverty and hunger," he said.

He said his office is closely coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for assistance in propagating adlai and in allocating additional funds to buy seedlings that will be distributed to farmers and other beneficiaries in Caraga and in other areas in Mindanao.

Citing the DA, Nograles said adlai is ideal for inter-cropping with other plants and does not need additional water irrigation

because it can survive in slope areas and can depend on moisture from rainfall.

Adlai, he said, also has several nutritional benefits because it is a nutritionally and energy-dense food that provides perfect energy boost and is also a good source of protein.

He adlai is high in dietary fiber that assists healthy probiotic bacteria in the gut, removes bad cholesterol and high in calcium which ensures good bones and teeth, aids in nerve transmission, blood clotting and muscular function.

Currently, he said the grain variety is already popular in Bukidnon and many areas in Region 10, and is starting to pick up in Region 11.

Like corn and other rice varieties, adlai is a type of long-stemmed crop that grows in tropical areas in Southeast and South Asia.

It is also known as Chinese Pearl Barley or Jobs’ Tears because of its tearlike shaped grains. In the Philippines, cracked Adlay grains are more commonly found because of the milling processes typical for the country.

By virtue of Executive Order 101, the IATF on Zero Hunger is tasked to ensure that government policies, initiatives, and projects on attaining zero hunger will be “coordinated, responsive, and effective”.

Member-agencies of the task force are departments of Social Welfare, Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Budget, Education, Environment, Health, Labor, Local Government, Trade, and Science; Presidential Communications Operations Office; National Economic and Development Authority; and Commission on Higher Education. (PNA)

FGOV’T, P9

TikTok to sue over Trump admin crackdown

V

ideo app TikTok said Saturday it will challenge in court a Trump administration crackdown on the popular Chinese-owned service, which Washington accuses of being a national security threat.

As tensions soar between the world's two biggest economies, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6 giving Americans 45 days to stop doing business

FTIKTOK, P9

Gov’t pushes for adlai as source of livelihood, new solution to hunger

W

ith thousands of Filipinos struggling to feed their families amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the government is looking for ways to introduce a new substitute for rice to help make more parts of the country hunger-free.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is pushing for the planting of adlai or adlay, a gluten-free grain, to ensure food security and fight against hunger and poverty.

"We will push for the planting of adlai in the Caraga region as part of the residents' staple food and as a source of livelihood for farmers, indigenous peoples, rebel returnees as well as those located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas to ensure we have food security and to continue the fight against hunger and

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

On the call of a pro-Duterte group to establish a revolutionary government: The organizers are free to publicly express their opinion ... The focus, however, of the Administration is addressing Covid-19 and mitigating its socioeconomic impact. The most pressing and most urgent concern, which requires the Executive’s full attention, is the gradual opening of the economy while safeguarding the people who are working/going back to work amid the pandemic.”

Presidential Spokesperson

Harry Roque

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

7 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

LIVING

FRED C. LUMBA

IPED LEARNERS TO BENEFIT FROM INNOVATIVE EDUCTION STRATEGY SPECKS OF LIFE

CITIZEN COOPERATION, NOT LOCKDOWNS

Even amateur economists will tell you lockdowns will bring down a nation’s economy.

Initially, the US heeded WHO warnings by locking down its entry points from all incoming foreign visitors as alarming news reports cited hundreds of TO CONTINUE thousands of infections worldwide.

TEACHING IP LEARNthe normal, economic ERSHowever, in the new repercussions did not sit well educators of the Indigwith government authorities as enous People EducaAmericans indignantly marched tion (IPEd) Program to express their freedoms while millions lost Butuan their jobs.City of DepEd American intelligence gathand Sarangani Province ering also decried the doubtjoined the “DLP In Acful pronouncements of WHO tion” workshop orgathat came too late in declaring nized by Smart Commuthe CoVid19 was a pandemic.

Trump eventually withdrew US nications, Inc. (Smart). funding support of $425M First implemented in the from WHO whom he suspected was Central Institute playing Visayan footsy with rival FounChina dation the CVIF-Dywhere, (CVIF), not incidentally, the vinamic Learning Program (DLP) rus originated. audacious counter-play is as The a disaster-resilient form US Pres.

Donald Trump didinto of education, as experienced prevent America’s total econatural and man-made calaminomic collapse arising from the

ties, where schools were able to cope better and recover easier.

Supported by Smart since 2010 alongside parent company PLDT Inc.’s social outreach arm, PLDT-Smart Foundation, CVIF-DLP promotes independent learning in students to improve academic performance particularly in Science, Innovative Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Dr. Jeanie Mativo, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of DepEd Butuan City, expressed to FerWhenher thegratitude President Smart indinandforE.promoting Marcos the launched Bagong Lipunanmethodology.

(New Socinovative teaching ety), he initiated several pro“CVIF-DLP supports the educagrams and initiatives.

Pertional system especially in this haps one of the most popular very challenging time. We are slogans during that time was: blessed enough that are di“Sa ikakaunlad ngthere bayan, generous people who advocate siplina ang kailangan.”

It can for and are willing be education literally translated as: toin extend theiraresources able order for country to tobeprogress, discipline to help,” she said.is needed.

“Why isthe discipline importThrough online forum, ant?” asked John F. MacArthur CVIF-DLP ambassadors Dr. Jr. teaches us to Ray “Discipline Butch Mahinay, Education operate by principle rather Program Supervisor DepEd than desire.

Sayingofno to our Region 10, and IPEd educators impulses (even the ones that Ginalyn Barcena andsinful) Suzzette are not inherently puts Cardinal-Rodis DepEd Saus in control ofofour appetites rangani, guided almost 200 rather than vice versa. Itpardeposes lust from and DepEd permits ticipant-our teachers truth, integrity to Butuanvirtue, City in and writing effective rule our minds instead.” contextualized Learning ActivIf you(LAS). love The football, then ity Sheets speakers you probably know Jerry Lee also integration he of Rice.discussed To the the uninformed, was an American football wide receiver who played 20 seasons in the National Football League. He is widely considered to be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history and among the greatest NFL players overall.

There is an interesting anecdote on how he became such. In Leadership 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know, author John C. Maxwell relates this story: “People who knew him

CoVid19 outbreak saved the nation from the edge of a civil war.

He re-opened the US economy guided by a firm posture that the CoVid19 did not pose real threats to the citizens if Americans were to strictly observe health protocols and lived normally as they did before.

Initially, chaotic riots and looting, causing death and injury and destruction of property, occurred in several Democrat-controlled cities which were trumpeted extensively by the mainstream media to portray the US was in apparent disarray.

Trump, much like PRRD, does not have the mainstream media on his side.

America is now surely recovering, though rather slowly.

(Just a side bar, in California, despite stern warnings from the governor, Pastor John MacArthur defiantly conducted a worship service in his Grace Community Church in LA where an overflow crowd of 3,000 worshipers – wearing no face

masks and observing no social distancing – attended. He was to be fined $1,000 for every infraction but a court eventually acquitted Pastor MacArthur.)

The fact remains that if Trump completely surrendered America’s fate to the WHO and pursued a lockdown policy as the Philippines is doing for almost six months now, the USA either would have been plunged into a civil war that it did not desire or the POTUS would have declared martial law to prevent the former from happening.

Truth to tell, the infectious level of CoVid19 is not as deathly threatening as dengue. Parents will tell you that they fear the latter disease more than CoVid19 which is nothing more than a common flu.

Simple traditional cures like gargling with salt and hot water, ample taking of Vit C and regularly observing correct hygiene prevent the virus from infecting a person.

Hospitals inclination to diagnose a patient with flu as

Covid infected because of the PHILHEALTH guaranteed payment plan of P750K per patient has been exposed in the Congressional hearings.

But as you noticed, even without the vaccine, thousands of Filipinos reported to be CoVid positive have recovered.

In fact, many do not go anymore to the hospital for confinement when they feel their temperatures rise.

(I, for one and my family, will not go to the hospital for treatment of the flu. I fear more to be contaminated in the hospital rather than getting a sure cure at home.)

As a result of our continued blind obedience to the WHO directives, millions of Filipinos have lost their jobs, OFWs are repatriated home and are idle and grumbling, economic activities careened to a halt, children stopped going to school, families of office workers, laborers and transport daily wage earners have gone hungry and unfed.

WHO successfully intim-

idated Third World countries like us, those in Africa and South America, and we cowered in fear like street dogs scampering with their tails between their legs.

I agree with DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez who remarked that lockdowns have already served their purpose. It is time to fight back and open the economy.

The back-to-normal strategy should be the focus as public consumption will stimulate confidence and help restore the vigorous financial posture the country enjoyed before CoVid 19.

Besides, the resiliency of the Filipinos is a natural virtue imbedded in his character. He will survive the challenges of time and men.

Someone said: “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO

VIEWERS FIND HOPE, DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY INSPIRATION IN JUDAY’S “PAANO KITA MAPASASALAMATAN”

THINK ON THESE!

well say he is natural. Physically his God-given gifts are incredible, yet those alone have not made him great. The real key to his success has been his self-discipline. He works and prepares -- day in and day out -- unlike anyone else in professional football.

“During practice in high school, Rice’s coach, Charles Davis, made sprint CVIF-DLP inhis theplayers IPEd curricutwenty times up and down lum, as well as the proper use a forty-yard hill. On a particuof mother tongue or the native larly hot and hungry Missislanguage in the DLP-LAS. sippi day, Rice was ready to “The by the speakgive updiscussion after eleven trips.

As ers is very timely and essential he sneaked toward the lockfor room, today’she prominent er realizedmodality what he of learning. was doing. This will help our IP leaners “’Don’tpursue quit,’education he told himself. once We youhave get despite‘Because the pandemic. into that mode of quitting, learned so much and because then feel like it’snow okay.’ of thisyou workshop, we can He went back and finished start developing LAS for our his sprints, and he has never IP schools,” saidsince.”

Ana Marie been a quitter And so, Rice became a professional football player -- and was so famous, too.

“Even in the off-season, while other players are fishing or lying around enjoying downtime, Rice is working, his normal exercise routine lasting from 7:00 am to noon,” Maxwell wrote.

Discipline -- that’s what separates Rice from good to great. Leonardo da Vinci puts it this way: “You will never have a greater or lesser do-

minion than that over yourself...the height of a man’s success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth of his failure by his self-abandonment. ...And this law is the expression of eternal justice. He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no dominion over others.”

According to Maxwell, in order us to develop a lifeCeniza,for Division IPEd coordistyle of discipline, we have nator of DepEd Butuan City. to accept challenge and elimiAddressing the participants, nate any tendency that Ms. Donna Panes, DepEdmakes us to come up with some exSarangani’s Chief all of Curricucuses.

“Almost our faults lum Implementation Division are more pardonable than the (CID) said,we “I think recommend methods up to the hide CVIF-DLP Learning Activity them,” French classical writer Sheets to beLa usedRochefoucauld in our DiviFrancois wrote. sion. Continuing education In the creative writing, disamidst pandemic lies in our cipline is a prerequisite.

Mihands. With the challenges that chael Chabon said, “You need we have for our IP learners, we three things to become a sucmust contextualize and make cessful novelist: talent, luck all ourdiscipline. lessons relevant and is and Discipline meaningful for our the one element oflearners,” those three she said.that you can control, things and soonline that isworkshop the one that The was you have to focus on controlling, streamed Live through the and youTayo justSarangani have to hope DepEd Face-and trust in the other two.” book page, where more than This is what author H. 350 educators from Sarangani Jackson Brown said, “Talalso without joined thediscipline activity. is like ent learn more anTooctopus on about rollerCVIFskates.

DLP, visit www.dlp.ph, follow There’s plenty of movement, the Dynamic Learning but you never know ifProgram it’s going to be forward, on Facebook, or sendbackwards, an email or sideways.” to LearnSmart@smart.com.ph.

“No success was won without self- determination and self-discipline,” wrote Lailah Gifty Akita in Pearls of Wisdom: Great Mind. William Cullen Bryant rewrote Thanatopsis a hundred times.

Edward Gibbon rewrote his IN TODAY’S CHALLENGING Autobiography nine times.

TIMES, Filipinos are looking Plato wrote the first sentence for sources of optimism of his Republic nine and times.

Virgil spentto12 motivation lift years up theirwriting spirhis Aeneid. its. Some of them have turned Practice makes perfect, so to Kapamilya Channel’s docugoes a popular saying. drama “Paano Kita Mapasa-That is what discipline is all about. salamatan,” hostedwe

by Judy “I believe that learnAnn by Santos-Agoncillo, which has practice,” Martha Graham, received positive comments for American modern dancer featuring real stories ofbelieves. people and choreographer, positively impacting “Whether it means each to learn to dance by practicing dancing other’s lives. or The weekly show, which to learn to live by practicairs ing living, theChannel on principlescable are on Kapamilya the same.

TV and Kapamilya Online “In each, it is the perforLive on of Facebook and YouTube, mance a dedicated precise presents interviews andor draset of acts, physical intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit,” Graham further said. “One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart also said: “It is a mistake

to think that the practice of my art has become easy to me. I assure you, dear friend, no one has given so much care to the study of composition as I. There is scarcely a famous master in music whose works I have not frequently and dilimatization of real-life acts of gently studied.” kindness order toby give Whenin asked a hope fellow and inspiration to viewers. pianist if he could be ready to play on short notice, In aitsrecital last episode, it featured Jan Paderewski replied, the interconnected lives of “I am always ready.Arnold I have praccivilian guard Carballo, ticed eight hours daily for dancer Jayvid Garon, PWD 40 years.” rapper JoshuaI Berenguer, “I wish had beenand born composer Mike Swift, who the with such determination,” uplift each to pursue their other said.other Paderewski andreams and love forare hiphop, swered back: “We all born breakdancing, and rap. with it. I just used mine.”

Even Kita if inMapasasalathe beginning “Paano you fail,has justleftgoa on. matan” markDiscipline on viewyourself no matter hapers, who took to socialwhat media pens, you will be able to attain to express how the show has inwhat you want. An assistant spired them toinventor show kindness of American Thomas and help otherswas in need.

Alva Edison bewildered when he found out that he did 50,000 experiments before he succeeded with a new storage battery.

“Results?” Edison told him. “Why man, I have gotten lots of results. I now know 50,000 things that won’t work.” “... A disciplined pursuit of less will keep us focused and make the greatest impact,” wrote Tim Hiller in Strive: Life is Short, Pursue What Matters.

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

Organic farming is the way

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO ilipino farmers who are searching for a system that is not only environment-friendly but improves their income as well should look no further. The answer to their quest: organic farming.

F

In Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, more farmers are now growing rice organically. In the past, they didn’t want to do so because they thought their harvest would be greatly affected. But when they saw the bounty harvest of those who practiced the system compared to those who didn’t, they immediately shifted their method of farming.

“Organic agriculture is the answer,” pointed out Jessica Reyes-Cantos of the Manila-based Rice Watch and Action Network. “It won’t only retain soil productivity but it can make farming viable. If farmers will have additional income from their land they will continue to plant rice.”

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supports the idea. Its report, Organic Agriculture and Food Security, clearly states that organic farming fights hunger, tackles climate change, and is good for farmers, consumers and the environment.

The FAO report frames a paradox within the conventional food production systems. Global food supply is sufficient, but 850 million are undernourished and go hungry. Use of chemical agricultural inputs is increasing; yet grain productivity is dwindling to seriously low levels.

Not only that. Costs of agricultural inputs are rising, but commodity costs have been in steady decline over the past five decades.

Industrialized food systems cause deaths through pesticide poisonings and high numbers of farmers have committed suicides, while millions of jobs have been lost in rural areas.

Nothing new “While many think of organic farming as something new, it is actually centuries old,” wrote Patrick Raymund A. Lesaca, in an article published in BAR Digest, a quarterly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research. “Organic farming was the original type of agriculture and had been used for thousands of years. One can surmise therefore that the practice of organic farming or organic agriculture in the Philippines began when man started to domesticate the land. Our forefathers used organic materials as their primary means to grow and cultivate their crops.”

The practice persisted until the dawn of the chemically induced fertilizers.

It was in the early 1970s -- when the oil price along with the price of chemical fertilizer shot up -- that it paved the gradual entry of organic agriculture in the main stream of agricultural production. “It may be said that the renewed interest in

organic materials as fertilizers in search for alternative sources of nutrients loomed in the face of escalating prices of fertilizers,” Lesaca wrote.

“Actually, organic farming means going back to the basics,” says Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC), a non-government organization based in barangay Kinuskusan in Bansalan, Davao del Sur. The center has been promoting organic farming since the 1970s. “We want people who come to the center that once they return to their respective places,” Adang points out, “they have learned something which they could use in their own farms.”

Environment-friendly, natural, not using pesticides and other chemicals, sustainable, regenerative, and healthy – these are the words used to describe this method of farming which has recently captured the attention of many countries around the world.

Thanks to Republic Act 10068, organic farming is now being promoted in the Philippines. More popularly known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, the law is a state policy that promotes, propagates, and further develops the practice of organic farming in the country.

President Benigno Aquino III, during the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference in Hacienda Luisita last year, directed the Department of Agriculture to allocate 2-percent of its annual budget for the implementation of the department’s programs and policies on organic agriculture.

Gaining ground The Philippines is not the only country adopting organic farming. “Organic farming is now established in international standards, and 84 countries had implemented organic regulations by 2010, up from 74 countries in 2009,” said a report from Worldwatch Institute, an environmental group based in Washington, D.C. Definitions vary, but according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, organic agriculture is a production system that relies on ecological processes, such as waste recycling, rather than the use of synthetic inputs, such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

“Although organic agriculture often produces lower yields on land that has recently been farmed conventionally, it can outperform conventional practices – especially in times of drought – when the land has been farmed organically for a longer time,” said Laura Reynolds, co-author of the

Worldwatch report, “Organic Agriculture Contributes to Sustainable Food Security.”

Reynolds, a researcher with the institute’s Food and Agriculture Program, said that “conventional agricultural practices often degrade the environment over both the long and short term through soil erosion, excessive water extraction, and biodiversity loss.”

Organic farming, she pointed out, has the potential to contribute to sustainable food security by improving nutrition intake and sustaining livelihoods in rural areas, while simultaneously reducing vulnerability to climate change and enhancing biodiversity.

In 2010, the most recent year for which data are available, certified organic farming accounted for approximately 0.9 percent of the world’s agricultural land. Asia, with a total of 2.8 million hectares, is home to 7 percent of the world’s certified organic agricultural land.

Organic farming is bound to increase manual labor as “sustainable practices associated with organic farming are relatively labor intensive,” Worldwatch said in a statement released to the press.

Organic agriculture uses up to 50 percent less fossil fuel energy than conventional farming, and common organic practices – including rotating crops, applying mulch to empty fields, and maintaining perennial shrubs and trees on farms – also stabilize soils and improve water retention, thus reducing vulnerability to harsh weather patterns.

“On average, organic farms have 30 percent higher biodiversity, including birds, insects, and plants, than conventional farms do,” pointed out Catherine Ward, co-author of the report.

Organic farmers Benefits like these are what inspired Benjamin R. Lao, of barangay Eman in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, to adopt organic farming. His endeavor paid off when the Department of Agriculture named him as an outstanding organic farmer in 2012.

“We want to teach Filipino farmers the right way of farming through the natural method, without using commercial fertilizer or pesticides,” he said of those people who come to Lao Integrated Farm.

The farm is teeming with coconut (his primary source of income as he produces coco sugar) and various fruits like lanzones (more than a thousand trees), durian (700 trees), mangosteen, and rambutan.

In his farm, you won’t see his farm workers using chemical pesticides. “I had a tragic experience with chemical pesticides when I was still a teenager while cultivating rice in our farm located in the neighboring barangay,” he revealed.

Instead, Lao recommends using Eman, which stands for “epektibo, mura, at natural” (effective, cheap, and natural). “This is a con-

coction 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.

People who have been to the farm described it as a haven. You don’t see only livestock and crops but ornamentals as well. “It’s nice to see beautiful flowers underneath the trees,” he explained. “Also, the flowers serve as breeding areas for beneficial insects like spiders and dragonflies.”

In the heart of Victorias City, there is less than a hectare farm which is considered as one of the top agri-tourism destinations in Negros Occidental. “We can address the problem of poverty by teaching people about farming,” said Ramon Dayrit Peñalosa, Jr., the owner of the farm.

“Mr. Organic,” the moniker Peñalosa earned for venturing into organic farming and stuck to it like glue, really never thought of becoming an agripreneur.

When his former business, bus transport system, closed down, he was left with a property that was used before as a garage and repair area for vehicles.

“We had to think of something that would make our property into something productive,” recalled organic guru and pillar of organic farming in Negros Island and Western Visayas. “So we tried something far off from bus lines.”

In the beginning, he planted kangkong in the property, particularly near the water-logged areas. Later on, the whole area was swamped with kangkong.

So he decided to raise pigs, which he found out to be viable. He added more pigs and before he knew it, he was already raising 40 pigs all in all. He thought of raising tilapia, ducks and chick-

ens. He planted fruit trees and vegetable crops.

It was just a matter of time that he learned about organic farming. But to Peñalosa, organic farming has a lot to do with “maka” (a Hiligaynon prefix that usually means “for”): “maka-tao” (people-friendly), “maka-kalikasan” (environment and wildlife as the main focus), “maka-lupa” (pro-soil), “maka-kalusugan”( does not threaten the well-being of a person), “maka-kinabukasan” (pro-future), “maka-bulsa” (profitable), and “maka-Diyos” (pro-God).

Peñalosa believes that a farmer should not only be content with merely planting seeds into the soil and see them grow. “To become a successful farmer, he has to understand the whole concept of agricultural production,” he explained. “He has to learn the business side.”

Farmers should never go hungry and should be well off, he believed. But such is not the case in the real sense. “Sixty percent of Filipinos are into agriculture and fishery and yet they still belong to the poorest sector,” he deplored.

That’s why Peñalosa recommended that farmers should think like a businessman. “An agripreneur should go into business opportunities under the concept of farm to market, farm to kitchen, and farm to plate,” he said.

Feeding the growing population However, if the country goes organic, the primary objective should be feeding its growing population. A study conducted by the University of Michigan (UM) found out that organic farms in developing countries can yield up to three times as much food as low-intensive methods on the same land.

Professor Ivette Perfecto, one the study’s principal investigators, said that in developed countries, yields were almost equal on organic and conventional farms.

And in developing countries, food production could double or triple using organic methods.

“My hope is that we can finally put a nail in the coffin of the idea that you can’t produce enough food through organic agricul-

ture,” said Prof. Perfecto, who is with the university’s school of natural resources and environment. In addition to equal or greater yields, the study found that those yields could be accomplished using existing quantities of organic fertilizers, without putting more farmland into production.

Prof. Perfecto finds it “ridiculous” with the claim that people would go hungry if farming went organic.

In an article which appeared in People and the Planet, she was quoted as saying: “Corporate interest in agriculture and the way agriculture research has been conducted in land grant institutions, with a lot of influence by the chemical companies and pesticide companies as well as fertilizer companies – all have been playing an important role in convincing the public that you need to have these inputs to produce food.”

Mitigates climate change Another important role of organic farming: it mitigates climate change. A 30year scientific trial shows that organic practices could counteract up to 40 percent of global greenhouse gas output. Andre Leu, chairman of Organic Federation of Australia, claims the trial of organic and conventional farming practices has proved that organic practices “can be the single biggest way to mitigate climate change.”

Scientists at the Rodale Institute in the United States have proven that organic farming practices can remove about 7,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the air each year and sequester it in a hectare of farmland.

According to Leu, the scientists estimated that if all of America’s 100 million hectares of cropland were converted to organic practices, it would be the equivalent of taking 217 million cars off the road.

“This is not a theoretical estimate as in some of the tree plantation models or unproven like the millions of dollars being spent on clean coal or mechanical geo sequestration trials,” Leu pointed out. “This is being achieved now by organic farmers in the United States, Australia and around the world.”

EDGEDAVAO

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PANDEMIC... FROM2

UTILIZATION... FROM2

still well capable, but if you look at other services and capacities, the utilization level is quite high already,” she said.

She added that the increase in the utilization level indicates more COVID-19 cases are being handled by local health authorities at the designated facilities.

But Tabada added that the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City and Davao Regional Medical Center in Tagum City can still expand its number of beds, if the situation warrants.

SPMC’s OIC Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan assured the government hospital could still manage the surge in cases.

The total number of

returning residents who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from May 16 until August 19 totaled 639, comprising 34.93-percent of the total cases in Davao Region, she added.

Of this number, Tabada said 193 COVID-19 cases are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and 446 are locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

The Davao Region has recorded a total of 32,957 LSIs and ROFs. Based on her report, the region started seeing a spike in the number of COVID-19 positive returning residents in July with 381 and 171 for the first 19 days of August from 16 in May and 71 in June. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

for the perpetrators of the bombing incident and put them into justice,” the task force said. (PNA)

down and to households with recently returned Overseas Filipino Workers.

The amount will be computed based on prevailing regional minimum wage rates.

This time, however, Congress mandated that the "vetting and validation of beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), and the related liquidation report thereto shall be simplified to expedite the distribution of the subsidy."

Romualdez also noted that the law now mandates all government agencies concerned to submit to Congress a definitive and actual list of SAP beneficiaries.

"This will allow Congress to exercise its oversight function more efficiently in monitoring how these funds are disbursed to the beneficiaries. We do not want repeat of Bayanihan 1 where absence of database resulted to confusion in distribution of funds," he added.

Among the key provisions that were introduced by the House that were eventually adopted by the bicam panel include: --Granting the authority to reprogram and realign

funds to fund purchase of personal protective equipment (PPEs), establishment of isolation facilities, field hospitals, vaccines/ cure, testing, and subsidy for COVID-19 positive patients; --Authority for local government units (LGUs) to realign local funds for Covid-19 response; --Retroactive application as of Feb. 1 of the PHP100,000 hazard duty pay for health workers and PHP1 million to be provided to the heirs of every health worker in case of Covid-related death; --Directing the use of unutilized portions of the Municipal Development Fund for Covid-19 response; --Allowing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to transfer funds to LGUs for assistance programs; --60-day grace period for payment of loans; and --Creation of a national online electronic application system accessible to everyone in each LGU to provide contact tracing capacity, among others. (PNA)

chair of the Central Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative Association (CEMRECA) in Region 12.

Homez vowed to relay the details of the initial meeting with Piñol to officials of the Association of

Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA). AMRECO has 29 active EC members in different parts of Mindanao.

(PNA)

looked like he could barely walk less than 48 hours ago and it is something I’m not going to soon forget,” added Rob Perez on Twitter.

Doncic’s matchwinner sealed an incredible

comeback. At one stage during the second quarter the Mavs were down by 22 points, trailing 54-32.

Paul George had just nine points on 3/14 shooting including 1/7 from three for the Clippers.

Revolutionary Government and Charter Change assembled at Clark Freeport in Pampanga pushing for the establishment of a revolutionary government and the adoption of a new federal constitution.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, confirmed that he received an invitation from

the group.

The group also sent invitations to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay.

Lorenzana and the PNP have thumbed down calls for the establishment of a revolutionary government.

(PNA)

ducing our vulnerabilities," Sazon said.

Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), which operates GCash, is part of

the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned

by Globe Telecom Inc.

for sure.

“Obviously got stitched up here, and my ribs were kind of affected.

“The big thing is kind of how I’m going to be feeling tomorrow morning. I’m hoping and praying for the best.”

Sixers coach Brett Brown said he wasn’t surprised to see a hurting Harris return for the do-or-die game and feels like his injury changed the course of the game.

“I feel like the game flipped when Tobias went out,” Brown said. “It was a two-point game, three-

point game at that stage.

Up until that moment, I felt pretty good about what we were doing.”

Embiid, desperate to avoid being swept, finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists for Philadelphia.

Six 76ers players scored in double figures but the absence of injured Ben Simmons was a glaring problem for Philadelphia defensively and it was the Celtics who advanced to a second-round clash with either the defending champions Toronto Raptors or Brooklyn Nets.

treatment, infectious waste (still in a yellow bag but RAD puts it in a green bag) the weight output reduction is around 20 percent to 30 percent and the volume reduction is 20 percent to 40 percent.

The technology is compliant with the Philippine Clean Air Act. “Meaning we have to pass all emission standards before we treat medical waste and also it is compliant with the DOH health care management manual which is the mandate that we are currently following right now in terms of the disposal of medical waste including the Covid related wastes,” Jamili said.

Also this is the only medical waste treatment machine that has its own certificate product registration given by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

RAD has installed pyroclave systems in Metro Manila, NCR, Davao City, Naga City, Albay in Bicol Region, Tacloban City, Koronadal in South Cotabato; Compostela Valley, and Sarangani Province.

Meanwhile, the Interface Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) has urged the public to move away from disposable PPEs and dispose their waste properly to avert a Covid waste crisis.

Chinkie Pelino-Golle, executive director of IDIS and also presenter during the forum, cited global movement Break Free from Plastics that if everyone in the world wore a disposable mask every day for a year, there will be three trillion masks to deal with afterwards.

Break Free stated that disposable masks are made from dense thermoplastics that cannot be recycled and do not biodegrade fully when discarded and can last up to 450 years in the

environment.

“That’s crazy and creepy. Mamatay na tayong lahat the disposable plastics remain in the environment,” Golle said.

Golle said IDIS is still trying to gather data data in terms of waste generation in Davao City during pandemic.

“I wish to share the waste generated during the pandemic but i was not able to secure the data we just share figures shared online by our partners,” she said.

She shared data before the pandemic by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) that calculated waste generated per day resulted to 990.703 tons in 2017 has increased by 2.2 percent in 2018 or having 1012.486 tons on a daily basis. Residential waste account the bulk of the total solid waste by 80.10 percent such as kitchen scraps, yard waste, paper and cardboard, glass bottles, etc. ; wastes from commercial sources, which include food establishments, general stores, public markets and recreational centers and memorial parks sum up to 12.8 percent; industrial wastes from industries, farms and service centers add up to 3.2 percent; hospital wastes generates 1.70 percent; institutions such as government offices, academic institutions produce 1.60 percent; and slaughterhouses and dressing plants yield 0.60 percent of the total waste.

“This is the projected waste generation of residential and non-residential sources from 2017 and the projected volume until 2027. We are expecting that our waste generation will also increase yearly.

We are also expecting that our waste volume generation will also increase,” Golle said.

“Together with the PNP (Philippine National Police) and Local Government Units, we will look

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rate espionage.

The company has said it has never provided any US user data to the Chinese government, and Beijing has blasted Trump's crackdown as political.

The US measures come ahead of November 3 elections in which Trump, who is behind his rival Joe Biden in the polls, is campaigning hard on an increasingly strident anti-Beijing message.

TRUMP AND CHINA Trump has increasingly taken a confrontational stance on China, challenging it on trade, military and economic fronts.

Shortly after Trump announced his moves against TikTok in early August, the United States slapped sanctions on Hong Kong's leader over the Chinese security clampdown after last year's pro-democracy demonstrations.

Microsoft and Oracle are possible suitors for Tik-

Tok's US operations.

Reports have said Oracle -- whose chairman Larry Ellison has raised millions in campaign funds for Trump -- was weighing a bid for TikTok's operations in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The Trump administration has also given ByteDance a 90-day deadline to divest in TikTok before the app is banned in the United States.

The measures move away from the long-promoted American ideal of a global, open internet and could invite other countries to follow suit, analysts told AFP previously.

"It's really an attempt to fragment the internet and the global information society along US and Chinese lines, and shut China out of the information economy," Milton Mueller, a Georgia Tech professor and founder of the Internet Governance Project, said previously.

anyway. It is not the sheer size of the stimulus package that matters now but also whether it is actually saving the productive parts of the economy,” Dominguez said.

“This is because the problem is not a systemic contraction or a cyclical bust. Simply, necessary mobility restrictions hamper aggregate demand,” he added.

Dominguez said the economy can recover if the country can keep the pandemic at bay so that tough restrictions such as widescale lockdowns are no longer necessary.

“Preventing outbreaks in the workplace is as much a lifesaving responsibility as it is a good business practice,” he reminded businessmen at the conference.

Dominguez said the effects of the pandemic would have been much worse had it not been for President Duterte’s prudent approach to fiscal and economic management as reflected in the Philippines historic low debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6 percent, a 22year high revenue effort of 16.1 percent of GDP, and infrastructure investments equivalent to 5.4 percent of the economy in 2019, as well as the unprecedented amount of USD98 billion in gross international reserves as of July this year, to name a few.

Without continued and increased public sector spending--especially on infrastructure, public health, and social protection--the economy would have performed much worse, Dominguez said.

assumed control in 201112, they have funnelled lavish amounts of money into creating a team to win this trophy only to see them fall short time and again – sometimes in faintly ludicrous fashion. The last-16 loss to Barcelona in 2017 stands out when they threw away a 4-0 first-leg lead and conceded three times after the 88th minute

of the second game to crash 6-5 on aggregate. There have been other horrors.

Prior to this season, PSG had won only four knockout ties in seven Champions League campaigns but Thomas Tuchel has broken down psychological barriers. Having secured a domestic treble, he and his team arrived at the Estádio da Luz sensing history.

this time of our nation’s journey. Just as our strict demand and high standards for good leaders are very much valid, we do our share in ensuring our victory against this health crisis when we decide to be good followers observing guidelines and moving as one team, community and country.

We made every effort to send home every one of our more than 1,600 national athletes home. Their safety weighs more than any color of honor that continued training may produce. As one famous movie line goes, we live to fight another day.

I believe this sets the

tone for all other teams to follow. Safety is priority.

Your life, dear athletes, is more important than any medal could ever equal.

We look to our sports officials to keep this prioritized in their decisions that may affect the good health of their athletes.

The government may not be able to monitor all activities, violations or actions, but as citizens we are all equally responsible for what we do and what we ask others to do for a cause or intention. Let us all care for one another in whatever way we can. If not as citizens, let us do it as brothers and sisters to one another.

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BIGGER PICTURE

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

Mr. Sunshine: History, politics and romance like no other

By ATTY. ANGELA LIBRADO-TRINIDAD

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

I

did not read its cover. I picked it merely because it was mentioned by a friend and I needed another K-drama series that would hopefully sustain my kilig moments in The King, Eternal Monarch. But The first episode was action-packed and was confusingly a hodgepodge of eras.

There was no promise of beautiful faces.

The “American” who was assigned to Joseon looked jaded.

Albeit entitled Mr. Sunshine, this K-drama centers upon a Joseon young female noble, Go Aeshin, whose parents died fighting tyrannical Japan. Against the traditions and conventions of Joseon and ignorant of her parents’ history, Go Ashin self-learns, arms herself with the military skills to protect her country from foreign invasion and becomes the formidable, indispensable leader of the Righteous Army, an anti-Japanese and anti-establishment rebel movement of peasant-slaves in Joseon.

Mr. Sunshine weaves history, politics and romance like no other.

While sniping at her enemies relentlessly, Go

Aeshin also passionately entangles herself with all three male leads individually and collectively making them fall in love not only with her but with her passion to free Joseon as well.

—Eugene Choi, a Joseon slave turned American, whose hatred of Joseon nobility was so entrenched he longed of betraying his roots. However, he warms up to his native land, abets Ashin’s Army by concealing the firearm it took, and ultimately sacrifices himself to enable Aishin’s group to escape.

-Goo dong Mae, once a beaten Joseon fledgling who sought refuge in Japan, but returns to his homeland as a lead-

er of the feared samurai-wielding Muslin society in his Hangyeong, Emboldened by his love for Aishin and what she represents, Goo Dong draws his sword against the society and country that cuddled him just so he could embrace Aishin in his dreams, at least.

-and the carefree Kim Hee Sung, whose nobility was his greatest liability. While betrothed to Aishin, Kim realizes his love, no matter how pure, cannot assuage his lady’s love for her people ad is thus compelled to break the engagement.

Love wins in this Kdrama as it persists despite and transcends differing social strata. When ersthwhile buther’s son ,Goo dong, snatches “ her lady” Aishin’s silk hemline and clings to it momentarily when the latter walks past him. Or when Kim stares dreamily at his beloved beyond the silk-laden clothesline when he comes to visit her for the first time.

But that flirting from a distance when the lowclass Eugene and Ashin threw grins at each oth-

er while flashing their pretend wedding rings right at the Righteous Army’s hideout was so palatable, I could forgive Mr. Sunshine for not having a single kissing or intimate scene. It evokes that most intense feeling of love and commitment without being overpowering.

But it is not only the romance that seduces, Mr. Sunshine allows not just one but a few women to shine. Japanese widow Kuno Hido, daughter of a Joseon diplomat infamous for selling his country out to the Japanese. A raconteur by nature, she knows about and speaks of everyone in her village as if she was living with each one. Haman Daek, the ever-loyal maid of Go-Aishin, who raised the latter as her own, not only cuddling her but her dreams of a free Joseon as well. And then there’s So Ah, a relentless member of the Righteous Army, who fronts as an owner of a carinderia near a riverside offering what Eugene and his American superior re-

ferred to as an unbelievable chicken dish. These women did not crowd but enhanced the scenes with their presence, displaying their indispensable roles, no matter how intermittent their appearances are.

Politcs has its footprints written all over this series. Go Aishin actually represents her maimed country, Joseon , tied to traditions and customs which she rebels against at the same time. Like Go -Aishin, Joseon is troubled by his own people fighting for “development and against slavery” and is constantly courted by Japan and the US .

The story ends tragically but triumphantly with all the vital characters dying but Go Aishin, seen commanding young recruits of the Righteous Army in the hope of finally gaining her homeland back.

I should have watched it last, almost a nonpareil , this Mr. Sunshine. By now, the rest of the Kdrama series would appear lackluster.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

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Ayo speaks up on Cansino transfer, alleged UST ‘bubble’

U

Joshua Kimmich (holding trophy) celebrates with his Bayern Munich teammates including haf-Filipino David Alaba (white shirt, 27) after winning Sunday’s Champions League final in Lisbon.

niversity of Santo Tomas men’s basketball coach Aldin Ayo finally broke his silence on Sunday night on the transfer of former Growling Tigers’ team captain, CJ Cansino, and the team’s alleged training “bubble” in his hometown of Sorsogon City amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

In a statement, he admitted that there were “marked differences” between him and Cansino that eventually led to the latter getting removed from the team as he claimed, and transferring to the University of the Philippines.

“We have found that it would be best that we part ways and allow maximum growth for each other,” Ayo said. “We wish him the best of providence in his new endeavor with a different team.”

He kept mum on whether Cansino left the team on his own terms or he was actually removed.

“We express our gratitude for the years and effort

he poured so generously for UST,” he said.

He also refused to comment on whether reports regarding an ill-advised training bubble that he was believed to have put up in his hometown are true pending the investigations

by UST and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“I am fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations and praying that in due time, this will be proplerly addressed,” Ayo said.

The alleged rift between Ayo and Cansino stemmed from the reported bubble.

He expressed hope that the government would “find ways to effectively address the debilitating pandemic in our country so that we may be able to resume a certain normalcy where we could return to the game we passionately love and give our utmost drawing the best out of each one in pursuit of total human development.”

(PNA)

hiladelphia forward Tobias Harris suffered a laceration over his left eye in a frightening fall and Joel Embiid is considering the future after the 76ers’ season-ending NBA playoff loss to the Boston Celtics.

Harris was battling for the ball under the basket when his legs were swept from under him and he fell hard, hitting his head on the court before walking off the court holding a towel to his left eye and temple.

The 76ers had the deficit at just two points before Harris departed late in the third period, but Boston closed the quarter on a 12-0 scoring run on the way to a 110-106 victory

and 4-0 sweep in the bestof-seven series.

Responding to questions about what’s next for Philadelphia, All-Star centre Embiid said: “I don’t make the decisions. I’m here in Philly. Whatever happens, happens.

“I’ve always said that I want to end my career here and if it happens, good. If it doesn’t happen, well, you move on and all that stuff.”

After being stitched and bandaged up and evaluated for concussion, Harris returned to the contest, finishing with 20 points in the game.

“I’m still in some pain with it,” Harris said after the game. “It was a hard fall

Bayern Munich wins Champions League P W

After being swept by Celtics, Sixers ponder on their future

hen Kingsley Coman stole into space at the far post, he knew that the right delivery from Joshua Kimmich would give him the opportunity he had dreamed of.

The Champions League final had been tight and tense, with a few chances for either team but, until this point, no clinical edge.

That was about to change. Kimmich’s cross was perfect and Coman’s eyes lit up. There was a time when his ambition had been to win Europe’s elite competition with Paris Saint-Germain, his hometown club and the one at which he progressed

through the youth ranks, having joined them as an eight-year-old.

But Coman would come to fear that there was no pathway into the PSG first team after the Qatar Sports Investment takeover and so he moved to Juventus before winding up at Bayern Munich. He watched Kimmich’s centre onto his forehead and, when he guided the ball into the far corner, he had put his

‘Out of this planet’ Luka lifts Mavs past Clippers

Y

ou’re not supposed to be doing this at 21 years of age.

Luka Doncic just produced an iconic playoff performance to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 135133 overtime win against the LA Clippers that squared their first round series at 2-2.

Doncic, playing with an injured ankle and without centre Kristaps Porzinigis, had 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists to upset one of the favourites for the championship despite Lou Williams’ 36 points and Kawhi Leonard’s 32.

Doncic saved his best for last. Down 130-128 with a minute to play in overtime, he made a seven-footer, rebounded Kawhi Leonard’s miss and then scored on a lay-up to make it 132-130 Dallas with 19 seconds left.

But Marcus Morris hit a three-pointer with nine

seconds on the clock to put the Clippers back in front 133-132, giving the Mavs one last chance to win the game.

Enter Luka. The Slovenian superstar hit a step back three on the buzzer, igniting wild celebrations on the court and later in the locker room.

The NBA was in awe.

“He sees the game in 6G, it’s not 5G, it’s 6G,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s another level beyond what most people see it. Just a very very special player. This game today was from another planet.”

“I’ve seen every great player of the last 60 years,” longtime NBA scribe Bob Ryan said. “Luka Doncic takes my breath away.”

“In all seriousness what Luka did today would be considered remarkable anytime anywhere, but add in the context that it

FOUT, P9

club en route to a treble of trophies this season and a sixth triumph in this tournament.

What a way it was for him and, perhaps more dramatically, the manager, Hansi Flick, to round off the campaign. This is Flick’s first job in top-flight management, one that the 55-year-old accepted last November when Bayern sacked Niko Kovac and were in disarray. The reboot that Flick has overseen since then has been nothing short of astonishing.

Playing an attractive, high-pressing game, Bayern have bulldozed their way to 33 wins and just

two defeats in 36 matches in all competitions and it has long since passed the point where it feels as if Flick can do no wrong. His major decision for the final was to recall Coman at the expense of Ivan Perisic and the winger proved the star turn. He was supported by Manuel Neuer, the captain, who made two fine blocks in goal, and Thiago Alcântara, the playmaker.

This was a first appearance for PSG in Europe’s showpiece final – as opposed to Bayern’s 11th – and the chance to scratch the itch that has become an obsession for their owners. Since the Qataris

FBAYERN, P9

Luka Doncic celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning 3-point basket. Getty Images

FAFTER, P9

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 116 • TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

“Is the athletic development and achievement, or team readiness more paramount that overstepping bounds, compromising one’s safety or putting your team credibility on the line takes a back seat?” -- Chairman William Ramirez of the PSC said.

SETTING OUR SIGHTS RIGHT

By PSC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM RAMIREZ

(Editor’s Note: This is PSC Chairman William Ramirez’s thoughts on the Covid-19 protocols and sports teams. We are printing this in full in the aftermath of the controversial report of the secret practice of a UAAP team in Sorsogon amidst the pandemic.)

O

ver the weekend, there was a bit of disquiet about the alleged training of a university in Sorsogon. We have received varying reports but we await the result of investigations regarding this. The Philippine Sports Commission recognizes the authority of the University Athletic Associations of the Philippines (UAAP) on this member-team, and we are giving them the chance to clarify matters internally.

Over the weekend, there was a bit of disquiet about the alleged training of a university in Sorsogon. We have received varying reports but we await the result of investigations regarding this.

The Philippine Sports Commission recognizes the authority of the University Athletic Associations of the Philippines (UAAP) on this member-team, and we are giving them the chance to clarify matters internally.

Being a 70-year old teacher and sportsman, I cannot help but mull over this issue. And this is what I wish to share with you who are in or plainly love sports.

This issue brought to fore one glaring reality that we face in the field of sports, as in all other aspects of life --moral challenges.

I remember what a good friend, Fr. Alfonso Suico, CSsR, wrote in his paper entitled “Virtue and the Ethical Problems in Competitive Sports” which said that “virtue ethics considers integrity and character of the athlete herself, a position that can determine the attainment of a goal, which is not (only) the winning of a game, but the flourishing one’s life.”

The flourishing of one’s life. Character and virtue as an equal to winning and achieving.

Without passing judgment, this situation brings to mind a silent but equally worth noting implication. Does winning

always mean everything else takes second place? Are we so focused on winning that we are ready to compromise important matters like the safety of the youth we are supposed to guide?

Is the athletic development and achievement, or team readiness more paramount that overstepping bounds, compromising one’s safety or putting your team credibility on the line takes a back seat?

As an elder and leader in Philippine sports, I have a vision for virtues and values to be given equal weight as winning in sports programs. In this vision I see partners in local government units, sports officials and schools – where discipline and character are nurtured outside the home.

It is for this reason that the issue, for me, is much bigger than sports. It touches on a sensitive facet of our society that questions our priorities.

The PSC, being the government arm in sports, and part of tripartite group (PSC, GAB and DOH) tasked to oversee physical activities in this time of pandemic, is bound to uphold whatever government dictates. We are bound by duty to ensure that government-imposed safety protocols are observed, for the safety of our athletes, and the community they move and live in.

We cannot overemphasize how important it is to be good followers at

FSETTING, P9