Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 146 | Tuesday, September 29, 2020

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VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

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With no applicants passing the test, LTFRB modifies guidelines for interim bus project STORY ON PAGE 2

Tamugan River in Calinan, Davao City will be the source of water for the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project. Davao City Water District (DCWD) has disclosed that it already completed the Phase 1 of Part B projects that are crucial to the Apo Agua Bulk Water Project. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte extends until June 30, 2022 the term of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected areas (IATF-Yolanda) which is implementing projects and programs for communities ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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With no applicants passing the test, LTFRB modifies guidelines for interim bus project

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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fter futile attempts by Mindanao-based bus firms to nail a franchise for the Davao City Interim Bus Project, the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has decided to modify its requirements to make way for applicants to pass the stringent test.

LTFRB has issued Board Resolution No. 174 s. 2020 modifying Part III of Memorandum Circular No. 2020-024 or the “Implementing Guidelines for the Davao City Interim Bus Project” last September 23, 2020.

On June 22, 2020, the Board issued the guidelines opening the Toril, Catalunan Grande, and CP Garcia/Diversion routes for application.

A number of proceedings have since been conducted since the issuance of the aforementioned cir-

cular, however, none of the applicants qualified due to lack of currently manufactured low-floor low-entry units brought about by Covid-19 pandemic.

Armand Dioso, regional director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 11 (LTFRB 11), said in a text message that amendments were made following the failure of the two Mindanao-based bus companies, Bachelor Express Inc., and Davao Metro Shuttle Corporation, to qualify for the franchise application for

Davao City’s interim bus project or the High Priority Bus System’s (HPBS) bus routes.

Bachelor Express, which applied for the Toril to downtown route, and Metro Shuttle, which applied for Catalunan Grande to downtown route, both failed in the two rounds of evaluations conducted last July 17, 2020 and August 20,2020.

The MC modified as follows: number of available compliant units with OR/CR or sales invoice and delivery receipt or undertaking to submit the same within one year from receipt of Notice of Selection; and undertaking to comply with the proposed delivery of complaint in it within one year from issuance of Notice of Selection as duly certified by the supplier, assembler or manufacturer, if based within the Philippines, if based out-

side the Philippines, the certification must be authenticated by a Philippine Consulate embassy.

The selected operator will be required to operate within 15 days from Notice of Selection with a minimum of two-thirds of the total number of required vehicles while awaiting delivery of compliant units required under MC No. 2020-024.

The MC also authorized LTFRB 11 to issue a 120-day Provisional Authority for this purpose, renewable for another 90 days upon justifiable reasons. The operator will be permitted to use, with preference to low floor low entry bus or coach-type buses not more than five years old at the date of application for PA, whether private or for hire, or units leased from other operators, manufacturers and dealers.

PRRD extends term of IATF-Yolanda

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has extended the life of the task force that is implementing projects and programs for communities ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Duterte’s Administrative Order (AO) 33 extended the term of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Unified Implementation and Monitoring of Rehabilitation and Recovery Projects and Programs in Yolanda-affected areas (IATF-Yolanda) until the end of his presidency on June 30, 2022.

“The IATF-Yolanda shall be deemed dissolved on June 30, 2022, unless it is sooner terminated by the President,” the AO stated, which took effect immediately.

The task force’s initial three-year term was supposed to end August 12, 2020 but Duterte acknowledged that much work remains to be done.

For instance, 129,484 housing units have so far been completed while 49,112 units were still undergoing construction (89.3% combined accomplishment rate). Also, only 241 of the 363 permanent resettlement projects (66%) have access to electricity.

“To facilitate the completion of the above projects, as well as the other component programs in the Yolanda Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Plan, there is a need to extend the term of the IATF-Yolanda,” the AO

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Comelec eyes mail-in voting for senior citizens, PWDs amid Covid-19 threat

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he Commission on Elections (Comelec) is considering allowing postal voting or mail-in voting for senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) in 2022 elections amid the COVID-19 threat.

Interviewed on Unang Balita on Monday, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the procedure is currently being used for overseas voting only.

“In fact, ang postal voting o mail-in voting ginagawa na natin 'yan sa overseas voting. Ang gusto lang ng Comelec ay palawigin ito pata ma-include ang domestic voting,” Jimenez said.

“Mag-identify lang muna tayo siguro ng mga partikular na voters.

Halimbawa, senior citizens or persons with disability na puwedeng gumamit ng

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VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

DCWD completes crucial part of bulk water project

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Davao City Water District (DCWD) said it has completed Phase 1 of Part B projects that are crucial to the Apo Agua Bulk Water Project of the Aboitiz-controlled Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc.’s (AAII).

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Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod, deputy spokesperson of DCWD, said that out of 27 projects that consist of the construction of storage facilities and pipe laying of the transmission lines, 26 are already completed. These storage facilities are where water from Apo Agua will be received

by DCWD through complementary transmission lines.

“For the Part B, almost all of the Phase 1 projects are already completed.

These are crucial to the acceptance of water from Apo Agua and distribution to the customers, meaning mao ni sila ang mga projects nga necessary para madawat na namo ang tubig from Apo Agua and ma-distribute namo sa customers,” Duhaylungsod said in a phone interview.

Under Phase 2, there are eight remaining projects and these are additional pipelines wherein six pipelines are targeted to be completed by 2021.

AAII is a joint venture between Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. and JV Angeles Construction Corp., and started building the project, which will source water from the Tamugan River, in late 2018.

The AAII bulk water project will deliver 300 million liters per day (MLD) to DCWD as provided under their supply agreement.

Meanwhile, DCWD also has other two projects that are not crucial to the operation of the bulk water project but are just contingencies to DCWD’s operation, which are the pipe bridge crossings at

San Rafael and Quimpo Boulevard that will serve as alternate routes just in case the existing pipe bridge crossings at Bankerohan and Ma-a bridge get damaged.

Duhaylungsod said these contingency purposes are part of the 35 projects for its pipe distribution network upgrade and expansion projects.

“Meaning out of 35 projects, duha ana ang contingency purpose mao na ang pipe bridge crossing namo sa Quimpo bridge and San Rafael bridge. Mag-butang mi ug pipe bridge crossings para naa mi contingency na tubo simbako palayo ma-damage ang Ma-a pipe bridge ug Bankerohan pipe bridge,” she said.

She said, although, these projects are not yet completed by 2021, however, these are not crucial in the operation of the bulk water project.

“Ug dili pud necessary ang bulk water para maka-distribute mi ug water kung dili pa ni mahuman nga projects,” she said.

LGU. Mayor Michelle said that she will also be informing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the resort's violation of the CDO so that both the local and national governments could file complaint against the resort's management.

The City of Mati LGU closed down Mountain Top Resort along with five business establishments owned by businessman Dante Sapalo for operating without the necessary permits.

Served with a “cease and desist order” were Mangrove Inn Resort, a resort in Sitio Wagon in Macambol, another resort in Sitio Tagawisan in Badas, Mountain Top Spring Resort, Sapalo Wooden Resort, and the water refilling station in Sitio Wagon.

“Records show that

you have been engaged in various business activities for several years without procuring the necessary permits (business and building) in violation of Tax Ordinance No. 02, series of 1993 of the City and National Building Code; and clearances in violation of Article 9, Section 30 of the Integrated Zoning Ordinance No. 346, series of 2019,” the CDO issued by Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat read.

It was learned that Sapalo had been given several warnings and opportunities to comply and secure the necessary permits and clearances.

“However, despite the warnings, you obstinately failed to comply and continued with your business operations,” read the CDO. Notices of violations were issued against Sapalo’s businesses since March

2015 until February 2020.

The six businesses of Sapalo were ordered to immediately cease and desist under pain of contempt from operating upon receipt of the order. The CDO was signed on August 27 but was only served September 3.

The CDO is valid and effective until necessary permits and clearances shall have been obtained or secured. The Mountain Top Spring Resort was among the 9 resorts in the city that have not yet secured their Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism.

The City of Mati LGU is appealing to the public to refrain from patronizing the said resort as well as all other resorts not in compliance with the rules and regulations imposed by the local and national governments. (CIO MATI)

products at PHP40 million, a price that Mayor Isko said is worth the health benefits it would give the senior citizens of his city.

“Yesterday, Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the driving force, and pioneering farmers group in organic rice farming, said it will consolidate all production of black and red rice to supply the estimated 500-metric tons needed by the City of Manila,” Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.

Mayor Isko liked the proposal, saying it will be a healthy gift for the seniors while helping Mindanao rice farmers, he added.

Piñol said the area currently planted with organ-

ic rice by farmers' groups belonging to the Mindanao Organic Rice Industry Council (MORICO) is less than 1,000 hectares.

This latest development, MinDA chair said, could spark a glitter of hope for commercial rice farmers reeling from low farm gate prices because of the unimpeded importation of Thai and Vietnam rice.

He added that while the farm gate price of commercial rice ranges from PHP11 to PHP14 per kilo, black and red organic rice commands a price of PHP22 or higher.

“Yesterday, MinDA, which organized MORICO last year with the support

of USAID, started working on a loan package for Mindanao's Organic Rice Industry. The loan package includes capitalization for Don Bosco to buy the produce of MORICO member cooperatives and funding support to purchase flatbed dryers, warehouses, and hauling trucks,” Piñol said.

MinDA will forward the industry loan package proposal to its banking partner, the Development Bank of the Philippines.

“This will be a happy Christmas both for the senior citizens of Manila who will get a taste of healthy organic rice and most espe-

Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte reiterates that he will remain neutral in the Speakership issue between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco. Rep. Duterte clarifies that he is

Mountain Top Resort mgt defiant of CDO

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he City of Mati LGU is mulling on filing charges against the management of the Mountain Top Resort in Barangay Macambol for their continued operation despite the cease and desist order served last September 3.

Personnel from the Mati Public Safety made an ocular inspection on the said resort morning of September 27 and saw several customers inside the resort despite the CDO. The Public Safety also observed violation of the minimum health standard protocol.

Customers were advised to leave the premises as the Mati Tourist Police were ordered by Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat to ensure that the resort management would stop their continued defiance on the cease and desist order issued by the City of Mati

Mindanao's organic rice penetrates Manila market

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he City of Manila's program to give each of its 150,000 senior citizens a pack of the nutritious black and red organic rice this Christmas has given Mindanao rice farmers a reason to rejoice, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said Sunday.

A month before the actual staging of the “MinDA Tienda sa Manila”, Mindanao's farmers have already scored big sales after Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso ordered 500 metric tons of colored organic rice for the city's senior citizens.

MinDA pegged the advance sales of one of Mindanao's popular agricultural

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staying out of the discussions on the budget and the speakership, noting that anything he says or does may reflect on his father. Edge Davao

Pulong to remain neutral in House leadership row

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eputy Speaker Paolo Duterte will remain neutral in the Speakership issue between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, House Appropriations Committee Chair Eric Yap said.

“Wala pong napag-usapan. DS Pulong will remain neutral,” he said.

This, after Cayetano and wife, Taguig Rep. Lani Cayetano met with Duterte and Yap last Saturday as coup rumors against Cayetano persist in the run up to the scheduled enforcement of the term sharing agreement between Cayetano and Velasco in the last quarter of 2021.

While media initially reported that the meeting took place in Davao based on the location tags of Yap’s Instagram posts, Yap clarified on Monday that the meeting actually took place in Manila.

Yap explained that his IG account maybe on autolocation tagging.

He said the meeting was just a social call and nothing about work was discussed.

Deputy Speaker Duterte, son of President Rodrigo Duterte, sent tongues wagging with his controversial text message the other week where he threatened to have the Mindanao bloc of congressmen declare the speakership and deputy speakerships vacant last Monday—a move that never happened.

The day prior, Rep. Duterte issued a statement clarifying that he is staying out of the discussions on

the budget and the speakership, noting that anything he says or does may reflect on his father.

“The text message that I sent to another lawmaker — and is now making the rounds — was an expression of my personal dismay upon hearing the concerns of my fellow lawmakers. It was the same message that I sent after one congressman from the Visayas bloc dragged my name into the issue even after I have already strongly made myself clear over this issue,” he said.

“Now as Congress continues to be hounded by the issue of budget — something that finds its way up to the current House leadership, how it treats its members, how it approves allocations and budgets with fairness or lack of it — let me reiterate my position. I do not want to get involved, however, I wish to help my fellow lawmakers find answers to their questions or remedies to the budget that they proposed for their people.”

Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves earlier raised the matter of the allocation of funds for projects per district and pointed out that Cayetano’s home turf of Taguig and Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte’s home province of Camarines Sur received about P8 billion and P11 billion in the 2021 budget respectively.

Yap meanwhile said some of these were 2020 projects that were discontinued because the funds

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

OPEC turns 60 at ‘critical moment’ for virus-hit oil

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Hundreds of distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) over the weekend following their successful repatriation from Beirut, Lebanon. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DOT slowly reopens domestic travel to revive tourism industry

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ourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the Department of Tourism has slowly reopened destinations for domestic travel with health and safety protocols in place as countries celebrate World Tourism Day. “This year’s theme, ‘Tourism and Rural Development’, is particularly relevant to our country as many of our rural areas depend on tourism but have been adversely affected by the pandemic,” Romulo-Puyat said in a

statement.

She said the “gradual revival of the industry will bring back jobs and livelihoods to the rural areas, where many tourism products -- beach, diving, ecotourism, arts and culture, and farm sites -- are

found”.

Earlier, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said tourism is a vehicle for integration, empowerment, and income generation for rural communities.

Guterres recognized the importance of tourism to a country’s development.

Romulo-Puyat said the Philippine tourism industry has been promoting the inclusive development of the countryside by supporting farmers, indige-

mployees involved in factory work and construction are appealing for an exemption from the mandatory use of face shields, citing the constraints these bring to their work.

According to Trade Union Congress of the Phil-

ippines (TUCP) spokesperson Alan Tanjusay, workers are finding it hard to fulfill their responsibilities due to the face shield.

"Dahil sa electronics, sa garment, ganoon din sa food processing, napakasensitibo ng mga hinahawakan ng mga mangga-

gagawa. At kung suot-suot ang face shield, nahihirapan silang makakita o makapag-operate," he said.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. added that if office workers were finding it difficult to work with face

nous peoples, women, and other marginalized groups through sustainable programs.

“We have been given this time of tourism closure to transform the crisis into an opportunity; a chance to rebuild tourism on the foundation of safety, sustainability, inclusiveness, and resiliency. Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to pursue equitable and responsible growth as the legacy of our industry,” she added.

(PNA) shields, this was certainly the case at construction sites and on factory floors.

"Sa opisina, it's already uncomfortable [kahit] na may space naman kayo tapos lahat ng tao ron eh presumed to be okay lang dahil chine-check na," he said.

Factory, construction workers seek exemption from face shield use

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Nat’l Tripartite Council to set stricter rules for foreign workers’ employment permits

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he National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) is now in the process of making employment permits more stringent for foreign nationals who wish to work in the Philippines, a labor group said Sunday.

In an emailed statement, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said the NTIPC is now in the final stages of revising the Alien Employment Permit (AEP).

The NTIPC is a main consultative and advisory body mechanism lodged with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

It has representatives for the labor and employer sectors, which includes the TUCP, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), and Sentro.

“We have to make sure local jobs are not taken away by any foreigners

and at the same time see to it foreign workers are not victims of slave labor,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said in a statement.

In the statement, the TUCP noted that Chinese nationals were being caught violating health procotols in response to the coronavirus disease 2019.

Just last week, police arrested around 30 Chinese nationals on Friday evening after they were found having a party and violating social distancing rules at a KTV bar and restaurant in Makati City.

The TUCP also noted that Chinese nationals were employed in various construction projects in the country.

According to TUCP, the labor group will bring up such issues in a meeting to be held by the tripartite council to be held on Monday, September 28, 2020.

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PEC faces a critical moment in its 60year history with the coronavirus crushing crude demand and prices, discord among its members, and threats from a world seeking cleaner fuels.

Founded on September 14, 1960, by Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela who sought to control crude oil output, OPEC currently comprises 13 members including nations from Africa and Latin America.

The 60th anniversary “comes at a critical moment in its history,” UniCredit analyst Edoardo Campanella said in reference to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

“Its ability to steer the oil market in its favor has never been put in question to the extent it is now,” he noted.

‘Relevant role’ The Vienna-based institution convenes for regular meetings to assess the state of supply and demand in the marketplace, and its pronouncements can still spark major price swings.

That ability has dimmed in recent years however, prompting it to join forces with ten nonOPEC producers including Russia to curb their collective output.

OPEC+ essentially wanted to counter surging energy supplies from shale rock in the United States and help clear a stubborn supply glut on world markets.

Today, OPEC pumps about one third of global oil -- but OPEC+ accounts for almost 50 percent, giving it greater clout.

Carlo Alberto de Casa, trader at Activtrades, insisted that the cartel retains a “relevant” function in the market, dismissing talk the organization was a “has-been.”

“They are slightly less influential compared to the past, also due to production of non-OPEC countries and new extraction techniques. But I still see a role for OPEC,” he told AFP. This despite the larger OPEC+ in March failing to agree on a new strategy— with Russia refusing cartel kingpin Saudi Arabia’s request to cut their collective output and combat a virus-fuelled slump in crude demand.

In response, top global exporter Saudi slashed its prices and raised output to preserve market share in the face of Russian opposition.

The Saudi-Russian price war, in tandem with the worsening Covid-19 pandemic, sent oil prices off a cliff—and even caused New York’s light sweet crude contract to briefly turn negative in April—meaning producers paid buyers to take the oil off their hands.

After the unprecedented market crash, OPEC+ in May slashed up to a fifth of its output—a move that triggered a sharp rebound in crude prices to current levels around $40 per barrel.

Added to the supply backdrop, the United States, now the world’s biggest oil producer, curbed the pace of costly shale extraction.

Rystad Energy analyst Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, while noting that OPEC has lost market share in recent years, said the cartel still has an important role to play because it possesses the largest amount of accessible crude.

This meant that extracting its oil resulted in fewer carbon emissions, she said.

“I would argue that OPEC would become more and more important” in the future, she concluded.

Two men gather garden soil, which will be sold on a roadside plant and flower store, at a vacant lot in Toril, Davao City. Edge Davao

ECONOMY 5

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

FTC-GOCC welcomes Big Fat Tummy. FTC-GOCC President & CEO Ian Cruz (center) signs a leasing agreement with Big Fat Tummy Owner Kristoffer U. Tan at the FTC Corporate Office on September 22, 2020. (From left) This ceremony is witnessed by Nisha Buyani, Big Fat Tummy Operations Manager, Jester Hospital, ALPI Project Development Manager, Almira Mariano, Marketing Communications Director and Almira Añonuevo, Chief Finance Officer.

FTC-GOCC signs with Big Fat Tummy

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ig Fat Tummy FDS has just become the latest addition to the growing business owners in Aeon Towers commercial space.

The popular comfort food restaurant signed up as a new locator in the iconic Aeon Towers building located at JP Laurel Avenue in Davao City’s bustling business district.

The contract signing

took place on September 22, 2020 at the FTC Corporate Office.

Present during the ceremony were Big Fat Tummy’s Owner Kristoffer U. Tan while FTC-GOCC was represented by its President and CEO Ian

7.6M Pinoy households went hungry in past 3 months: SWS

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n independent survey released Sunday said the proportion of families experiencing hunger due to lack of food to eat reached a new record-high of 30.7 percent, or an estimated 7.6 million households in the past 3 months.

The Social Weather Stations said based on its survey conducted from Sept.

17 to 20, the hunger incidence recorded this month surpassed the previous peak of 23.8 percent posted in March 2012.

The research firm said the hunger trend has been rising since May this year.

Before this, hunger had steadily declined from 23.8 percent in March 2012 to 8.8 percent in December 2019.

Hunger incidence in September 2020 was up by 9.8 points, compared to 20.9 percent in July 2020, and by 14 points from 16.7 percent in May 2020, and by a total of 21.9 points from 8.8 percent in December 2019, SWS said.

The 30.7 percent hunger rate in September is the sum of 22 percent, or around 5.5 million families who experienced moderate hunger and 8.7 percent, or

Cruz.

The contract singing was witnessed by the team from FTC-GOCC/ Aeon Towers: Almira Mariano, Marketing Communications Director, Almira Añonuevo, Chief Finance Officer and Jester Hospital, Project Development Manager and Big Fat Tummy’s Operations Manager Nisha Buyani.

“I am thrilled to be able to set up a new space

for BFT enthusiasts at the Aeon Tower in Bajada to cater more people especially call center agents and office employees,” Mr. Tan said.

Big Fat Tummy is a traditional Filipino cuisine serving breakfast, lunch and dinners at very affordable price. Its presence at the Aeon Towers solidifies the emergence of a new dining hub in Davao City.

Earlier, FTC-GOCC signed a leasing agreement with Kimchee Tea as the latter opens milk tea shop at the second floor of Aeon Towers’ commercial space at the FTC Corporate Office.

Present during the ceremony were Kimchee Tea’s millennial owner Kamille Jun C. Alquizar while FTC-GOCC was represented by its President and CEO Ian Cruz. Wit-

nessing the signing were FTC-GOCC/Aeon Towers: Almira Mariano, Marketing Communications Director, Almira Añonuevo, Chief Finance Officer and Jester Hospital, Project Development Manager.

Kimchee Tea started in 2018 with different flavors of tea-based drinks at 149 Batulao Road, Central Park, Bangkal, Davao City and is now expanding to Aeon Towers.

tion, and one Silver Stevie from its ‘Tulong Para Sa Taal’ corporate social responsibility campaign.

“This recognition came at a time when everyone can use some motivation, given the impact of the pandemic. Because of these recognitions from the International Business Awards, we are more motivated to do even better and create campaigns that will not only bring corporate excellence but also bring positive impact

to the communities we serve,” Phoenix Petroleum President Henry Albert Fadullon said.

‘Sarap Pala Magluto’ is the nationwide campaign of Phoenix SUPER LPG that aims to encourage millennials to discover the joys of cooking through its German-made SRG regulator that offers a SAFE, SIGURADO, SIMPLE cooking experience. The campaign, which also introduces Sarah Geronimo as brand ambassador, has success-

fully increased the brand’s market share and brand awareness, even topping the Twitter trend list on its launch day.

Another Gold winner, FamilyMart’s Coffee Creations, was recognized for its achievements in sales since its launch. From selling only seven cups a day, Coffee Creations drastically increased FamilyMart’s coffee sales to an average of 70 cups a day. The project was attributed for the

Phoenix earns 3 nods at 17th Int’l Business Awards

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hoenix Petroleum, the country’s fastest-growing oil company, continues its annual winning streak at the prestigious International Business Awards, having bagged a total of three trophies from the awards organization this year.

The company added to its list of awards two Gold Stevies through Phoenix SUPER LPG’s ‘Sarap Pala Magluto’ nationwide campaign and FamilyMart’s Coffee Creations introduc-

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F7.6M, P10

Bangko Sentral urged to suspend online transaction fees until end of pandemic

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overnment should suspend the resumption of banks' online transaction fees via Instapay until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, a nongovernment policy think tank said.

Some banks had waived fees until the end of the year, "indicating that the costs to allow free transfers are nil if not negligible," Infrawatch Philippines said.

"If the smaller banks can do it, with more certainty can the bigger banks do it as well," the group said in a statement, noting that the country's largest banks charge P50 per transaction which translates to a non-interest monthly reve-

nue of P1.473 billion. "[M]ost importantly, the BSP should step in and suspend the return of bank transfer fees until the end of the public health emergency."

Monthly transactions of InstaPay, which lets banking clients transfer up to P50,000 per transaction, rose 820 percent from August 2019, according to Infrawatch Philippines.

Online transfers will decrease as fees return, it added.

"As the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had rightfully intervened in setting interest rate ceilings in credit card transactions, it should

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Homegrown company, Phoenix, earns two gold and one silver Stevie trophies at the recently concluded 17th International Business Awards for its successful campaigns for Phoenix SUPER LPG, FamilyMart, and corporate

social responsibility—marking the company’s third consecutive year of winning at the prestigious Oscars of business.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

On speculations that President Rodrigo Duterte is extending his term beyond 2022 amid calls to suspend the 2022 elections:

The President is not interested in extending his term and he leaves it to the Filipino people, the sovereign people to decide if they want to amend the Constitution to suspend elections.”

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

FOOD

FRED C. LUMBA

THE LOBBY CAFE X FOODPANDA SPECKS OF LIFE

ARE THERE ANYMORE GOOD MEN LEFT

In a huge population of more system is pockmarked with loop- rienced. than 100 million, would it be ex- holes, if you know what I am Ordinarily, however, the OKAY let’shard facetoit.find This bottled asperatingly some- pointing at.speciality drinks in Spanish spate of corruption controversies one to fit the bill?

Rumors that we have thugs no longer surprise and shake the pandemic times will be Latte or Double chocolate.

Or you Orfor is itamore like searching in andcan crooks in robes in the judiPinoy nation. here little while. have a fill of TLC Dino Chops a haystack? ciary are no longer rumors. Many have gotten used to deep fried crispy andscions golden theseThey The huge financial mess criminal casesto involving wrong-doings because they And so we gettingby used brown goodness,and withpoliticaltender, juicy discovered – will and be exposed a of rich, prominent have become integral parts of to ordering food- in online and gettingly-connected meat, served with luscious whistle-blower the Philhealth families are able gravy, to their contemporary life. corruption scandal their wayand out garlic of a sure But with the grave anti-social them delivered home.indicts Diningthe buyside salad, rice.concultural impunity that has been viction because there is a crooked effects of Covid 19, Filipinos are out may have to wait a while TLC meets your cravings in existence and in practice for system existing. now realizing (and recognizing, although some nursed restaurants andby whether dine-in, horrific pick-up, fact delivery, many decades, in fact One sickening I hope) that they need to collecfood establishments are already or via FoodPanda.

Send in a the benumbed indifference of a is that while we have an extraditively voice out their rightful inoperating under some of the new tionmessage on its page ordignation because these corruptimid and tolerant society. treaty with theFacebook USA, Filipinos Thereins.

Philhealth issue the is not who are(0917) facing129 court suits conve- tion scandals have got to stop as vertical That makes call 5467. the tip of the iceberg, mind you. niently escape by taking the firsthasthe wrong-doings are negatively cravings a bit of a challenge to deal In Davao City, Foodpanda Many more earth-shaking plane out to Uncle Sam’s territory affecting the government and the with. hundreds of riders exposes’ in yesteryears and re- where they enjoy the serving “fruits” daily of people in a monstrous manner.

Butpast crave nocome more.and gone but their and will be launching the bicycle Unfortunately, cent have labor.

Philhealth good thing youschemes can still riders soonminds as well. theThe authors of theis,evil Criminal andFoodpanda plunder- has appointees have been – one after have not been convicted are ironically encouraged enjoy those cravings deliveredand at ersrecently expanded its reach to and the other - exiting disgracefully, jailed.

It appears that they are push through their sinister plots your doorstep. started delivering food in Toril hounded by issues about negliable to squeeze themselves out of to engage in pilferage and thiev- gent and lax management, dereLobby Cafe, that amazing theThe discomfiting situation by se- eryDistrict becausewith theyover are 30 notrestaurants scared liction of duty, incompetence and kitchen inside the Arcadia Active of the in the platform on March curing the services of “talented” penal laws existing in 23 thethissuch other concerns, even borLifestyle behind greatyear to cater more Dabawenyos dering on inutility. lawyers Center who smartly navigate country. the legaldining waterscreations, with a variety The the death being Everybody is agreed that the tasting is not of only while citypenalty is underismandatory “swimming” methods and styles. re-introduced only because the matter is systemic. open for dining but also rolled community quarantine.

Yes, it can no longer be de- increasing surge of criminality is From top to bottom, the out dining delivered started in expeJune 2014 niedorder-online that our justice and penal now –Foodpanda again – being felt and culture of corruption has ebbed

through a collaboration with top food deliveroo FoodPanda. It’s a collab that ensures you get your gastric feast with the ease and luxury of a five-star hotel room service.

So on a laid back weekend morning, have yourself a classic Bangus Daing matched with

with the aim of bringing food lovers around the Philippines with their favorite meals from curated local restaurants. Since its creation in the Philippines, the on-demand delivery service has grown to more than 2,500 restaurant brands alone in more than 30 cities across the Philippines.

down to its lowest level that nothing – it seems – can solve or even minimize it to a tolerable level.

Perhaps, PRRD should ask for a volunteer.

Instead of scouting for talented managers and executives that will man and head government offices, the President could ask the nation if there is anyone willing to volunteer and serve the country in a position that has no political backing or support.

In this way, the volunteer-appointee will not suffer from political pressures if he had been otherwise backed or recommended by a powerful politician.

I believe there are still many capable Filipinos out there willing to take up the challenge.

These are the guys who silently do their jobs and accomplish their tasks with noble objectivity and diligence.

Enough of bureaucrats.

Enough of the ‘padrino’ connection. Enough of the old traditional “you and me” brotherhood.

I would strongly espouse this volunteer-ism concept.

We have tried everything possible under the sun but our government remains in bondage to corruption, thievery and illegalities.

A volunteer-appointee I think will do better under the circumstance because he is not indebted to anyone but to the appointing authority alone.

Therefore, he will have much leeway to hire and fire, whenever necessary and implement the changes he sees to be effective and efficient.

At least, PRRD need not search in a haystack.

Napoleon Hill, author of the much-acclaimed Think and Grow Rich, said: “No man ever achieved worthwhile success who did not, at one time or other, find himself with at least one foot hanging well over the brink of failure.”

Challenges will not stop daring us in the face.

It is up to us if we cower in fear or take the dare. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHAT MAKES A TRUE LEADER? “The political scene is perhaps the most public arena where people have expressed their distrust in those who lead them. These are not easy times in which to be a leader.” -- Henry and Richard Blackaby, authors of Spiritual Leadership *** And it came to pass that God saw the sufferings of His people in Egypt. He had heard them crying out because of the miseries they were experiencing. He wanted to rescue them from their bondage. So, He called a man named Moses to bring God’s chosen people out of Egypt.

“Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt,” Moses asked.

Moses was terrified to become the leader. In their book, Spiritual Leadership, authors Henry and Richard Blackaby wrote: “Leadership. Everyone experiences it, or the lack of it, in their daily lives. Those called to lead can find doing so a daunting task. Those expected to follow can experience frustration when their leader is unable to lead.”

There are 850 different definitions of leadership. That was what Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus found when they were writing their collaborative book, Leaders: Strategies for Taking Charge. It is no wonder why today’s leaders have a hard time measuring up their level. There are too many standards to meet!

Dr. John C. Maxwell, an au-

thority on leadership, has written a very comprehensive book entitled, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. In his introduction, he posed these questions: “What makes people want to follow a leader? Why do people reluctantly comply with one leader while passionately following another to the ends of the earth? What separates leadership theorists from successful leaders who lead effectively in the real world?”

Maxwell enumerated the 21 qualities -- in alphabetical order -- as follows: character, charisma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem solving, relationships, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachability and vision.

Now, here are some thoughts from various leaders and thinkers from around the world: Character: “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.” -- Bernard Montgomery, British Field Marshal Charisma: “How can you have charisma? Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are making them feel good about you.” -- Dan Reiland, vice president of leadership development

Commitment: “People do not follow uncommitted leaders. Commitment can be displayed in a full range of matters to include the work hours you choose to maintain, how you work to improve your abilities, or what you do for your fellow workers at personal sacrifice.”

-- Stephen Gregg, chairman of Ethix Corporation Communication: “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” -- Lee Iacocca, American automobile executive Competence: “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its piped nor its theories will hold water.” -- John Gardner, American novelist Courage: “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality which guarantees all others.”-- Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister Discernment: “The first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.” -- Molly Ivins, American columnist Focus: “What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things.” -- Margaret Mead, anthropologist Generosity: “No person was

ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” -- Calvin Coolidge, American president Initiative: “Success seems to be connected with action.

Successful people keep moving.

They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” -- Conrad Hilton, hotel executive Listening: “The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.” -- Woodrow Wilson, American president Passion: “Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.”

-- Henri Frederic Amie, Swiss moral philosopher Positive Attitude: “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitude of mind.” -- William James, psychologist Problem Solving: “The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”

-- John Foster Dulles, US Secretary of State Relationships: “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” -- Theodore Roosevelt, American president Responsibility: “When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at

himself.” -- Louis Nizer Security: “No man will make a great leader who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit for doing it.” -- Andrew Carnegie, industrialist Self-discipline:“A man without decision of character can never be said to belong to himself… He longs to whatever can make captive of him.” -- John Foster, author Servanthood: “The true leader serves. Serves people.

Serves their best interests, and in so doing will not always be popular, may not always impress. But because true leaders are motivated by loving concern rather than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price.” -- Eugene B. Habecker, author Teachability: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” -- John Wooden, Basketball coach Vision: “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.”

-- John Scully, Chief Executive Officer To end this piece, here is a final statement from Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu: “To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence.

The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’”

8 INdulge!

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

UP AND ABOUT

MIKAEL DAEZ TAKES HIS FOOD GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL AS A TRUE BLUE GAMER who used to go on 10-hour marathon computer sessions, playing DOTA 1 and going for “BEYOND GODLIKE!” killstreaks with his friends during his teenage years, Mikael Daez knows that gaming and food go hand-inhand.

The model-turned-actor relates to how gamers often have to decide between food and play when one’s real-life energy bar runs low. By choosing to defeat other players, upgrade items, or clear quests to advance in the storyline, Daez admits to making poor food choices in the past, such as going for instant noodles or canned goods and rice.

As he is introduced as one of the newest endorsers of the country’s on-demand delivery service foodpanda, Daez has leveled up his food game. “foodpanda has been amazing in providing a seamless experience to be able to get food without disturbing my gaming,” the celebrity gamer says. “All it takes is just a few clicks on the foodpanda app, and my food is on the way.”

Pancakes, waffles, and grocery delivery Daez does not have to quit games anymore to take food breaks. foodpanda allows him to simply hit pause, place his orders through the app’s user-friendly interface, and get right back into

the action without losing the allimportant gamer’s momentum.

With its lists of over 20,000 restaurant partners nationwide, it promises to deliver one’s favorite meals in just 25 minutes or less. Additionally, your home-bound lives are also now a little bit easier with shops, as it delivers daily essentials safely and securely. Forget figuring out how to buy groceries and household needs such as pet

food, soap, alcohol, or tissue paper. Simply check out stores nearest you, tick your orders, and just wait for the foodpanda rider to deliver everything to you right at your door.

The go-to orders of Daez as of late have been pancakes and waffles. Like any tactical gamer/foodie, he has his orders saved on foodpanda for repeat deliveries for lunch, afternoon, and even midnight, to save time

on ordering and focus more on his gaming.

“It’s been a great experience with foodpanda as it enhances my gaming experience kasi tuloy tuloy na siya,” says Daez, who is currently playing a lot of Fallout Shelter Online, DOTA 2, and Ragnarok M: Eternal Love, or Ragnarok Mobile.

‘Beefbelly’ hearts ‘Boneezy’ In the popular online role-

playing game, Daez, whose username is “Beefbelly,” married his wife Megan Young, who goes by “Boneezy,” for the third time this year, following their two intimate ceremonies in January. The couple shares a passion for gaming and says it even helps them forge a stronger relationship.

“It’s been super cool because we support each other,” Daez says. “If I want to play my game solo, she doesn’t mind because she understands, then she plays her own game solo, too.

When there’s a new game that’s intriguing, we’re excited to try it out with one another.” Like just any couple, gaming and food is one way they bring some order—and importantly—a sense of pleasure—into their lives.

“Gaming and lots of comfort food,” he adds, “definitely gives us more avenue to interact and grow our relationship. Aside from this, I truly love how foodpanda, brings us closer to all the things that I need, all in one place.”

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a noob or a serious player since your youth, foodpanda is here with you and for you.

Whether you’re like Daez who plays with a partner or flies solo, foopanda also allows you to enjoy delicious and irresistible deals like free delivery to 40 percent off throughout this month. From chicken, pasta, pizza, coffee, to milk tea, there’s surely no craving foodpanda can’t fix!

START YOUR ORGANIZING JOURNEY WITH ISSA REYES’ ‘NEAT OBSESSIONS’ PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER Issa Guico Reyes, known for her work in organizing the homes of celebrity clients like Kathryn Bernardo, Neri Miranda, Rica Peralejo, and Cheska Kramer, bares her method in cleaning and decluttering spaces in “Neat Obsessions,” the latest bestseller published by ABSCBN Books.

The KonMari consultantin-training penned her own journey towards fulfilling a neat and organized home in a book that puts premium in the Pinoy way of life.

“While we can always refer to foreign books and manuals, it is always best if we have a

reference that speaks the very same challenges that we have, and offers solutions that fit our background, culture, and lifestyle,” she said.

“Neat Obsessions” will allow readers to establish a connection and find happiness in their own spaces—big or small—by encouraging them to develop a system to put everything in a proper place.

The author disclosed ‘The Homeward Technique,’ her guide to organizing and achieving efficiency in homemaking done in just three steps: sorting, detaching, and rehoming.

“The goal is for you to reclaim your space, which was

once lost in a sea of clutter, and find a semblance of order in a life lost to chaos and disarray,” Issa shared.

The new book also tackled

the importance of health and hygiene in cleaning, suggested ways to declutter spaces with the crafty use of materials like shelving racks and floating shelves, and featured tips to counter challenges in letting go of stuff with sentimental value.

Since its launch early this month, the book has been sold out and is now preparing for its second printing.

Issa is a certified organizer under the International Certification for Professional Organizers and a blogger behind the Neat Obsessions website. She is also a mom-ofthree, who started mastering the art of cleaning at a young

age primarily due to her dad’s passion for neatness.

The author will talk about her book in the upcoming Philippine Readers and Writers Festival 2020. Catch her live on National Book Store’s Facebook page on October 1 (Thursday) at 1pm.

Achieve fulfillment in a neat and organized home with the help of Issa Reyes’ “Neat Obsessions,” available in National Book Store branches, www.nationalbookstore. com, and in the official NBS store on Lazada and Shopee for only P350. National Book Store also offers 10% off for book purchases online until October 4.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

BIGGER PICTURE

Surviving through a series of crises

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO n the past, Mindanao – the country’s second largest island – was touted to be the “land of promise.” In later years, it was the land contested by Christians, Muslims and the New People’s Army.

I

It was in this “war-torn Mindanao” that American agricultural scientist Harold Ray Watson decided to settle as a Christian missionary. First, he was appointed as an agricultural teacher at the Southern Baptist College in M’lang, North Cotabato.

Later on, Watson was appointed as the director of the Mount Carmel Baptist Assembly in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. He enjoyed his work as it entailed to deal with young people who camped at the place during summer.

But Watson had a dream; that of putting into action his theory which he had when he finished his master’s degree. In his study, he found out that training institutions in most parts of the world had extensive facilities but nothing for demonstration for the trainees to see and learn.

But he had no money to start what he had in mind. So, he wrote the Richmond-based Foreign Mission Board, which sent him as a missionary, about his idea. The board responded affirmatively as there was someone who donated $1,000 and specifically stated that the money be used for agricultural works.

Watson was ecstatic. After all, there was an abandoned 10-hectare farm adjacent to the camp

where he was working. It was for sale and the money involved was equivalent to $1,000. “It was God’s plan,” he said.

In September 1971, the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center came into existence.

The primary purpose of the center was contemplated in John 10:10b. “I have come,” Jesus stated, “that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Exactly a year after, then president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law all over the country.

Despite this, Watson never lost his passion. He believed God had prepared something for him and for the Filipino people.

While insurgency continued to thrive in various parts of Mindanao, Watson tried to fight an unseen enemy which most upland farmers never noticed: soil erosion.

Water carries topsoil during a strong rain while winds blow the primary source of agriculture away.

“Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever,” he said. “It takes thousands of years to build one inch of topsoil but only one good strong rain to remove one inch from unprotected soil on the slopes of mountains.”

Soil erosion greatly affects crop production.

“The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in

two ways,” explain Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf, authors of Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy. “It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure.

“It also increases the costs of food production,” the two authors further wrote. “When farmers lose topsoil, they may increase land productivity by substituting energy in the form of fertilizer. Hence, farmers losing topsoil may experience either a loss

in land productivity or a rise in costs of agricultural inputs. And if the productivity drops too low or agricultural costs rise too high, farmers are forced to abandon their land.”

Watson and his Filipino counterparts had to work overtime to fight soil erosion. In time, they had developed a farming system called Sloping Agricultural Land Technology. “SALT is a packaged technology of soil conservation and food production that integrates several conservation measures in just one setting,” says Jethro P. Adang, the

current and fifth director of the center.

“Basically, the SALT method involves planting of field and permanent crops in 3-5-meter bands between double-contoured rows of nitrogen fixing shrubs and trees (examples: ipil-ipil, kakawate and introduced species such as Flemingia macrophylla and Desmodium rensonii) to minimize soil erosion,” Adang explains.

Permanent and agricultural crops are planted all over the farm. Permanent crops refer to cacao, coffee, banana, citrus and fruit trees. Among the recommended crops are vegetables, cereals, and legumes.

In SALT, crop rotation is being implemented.

For instance, those strips planted with cereals (corn or upland rice) earlier are planted with peanuts or winged beans in the next cropping. “Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” Adang says.

Multistory cropping may also be practiced (planting black pepper, corn, and lanzones together in one hedge). In waterlogged areas, gabi, kangkong and other water-loving crops are planted. “We all do these to make use of all the available spaces of the farm,” Adang says.

“Some of the crops should be planted to feed the farmer’s family, while other crops are grown for sale, so family income is well spread out over the season,” says Adang. “Every week or every month, there’s always something to harvest. The system can, in fact, raise the family income threefold.”

But what makes SALT environment-friendly is that it helps in the establishment of a stable ecosystem. The double hedgerows of leguminous shrubs and trees between the land strips where crops

9

are planted help conserve water and soil. The hedgerows, when cut every 3045 days and incorporated back into the soil, improve its fertility and serve as mulching materials.

A study conducted at the MBRL C farm showed that a farm tilled in the traditional manner erodes at the rate of 1,163.4 metric tons per hectare per year.

In comparison, a SALT farm erodes at the rate of only 20.1 metric tons per hectare per year.

“The rate of soil loss in a SALT farm is 3.4 metric tons per hectare per year, which is within the tolerable range,” Adang says.

“Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10 to 12 metric tons per hectare per year.”

The success of SALT paved way to other three variants: Simple Agro-Livestock Technology (SALT 2), a half-hectare goat-based farm where 12 does and one buck are raised; Sustainable Agroforest Land Technology (SALT 3), a two-hectare model farm on reforestation; and Small Agrofruit Livelihood Technology (SALT 4), a half-hectare farm focused on fruit production.

As a constant source of food for the farm family, MBRLC developed Food Always In The Home (FAITH), a 100-square-meter garden which can provide fresh and organically-grown vegetables.

For developing these sustainable farming technologies and promoting them not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well, Watson was named one of the recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award – Asia’s Nobel prize – for peace and international understanding in 1986.

On March 31, 1990, Watson and the MBRLC got a Presidential Citation from then president Corazon C. Aquino when the latter visited the United

10 EDGEDAVAO COMELEC... FROM2

mail-in voting,” he added.

According to Jimenez, a bill allowing mail-in voting for domestic voters has already been filed in Congress.

Aside from this, Jimenez said the commission is developing more expanded alternative modes of voting like online voting. However, he said the Comelec is still studying this voting procedure.

Despite the likely possibility that the pandemic will not be over by 2022, Jimenez said the poll body sees no reason not to push through with the elections.

Marikina City Repre-

sentative Stella Quimbo has already filed House Bill 7572 authorizing the Comelec to allow senior citizens to vote by mail from their own homes amid the threat of COVID-19.

According to Quimbo, the lack of vaccine against or cure for COVID-19 in the future may stretch the pandemic for a long time, affecting the conduct of the elections in 2022.

Quimbo said other countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, and New Zealand have already been practicing postal voting.

stated.

Duterte also directed the task force headed by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles to publish a final report on its accomplishments, including projects and programs implemented, and total budget used prior to its dissolution.

The President signed the AO on September 16,

a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Monday.

Yolanda hit Tacloban and other parts of Visayas on November 8, 2013, killing 6,300 people and injuring over 28,000 others. The damage brought about by the super typhoon was estimated to be around P89 billion.

cially Mindanao's rice farmers. For MinDA, this is another proof that even with a measly PHP172-million

budget, we still could make things happen with very little government expense,” Piñol further said. (PNA)

"Eh sa factory ganon din. May mga trabaho sa factory na talagang hindi pupwede ang face [shield]," he added.

To recall, the government in late July said it was considering requiring citizens to wear face shields while in public as an added protection against COVID-19.

On August 15, the national government mandated the use of face shields on top of face masks when using public transport or when in workplaces.

On August 21, Malacanang required face shields in enclosed spaces and commercial establishments, including shopping malls.

similarly do the same for bank transfer fees," the group said.

Banks initially waived online transaction fees voluntarily. The BSP later

urged all entities under its regulation to waive such fees to encourage the public to use online banking as part of efforts to hecl the spread of COVID-19.

yard 17th hole to 10 feet and made his first birdie since the eighth hole. He closed with an 8-foot par

to avoid a playoff with McCumber, who had made a 25-foot birdie putt on the 18th for a 66.

feeling they’d be fine with him packed away in bubblewrap until Khabib Nurmagomedov is free sometime mid 2021.

Unfortunately McGregor is something of a force of nature and has already proven he’s prepared to go his own way if necessary.

His 2017 boxing match against Floyd Mayweather was something McGregor made happen against the UFC’s wishes. He went so far as to state he’d use the Ali Act to break out of his UFC contract if necessary. We imagine the same threat is being used to hang a sword over the UFC’s head again.

“I’d rather fight MMA anyway not sure why I’ve been held back like this, it’s borderline criminal at this

stage,” McGregor wrote on Instagram. “The biggest number generator in the game asking for four fights since February this year and getting left on seen.

It’s pretty f**ked up when I keep thinking of it. I’ve been right here this whole time.”

It’s just another sign that the UFC’s rigid ‘my way or the highway’ method of negotiating is causing them unnecessary headaches. But so long as Dana White is in control of the promotion, everything will continue to go through him, even if it results in the sports’ biggest stars sitting on the bench while he concentrates on basics like keeping the promotion rolling during the Coronavirus pandemic.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

PULONG... FROM3

had to be used for pandemic response. These projects were instead included in the 2021 budget.

Yap said this is the case for Taguig.

“Yung Taguig kasi karamihan doon FLR (for later release) eh kaya hindi mo siya masasabing new projects. ‘Yun ‘yung mga last year na project na imbes na mapunta this year na 2020, nangyari may mga FLR nilagay sa 2021. Kung titingnan mo ang new projects ng Taguig, di po siya ganun kalaki epecially mga kampo, mga bases po nakakarga po la-

hat ‘yun,” he pointed out.

(In the case of Taguig, many of those were ‘for later release’ which is why you can’t say they are new projects. Those were projects last year, but instead of being implemented this year 2020, what happened was they were classified as FLR in 2021. If you’ll look at the new projects in Taguig, the amount is not that big, especially the camps--the bases will carry them.)

On Wednesday, during the interpellation of Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, Public Works Usec. Maria

Catalina Cabral said that the total amount for all projects marked “For Later Release” under 2020 amounted to P271 billion.

Half of these would be funded this year and the rest were to be funded next year.

Zarate however pointed out that there seemed to be an inconsistency because the Department of Budget and Management also reported that it had already released 92.3 percent of the 2020 Budget.

“As of June 2020, the DBM said it has already released 92.3 percent of our

national budget for 2020.

So ibig sabihin ba nito, na despite this pandemic, lahat ng proyekto napropose for 2020 ay nai-release naman yung budget at gumana? (So does this mean that despite this pandemic, all of the projects proposed for 2020 had their budgets released?)” he said.

Public Works Sec. Mark Villar said that with “regards to the FLR there’s still some portion of that that has to be released.”

“Of course, I cannot comment directly on the numbers of the DBM,” he said.

overall revenue of FamilyMart in 2019.

Meanwhile, the ‘Tulong Para Sa Taal’ campaign, which earned a Silver recognition from the IBA for PR Campaign of the Year-Corporate Social Responsibility category, im-

pressed the judges with its comprehensive and centralized approach, utilizing all of Phoenix brands, products, stakeholders, and partners in bringing immediate help to over 10,000 affected families.

These new IBA tro-

phies bring the total Stevies trophies of Phoenix to six since it first joined the competition in 2017.

The IBA or Stevies is the world’s premier business awards created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition

of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide.

With a panel of jurors composed of industry professionals worldwide, it is considered as the Oscars of business.

around 2.2 million families who experienced severe hunger, SWS said.

“Moderate Hunger refers to those who experienced hunger "Only Once" or "A Few Times" in the last three months. Meanwhile,

Severe Hunger refers to those who experienced it "Often" or "Always" in the last three months,” the research group said.

Moderate Hunger rose from 15.8 percent in July to a new record-high 22

percent in September. This surpassed the previous record of 18.9 percent in December 2009.

Severe Hunger rose from 5.1 percent in July to a new record-high 8.7 percent in September 2020.

This surpassed the previous peak of 6 percent in March 2001.

SWS also noted that hunger hit new record-highs in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila.

States.

The regional office of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization also bestowed its World Food Day Silver Medal to MBRLC in 1991 “in recognition of the contribution to mobilizing people’s participation in tree planting and sustainable forest resources management.”

When Watson retired in 1987, Jon Jeffrey Palmer took over. The agriculturist from Tennessee used to work at the MBRLC as Journeyman together with his wife, Regina. Steven Lee Musen , from Kentucky, became the center’s director, when Palmer went back to the United States.

When Musen resigned from his post, Roy C. Ali-

moane was chosen to direct the center. As there were no more foreigners working at the center, the funding from the United States stopped. Despite this, the MBRLC didn’t stop its main purpose: to serve farmers and those who are interested in farming.

Without funding, the center started to charge those who visit the center.

Additional financial sources came from the produce of the farm, particularly fruits (mangosteen, durian, lanzones, and rambutan), milk (from the goats), and seeds (from the crops).

“We have survived the financial crisis,” said Adang, who took over the directorship after Ali-

moane retired in 2018.

But more troubles were ahead. In October 2019, a strong earthquake hit Davao Region. It was just the beginning. More earthquakes followed. As a result, some buildings of MBRLC were greatly affected with the shakes.

But as those wrecked buildings were fixed, a livestock disease hit the country in the form of African swine fever. It was good that the center was no longer raising swine as the building was one of those affected by the subsequent earthquakes.

Then, in March 2020, the country was under siege by a pandemic called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Like other

provinces, Davao del Sur was also under community quarantine.

“We decided to close the center at the start of the pandemic,” Adang said.

“After three weeks, we opened the center as there was clamor for farmers to buy seeds and feeds for their livestock.”

Of course, they have to follow the recommended health protocols for all those who come to the center and even to their staff and workers: hand washing, physical distancing, and wearing face mask and face shield.

“We have survived the past crisis, I think, with God’s intervention, we will survive this one, too,” Adang concludes.

lo, while Kroll steps up to battle the fast-rising Luke Santamaria. With the addition of the sensational twin prospects Ángel and Chávez Barrientes in their television debuts, October 3 shapes up as a jampacked night of action.”

The Filipino sensation Magsayo (20-,0, 14 KOs) fights out of Pasig City, Metro Manila and most recently scored two wins in 2019, knocking out Erick Deztroyer in April and earning a 12-round decision over former world champion Panya Uthok in August. The 25-year-old owns two other 12-round decision wins and a stoppage of former title challenger Chris Avalos. Magsayo will be fighting in the U.S. for the third time on October 3.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Hermosillo (11-2-1, 8 KOs) now trains

out of California as he prepares to fight in the U.S. for the fourth straight time.

The 28-year-old has fought professionally since 2013 and will look to bounce back from defeats against a pair of unbeaten fighters. He dropped a narrow split-decision to Manny Robles last May, and most recently dropped a decision to Viktor Slavinskyi last November.

A decorated U.S. amateur from the fighter-rich city of Philadelphia, Kroll (7-0, 6 KOs) turned pro in August 2018 with a firstround stoppage of DeAngelo Alcorn. The 25-year-old ended his first four fights inside of two rounds before going to distance and beating then unbeaten Shinard Bunch in August 2019.

Most recently, Kroll kicked off his 2020 campaign with a TKO victory over Marcel Rivers in January.

The 22-year-old Santamaria (11-1-1, 7 KOs) returns to action after an August triumph over veteran contender Mykal Fox that saw him drop Fox in round one of their battle on FS1. The Garden Grove, California native had previously won a decision over Willie Jones and fought to a split draw against Marquis Taylor in his 2019 contests.

Santamaria is unbeaten in his last 10 fights since his lone loss, a four-round decision in his third pro bout in 2015.

The younger twin by 13 minutes, Ángel Barrientes (2-0, 2 KOs) and his brother were born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Las Vegas when they were twoyears-old. The 18-year-old Ángel turned pro alongside his brother last November with a first-round knockout of Luis Armando Nunez. Ángel had an impressive

amateur career winning 14 national tournaments and three international. He will be opposed by the 19-yearold Ibarra (2-3) who hails from Guanajuato, Mexico and fights out of Fairfield, California.

Fresh off of graduating high school with his brother in May, Chávez Barrientes (2-0, 2 KOs) also delivered a first-round knockout in his pro debut last November, stopping Jorge Luis Sedano. Chávez and his brother were first introduced to the sport by their father Richard at an early age, with their interest and skill eventually prompting him to open his own gym.

Barrientes will be facing Lindsay, California’s Varela (3-2, 1 KO) in the twins’ first stateside pro fights.

The 23-year-old Varela most recently dropped a decision to Anthony Casillas last June.

PHOENIX... FROM5

7.6M... FROM5

SURVIVING... FROM9

UNBEATEN... FROM11

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Unbeaten Magsayo battles Hermosillo in LA Oct. 3

L Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler gets the rebound over Marcus Smart of the Celtics.

OS ANGELES -- Unbeaten Filipino featherweight contender Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo will take on hard-hitting Rigoberto Hermosillo in the 10-round main event of FS1 PBC Fight Night and on FOX Deportes Saturday, October 3 from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The telecast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will feature top welterweight prospect Paul Kroll squaring off against rising prospect Luke Santamaria in the 10-round co-main event. The lineup also features the unbeaten Barrientes twins in separate six-round featherweight attractions as Ángel Barrientes takes on Fernando Ibarra and Chávez Barri-

entes matches up against Ivan Varela.

The event will be promoted by TGB Promotions and will take place without fans in attendance at the Microsoft Theater, an AEG venue, in downtown Los Angeles.

“Saturday, October 3 will feature contenders and prospects putting their unbeaten records on the line as they look for statement victories live on FS1,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Featherweight contender Mark Magsayo and top welterweight prospect Paul Kroll will aim to impress against stiff competition as Magsayo faces the always tough Rigoberto Hermosil-

ill Conor McGregor return to boxing in the coming months to face Manny Pacquiao in another ridiculous superfight with an obvious outcome? Or is this all just part of hardball negotiations between McGregor and the UFC as “The Notorious” struggles to get back in the cage?

Perhaps it’s both. But as it stands, it looks like plans are moving forward to make McGregor vs.

Pacquiao a reality. On Saturday Manny Pacquiao’s camp confirmed the Filipino boxer and senator had accepted the fight and was planning on putting the majority of his purse towards COVID-19 relief in the Philippines.

“For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year,” the statement read.

“The huge portion of his earnings will proceed to those who are affected nationwide by the pandemic.”

Not exactly the kind of message you’d release if the fight was vaporware

designed to pump up McGregor’s UFC paycheck, that’s for sure.

It also looks like McGregor and the UFC are further away from resolving their differences than ever. McGregor ‘retired’ from the UFC earlier in 2020, citing frustration with the promotion’s unwillingness to work with him on making his dream of a ‘fight season’ happen.

And over UFC 253 weekend Conor drew the ire of UFC president Dana White by sharing screenshots of messages between the two that contradicted White’s claims about McGregor’s desire to compete. McGregor responded by calling White a liar.

Oh my.

It all boils down to a situation where McGregor seems very interested in fighting and making money, while the UFC would rather keep him on the sidelines until fans can attend and shell out millions on a gate to see him compete. The way the UFC is rolling right now without “Notorious,” you get the

Heat marches on to W NBA Finals vs Lakers L

FUNBEATEN, P10

Is Pacquiao-McGregor for real?

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — It was exactly one year ago Sunday when Jimmy Butler walked into the Miami Heat practice gym, took a seat on a makeshift stage and said he wanted to be part of the team’s next title run.

He’ll have that chance.

The Heat are going to the NBA Finals — surprising many, perhaps, but not themselves. Bam Adebayo scored a season-high 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Butler scored 22 points and the Heat won the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth time by topping the Boston Celtics, 125-113, on Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).

“This group, more than anything, they just love to compete,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said during the trophy celebration.

The Heat won the series 4-2 — and now, they’ll see LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for the

title. Game 1 of that series is Wednesday night.

Tyler Herro scored 19 points, Duncan Robinson and Andre Iguodala each had 15 and Goran Dragic added 13 for the Heat.

Jaylen Brown scored 26 points, Jayson Tatum had 24 and a career-high 11 assists, and Marcus Smart and Kemba Walker each scored 20 points for Boston — which fell in the East finals for the third time in the last four seasons.

Miami was down by six early in the fourth before regaining control. A 6-0 burst — Herro had the last five of those points, need-

Ardina, Guce make it to final round of Symetra Tour event in Florida

T

he Philippines’ Dottie Ardina fired an even-par 71 in the second round of the IOA Classic on the Symetra Tour in Longwood, Florida.

The 26-year-old Filipina had three birdies but suffered a bogey on No. 8 and double-bogey on the par-4 No. 14at Alaqua Country Club.

Ardina was at 141, tied for 38th in the LPGA developmental tour event.

Clariss Guce, the other Filipina on the field, added a 70 to her opening 72 for a share of 47th.

Min-G Kim of South Korea fired a second straight 66 to sit alone on top at 132.

Paula Reto of South Africa matched the day’s best 65 for a 133 total, same as the output of Haylee Harford, who shot 66.

Laura Wearn also had

a 66 for fourth at 134, while Amanda Doherty shot a 65 for fifth at 135.

Meantime, Hudson Swafford stopped his slide with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, and he finished with an 8-foot par putt to hold on for a one-shot victory Sunday in the Corales Puntacana Club and Resort Championship.

Swafford closed with a 3-under 69, doing most of his work on the front nine with a 31 that took him from a two-shot deficit to a three-shot lead.

He led by four shots when he made double bogey from left of the 13th green and and bogey from the fairway on the 15th, falling into a share of the lead with Mackenzie Hughes and Tyler McCumber.

Swafford hit 6-iron to a front pin on the 210-

FARDINA, P10

ing only 31 seconds to do so — tied it at 96. Boston took the lead twice more, with Adebayo answering both times, first with a dunk, then a go-ahead three-point play with 6:16 left.

He smacked the floor in celebration.

It’s like they knew what was coming. They never trailed again. Herro had a pair of baskets in a 9-0 burst that put the Heat up by 10, Adebayo found Butler for a layup and a 116-102 lead everyone on the Heat bench was on their feet.

The Heat are the only NBA franchise with six Finals appearances in the last 15 years. They’re seeking their fourth title, and this chance didn’t come easily.

The Heat had a 5-for-5 stretch from 3-point range in the first quarter, but otherwise struggled again from beyond the arc in the

first half. They were 6 for 14 from deep in the first 24 minutes, Boston was 11 for 23 before the break and the Heat took a 62-60 lead into halftime.

And the margin remained two going into the fourth.

Iguodala’s fourth 3-pointer — in as many attempts — with 4:20 left in the third put the Heat up eight, before Brown had five points in a 10-2 Boston spurt to tie it. Dragic had a go-ahead layup on Miami’s final shot of the quarter and it was 88-86 Heat with 12 minutes remaining.

The Celtics scored 10 of the first 12 points of the fourth, surviving a scare in there as well when Brown took an ugly fall after scoring in transition. Brown thought Butler took him out at the legs, no foul was called and — after the Celtics’ medical staff checked out his left knee — Brown stayed in.

Dottie Ardina fires a 71 after an opening 70.

FIS PACQUIAO, P10

12 SPORTS

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VOL.13 ISSUE 146 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

MONSTROUS John Riel Casimero scored a one-sided three round beatdown of Duke Micah on Sunday (PH Time) at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

After hardly breaking a sweat against Micah, Casimero taunts Inoue

R

ising Filipino boxing star and WBO bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero scored a one-sided three round beatdown of Duke Micah on Sunday (PH Time) at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. Casimero dropped Micah in round two and referee Steve Willis waved it off to save Micah from further punishment after being wobbled in the third.

Time was :54.

A devastating second round knockdown set the tone for Casimero’s dominance before eventually calling it a day in the next round. Micah actually had a bright moment in Round 1, connecting on a right hook that momentarily rocked Casimero.

But come Round 2, Casimero sent Micah down with a left hook before pummeling him the rest of the round. Micah barely survived Round 2 and needed a clearance from the ring physician before referee Steve Willis started Round 3.

A couple of upper cuts from Casimero rocked Micah so bad that Willis stepped in to keep him from further damage.

Casimero moved to 30-4 in his career with 21 knockouts.

Micah, on the other hand, suffered his first career loss after winning his first 24 bouts.

Casimero stated, “I worked hard and got the win tonight. In the first round I saw the body

shot hurt him and thought I could get him out right away, but he’s a good boxer who was undefeated for a reason.

“The second round the uppercut hurt him, but Duke Micah works hard, he’s strong and has a good chin. I knew I was facing a good fighter, so I didn’t expect to knock him out so fast. He’s strong so I was prepared to go all 12 rounds.

After the match, Casimero called out Naoya Inoue, who was supposed to be his foe for a title unification fight this year. Inoue’s camp, though, backed out when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Struggling to find the perfect words to say in English, Casimero didn’t hold back during the post-fight presser.

“You know I’m strong, man.

Come on, man. Inoue, you’re a monster? Motherf***er,” he said with a laugh. “You’re no monster.

You’re a Japanese turtle. Inoue is scared of me... You’re next.” (With PNA)