Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 154 | Thursday, October 8, 2020

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PSC 2021 BUDGET PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

URGENT PLEA

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

SPORTS P11

edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

Envi group urges council to fast track single-use plastic ban ordinance STORY ON PAGE 2

Plastic bottles are awash by strong waves from the sea to the beachfront at Sta. Ana Port in Davao City on Wednesday. Experts disclosed that the Covid-19 pandemic has accentuated a trend to create more plastic trash while slowing down the recycling, even used plastic bottles – the most commonly recycled plastic item – have become less viable. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

URGENT PLEA T

President Rodrigo Duterte orders the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute nearly expired medicines to minimize wastage of government funds. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DOTr to establish 2 new airports in Mindanao

Envi group urges council to fast track single-use plastic ban ordinance

By MAYA M. PADILLO reen group Interface Development Interventions and Sustainability (IDIS) urged the City Council of Davao City to fast track the crafting of an ordinance banning single-use plastic.

G

The renewed plea came after pieces of different types of solid wastes were collected during a river clean-up and global brand audit at Panigan-Tamugan Watershed in Baguio District, Davao City.

“There is a need to fast track para ma-lessen ang manufacture and paggamit sa plastics. It will threaten the quality of water. Plastics will continue to pollute the watersheds and

eventually, go to the oceans and marine ecosystem,” said Chinkee Pelino-Golle, executive director of IDIS, in a text message.

Last September 26, 2020, IDIS together with other environmental non-government organizations such as Break Free from Plastics, Ecowaste Coalition, and Sustainable Davao Movement, Bantay Bukid and Bantayo Aweg volunteers, and barangay

officials of Tawan-Tawan conducted a river clean-up at Panigan-Tamugan Watershed wherein a total of 1,713 pieces of different types of solid wastes such as plastics, cans, plastic bottles, glass, cigarettes and face masks were collected. Majority of the wastes were food packaging, plastic bottles, and household products packaging.

Based on the data shared to Edge Davao, the waste brand audit collected 1,713 pieces, the highest were from Rebisco with 13 percent or 220 pieces, W.L Foods with 7.6 percent or 131 pieces, Universal Robina Corporation with 7

percent or 120 pieces, Coca-Cola with 6.3 percent or 108 pieces, and Nestle with 5.5 percent or 95 pieces.

NutriAsia, Oishi, Regent, Unilever, and Monde Nissin (81 to 62 pieces) were found in the lower ranks (5 percent to 4 percent) while the middle to low percentile range includes Proctor & Gamble, Zest-O, Colgate-Palmolive, Philip Morris, San Miguel Corp, Selecta, Johnson & Johnson. These brands were found to have less than 60 pieces (4 percent and below).

Others/unknown brands build-up 11 percent in the total audit.

of vaccines when they become available. “We will need vaccines and there is hope that by the end of this year we may have a vaccine. There is hope,” Tedros said in closing remarks to the WHO’s Executive Board meeting that examined the global response to the pandemic.

The EU health regulator has launched a real-time

review of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by US drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech, it said on Tuesday, following a similar announcement for rival AstraZeneca’s jab last week. The announcement by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) could speed up the process of approving a successful vaccine in the bloc.

Nine experimental vaccines are in the pipeline of the WHO-led COVAX global vaccine facility that aims to distribute 2 billion doses by the end of 2021.

So far some 168 countries have joined the COVAX facility, but neither China, the United States nor Russia are among them. The Trump administration has

FURGENT, P10

Covid-19 vaccine may be ready by year-end: WHO

A

vaccine against COVID-19 may be ready by year-end, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, without elaborating.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for solidarity and political commitment by all leaders to ensure equal distribution

FCOVID-19, P10

he Department of Transportation (DOTr) will establish two new airports in Mindanao.

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro said on Tuesday that the construction of the New Zamboanga International Airport and the Central Mindanao Airport Development Project in Barangay Tawantawan, M’lang municipality, Cotabato province would cost the government P13.93 billion and P150 million, respectively.

He said that around P200 million was already downloaded to the local government of Zamboanga City for the acquisition of the airport site in Barangay Mercedes, but actual construction has yet to commence.

Zamboanga City has an existing international airport located in Moret Field in Barangay Canelar.

MinDA Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol, in a post on his social media account, said that the New Zamboanga International Airport was a commitment project of the Philippines to the Brunei, Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

BIMP-EAGA is a 25-year-old sub-regional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia designed to spur economic development in the lagging sub-economies.

The new airport project,

which will feature a new terminal, six jet bridges, and a modern control tower, will have a 3,440-meter runway to accommodate heavier aircraft, according to Piñol.

Construction will start next year, he said.

For the Central Mindanao Airport Development Project, Montenegro said the government already commenced the construction of the perimeter and frangible fence last June while the constructions of the taxiway and apron expansion, which cost P92 million, are already 26.6-percent completed.

He added there is an ongoing coordination between the DOTr-Soccsksargen area development office and provincial government of Cotabato for the establishment of Inter-Agency Monitoring and Advisory Committee.

Mindanao is composed of Caraga Region, Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Piñol said the project, which was identified as a priority project to promote inclusive and balanced rural development in Mindanao, would complement the operation of General Santos City International Airport and Awang Airport in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, boosting “economic activities of the area where many agricultural prod-

FDOTR, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

PRRD wants nearly expired DOH medicines released

M

alacañang on Tuesday said President Rodrigo Duterte is urging the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute nearly expired medicines to minimize wastage of government funds.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after a Commission on Audit (COA) report showed that the DOH has accumulated PHP2.2 billion worth of medicines and other supplies in its inventory that are either expired, nearly expired, or overstocked and slow-moving.

Of the PHP2.2 billion, PHP29 million were expired, PHP1.14 billion were overstocked and PHP1 billion were near expiry.

“Ang mandato po ng Presidente sa DOH lalung-lalo na yung mage-expire na, pakidistribute na po nang hindi masayang at yung mga overstocked at slow-moving na po ilabas na po natin sa ating mga warehouse nang magamit ng

ating taongbayan (The instruction of the President to the DOH, especially for medicines that are about to expire, please distribute them so they don’t go to waste and for overstocked and slow-moving to be released so they can be used by our citizens),” he said.

The COA report said the expired, nearly expired or overstocked and slow-moving medicines “hindered the maximum delivery of the highest quality of medical/health care services to the general public and entailed wastage of government funds.”

It attributed the problem to “poor inventory/ supply management system covering procurement planning, monitoring, storage and acceptance/ issuance/transfer/distribution of goods.”

“The occurrence of

these expired, overstocked and nearly expired inventory items is a manifestation of an excessive expenditure since items were procured more than what is needed,” the COA report read.

Given the findings, the COA recommended the DOH to review procurement contracts to see if expired medicines may be returned and replaced by suppliers.

The COA also urged the DOH to exercise prudence in the use of government resources by ensuring that procurement is limited to those immediately needed or for the current year requirement.

It also recommended the strict implementation of the timeline on the distribution/transfer of the inventories.

The distribution of nearly expired medicines should also be expedited, the COA said.

The DOH said the expired or nearly expired medicines were purchased back in 2017 and 2018.

(PNA)

so dili na sila magtravel padulong diri. Dili na sila makigdagsang sa mga tao dinhi (We will make ourselves accessible to our clients so that they would not come here. So that, they would not converge with other people here),” she said.

The six one-stop-shop will be set up at the Almendras Gym for taxpayers residing in Agdao and Talomo; Tugbok District Office; Toril District Office; Calinan Gym for those residing in Calinan, Marilog, and Baguio; Bunawan Gym for Bunawan and Paquibato residents; and Buhangin Gym in Buhangin District.

Paguican said they are expecting close to 45,000 business establishments

to renew their business permits in January 2021.

She said putting up the six one-stop-shop locations would also ensure faster processing of the renewal and lesser risk from exposure of clients to Covid-19.

“Hopefully, mapatuman nato ang 2021 renewal nga dili ma-jeopardize atong mga clients kay maglisod sila’g biyahe, maglisod sa paglinya.

Ug dili pud ta at risk ug ma-expose sa daghang tao (Hopefully, we can implement the 2021 renewal without jeopardizing our clients while travelling and queueing. Also, to avoid risks in a crowd),” Paguican said.

She added the purchase of equipment for

At least 15,002 children is being targeted to be vaccinated by the Mati City Health Office as it prepares for their Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization (MR-SIA) slated from October 26 to November 25. CIO MATI

Davao City prepares for 2021 biz permit renewal Mati CHO to vaccinate 15,002

T

his early, the Davao City government is getting ready for the 2021 Renewal of Business permits to avoid mass gathering of applicants and long queues specially that the city still continues implementing the anti-Covid-19 health protocols such as the one-meter physical distancing.

Business Bureau chief Maribel Paguican said that her office is closely working with the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) and City Information and Technology Center (CITC) for the setting up of seven (7) one-stop-shop renewal sites (six offsite, one at the main office at the Sangguniang Panlungsod).

“Kita na ang mopaduol didto sa atong mga clients,

the satellite offices is already ongoing.

The one-stop-shop offices will cater clients from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays for the whole month of January 2021. New applicants will only be catered at the main office of the Business Bureau at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Paguican asked business owners to also prepare their requirements as early as now. Those who will fail to comply within the renewal period will face penalties.

She added that their office is closely working with CITC to put the business permit application and renewal online for easier transactions in the future. CIO

DepEd-SoCot ‘shocked, sad’ over suicide of Grade 11 learner

E

ducation officials in South Cotabato expressed “shock and sadness” on Wednesday over the death by suicide of a Grade 11 learner from Tupi town who reportedly confided of having difficulty catching up with modular learning.

Dr. Ruth Estacio, acting superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd)-South Cotabato division, described the death of the 16-year-old victim as “tragic” and assured that they were already looking into the matter.

A police report said the victim, a student of Cebuano National High

School in Barangay Cebuano in Tupi, was found dead by family members before noon Tuesday inside their old home in Purok Big Spring.

Prior to the incident, the learner reportedly complained to his mother that he could not answer the tasks included in the learning modules, especially in mathematics.

The mother said she personally received the modules for his son, the second of five children, on Oct. 2. She said Danilo expressed difficulty understanding his lessons but advised him to read and understand them so he could provide answers

more easily.

The victim instead asked his mother on Monday--the first day of classes, -- to just return the modules to their teacher as he was quitting his studies.

“That was the last thing that he said to me.

He never confided any other problems but he could have been also depressed with our difficult situation,” Emily said in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo in Koronadal City on Wednesday.

The mother admitted that it had been hard for their family coping up with the effects of

the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in recent months after her husband lost his job at an oil palm plantation.

She said her son supported his own schooling in the previous years by working as a part-time laborer in papaya plantations and other farms in the area.

In a statement, Estacio extended sympathy to the family, adding the DepEdSouth Cotabato division and school officials are currently coordinating with law enforcement and the student’s family for a speedy and impartial investigation on the matter.

FDEPED-SOCOT, P10

children vs. measles, rubella

T

he Mati City Health Office targets to vaccinate at least 15,002 children as they prepare for their Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization (MR-SIA) this coming October 26 to November 25.

Target age for vaccination are 9-59 months old or those below 5 years old regardless of immunization status.

On August 2019, a measles outbreak was declared in the City of Mati after about 24 people were infected and two 1-year olds died in Barangay Don Salvador Lopez. By December, a total of 46 were infected. It was finally contained January 2020.

The MR-SIA in the whole city of Mati is aimed at preventing or interrupting the transmission of measles virus in the city.

Mati CHO will put up fixed post or modified fixed post, and will also send vac-

cination teams composed of vaccinator, recorder and guide to target houses. Every child vaccinated will be marked with an indelible ink on the left pinky.

Week 1-2 is the intensive phase for MR-SIA. CHO will do follow up and mop ups of missed and deferred children in weeks 3-4.

The immunization activity will end every 2 o’clock in the afternoon. To achieve the 95% total target in the end of the activity, CHO needs to immunize 50 children per day.

DOH said that measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted from person-to-person through sneezing, coughing, and close personal contact. Its signs and symptoms include cough, runny nose, red eyes/conjunctivitis, fever, skin rashes lasting for more than 3 days.(CIO MATI)

National broadband to cut gov’t spending, save P720-M by 2021

T

he Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is expecting its National Broadband Program (NBP) to save PHP720 million in funds for the first year of its implementation alone.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DICT said the NBP, which will initially be deployed in “remote, inaccessible, and considered unprofitable areas by the private sector,” will significantly cut government spending on internet services.

“With this, the government will have access to cheaper and more reliable

Internet services that will reduce government spending,” the DICT said.

From the average spending of a medium-sized government office of PHP35,000 per month for 100 megabits per second (Mbps), it said the internet service provided by the NBP will only cost PHP5,000 per month.

“With the NBP, an average office would now only spend PHP5,000 a month, or PHP60,000 a year for the same speed — saving the taxpayers money that can be used for other programs and projects, and in improving social services,”

FNATIONAL, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

A crane loads containers at Sasa Port in Brgy. Sasa, Davao City. The world merchandise trade is expected to fall by 9.2 percent in 2020, followed by a 7.2-percent rise in 2021, World Trade Organization said. Edge Davao

BARMM poised to be P major food producer T

Record-breaking collection posted

by Customs Davao for September

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is positioning itself to be a major food producer for the Philippines in the future.

A recent virtual conference “Planting the Right Seeds: Agricultural Investment Opportunities in BARMM during this Pandemic” showcased the state of the agricultural sector in terms of food security and the future of the agricultural sector in BARMM. “As an agricultural country in the midst of an uncertain pandemic, it is crucial that the value of locally-produced crops is understood. Besides, a portion of the food that people partake come from these crops. And while it is typical to look at this from an investment standpoint, a paramount issue would be sustaining peace in Mindanao, especially in BARMM, through building sustainable communities.

This will involve introducing BARMM to the business community in other parts of the country to showcase BARMM’s potential to in-

tegrate in the agricultural supply chain,” said Antonio Peralta, chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC) via Messenger.

The conference provided new opportunities to re-orient the food systems.

The speakers focused on the areas of growth and the investment opportunities in agriculture in BARMM and the role of the major international food companies in the program was also presented that will be implemented in the coming year.

The activity was highlighted with the signing of partnerships of companies with the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), which was tasked by the BARMM Government in helping rural communities, especially former Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Camps’ transfor-

mation to productive farms showcasing new farming technologies that can help improve farm outputs.

Six deals were inked through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from the ECCP SMBC that will benefit the BARMM area: BDA and Marine Algae Products Inc. (MAPI), which is about the identification of seaweed production sites in the Tawi Tawi and Sulu Provinces where mobile seaweed processing facilities can be operated to meet the current market requirements of MAPI in Australia and Europe. The project once implemented will create a high economic impact in seaweed farming communities where the project will be located.

The BDA and ACTI Global Inc.’s agreement aims to promote mutual co- operation in research, and livelihood development and training for advancement of knowledge and agricultural development, Industry and other Community Development initiatives. ACTI Global Inc. will provide the technical assistance in the aspect of farm mechanization and

farm equipment management to BDA for projects requiring these given the strong thrusts towards agricultural development in BARMM. The approach towards farm mechanization will enable farmers to be more efficient in their farming operations as it seeks to reduce the cost of production given less post-harvest losses.

“As in the case of rice farming and according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and PhilRice savings of about 20 percent in product cost can be attained with the use of farm equipment.

Farm mechanization also contributes to the efficiency of food supply chains as postharvest, processing and marketing activities become more effective,” Peralta said.

The MOU between BDA and Noble Endeavors Mindanao, Inc. / Ethical Harvest calls for the joint study and implementation of a goat milk processing facility in the BARMM area. The said facility will house a model meat goat breeding, and farmer training center, including the provision of

FBARMM, P10

ort of Davao District Collector lawyer Erastus Sandino B. Austria credits its collection milestone for the month of September when its total collection for the said period of P3,646,277,302.59 surpassed its collection target of P1,653,658,115.06 by P1,992,619,187.59 which is 120.50 %, the highest recorded monthly collection for the year for the BOC Davao District Office.

According to Austria, the Port of Davao’s revenue collection milestone is largely due to the port’s investments in human resource development to improve efficiency and the commitment of its personnel to continually provide its services with unparalleled competence amid

the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Since the onset of the crisis, we instituted protocols for the safety and good health of our personnel while they continue to provide quality government service,” Austria said, adding “I would like to thank them and our stakeholders for this collection milestone for the Port of Davao.”

Revenue Collection Data revealed that the Port, including its sub-ports in Dadiangas, Parang and Mati, was able to surpass its September 2020 target of P1,653,658,115.06 after having successfully collected total revenues amounting to P3,646,277,302.59.

This is so far the highest monthly collection performance of the Collection

FRECORD-BREAKING, P10

World trade to fall by 9.2% in 2020: WTO

W

orld merchandise trade is expected to fall by 9.2 percent in 2020, followed by a 7.2-percent rise in 2021, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Tuesday in its revised trade forecast.

In April, the WTO had predicted a decline in the volume of world merchandise trade for 2020 between 13 percent and 32 percent as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic disrupted normal economic activity and life around the world.

"World trade shows signs of bouncing back from a deep, Covid-19-in-

duced slump," WTO economists said in a press release, adding that "strong trade performance in June and July have brought some signs of optimism for overall trade growth in 2020."

Nevertheless, the WTO's updated forecast for next year is more pessimistic than the previous estimate of 21.3-percent growth, leaving merchandise trade well below its pre-pandemic trend in 2021.

The WTO cautioned that "any recovery could be disrupted by the ongoing pandemic effects."

FWORLD, P10

ECONOMY 5

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

Economist cites possible improvements in RTL

A

n economist said the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) has effectively boosted domestic rice supply and brought down prices but cited possible adjustments on the law to further protect local farmers.

RTL was signed into law in February 2019 and took into effect the following month. It removed the quota system on rice importation and instead imposed a levy on imported rice.

In a reply to e-mailed questions from the Philippine News Agency, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said RTL resulted in almost PHP10 a kilo drop in local rice prices relative to its level in September to October last year when supply issues caused rice prices to surge.

“Inevitably, this could have also reduced the prices of palay (rice that is still not milled) bought from farmers by palay traders,” he said.

Ricafort said the local agriculture sector is “vulnerable or even at a disadvantage” without the importation quota because their counterparts overseas receive subsidies from their governments to help them sell their products at a cheaper price to the Philippines.

He, however, said RTL is important “to also ensure food security/sufficiency as a national policy

priority, especially if there are disruptions in the importation of rice as seen at the start of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).”

He said there is a need for “greater safeguards/ support for the local agricultural sector, including rice farmers, in view of cheaper agricultural/rice imports.”

The government has already put in place safeguard measures like prioritizing local farmers before allowing more rice importation to prevent a further drop in the farmgate price of rice.

Ricafort said the additional measure “include flexibility on the volumes of rice to be imported and the variability of the import tariff rates on rice imports”, with the latter aimed at “preventing losses for rice farmers that could hurt the long-term viability and adversely affect national food security especially in view of various contingencies/emergencies that could emerge, such as the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Other possible support measures are the distribution of higher yielding seeds or rice varieties to increase productivity and competitiveness of local farmers, increased mechanization of processes, construction of more irrigation facilities to increase harvests and reduce cost, and improvement of the supply chain linkages between farmers and the buyers.

(PNA)

SEC warns lending companies: Follow fair collection practices

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) here has warned lending and financing companies to follow fair collection practices as the government has provided borrowers with a reprieve on their debts to cushion the impact of the pandemic.

The SEC made the statement on Wednesday as the newly passed Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, more popularly known as Bayanihan 2, provides a one-time mandatory 60-day grace period to borrowers in settling their debts during the health crisis.

“They should not resort to using unfair collection practices and must remember that the lifeblood of their businesses is the borrowers,” it said.

However, the SEC also urged borrowers to manage their loans properly by paying their debts if they have the capacity despite the reprieve.

“Borrowers must consider paying their debts during the grace period, especially if they still have the capacity to pay because they might take advantage of the reprieve without considering its impact on their fu-

ture cash flow,” it added.

The grace period is intended for those who are struggling to pay their loans, giving them time to find ways to settle the accounts payable.

Bayanihan 2 became law on September 15.

One of its provisions, Section 4, directs lenders “to implement a mandatory one-time 60-day grace period to be granted for the payment of all existing, current and outstanding loans falling due, or any part thereof, on or before Dec. 31, 2020, including, but not limited to, salary, personal, housing, commercial, and motor vehicle loans, amortizations, financial lease payments, and premium payments, as well as credit card payments, without incurring interest on interests, penalties, fees, or other charges and thereby extending the maturity of the said loans.”

It added that these loans “may be settled on a staggered basis without interest on interests, penalties, and other charges until December 31 or as may be agreed upon by the parties.”

The law also specifies that borrowers and lenders can mutually agree on the length of the grace period. (PNA)

Laborers unload commercial rice in front of an establishment along Monteverde Street in Davao City. An economist said the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) has effectively boosted domestic rice supply and brought down prices but cited possible adjustments on the law to further protect local farmers. Edge Davao

DTI-Davao City intensifies info drive on sales promo

T

he Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged people to maximize the internet in buying their needs, which resulted in some online sales promotions that do not comply with the requirements under Republic Act 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Based on the existing law on consumer protection, sales promotions that require consumers to purchase something from the seller or establishment must have the necessary permits according to the type of products. For food and cosmetics, a permit must be secured from the Department of Health – Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Meanwhile, the Department of Trade Industry (DTI) issues the sales promo permit for manufactured goods. Once registered, the sales promo permit number must be displayed or shared together with the mechanics, including in social media posts.

DTI-Davao City Director Rachel S. Remitio said that their office has observed that there are posts

on social media, particularly on Facebook, depicting sales promotions sans sales promo permits.

“With such an observation, we immediately acted on it. Our Consumer Welfare and Trade Regulation Division went around to meet with the distributors and retailers,” Remitio said.

The information campaign was focused on the motor vehicles distributors and retailers in the city.

DTI-Davao City was able to visit 13 establishments.

“They were oriented on the importance of applying for and acquiring a permit before conducting any sales promo activities. We also advised them not to advertise, post, or write in any medium, discounts, or promos that would entice the consumers to avail of their products, not unless

a sales promo permit is issued to them,” Remitio explained.

The said information campaign is aimed at creating awareness among establishments the importance of sales promotion application. It was also highlighted that violating the set guidelines has corresponding penalties.

In the meantime, DTIDavao City divulged that they have numerous sales promo applications since the pandemic started.

However, not all of these applications were approved, especially those that would encourage convergence of people.

“Albeit the insistence of the applicants, we have chosen to maintain our stand to deny those that will cause mass gathering, which will put consumers at risk of contracting the virus. We have been mindful of DTI Memorandum Circular No. 20-21 s of 2020, which discourages the conduct of sales promotions that would entice a lot of people to gather,” she said.

Remitio noted, though, that DTI understands the

plight of establishments, especially those that still have a huge inventory of goods in their warehouses.

Nevertheless, consumer protection must not be sacrificed, thus, these industries need to device a marketing scheme to dispose of these products.

“DTI-Davao City makes sure that the sales promotion applications we approve do not compromise the health of consumers.

We are here to keep a balance between the interest of the industry and the welfare of consumers. We are committed to uphold this,” the trade official said.

She added that sales promo applications are accommodated depending on the mechanics presented by the concerned establishments, vis-à-vis the minimum health protocols and other existing guidelines.

DTI-Davao City has been active in doing information campaigns to ensure that both the establishments and consumers are aware of their rights and responsibilities as they live according to the new normal. DTIDC/jmm

in the Philippines on when to resume their operations as well as their outlook on employment and sales.

Of the 74,031 surveyed firms, 40 percent reported to temporarily suspend their operations and 15 percent said they will have to close permanently.

About 45 percent said they are unsure when to reopen their businesses.

“That’s why we have to continue the gradual and safe reopening, to bring back the vibrant economic activities, jobs that will re-stimulate demand to

revive the industry sector,” Lopez told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

Last week, the DTI issued a memorandum circular allowing more business establishments and activities in areas under general community quarantine to operate at full capacity.

Most of these are in the services sector where face-toface transactions are lesser.

The document also allows restaurants and fast food establishments to extend their operations up to 24 hours to cater to

graveyard shift workers, especially in the information technology and business process outsourcing sectors.

Moreover, the survey shows that many firms have turned to digital solutions to adapt to the new normal.

Use of digital solutions is high among sectors of information and communications technology, professional services, education, tourism, financial activities, arts and entertainment, rental and leasing, health,

Gradual reopening to bring back vibrant economy, says DTI chief

T

rade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the country must continue to reopen business activities to bring back jobs and the vibrant Philippine economy.

Commenting on the latest survey of the World Bank, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the Department of Finance, Lopez said the gradual and safe reopening of businesses will revive the economy.

According to the survey, there is a high level of uncertainty among firms

FGRADUAL, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

On the renewed plea to the City Council of Davao City to fast track the crafting of an ordinance banning single-use plastic:

There is a need to fast track para ma-lessen ang manufacture and pag-gamit sa plastics.

It will threaten the quality of water. Plastics will continue to pollute the watersheds and eventually, go to the oceans and marine ecosystem.”

Chinkee Pelino-Golle Executive Director, Interface Development Interventions and Sustainability (IDIS)

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL Layout/Cartoons

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Cartoonist Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA JASPER V. BACSAL OLIVIA D. VELASCO General ManagerPresident Advertising Specialist General Manager/Finance VP-Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 128 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2020

7 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

UP AND ABOUT

FRED C. LUMBA

MEGAN YOUNG HOLDS HER CROWN AND CONTROLLER CLOSE TO HER HEART SPECKS OF LIFE

ARE THERE ANYMORE GOOD MEN LEFT

In a huge population of more than 100 million, would it be exasperatingly hard to find someone to fit the bill?

Or is it more like searching in a haystack?

MODEL-TURNEDThe huge financial mess ACTRESS– Megan Young discovered and exposed by a made global headlines in whistle-blower - in the Philhealth corruption indicts the 2013 whenscandal she became cultural the firstimpunity Filipinathat to has winbeen in existence and in practice for the Miss World title many decades, nursed in in fact by the pageant’sindifference 63-year of a the benumbed history.

Capturing the timid and tolerant society.

Thewith Philhealth issue is not world her doe-eyed the tipand of thesvelte iceberg, mind you. look frame, Many more earth-shaking it then came to the exposes’ in yesteryears and resurprise of many when cent past have come and gone but the beauty queen made the authors of the evil schemes havequalms not been convicted no about lettingand jailed.hair It appears that they her loose every onceare able to squeeze themselves out of in a while to put in some the discomfiting situation by seserious curing thegaming services action. of “talented” Young serves as one ofnavigate the lawyers who smartly the legal waters with a variety newest endorsers of foodpanda.of “swimming” methods and styles.

She relishes the opportunity to Yes, it can no longer be departner with the country’s onnied that our justice and penal

demand food delivery service, knowing full well how the convenience of having meals and essentials delivered in an instant is basically a godsend for gamers like her. foodpanda lists over 20,000 restaurant partners nationwide and promises to deliver one’s favorite meals in just 25 minutes or less with as much as 40% discount.

But how exactly did Young find herself holding gaming consoles when she’s not busy being a beauty queen?

“I’d like to say that I was a “The scenetheis pergamer first,political so, actually, haps the most public better question is ‘How did arena a where people have expressed gamerdistrust becomeina beauty queen?’” their those who lead Young says, “I started them.

Theselaughing. are not easy times in whichwhen to beIawas leader.”

-- Henry gaming pretty and Richard Blackaby, authors young. My parents introduced of Spiritual Leadership me to educational games, then, *** eventually, developed into athat And itit came to pass love for recreational games.of His God saw the sufferings people in Egypt.

He hadonheard A product that focuses them crying out because satisfying the preferences of the miseries theybusy, wereand experiencof the hungry, ing. He wanted to rescue them playful,their foodpanda is a viable from bondage.

So, He technology that’s easy toMoses to called a man named

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 leader. Inproves their book, ERIKthe SANTOS Spiritual authors anew thatLeadership, he is the “King Henry and Richard Blackaby of Teleserye Theme wrote: “Leadership. Everyone Songs” with histhe heartfelt experiences it, or lack of it, in interpretation of “Walang their daily lives. Those called to lead can find doing so a daunting Hanggang Paalam” for task.newest Those Kapamilya expected to follow the can experience frustration when primetime offering their leader is unable to lead.” starring TherePaulo are 850Avelino, different defiZanjoe Marudo, Arci nitions of leadership.

That was what Warren and Burt Muñoz, and Bennis Angelica Nanus found when they were Panganiban. writing theirlikens collaborative book, The song the agonizing Leaders: Strategies for Taking separation ofno twowonder peoplewhy in love Charge. It is toto an endless whichtime day’s leaders goodbye have a hard measuring up their level. perfectly complements theThere are too many standards complicated relationshiptoofmeet! exes Dr.(Angelica) John C. Maxwell, an auCeline and Emman

system is pockmarked with loopholes, if you know what I am pointing at.

Rumors that we have thugs and crooks in robes in the judiciary are no longer rumors. Many criminal cases involving scions of rich, prominent and politically-connected families are able to buy their way out of a sure conviction because there is a crooked system existing.

One sickening horrific fact is that while we have an extradition treaty with the USA, Filipinos who are facing court suits conveniently escape by taking the first plane out to Uncle Sam’s territory where they enjoy the “fruits” of their labor.

Criminal minds and plunderers are ironically encouraged to push through their sinister plots to engage in pilferage and thievery because they are not scared of the penal laws existing in the country.

The death penalty is being re-introduced only because the increasing surge of criminality is now – again – being felt and expe-

rienced.

Ordinarily, however, the spate of corruption controversies no longer surprise and shake the Pinoy nation.

They have gotten used to these wrong-doings because they have become integral parts of their contemporary life.

But with the grave anti-social effects of Covid 19, Filipinos are now realizing (and recognizing, I hope) that they need to collectively voice out their rightful indignation because these corruption scandals have got to stop as the wrong-doings are negatively affecting the government and the people in a monstrous manner.

Unfortunately, Philhealth appointees have been – one after the other - exiting disgracefully, hounded by issues about negligent and lax management, dereliction of duty, incompetence and such other concerns, even bordering on inutility.

Everybody is agreed that the matter is systemic.

From top to bottom, the culture of corruption has ebbed

HENRYLITO D. TACIO

navigate, convenient, and most is because of her husband. importantly, makes food and But Young actually began THINK ON THESE! grocery shopping a satisfying playing video games early experience--especially since on, starting with the classic we’re staying indoors more. titles such as Mario Party and “Having foodpanda makes Pokémon Snap on her Nintendo everything so much easier N64 in the late ’90s. when you just want to have fun “It’s actually surprising gaming,” Young says. “I think because at some point in our thority onfun leadership, hasfood writ- relationship, Commitment: it’s always to have the we both“People realized do ten a very comprehensive book not follow uncommitted you love the most with you that we’re both into video leadentitled, The 21 Indispensable ers. Commitment can be diswhile gaming. just makesInthehis played games and Qualities of aIt Leader. in athat full we’ve rangeactually of matters experience more played thesethe games even before introduction, heexciting.” posed these to include work hours you questions: “What makes people choose to maintain,

we met each other,” shehow says. you want to follow a leader? Why do work to improve abilities, OG Gamer “I remember whenyour we first people reluctantly comply with or what you do for your fellow Young has been playing a heard about Ragnarok coming one leader while passionately workers at personal sacrifice.” lot more video games since the of -to mobile, like chairman ‘I loved of following another to the ends StephenI was Gregg, lockdown herseparates husbandlead- Ethix this game in high school!’ and the earth?with What Corporation ership theorists from successful Mikael Communication: “You and fellow gamer/foodpanda could not believe it can leaders who lead effectively in have brilliant ideas, but if you endorser, Mikael Daez. She because it was also a game he the real world?” can’t get them across, your ideas knows that some people think played back then.”

Maxwell enumerated the 21 won’t get you anywhere.” -- Lee she’s not into that much, qualities -- ingames alphabetical order Iacocca, American automobile or as thefollows: only reason she’s playing Animal Crossing and Steak -character, charis- executive

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.

Burritos with Cheese Recently, Young has been spending more time playing Animal Crossing on her Nintendo Switch. As for her gaming food, a recent favorite order from foodpanda has been steak burrito with cheese. “We’d always order it in the middle of a ever honored whatsays. he regaming session,”for Young ceived.

Honor has been the The gamer beauty queen reward for what he gave.” -- Calvin adds that she and herpresident husband Coolidge, American are happy to be part of the seems Initiative: “Success to be connected with action. foodpanda family, especially Successful people keep moving. with how food and gaming go They make mistakes, but hand-in-hand, saying it’s thethey don’t quit.” -- Conrad Hilton, hoperfect combo to go with their tel executive personalities.

Listening: “The ear of the leader must ring Of course, you with don’t the havevoices of the people.”

-Woodrow to be a beauty queen or even Wila son, American gamer to enjoy president foodpanda and Passion: “Without passion its unmatched You and man is a mereofferings. latent force just need thelike app,the an idea possibility, flintofwhich

what you want to eat, and your order will be delivered to you as expertly handled as a beauty queen facing pressure, and as quick as a gamer making splitsecond decisions.

The continued uncertainty may stay a little longer, but foodpanda is committed to himself.”

Louis Nizer serving its--customers from Security: man nationwide key“No cities towill make a great leader who wants to do unchartered Reliable it all himself territories. or get all the credit anddoing functional, it will make your for it.” -- Andrew Carnegie, industrialist time hunkered at home a whole Self-discipline:“A man withlot more enjoyable. From gameout decision of character day grub, a hearty dinner, to can never be said to belong to himlunch He at your home office -- they self… longs to whatever can are justcaptive a tap away. make of him.” -- John Foster, Newauthor to foodpanda or have a Servanthood: “The true friend who is? Visit this link and leader serves.

Serves people. get inspired by Megan’s food and Serves their best interests, and more experience by be in so delivered doing will not always foodpanda! popular, may not always im-

WHAT MAKES A TRUE LEADER?

ma, commitment, communication, competence, courage, discernment, focus, generosity, initiative, listening, passion, positive attitude, problem solving, relationships, security, self-discipline, servanthood, teachabili(Paulo) who were brought ty and vision. together again because of a Now, here are their some predicament that involves thoughts from various leaders son after a painful that the and thinkers frompast around pushed them apart. world: Character:written “Leadership is Originally and the capacity and will to rally men performed by contemporary and women to Joey a common pop music icon Ayala, purpose and the character which the passionate track now adds inspires confidence.”

-- Bernard more fire to the riveting andMarMontgomery, British Field shal heart-pounding moments of Charisma: can you the series, which“How is broadcast have charisma?

Be more conon the Kapamilya Channel and cerned about making others streamed live viathemselves Kapamilyathan feel good about Online and iWantTFC. you areLive making them feel good about you.”you -- Dan Reiland, “Thank so much for vice president of leadership developall the wonderful feedback on ment #WalangHanggangPaalamOST.

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 good plumbing Takes all neither the exhaustion away nor good philosophy.

Neither its and makes my heart happy,” piped nor its theories will hold the Kapamilya singer shared on water.” -- John Gardner, AmeriTwitter. can novelist Aside from “Courage Erik’s solois rightCourage: ly esteemed the first of human version, young singerqualities… because it is the qualsongwriter Lian Kyla also ity which guarantees released her own versionall of others.”-- Winston Churchill, British the song, while she and Erik Prime Minister teamed up to sing a duet Discernment: “The first rule of which holes: brought When you’re version out in one, stop digging.”

-Molly Ivins, their respective heavenly and American columnist powerful vocals.

Focus: “What people say, Listen to Erik what people do, and andLian whatKyla’s they solothey and do duet of say arerenditions entirely different things.”

MargaretPaalam,” Mead, an“Walang--Hanggang thropologist out now on various digital Generosity: “No person was streaming platforms.

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

press. 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!’”

Erik Santos and Lian Kyla.

ERIK SANTOS SINGS RENDITION OF “WALANG HANGGANG PAALAM” THEME SONG

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

More Sarangani schools to use Smart-backed ALIVE, IPEd learning strategy for SY 2020-2021

A

s schools go into academic year 2020-2021, an innovative teaching strategy backed by PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will serve as one of the solutions to help ensure continuous education for Sarangani learners amid the pandemic.

When Smart first introduced the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) to the Department of Education (DepEd) Sarangani Division in 2016, it was intended to simply aid in developing indigenized and contextualized learning materials for early Muslim and IP learners.

This led to the implementation of CVIF-DLP in the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) and Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) programs in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

Applicable for online and offline learning When the COVID-19

pandemic broke out early 2020, it became apparent that teachers needed to find new ways of teaching. DepEd presented different Distance Learning Modalities available – Online, Modular, and Radio-Based Instruction.

However, each option bears challenges. “Most parents prefer Modular Learning, which entails cost to print and deliver modules to students’ homes,” Schools Division of Sarangani CID Chief Donna Panes shares.

It was then that the Division decided to expand the number of schools that will implement CVIF-DLP, a Smart-backed

Smart ramps up network rollout in DavNor

P

LDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have accelerated their network rollout in Davao del Norte to support the connectivity needs of the province as it transitions into the ‘new normal.’

To date, all of Smart’s sites in Davao del Norte are already on LTE, as PLDT and Smart continue to expand the coverage and capacity of their fully integrated fixed and wireless networks across the province.

Across Mindanao, Smart has expanded LTE capacity by 30%, compared to end-2019.

“I am grateful to PLDT and Smart for their unwavering commitment to keep Filipinos connected and informed as we combat a public health emergency as a nation,” said Gov. Edwin Jubahib, in a letter to Smart President and CEO and PLDT Chief Revenue Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio “We are in the business of nation-building, and the virtue of malasakit is at the core of our every endeavor. Underpinned by customer-centricity, we have allocated a big part of our capex to improve

our services, so these may be accessible to more Filipinos, wherever in the country they may be,” Panlilio said.

PLDT and Smart also recently announced it was accelerating its tower rollout nationwide following the government’s issuance of building and preconstruction permits in areas including Davao del Norte, Metro Manila, Batangas, Palawan, and other provinces.

“The initiative of government to make it easier for us to build more towers quicker will be a big help in terms of improving coverage,” Panlilio said.

This accelerated nationwide LTE rollout is part of PLDT and Smart’s sustained capital expenditures on their networks, with PLDT and Smart having already invested some Php260 billion from 2015 to 2019. For 2020, amid the regained momentum of the company’s network rollout efforts following the easing of lockdown restrictions, PLDT has leveled up its target capital expenditures back up to about Php70 billion or more. [END]

teaching methodology that hones independent learning - a critical element in distance learning.

Aimed at ensuring that the teaching and learning process continues despite the pandemic, this tried

and tested, crisis-resilient strategy is designed to be low-cost and flexible.

“CVIF-DLP can work even without internet access, devices, books, and notebooks. It applies to any or a combination of DepEd modalities – print-based, online, or even TV and radio,” Smart Assistant Vice President for Community Partnerships Stephanie V. Orlino explains.

Smart, PSF-led workshops since 2010 The DLP methodology was developed by award-winning theoretical physicists Dr. Christopher Bernido and Dra. Ma. Victoria Carpio-Bernido originally for the Central Visayan Institute Foundation (CVIF) school in their hometown of Jagna, Bohol. Along with PLDTSmart Foundation (PSF), the social outreach arm of PLDT, Smart has been staging CVIF-DLP workshops since 2010. These include virtual webinars that have taken the place of on-ground trainings since the start of the pan-

demic.

To-date, over 300 teachers from DepEd Sarangani Division have learned how to effectively develop Learning Activity Sheets (LAS), that are aligned with DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC).

Close to 1,000 LAS validated by the Learning Resources Management and Development System (LRMDS) will initially be used by Kinder to Junior High School students in the province for blended learning this coming academic year.

LAS printing requirements, PPEs and disinfectants from PLDT-Smart As the Division of Sarangani prepares for the opening of classes, selected schools received printer ink and bond paper from Smart for the reproduction of LAS, while PSF provided PPEs and disinfectants to help keep the teachers safe.

DepEd Central also recently announced its

nationwide endorsement of the CVIF-DLP LAS as a Supplemental Learning Resource. The CVIF-DLP LAS for junior and senior high school will be available for download via DepEd Commons soon.

“The LAS will surely be part of the Self-Learning Materials that our students will use this school year,” Panes says.

PLDT and Smart recognize quality education as a foundation in improving people's lives and obtaining sustainable development.

In support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly SDG #4: Quality Education, education continues to be a flagship CSR program throughout PLDT Group, with a strong emphasis on digital literacy.

For more information about CVIF-DLP, visit www.dlp.ph, follow Dynamic Learning Program on Facebook, or send an email to LearnSmart@ smart.com.ph.

The 'Balik Tuition Promo' is open to students enrolled for SY 2020-2021 in Smart and TNT partner schools nationwide. Four winners will receive a cash prize of P100,000 each (tax-free).

There will be one grand prize winner from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Smart is also giving away 10 laptops and 10 tablets to lucky students. 20 smartphones are also up for grabs, as well as 50 Smart Bro WiFi units.

Four partner schools can also take home 50 Smart Bro WiFi devices each. Smart Bro Pocket WiFi is the perfect companion for students and teachers in the shift to blended learning. It is versatile enough that users can connect to the internet anytime, anywhere. As many as 5 gadgets can link up to it sharing the connection with the rest of the family.

Surprises also await those who will join the pro-

gram. They can get instant data loads or win one of the thousands of lifestyle vouchers when they play the 'Match to Win' game. Customers will receive the game link after reloading their prepaid account with any Giga Study promo.

Joining is a breeze. A student only needs to register once to enter the program.

All they have to do is scan the promo QR code or visit https://schoolpromos.smart. com.ph/ Minors are reminded to secure clearance from their parents or guardians before entering the promo.

They need to submit this document along with other requirements to ask@mvprewards.com.ph. Once enrolled, customers will receive raffle entries every time they load up with any Giga Study offer.

Giga Study 99 is the ideal student load. It comes with 2GB of open access data for seven days plus 1GB per day

for learning tools such as Google, Google Search, Google Plus, Google Hangouts, and Microsoft 365.

For those who need more, they can check out other Giga Study offers available on the Smart GigaLife App. Higher denominations of Giga Study include a generous combination of 3GB per day for study apps plus open access data allocation to cover all online activities.

The first draw will be on November 13, 2020 for winners of Smart Bro Pocket WiFi and smartphones. Laptop and tablet winners will be announced on December 11, 2020. The four grand prize winners of P100,000 each will be drawn on January 8, 2021. The promo will run from October 5, 2020 to December 31, 2020.

Smart is the wireless subsidiary of the country’s largest and only integrated telco, PLDT Inc.

Smart gives away tuition money, free gadgets and data load, boosting e-learning

S

mart Communications, Inc. (Smart), PLDT’s wireless subsidiary, is giving away nearly half a million pesos in cash to defray tuition expenses, as well as free laptops and tablets, and data loads to help Filipino students get on with the new normal of e-learning.

This is made possible by the recently launched 'Balik Tuition Promo' – an electronic raffle where students using Smart and TNT prepaid SIMs can win cash, gadgets, data loads, and other e-learning tools.

“This is an unprecedented time for students as they face the challenge of continuing education using different platforms including the internet,” said Jane Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business Group at Smart.

“As their needs evolve, we're coming up with innovative products to help them adapt to e-learning,” she added.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

AGRITRENDS

9

SAVING UPLANDS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE FARMING SYSTEMS

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

(First of Three Parts)

T

he rice terraces, ingenuously carved out of the mountains by the Ifugaos for rice farming, are a living monument to the ingenuity of tribal Filipino farmers who have tilled the steep slopes for over 2,000 years.

Described as “the stairway to heaven,” it is among the top 50 Wonders of the World and has been listed on the roster of the World Heritage Sites of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1995. “A living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty,” hailed UNESCO when it was conferred the World Heritage status.

In Kinuskusan, a barangay of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, a technology that seems to be patterned after the rice terraces is still existing – after more than four decades it was built by an American agriculturist and Filipino counterparts.

It is called Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) and the principles being implemented in the scheme are the same those used by the Ifugao tribes. “Instead of using rocks to build terraces, we are recommending live shrubs of various nitrogen fixing species,” explains Jethro P. Adang, the new director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc. Harold R. Watson, an agriculturist from Mississippi, came to the Philippines in the 1960s.

Together with the late Warlito A. Laquihon and Rodrigo R. Calixtro, they built the original SALT in the rolling mountainside of Mount Carmel in the early 1970s. “It is still existing until today,” Adang says. In fact, thousands of

visitors – including those from other countries – still flock to the center to see how SALT has stood the test of time.

The MBRLC came into existence to help Filipino farmers uplift their standard of living just a year before Martial Law was declared. Farmers came to the center and oftentimes complained of low and declining farm yields.

They also expressed the need for better income distribution throughout the year. There were times during the year when a family had no money or food since they depended on a seasonal monocropping system.

Recognizing these problems, the MBRLC tried to find some ways.

Watson and his staff kept experimenting, searching for something simple and practical that could help stem the tide of topsoil washing down the mountainsides. They believed soil erosion was the primary culprit of low production.

If President Rodrigo R. Duterte is hell bent on curbing, if not stopping, the proliferation of illegal drugs which have destroyed so many lives already, the government should also engage itself in the war against soil erosion. It’s an enemy that most Filipinos are aware of but no one seems to recognize it. It attacks in broad daylight and creeps at night when everyone is sleeping.

And because soil is less

spectacular, the media focused more their attention on other environmental issues and concerns like energy crisis, fuel problems, climate change, ocean acidification, biodiversity, logging and forest fires.

“Soil erosion is an enemy to any nation — far worse than any external enemy coming into a country and conquering it because erosion is an enemy you cannot see vividly,” said Watson when he accepted the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for developing SALT and other MBRLC technologies.

“It’s a slow creeping enemy that soon possesses the land.”

While experts talk about biotechnology, organic farming, high value crops, more crop production, and exportation, they fail to include soil – “the bridge between the inanimate and the living” – in the equation. After all, it

has been estimated that more than 99 per cent of the world’s food comes from the soil.

Estimates from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed about 10,000 cubic meters of arable soil per hectare are eroded annually, such an amount equivalent to one meter layer of soil thickness removed per hectare per year.

According to Watson, soil erosion will imperil the country’s food supply in the coming years. “Soil is made by God and put here for man to use, not for one generation but forever,” he reminded. “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.”

But there was an interesting story on how SALT came to be. One day, Watson and some of his staff gathered together in one room to brainstorm.

“We decided to start with what we knew,” Watson recalled. “We could run a contour or a terrace line, but how could we keep it there? Suppose we took this ‘miracle plant’ people had been talking about growing in the flatlands and put it around the terrace in hedgerows.”

The “miracle plant” he was referring to was “ipil-ipil,” known in the science world as Leucaena leucocephala. (When it was devastated by psyllid infestation in later years, the MBRLC recommended other nitrogen-fixing species like Desmodium rensonii, Flemingia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium.)

“It’s a legume, we

would be enriching the soil,” Watson further said.

“Then, we’d take the green leaves of this plant and put them back on the soil.

We knew that one line wouldn’t hold the soil, so we said, ‘Let’s make a double line.’”

They got excited. If the method worked, it would stop erosion, rebuild soil and increase crop yield.

Within an afternoon, the basic theory of Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) was born.

“SALT is one of the solutions to the problems that beset the world these days,” said Adang. “But it seems that most experts are looking for big things that can help curb, if not arrest, the difficulties this planet has gotten into.”

Just like the prophet David defeated giant Goliath with just a slingshot and a stone, the problems can be solved by going back to the basics, Aldang said. “We don’t need modern technologies and high gadgets to defeat the enemy. All we have to do is use what God has provided us through the years.”

SALT is one possible answer that should be given much attention.

“Basically, the SALT method involves planting field and permanent crops in 4-5 meter bands between double-controlled rows of nitrogen fixing trees and shrubs,” explains Adang.

Examples of field crops are the legumes (beans, peas, and pulses), cereals (upland rice, corn, and sorghum), root crops (sweet potato, cassava, carrot, and taro), and vegetables (cabbage, ampalaya, tomato, eggplant, etc.). Permanent crops include cacao, coffee, banana, citrus, and fruit

trees.

This is where food security comes in. “Most farmers are locked into one crop,” Adang points out. “When the crop is harvested, he has much money, but it is soon gone, and he has overspent.

He’s called a millionaire for one day.”

With SALT, a farmer can harvest every now and then. “He has something to look for,” Adang says.

“Because the harvested crops are just enough for the market, there is a tendency that the price of his produce is much higher.”

Organic farming is practiced in the SALT scheme. Double hedgerows of leguminous perennials are planted at 4-5 meter intervals on equal-elevation contours. The hedgerows are pruned frequently (every 5-6 weeks) and the cuttings are applied to the crops as a source of fertilizer. The cuttings also served as mulching materials.

In the SALT farm, you find a mix of permanent crops, cereals, and vegetables. Every third strip of available land is normally devoted to permanent crops. A combination of various cereals and vegetables are planted on the remaining two strips of land. Each has its own specific area so that there can be a seasonal rotation.

“Crop rotation helps to preserve the regenerative properties of the soil and avoid the problems of infertility typical of traditional agricultural practices,” explains Adang on the importance of regular rotation of crops.

SALT can help control soil erosion. A seven-year

FSAVING, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO

URGENT... FROM2

Brand audit involves counting and documenting the brands found on plastic waste collected during the clean-up and is considered a tool for holding consumer good companies accountable for their role in the global plastic waste problem.

According to Golle, these wastes may not yet threaten the watershed but pose risks if not managed properly.

This is why IDIS is calling anew for the crafting of the said ordinance, which the group has passed in September last year, and

still pending in the office of Councilor Diosdado Mahipus Jr. “Wala pa update from the Committee on Environment in the City Council.

We are hoping na matagad na siya ug mapasa before this year ends,” Golle said.

Also included in the group’s proposal is the incentives package to organizations and institutions that adopt the banning of the single-use plastic. The group also recommended the penalties collected from using single-use plastics must be use environmental purposes.

said it is relying instead on bilateral deals to secure supplies from vaccine makers.

“Especially for the vaccines and other products which are in the pipeline, the most important tool is political commitment from

our leaders especially in the equitable distribution of the vaccines,” Tedros said.

“We need each other, we need solidarity and we need to use all the energy we have to fight the virus,” he said.

COVID-19... FROM2

DOTR... FROM2

ucts, including highly perishable fruits, come from.”

He said the Central Mindanao Airport would be operational before President Rodrigo R. Duterte would step down in 2022.

The Central Mindan-

ao Airport will serve the provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur and the southern towns of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, he added. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

“(We) would like to request everyone to respect the privacy of the family

during this difficult and unfortunate time,” she said.

(PNA)

the DICT said.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said the first phase of the NBP will be active by the end of 2020.

“We can expect that by the end of 2020, Phase 1 of the NBP will begin operations, and by 2021, we can already feel the effects of said initiative,” Honasan said.

For Phase 1 of the NBP, the DICT will activate the cable landing station in Baler, Aurora, and connect to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) node in San Fernando, La Union through the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure.

The DICT said four DICT nodes and 15 NGCP nodes — connected with various DICT equipment — will then be activated.

“From there, will be able to provide bandwidth to nearby govnet (government network) clients and Free-WiFi beneficiaries,” the DICT said.

It noted that if DICT’s additional budget request of about PHP17 billion for the fiscal year 2021 is approved, the proposed Phase 2 of the NBP will cover Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — with a projected savings of around PHP34 billion in government internet expenses. (PNA)

and real estate, among others.

On the other hand, most companies in transportation, wholesale and

retail trade, food services, agriculture, and motor repair are not utilizing digital platforms, the survey said.

(PNA)

fouled Markieff Morris on a three-point try, and he made all three shots. Butler scored inside to tie the game with 6:27 left; James scored the next five points himself, including a threepoint play where he ended up flat on his back after spinning the ball perfectly off the glass for a score on a drive while taking contact.

A bounce here, a bounce there. Those were the differences late, and the Lakers made their own breaks.

Butler had a corner three that would have given Miami the lead rim out with 3:05 left; Caldwell-Pope made a corner three at the other end seven seconds later and the Lakers were up 93-88.

Miami then turned the ball over on a shot-clock violation; Caldwell-Pope scored on a drive for a seven-point lead.

“The job is not done,” James said.

Not yet. But they’re on the brink.

DEPED-SOCOT... FROM3 NATIONAL... FROM3

GRADUAL... FROM5

A BREATH... FROM12

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

BARMM... FROM4

the necessary Goat barn infrastructure that will be established. This will also provide suitable premises to enable the establishment of a Genetic (semen) collection laboratory and quarantine facility for storage of goat semen and research activities.

This also includes the development of an onsite laboratory and quarantine facility to collect, manage and store genetic material.

The partnership of the BDA and East West Seed International will jointly explore effective vegetable farming methods that can benefit farming communi-

ties. The planting of vegetables can either be done in tandem with coconut or cacao farms as an intercrop commodity as an additional source of livelihood for farmers.

“Vegetable farming can also be done on a standalone basis. This can be ideal in the former rebel camps as a major livelihood activity,” Peralta said.

The MOU between BDA and Traxerve Inc. will call for the establishment of demo farms that will jointly encourage and facilitate systematic and cooperative actions between the in achieving common

objective which is the establishment of an effective and cost efficient growing and supply chain for rice and other crops in rice producing communities. This will also employ the use of farming technologies and products that will enhance farm crop production in order to obtain farm gate prices.

Meanwhile, the agreement between BDA and Earth Cube Inc. focuses on identifying the possibility on developing the operational and financial feasibility of establishing a waste to fertilizer plant in main cities in the Prov-

inces of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, and some barangays of North Cotabato. Earth Cube will provide the requirements of the type of waste that can be processed into fertilizers as well as determine the alternatives in sourcing of the waste to fertilizer facility.

The conference was organized by ECCP-SMBC in partnership with its agriculture committee, BDA, Inc. and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR).

“This our share in the peace building efforts being led by the government,” Peralta said.

District in recent years.

“It is remarkable to note that as early as the second week of the Month, Collection District XII had already exceeded its as-

signed monthly target,” Austria said.

The men and women of Collection District XII have long been strictly implementing the policies

on the proper valuation of goods, proper assessment and collection of duties and taxes and the efficient revenue collection from public auctions of aban-

doned shipments, all at the forefront of the priority programs of Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero and Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III.

WTO Deputy Director General Yi Xiaozhun said in a press conference that the trade impact of the crisis has differed dramatically across regions, with "relatively modest declines" in trade volumes in Asia and "stronger contractions" in Europe and North Ameri-

ca.

Senior WTO economist Coleman Nee explained that "China is supporting trade within the (Asian) region" and "China's import demand is propping up intra-regional trade" and "helping to contribute to global demand."

Although the trade decline during the pandemic is similar in magnitude to the global financial crisis of 2008-2009, the economic context is very different, WTO economists noted.

"The contraction in GDP has been much stronger in the current reces-

sion while the fall in trade has been more moderate," they said, adding that the volume of world merchandise trade is only expected to decline about twice as much as world GDP, rather than six times as much during the 2009 collapse.

(Xinhua)

study conducted at the MBRLC 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 20.2 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. Most soil scientists place acceptable soil loss limits for tropical countries like the Philippines within the range of 10-12 metric tons per hectare per year. The nonSALT farm has an annual soil loss rate of 194.3 met-

ric tons per hectare.

As SALT is an example of agroforestry (a collective name for all land-use systems and practices where woody perennials and crops are planted together), it offers other valuable ecological advantages.

“SALT greatly reduces the risk of drought, landslides, floods, the silting over of low-lying areas, and wind erosion -- all of which are linked to the radical transformation of the natural environment and the destruction of the mountain forests,” Adang says.

SALT was heavily promoted in the 1990s up

to the late 2000s by various government agencies (particularly agriculture, agrarian reform and science and technology) and non-government organizations.

But despite the sustainability of the SALT system, some Filipino farmers still abandon their SALT farms after several years.

According to Adang, it’s not an easy task to follow the SALT system diligently.

“We have had our failures, too,” he admits. “I can take you to a lot of farms that started out with SALT, and about halfway through the farmers just gave up. Part of it could be our fault; maybe we didn’t motivate

them enough.”

SALT may be sustainable but Adang believes it is not a perfect farming system.

“SALT is not a miracle system or a panacea,” Watson once pointed out.

“To establish a one-hectare SALT requires much hard work and discipline.

It took many years to deplete the soil of nutrients and lose the topsoil; no system can bring depleted, eroded soil back into production in a few short years. The price of soil loss is poverty, but we have seen land restored to a reasonable level of productivity by using SALT.” (To be continued)

But what Miami had seen was steady improvement from one day to the next, and there were multiple indicators that Adebayo could be ready for Game Four — such as him taking the court before Game 3 on Sunday for some light shooting, then the decision by the team on Monday to upgrade his status from doubtful to questionable.

“He passed all the protocols with his mobility

and strength, and I thought he was great considering he hasn’t played in a week or hasn’t really done anything other than rehab,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “But he’s the heart and soul of who we are.

So it was just great to have him back out there, and I don’t have to deal with him trying to stare a hole through me anymore.”

Before these finals, Adebayo had missed only

one game for injury — a sprained ankle cost him one appearance in his rookie season, when he also sat once for personal reasons and 11 times by coach’s decision. He played in all 82 Heat games last season and their first 72 of this season — sitting out the 73rd and final game for rest because it was largely meaningless to Miami in terms of standings or playoff matchup.

“I don’t miss games,” Adebayo said on Monday.

“That’s not me. That’s not how I’m built. I want to play. I’ve always been like that. I’ve always got the thrill of just putting on that uniform and going out there and playing.”

He has been playing through a shoulder issue for some of this postseason run, but the neck has been the concern during the finals.

of our budding sportsmen, it will help that the Executive Director is brilliant, competent, and with good character,” expressed Ramirez.

A former athlete herself, Reyes’ experience in the field is fueled by the commitment to improve the athletic performance of the national team.

“The reason why my

heart is in this field and in PSC is because ang passion ko nasa atleta. Naging atleta rin ako ng national team. I’m really on the side of development, looking at their progress and performance,” shared Reyes.

As executive director, Reyes will be responsible for the NAS’s administration and operation of the campus. She believes that

producing world-class athletes is the main reason for the launching of the NAS and that education is important for the youth.

Supported with adequate facilities and funding, young Filipinos can develop their talent and potential and be motivated to excel in sports.

“We want them to excel also in academics at

the same time, excelling in sports. Hindi lang sa sports, kailangan magkaroon din sila ng balance para may future rin sila while staying in the national team and in the future.”

At present, Reyes continues to conduct virtual consultations with national athletes at home to ensure their physical and mental well-being.

RECORD-BREAKING... FROM4 WORLD... FROM4

SAVING... FROM9

COACH... FROM11

PSC... FROM11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

11

Coach Spo lauds Adebayo’s effort

L

Sen. Christopher “Bong”Go with athletes Hidilyn Diaz, Bianca Pagdanganan and Yuka Saso during last year’s Southeast Asian Games.

AKE BUENA VISTA, Florida — Bam Adebayo returned for the Miami Heat. Goran Dragic is still waiting.

Adebayo rejoined the lineup for Game Four of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, the Heat making that determination more than hour before game time. Dragic was ruled out around the same time after he tried to test his torn left plantar fascia in a warmup session.

Adebayo had 15 points and seven rebounds over 33 minutes in his first action since Game One, but the Heat lost, 102-96, to fall into a 3-1 hole.

PSC 2021 budget passes A Senate Committee

“Physically still not a hundred percent, but I was moving well and getting back to a hundred percent,” Adebayo said.

The biggest hurdle for Adebayo to clear in his recovery from a neck strain was certain strength tests that the Heat would put him through with hopes of ensuring that he would have an opportunity to get through the rigors of a game. Those tests, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press, proved impossible for Adebayo before Game Two and were not able to be completed to the team’s satisfaction before Game Three.

FCOACH, P10

PSC Physio head to direct NAS

T

he proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission for 2021 was approved on committee level by the Senate today in a virtual hearing presided over by Chairperson of the Committee on Sports, Senator Bong Go, along with Senators Imee Marcos and Nancy Binay.

In his opening statement, Go congratulated the PSC on the overall championship finish of Team Philippines during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“We ended 2019 on a high

note because of that monumental win. Thanks to you and our national team,” expressed the Senator.

The PSC was represented by Chairman Butch Ramirez and Commissioner

Ramon Fernandez, with Acting Executive Director Atty.

Guillermo Iroy presenting the breakdown of the proposal which totals 207 Million which has already gone through study and approval of the Department of Budget Management.

Expenses for preparations and participation for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam amounting 250 Million, along with budgets for the Paralympics, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Asian Youth Games and the Asian Beach Games

were sought in a separate proposal.

Go committed to find ways to help the agency in its work for the national team. He also expressed his elation over the developments with regards preparations for the National Academy of Sports.

Also in attendance was Games and Amusement Board Chairman Baham Mitra, who was there to also present their own proposed budget.

Plenary deliberations will follow at a schedule to be announced later.

frontrunner of the country’s breakthrough sports talent-identification program and Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) Sports Physiology Unit head Prof.

Josephine Joy Reyes will direct the soon-to-rise National Academy of Sports (NAS).

Prof. Reyes, who spearheaded the testing manual creation of the Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (SMART ID) and has been serving the PSC’s Medical Scientific Athletes Services (MSAS) for 27 years, was chosen from a roster of experts in the field of grassroots sports development.

“I just want to deliver.

I just want to perform. I just want to serve. I know it’s gonna be a big task because remember, this is

not just a simple department. It’s not a simple unit but we are talking about a school system,” shared the newly-appointed NAS Executive Director Joy Reyes.

Reyes was appointed by the NAS’ board of trustees headed by the Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones, co-chair William Ramirez of the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Prospero de Vera.

“It is an honor on the PSC’s part that someone who has been in the field of sports for so long with the PSC and helped in the development of grassroots sports will take a key role in NAS. As the future home

FPSC, P10

Rafa hits French Open: Too cold to play tennis H aving finished his quarter-final match at 1:26am local time in cold, windy conditions, Rafael Nadal questioned French Open organisers' decision to schedule no fewer than five matches on the same court over the day.

Nadal criticised organisers after a bumper schedule on Court Philippe-Chatrier meant his match with Jannik Sinner did not finish until 1:26am local time.

The 12-time Roland Garros champion was scheduled last on the main court and when he started his match the temperature was 13C with a cold wind sweeping the clay off the court, whose roof was left open throughout.

"The weather... it's too cold to play tennis. I know football players do it all the time but they're always moving while us tennis players, we stop, we come back, there's

the changeover," Nadal told a news conference after his 7-6(4) 6-4 6-1 win against Italian teenager Sinner.

Play started at 11am local time on Tuesday with a rescheduled women's fourth-round match before a quarter-final between Nadia Pogoroska and Elina Svitolina, a men's quarter-final between Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem that lasted five hours and eight minutes and another last-eight encounter between Iga Swiatek and Martina Trevisan.

Nadal started his match at 10:36 pm local time. While such starting times are not unusual at the US and Australian Opens, those tournaments are held during the summer.

This year's French Open, however, was moved from its usual spot in the warmer MayJune months because of the Covid-19 crisis.

Rafael Nadal completed his match at 1:26 in the morning.

"I really don't know why they put five matches on the Chatrier today.

That was a risk," Nadal

said. "I saw immediately yesterday when they sent me the schedule because there is a chance there is

a couple of long matches.

That's what happened.

Little bit unlucky, of course.

"For me, I just tried to be patient, accept everything, and be in a positive shape. That's what I did."

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 154 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2020

A BREATH AWAY

Lakers cool down Heat, move a win away from NBA title

A

nthony Davis punched his chest in celebration. LeBron James let out a huge scream.

The Los Angeles Lakers are close to what they want most – the franchise’s first championship in 10 years.

Davis’ three-pointer with 39.5 seconds left was the backbreaker, James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4 of the NBA finals on Tuesday night.

The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 15 and Danny Green added 10 for the Lakers, who didn’t trail at any point in the final 20-plus minutes.

Davis’ three-pointer in the final minute made it 100-91, starting the celebration that took the Lakers all night to earn.

“Felt like a finals game,” James said. “Felt like both teams were desperate ... and that’s

what it’s all about.”

Jimmy Butler scored 22 points for Miami, who got 21 from Tyler Herro, 17 from Duncan Robinson and 15 from Bam Adebayo, who returned after missing two games with a neck injury.

James’ three-pointer with 8:18 left in the third put the Lakers up 55-54 and set the tone for the way the rest of the night was going to go; LA leading, Miami chasing.

The Lakers were up by seven with 2:27 left in the third after a three-pointer by Davis – the 7164 margin representing the biggest by either side to that point.

Miami scored the next six to get within one, yet couldn’t get back on top, a trend that persisted into the fourth.

Herro made a three early in the fourth to get Miami within one again; the Heat promptly

FA BREATH, P10

Anthony Davis’ three-pointer with 39.5 seconds left was the backbreaker.