Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 186 | Tuesday, November 17, 2020

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VOL.13 ISSUE 186 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

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Sara gets passing grade for handling Covid-19 pandemic STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio arrives at Quezon Park with Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Colonel Kirby John Kraft and Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla during one of the public events in Davao City. The mayor delivers her 2020 State of the City Address (SOCA) on Monday afternoon. Edge Davao

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VOL.13 ISSUE 186 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

GOOD ENOUGH Sara gets passing grade for handling Covid-19 pandemic

By MAYA M. PADILLO he country’s local chief executives’ (LCEs) ability in managing crisis has been put to test by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Subjected to the same yardstick as the other LCEs, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio did impress quite a few.

Mayor Sara, who delivered her 2020 State of the City Address (SOCA) on Monday, has been tough as nails with her decisions and measures to reduce the threat of Covid-19. Most of these counter measures were even seen as a step ahead of the provisions of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Emerging and Infectious Diseases.

Despite scoring well in this test, some Dabawenyos are still not satisfied with what she is doing right now.

As what others say “there is no perfect leader” especially when fighting with an invisible enemy.

Edge Davao asked some Dabawenyos in sectors like environment, consumer, and food and hospitality industry to evaluate the mayor with scores from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) based on her handling of

Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) executive director Chinkie Peliño-Golle

the Covid-19 situation.

No sugarcoating, just brutal honesty.

“There is a clamor now to rate her leadership due to her seemingly knee-jerk decisions regarding stricter movements of people due to Covid-19. However, leaders all over the world are being judged on their decisions or acts of omissions.

U.S. President Trump I believe lost the election on his handling or mishandling this crisis,” said Wenifredo Gorrez, former executive director of non-government consumer group Konsumo-Dabaw.

Gorrez added that the mayor is now getting negative radio reports due to

the people’s reaction to her latest decisions on ways to deal with the virus. He said people complained on the basis of their personal interest, yet, he is optimistic that the mayor’s decisions are meant to promote the common good in the long run.

“Her decisions are even mild to what I propose such as a two weeks total lockdown of the city. Drastic problems need drastic solutions. DIli ni puwede inday-indayon kay ang masa dili mutuo kung dili gahi ang pamaagi to make them understand the gravity of the problem,” he said.

Gorrez gave Mayor Sara a rate of 8.8 for her decisive

Restaurant Owners Association of Davao City (ROADC) president Benjamin Lizada

leadership, strong political will and earful grasp of the people’s needs, from the poorest squatters to richest businessmen.

Benjamin Lizada, president of the Restaurant Owners Association of Davao City, Inc. (RestoDC), gave the mayor a high grade of 9.

Lizada lauded the mayor for acting very fast when the first lockdown was declared in March and barred the entry of all flights.

“Kana gyud ang first na angay buhaton. Sakto to nga decision. Bisag tuod naglisud na ang mga na stranded sa gawas, she stood her ground. She had wanted to continue barring

the entry of flights but the national government ruled that only the IATF can bar flight entry to any place in the country,” he said.

He also noted that the mayor is trying her best to be accessible at all times by conducting daily updates that have since become twice weekly, which according to Lizada is still very important.

Lizada also commended Mayor Sara for being uncompromising but still open to new ideas. He said while she has her pool of medical experts and economic advisers, she heeds other suggestions.

“Our association

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Former Konsumo-Dabaw executive director Wenifredo Gorrez

Number of Covid-19 ‘clusters’ down: DOH DavOr starts to roll out

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he Department of Health on Monday said it hopes the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to decrease as it no longer sees a large cluster of cases in certain parts of the country.

“Makikita natin there is that decreasing trend in the number of cases and there is increasing availability of resources,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing. “Yung clustering of cases nawala na po dito sa areas that were previously identified as hotspots.”

(We can see a decreasing trend in the number of cases and there is increas-

ing availability of resources. The clustering of cases in areas previously identified as hotspots are also gone.)

Vergeire pointed out that the country’s transmission rate has been less than 1 “in the past weeks and months," which means transmission rate has slowed down.

“Ang average number of cases is in a stable condition. Less than 2000 for the past week already,” she pointed out.

The health official also said most regions have a critical care utilization rate that is within the “safe zone." None are in critical level or have an occupancy

of 85% or more.

“Maganda ang indikasyon na ito when it comes to the situation of COVID-19 here in the Philippines. But ang lagi nating sinasabi this is not the time to be complacent,” Vergeire said.

(This is a good indication when it comes to the situation of COVID-19 here in the Philippines.

But as we always say, this is not the time to be complacent.)

Vergeire reminded the public to stay vigilant and to continue complying with health standards such as the wearing of masks, physical distancing, and frequent hand-

washing.

“Hopefully in the coming months mas bumaba pa ang mga kaso,” she said.

(Hopefully in the coming months the number of cases will continue to go down.)

DOH however acknowledged that a surge in cases was likely after many Filipinos were forced to stay in evacuation centers due to recent typhoons.

DOH has since deployed safety officers in evacuation areas to enforce health standards, Vergeire said.

She added DOH also distributed face masks and alcohol to evacuees.

Covid-19 risk-testing

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he Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 has started to roll out the province-wide risk-testing in Davao Oriental in the bid to prevent the possible community transmission of the coronavirus disease.

On November 12, the Task Force, led by Action Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo, conducted the risk-testing in Baganga -- the municipality which served as the pilot and first Local Government Unit to undergo the risk-testing in the province and even the region.

Individuals who were

subjected to the test were members of the vulnerable sector who are susceptible to the disease. “We [randomly] pooled individuals from high-risk groups like market vendors, economy workers, government workers, police force, and others and tested them,” said Dr. Bersaldo, adding that tourists in tourism establishments and resorts were also included in the list.

For its implementation, Dr. Bersaldo said that the risk-testing in the province targets 10 percent of the total population of

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

President Rodrigo Duterte responds to a query from the media on the sidelines of his visit to the areas affected by Typhoon Ulysses in Camarines Sur on Sunday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

We will not break: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO e will not break.

These are the encouraging words of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in her 25-minute recorded 2020 State of the City Address (SOCA) on Monday.

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“Covid-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future. We should expect that it would be a difficult stretch. I will forever be between a rock and a hard place amidst this pandemic.

The rock that exemplifies all the people trying to save the lives of our fellowmen from dying of Covid-19 complications and the hard place that is representative of the people trying to save their families from going flat broke.

And we, Dabawenyos, we will not break! The deaths, the pain, the debts, and the frustration are sent our way to change us into Dabawenyos who look at dark clouds and see it as the silver lining,” Mayor Sara said.

She said 10 months since the declaration of the pandemic, Davao City remains trapped in a very peculiar reality just like the rest of the world.

“And we should all manage our expectations because this pandemic will define how we will live our lives for another two years.

Maybe more,” she said.

She said that in 10 months, Dabawenyos have seen an alarming spike in the number of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases.

While waiting for a vaccine to control the spread, the mayor implemented proto-

cols such as staying at home, wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and observing social/physical distancing to reduce risk of transmission.

“This is not only a public health emergency, but also an economic and social crisis. And we are endlessly, trying out the best strategic, seamless connection between the stages under our Plan of Action against Covid-19 — prevention, testing, contact tracing, and isolation, quarantine, and treatment,” she said.

She also shared the highlights of the city’s Covid-19 response: the city’s testing capacity currently at approximately 1,200 tests per day; support for the establishment of two private laboratories and the completion of Los Amigos Davao Laboratory funded from the Bayanihan Heal as One Act. "The contact tracing has been particularly challenging. Recently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) augmented 1,500 personnel to assist in the city’s contact-tracing efforts ... We also envision to use technology to support the team. We endeavor to catch many of the contacts of a confirmed positive case with the use of the Safe Davao QR," she said.

Mayor Sara also recalled her preparation in case of emergencies as a local chief executive: “When I started my fresh term as Mayor in July 2019, I mentally prepared myself for the emergencies and disasters. No term of mine was ever uneventful and I did not expect the current one to be smooth sailing but my wildest dreams never considered a pandemic. As Chief Executive, I have weathered numerous storms but what completely floored me was that I did not see an end to this one."

Other salient points of the SOCA are: -On infrastructure projects: “When this pandemic is over, I invite everyone to ride through the scenic areas of Paquibato and Calinan especially the parts which were made through the Roads and Bridges to Peace project implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aiming to open more economic activities and address the peace and order issues in these areas.

During your evening ride, I also invite everyone to look up to our sodium to LED bulbs transition for streetlights which have greatly improved visibility and security on the roads,” she said.

-On drugs and terrorism: “Drugs and terrorism remain to be on top of our focus areas on criminality and we are underscoring the adoption of the Culture of Security. One component

that we are trying to cascade down to the household level is the “Kapag May Nakita, Dapat Magsalita” component of the culture. We need our residents to report all suspicious persons and activities for security action,” she said.

-As of date, the city has 15 Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) with a capacity of 1,171 bed spaces for various types of individuals from confirmed positive, suspects, contacts and postswab individuals.

-The city has also established 601 bed spaces across four facilities supporting the “Test and Wait” initiative for arriving passengers at the Davao International Airport (DIA).

-For treatment, initially, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is the sole hospital to treat Covid-19 patients.

-For cremation, the Bayanihan Law funded the development of the Wireless Public Cemetery Crematorium, which shall accommodate all Covid-related deaths.

-On top of these responses, social welfare programs were also initiated by the city government in support to the daily wage earners and people working in the informal sector who faced loss of jobs, income, and food security.

-Food Relief Response remains to be the top priority since March and the city government of Davao

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PRRD to participate in virtual APEC Summit — Malacañang

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resident Rodrigo Duterte will participate in an online meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders on Friday as the world grapples with the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Monday.

This will be the first time that the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will be held virtually.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque told a news conference on Monday that this year’s summit will have two sessions.

Expected to be launched during the forum is the new vision which will guide the 21 Pacific Rim economies in the coming years, according to this year’s host Malaysia. Last year’s summit in Chile was canceled due

to violent protests in the South American country.

Last week, the President participated in the virtual 37th Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits where he talked about deepening regional integration and strengthening supply chain connectivity.

He urged for cooperation among Southeast Asian countries to ensure that their people will have access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Duterte also engaged leaders in an open dialogue calling for enhanced multilateralism on COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery, climate action, and peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific, particularly the South China Sea disputes.

Davao City doc call for two-week lockdown as Covid-19 cases surge

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avao City must be placed under a twoweek lockdown immediately as the healthcare system here “is overwhelmed” with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, a Davao City-based medical practitioner said.

Cardiologist Dr. Bernard Chiew, chair of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) national committee on external affairs and President of PCP-Southern Mindanao chapter from 2005 to 2006, in a public post on his Facebook page on Sunday said a lockdown would help the healthcare system recover with COVID-19

isolation center of government-owned Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and private hospitals are “close to full capacity most of the time.”

Chiew echoed the sentiments expressed by an organization of doctors and medical directors in the city’s private hospitals for a lockdown.

Mayor Sara Duterte’s Executive Order 62 issued on November 13 on guidelines on the prohibition of non-essential travel acknowledged the surge in COVID-19 cases in the city, attributing it to the “innu-

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Japan biz expect RCEP deal to boost Asia trade, investment

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A man arranges different forms and sizes of plastic flower pots at a sidewalk along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City over the weekend. Edge Davao

Asia nations sign RCEP trade deal covering third of global economy

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sia-Pacific countries including Japan, China and the 10 members of ASEAN signed a regional trade deal on Sunday covering nearly a third of the global economy, wrapping up eight years of negotiations following the withdrawal of India.

The 15 signatories to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership reached the agreement, aimed at cutting tariffs and establishing common rules in areas such as e-commerce and intellectual property, during a virtual leaders’ summit.

RCEP -- also including Australia, New Zealand and South Korea -- will create Asia’s biggest free trade zone encompassing about a third of the world’s population.

It will be Japan’s first

trade deal with both China, its largest trading partner, and South Korea as negotiations for a trilateral pact have yet to be concluded.

Speaking to reporters after signing the deal, Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said the 15 countries were seeking to wrap up domestic procedures quickly and put the pact into effect “as quickly as possible.”

Negotiations for RCEP began in 2012, with China pushing it as an alternative to the U.S.-led Trans-Pacif-

ic Partnership. President Donald Trump later pulled the United States out of TPP talks, and a revised deal was signed among the remaining 11 countries, including Japan.

India said in November last year it will no longer take part in RCEP to address concerns that its domestic manufacturing and agricultural sectors will face stiffer competition from Chinese imports.

A special arrangement will be made to facilitate India’s return to the pact, exempting it from a rule barring new entrants to the framework for a certain period, according to Japanese government sources.

Kajiyama hailed the deal as creating new opportunities for Japanese manufacturers and farmers, saying it will “contrib-

ute greatly to increasing exports to Asia.”

RCEP was expected to fall significantly short of the revised TPP or Japan’s trade deal with the European Union in cutting tariffs.

According to a draft of the agreement, Japan will eliminate 61 percent of tariffs on agriculture imports from ASEAN nations, Australia and New Zealand, 56 percent for China, and 49 percent for South Korea, while maintaining tariffs on five product categories -- rice, wheat, dairy products, sugar, and beef and pork -- to protect domestic farmers.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

vice-chair Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. will also give their opening statements.

Two-panel discussion sessions at the congress will tackle digitalization in manufacturing, payments, logistics, and skills upgrading and retooling; and connectivity, e-commerce, and education and training.

Esteemed speakers from the government and private sector include EMS Consulting Group president Ferdinand Ferrer, GCash Head of Key Merchants and Acquirers Maria Ana Leticia Pascual, Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines president-elect Pierre Carlo Curay, Employers Confederation of the Philippines director Antonio Sayo, Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary for Special Concerns Emmanuel Rey Caintic, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) director Melchor Plabasan,

DTI e-Commerce Lead Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Deputy Director-General Rosanna Urdaneta.

During the congress, awarding ceremonies will recognize the country’s top exporters of 2019.

Fujita Masataka, Secretary-General of the Asean Japan Council, will also share a presentation on the global value chain leveraging on this regional partnership.

SheTrades, the International Trade Centre’s initiative for the economic empowerment of women, will also be launched. It will be graced by Lopez, Macatoman, and ITC executive director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.

A panel discussion will then showcase Philippine women-owned businesses who are successfully navigating the new normal, are gaining competitive

advantage through their digital transformation, and will be able to access more global trade opportunities through the ITC SheTrades initiative.

The NEC is the culminating activity of the National Exporters’ Week which is celebrated every first week of December per presidential proclamation 931, Series of 1996, and House Resolution 33.

Before the congress, the free Usapang Exports seminar series organized by the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau will discuss export-related matters, global trends, market updates, and other relevant topics.

This year’s sessions will cover logistics and transport, market trends in the new normal, international certification for food and non-food exports, and halal exports, among other topics.

The export enablers’ exhibit showcases the ex-

Biz groups push businesses to speed up digitalization

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s the country’s merchandise exports rebounded after the coronavirus slump, exporting companies need to accelerate digital transformation to recover and thrive in the new normal.

Industry stakeholders will participate on Dec. 3 in a virtual National Export Congress (NEC) carrying the theme “Digitalization Boost: Invigorating Export in the New Normal” discussing how exporters can digitally transform different aspects of their business and sustain the sector’s gains.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Export Development Council (EDC) chair Ramon Lopez will deliver a keynote address at the opening ceremonies of the event.

DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani Macatoman and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) president and EDC

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apanese business leaders welcomed the signing of the world’s largest trade deal by Tokyo and 14 other Asia-Pacific partners on Sunday, expecting a boost in trade and investment in the region and strengthening of supply chains.

“The signing is extremely significant toward realizing a free and open international economic order” at a time when some countries are becoming inward-looking due to the global novel coronavirus pandemic, said Hiroaki Nakanishi, chairman of the Japan Business Federation known as Keidanren.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, covering some 46 percent of Japan’s total trade, will be the country’s first trade deal with both China, its largest trading partner, and South Korea, its third largest.

Under the deal, Japan will see tariffs eliminated on 86 percent of items exported to China, 81 percent to South Korea and 88 percent to the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia and New Zealand.

RCEP also sets common rules on e-commerce, intellectual property, customs and rules of origins.

Due to the rules and lowering of tariffs, supply chains established by Japanese companies in Asia “will become more broad, effective and resilient,” Akio Mimura, chairman of Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said in a statement.

The 15 signatories to the deal said Sunday the pact remains open for India, which has skipped all negotiations since late

last year due to concerns about opening up its market to China, and included provisions that would facilitate the Southern Asian country’s smooth participation should it decide to return to the pact.

“We hope RCEP members will tenaciously encourage” India’s return to the pact, which will contribute to strengthening supply chains encompassing the region, said Ken Kobayashi, chairman of the Japan Foreign Trade Council.

Among the agreements on market access with China, the world’s second-largest economy will incrementally eliminate the 40 percent tariff it imposes on Japanese sake over 21 years after the deal takes effect.

China will also remove tariffs on some 87 percent of Japanese auto parts, steel products and household appliances, making 86 percent of Japan’s China-bound industrial goods tariff-free as a result, sharply up from 8 percent.

Japan will remove tariffs on 49 percent to 61 percent of agricultural and fisheries products, but excluding five sensitive product categories -- rice, wheat, dairy products, sugar, and beef and pork -- and 47 percent to 99.1 percent of industrial goods.

RCEP consists of 10 ASEAN countries -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -plus Japan, China, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Japan has free trade frameworks in effect with ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand.

PH industries to benefit from RCEP free trade deal -- DTI

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Monday Philippine industries can take advantage of improved and broadened market access from the recently-signed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which has been dubbed as the biggest free trade deal in the world.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Asia-wide free trade agreement (FTA) is advantageous to local industries such as automotive parts, garments, electronics, IT-BPO and e-commerce, among others.

The FTA is seen to lower tariffs of imported goods, and broaden the sourcing of raw materials and export of products to the regional market.

Leaders of the 16 member countries of the trade bloc signed the RCEP on Sunday.

"We already have individual ASEAN FTAs like ASEAN-China, ASEAN-Japan, and ASEAN-Korea.

What RCEP does is it incrementally increases the level of trade ties or the level of market access between ASEAN and its partners.

It is a more modern, more comprehensive kind of FTA, and it is the biggest in the world right now," Lopez said in an interview with ANC. The countries that comprise the RCEP trade deal include the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Lopez said RCEP will improve market access to the members of the trade bloc, as well as cover more areas -- not just goods and services, but also trade in investments, intellectual property, protection of micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and many others.

Typhoon impact Meanwhile, Lopez said the DTI has allocated support funds to aid MSMEs affected by typhoon Ulysses.

The funds include around P100 million loan allocation for small businesses and P10 million for livelihood grants to micro-businesses.

"We have prepared a fund to be able to help the

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

An atrium of a mall where Christmas decorations are displayed is almost empty as people prioritize spending on food and other essential items. Edge Davao

PCSO delivers truckloads of relief goods and medicines PRRD calls for deeper ‘economic integration’

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CSO is heading northbound to deliver truckloads of relief goods and medicines to the people of

Cagayan affected by typhoon Ulysses. The team is led by GM Royina M. Garma and is scheduled to arrive in

Cagayan Sunday morning, Nov 15, 2020. #PCSOCares #walanghumpaynamalasakit #RescueCagayan

to boost Asia-Pacific’s pandemic recovery

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resident Rodrigo Duterte called for a deeper economic integration to accelerate the socio-economic recovery in the Asia Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the third day of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which was joined by leaders from Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and China, Duterte said cooperation in the region would serve as a springboard toward recovery.

“The ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement provide key frameworks that will allow a more buoyant bounce back of our economies”, the President said via video conference.

In the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, President Duterte reiterated his call for easy access to safe and affordable COVID-19 vaccines.

He expressed appreciation toward China, Japan, and South Korea for their generous assistance in the country’s fight against COVID-19 and for their contribution to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund.

The President also called for greater ASEAN-Australia collaboration in dealing with transnational crimes, particularly terrorism and human trafficking.

He thanked Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for the technical assistance in the crafting of the Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

“We must not let up in our collective efforts to combat terrorism and transnational crimes. We must continue working together to deter foreign terrorist fighters. We must address the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization,” he said.

Morrison welcomed the President’s stand on issues of common interest such as, the South China Sea disputes, countering marine plastic debris, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity.

He reaffirmed Australia’s interest to reinforce cooperation with the Philippines in these areas.

he Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Monday said foreign investors planning to go to the Philippines must have the required investors' visas to be allowed to enter the country as travel restrictions remain amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreigners who have visas under Executive Order No. 226 or the Omnibus Investments Code and those with the Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV) issued under EO 226 may enter the country, the BI said in a statement.

However, SIRVs issued under Executive Order No. 63 in tourist-related projects and tourist establishments are still restricted, the bureau said.

The BI said it made the advisory after several business groups sought clarification on which investors can enter the country.

In turn, the BI sought the opinion of the Department of Justice, which said that SIRV holders "are exempt from inbound travel restrictions imposed on foreigners, as their visas were also issued pursuant

to EO No. 226."

The BI said visas under EO 226 amended by Republic Acy 8756 are given to foreign executives of regional or area headquarters of multinational companies, their spouse, and their unmarried children under 21 years old.

Under the SIRV, a government program to attract foreign investments into the Philippines, the spouse and unmarried children below 21 years old of the SIRV holder are also allowed to secure an SIRV as dependents, the BI said.

BI: Foreign investors need specific investors' visa to enter the PH

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s rating in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic: There is a clamor now to rate her leadership due to her seemingly knee-jerk decisions regarding stricter movements of people due to Covid-19. However, leaders all over the world are being judged on their decisions or acts of omissions.

U.S. President Trump I believe lost the election on his handling or mishandling this crisis.”

Wenifredo Gorrez

Former executive director, Konsumo-Dabaw

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VANTAGE POINTS

MOTORING

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

MY FIRST AMERICAN TRIP Who doesn’t want to go to the United States? I was still in high school when I dreamed of going to the land of milk and honey.

As a science journalist, I had the opportunity of going to other countries but not in the US. My aunt Aida and my sister Elena were already there; both are married to Americans. “Why don’t you come and visit us?” Daniel Chase, my sister’s husband, asked me.

Easier said than done. Getting an American visa was the hardest part. Then opportunity came when award-winning American journalist Don Hinrichsen suggested whether I come to the US or he would visit the Philippines in writing a report on water and population.

“Instead of you coming to my country,” I told him, “why don’t you invite me to come to the US? I had never been there yet.”

Don agreed. And that was how I was able to come to the US. I went there the first time on December 5, 2000. Yes, I remember it well.

“Where are you going this time,” my loving mother asked me.

She was already used to leaving our home every now and then and of my trips abroad.

I had not been telling anyone about the trip since I didn’t want them to know just in case I won’t make it. Big Apple, as New York is sometimes called, I told CONTINUING itsher. Her eyes widened. She couldn’t believe streak digital vehicle what she of heard.

“Yes, it’s aleading dream come true,” I launches, mobiltold company her as I wiped the tearsMofalling ity Toyota from her eyes. She never said a word tor Philippines (TMP) after that but instead hugged me has theand lasthave quartightly.started “Take care a safe trip,”of she2020 said. with a highlyter

If there was a foreign trip that was so exciting, this was it! In fact, the night before the trip, I was not able to sleep well. I was afraid I might be late in going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. So, even if it was still three in the morning, I woke up and took a bath. Afterwards, I went to the airport and checked in.

The Northwest Airlines flight from Manila to Narita was not that long, only four hours. We disembarked at the Narita International Airport and stayed there for a couple of hours before our plane left for the United States. This time, the flight was long.

For the next thirteen-hoursand-a-half, I was doing what most passengers were also doing: eating, reading, writing, walking, drinking, playing, watching movies, and sleeping. When feeling bored, I watched other passengers.

There was a mother bottle-feeding her baby.

An American couple, who were three seats away from me, were talking, or were they arguing (sorry, I really could not tell the difference)?

They were, after all, too far for me to eavesdrop.

In another lane, one huge man was snoring out loud (was the lady near him trying to find another seat, I can only guess).

Two fat men – probably not Greeks! – were drinking to their heart’s content while another one was typing on his computer.

Before I knew it, I was already in a deep slumber. Then, I was awakened when the pilot said that we would be landing soon. My heart was beating fast. Finally, I will be

able to see the US of my dreams.

“Welcome to New York,” the airport sign said. Thank you, I said to myself but my biggest problem was: how do I get to know Don, whom I have never met yet? In his email five days earlier, he told me to go to the airport’s waiting area and look for “a tall guy with mustache and wearing a hat.”

The information was not enough so I decided to e-mail also Dr. James Hansen, a former colleague who now works in New York. “Yes, I will pick you at the airport,” James assured me in his reply to my e-mail.

Now, if I would miss spotting Don, then there was James. Or, vice-versa. Since I knew James personally, he was the first person I looked for at the waiting area. He wasn’t around; maybe he was late, I consoled myself. So, I decided to carry out the second plan: to search for “a tall guy with mustache wearing a hat.”

I spotted three men who fit the description. Who among these three was Don? Using my gut feeling, I approached one person and asked him if he was Don. He answered affirmatively. Still not convinced, I requested for his identification card.

He showed his ID without much ado.

He was Don, indeed, and we started talking with each other.

We were in the middle of our conversation when someone from behind called my name. I knew it was James (I recognized his voice).

“Sorry, I wasn’t able to recognize you, Henry,” he apologized. “But when I hear your voice, I am sure it is you.”

This happened at the time when social media – particularly Facebook

POWER TO LEAD WITH THE

– was not yet very popular!

Since Don knew the hotel where I would be staying in New York for the next 10 days, I decided to go with him. James understood the situation. But before he left, he asked Don about the hotel and then told me that he would pick me up by Saturday morning.

It was still Wednesday when I arrived. When Don and I arrived at the hotel, he told me not to sleep.

After all, it was still two in the afternoon. “Okay, thanks for the advice,” I told him before saying goodbye.

But when I was alone in my room, I tried to stretch my body and before I knew it, I was already sleeping. I woke up at 8:30 pm and was already starving. I went out and looked for a place where I could eat.

Not far from my hotel, I saw a Mexican restaurant, not very fancy but was serving pizza, short orders and drinks.

Not knowing what to eat, I ordered what was familiar to me: pizza, chicken wings and soft drink. I ate my food with much gusto. The following night, I went again to the same place. The same waiter was serving me and I ordered the same thing. On the third night, I still went to the same place. The same waiter was there. But before I could utter my order, the waiter said, “Do you want pizza, chicken wings and soft drink, sir?” Waswhich my face red?to the illumination adds During my first three days in sophisticated look of the New York, I didinterior not experience any chilly weather. on thealso fourth day, vehicle.

The QBut variant gets Ithe ventured to visitleather the Central Park, classy black interior which was not very far from the hocomplemented by aearly darkand wood tel.

I woke up very went trim. the hotel. I was only on my outside fifth step when I felt theconunpleasThe driver gets more

antly cold air that I had to rush back to the hotel. “Anything wrong, sir?”

Feeling embarrassed, I answered, “I just forgot something from my room.”

Exploring New York was not a herculean task. If you know how to count (first, second, third, etc.) and are familiar with directions (east, west, south and north), then you won’t get lost in the Big Apple. You don’t have to ride a taxi to get to know New York. Just walk.

And that’s what I did. While walking, I finally got a glimpse of people whom I had seen in movies before: a teenager buying coffee and donut in the street, a man preaching on the street corner, a female walking who seemed to come out live from a glossy magazine, and an old woman pushing a cart.

Life in New York (even in other parts of the United States) is a matter of choice. Even when buying food. So, you have to be very specific.

I made that mistake when I ordered a soft drink. “Diet or Classic?” the waitress asked. When I answered, she asked again, “In can or in a bottle?”

My first trip to the United States was indeed memorable. It broadened my mind. It gave me the opportunity of meeting fascinating people along the way. More importantly, it offered me a new perspective of what life really Made stronger andis. more “So, how was the trip?” my efficientasked me when she saw me mother coming out from the carLTD when I arThe New Fortuner and rived back home.

She was smiling.

Q variants are powered by the I hugged her and whispered, “It was 1GD-FTV great, mom!”engine which gives 201 HP Ps)way, maxI learned, output and And,(204 by the too, that York never sleeps.

500 New Nm max torque, while the V

NEW TOYOTA FORTUNER

anticipated update on one of the most popular models in its lineup – the Toyota Fortuner.

The New Fortuner range is headlined by the new LTD variant in 4x4 and 4x2 which comes in an exclusive design, followed

by Q and V variants in automatic transmission, and the G variant available in AT and MT. Starting at Php 1.63M for the G MT variant, TMP assuresAlthough Filipinos international of great value law for money withthat Toyota’s signature prescribes the seafarer has quality, and reli- back the rightdurability, to be repatriated to theirembedded point of origin, ability in thethere DNAare those who suffer abandonment of the country’s best-selling and by their employers. well-loved Sports Utility Vehicle Repatriation comes from (SUV). the Latin word repatriare, “reDuring theown online launchfrom of turn to one’s country,” the prefixFortuner, re, “back,” andPresipatria, the New TMP “native land.” Okamoto recalled dent Atsuhiro Seafarers are considered how the Fortuner changed the contractual employees since local automotive landscape their employment is fixed at for a a time when entry level sedans period of time which shall not exceed 12 months. and Asian utility vehicles were The commencement the affordable crowd favorite. of POEA contract from thethe time “The Fortuneriscaptured when the seafarer actually dehearts from of many as eiparts theFilipinos Philippines, proven by strong sales. Itfor hasemther airport or seaport, ployment. an SUV body perfect for the It shall cease when he comPhilippines’ flood-prone streets, pletes his period of contractual an array of variants including service aboard the ship, signsa fuel-efficient diesel engine, a at off from the ship and arrives macho look that satisfies desires, the point of hire. requires and The mostPOEA of all,contract an affordable the seafarer to arrive at the price – making it an achievable point of hire as it signifies the dream!” said Okamoto. completion of the employment “The new is its excontract, andFortuner not merely SMARTER, STRONGER and piration.

Similarly, a seafarer’s SAFER than ever!

With its em-

DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG KULE

refreshed line-up led by the topof-the-line premium LTD grade, the country’s best-selling SUV just got better!” he added.

Since the Fortuner’s entry in the local market in 2005, TMP ployment contract is terminated has already over 220,000 even beforesold the contract expires units of as thishehighly-recognized as soon arrives at the point of hireInand signs off for medical SUV. 2017, the Fortuner was reasons, due to shipwreck, volcrowned best-selling vehicle in untary resignation or for other the country. Just this August, just causes like vessel sale and the model dominated the midchange of principal. sizedHowever, SUV category withcases over of in most abandonment, a shipowner has 30% market share. become incapable of generating With the 2020 update, the required funds to continue with Fortuner gets more confident, daily marine operations. prestigious, further proving It then safe, withdraws all reitself a formidable and reliable sponsibility by failing to meet its regarding seaSUV,obligations perfect for any city or offfarers’ financial and social seroad drive.

trol over the ride with various modes: Eco and Sport for LTD and Q variants, Eco and Power for V and G variants, and easy access to switches on the steering wheel and through the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-

and G variants have the 2GDFTV engine which gives 147 HP (150Ps) max output and 400 Nm max torque.

The 2GD engine is improved for the New Fortuner V and G variants and enjoys 5% improvement in fuel efficiency versus the previous generation Fortuner.

JOINT AND SOLIDARY LIABILITY IN SEAFARERS’ Toyota Safety Sense now in the New Fortuner ABANDONMENT CASES available With safety as Toyota’s

curity (contractual wages), the provision of basic necessities of Drive in style, drive lead life (adequate food,toaccommoThe New dation, and Fortuner medical LTD’s care) look and repatriation is made morecosts. striking and more

elegant coming in the 2-tone with lineup, the dancolorCombined black roof color a gers of the elements of the sea, bolder and sportier fronthave and to the abandoned crew rear bumper design, maface the stressful andand inhumane consequences of being stranded chine-cut 18” alloy wheels.

Splitin a country where they not type LED headlamps and do LED speak the language, and the diffront foglamps, sequential turn ficulties of financial constraints signal the redesigned due tolamps, unpaidand wages.

LEDAccording rear combination to the lamps International give the Maritime LTD variantOrganization a more

(IMO), there are 438 cases of abandonment (5,767 seafarers) that have been recorded since 2004 until August 2020. In 2020 alone, 31 cases (concerning 470 seafarers) have been recorded to date.

Filipino seafarers stranded onboard the Oceanstar 86 for almost six months in the waters off the coastwhile of Fujian, Chidynamic design maintainna were reported after a video ing visibility on the road. showed their dire living conThe Qand and V variantsfor alsotheir get ditions pleaded LED foglamps and redesigned immediate rescue.

They were recently back to the LED rearrepatriated combination lamps, country. as well as Bi-Beam LED HeadAswith long as Line the Guide seafarers lamps LED have not arrived at the point of - Daytime Lights. hire, they Running are entitled to Gpayvariants now come with unment of also monetary benefits der the contract.

Bi-Beam LED Headlamps with seafarer is entitled to be LEDThe DRL. paid his wages and other benefits after the expiration of his Confidence, and control contract and ease, during the extendis smooth and easy edIngress period until the vessel’s arrival at aSmart convenient The obliwith Entry port. and Push gations and liabilities Start System for LTD, of Q,the andlocal V agency and its foreign principal grades.

The LTD variant features do not end upon the expiration anthe elegant interiorperiod in leather of contracted as they with maroon accents, well as were duty bound to as repatriate the seaman theand point of hire galaxy black to trim interior

to effectively terminate the contract of employment. (Interorient Maritime Enterprises, Inc. v.

NLRC,330 Phil. 493).

The POEA rules states that the manning agency shall assume “joint and solidary liability” with the employer, which is meant to assure aggrieved workers of immediate and sufficient payment whatacross is due compatible audioof system them. all variants.

LTD, Q, andMigrant V variThe Amended ants feature audio.also Workers Act8”( display R.A. 10022) Comfort states that and theentertainment agency which deployed thethe employees shall is guaranteed whole journey be jointly and solidarily liable for the driver and passengers as with forhave the 8-Way money LTD the andprincipal Q variants claims awarded to the employPower Adjust front seats, and ees.

FrontThe SeatSupreme VentilationCourt System explained in the case Never of Catan for the LTD variant. lose v.

NLRC ( 160 SCRA 691, 695) the power with the wireless charger rationale : “This must be so, and rear USB chargers avail- because the obligations covenantableinonthe LTD,manning Q, and Vagreement grades, ed and experience sound entered into by premium and between the local agent foreign princiquality overand theits LTD variants’ pal are notJBL coterminus with the 9-speaker sound system. term of such agreement that Feel at ease throughout thesoride if either or both of the parties with front andthe rear automaticthe decide to end agreement, control for V grades and up. responsibilities of such parties towards the contracted employ-

utmost priority, the New For-

ees under the agreement do not tuner is thebut latest to at all end, theaddition same extends the expanding Toyota Safety up to and until the expiration of the(TSS)-equipped employment models contracts Sense of the employees recruited in TMP’s official lineup. Madeand employed pursuant theTSS said better and safer than to ever, recruitment agreement. Othersettings previously featured in wise, this will render nugatory select Toyota models as the the very purpose forsuch which law governing the employment the Pre-Collision System, Lane of workers for foreign jobs Departure Alert, and Adaptive abroad was enacted.”

Cruise Control are now available The 2014 amendments to for the Fortuner Labor LTD andConvenQ. the Maritime All2006 variants come withrequire SRS tion (MLC2006) shipowners airbags (7 forto thehave LTDcompulsovariants), ry insurance to cover abandon3-pt. ELR seatbelts, Anti-Lock ment of seafarers for up to four Brake System with Brake Asmonths’ outstanding wages and sist and Electronic Brakeforce entitlements.

It must also cover Distribution,expenses Vehicle Stability reasonable from the moment of abandonment to the Control with Traction Control, time of arrival back home such and Hill-Start Assist Control. as repatriation, food, clothing, The 4x4 LTD variant also has accommodation, drinking water, Downhillcare Assist Control. medical and essential fuel variants come with forAll survival on also board.

Atty. heads a total of 6 Gorecho clearance and backthe seafarers’ division of the Sapasonars, in addition to the Panlo Velez Bundang Bulilan oramic View Monitor that law offices. For comments, send comes withtotheinfo@sapalovelez.

LTD, Q, and V an e-mail variants reverse camera for or com or or call 09175025808 09088665786 the G variants.

8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 186 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Lenovo named as top monitor brand in the Philippines G

lobal tech innovator Lenovo was recently cited by market intelligence firm IDC as the number one PC monitor brand in the Philippines. It emerged on top during the third quarter of 2020 with 66,082 shipments, equivalent to 22% of the total PC monitor market share locally.

Lenovo’s strong performance in the period saw its share in the market grow by 6% from the previous quarter where it made 26,882 shipments. This development also showed a Year-over-Year (YOY) growth of 8%, signifying a highly successful year for the company’s ever-expanding PC monitor portfolio.

The company owes its success to the many innovations it made to better serve customers facing the “new normal” brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our success in the PC monitor segment solidifies our drive for constant innovation in our products as we strive to deliver smarter technology for all. This time, we heavily focused on improving the ability of our PC monitors in extending the productivity of our customers in the comfort of their own homes by including cutting-edge technology known in Lenovo devices. We made our screens bigger, more color accurate, portable, and in the case of gamers, come out with more resolution and high refresh rates for complete immersion. Our monitors also include added connectivity and viewing options to unlock new opportunities whether for work, online school, entertainment, or gaming,” said Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager.

Under its arsenal of product offerings, Lenovo currently has a total of seven PC monitor lines available catering to different types of users and segments: · ThinkVision - Employees · ThinkVision M – Mobile workforce · Q Series – Content creators · Y/Legion Series – Hardcore gamers · G Series – Mainstream gamers · L Series – Monitors for mainstream or everyday use · D Series – Value-for-money monitors Lenovo’s entire PC monitor lineup contains many features useful in any setting. Some of them include color-accurate display panels with 99% sRGB and 72% NTSC or higher for better color accuracy, thin bezels for larger screen viewing, and high refresh rates for smoother visuals in action-packed movies and fastpaced games.To protect the user’s eyes, Lenovo made its monitors TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort-certified to reduce the harmful effects of blue light. Lenovo’s monitors also have both VGA and HDMI ports, and their VESA mount compatibility adds more freedom upon use.

Furthermore, all Lenovo monitors come with an exceptional 3-Year Warranty that’s designed to give users peace of mind as it entails smarter IT service solutions that increase system uptime and productivity, reduce costs, and secure data. Some monitors can be upgraded to Lenovo’s 3-Year Premier Support solution, a hassle-free, end-to-end service that provides a single point of contact and direct access to Lenovo Tech Spe-

Mindful Snacking with Tang

A

s part of the world’s leading snacks company, Mondelez Philippines aims to empower people to snack right. This means providing the right snack, for the right moment and made the right way. It also means promoting mindful snacking – or the practice of being in the moment and eating with attention and intention. Recently the Company shared how it is promoting Mindful Snacking with one of its biggest brands, Tang.

Snacking is much more than eating between meals All over the world, snacking is growing. The lines between snacking and meals is blurring. Mondelez Philippines knows that consumers don’t want to have to choose between snacking and eating right.

These days, snacks mean more than just something you eat in-between meals.

According to a 2019 State of Snacking survey which the Company undertook, three trends are influencing snacking all over the world: (1) Snacking is eclipsing meals globally as appetites for smaller bites grows. (2) Snacking offers bite-sized rituals connecting us to culture and community and (3) Snacks nourish body, mind, and soul; with indulgence remaining a priority.

Mindful Snacking: Eating with Attention + Intention Seeing these trends in snacking, Mondelez Philippines takes it upon itself to not only make delicious snacks for consumers, but

to also promote Mindful Snacking to ensure wellbeing. Mindful Snacking is an approach to eating with attention and intention.

‘Attention’ means being conscious of what you want to eat, why you’re eating, and how it makes you feel.

So, you don’t have to choose between snacking and eating right for the moment.

Experts have found that Mindful Snacking has benefits: Focusing on the present moment can help you discover a more satisfying and positive snacking experience and makes you less likely to binge or overeat.

‘Intention’ means choosing the right snacks for your needs. To support this, Mondelez Philippines works to provide consumers easy access to the right snacks, for the right moment, and made the right way. Like Tang, which offers affordable nutrition and refreshment for the entire family.

Snack Mindfully with Tang As the #1 Powdered Beverage brand in the Philippines, Tang aims to become Moms’ ally in providing the right snack for moms to protect her children and prepare them for a brighter future. Tang has been in the Philippines since 1972, with 48 years of refreshing Moms and their families. It provides a truly delicious and nourishing drink for the family and offers the widest portfolio of 21 fruit-flavored beverages.

Tang is the right snack, containing 100% of your family’s Vitamin C require-

ments with every glass. Vitamin C is that much more important for children to have these days, with the prevalence of COVID-19 and other diseases. Tang aims to be Moms’ ally in providing not only refreshment and deliciousness, but also affordable nutrition.

With only P18 per pack, which makes 5 glasses of beverage, Mom can provide her family with nutrition, protection and refreshment.

This deeply rooted presence in Filipino’s lives also allows Tang to provide for a wide variety of consumer needs – for the right moment. This includes the creation of Tang Sweet Orange – a flavor that’s only available in Mindanao. It is Mas Lami, or made more delicious for the taste preferences of our different regions in the country.

As a leader in the powdered beverage category, Tang works to set the standard for high quality and product benefits – it is made the right way. The brand stands by its promise to Moms, to provide only wholesome nutrition. Tang is also made with real fruit extracts and has no artificial flavors. As a trusted company, it also abides by all government regulations and is a responsible corporate citizen, supporting community programs that help empower children and their community.

Snack Mindfully with Tang and Mondelez Philippines, with the right snacks, for the right moment, and made the right way.

cialists, cementing Lenovo’s position as an integrated solutions provider that leads service-led transformation and helps enable Modern IT environments where companies no longer need to worry about configuration, deployment, and IT management tasks.

Some of Lenovo’s popular monitors geared towards bolstering productivity are the ThinkVision S22e-19 (PHP 5,500), ThinkVision E2054 (PHP 4,490), and ThinkVision M14t (PHP 19,995) portable monitor.

Both the ThinkVision S22e-19 and the ThinkVision E2054 come with a 178°/178° viewing angle and an InPlane Switching (IPS) display, which ensure a best-inclass viewing experience without color distortion. The ThinkVision S22e-19 has a full-HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, while the ThinkVision E2054 has a monitor with a maximum resolution of 1440 x 900, ensuring clearer and vibrant images when viewing worksheets. Meanwhile, the portable ThinkVision M14t is built to boost on-the-go productivity with its weight of only 1.5 pounds and USB 3.2 Type-C compatibility which allows even smartphones to present through the monitor. For added interactivity during meetings, the ThinkVision M14thas a tilt angle of -5° to 90, making viewing and presenting proposals easier. Presentations are clear and crisp too through its 14.0” IPS Panel that has 1920 x1080 resolution, 300 nits of brightness, and a 60Hz refresh rate.

Other popular Lenovo PC monitor options available are the Lenovo D19-10 (PHP 3,495), Lenovo

DAVAO CITY... FROM3

merable activities allowed during a Modified General Community Quarantine.”

The EO also noted the need to control the cases in the city because of the “full occupancy of the COVID-19 beds” in the SPMC and the “almost full capacity of COVID-19 wards of other hospitals.”

Within this twoweek period, Chiew explained that all individuals will be assumed to be COVID-19-positive, requiring all persons to stay at home to recover and prevent spreading the infection to others.

He said lockdowns were effective in putting the surge in Cebu and Manila under control.

Healthcare systeme overwhelmed “All these point to one obvious fact: our healthcare system is overwhelmed.

That’s why the medical community called for a lockdown to arrest this COVID surge so that the healthcare system of Davao can recover. That’s the whole point of the call for a lockdown,” he said.

He said sustaining lower cases needs discipline.

Chiew was alarmed that as new cases are hitting record highs, isolation centers are starting to bring in double-decked beds to increase their capacity, delays in picking up COVID-19 patients to be brought to SPMC and isolation facilities have been noted, and healthcare workers are getting infected with the disease.

“Healthcare workers are getting sick. Many doctors and nurses have been COVID patients themselves.

Opening up more hospitals and centers is out of the question since staffing is now a problem,” he said.

As of November 14, Davao City reported 5,114 cases, comprising 69% of the 7,361 total COVID-19 cases in the region, according to the Department of Health-Davao.

Of this figure, 387 cases were recorded in Davao de Oro, 797 in Davao del Norte, 561 in Davao del Sur, 110 in Davao Occidental, and 392 in Davao Oriental.

Davao Region, which tops the number of cases among Mindanao’s six regions, has 2,281 active, 4,822 recoveries, and 258

L22e-20 (PHP 4,995), and the Lenovo G25-10 (PHP 9,995) gaming monitor. Designed to be an everyday workhorse, the Lenovo D19-10 offers a hassle-free user experience and gets any job done in clarity with its 18.5” 1366x768 resolution display, 200 nits of brightness, and 16:9 aspect ratio. The L22e-10, on the other hand, comes with Lenovo’s Near Edgeless 21.5” Full HD display that allows for incredible clarity while watching videos or creating content for work. It also has an innovative Quick Release Tilt Stand and easier connectivity with its VGA, HDMI, and audio jack ports.

Lastly, with just a price tag of PHP 9,995, the Lenovo G25-10 is the best value-for-money gaming monitor out now. It contains many features found in high-end gaming monitors that improve overall gameplay, such as a 144Hz refresh rate, a 1ms GtG response time,72% NTSC color accuracy panel that enables impeccable color quality, and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility, which adds smoother visual delivery with virtually no screen tearing and stuttering.

Lenovo’s monitors are available in all Lenovo and Legion concept stores and Lenovo authorized resellers nationwide. They can also be availed from Lenovo Official Flagship stores in Lazada. For more information, visit thewebsite<lenovo.com/ph> or reach out via Facebook to Lenovo Philippines<fb. com/lenovophilippines>, Legion Philippines<fb. com/lenovolegionPH>, or Think PC Philippines<fb. com/ThinkPCPhilippines>.

deaths, DOH-Davao said.

Out of 5,114 cases in Davao City, 1,762 are active; 3,142 are recoveries and 216 are deaths.

Bleak scenario At the rate COVID-19 situation is going, Chiew said: “It won’t be long for us to see COVID patients on stretchers outside of hospital entrances waiting for vacant beds or for healthcare workers having to play God in choosing whom to give the limited ventilators to.”

He said medical workers understand the implication of imposing a lockdown on the local economy, which would be costly on the part of the local government.

“The economic impact is tremendous. But I refuse to believe Davao does not have the money to assist the communities. If the Davao City Council can allot money for Davao thru the Mayor to extend help to Typhoon victims in Luzon, I’m pretty sure we have the money to help our very own for two weeks,” he added.

Last Friday, Dr. Ashley Lopez, focal person for COVID-19 of DOH in the city, said the city government, which derives its income from the business sector, could not sustain if it were to provide support to the affected persons, particularly food assistance and other forms of subsidy for the duration of a stricter quarantine status.

“In my point of view, there are economic considerations that we should think about when we try to impose something, especially MECQ (Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine) or ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine). It will compromise so many, and primarily it will affect the business sector… What will we sustain for the people? If you impose ECQ or MECQ, you have to provide for each and everyone,” he added.

He said local authorities have been in the thick of things on what possible options to address the problem without resorting to ECQ or modified ECQ. Health and economy Chiew said the medical community would be put to shame if it erred in recommend a lockdown, and it would be costly on the government, but he main-

tained that this would not result in additional victims of COVID-19.

“Kung ang political leaders magkamali sa desisyon na di mag- lockdown, mas maraming magkakasakit at mamamatay!” (If the political leaders err in deciding against a lockdown, more people will get sick and die!), Chiew stressed.

“If we delay making decisions about COVID-19 control measures, eventually the virus will force us to make them, maybe not now but a few weeks later. Eventually, it will be the political leaders who will have to make the call. The medical community can only recommend,” he added.

Duterte, in her “special hour” over the city-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Friday said the recommendation of the private doctors to put the city under a stricter quarantine status must be raised with the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID-19 (RIATF).

Duterte said that the RIATF, chaired by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Davao director Alex C. Roldan, has been delegated with the authority to make a classification and impose a quarantine status on a local government unit (LGU).

“It was not a request.

It was a recommendation.

We told them to raise their recommendation with the RIATF because it’s the correct body to discuss, recommend, and impose community quarantine for the LGU… Much like before, when IATF was the one making the announcement on the community quarantine classifications of cities and municipalities. Such function has been delegated to the RIATF,” she said.

The local chief executive said the local government did not receive an “appeal” for a “timeout” from the medical frontliners.

She added the letter was a “recommendation” from the members of Davao Medical Society for a “lockdown.”

The RIATF convened a meeting with doctors and attended by the mayor on Saturday afternoon but whatwas resolved during the meeting has not been made public. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

9 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 186 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

Going bananas

I

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

f there is a tropical fruit that can be considered as a counterpart of temperate’s apple, then it’s banana. After all, most of the parts of the fruit – and even the leaves – have been found to have multifarious uses.

In popular culture and commerce, “banana” usually refers to soft, sweet “dessert” bananas that are usually eaten raw. The bananas from a group of cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called plantains, and are generally used in cooking rather than eaten raw. The word “banana” is derived from the Arabic word “finger.”

Banana is one of the most healthful fruits the world has known. Alexander the Great was so fascinated by the virtues of this fruit that he described it as “the heavenly fruit that tastes like nectar sweetened in honey.”

Health experts claim that bananas are low in protein, free of fats but high in energy. A fully ripe banana has 20-25 percent sugar. It has significant amounts of B-vitamins, especially B1 and B6. B1 is a brain tonic whereas B6 relieves, in particular, uncomfortable symptoms of the pre-menstrual tension syndrome like irritability, headaches, tender breasts, and water retention.

According to a recent survey undertaken in the United States among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

“One medium-sized banana boasts of 100-125 kilo calories, 4-5 grams fiber, about 400 milligrams potassium, 17 milligrams calcium, 36 milligrams phosphorus and traces of other minerals like iron,” said Professor Kanwar, an eminent biophysicist who writes for the Health Tribune.

By the way, when you compare banana to an apple, banana has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. Perhaps, it is high time to change that wellknown American phrase to “A banana a day keeps the doctor away.”

Aside from coconut, banana can be considered as “the tree of life.” Dondon Carlo P. Lejano, in an article which appeared in the quarterly publication of Bureau of Agricultural Research, wrote: “Aside from being eaten fresh, the ripe fruit can also be processed into jam, candies, and purees. On the other hand, the unripe bananas may be processed into starch and chips. Banana extracts can also be processed into wine, catsup and vinegar.”

Banana features prominently in Philippine cuisine, being part of traditional dishes and desserts like maruya, turon, and halo-halo. Most of these dishes use the saba or cardaba banana cultivar.

Banana hearts are used

as a vegetable in South Asian and Southeast Asian cuisine, either raw or steamed with dips or cooked in soups, curries and fried foods. The flavor resembles that of artichoke. As with artichokes, both the fleshy part of the bracts and the heart are edible.

The banana leaves have their uses, too. The leaves are large, flexible, and waterproof; they are used in many ways, including as umbrellas and to wrap food for cooking, carrying and packing cooked foods. In south India, food is traditionally served on banana leaves in homes and some restaurants also follow the practice.

The banana plant has long been a source of fiber for high quality textiles. In Japan, banana cultivation for clothing and household use dates back to at least the 13th century. In the Japanese system, leaves and shoots are cut from the plant periodically to ensure softness. Harvested shoots are first boiled in lye to prepare fibers for yarn-making.

History records showed bananas were mentioned for the first time in written history in Buddhist texts in 600 BC. Alexander the Great discovered the taste of the banana in the valleys of India in 327 BC. The existence of an organized banana plantation could be found in China in 200 AD. In 650 AD, Islamic conquerors brought the banana to Palestine. In the Middle Ages, both Moslems and Christians thought that the banana was the forbidden fruit of paradise.

Today, bananas are one of the most popular fruits around the world. Bananas are grown in 132 countries worldwide, more than any other fruit crop. India leads in global banana production,

representing approximately 23 percent of the worldwide crop but most are consumed domestically. In Asia, bananas are also grown in Indonesia, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, among others.

In the Philippines, bananas are grown mostly in Mindanao, where a total land area of 208,190 hect-

ares is planted to the crop.

Luzon has a total of 123,594 hectares devoted to bananas, while Visayas has 85,971 hectares.

There are several kinds of bananas grown in the country but the most popular ones are the latundan, lakatan, and saba. These are mostly grown in the backyard or as a component in an intercropping scheme with minimum care and management.

Cavendish is the export variety grown by commercial banana plantations in southern Philippines, particularly in Davao.

“Banana is the prime fruit commodity of the country in terms of area planted and commercial value. It is our most economically important fruit crop and the only locally grown fruit available year-round,” said the editorial of the PCARRD Farm News, published by the Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

Unfortunately, the fruit is on a crash course toward extinction. “Not all is well with our bananas…” said a policy briefing issued by the PCAARRD. “The world today is endangered with the banana apocalypse – the emergence and evolution of the dreadful banana bunchy top (BBT), banana streak, banana bract mosaic, and fusarium wilt,” the policy briefing warned.

“In the Philippines, BBT remained in most farms that

brought considerable damages to prime banana-producing provinces in the country,” it added. “Diseases have even evolved and multiplied, which created new banana monsters, such as the black sigatoka, bugtok, moko, and other infectious diseases of quarantine concern.”

Among these diseases, the most common is sigatoka. Caused by fungi, it dries off the leaf surface. The disease is spread in two ways: by water (which carries the conidia or asexual form of reproduction) from the upper to the lower leaves and suckers and by wind (which carries the ascospores or sexual form of reproduction) in all directions.

There are actually two forms: black and yellow sigatoka. “The symptoms of black sigatoka are sometimes not distinguishable from those of yellow sigatoka, especially in the advanced stages of necrosis, which are very similar,” said a website. “The difference is however evident at the early stages of evolution.”

At first, small whitish spots are only visible on the lower surface of the leaf.

Then, brown rusty streaks are visible especially at the lower surface. From there, brown streaks lengthen and widen. From brown, it turns to black, round or elliptical broad stripes.

The lesions then become black, usually surrounded by a yellow halo. In the last

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(RestoDC) and I personally, submitted recommendations and they were implemented. If she cannot legally act on them, she refers the matter to the right body – oftentimes the City Council. And we’ve met with city council leaders on numerous occasions. As we still do,” he said.

Lizada added that the mayor also consults other groups. He cited that some four or five months ago she commissioned a reputable company to do a Davao City Covid Assessment and Impact Report. “I have yet to hear of an LGU leader who has done this. Just recently the report was shared with the private sector association leaders and key city officials. She attended this briefing from start to finish and addressed questions/ comments. The key output of that presentation: formation of 3 clusters to assist the LGU in whatever way they can. I hope the

mayor will cause the immediate formation of the clusters.”

Lizada believes that the mayor does not favor any group. He said she has her medical consultants but she makes herself available to all.

“That last two or three days I know that she had met with a group of Dabawenyo doctors who wants a lockdown. But she also met with a different set of Dabawenyo doctors who presented a different approach to addressing the infection issue. Lastly, perhaps because of these openness to new ideas, she is flexible. She comes out with her own E.O.s the IATF community quarantine classification notwithstanding,” he said.

Lizada cited one negative factor which was the drag racing event in Davao City last October 18, 2020 that was held amidst the easing of quarantine mea-

sures.

“But if the approval of an event - which flies against practically every provision of the IATF quarantine guidelines, can happen, it is not impossible that special favors – not only in similar events, are being extended. I hope this propensity to accommodate has since been addressed,” he said.

All in all, for Lizada the mayor is exhibiting exceptional leadership qualities during these difficult times.

“It’s no mean feat to be a leader at this time,” Lizada added.

Meanwhile, environmental group Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) Inc., rated Mayor Sara’s leadership and handling of Covid-19 with 6.9 grade.

Chinkie Peliño-Golle, executive director of IDIS, said the group commended the mayor for her leadership competence, providing directive to department

heads, fast tracking of budget releases for all LGU employees and auxiliary work force.

“Also very good Info dissemination through disaster radio, responsiveness in various levels providing info at various media platforms, and issuance of EO for IATG with strict protocols,” she said.

However, IDIS perceived the “unclear” and changing local policies on Covid-19 as negative point for the mayor. Other negative points cited are weak handling and monitoring of public activities during pandemic resulting to increasing number of cases; QR issues with problem on its future management and privacy issues; poor waste (including medical wastes) monitoring and management; and re-alignment of budget for important programs and activities which could have been conducted observing strict protocols.

has distributed 1,305,454 grocery packs to 448,312 households in all 182 barangays of the city during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period.

A total of 70, 994 food packs were also given to workers of establishments and sectors who remain to be affected by the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

-There’s also the Work for Davao Cash for Work initiative has provided cash assistance to at least 20,180 Dabawenyos who lost their jobs amidst this pandemic.

-Along with this, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment has also helped jeepney drivers whose incomes have been greatly reduced because of the distancing requirements in public transportation.

-The Eskwela Davao, an educational assistance grant for children of families who lost their source of income or have reduced income due to the pandemic, has helped 22,000 students of which 4,500 are Junior High School; 4,500 are Senior High School; 10,000 are elementary; and, 3,000 are kindergarten. The beneficiaries are set to receive cash assistance ranging from P1,000 to P3,000 each.

-Two private donors also generously supported the families with three or more learners with 300 laptops under the Student Siblings Laptop Sharing Project and 100 tablets for the Students Siblings Tablet Sharing Project to help them with their online school work.

-The mayor also reported the projects she hopes to

finish during the end of her term in June 2022. These projects are the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) project, Waste to Energy Project, and the Interim Bus System, which is suffering setbacks because of the fear of investors in not being able to deliver the contract on time due to the Covid-19 global economic loss.

-The city government of Davao is working together with local consultants in figuring out how to layout the bus and bike lanes on the city’s roads. She said the city has already sent out letters for the possible collaboration with private landowners for bus terminals and depots in Toril, Lasang-Bunawan and Calinan areas.

-Mayor Sara said the city is continuously monitoring the Davao City Bypass Project, the Davao-Samal Bridge, and the Davao City Coastal Road Project.

-The recently created Davao River and Coastal Road Monitoring Team has helped with the voluntary removal by owners of numerous makeshift houses along and atop river dikes, which are considered as danger zones.

-Magsaysay Park and Sta. Ana Port development efforts are also on hold while awaiting completion of the coastal road to ensure that any investment in these properties are not rendered useless by a possible redesign due to the coastal road.

-The city has completed two new parks – the Candelaria Park and the McArthur Highway Park, and is now in the bidding for a park along the Dona Vicenta subdivision area.

-The city will start the Phase 1 of the development

of the Roxas Avenue Park funded by DBM. -The mayor also reported that the security status of the city has remained to be on high alert since 2016 and this year, a 53 percent decrease in index crimes was recorded as it dropped from 658 to 306 in the previous year.

-The non-index crimes, on the other hand, increased to 74 percent, from 2887 to 4189 crimes, due to the increased apprehensions on the violation of Covid-19 health protocols.

-Peace 911 continues to work in establishing lasting peace commitments from the residents in the area of Paquibato. Along with this, the city is also working on the establishment of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Extension Campus and a Police Station in Barangay Malabog, and a District Hall and City Mayor’s Extension Office in Barangay Paquibato Proper.

-She said the donated houses built on the Los Amigos Relocation Site are almost fully occupied and the private companies complying with their housing regulation mandate have recently finished the site development of the Lasang Relocation Area and she hopes to see the National Housing Authority (NHA) to build these homes soon.

-The City Economic Enterprise Office has funds for the purchase of property for the establishment of cemeteries in both the North and South side of the City. The development of the Tagakpan Cemetery and the repair of Toril, Mintal, and Bankerohan Public Markets, and the completion of

Agdao Public Market are all underway.

-It is also the long-term plan of the city to improve on the local government center in San Pedro St. and expand the open spaces in Rizal Park and create an underground parking.

-The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has its own 4-storey building and the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) building is currently under construction; adjacent to it is also the construction of the City Health Office (CHO) building.

-Within the People’s Park compound, the newly built Tourism and DCIPC building is ready for occupancy, the Museo Dabawenyo is undergoing construction and the MICE building will soon follow.

-Other infrastructure projects that will start soon are the Halfway House for the Mentally Unwell Vagrants and the Davao City Special Needs Intervention Center. The disaster office is busy completing the evacuation center in Brgy. Mahayag and finalizing requirements for other possible sites.

-The mayor also mentioned the three projects which are equally important but has been pushed back beyond her term for various reasons, the least priority of which is the expansion of the City Hall Building, which is moved to no definite date.

-The City College of Davao which was targeted to open August this year is moved to June 2023.

-The third is the Davao City Hospital in partnership with the University of the Philippines Mindanao, which will probably materialize in 2024.

port-related services of government agencies, financing institutions, startups, and other trade-relat-

ed organizations.

“The exhibit provides a venue where exporters can get all the requisite export

knowledge and professional guidance necessary in navigating the vast and intricate network of busi-

nesses across the global market and break new grounds internationally,” the DTI-EMB said.

from discussing parameters for trades,” he wrote.

One hot name: New

Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday. According to sources, around 10 teams

are inquiring about his services and one team hot after him is the Denver

Nuggets, eager to capitalize on their appearance in the West Finals.”

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Jameson and Joao’s 'My Lockdown Romance' drops on SKY Pay-Per-View

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ghost from Jameson Blake’s past comes back to haunt him as his estranged friend Joao Constancia returns to reconnect in another much-awaited BL film from Star Cinema, "My Lockdown Romance," which will premiere worldwide on CineXpress via SKY Movies Pay-Per-View on November 13.

In the latest film directed by Bobby Bonifacio, Jr., Jameson stars as Tom, a young adult whose suppressed feelings resurface as his college friend Kendrick, played by Joao, comes back from Hawaii to make amends. As they become friends once more, Tom begins to question Kendrick’s true intentions, sensing the latter’s old and undesirable behavior have not gone away.

Will Tom find healing this time or will the bridge between him and Kendrick burn for good?

SKY subscribers can avail of Star Cinema's new-

est movie commercial-free and in high definition via its pay-per-view service from November 13 to 26, with 48hour access upon purchase, for only P150.

Alongside the premiere of "My Lockdown Romance" this November, SKY Movies Pay-Per-View will also bring home viewers on a journey to different parts of the world through “#Wanderlust," exclusively brought to you by CinemaWorld.

From November 13 to December 17, let your imagination travel through 12 international films set in destinations from around the globe, such as in Mongolia, Poland, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Turkey, South Africa, France, and more. See the wonders of the world for only P99, unlimited viewing.

SKY subscribers with SKYcable, SKY Fiber with HD Cable TV, and SKY Fiber with All-In Box subscription can avail of these pay-per-view movie offerings. Visit mysky. com.ph for more details.

the identified vulnerable groups. “This represents the population of the vulnerable groups for us to rule out the silent community transmission,” he said.

The individuals who were subjected to the risk-testing have agreed to limit their movement and log their daily activities until the results are released through a waiver and disclaimer form they were made to sign. “They will not be isolated since this is a risk-testing, however, their movements are limited and they will be strictly monitored,” Dr. Bersaldo added.

He said that the strict monitoring of their movement will be implemented while the province is still waiting for the implementation of the QR code system which is set to supplement contact tracing efforts of the province.

Dr. Bersaldo said that while the province has received loads of COVID-19 results in the recent days

which indicates that there is no community transmission in Davao Oriental, this does not mean that the province is letting its guards down. “That’s why the province is undergoing a massive risk-testing activity. That is why the province will be implementing stricter tourism guidelines and intensifying its BIDA campaign down to the barangay level,” he said.

Following the municipality of Baganga, the Task Force is set to conduct another risk testing this week in the municipality of Governor Generoso. A risk-testing will also be conducted in the City of Mati in December.

The three LGUs -- Baganga, Governor Generoso, and City of Mati -- are the top three areas in the province prioritized by Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang for the risk-testing since these are the areas frequented by tourists from outside the province. KLD-PIO

MSMEs that were affected," Lopez said.

The DTI said it is also

constantly monitoring the prices in the typhoon-affected areas.

stage, the center of the stain dries up with a black halo, itself surrounded by a yellow halo.

“Black sigatoka is more virulent than yellow sigatoka,” the website claims.

“Symptoms appear on younger leaves and cause more damage to the foliar system. The economic and environmental consequences are more important: yield losses, reduced shelf life, heavier maintenance tasks (deleafing) and increased plant protection (spraying).”

But there’s good news.

Black sigatoka can be corrected by using the ionic copper concentrate (ICC), a fungicide and bactericide.

“ICC is a unique mineral based which offers performance at low doses to control and prevent fungal and bacterial plant diseases affecting crops,” explains the EPI Phil, the corporation dis-

tributing innovative technological breakthrough products in the market today.

“ICC’s unique formulation is based on the natural anti-microbial properties of mineral ions which are essential for plants,” said EPI Phil, whose mission is to develop and offer options that are excellent quality, effective and eco-friendly. “It is specifically formulated for use to control the diseases affecting plantation crops.”

Studies have shown that ICC can help combat black sigatoka. In addition, ICC has been proven to fight such diseases as finger rot, corm rot and moko on banana and pineapple plantations in the country.

Other products EPI Phil is distributing include Purespray Green (spray oil for scale insect and mealy bug), Xtend (plant oil adjuvant), and Zivion P.

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Lakers bound to lose Green

T

Phoenix guard Matthew Wright was named PBA Player of the Week. PBA Images

Wright leads PBA ‘bubble MVP’ race

M

atthew Wright of Phoenix is way ahead of the pack in the race for the best player of the Philippine Basketball Association bubble season.

As copies of the statistical points (SP’s) race as of the end of the elimination round were handed to the media on Sunday, the Phoenix guard was revealed to be leading with 39.5 average SP’s.

Terrafirma’s CJ Perez, the top scorer after the regular season with 24.4 points per game, is second in the SP race with 35.7,

while Wright’s fellow Fuel Master Jason Perkins is third with 35.5.

However, with Terrafirma already eliminated and Phoenix heading to the semifinals, Perkins can overtake Perez once the quarterfinal stats are to be tallied as well.

Also in the running is TNT’s Ray-Ray Parks, who is fourth after the elimi-

Davis opts out of contract

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os Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has declined his $28.7 million player option for the final year of his deal to become a free agent, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Davis had one year left on the five-year, $127 million deal he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016, however, it is widely expected he will re-sign with the Lakers long-term following their championship success last season.

The 27-year-old enjoyed a successful season in his first year with the purple and gold, lifting the Larry O'Brien trophy as he helped the Lakers secure their first championship since 2010.

"I had a great time in L.A. this first year," Davis said following their NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat.

"This has been nothing but joy, nothing but amazement. Over the next couple of months, we'll figure it out. I mean, I'm not 100 percent sure, but that's why my agent [Rich Paul] is who he is, and we'll discuss it and figure it out."

Averaging 26.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game in the regular season, he was named to the All-NBA First Team for the fourth time in his career and earned an All-Defensive First Team selection for the second time in his career.

nations with 35.2 average SP’s.

In fifth is NorthPort’s Chris Standhardinger with 34.6 average SP’s while Parks’ fellow Tropang Giga players RR Pogoy (34.3) and Jayson Castro (33.6) are sixth and seventh respectively.

Meanwhile, Roosevelt Adams is the leading contender for Rookie of the Year.

The Dyip forward is the top freshman after the regular season with 20.3 SP’s.

Meralco’s Aaron Black

is second with 18.7, but the second round pick of last year’s regular draft can overtake the top regular pick with Meralco making the quarterfinals and even sending its series against San Miguel to sudden death.

Black scored 14 points, three rebounds, and one steal in the Bolts’ Game 1 win against the Beermen on Friday.

Both Meralco and SMB will face off later Sunday for the right to face Ginebra in the semifinals.

(PNA)

he Lakers are expected to part ways with Danny Green and trade in Dennis Schroder but there could be another casualty.

Meanwhile, up to 10 teams are understood to be interested in Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday but one is considered the strongest threat of them all.

GREEN NOT THE ONLY ONE ON THE WAY OUT OF LA The wheels are in motion at Los Angeles to secure a trade for Dennis Schroder and it is expected to come at the expense of Danny Green but he is not the only Laker on the way out.

Schroder is expected to send the 28th overall pick in the NBA draft and will be a quality option in the Lakers back-court.

Schroder is owed $15.5 million next season while Green is expecting $15.3 million meaning that it works for both parties.

But the push for the German guard from Oklahoma City is also reported to be a sign that another key piece is heading away from Los Angeles.

The New York Times’ Marc Stein reports that trading for Schroder was a pre-emptive move before the expected departure of Rajon Rondo.

The Lakers are making the trade for Oklahoma City’s Dennis Schroder under the strong belief that they will be losing Rajon Rondo in free agency, league sources say,” Stein tweeted.

“After his role in helping the Lakers win a championship with a particularly strong playoff run, Rondo is expected to command free-agent interest that exceeds the Lakers’ budget constraints. Trading for Schroder is an adroit pre-emptive move.”

Schroder shot an impressive 38.5 per cent from beyond the arc last year and while he does not have the same vision as Rondo, he is quickly developing as a creator on the floor.

CLEAR CONTENDER FOR HOLIDAY There is a new contender for New Orleans Pelicans star Jrue Holiday with the Denver Nuggets seen as a “strong threat” to a host of teams in the mix for his services.

Sports Illustrateds’ Chris Mannix reports that the Nuggets are one of “several” teams in the running for the trade.

It only adds more momentum to a similar claim from Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill in late October.

Back then he reported that the Nuggets were at the top of the list of sides competing for Holiday.

“Even though official league business hasn’t begun for next season, it hasn’t stopped teams

FLAKERS, P10

Reports have it that Danny Green will be dealt in a trade for OKC guard Dennis Schroder.

Lakers star center Anthony Davis has exercised his opt out option to become a free agent.

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OUT OF THE BUBBLE Meralco dethrones SMB as PBA PH Cup champ

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eralco Bolts put an end to San Miguel Beermen’s long reign as PBA Philippine Cup champion after a 90-68 rout in their knockout quarterfinal match at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga.

The Bolts clobbered the Beermen early on, holding them to just 11 first quarter points and quickly opening a double-digit spread that would balloon to as high as 28 points.

Meralco pulled away for good after dropping 32 third quarter points.

Cliff Hodge and Baser Amer each made 14 points for the Bolts, who made the Philippine Cup semifinals for the first time ever and became only the 16th team to completely overcome a twice-to-

beat disadvantage in the playoffs.

They will next play Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, a rematch of last year’s Governors’ Cup Finals.

Mo Tautuaa and Marcio Lassiter each made 20 markers for the Beermen, who dearly missed June Mar Fajardo all bubble season long and Terrence Romeo the rest of the way as they saw their dominance as the “Kings of the all-Filipino” that lasted for five years come to an end.

(PNA)

Meralco forward Chris Newsome gets challenged by SMB defenders Moala tautuaa and Arwind Santos. PBA Images