Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 227 | Sunday-Monday, January 10-11, 2021

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Pag-asa’s loss impacts PEF’s education program STORY ON PAGE 2

Pag-asa, the first Philippine Eagle successfully bred and hatched at the Philippine Eagle Center at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City, passed away on January 6. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

Farewell, Pag-asa

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he Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) announced the sad passing of the first captivity-bred Philippine Eagle, Pag-asa.

Pag- asa succumbed to infections associated with Trichomoniasis and Aspergillosis. Both diseases are fatal for raptors.

Although treatment was done over a week ago, he continued to deteriorate and died at 8:03 pm on January 6.

The PEF said Pag-asa would have turned 29 years old on Jan 15, 2021.

He was the first-ever Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity using the cooperative artificial insemination techniques.

Pag-asa’s birth- the culmination of 14 years worth of research, herald-

PAG-ASA AND THE EDITOR. Pag-asa, the first Philippine Eagle bred in captivity through artificial insemination, died last week (see story). He is photographed with Edge Davao editor Antonio Ajero minutes before being

transferred to a big cage where he could fly in a much bigger space more than a decade ago. Photo by Rene Fernandez

BIG LOSS Pag-asa’s loss impacts PEF’s education program

By MAYA M. PADILLO he passing of celebrated Philippine Eagle Pag-asa will impact in the educational program of the center where he played a crucial role in raising public awareness on the efforts to conserve the Philippine eagle.

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This was the impression of Dennis Joseph Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Pag-asa, the first Philippine Eagle bred and hatched at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City, has died at 28.

PEF announced on Thursday the passing of Pag-asa after succumbing to infections associated with Trichomoniasis and Aspergillosis. Both diseases are fatal for raptors. Although treatment was done over a week ago, he contin-

ued to deteriorate and died at 8:03 pm on January 6, 2021.

“In practical terms, wala kaayo impact kay retired from breeding naman si Pag-asa. His loss, however, will be felt more in our educational program where he played a crucial role in raising public awareness and pride for our natural heritage,” Salvador said in a text message.

In a statement released

by PEF, Pag-asa would have turned 29 years old on Jan 15, 2021. He was the first-ever Philippine Eagle

bred and hatched in captivity using the cooperative artificial insemination (CAI) techniques and his birththe culmination of 14 years of research, heralded hope for the critically endangered species and the entire conservation mission.

Years after he was hatched, the PEF reached yet another milestone with Pag-asa in the form of his first and only offspring named Mabuhay and was also bred and hatched through CAI. Mabuhay was hatched on February 9, 2013 and is known to be the first offspring of Pagasa (first ever Philippine Eagle bred and hatched in captivity) and Kalinawan (originally from Zamboanga del Sur).

The statement also said that even after he retired from breeding, Pag-asa

olice and military authorities in North Cotabato have been placed on alert following a bomb scare in Kidapawan City.

Mayor Joseph Evangelista said on Saturday additional police personnel in various police quarantine checkpoints have been deployed to the city

to ensure terrorist activities do not prosper.

On Thursday afternoon, an unattended item that contained a mobile phone with wirings, wrapped in a loaf of bread, and placed at the rear portion of a Yellow Bus unit triggered fear at the Kidapawan City bus terminal.

Lt. Col. Ramel Hojilla, city police chief, said the item was not a bomb.

“It was detonated by the explosives ordnance disposal team using a blasting cap and water disruptor after the bus management claimed that a man informed them the bus has a bomb,” Hojilla said.

lived his life as an icon of hope for Filipinos, young and old, and was a constant inspiration to the people working tirelessly to save the national bird from extinction.

The PEF, established in 1987, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to promote, and work for, the survival of the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), which is also known as the monkey-eating eagle and is considered one of the world’s largest and rarest eagles.

According to the PEF, the Philippine Eagle “is the top predator of the Philippine tropical rainforest” and “plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem in balance and provides an umbrella of protection to all other life forms in its territory.”

In a separate interview, Olympio Par, manager of Yellow Bus - Kidapawan, said the incident was pure harassment by a still unidentified extortion group.

Evangelista said additional security measures were in place at the Kidapawan City terminal

Kidapawan imposes stricter checkpoints after bomb scare

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ed hope for the critically endangered species and the entire conservation mission.

Years after he was hatched, the PEF reached yet another milestone with Pag-asa in the form of his first and only offspring. She was named Mabuhay and was also bred and hatched through CAI. “Even after he retired from breeding, Pag-asa lived his life as an icon of hope for Filipinos, young and old, and was a constant inspiration to the people working tirelessly to save our National Bird from extinction,” PEF said in a statement.

“Pag-asa was gone too soon indeed, but his legacy lives on,” said PEF. (With PEF PR)

Sara bares Davao City's Covid-19 vaccine plan

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avao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte yesterday, January 8, bared that the city government of Davao has no budget ceiling for COVID-19 vaccines being planned for purchase for the targeted 1.2 million of the total 1.8 million Dabawenyos once the COVID-19 immunization program rolls out in the city.

Duterte, in her regular Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) program, said she met online with the United Kingdom (UK) manufacturer AstraZeneca on Friday morning, January 8, and both parties look forward to their agreement.

“We already signed the non-disclosure agreement. Nakakuha nata og commitment na hatagan ta opportunity makapalit og bakuna sa ilaha gamit ang kwarta sa city government of Davao (We got their commitment to give us the opportunity to procure vaccines from them through the city government of Davao funds),” the mayor said.

However, the city won’t be buying the vaccines directly from the manufacturer but through the national government. Hence, the city will purchase the AstraZeneca vaccines via a tripartite agreement with the national government.

Since no vaccine maker can deliver the vaccines that would cover the 1.2 million Dabawenyos, the number, which experts said is needed for the city to achieve herd immunity from the deadly coronavirus, the vaccines will be delivered by tranches or batches from various manufacturers.

“Assuming that with a population of 1.8 million, so 1.2 million kinahanglan mabakunahan.

Assuming tag two doses ang vaccines, so 2.4 million vaccines tanan, walay makadeliver ana to any city by any vaccine maker.

Atong buhaton makig-istorya ta sa daghan kaayong vaccine makers, especially sa mga dunay intent nga mu apply for EUA or prod-

uct certification diri sa atoa sa Pilipinas (Assuming that we have a population of 1.8 million, we need to immunize 1.2 million. If each vaccine has two doses, we would need 2.4 million vaccines and no manufacturer can deliver that to any city. We will talk to as many vaccine makers, especially those who have intent to apply for emergency use authorization or product certification in the Philippines),” she explained.

But Duterte reiterated that the city’s immunization program will only augment that of the national government. The city government, according to her, will only cover what the national government could no longer accommodate.

Among the national government’s priority list are frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and non-medical frontline workers such as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, among others.

If the COVID-19 immunization of these five priorities will be shouldered by the national government, the mayor said the city will focus on others needed to be given free vaccination.

She also said that AstraZeneca, so far, is the only manufacturer that is ready to sign contracts with local government units (LGUs).

Other vaccine makers opt to just negotiate with the national government’s representative, the Department of Health.

Duterte was scheduled to meet another manufacturer on Friday afternoon, January 8.

“We will be buying all the vaccines that may be sold to us by different vaccine makers,” she said, adding that no company can deliver vaccines in bulk and if one type of vaccine has side effects, not all city residents will be affected as different kinds

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NEWS 3

Metrobank, GT Foundation, ADDU inaugurate molecular lab F

By MAYA M. PADILLO rom more than 1,000 samples per day, the testing capacity of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is expected to increase with the recent inauguration of a P18-million molecular laboratory.

Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) OIC hospital head Dr. Ricardo Audan says during the virtual blessing and inauguration of SPMC's new molecular laboratory that with the increasing Covid-19 cases that the institution is receiving, its existing laboratory is definitely not enough. The

newly built molecular laboratory, which was constructed by Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) thru an P18 million donation by the Metrobank Foundation and George Ty Foundation, marked an opportunity for SPMC to elevate technology wise. Edge Davao

Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and George Ty Foundation, together with Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), inaugurated SPMC’s molecular laboratory in Bajada, Davao City on Friday.

Metrobank Foundation and George Ty Foundation donated P18 million to construct and equip the facility capable of running 200 Covid-19 samples per day.

“With the increasing cases that we are receiving, our existing laboratory is definitely not enough.

There are also times that we cannot meet the needs of the region anymore so with the new molecular laboratory we are very much excited to be embarking new beginnings because this means more and more people will be benefited because more blood samples would be catered by SPMC,” said

Dr. Ricardo Audan, OIC of SPMC, in a digital blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremonies held via Zoom videoconferencing platform on January 9, 2021.

According to Audan this new molecular laboratory also marked an opportunity for SPMC to elevate its testing capacity technology-wise.

“This laboratory symbolizes generosity. Since the pandemic hit in March in Davao City there have been countless stories about how everyone is helping one another from monetary financial healthcare systems our partners Metrobank and ADDU have been really generous to have donated this molecular laboratory,” he said.

Fr. Joel Tabora, president of ADDU, said the completion of the project is based to the specifications required including

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A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

Job opportunities available in 4 sectors amid pandemic: DOLE

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A porter crosses a pedestrian lane while pulling a cart full of merchandise at the junction of San Pedro Street and E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City over the weekend. Edge Davao

here are a lot of job opportunities available in four sectors as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a labor official said on Friday.

In a Laging Handa briefing, Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said these are the health sector, construction sector, business process outsourcing (BPO) and government agencies.

“First, for the health sector, the available jobs are for nurses, medical technicians, medical practitioners, and pharmacists.

These are what we are seeing in the different job boards with vacancies being offered,” she said.

Tutay added that there are a lot of opportunities in the construction sector due

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ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica led the on-the-spot inspections in Metro Manila that started this week to check LGUs compliance to the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and Efficient Delivery of Government Service Act, with provision directing government offices to set up their own BOSS. BOSS is a single-window system that streamlines application forms and submission of documents in government offices in one window only.

The e-BOSS, on the

other hand, uses the Electronic Business Permitting and Licensing System or eBPLS developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology allowing the public to perform government transactions online.

It also targets to fully automate transactions in LGUs from downloading of forms, using e-signature, up to online payment.

Among the LGUs that ARTA visited since Wednesday include Malabon City, Quezon City, Pasig City, and the latest inspection was in

Shopee delivery riders decry delayed salary, unpaid benefits

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undreds of gig economy delivery motorcycle riders express dismay at giant online seller Shopee and its contractors for delayed salary, unpaid incentives and benefits and non-payment of accident insurance.

Around 600 delivery riders working for Placer 8 Agency and Shopee to deliver various materials ordered by online buyers are set to file several labor complaints at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) against these companies over non-payment of salary and benefits since October 2020.

Prone to accidents and road mishaps, the riders also accused these online sellers of reneging on their commitment to provide them the accident insurance policy.

"We are gravely concerned over these mounting labor abuses on the

growing delivery and ridesharing gig industry workers. While there are no tailor-fit policies ensuring protection to these type of workers, we have to invoke, for now, existing labor laws for these abused riders, " said Neil Estrella, chairperson of Sakay Transport Cooperative.

According to Estrella, the gig industry economy is growing fast because of its practical and vital mobility role it is playing during this pandemic quarantine.

However, as the industry grows, it is also rife with fly-by-night and abusive online contractors and subcontractors victimizing riders who wanted to make a decent job and fair working conditions, Estrella said.

In November last year, hundreds of disgruntled Foodpanda delivery riders held a picket at the Department of Labor and Employ-

FSHOPEE, B1

Manila on Friday.

In his visit to Quezon City and Pasig City LGUs, Belgica lauds the LGUs’ effort to fully automate their transactions to make it easier for the public to do business with the government.

“Makikita mo yung trajectory talaga ng Quezon City. Ito ay also compliance din sa [directive ng] ating Pangulo to put everything online. Tamang tama yung kanilang motto na QC Biz Easy. Very soon sana makita natin pati yungonline payment (You can really see the trajectory of Quezon City. It is also in compliance with the directive of our President to put everything online. It perfectly fits their motto, QC Biz Easy.

We hope to see the online payment very soon),” said Belgica.

The ARTA team also vis-

ited Pasig City’s BOSS sites for business permit application and renewal process in its city hall and in Ayala Mall The 30th.

“I do hope that the initiatives of Pasig City will also be replicated by other LGUs and I believe that they would be fully automating within the next few months before June 17, which is the deadline,” the ARTA chief added.

Under the EODB law, LGUs have deadline until June 17, 2021 to establish their e-BOSS. “LGUs who will be found to be non-compliant with the requirements of the law shall receive Notice of Deficiencies and may be subjected to a formal investigation which may result to an administrative case,” he added. (PNA)

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DA ensures pork supply from Visayas, Mindanao as prices surge in Luzon

Set up ‘e-business one-stop shop’ T before June 17, ARTA reminds LGUs he Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Friday reminded local government units (LGUs) to automate their transactions before June 17, 2021, by putting up the electronic Business One-Stop Shop or the e-BOSS.

to the government's ongoing Build Build Build (BBB) program.

"Those needed are civil engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and architects. We also posting job vacancies on the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) website,” she added.

She also said the most resilient sector in terms of job opportunities during this time of a pandemic is the BPO sector.

“The very resilient sector is BPO. The Information Technology (IT), customer service representative, programmers, encoders, and also app and game developers are in demand,” she said.

She added that there are a lot of vacancies in government offices.

he Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday it is working on increasing the supply of pork to address high pork prices in the markets of Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon.

DA ASec. Kristine Evangelista in a briefing said pork supply from the Visayas and Mindanao will continuously flow to Luzon.

“Dahil nga po sa tinatawag nating law of supply and demand, kapag kulang po ang ating supply definitely mayroon pong paggalaw ng presyo. So iyan po ang dahilan kung bakit mayroon po tayong mga matataas na presyong nakikita lalo na pagdating sa baboy. Pero tuluy-tuloy po sir, nagpapadala pa rin po tayo ng baboy mula sa Visayas at Mindanao,” she said.

She said they are coordinating with the National Meat Inspection Service to check on the inventory status of hogs and frozen to determine if there really is enough supply for Luzon.

“This will also help and guide us kung tama ang price point ng ating mga traders na ipinapasa naman po sa ating mga tindera,” she said.

Evangelista noted that the African swine fever and the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the livestock industry which contributed to the low supply.

“Mayroon din po tayong ibang mga livestock raisers, mga poultry raisers po dati na medyo tumigil po ano, noong tinamaan po kasi tayo ng pandemya lalo na noong panahon ng ECQ (enhanced community quarantine). Mayroong mga ibang farm na hindi na nagpatuloy. Iyan po ay isa pang rason kung bakit affected po ang ating supply,” she said.

“Habang mataas ang presyo ng baboy sa ating mga public market, mayroon po tayong Kadiwa meat, ito po ay pasok sa ating SRP (suggested retail price) at ito po ay alternative place para makabili po sila ng baboy na tama po ang presyo,” she added.

A vendor displays platic flower pots at an entrance of a sundivision in Buhangin, Davao City over the weekend. Edge Davao

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY A2

A health worker in Cagayan de Oro City greets her daughter a happy 5th birthday through a hand heart and a message written on her personal protective equipment. She could not attend her daughter’s birthday celebration on January 6, 2021 because she was on duty in a COVID-19 ward. Contributed photo

Unemployment in PH soars to 10.2% due to pandemic M

GCash secures $175-M funding from New York-based investors

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ore than 420,000 Filipinos lost their jobs in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic affected the economy and forced businesses to close, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

This brought the country’s unemployment rate to 10.2 percent in 2020, based on the latest Labor Force Survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority, DOLE Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay said during the Laging Handa briefing Friday.

“Doon po sa monitoring naman ng Department of Labor and Employment ng job displacement, mahigit 420,000 po ang permanently nawalan ng trabaho, at meron din pong 4.5 million workers affected by flexible

work arrangement at temporary closure,” Tutay said.

The Labor Department has been allocated a total of P28.8 billion to assist affected workers, with a total of 3.4 million OFWs and in the informal and formal sectors benefiting from the DOLE’s CAMP, TUPAD and AKAP programs, according to the official.

Tutay said that the country has initiated a 3-year national employment recovery plan that will focus on 4 key areas: restarting of economic activities, res-

toration of business confidence, upgrading of the workforce, and facilitation to labor market access of job seekers.

“Inaasahan natin na maganda ang magiging outlook natin for 2021. Hindi man ito babalik doon sa pre-COVID pandemic situation, but at least malaki ang opportunity na makabangon na talaga ang ating ekonomiya at manggagawa.

Naka-focus sa businesses at mga manggagawa ang tinatawag na National Employment Recovery Strategy,” she explained.

Tutay said that for 2021, jobs in the sectors of health, construction, business process outsourcing (BPO), and the government will continue to be in demand.

“So ‘yong pangangailangan po sa mga nurses,

medical technologies, medical practitioners at saka sa mga pharmacists, iyan po ay nakikita po natin sa iba’t ibang job fairs na may mga bakante po na inu-offer,” she said.

The country’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program is also seen to help stave off unemployment this year, among other sectors.

“And then, of course, the very resilient sector is the Business Process Outsourcing. So iyong information technology, customer service representatives, programmers, encoders at saka po iyong mga app and game developers, iyan po ay in-demand. And asahan din po natin iyong mga offerings po na job vacancies or job positions po sa gobyer-

cerns over the resurgence of COVID-19 cases in the US, Japan, and some European countries," it said. "[This] reflected the adverse impact on investor sentiment amid the uncertainties surrounding the effect of a prolonged pandemic on the global economy," the central bank added.

October FDI posted lower net inflows as net investments in debt instruments decreased 16.8 percent to $358 million, while net equity capital investments also plummeted 98.2 percent to $1 million.

The bulk of equity capital placements were from Japan, the Cayman Islands,

and the United States, and invested mainly in manufacturing, real estate, and information and communication sectors.

January to October FDIs also posted $5.3-billion net inflows, down 10.2 percent from $5.3 billion in the same period in 2019, the central bank said.

FUNEMPLOYMENT, B1

Foreign investments down to $423 million in October

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oreign direct investments to the Philippines reached $423 million net inflows in October, a 24.5-percent drop versus a month ago on increasing COVID-19 cases, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Friday.

"The slowdown in FDI during the month may be attributed in part to con-

obile wallet GCash has secured a $175-million investment from New Yorkbased investors led by Bow Wave Capital Management, parent company Globe Fintech Innovations (Mynt) said Friday.

The transaction will raise the "valuation" of GCash to "close to $1 billion," Mynt said.

"Bow Wave supports the vision of Mynt to provide finance for all Filipinos. We are excited for this investment and we hope to add value to Mynt as it realizes its vision,” Itai Lemberger, Bow Wave founder

and CIO, said.

GCash facilitated over P1 trillion in in-app transactions and raised customers to 33 million in 2020 driven by the faster adoption of online payments and money transfers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We are further encouraged by the fact that Mynt’s momentum has continued, even as the country moved out of quarantine restrictions, suggesting a fundamental shift in our customers’ behavior towards a cashless lifestyle,” said Ernest L. Cu, chairman of the Board at Mynt.

PH's 1st crowdfunding platform gets SEC approval, to support MSMEs

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the operation of the first crowdfunding platform in the Philippines.

Conglomerate Filinvest Development Corp (FDC) said Friday it received SEC approval for its 50-50 joint venture (JV) with Investree Singapore.

The JV company will operate under the name Investree Philippines.

Investree aims to connect startups and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with institutional investors to boost their capital growth, FDC said.

"We believe that Investree is a good channel for SMEs to tap in their drive towards reestablishing and growing their businesses and contributing to the country’s economic recovery and growth," Josephine Gotianun-Yap, FDC President and CEO, said.

Investree Singapore started operating this crowdfunding model in Indonesia in 2015, serving its MSMEs. It then expanded to Thailand, and now the Philippines.

The country has been rallying with its efforts to support MSMEs as they comprise 99.5 percent of

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4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

On the passing of Pag-Asa, the first Philippine Eagle bred in captivity: Even after he retired from breeding, Pag-asa lived his life as an icon of hope for Filipinos, young and old, and was a constant inspiration to the people working tirelessly to save our National Bird from extinction. Pag-asa was gone too soon indeed, but his legacy lives on.”

Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

KNOWING PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE “The pandemic is still a major health crisis,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his opening remarks at the media briefing on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) last January 5 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

“We have entered a new phase of the pandemic, where solidarity is needed like never before,” said Dr. Tedros, who is the WHO Director-General. “We are in a race to save lives right now.”

He added that only if the world will act together as one, “we can win both races and get ahead of the virus while also limiting the opportunity for the virus to mutate further and threaten the health tools we currently have.”

Dr. Tedros was referring to the several COVID-19 vaccines now available for immunization.

“One year on from WHO issuing its first Disease Outbreak News report about this virus, more than 30 countries have started vaccinating their high-risk populations with various COVID-19 vaccines,” he pointed out.

The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has issued its policy recommendations for the rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

“The Pfizer-BioNTech

COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective,” SAGE pointed out. “Nevertheless, there are specific populations for whom vaccination is not recommended, either due to contraindications, lack of supply, or limited data.”

These populations currently include people with a history of severe allergies, most pregnant women, international travellers who are not part of a prioritized group, and children under 16.

“The priority is to start vaccinating health workers at high risk of exposure, followed by older adults, before immunizing the rest of the population,” the WHO said in a press statement.

In the press conference, Dr. Tedros stated: “We owe it morally to health workers everywhere who have been fighting this pandemic around the clock for the best part of a year, to vaccinate them all as soon as possible. People must come first over short-term profits. It’s in countries self-interest to shun vaccine nationalism.”

According to the WHO official, vaccinating health workers and those at high risk of serious diseases “is the fastest way to stabilize health systems, ensure all essential health services are up and running and that a truly global economic recovery can take place.”

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is not for everyone though. “People with a history of severe aller-

gic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not take it,” the statement released to the media stated.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take the Pfizer vaccine. “Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant women, and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth,” the statement said. “However due to insufficient data, WHO does not recommend the vaccination of pregnant women at this time.”

In case a pregnant woman has an unavoidable risk high of exposure (that is, a health worker), vaccination may be considered in discussion with their healthcare provider. “It is recommended to avoid pregnancy for 2 to 3 months post-vaccination,” WHO said.

“If a breastfeeding woman is part of a group (that is, health workers) recommended for vaccination, vaccination can be offered,” WHO said, adding that it does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.

As for children, the vaccine has only been tested in children above 16 years of age. As such, at this time, the WHO does not recommend vaccination of children below 16 years of age, “even if they belong to a high-risk group.”

In their study, the Pfizer vaccine has been found to be safe and

effective in people with various conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease. This includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver or kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

“Further studies are required for the impacts on immune-compromised persons,” the WHO said.

“The interim recommendation is that immune-compromised persons who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated, though when possible, not before receiving information and counselling.”

Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. However, limited safety data exists on HIV-infected persons with well controlled disease from the clinical trials. Known HIV-positive vaccine recipients should be informed, and when possible, counselled in relation to the available data, the WHO said.

Meanwhile, vaccination can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past. “But given the limited vaccine supply, individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to 6 months from the time of SARSCoV-2 infection,” the WHO urged.

“As more data becomes available on the duration of immunity after infection, this time period may be

adjusted.”

What about those who want to travel to other countries? “At present, WHO does not support the introduction of requirements for proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travelers as a condition for exiting or entering a country or for travelling internationally,” WHO said.

To be more effective, a person has to be vaccinated twice. “A protective effect starts to develop 12 days after the first dose, but full protection requires two doses which WHO recommends be administered with a 21 to 28-day interval,” WHO said, adding that additional research is needed to understand longer-term potential protection after a single dose.

With the availability of vaccines, it doesn’t mean COVID-19 will also be gone. “Vaccines will not end COVID-19 alone,” the WHO said. “Safe and effective vaccines will be a gamechanger: but for the foreseeable future we must continue to wear masks, physically distance, avoid crowds and apply other health measures.

“Being vaccinated doesn’t mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk, particularly because it is still not clear the degree to which the vaccines can protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission.”

6 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021 VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

EDGEDAVAO PROPERTY

LIVE HIGHER AT CAMELLA MANORS

While some homebuyers may prefer to a house and lot, a number of buyers still prefer condominium.

That’s because of all the great perks that go with condo living such as comfort, luxury and security.

These are three important features of Camella’s newest brand, the Camella Manors.

Under the flagship brand of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc., Camella has elevated its home initiatives into a new form of living which is The Manors, Vista Land’s vertical villages ideally situated at the heart of its communicities offering holistic lifestyle to its residents.

“All the vertical developments outside Metro Manila will be under the new brand Camella Manors. It is totally a new brand that we are carrying because what we’ve realized over the past years and even based on surveys in the industry, Camella remains to be the most preferred brand when it comes to housing and house and lot,” said Marlon Escalicas, operations head of Camella Manors.

Camella Manors is a low-rise development of seven floors and houses 19 units each floor.

“This is really intended for a pandemic type of scenario plus this is an integrated community wherein you don’t have to go out from your community because the amenities are already available as we will put commercial spaces for basic needs,” Escalicas said.

The brand also promises five towers of commitment: prime location, suburban environment, security and wellness, value for money, and practical home investment.

Coming home in Camella Manors is a rewarding experience because you can already own a condominium unit at an affordable price. It is an exclusive community with a perfect blend of city and suburban living.

Camella Manors properties boasts of its prime location offering a kind of condominium living fully integrated with all sectors of society- commercial and business establishments along with schools, churches, hospitals, and public transportation are conveniently accessible.

Its first offering, Camella Manors-The Frontera is an impeccable property. Located in Tigatto, Buhangin, this community promotes a balanced lifestyle that give the perks of condo-living while being in harmony with nature. It brings the people closer to a larger selection of powdery beaches with pristine waters, wildlife sanctuaries, and marine resources. It is also conveniently accessible to Davao International Airport (DIA).

The property, which will be relaunched this year, is well-suited for young professionals, starting families and discerning investors who are looking for an exclusive community enveloped by a welcoming ambiance.

“This is our opening salvo for this year. We are re-launching Frontera early this year and this time around we want more unit owners to be able to own a piece of Frontera so we are offering studios priced at P2.8 million. This time around more condo prospects have the chance now to own a very primed property,” Escalicas said.

What makes investing at Camella Manors-The Frontera more exciting is its location is being projected to

be the next Central Business District (CBD) in Davao City because of its proximity to the proposed bypass road, malls, and other major establishments.

Nowadays, investing in real estate and renting out your property are some ways to generate income and Camella Manors is a practical solution for a lifetime home investment because of its prime location across the country and it is easy to maintain and easy to rent out via Vista Leasing Services.

“Camella Manors is a practical home investment because land value never depreciates since developments are continually made over time especially when the local

economy is thriving through the development of commercial infrastructure,” Escalicas said.

The company is targeting the investment market or those who buy a property for the purpose of making it as an earning asset either for rentals or appreciation for Camella Manors.

“Right now what we have noticed because of the instability of a lot of investments due to the pandemic, real estate remains to be a very less risky and stable investment because the valuation of property has not gone down. It is even increasing in value because the good thing about real estate is that it is not anchored on any pandemic, but what is

happening in the area such as the economic development and the progress of an area,” Escalicas said.

It is the mission of Camella to provide high quality and exclusive condominium villages that carry the distinctive beauty and refreshing ambiance of Camella home development with pride and authenticity through Camella Manors.

What should investors look forward at Camella Manors: leasing and asset management, pet friendly community, lifestyle conveniences, and resort-themed amenities.

“As a brand we are very solid and very strong and we wanted to capitalize on the brand offering a new product line for Camella which is now the vertical. Ever since Camella has been known for house and lot but right now, Camella becomes a complete line of horizontal and vertical projects,” Escalicas said.

Camella is the country’s largest home builder with an excellent reputation in building top-quality homes for over 40 years and counting. With four decades and counting in the real estate industry it has already built more than 500,000 homes in 47 provinces and 149 cities and municipalities across the country.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021 Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a PUJ DUAL ORDINARY REGULAR Service.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD Regional Franchising and Regulatory Office No. XI Balusong Ave., McArthur Highway, Matina, Davao City Petition for Extension of Validity of a Certificate of Public Convenience to operate a FILCAB Ordinary Regular Service.

Case No. R11-EV-PJ-2021-1-348 (2006-XI-00348) RAUL A. AXALAN, Petitioner.

Case No. R11-EV-FC-2021-1-1395 (98-XI-01395) PERFECTO P. CANTONES, JR., Petitioner.

NOTICE OF HEARING

NOTICE OF HEARING

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a PUJ Dual Ordinary Regular service on the route: TORIL and for cargoes as dual service from said place to any point in Region XI with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate will expire on December 29, 2021. In the petition filed on January 7, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said Certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 9, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Dir. NONITO A. LLANOS, Regional Director, this 8th day of January 2021 at Davao City, Philippines.

Petitioner is a grantee of a Certificate of Public Convenience issued in this case authorizing the operation of a FILCAB Ordinary Regular service on the route: CIRCULATION ROUTE 5 with the use of ONE (1) unit, which Certificate has expired last March 17, 2019. On January 13, 2020, Petitioner filed a Motion seeking the acceptance of the late filing of the Petition for Extension of Validity which was duly granted by this Board taking into account the issuance of MC 2012-004. In the petition filed on January 6, 2021, petitioner requests authority to extend the validity of said certificate to operate along the same route with the use of the same unit previously authorized.

NOTICE, is hereby given that this petition will be heard by this Board on FEBRUARY 9, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. at this office at the above address.

At least TEN (10) days prior to the above date petitioner shall publish this Notice once in a newspaper of general circulation in Mindanao.

Parties opposed to the granting of the petition must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above date furnishing a copy of the same to the petitioner, and may if they so, desire appear on said date and time.

This petition will be acted upon by this Board on the basis of its records and the documentary evidence submitted by the parties, unless the Board deems it necessary to receive additional documentary and/or oral evidence.

Witness Dir. NONITO A. LLANOS III, Regional Director, this 6th day of January 2021 at Davao City, Philippines.

x----------------------------------------------------x

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR

Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

Petitioner, Raul A. Axalan Counsel, Atty. Albert G. Yenco

SARA... FROM2

x----------------------------------------------------x

Atty. CATTLEYA B. ACAYLAR

Acting Chief Transportation Development Officer

Petitioner, Perfecto P. Cantones, Jr. Counsel, Atty. Napoleon F. Sango

of vaccines will be used for the city’s immunization program.

The 19th Davao City Council recently passed in first reading the ordinance

for the implementation of the COVID-19 immunization program in Davao City. Two public committee hearings are set on January 11 and 14. CIO

and other populated areas.

“Please bear with us,

this security arrangement is for our safety and your safety,” he said. (PNA)

landscaping, equipping the laboratory with its own generator and uninterrupted power supply units.

“We were able to finish the project in 66 days despite restrictions due to pandemic. We turned over the ownership and management of this facility to the SPMC. We understand that SPMC will now take care of obtaining necessary permits for its operation in the service of the people of Davao and of Mindanao,” Tabora said.

On her end Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed gratitude to the Metrobank Foundation, GT Foundation and ADDU saying the laboratory will certainly augment testing efforts and support to the city government of Davao in its Covid-19 response while waiting for the vaccine.

“With this lab we hope to quadruple the current testing capacity of SPMC. Hence increasing testing capacity will enable the government to provide

KIDAPAWAN... FROM2

METROBANK... FROM3

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT-SHERIFF Davao City AGDAO MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE(AMPC) Mortgagee,

- versus -

EJF-REM CASE NO. 17,849-20

SPS. IRENE P. MANALATA AND ERAÑO V. MANALATA

Mortgagor/s.

X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION Branch 8, Davao City SP.PROC.NO. R-DVO-20-02972-SP IN RE: IN THE MATTER OF ADOPTION OF MINORS JOSH TIFFTON MARQUEZ YAO AND LANCE GREGOIRE MARQUEZ YAO. IAN BONN S. BOLIPATA Petitioner X---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------X

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE Upon extra-judicial petition for foreclosure and sale under Act 3135, as amended, filed by the mortgagee AGDAO MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE (AMPC) against the mortgagor SPS. IRENE P. MANALATA and ERAÑO V. MANALATA , with residence address at Blk. 12, Lot 17,Calle de Consejo Fuente Abrille, Tulip Drive Matina, DAVAO CITY, Philippines to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of October 31, 2020 amounted to (Php=1,806,286.75), Philippine Currency, inclusive of and, penalty charges and plus attorneys’s fees and other legal expenses incident to foreclosure and sale, the undersigned Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Davao City, will sell at public auction on February 4, 2021 at 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter, at the main entrance of Hall of Justice, Ecoland, Davao City, to the highest bidder to CASH and/or MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency, the following real property/ies mentioned and described below together with all its improvements found thereon, to wit: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 146-2015001760 Lot No. 8178-B-2-B-2-C-2 PLAN NO. PSD-112402-123888, PORTION OF LOT LOT NO.8178-B-2 B-2-C,PSD-11-111277 Location the Barrio of Kabacan, Municipality of Davao, Island of Mindanao. xxx Containing an area of ONE HUNDRED EIGHT FIVE (185) SQUARE METERS, more or less xxx.”

All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the abovestated time and date.

That in the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on March 4, 2021 without further notice.

Prospective buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the above-described real property and encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Davao City, Philippines. January 6, 2021.

For ATTY. FRANCISCO M. CAMPANER – the OIC Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Prov’l Sheriff

ORDER This is a verified petition for the adoption of minors Josh Tiffton Marquez Yao and Lance Gregoire Marquez Yao. Petitioner is hereby ordered to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines (OSG) with a copy of his petition and its annexes, within three (3) days from receipt of this Order, and to submit proof thereof to the Court, thereafter. Upon receipt thereof, OSG shall enter its appearance in this case within fifteen (15) days from receipt hereof.

The verified petition being sufficient in form and substance, the presentation and marking of petitioner’s exhibits proving compliance with jurisdictional requirements is hereby set on April 12, 2021 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the Branch Clerk of Court.

The marking of Petitioner’s other exhibits in support of this Petition including all the documents intended to be attached to the petitioner’s and their witness/es’ respective judicial affidavits is hereby set on April 23, 2021 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, before the Branch Clerk of Court.

The said judicial affidavits, together with the duly-marked attachments, shall be filed in Court not later than April 28, 2021.

Set the presentation of evidence for the petitioners to May 3, 2021 and May 4, 2021 both at 8:30 o’clock in the morning.

Social worker Mr. Joel Caturan is hereby directed to submit separate child case study and home case study reports to address, particularly, the following: i. the availability of the minor for adoption; and ii. the qualifications of petitioners, pursuant to Republic Act 8552, otherwise Know as the “Domestic Adoption Act of 1998”,within thirty (300 days from receipt of this Order Petitioner is hereby directed to cause the publication of this order at their expense, once a week for three(3) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation, which has been selected after raffle, in the City and the four (4) provinces of Davao and submit proof of compliance thereof, within ten(10) dyas from reipt of this Order.

Any person interested or who seeks to oppose the instant petition may appear to state why said petition should not be granted.

SO ORDERED. Davao City Philippines, October 13, 2020. (sgd.) GLENN DC. AQUINO Presiding Judge

(sgd.) JAY C. ESPERANZA Sheriff IV

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES 11TH JUDICIAL REGION Branch 52, Davao City

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 11TH JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE JUDGE

NOTICE OF HEARING Petitions for Notarial Commission NOTICE is hereby given that a summary hearing on the Petition for NOTARIAL COMMISSION of ATTYS: MARLONE NIÑO VILLAVIRAY AND MARIA CYNTHIA N. ADA-PRAT shall be held on JANUARY 15, 2021 at exactly 10:00 A.M. at the courtroom of Regional Trial Court, Branch 16, Hall of Justice Ecoland, Matina, Davao City.

Any person who has any cause or reason to object to the grant of the petition may file a verified written opposition thereto, received by the undersigned before the date of the summary hearing.

Davao City, Phillipines, January 7, 2021. (sgd.) EMMANUEL C. CARPIO Executive Judge

appropriate response especially to those in need,” she said.

Alfred Ty, president of GT foundation Inc. and trustee of Metrobank Foundation Inc., said the inauguration of this molecular laboratory, which coincides with Metrobank Foundation’s 42nd founding anniversary this month and the 10th molecular laboratory donation to date, is a manifestation of the foundation’s commitment to continuously serve as an institu-

tion that readily response to the need of the society and catastrophic events and health crisis such as this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“The GT Capital Holdings and Metrobank Group through Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation have been working hard in supporting various initiatives to address and combat the effects of the pandemic since the start of the lockdown. We advocate and support the conduct of test, trace, treat (T3) to

7

R-DVO-20-01805-SP IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS ENTRY ON THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF ROSANNA PENDON BUTI BEARING REGISTRY NO. 2007-13596, PARTICULARLY HER YEAR OF BIRTH FROM 1959 TO 1956 IN ITEM NO. 3, ROSANNA PENDON BUTI Petitioner, Versus THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF DAVAO CITY

ORDER A Petition for “Correction of Erroneous Entry on the Certificate of Live Birth of Rosanna pendon Buti bearing Registry No. 2007-13596, Particularly her year of Birth from 1959 to 1956 in Item No. 3” was filed wherein petitione prays that after notice, publication and hearing, an Order be issued directing the Local Civil registrar of Davao City to correct the year of birth in Item no.

3 from 1959 to 1956.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is hereby set for hearing on March 12, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. on which date and time, all persons concerned may appear to show cause, if any, why the prayer in the petition shall not be granted.

Let this order be published at the expense of the Petition in a newspaper of general circulation in the City and three (3) provinces of Davao, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

The Petitioner is further directed to furmish the Solicitor general with a copy of the Petition and the latter is directed to appear for the State.

Notify all parties concerned through this Order.

SO ORDERED DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINE, OCTOBER 6, 2020 (sgd.) RONALD S. TOLENTINO Presiding Judge

identify the various factors in the development and mitigation of the spread of the virus as well as we support the government’s call for the economic resurgence of our country,” he said.

To date, MBFI has supported the construction and equipping of 10 molecular laboratories in the country amounting to a total of P61 million. These include the largest molecular laboratory capable of detecting COVID-19 and other contagious diseases

at the former Philippine Red Cross Headquarters in Port Area Manila.

MBFI also supported the “Test, Trace, and Treat” Network through the Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc., the healthcare arm of the Ayala Group, in building seven Biosafety Level 2 modular laboratories in Qualimed hospitals. Another molecular laboratory was inaugurated at the Manila Doctors Hospital through a donation from GT Foundation—the Ty family foundation.

B1 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

Coffee grown in the Mt. Apo’s foothills tops Philippines’ best brew

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he specialty Arabica coffee grown in the foothills of Mt. Apo – the country’s highest peak ranked first on the recently conducted green grading and cupping by licensed Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) graders.

Emerging on top of the country’s best specialty brew, Joe Randy Dubria and his wife Marivic Dubria, coffee farmers from Balutakay, Bansalan in Davao del Sur, garnered a cupping grade of 85.36 and bested around 70 entries nationwide submitted by farmers and entities engaged in coffee farming.

Supposedly, the said grading was part of the 2020 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) but due to COVID-19, the competition was cancelled.

“Even with the PCQC cancelled, the Department of Agriculture (DA) together with other partner agencies such as the ACDI/VOCA and licensed

ment (DOLE) in Intramuros to protest the recent company's policy reducing the rate of their salary and benefits they have been receiving.

Foodpanda delivery riders asked Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to send DOLE labor inspectors over at several store outlets to conduct inspection.

Estrella said the number of delivery and ridesharing motorcycle riders serving online passenger online booking and online buyers are around 100,000 in Metro Manila alone following the surge for great-

er contactless mobile-app transaction created by quarantine restrictions.

"Many of these riders were workers fromthe formal sector unemployed by company shutdown and retrenchments resulting from the pandemic economic and health crisis," he said.

The Sakay Transport Cooperative is a cooperative organization made up of delivery and ridesharing riders and an associate member of the country's largest labor federation the Associated Labor Unions (ALU).

SHOPEE... FROMA1

CQI graders still conducted the grading and cupping of the submitted entries to provide farmers with a feedback on their produce. With this, we believe that we can increase the Filipino farmers on improving coffee quality,” said DA Undersecretary for High Value Crops and Rural Credit Evelyn Laviña.

Based on Philippine coffee quality standards, coffee beans must have at least a grade of 80 percent to be considered a specialty coffee. The closer to 100 a coffee sample gets, the more likely it will command a higher price and

increased demand from specialty roasters.

Joe and Marivic attribute their feat to the openness of the BACOFA [Balutakay Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative] members to new technologies in coffee farming, harvesting, and processing. The co-op has 250 members and collectively cultivates 400 hectares of coffee plantation in the foothills of Mt. Apo. “We sought the assistance from various agencies to improve our coffee production and DAXI was one of those. The DA-XI High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) has provided

us package of assistance that includes close release fertilizer, pruning shears and saw and processing facilities such as tramline system, dryers, roasting facility, hauling truck, and mini-storage,” said Marivic.

Meanwhile, DA-XI Regional Executive Director Ricardo M. Oñate, Jr. congratulates the Davao coffee farmers for making it big in the domestic and international markets.

“We are proud and thankful that our farmers have utilized the support given to them to improve their livelihood and the quality of their produce.

Aside from the production and technical support, we also made sure the active participation of our coffee farmers during exhibits to showcase their produce and establish linkage among consumers/buyers. This is line with our twin goal of not just Masaganang Ani but also Mataas na Kita,” said Oñate.

They are also the farmer-cooperators of the DAXI HVCDP Coffee Rejuvenation Project led by then HVCDP coffee focal John Paul Matuguinas and further intensified with now HVCDP XI regional coordinator Merriel Aglibot.

(Celso C. Vergara, DA11)

"The Civil Service Commission had conducted job fairs for the different

vacancies in government agencies,” Tutay added.

(PNA)

businesses in the Philippines, employing 62 percent

of total workers and adding 36 percent to total sales.

no po,” she explained.

More than half of Filipino adults had emotional problems as they lost their jobs or sources of income because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey released on Thursday showed.

The survey organization

said that 58 percent of Filipinos lost either their job or source of income because of the pandemic, while 51 percent experienced emotional problems such as extreme sadness, and 55 percent became closer to their family members.

fired in a 3-pointer.

But the Pistons started to chip away and eventually tied the score at 70 apiece with a 10-2 spurt.

Grant had two inside baskets and Plumlee hit four free throws during that stretch.

The Suns were clinging to a 76-72 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Cameron Johnson's dunk with 9:16 remaining gave Phoenix an 80-74 lead. A Bey 3-pointer with 4:37 remaining cut Phoenix's lead to 86-84.

The Pistons took a onepoint lead with 2:37 left when Griffin made a hook shot. Johnson answered with a 3-pointer off a Paul feed.

now -- basketball? Sure, fine,” Popovich said. “But as a human being, as a citizen, as someone who looks at

the social issues of our time and is willing to speak out about them, he doesn’t do it with hate.”

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

B2

LeBron James encouraging people to vote is displayed on a billboard, amid the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Los Angeles, in October 2020. Lucy Nicholson, Reuters/file

Lebron on DC violence: ‘We live in two Americas’

L

os Angeles Lakers star LeBron James blamed this week’s mob violence at the US Capitol on President Donald Trump and questioned what would have happened had the rioters been Black.

“We live in two Americas,” James said after Thursday night’s home loss to the San Antonio Spurs, one day after the unrest in the nation’s capital.

“And that was a prime example of that yesterday, and if you don’t understand that or don’t see that after seeing what you saw yesterday, then you really need to take a step back -not even just one step, but maybe four or five, or even 10 steps backwards and ask yourself how do you want your kids, or how do you want your grandkids, or how do we want America to be viewed as? Do we want to live in this beautiful country?”

James blamed Trump for lighting the spark for Wednesday’s breach of the

Capitol, which occurred during the official certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College vote count and ultimately resulted in the deaths of 5 people.

“The events that took place yesterday was a direct correlation of the president that’s in the seat right now -- of his actions, his beliefs, his wishes,” James said.

“He cares about nobody besides himself. Nobody. Absolutely nobody.

He doesn’t care about this country. He doesn’t care about his family. He doesn’t care about anybody besides himself.”

Dressed in a black shirt with “Do You Understand Now?” in block letters, James said he watched the

news footage of the proTrump crowd being met by largely passive police resistance and wondered how he and his family might have been treated in that situation.

“If those were my kind storming the Capitol, what would have been the outcome? And I think we all know,” James said. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts -- we already know what would’ve happened to my kind if anyone would have even got close to the Capitol, let alone storm inside the offices, inside the hallways.”

Lakers teammate Anthony Davis called it a “double standard.”

“On the other side, an entire group runs into the nation’s Capitol and get escorted out the front door like everything is OK,” Davis said.

“And if I’m not mistaken -- well, I’m not mistaken -- they did take things, and when the Black Lives Matter protested it was, ‘Once the looting starts,

the shooting starts.’ And to my knowledge, if you take something, you’re looting.

And in that case, for them, they got escorted out the front door. And it’s just a slap in the face to us. It feels like we’re going backwards.

We thought we were seeing change and then this happens.”

As a sign of unity, Lakers and Spurs players locked arms at center court during the national anthem before Thursday night’s game.

Some US Capitol rioters fired after internet detectives identify them Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said he applauds James as a leading voice on social issues for the NBA and beyond. Popovich said James isn’t on the level of Muhammad Ali, because no athlete can be.

“But in that same genre, I am so proud of this guy and so pleased for him that from the time he came in (to the NBA) as a teenager, to see his development

The Filipino mixed martial artist, formerly the fifth-ranked strawweight

by ONE Championship, came from a tough defeat to Japan’s Hiroba Minowa at One: Inside the Matrix 3 last October.

While Adiwang is asking for a rematch considering that the bout ended in

a split decision win by Minowa, he has to first take on Hexigetu, who is also looking to sneak into the world rankings, which means one step closer to challenging his Lakay teammate Joshua Pacio for the ONE strawweight championship.

The main event of ONE: Unbreakable is Alaverdi

Ramazanov’s defense of his ONE kickboxing bantamweight title against Asanan Praanekpanansri, known in the muay thai circle as Capitan Petchyindee Academy.

ONE: Unbreakable is set to be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on January 22. (PNA)

FLEBRON, B1

Adiwang returns to action at ONE: Unbreakable

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ixed martial artist Lito Adiwang will be the first Filipino athlete announced to compete for 2021 as he will be part of ONE: Unbreakable.

Team Lakay, Adiwang’s stable, announced on Friday night that he is scheduled to take on Hexigetu of China in the fight card.

Detroit forward Blake Griffin goes up strong against Phoenix forward Jae Crowder.

Pistons shock Suns in OT erami Grant tied his and 12 rebounds, while

J

career high with 31 points and the host Detroit Pistons rallied from a 23-point, first-half deficit to down the Phoenix Suns in overtime 110-105 on Friday.

Grant, who also snared 10 rebounds, had just established a new career high in points against Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Blake Griffin had 16 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, Delon Wright contributed 16 points, five rebounds and six assists, and Mason Plumlee added 12 points for Detroit.

Devin Booker led the Suns with 23 points and former Piston Langston Galloway had 17. DeAndre Ayton added 14 points

Dario Saric had 12 points and Chris Paul supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Detroit scored the first nine points of overtime. Grant got it going with a layup. Saddiq Bey then knocked down a long two-pointer and a 3-pointer. Wright completed the outburst with a layup.

The Suns soon pulled within three, 106-103, on an 8-2 spurt that Booker completed with a 3-pointer. But Grant knocked down a corner 3 with 18.1 seconds left to give the Pistons a cushion.

The Suns were up by 13, 61-48, early in the second half when Booker

FPISTON, B1

8 SPORTS

HIGH PICK EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 227 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, JANUARY 10-11, 2021

Davao’s Pasaol leads 27 early PBA draft applicants

T

he number of basketball players who have formally declared for the PBA Draft totaled 27 on Friday as more marquee names submitted their applications.

Highlighting the latest wave of applicants for the preseason event are players from the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 – Manila Chooks TM’s Alvin Pasaol, Santi Santillan, and Troy Rike, Butuan-Uling Roasters’ Franky Johnson, and Bacolod Master Sardines’ Anton Asistio.

Also entering the draft are former Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) players Josh Torralba, Nick Demusis, and Jed Mendoza.

The high-flying Demusis starred for Bacoor City, while Mendoza

played for Biñan City.

Torralba, on the other hand, helped bring Makati to the MPBL North Division Finals, which was stalled indefinitely due to the pandemic.

The MPBL has yet to respond to the Games and Amusements Board’s call for the club leagues to become professional mainly for them to resume amid the pandemic, putting more questions as to when the playoffs would resume.

The 2021 PBA Draft, the first draft to take place online, will happen on March 14. (PNA)

Dabawenyo cager Alvin Pasaol is one of the amateurs highly regarded to go early in the PBA Rookie Draft.

FPANDEMIC, P10