Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 46 |Thursday, June 4, 2020

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VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

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OFW from Davao Oriental is latest Covid-19 case

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Province of Davao Oriental reported on Wednesday (June 3, 2020) one new positive case for the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of the current active cases in the province to 13.

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This was confirmed by the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 after receiving Tuesday evening the official report from the Southern Philippines Medical Center’s subnational laboratory and the Department of Health Region XI. This newest positive case registered in the province is a 36-year-old, male Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who is a resident of the municipality of Caraga. He arrived in the province on May 29, 2020 via sweeper flight through the Balik Probinsya Program of the national government.

Fetched by the provincial government at the Davao International Airport in Davao City, the positive case was directly brought to the Quarantine Facility of the municipality of Caraga for isolation and, as per standard protocol of the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 which is to re-swab all

OFWs and returning residents despite having a RT-PCR negative test result in Manila, the said individual was again tested.

All four direct contacts, including the driver and health workers – who donned complete PPEs during the transport and swabbing – will be also be swabbed. They are all asymptomatics.

The positive case is currently asymptomatic and under strict isolation.

He will be treated at the Quarantine Facility and will be subjected to another RT-PCR swab test for verification.

The Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 appeals to the public to continue practicing the minimum health standards such as wearing of facemasks, physical distancing, handwashing, and to stay home and avoid traveling or going outside the house if not necessary.

A young boy plays near the construction site of the P26-billion Davao City coastal road project which is now in Times Beach, Ecoland, Davao City.

The project is planned to be opened to motorists this year. Edge Davao

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VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

Rollout of BP2 program to start in 13 provinces

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A health worker wears personal protective equipment while entertaining clients outside UM Medical and Multitest Diagnostic Center along C. Bangoy Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

DCOTT faces more than P5M losses

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) is facing over P5 million losses due to the twomonth shutdown amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Aisa Yusop, DCOTT head, said in a virtual presser on Monday, that she is expecting more than P5 million losses as they were not generating income for two months due to the implementation of the Covid-19 enforced travel ban.

Davao’s main transport terminal usually generates a revenue of more than P2 million per month.

DCOTT’s revenue channels flow from fees of bus trips, van trips, stall rentals, porters, and peddlers.

15-min power interruptions on June 6 in Sto. Tomas

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avao Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct two 15-minute power interruptions on June 6, Saturday, affecting customers in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.

These service disruptions will be necessary to facilitate line works on Sto. Tomas Feeder 2.

To avoid longer duration of power interruptions, load from the affected lines will be transferred to nearby lines anytime between 5:45 a.m. to 6:15 am.. Normalization or return of load back to its normal set-up will be from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m..

Specifically affected are customers from Sto. Tomas National High School to Luna, Lungaog,

San Jose and Pantaron, including Kimamon, Talonggo, Sampao and neighboring areas.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience brought about by these scheduled power interruptions. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier.

However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our 24/7 Customer Contact Service at 229-3572, 0917-864-2793 (Globe) or 0920-970-1357 (Smart) for any power interruption that will fall outside the given schedule.

It is not certain when the facilities will be allowed to fully operate and when the porters and peddlers will be allowed to return.

“As of now, ang advice is pag-start pa lang sa biyahe, but with regards sa mga tindahan, porters and peddlers wala pa advice na pabalikon na sila,” Yusop said.

She is hopeful that with the re-opening of DCOTT for the trips of provincial buses which started last Monday (June

1), the terminal will slowly recover from its losses.

DCOTT has started the provincial trips of buses on Monday to various routes in Davao Region.

Each bus is allowed to have one trip per day only.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 11 (LTFRB 11) has provided special permits to bus companies namely Bachelor Express Davao and Davao Metro Shuttle Bus Company to operate and to serve passengers.

he rollout of the national government’s ambitious “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa” (BP2) program is scheduled to commence in 13 provinces nationwide in the next few weeks, the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said on Tuesday.

During the Laging Handa network briefing, PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III said the BP2 program will be implemented in Misamis Occidental, Agusan, Camarines Sur, and Leyte, among others.

“Ang ganda ng alignment ng bridge ng local government at ng national government ngayon (The alignment of the bridge between the local government and the national government is good now),” Cualoping said. “Napakaganda ng programa (The program is very good), very ambitious. And the policy is very ideal for the setting of the Philippines.”

BP2 program, institutionalized through Executive Order 114 inked by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 6, grants socioeconomic and livelihood packages to Filipinos who wish to return to their respective provinces.

Beneficiaries of the program will get support on transportation, livelihood, housing, subsistence, and education, among others.

The long-term relocation program is a government initiative that aims to promote equal opportunities between urban and rural areas, as well as to decongest Metro Manila which is currently the hardest-hit region by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Cualoping said the implementing rules and regulations of the BP2 program would be released

by Wednesday.

He said the government is targeting helping

people who are living in Metro Manila for the past five to seven years and want to go back to their respective provinces.

“Balik Probinsya is such a good public policy,” Cualoping said.

Cualoping ensured that the government would observe “guaranteed and safe” minimum health standards as it implements the BP2 program.

“Ina-assure natin ang publiko na lahat ng gagawin natin, lahat ng gagawin ng gobyerno, lahat ng gagawin ng pamahalaang Duterte, guaranteed and safe and minimum health standards para hindi kumalat ‘yung Covid-19 (We assure the public that everything the Duterte government is doing is compliant with guaranteed and safe minimum health standards to stop the spread of Covid-19),” he said.

He gave the assurance after at least two BP2 beneficiaries have tested positive for Covid-19 after arriving in Leyte from Metro Manila. The two were part of the first batch of 112 beneficiaries who benefitted from the BP2 program.

Cualoping said those who want to avail of the program can visit www. balikprobinsya.ph to register online.

He said the PCOO would also manage the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” Facebook page beginning Tuesday night to answer queries from the public.

“Kung gusto niyo rin namang magtanong, meron tayong Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Facebook page na ima-manage na ng PCOO simula ngayong gabi (If you have questions, we have the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Facebook page that will be managed by the PCOO starting tonight). We will be more responsive,” Cualoping said.

(PNA)

Barangay 5-A chieftain Edgar Ibuyan Sr. distributes face shields donated by the Office of Rep. Pulong Duterte at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Wednesday. Contributed photo

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

NEWS

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SMC, Ayala to turn over machines to SPMC

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an Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Ayala Corporation, two of the country’s biggest business empire, will turn over two polymerase machines with automated extractor to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) today, June 4, 2020. in the coming days following the accreditation of a private testing Davao City One World Diagnostic Center, which can accommodate between 1,000 and 1,200 tests per day.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the private facility has passed the five-stage accreditation by the Department of Health (DOH) and is now operational.

She also said that the two other facilities - the Davao Doctors Hospital and DOH Tuberculosis Center are currently in the third stage of accreditation.

The city-owned Los Amigos Health Center is waiting for the approval of the permit to construct its testing facility. It is eyed to be operational July this year.

In addition to more testing capacity, Davao City has also 11 isolation facilities. Of the number nine are for Covid-19 patients and two are for the health workers to be quarantined.

Overall, the city has a bed capacity of 448 beds for COVID-19 patients.

ome 16,000 overseas Filipino workers displaced by the coronavirus pandemic will come home this month, less than half of the original estimate, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Tuesday.

The original estimate of 42,000 will not be met because most OFWs failed to meet documentary requirements for their repa-

triation, Bello said.

Bello said he sought the help of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Tourism for the temporary accommodation and transportation of repatriates.

The government requires returning OFWs to subject themselves to polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) testing

for COVID-19, and to undergo a mandatory 14day facility-based quarantine.

The pandemic has left some 341,161 OFWs displaced from work, Bello said.

Of the said figure more than 200,000 don't want to return to the Philippines, especially those who work in the US and Europe, he said.

are from the present coverage of four metric tons and with good agricultural practices and with the addition of fertilizer, we hope to get more harvest and eventually to increase the profits of our farmers," Dar said.

Dar noted that the agency has tapped local government units (LGUs) across the country to extend assistance to local farmers in preparing for the peculiarities of the season.

"We have instructed our regional field offices to accelerate their coordination with LGUs and implement what they can this wet planting season," he said.

He said the government would also pursue the “Plant, Plant, Plant Program” or “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa Covid-19” program to benefit farmers, fishers and consumers.

Dar said the program aims to increase the coun-

try’s food adequacy level during the emergency situation resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

"Our message is really to continue this, especially now in times of crisis, we have a supply of vegetables and fruits on top of what we can buy from the market," he said.

"In all areas, Plant, Plant, Plant has become the banner program of DA that will apply to crops, livestock, poultry, and piggeries," he added. (PNA)

result goes through before being added to the official tally.

“Ngayong pumasok na ang karamihan ng kompletong line list ng ating laboratories, karamihan pala sa 23,000 cases na recorded ng mga laboratoryo ay mga duplicates sa iba pang mga laboratoryo. Ibig sabihin ay marami ang dumodoble,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing.

(After laboratories have submitted their complete line list, we found out that many of the 23,000 recorded cases were duplicates from other laboratories. It means many are doubled.)

She said 38 of 42 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) laboratories have already submitted their complete line list, which

refers to tests conducted by laboratories from the time they began operating.

In validating cases, a laboratory has to send their full line list of positive patients to the epidemiology bureau.

Then, the epidemiology bureau identifies and removes duplicate entries such as multiple tests done for one patient.

The epidemiology bureau proceeds then to identify new confirmed cases that have not been previously encoded in the system.

Lastly, the identified unique positive individuals will be cross-checked in the system, wherein they will be tagged as “unique case first reported by laboratory” or “tested and reported in another laboratory.”

“Kapag ang lahat ng laboratoryo natin ay nag-

papasa on time ng kanilang daily accomplishment report, wala po tayong maiiwang backlogs for validation, at ibig sabihin ay fresh cases na lamang po ang ating ire-report,” Vergeire said.

(If all laboratories submit their daily accomplishment reports on time, we won’t have backlogs for validation anymore and we will only be reporting fresh cases.)

“Kapag nangyari po ito, masasabi po natin na mas accurate na po ang sitwasyon na nakikita kada araw, base sa mga bagong kaso na papasok dito sa ating case bulletin,” she added.

(When this happens, we can say that the daily situation is more accurate based on the new cases added on our case bulletin.)

SPMC Chief of Hospital Dr. Leopoldo Vega said in a phone interview the machines will boost the testing capacity of the hospital from 800 to 1,000 COVID-19 patients a day compared to the previous testing capacity of an average of 200 patients a day.

Meanwhile, an increase in the daily testing capacity is also expected

16K OFWs to come home in June, fewer than expected, DOLE says

A sticker is placed on a passenger seat to make sure that social distancing will be followed inside a passenger bus at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

PH to decide on re-allowing entry of foreign nationals

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he Philippines has yet to decide on whether it will allow foreigners to enter the country again following the easing of lockdowns, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said allowing the entry of foreigners might be a big problem since many overseas Filipino workers are also returning to the Philippines.

"Wala pa ho tayong desisyon sa IATF na papasukin ang mga dayuhan," he said in a Palace press briefing.

(We have yet to decide on allowing the entry of foreigners to the Philippines.)

"Alam ninyo po sa OFWs alone eh halos hindi na tayo magkandaugaga dahil lahat po ng mga umuuwi ay binibigyan natin ng PCR tests. So mag-

kakaroon pa tayo ng mas malaking problema kung pati mga dayuhan ay pauuwin natin," he added.

(We are already having a hard time managing the return of OFWs since they need to be tested for COVID-19. It will be a bigger problem if we add foreigners.)

The Philippines in March restricted the entry of foreign nationals as it sought to contain the spread of COVID-19.

For this month, the labor department said it expects some 16,000 OFWs to return to the Philippines.

The returning OFWs are required to subject themselves to polymerase chain reaction-based (PCR) testing for COVID-19, and to undergo a mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine.

apanese apparel brand Uniqlo said Tuesday it would soon launch its online store in the Philippines, as more shoppers shift online to ride out the coronavirus pandemic.

Launching in the second half, Uniqlo said it was banking on Filipinos' status as one of the world's top mobile internet and social media users.

“An online store will provide local UNIQLO customers a faster and easier

way of purchasing their favorite LifeWear items,” said Masayoshi Nakamura, COO, UNIQLO Philippines.

The Philippines on Monday eased an 11-week lockdown in Metro Manila and urban areas, allowing retail and public transport to reopen at limited capacity.

Uniqlo has 2,200 stores in 24 markets including Australia, Belgium, Can-

Uniqlo to open online store

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FUNIQLO, P10

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DA prepares for wet season planting

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he Department of Agriculture is enhancing its preparations for the wet cropping season this June.

During a Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the department will cover an estimated total area of 2.5 million hectares for wet season planting.

"We will cover almost 2.5 million hectares and with the intent to really improve the yield per hect-

DOH finds duplicates in list of COVID-19 positive test results

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any of COVID-19 positive test results being validated by the Department of Health (DOH) were found to be duplicates, an official said Tuesday, as the agency seeks to clear the backlog in possible confirmed cases.

The Philippines has logged more than 24,866 positive unique individuals from the 335,726 tested for the disease as of June 1, according to the latest DOH situation report.

Health authorities, however, have already confirmed 18,997 coronavirus cases as of Tuesday. Some 13,699 are considered active cases, with majority of the patients exhibiting mild symptoms.

The DOH earlier explained that the discrepancy is due to the validation process that every positive

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VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

DTI adjusts grace period for residential, commercial rent

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Shoppers wait for a ride home on Tuesday (2 June 2020), second day of the general community quarantine in Malaybalay City. Curfew in the city has been shortened, from 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) released on Tuesday Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 20-29 providing that the grant of a minimum 30-day grace period on residential and commercial rents shall commence from lifting of covered community quarantine.

This changed the previous MC guidelines which determined the start of the 30-day grace period from “the last due date of rent which fell within the ECQ.” The DTI made the amendments as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) expanded the lockdown measures from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to modified ECQ, general community quarantine (GCQ), and modified GCQ. More businesses and jobs have also resumed as the quarantine measures ease.

But the DTI has differ-

ent rules for tenants whose business or work were permitted by the IATF to resume their operations.

“The commencement of the grace period granted by its lessor shall be from the latest due date of the rent falling within the covered community quarantine. This shall apply regardless of whether or not lessee opts to go back to work or resume business operation,” the MC 20-29 said.

During the Laging Handa public briefing Tuesday, DTI Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said tenants have the option of paying the cumulative rents in monthly installment for six months.

“The requirement is they will execute a promissory note or any letter indicating their intention to pay in installment and give it to their landlord or landowner,” Castelo said.

The new MC reiterates the non-enforcement of eviction from the start of the ECQ until the end of the grace period. (PNA)

Stakeholders in the tourism PayMaya vows continued help sector expect help from DOT on gov't aid distribution program

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he region's tourism sector is among those most badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic with airplanes on the ground, hotels closed and travel restrictions are being implemented.

Apart from cutting tourist arrivals, the pandemic has also stopped the livelihood of tour operators, resort owners, and even the porters in the country.

Stakeholders in the tourism sector in Davao Region are now expecting for any assistance from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to help them and their employees to cope up with the impact of COVID-19.

Alexander Divinagracia, former president of the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) and general manager of Globalwings Travel and Tours, said they are still at a wait and see mode for assistance from DOT. “There is a big impact as travel agencies cannot operate and we dont know when. No help from DOT yet, but the Davao City Tourism Office already emailed us," Divinagracia said in a Facebook messenger.

Divinagracia added that they cannot operate yet as all bookings are put on hold as most countries are still not ready to accept leisure travelers.

“In the meantime agents are doing some odd jobs to earn money like selling food stuff online,” he said.

On his end, Julius Paner, senior municipal tourism officer of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, is hopeful that help will come from DOT as the municipality is now losing revenue and tourism jobs due to travel restrictions.

He added that arrivals went down to zero percent.

“The COVID-19 affected very much on our tourism.

All tourism-related establishments were closed during the quarantine period. Big events were indefinitely postponed. Wala pa man ko’y mahinumduman nga dunay natabang ang DOT. I hope dunay moabot na tabang, bahalag late muabot,” Paner said.

Apart from being a home to the majestic Mt. Apo, Sta. Cruz is being visited by locals and tourists for the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge and the Mt. Apo Sky and Vertical Race which being staged every month of April.

Paner said the municipality already has a new normal action plan for its tourism sector by launching the “Balik Sta. Cruz Campaign" to revisit Sta. Cruz, Rediscover its attractions and Rebuild its tourism communities” the moment tourism sector will re-open.

“Local tourism will be the key word. A slow start maybe but at least a sure step to pick up where we left of,” he added.

Meanwhile, resort owners in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) are now running out of their cash due to maintenance of their facilities and salary for the employees in the middle of the pandemic.

Engineer Pastor Lozada, president of Samal Resort Owners Association, said resort owners have to maintain their facilities even without earning an income during the pandemic.

“Lahat ng resort owners do not have income

pero we need to maintain our facilities at para ma-sustain, we need to produce cash, pero nauubos na ang aming cash. I do not know how the owners manage their cash flow,” Lozada said in a phone interview.

Lozada said supposedly the more than 100 resorts in the island should be experiencing high sales especially in the months of April and May, wherein people are usually on vacation and jam-packed the resorts.

“Lalo na kung Holy Week nasa resorts ang lahat ng tao. Pero ngayon wala dahil sa COVID-19,” he said.

Edge Davao has been contacting the regional office of DOT for its comment, however, as of this writing, they have not answered its query yet.

Based on the press release shared to Edge Davao, DOT 11 Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan, presented action plans for the recovery of the tourism industry in Davao Region at the Tourism Congress of the Philippines webinar last May 27, 2020.

Topping the list is capitalizing on getting back traveler confidence that

for such certification is free.

"DOT–accredited AEs need only to submit to the DOT Regional Office with jurisdiction over their area the Letter of Intent to Operate, while Non-DOT-accredited AEs will need to apply for accreditation to ensure compliance with requirements," the statement reads.

AEs that resume operations without the DOT accreditation and the DOT

Certificate of Authority may be subject to the relevant penalties under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

TCP President Jojo Clemente said the partnership between DOT and private sector stakeholders is key to paving a steady, safe and productive restart of tourism across the country.

Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, for her part, said tourism stakeholders should coordinate with

their respective local government units in assessing the actual readiness of their areas.

Moreover, the DOT enjoined stakeholders to defer to the strict guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) in connection with the reopening of businesses shifting from one community quarantine level to another. (PNA)

FSTAKEHOLDERS, P10

Hotels need DOT nod to resume operations

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he Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) on Tuesday underscored the need for all accommodation establishments (AEs) to secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate prior to the resumption of operations under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

In a joint statement, the two noted that application

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lectronic wallet service provider PayMaya Philippines vowed its continued support to the government’s financial aid distribution done through digital means.

PayMaya founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Orlando Vea said “mobile wallets like PayMaya are playing a critical role in enabling Filipinos to gain access to much-needed financial aid from government agencies and local government units.”

“We support DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and the rest of the government’s efforts to digitize citizen disbursements,” he

added in a statement Tuesday.

Vea said they have been coordinating with the government to help disburse financial assistance directly to the beneficiaries’ PayMaya accounts.

These financial aid programs are those given through the DSWD like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and the ReliefAgad and the Social Security System (SSS) for the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS).

PayMaya has also partnered with the local governments of Manila, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Caloocan and Quezon City. (PNA)

Improving business sentiment to lift PH's balance of payment position

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he Philippines posted a lower balance of payment (BOP) surplus last March at USD448 million against the previous month and the year-ago levels, but an economist forecasts better figures in the near term on improved investors’ sentiment.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort, in a reply to e-mailed questions from PNA, attributed the lower BOP surplus last March to net foreign portfolio investments outflow for the month due to market volatility after the government placed mainland Luzon in lockdown starting the middle of that month to arrest contagion of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Another factor is that anxieties overseas as Covid-19 cases continue to rise, he said.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Tuesday showed that BOP surplus last March is lower than the USD839

million last February, and the USD627 million in the same period last year.

However, the surplus during the month helped lower the BOP deficit in the first quarter this year to USD68 million after a USD1.355-billion deficit was registered last January.

The BOP deficit of USD68 million as of endMarch, however, is a big turn-around from the USD3.797-billion surplus in the same period last year.

BOP is the record of an economy’s total trade with the rest of the world.

Ricafort is optimistic for the improvement of the country’s BOP position especially since S&P Global Ratings recently affirmed its investment grade rating on the Philippines at BBB+ with stable outlook.

He said this move by the debt rater is “a sign of resilience; vote of confidence on the country’s economic fundamentals; despite downgrades in some countries worldwide.”

“Thus, BOP surplus

FIMPROVING, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

COMMUNITY SENSE

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Smart deploys free 24/7 Smart WiFi in Davao del Norte COVID-19 command center

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o boost Davao del Norte’s fight against COVID-19, PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are rolling out fiber-powered, carrier-grade Smart WiFi at the key COVID-19 facilities of the province.

Fast, free, 24/7 Smart WiFi has been deployed at the Davao del Norte Provincial COVID-19 Response Command Center at the Provincial Capitol in Mankilam, Tagum City

and at the Davao Regional Medical Center in Apokon, Tagum City.

Smart WiFi will also be rolled out at the Davao del Norte Hospital-Carmen Zone, Davao del Norte

Hospital-Kapalong Zone, Davao del Norte Hospital-IGACOS Zone, and in COVID-19 command centers in selected cities and municipalities in Davao Del Norte.

“As a nation, we need to combat this public health emergency and that includes providing our people their basic right to important and accurate information about this health situation and health updates on how we are coping with the problem,” said Davao del Norte Gov.

Edwin Jubahib in his letter to Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio.

"This is part of our commitment to support local governments across the country in their fight against the virus by ensuring that their COVID-19 facilities and frontliners are equipped with reliable connectivity and vital digital tools that are essential in their emergency response,” Panlilio said.

These Wi-Fi installations, which have a capacity of up to 1 Gigabyte

been deployed in the other COVID-19 mega health facilities at the Philippine Arena, Rizal Stadium, Philippine International Convention Center, and World Trade Center, as well as in New Clark City in Tarlac and Philippine Army Gymnasium in Taguig. It is also being deployed in in La Salle Greenhills in Mandaluyong City and Far Eastern University in Alabang, Muntinlupa, which are housing COVID-19 frontliners from nearby hospitals.

for over 50 students and guests to witness and learn about the majestic species housed at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City.

“We are so thankful to Pangarap’s Ninongs and Ninangs from AboitizPower for their support over the past 10 years, and for making these kinds of experiences for the kids of our neighboring communities possible,” said Carla Salvacion, education administrator for PEF. Pangarap is currently healthy and safe at the Philippine Eagle Center.

Sprig offering is set to commence in the coming month to begin stimulating Pangarap and other mal-imprint eagles to prepare them for the incoming breeding season in July.

Sprig offering is done by the PEF team to simulate a courtship ritual among eagles, which is especially important for mal-imprint eagles who need to establish a rapport with the animal keepers to prepare for insemination.

The PEF breeding team is committed to im-

proving the productivity of the male mal-imprints.

PEF hopes that in time, the center’s female eagles, including Pangarap, can all undergo successful conjugal artificial insemination and lay the foundation for a new generation of majestic raptors.

“Our support for the Philippine Eagle Foundation is a testament to AboitizPower’s commitment to conserving biodiversity and wildlife. At AboitizPower, we strive to live by our core value of responsibility -- responsibility to our customers, responsibility to our communities, and responsibility to our environment,” said Emmanuel V. Rubio, president and chief executive officer of AboitizPower.

During this Philippine Eagle Week, AboitizPower and PEF recognize the challenges that the Philippines’ national bird faces under its critical endangerment. There is a need for a wider understanding of the conservation efforts needed to preserve the jewel of the archipelago, in order for it to remain for generations to come.

AboitizPower and Pangarap: A decade of hope and commitment

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INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION. AboitizPower and PEF showcase the Philippine Eagle to students and guests during Pangarap’s Hatchday event on February 24, 2020.

per second, are the latest in PLDT-Smart’s ongoing efforts to provide communications support to frontline agencies and their personnel.

Smart WiFi connectivity is available in provincial capitols, city and municipal halls across the country, which are being used as a base of operations for local government logistics, transportation and relief, as well as in hospitals, supermarkets and convenience stores.

Smart WiFi has also

s the country celebrates Philippine Eagle Week this early June, AboitizPower honors a national treasure and one of the world’s largest avian predators, and recognizes the many efforts to preserve the critically endangered species.

For the past 10 years, AboitizPower has adopted and sponsored a particular eagle, Pangarap, who serves as a beacon of hope for the conservation of the Philippine bird of prey. Pangarap is one of the few females left of her species who is eligible for breeding, now through artificial insemination.

Through AboitizPower’s adoption, which has amounted to around P1.5 million over the past decade, Pangarap is able to receive necessary medication and care, as well as proper dieting and preparation for breeding, courtesy of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) in Davao.

Pangarap celebrated her 21st hatchday earlier this year on February 24th. AboitizPower, in partnership with PEF, held a hatchday event

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

EDITORIAL

Long overdue bike lanes

On Wednesday, the world celebrated the World Bicycle Day 2020 with the world’s biking community pushing for recognition and reforms.

A bicycle is man’s best friend for commuting and exercise. It is the perfect machine for getting from point A to point B without harming the environment.

People often forget that the simplest of things would be the most beneficial when it comes to health and environment.

Like a bicycle.

That trusty two-wheeled, leg-powered machine is not only be good for the environment but more importantly, for people’s health.

This year marks the third anniversary of World Bicycle Day, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on April 2018. The idea behind it is to recognise the longevity, uniqueness and versatility of the bicycle, and that it is an affordable, reliable, simple, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport. World Bicycle Day began when an American professor named Leszek Sibilski and his Sociology class led a grassroots campaign to promote a UN Resolution to designate a day that would celebrate and promote the use of the bicycle around the world. The campaign grew, and the resolution was sponsored

by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 56 countries.

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL Layout/Cartoons

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

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

The significance behind World Bicycle Day is that it is a global holiday that is meant to be enjoyed by all. The idea for the day is to motivate and inspire people towards having more tolerance, understanding and respect for one another. The other thing is that the bicycle signifies a more sustainable means of transport that is not only good for people but for the environment and the economy too.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic there will not be any huge public gatherings as there have been in the past two years where people have gathered for rallies. Usually people would join others on a bicycle ride around town and hold other events that would involve bicycles. Since social distancing is going on, people can take go for rides on their own instead of taking their cars.

In Davao City, the bicycle community is still awaiting concrete measures from the city government to apportion a space on public roads as bicycle lanes. During the coronavirus crisis, the city’s biking population increased and the demand for their safety became even more urgent. As of recent reports, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has already instructed the drafting of bike lane maps. It’s been a long time coming for Davao to provide bike lanes despite an ordinance for such provision.

Hopefully, this will finally come into fruition. Soon, not later.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

HISTORY OF PANDEMICS DUE TO SHIP VOYAGES Many Filipinos knew by heart the Korean phrases like “annyeonghaseyo” (hello) or “kamsahamnida” (thank you) due to their fascination with Koreanovelas, especially now that they had to stay home due to the COVID 19 community quarantine.

“Kingdom” is one interesting Netflix series that revolved around the story of crown Prince Lee Chang as he struggle to save his people from the spread of a plague and the royal dynasty from being overthrown.

“Kingdom” takes place in the late 15th or early 16th century — in the Joseon dynasty period — after the Japanese invasion. It is a fiction based on the historical plague that swept through Korea during the Joseon dynasty, killing thousands in days.

The infection spreads at an alarming rate transforming the locals into yowling monsters that crave human flesh and blood.

In one scene, the higher officials decided to burn the infected peasant’s bodies but bury those from higher social class. As the havoc continued, the noblemen attempted to re-

turn home via the only ship in dock. Unfortunately, said voyage brought the infection closer to the seat of power causing more outbreak.

The gates of the fortress were also closed as a form of quarantine against the infected.

The word “quarantine” is derived from the Italian quarantena, or 40 days.

It was first used in the 14th century for ships suspected of carrying a contagious disease that were held in isolation offshore for 40 days before passengers and crew were allowed to disembark.

History has seen the desolating role of ships as the transporters of innumerable pandemics when viruses travel with international trade across geographies.

These are characterized by the devastating effects throughout history not only in terms of the great mortalities of humans and animals but also the ensuing social, economic and cultural aftermaths.

The pandemics of plague of the 6th, 14th and 20th centuries were spread along the international trade routes as rice and wheat grain, clothing, and trade

merchandise were infested by infected fleas. The primary hosts of the fleas were the black urban rat and the brown sewer rat.

In October 1347, twelve ships from the Black Sea docked at the Italian port of Messina, which were called “death ships” as most sailors aboard were dead or almost dead. The plague became known as the “Black Death” as it moved from the ports to land and to other ports in Europe.

Cholera pandemics throughout the 19th century that originated from India were also attributed to British army and naval ships traveling from India to the Persian Gulf. The disease eventually made its way to European territory by 1821.

A large factor in the worldwide occurrence of the 19181919 Spanish influenza was increased travel. It was originally carried by soldiers on overcrowded troop ships during the first world war. The rate of transmission on these ships was rapid, and soldiers died in large numbers. The global death toll was estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million.

Fast forward.

The current COVID19 pandemic has again brought to international attention the cruise ships industry, though cruise ships have a long history of infectious disease outbreaks.

Ships have been notably vulnerable to the spread of due to the fact that there are hundreds or thousands of passengers in a relatively confined environment for days or weeks.

Cruise ships are particularly susceptible as they are intended to engage the passengers in public activities like dining, swimming and dancing together in enclosed spaces over a sustained period of time.

There were even reports that virus particles spreads from room to room through the ship’s ventilation, which relies on re-circulated air.

Many companies initially negotiated for their passengers to disembark, talking with countries and local governments circumspect of sick travellers.

Sadly, most crew members remained on board vessels floating off-coast as the pandemic disrupted voyages around the world.

Reports of infected seafarers and fatalities raised fears

among seafarers that some companies failed to protect its workers , including their right to healthy and safe environment as well as repatriation under international law like the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006.

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder has earlier asked governments “to ensure that, in these challenging times, seafarers are adequately protected from the COVID-19 pandemic, have access to medical care, and can travel to and from their ships, as necessary, in order to continue to play their crucial role”.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) ITF said that it will not let up the pressure until every seafarer is home safely and those seafarers that have patiently waited at home to relieve their colleagues are on board.

“Anjeon yuji” as they say “Stay safe” in Korean.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, send email at info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

COMMUNICATION GAP “When you give yourself permission to communicate what matters to you in every situation you will have peace despite rejection or disapproval. Putting a voice to your soul helps you to let go of the negative energy of fear and regret.” – Shannon L. Alder *** “We can communicate an idea around the world in 70 seconds, but it sometimes takes years for an idea to get through one-fourth inch of human skull.”

That statement comes from the mouth of American inventor and businessman Charles Kettering.

Virginia Satir, a family therapist, tells of a couple who came to her because their marriage of 20 years needed help. After a number of sessions, she asked each to say openly what he or she resented about the other.

In a burst of emotion, the husband blurted out, “I wish you wouldn’t always serve me that damned spinach.” Recovering from her shock, his wife replied, “I loathe spinach but I thought you like it.”

Life is like that, too. A lot of people fail because they don’t know how to communicate well.

There are those who become successful because they know how to convey their message

well. Yes, communication can make or unmake a person.

A Fortune magazine article once carried this quotation: “It’s a shame when people can’t communicate. When they’re managers in your company, it’s a catastrophe.”

“The constant use of long, involved words proves too things,” ex-governor of New York Will Conway pointed out.

“One, that you’re learned; and two, that you’re ignorant of how best to communicate with people.”

It’s not enough that you have lots of ideas and something to say. “Communication is not just what you say,” reminds bestselling author John C. Maxwell. “It’s also how you say it.

Contrary to what some educators teach, the key to effective communication is simplicity.

Forget about impressing people with big words or complex sentences. If you want to connect with people, keep it simple.”

French statesman and military leader Napoleon Bonaparte used to tell his secretaries: “Be clear, be clear, be clear.” And that is what good communication is all about. “The great challenge in communicating is to understand the mind, the background, and the thinking process of your audience. If you know these,

you can prevent a lot of communication static,” Wayne Pennington assures.

In these days of modern technology, there are several ways of sending your message across to people. Be sure to find the best method.

Years ago, an elderly illiterate carpenter received some mail and he was very upset about it. A letter was a very unusual thing in his life and he was worried about what might be in it. So, he hurried over to the butcher ship and the roughvoice muscle man behind the counter read it aloud.

“This is a letter from your son,” he shouted, “and it says: Dear Dad, I am sick and haven’t a single centavo. Send me some money quick. Your son, Mario.”

Influenced by the hard tones of the reader, the carpenter became red with rage and exploded. “Who does that kid think he is, telling me what to do? I won’t give him any money.”

In a fit of anger, the carpenter walked back home. But along the way, he met his friend, the soft-spoken tailor. He stopped him and confided, “I want you to see this letter my boy sent me.”

The tailor took the letter and read it aloud in his usual calm and cultured way. Sud-

denly, the message sounded different to the carpenter. It came across as appealing and plaintive. It left the carpenter deeply saddened. “Poor Mario,” he said, with worry in his voice. “He’s in bad shape. I’d better send him some cash – fast.” So, he went to wire some money to his son.

Lesson of the story: the message can often depend on the medium!

Communication is not just talking but listening. “Listen with curiosity,” suggests Roy T. Bennett, author of The Light in the Heart. “Speak with honesty.

Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand.

We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply.

We listen for what’s behind the words.”

When communicating with someone, choose your words wisely. “Don’t use words too big for the subject,” British writer C.S. Lewis reminds. “Don’t say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise, you’ll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”

If you have something to say, say it. Remember what the famous Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky said? “Much unhappiness has come into the world,”

he surmised, “because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.”

And this was what Lisa Kleypas wrote in Sugar Daddy: “Many times in life I’ve regretted the things I’ve said without thinking. But I’ve never regretted the things I said nearly as much as the words I left unspoken.”

Don’t think of what the other person might say or think. As American television personality Fred Rogers said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.

When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”

Sometimes, you can communicate with a person through your heart and not through your mouth. Yes, it’s possible.

Listen to what C. Joybell C. says: “You can talk with someone for years, every day, and still, it won’t mean as much as wat you can have when you sit in front of someone, not saying a word, yet you feel that person with your heart, you feel like you have known the person for forever… connections are made with the heart, not the tongue.”

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

Agricultural clusters key to making small farms competitive

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO f smallholder farmers in the Philippines want to compete with those having big farms, the best they can do is to employ the so-called agricultural clusters approach. That’s one way of enhancing their competitiveness, according to a new policy paper.

I

“An agricultural cluster is a strategic approach to operationalize the appropriate channels at a scale necessary for (smallholder farms) to have enhanced competitive strength to connect with national and international markets,” said the paper released by the Laguna-based Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

The agriculture-based small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries are continuously affected by globalization. “Economic globalization sparked market and technological innovation particularly in the agribusiness sector,” the paper stated. “This resulted in the supply and demand of agricultural products to be centered at a global level.”

In Southeast Asian alone, in 2017, the total imports of agricultural products increased by 2.05% and its exports increased by 19.15%. “While globalization presents an opportunity for the large farms and corporations, it could exacerbate the weakness of farmers’ bargaining power due to the increasing international and industrial pressures,” the paper said.

The policy paper subscribed to the idea that larger farms are more

competitive internationally than smaller farms.

But then, it knew that 72% of the farms around the world has a farm size below one hectare.

“In Southeast Asia, the agriculture sector is heavily dominated by smallscale farms with countries having an average farm size below 5 hectares,” said the paper entitled, “Agricultural clusters approach to enhance competitiveness of smallholder farms in Southeast Asia.”

Among the Southeast Asian countries, Thailand has the highest average farm size, with 4.04 hectares, according to a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. With 0.63 hectare, Vietnam has the least average size. The average farm size in the Philippines is 1.29 hectares.

“Southeast Asia is dominated by smallholder farms, but despite their relatively small land size, they account for more than 80% of the food produced and consumed in the large portion of the developing world,” the paper noted.

Despite this, most of the small and medium farms (SMFs) are facing several problems like being located in remote locations and geographically dispersed, making it harder for them to access modern technology, services

and information.

Because of geographic constraint, their profit margin is negatively affected by the market intermediaries involved in the value chain who takes advantage of the farmers’ limited knowledge of the market.

SMFs also face difficulty in entering bigger and overseas markets where they can sell their produce at a higher price. And most importantly, they experience higher transaction costs due to changing preferences of the consumers.

“Overall, smallholder farms lose competitiveness, relative to the commercial farms, due to difficulty in accessing financial institutions and modern

innovations that would help boost their productivity,” the paper surmised.

To make these countries competitive in global scale, the SEARCA paper recommends agricultural cluster, defined as “the entire range of input-output linkages in production and transaction in good and services.”

Agricultural cluster, the paper stated, has varying forms of cooperation and interactions. “It promotes and supports vertical and horizontal linkages between local agricultural enterprises,” the paper explained.

“The synergistic effect of horizontal and vertical coordination of the cluster plays an important role for

small-scale producers to remain and become competitive in the industry,” it continued.

According to the policy paper, an effective agricultural cluster requires a strong market connection and value-adding networks that aid the product flow and development within the market. These connections and networks are interlocked by three relationships or linkages: horizontal, vertical and support.

Clustering, the paper pointed out, “is a potential tool to rehabilitate agriculture areas under economic stress, as it can increase the SMFs bargaining power through mergers and vertical integration; thus, minimizing risk for farmers and strengthening the relationship between production and market needs.”

One fine example is the vegetable production in Mindanao. A study was conducted to assess the impacts of clustering o the production, value of output, and net income on vegetable farms. It investigated the performance of farmers before and after joining a cluster.

The components that comprise the cluster, categorized by their type of linkages, were horizontal linkage (farmer-to-farmer), vertical linkage (institutional buyers), and support linkage (the organizations that helped the farmers).

Results showed that clustering had a positive effect on the volume of production, as evidenced by its increase in nine out of 11 commodities analyzed. The increase in production triggered an increase in the output value as well, with significant increases in the value of production of six commodities after clustering.

Moreover, the net income from vegetable production was also seen to significantly improve for most vegetables after joining a cluster. The highest increase was accounted in sweet pepper, eggplant, chayote, and tomato.

On the average, income from vegetable production increased by 47% from P4,909.00 per month to P7,192.00 per month after the project. “Clustering was indeed effective in elevating the farmers’ house-

FAGRICULTURAL, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

9

An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

M

alayan Colleges Mindanao, a Mapúa School announced its first Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020, inviting all SHS and College students in Mindanao to experience the first fully integrated online learning system in the region — MCM Digital — and get the opportunity to use MCM’s powerful online learning tools for FREE! This Digital Learning Bootcamp will be held on June 1 to 13, 2020 and is described as an immersive experience inside MCM’s Online Learning System, aiming to demonstrate and give participants an opportunity to immerse

themselves in the first fully integrated online learning system in Mindanao.

The participants will be given access to MCM’s online learning portal, “MCM Digital” where they can explore and get hands-on experience utilizing

MCM’s online learning tools such as Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Panopto, Wiley Plus, and Cengage Learning to complete learning tasks designed for incoming Grade 11 and 1st Year College students.

These tasks will be delivered in either synchronous or asynchronous learning sessions to allow for participants to get a feel for the different modalities of remote learning provid-

ed by MCM. In order for participants to maximize the online learning experience, they will need a device such as a computer unit, laptop or a tablet; and internet connectivity of at least 1 Mbps for asynchronous sessions and at least 2 Mbps for synchronous sessions.

Familiarization with the online system and tools will initiate the program, after which, participants will be allowed to select short learning modules on General Mathe-

matics, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Basic Education for incoming Grade 11 students; Basic Algebra, General Physics, Business and Management, and P ro g ra m m i n g and Coding for incoming college students. A full course on Math, Humanities, and Social Science will also be made available for demonstration during the bootcamp period.

To register for this activity and get a chance to win amazing prizes, interested participants

may proceed to this link: https:// bit.ly/MCMDIGITALBOOTCAMP and follow the subsequent instructions and link to the “MCM Digital” account that will be sent through the email address provided upon your registration.

For any additional inquiries about the MCM Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020, please feel free to email at admissions@mcm. edu.ph or contact +63918 918 1626, +63999 227 7493, or +63917 831 8048.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

DTI: Suggested retail price also applies to online shops

T

he Department of Trade and Industry warns online retailers against overpricing and profiteering, saying they should follow the suggested retail price, or SRP, if they want to stay in business.

Web-based retailers and e-commerce shops must stick to price guides provided by the DTI and should not abuse the spike in demand amid restrictions on the movement of people due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo said Tuesday.

"Those sold online should also comply with the SRP bulletin. Wala po tayong distinction nito [We don't have a distinction on prices] whether it's sold in a physical store or online," she said during the government's Laging Handa briefing.

"Marami na pong nahuhuli actually sa overpricing, profiteering, o 'yung quality ng kanilang produkto ay walang proper registration ang produkto... Ang dami po namin na nakatutok din online [We have caught many estab-

lishments for overpricing, profiteering, and the poor quality of unregistered products. We have a big team monitoring online platforms]," Castelo added.

Online business or not, Castelo said prices should revert to the SRP set last September 2019 as the two-month price freeze on key commodities due to the COVID-19 lockdown expired on May 15. She added that market prices have been "very stable," with no more supply issues as factories and establishments in key economic hubs have returned to full operations.

Castelo noted that authorities are also considering possible price control measures on bicycles as well as laptops and other gadgets. The items have become a necessity as more people work from home or are looking for alternative transport modes amid limited commuting options.

While Castelo admitted that this can only be possible with a new law, she appealed for “reasonable” price increases for these items, saying merchants should avoid abusing the surge in demand.

ada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands,

Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK and US, it said.

hold income,” the study concluded.

In addition to realizing the economic benefits of clustering, the think tank also reported the case in Malaysia in terms of rice production.

The clustering logged the added advantage of knowledge transfer among farmers, local enterprises and market, research and development agencies, financial institutions, government agencies and other marketing firms.

Vital information shared included good agricultural practices, the prevailing market risk, source of inputs, and awareness of new technologies and innovation.

These successes had led SEARCA to recommend agricultural clusters as a strategic approach “to operationalize the appropriate channels at a scale necessary for it to have enhanced competitive strength to connect with national and international markets.”

Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio,

SEARCA director, urged government agencies and research and development (R&D) institutions must promote specific institutional interventions to facilitate the intended benefits of the agricultural clusters.

According to him, an umbrella of programs and institutions to support agricultural clusters at the national level can be provided by government.

Meanwhile, R&D institutions can serve as “cluster champions” to strengthen the technological capacity of cluster members and promote partnerships.

Dr. Gregorio agreed with the words of German-born British economist E.F. Schumacher that small is beautiful. However, he added, that “big is powerful.”

Dr. Gregorio is the lead author of the policy paper.

His co-authors were Rodolfo V. Vicerra, Rico C. Angcog, Nikka Marie P. Billedo, Rebeka A. Paller, Ma. Christina G. Corales, and Imelda L. Batangantang.

tention to coaching, guiding the then-Bullets to a 202-345 record from 19871994.

Unseld was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1988.

“Those of us who were fortunate enough to spend time with Wes knew him as a generous and thoughtful man whose strong will was matched only by his passion and drive for uplifting

others,” Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard said.

“His physical prowess, undeniable talent and oncourt demeanor may have struck fear in opponents throughout the NBA but he will be remembered best as a mentor, leader and friend.”

Unseld’s son, Wes Unseld Jr., is an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets.

UNIQLO... FROM3

AGRICULTURAL... FROM8

NBA... FROM11

BAGONG BUHAY, BAGONG PAG-ASA. 27 former members of the CPP-NPA who surrendered to the 60th Infantry (MEDIATOR) Battalion receives their livelihood assistance and firearms remuneration under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program thru the facilitation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro. The 27 received the total amount

STAKEHOLDERS... FROM4

of Php1,210,000.00 for their cash assistance and Php142,000.00 for the firearms remuneration. Other former rebels from the holding units of the 1001st Infantry (PAG-ASA) Brigade also received their respective assistance during the simple ceremony at the Capitol, Nabunturan, DDO. #TeamMediator #AFPYouCanTrust #ECLIP #WeHealAsOne

they feel safe and secure in their travel and leisure activities.

To achieve this, According to Tan they will equip the stakeholders with appropriate tools and knowledge for the tourism workers and stakeholders. DOT gives relevant trainings and nothing is more relevant now than providing digital marketing skills and virtual and selling promotions to include recorded and livestream virtual tours.

Intraregional travel, or movement of travelers

within the region, is also seen to spearhead the tourism recovery for Davao Region.

DOT-11’s convergence program with DTI, DA, DOST and TESDA, in partnership with private stakeholders called “Taralets”, which supports local products and produce and linking them with tourism establishments, is also expected to take off within the year to assist both tourism stakeholders, as well as local farmers and manufacturers.

Tan also discussed how COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the tourism industry in the country, particularly in Davao Region.

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority latest estimate, tourism contributed 12. 7% of the total Philippines’ gross domestic product, and created about 5.4 million jobs in 2018.

As soon as the national government declared ECQ and subsequently LGUs declared lockdowns due to the crisis, flights were

cancelled, most the tourism related establishments had to shut down without clarity as to when they can operate again, and greatly affecting tourism stakeholders.

DOT 11 is currently looking forward to the approval of the Philippine Economic Stimulus Act, crafted by the Department of Tourism, which will provide funding tourism response and recovery programs to assist affected tourism stakeholders all over Davao Region.

could still improve in the coming months amid improved international investor sentiment on the Philippines,” he added.

Ricafort expects net foreign portfolio investments outflows to decline in the coming months and “BOP data could correspondingly improve amid recent gains in the local financial markets, such as in the bond markets/fixed income markets, stock market, and peso exchange rate market, partly due to sharp cuts in

local policy interest rates and infusion of more liquidity/credit locally and in many countries worldwide, as some of the excess liquidity could find their way to the local financial markets, while others go to additional lending by banks.”

Last April alone, foreign portfolio investments, otherwise known as hot money due to the speed it comes in and out of an economy, posted a net outflow of USD660.38 million,

lower than the USD961.08 million in the previous month but higher than the USD298.83 million during the same period last year.

Ricafort forecasts improvement of sentiments in the domestic financial markets as the government continues to ease the lockdowns around the country and more business establishments resume their operations.

“Passage of more stimulus measures and other fiscal reform measures to

increase government revenues, as well as possible further monetary policy easing measures, could also help support sentiment on the local financial markets in the coming months, thereby leading to some improvements on foreign portfolio investments and BOP data, as the worst of the lockdowns could already be seen already, unless there is a second or third wave of Covid infections,” he added.

(PNA)

capacities, for the rest of the month pending a recommendation from the Metro Manila Council.

October restart?

Meanwhile, Marcial bared that the league is now eyeing an October resumption of the 45th season, although it may just be a single-season tournament.

The PBA board will make a final decision regarding it in August but he said that once a vaccine for Covid-19 has been approved for mass usage, it would factor a lot on whether the season would continue or not.

“Things will be easier to decide on if a vaccine for Covid-19 comes up. The government and all of us hope for it,” he said.

Pharmaceutical firms around the world have been aggressive in finding a cure for Covid-19 with some countries already doing human trials for possible vaccines in the hope of finally making it available by as early as September.

Only one game has been played all season long before Covid-19 interrupted sports actions across the globe.

SMC players free from Covid-19

In a related yet positive development, all players of the three teams owned

by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) have tested negative for Covid-19.

The SMC said on Tuesday that Barangay Ginebra, the San Miguel Beermen, and the Magnolia Hotshots remain free from the disease as the results of their reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) tests were revealed.

“We are happy to report that all of our basketball players tested negative from the virus,” SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in a

statement.

To aid in keeping medical centers from getting overwhelmed due to Covid-19, the SMC put up its own PCR facility and laboratory inside its main office in Mandaluyong.

The SMC even donated PCR and RNA machines to key government hospitals and the Department of Health while putting up testing centers in all the 17 towns in Metro Manila as it helps conduct mass testing.

The SMC also helped in testing the PBA employees for Covid-19 as they went back to work this week.

(PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

NBA great Wes Unseld dies

N

BA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld died Tuesday morning, his family and the Washington Wizards announced in a joint statement. He was 74.

The family said that Unseld passed away peacefully following lengthy health issues, most recently with pneumonia.

“He was the rock of our family -- an extremely devoted patriarch who reveled in being with his wife, children, friends and teammates,” the family said.

“He was our hero and loved playing and working around the game of basketball for the cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C., cities he proudly wore on his chest for so many years.”

Unseld played for the Baltimore/Capital/Washington franchise for 13 seasons (1968-81), including being named the NBA Finals MVP in 1978, when he led the then-Bullets to their only NBA title.

“On behalf of the Wizards organization and the entire (Monumental Sports & Entertainment) Family, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Unseld family, including his wife

Connie, daughter Kimberly, son Wes Jr. and his two grandchildren as well as his large number of extended family and friends,” chairman and CEO of MS&E Ted Leonsis said in a statement.

“We all admired Wes as the pillar of this franchise for so long, but it was his work off the court that will truly leave an impactful legacy and live on through the many people he touched and influenced throughout his life of basketball and beyond.”

Unseld was named both the NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA MVP in 1968-69, joining Wilt Chamberlain as one of only two players ever to accomplish the feat. He averaged 13.8 points and a career-best 18.2 rebounds while playing all 82 games that season. A year later, he averaged a career-best 16.2 points to go along with 16.7 rebounds while again playing 82 games.

A five-time All-Star, Unseld averaged 10.8 points and 14.0 rebounds in 984 career games after being selected by Baltimore with the second overall pick of the 1968 NBA Draft.

He later turned his at-

FNBA, P10

US athletes' 'Blackout' stands with George Floyd

A

thletes and sports figures in the US are showing solidarity with protesters against the killing in police custody of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, by posting images on social media of black squares.

As part of the Blackout Tuesday campaign, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry shared black squares on Instagram with the hashtag #blackouttuesday.

The NBA also posted a blank black image with the caption ''Black Lives Matter'' on the photo and video-sharing platform.

Basketball players Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh,

Trae Young, Chris Paul, and Draymond Green also joined the campaign with "blackout" posts.

Several National Hockey League teams, such as the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Toronto Maple Leafs shared messages with the trending hashtag.

Floyd, 46, died on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

His last words were "I can't breathe," which became the slogan of the nationwide demonstrations.

The death has triggered violent protests across the US. (Anadolu)

11

The Lebron James and Anthony Davis-led Los Angeles Lakers were headed for a big turnaround this season prior to the coronavirus shutdown.

NBA: October to remember

T

he NBA is aiming to complete the 2020 season by mid-October, reports said Tuesday, as the league edges towards a return from the coronavirus shutdown.

ESPN reported that according to a timeframe due to be voted on by NBA’s Board of Governors on Thursday, Game 7 of the NBA Finals would take place no later than October 12.

The NBA and NBA Players Association are still finalizing the details of the resumption of the season, which was halted on March 11 as the coronavirus pandemic erupted.

ESPN reported that the league is planning a 22team format for its return to play on July 31.

All games are expected to be within the confines of Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando Florida, with all teams remaining on site to minimize risk of COVID-19 outbreaks.

The NBA’s proposal to be put before the board on Thursday requires support from three quarters of the league’s 30 teams in order to be approved.

ESPN reported there was overwhelming support for the plan being recommended by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

One of the key issues to be settled is the format of the competition which will determine the final line-up for the 16-team playoffs.

Six teams currently just outside the playoff places will be included in the 22team field and given the opportunity to claim a playoff berth.

If approved, the format will bring an abrupt end to the season for eight teams languishing outside the top 22.

Atlanta Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said Tuesday exclusion from the restarted season would hurt his young team.

“The biggest thing we can benefit from is playing basketball,” Pierce said. “If the season is going to resume and we are not a part of it, it hurts our growth, it

PBA boards to convene regarding team practices

T

FIBA is usruing collaboration with 2023 World Cup host Philippines, Japan and Indonesia despite the coronavirus crisis.

hurts our product, it hurts our ability to continue the momentum that we need going to next season.

“I play young guys, I have young guys - we need to play basketball.”

The restart is expected to include a two-week quarantine for players in their home cities, one to two weeks of workouts at team facilities followed by two-week training camps.

The regular season was halted abruptly after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive. Gobert, of France, was given the allclear about two weeks later.

So far, less than a dozen NBA players have been confirmed as testing positive for the coronavirus although not all have been identified.

he Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) board of governors will meet on Wednesday to discuss how teams could return to practice despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

While an online meeting has been initially set, the 12 team governors are in unison on having a physical meeting instead at the league’s office in Quezon City as they begin mapping out plans to possibly resume action after the games were suspended due to Covid-19.

The meeting, in particular, will focus on how the teams can restart working out and training sessions alongside other activities.

However, Commissioner Willie Marcial said the board would still bring the

proposals from the meeting to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) for final approval.

“All these we’ll do with the approval from the government. Hindi kami gagalaw (We will not move) without their approval,” Marcial said in a news release on the PBA website.

The IATF cleared athletes to do some sporting activities during a general community quarantine (GCQ), which Metro Manila is currently under.

The IATF will decide by next week whether to extend the GCQ or impose a modified GCQ, where sporting events can resume provided that arenas can only accommodate at most 50 percent of their seating

FPBA, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 46 • THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2020

FINAL SAY Team sports like the Philippine Super Liga (PSL) will have to wait for the IATF to give the green light amid the easing of quarantine protocols. (PSL)

IATF will decide fate of team sports' resumption: PSC, POC T

he question on when team sports can get back into action will be left to the discretion of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

This developed as two of the country's sports leaders representing the government and the private sector agreed to leave it all up to the IATF amid the recent easing of quarantine conditions.

Last Tuesday, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino expressed the same sentiment that the fate of the team sports events in the country like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and its affiliate PBA D-League, the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), the Philippine

Super Liga (PSL) and the Philippine Football League (PFL) will be up to the recommendation of the IATF. It was reported over the weekend that officials of seven national sports associations (NSAs), including basketball, volleyball, and football, met to discuss plans on how to restart competitions in their respective sports.

Philippine Superliga (PSL) chairman Philip Ella Juico, also the president of athletics, told The Philippine Star that they intend to submit a "position paper" to the IATF to allow teams to conduct training prior to the resumption of competition.

When informed of

the meeting by the NSAs, Ramirez stressed that at the end of the day, it was the IATF that can give the go-signal for the resumption of sporting events.

"Ang aking position diyan, ang masusunod diyan 'yung IATF," Ramirez said during a virtual Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. "The PSC worked together with our doctors and we recommended to the IATF. So if the IATF allows them, 'di walang problema po.

They are the ones calling the shots; we are just recommendatory."

The PSC in May submitted a recommendation to the Department of Health, tabbed the "Filipino Fitness and Recreational Sport-reintroduction Tool," on the reintroduction of outdoor physical activities and sports during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among its recommendations is that for areas under GCQ, person-to-person interaction is still not allowed, but some activities -- such as barangay zumba sessions -- may be held as long as physical distancing protocols are observed and masks are worn.

Metro Manila was placed under GCQ on June 1.

For his part, Tolentino also said that it was far better to be safe than sorry, especially in these times.

"It's up to the task force, the IATF, kung papayagan nila," he said of the resumption of team sports.

"Pero ako, personally, parang mahirap pa eh," Tolentino admitted. "Hindi pa, parang mahirap pa‌ Mahirap na magsisi.

Mahirap na sa bandang huli, 'Ayan, sinasabi ko na

nga ba.'"

Ramirez said that if PSC will have its way, he would wish to see team sports resume in the same manner as the successful return of individual sports.

"Kung kami ang masusunod, we are very positive of the feedback of the individual team sports," said Ramirez. "By law, kami po ang tinatanong ng IATF at saka ng DOH. So nagbibigay po ang aming mga doctors and coaches ng mga pamamaraan.

Pero may mga requirements," he said. "We don't want to be blamed for the contagion of the infection, so ingat na ingat kami."

Tolentino stressed that he would back the resumption of events for non-contact sport that had "automatic physical distancing," but team sports are another matter altogether.

"Personally, doon ako worried," he said. "Mahirap na magsisihan. Buti na 'yung buhay. Baka hindi kayanin ng health system natin. Nakakatakot pa rin."

"Hanggang kaya pa nating tiisin, why not?

Ang gold medal natin nananatili tayong buhay.

'Yan ang pinakamaganda. Pero ang non-contact sports, pwede na 'yun," he added.

According to the IATF's most recent omnibus guidelines, mass gatherings -- including sporting events -- are still barred. Outdoor non-contact sports and other forms of exercise such as biking, running, jogging, swimming, tennis, badminton, and equestrian are permitted.

However, physical distancing protocols must still be observed, and masks are still required.