Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 49 |Sunday, June 7, 2020

SADDENED, ANGRY

NBA LEGEND MICHAEL JORDAN DONATING $100M TO SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUPS

SPORTS P12 VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

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President Rodrigo Duterte reviews a document during a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on Thursday night.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MOVING UP Vega accepts DOH Usec post

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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outhern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Chief of Hospital Dr. Leopoldo “Bong” Vega admitted he did not expect his appointment as Undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH) by President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday. At the same time, he said he accepted his new post.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed on

Friday that Vega has been appointed after President Duterte

expressed his dismay over the delay in the distribution of death and sickness benefits of health workers who have died in the fight against COVID-19.

Vega didn’t give more details about his appointment because according to him he still have to talk to Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III.

“With the new assignment, the challenges will be different,” he said in a phone interview.

Vega said he wants a good transition to happen at SPMC such as assigning an officer-in-charge (OIC).

Based on the organization’s protocol, the person who will be replacing him will

be his next-in-line, Dr. Ricardo Audan, who is currently the chief of medical professional services of SPMC. “Gusto nako we will have a good transition like there will be an OIC, seguro murag concurrent na ang capacity that later on will pave the way for the full transition,” he said.

Vega served as chief of hospital for 12 years at the high volume SPMC which has a bed capacity of 1,500 and an average capacity of 2,200 outpatients a day.

SPMC is currently the only subnational laboratory certified

by DOH to conduct COVID-19 testing in Mindanao.

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

BFAR encourages fishermen to take advantage of open fishing season

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A television carton box functions as an instant barrier between a rider and his passenger while they traverse in Calinan, Davao City over the weekend.

Edge Davao

he Department of Agriculture's (DA) Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has urged fisherfolk to take advantage of the open fishing season in most parts of the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Open fishing season is currently observed in Northern Palawan, the Visayan Sea, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Davao Gulf is closed for fishing starting June 1 until August 31.

In a recent statement released by DA-BFAR, it said: “fishing activities may continue despite the community quarantine enforced in different areas in the Philippines."

DA Memorandum Circular No. 9 states that “fishing activities shall continue to ensure food supply across the country”.

This is complementary with the DA Memorandum Circular No. 7 which sought

to ensure that every Filipino household in Luzon and high-dense metropolitan areas have access to safe and affordable food.

The country is in its peak fishing season, and the weather is conducive for fishing as the seas are generally calm.

"We encourage our fisherfolk to take advantage of the present weather and sea conditions and continue with their fishing activities taking into consideration existing laws and regulations against illegal and unsustainable fishing," the DA-BFAR said.

Sea safety, health, and quarantine protocols set by the authorities should also be observed by everyone engaged in fishing activities.

Fishing regulation Meanwhile, the DA reminded fisherfolk that fishing of certain fish species is prohibited in specific areas

ajority of Filipinos found burdensome the suspension of public transport and the shutdown of private businesses and stores, the latest survey results from Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

Seventy-seven percent of Filipino families said the suspension of public transport is burdensome. This figure is broken down into 40% who found it very burdensome and 37% somewhat burdensome, in the SWS COVID-19 Mobile Phone Survey conducted from May 4 to 10.

Those who felt little or no burden at all from the suspension of public transport totaled 22% of respondents.

Meanwhile, 80% of respondents said the shutdown of private businesses and stores is bur-

densome — broken down into 37% saying it is very burdensome, and 43% somewhat burdensome.

Those who said there was just little or no burden felt from the shutdown of private businesses represented only 20% of respondents.

The government suspended mass public transport and allowed only a few businesses engaged in essential goods and services to operate when it placed Luzon under enhanced community quarantine in mid-March to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Other areas in the country were also placed under quarantine measures. The quarantine measures have since been relaxed, but public transport is not yet fully restored, and some businesses and stores remain

Workers of closed firms M in Davao City get food aid

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Public transport suspension, biz shutdown burdensome—SWS

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he city government rolled out a food assistance initiative for employees of business establishments that are not yet allowed to operate under the general community quarantine (GCQ).

In a radio interview on Friday, Mayor Sara Duterte said the displaced vendors, massage therapists, and manicurists previously working in Osmeña Park and Roxas Night Market will be given food packs from the city government.

First to receive the food rations are 1,631 workers of karaoke bars, salons and spa, hotels and inns, kids and amusement establishments, garments and dress

shops, restaurants and food stalls, a church group, a private school, and a group of masseurs.

Duterte said employers may also reach out to the city government through its Davao City Reports or the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) official page to help their workers get government assistance.

“They can also directly send their request to the City Social Welfare and

Go urges DOLE, DTI to assist workers losing jobs

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enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go urged the Department of Labor and Employment to collaborate with the Department of Trade Industry and other concerned agencies in order to work on strategies and lay down necessary measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the livelihood and employment of affected Filipinos.

“Umaapela tayo sa DOLE at ang DTI at iba pang mga ahensya na magtulungan para gumawa ng mga paraan kung paano matutulungan ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong mawawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pandemyang ito,” Go said.

“Sa ngayon pa lang, marami nang business ang nagsara at dahil dito, marami na ring Pilipino ang nawalan ng trabaho,” the Senator added.

The possible unem-

ployment figure will hurt the country’s economy even more if strategies and mechanisms will not be put into place as early as now, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III admitted on May 20 during the Senate Committee of the Whole hearing. Bello also reported that 2.6 million workers have already lost their jobs at present due to the health crisis.

Go mentioned that under the Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa (BP2) program, which is slated to be in full swing after the pandemic, DOLE and DTI have already identified programs that may be utilized to help mitigate the expected jobs loss and provide affected Filipinos alternative sources of livelihood.

“Marami pong mga kababayan natin na nagtatrabaho dito sa Kamaynilaan

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Development Office (CSWDO), as they are still reaching out to more affected workers of establishments that are still not operating,” she added.

Meanwhile, Duterte said she has coordinated with Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the Finance Committee, to request all financial institutions such as banks and cooperatives to offer shortterm loans to all small businesses at low-interest rates.

Ideally, she said the loans should be payable within two years to help stimulate the local economy.

Dayanghirang said they also plan to encourage

pawnshops and other financial conduits to explore the restructuring of loans, waiving surcharges and late payment interests, and extending other payment terms to their borrowers affected by the community quarantine.

“The good mayor is very firm in her leadership to ease the burden of our businessmen and that our government can do something to always provide hope in this trying time of Covid-19, which until now has still no cure,” Dayanghirang said.

The councilor said he is set to conduct consultations next week with industry representatives to tackle the initiative. (PNA)

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Sen. Bong Go cited that under the Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa (BP2), DOLE and DTI will institute measures to mitigate the expected jobs loss and provide affected Filipinos alternative sources of livelihood.

VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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A resident of Purok Durian, Sitio Batangon, Brgy Binaton in Digos City, Davao del Sur watches his neighbors’collapsed home after a landslide caused by heavy rains on Thursday evening, 4 June. Two children died from the landslide trapped inside their home. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

PRRD on shift to blended learning: ‘I don’t know if we are ready’

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Friday expressed doubts on the country's readiness to shift to blended learning as the COVID-19 crisis upends the education system.

Duterte insisted anew that the country should wait for a COVID-19 vaccine as the Department

of Education prepares to start a new academic year on Aug. 24.

"We have to wait for

the vaccine...Sabi ko sa inyo walang vaccine, walang eskwela," he said in a public address.

(I told you, no vaccine, no classes.)

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier said DepEd will implement alternative ways of learning, such as lessons given online, and through

television and radio.

Parents and students can also have printed modules delivered or picked up at select places, she said.

While the President said the education chief has "very good" alternative modes of education delivery, he expressed doubts if this could cover

all students in the country.

"The technology is good. I do not know if we are ready for that. Meaning to say, if we have enough of those na gamitin para sa (to be used for) the whole of the Philippines," he said.

"We are talking of students here, it’s millions.

Mayroon ba siya (Does she

have that)? But if she has or if we can afford it, we’ll buy it and she can proceed with the --- her novel idea of how she --- the children can continue with their education," he added.

Briones earlier said the DepEd and the President were aligned as far as school opening amid the pandemic is concerned.

trengthening the security measures provided by the local government unit of Tagum during the community quarantine period in the city, the 2201st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade was deployed as part of the frontline workforce to battle against the fatal threats of COVID-19.

The reservists formed part of the COVID-19 City Task Force (CCTF) Tagum and some places in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, and were mainly tasked to strictly implement urgent and critical measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

No less than Mayor Allan L. Rellon led the 2201st Ready Reserve Infantry Brigade as Acting Brigade Commander and Task Force Head of the

CCTF and spearheaded the overall policy making, planning and decision-making relative to the response efforts of the task force.

The team organized the Physical Distancing Marshal that would roam around Tagum City, prompting people to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 meters apart from each other to avoid spreading of the disease in accordance with the directives of the LGU Tagum.

Marshals used loudspeakers to remind people of the importance of physical distancing while patrolling along the city streets and especially in places where crowds usually converge such as markets and other public

Tension cracks, heavy downpour trigger landslides in Digos City S T ension cracks from last year’s series of above Magnitude 6 earthquakes plus heavy downpour triggered landslides in three villages here, killing two brothers aged 10 and 13 at around 10 p.m. Thursday in Purok Durian, Sitio Batangon.

“Kusog gyud kayo ang ulan” (It rained so heavily), recalled Victoriana Manza, neighbor of the victims whose house was buried as the landslide came crashing down from the other side of the road.

She told MindaNews that the room of the brothers Ronnie, 13 and Roque, 10, was nearest the road and was the first to be hit.

Their mother,Mary Jean,

stepfather Doming Akel and younger sister, who slept in another room, survived.

Neighbors said the bodies of the brothers were retrieved at 2 a.m.

The family’s pet dog was also killed.

“Kung mahimo, i-relocate nato sila” Mayor Josef Cagas named the victims as Roniel Jay Laguna, 13 and Rochel Laguna, 10.

Cagas gave an update on the landslides in Binaton’s sitios Batangon, Palan and Mahayag late Friday afternoon via Facebook Live, after visiting the areas.

Expressing fear more landslides will happen be-

cause of the heavy rains, Cagas asked barangay officials to inform residents in the landslide-prone areas to go on preemptive evacuation by staying in the gymnasium or in their relatives’ houses in the meantime to ensure their safety.

Cagas also ordered the installation of warning signs along a nine-kilometer stretch, and appealed to residents to vacate the area. “Kung mahimo, i-relocate nato sila” (If possible, let us relocate them), he said. He said the city had earlier purchase land to serve as relocation site for residents in similar circumstances.

He said the city government has provided

cash assistance and relief goods to the two families who lost their homes to the landslide.

Earthquake-related Gil Gubat, his Chief of Staff and head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, explained during the update that the landslides are related to the five major earthquakes that struck this city and neighboring areas between October and December last year.

He said the quakes caused tension cracks in the sloping areas and water from the heavy rains entered these cracks, causing the landslide.

Gubat said many ten-

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Army Reservists a big help in Tagum’s anti-COVID-19 ops

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

Renowned designer picked to design civic center in Davao City C

By MAYA M. PADILLO ebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) has commissioned renowned designer Ed Calma to design a civic center which the company will be presenting to the city government of Davao in the coming months.

Calma of Lor Calma and Partners architecture firm designed The Mind Museum located in the premier district of Bonifacio Global City, which promotes the efficient way of using resources and preserving the

environment. The Mind Museum is not only a venue for learning but also an example of an ecologically responsible building.

Jose Soberano III, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of CLI,

said in a press conference via zoom during the CLI’s annual stockholders meeting, the civic center will be developed at the rear portion of CLI’s Davao Global Township (DGT) project that will rise at the former Davao Golf Club in Quimpo Boulevard, Matina, Davao City.

“The civic center will be presented to the city in a few months,” Soberano said.

Soberano added that they are completing the site development at DGT.

He said construction of Phase 1 is also ongoing.

DGT is the first township development of CLI in partnership with Davao City’s Villa-Abrille clan under the joint venture YHEST Realty and Development Corporation.

The Phase 1 of DGT will include a corporate center, two premier residential towers, a retail strip with cineplex, outdoor retail spaces, and a civic center.

Meanwhile, CLI’s condominium project 22-storey MesaTierra Garden

to Princesa in the coming days.

He noted that health and safety measures are in place.

"We upgraded our check-in processes. Guests may check-in online first, and they would receive a QR code. Upon arriving at the airport, they may simply scan this QR code in our self check-in kiosks. No need to touch the screen.

The boarding pass and luggage tag would automati-

said.

He confirmed to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that guests may still opt to check in the usual way via the check-in counters.

With the help of airport authorities, safety measures are still in place during pre-flight.

Temperature screening and social distancing are being implemented, he said.

De Castro added that

disembark the aircraft.

"Deep cleaning is being done after the aircraft finishes its routes," he said.

Meanwhile, de Castro said guests must also check with the local government units (LGUs) regarding rules.

"Essential travel like business trips are allowed," he said, adding that passengers should also keep in mind that every LGU has its own rules or guidelines.

(PNA)

Residences in Davao City is 97 percent sold while construction of The Paragon Davao is also ongoing with residential component at 87 percent sold and the hotel component at 42 percent sold.

The Paragon Davao is being positioned as an emerging lifestyle destination in Davao City with well-designed residential towers, internationally-renowned hotel, convention facilities and boutique mall.

The Phase 1 has com-

ponents of One Paragon Place (residential condominium), Citadines Paragon Davao (serviced residences), The Paragon Davao Convention Center, and The Paragon Davao Lifestyle Mall.

“Davao City continues to be an important market for us,” Soberano said.

Soberano said CLI will launch 14 projects this year. He said they are also positioning to develop townships in Cagayan de Oro (CDO), Tagbilaran, and Cebu City.

AirAsia introduces contactless check-in as flights resume Prospects on jobs, economy irAsia Philippines are hopeful to be able to fly cally print after scanning social distancing is also imon Friday provided to Cebu, Davao, and Puer- their QR code,” de Castro plemented even as guests remain favorable: NEDA chief

A

guests with an option to choose contactless check-in as the carrier resumed domestic services.

During the Laging Handa briefing, AirAsia Philippines head of communications, David de Castro, said the carrier already mounted flights between Manila and Cagayan de Oro on Friday.

As the carrier eyes a gradual resumption of flights in its key domestic routes, de Castro said they

What used to be a brisk business of peddling miniature Philippine flags in anticipation of the annual celebration of the Philippine Independence Day turns out a quiet day along Tionko Avenue in Davao City on Friday.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even seasonal businesses like flaglets are affected. Edge Davao

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he country’s chief economist remains optimistic about the prospects of economy and employment despite the setbacks brought by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a virtual briefing Friday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said gradual recovery is expected by the second half of this year as most parts of the country are in general community quarantine (GCQ), which opened up around 75 percent of the economy.

However, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2020 has not yet been revised and is still projected to contract by 2 percent to 3.4 percent.

“But so far, given the results that we have seen, it seems like the second quarter will still be hit hard and we can expect the gradual recovery to begin in the third and fourth quarter so that we achieve as low damages as possible for the full year,” said Chua, who is also the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Inflation eases; employment, manufacturing down The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Friday that the inflation rate has eased in May to 2.1 percent from 2.2 percent in April 2020.

This is also lower than May 2019’s inflation rate of 3.2 percent.

“A number of reasons explain this. These include the continued implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law, which has brought down the price of rice by around PHP10 per kilo from the 2018 peak. In fact, rice inflation in May was negative 2.7 percent,” the NEDA chief said.

He added that the government’s effort to ensure the unhampered flow of goods and imposing price

freeze during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has also helped to keep the inflation rate low and stable.

On the other hand, a high 17.7 percent unemployment rate was reported in the Labor Force Survey (LFS) for April 2020 mainly due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. This means 7.3 million Filipinos do not have jobs as of April 2020.

“This year, all over the world, it is really a setback. But we are coming up with concrete measures on how to, at the very least get back five million [jobs],” said NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon in the same briefing.

Edillon added that as soon as the global value chain recovers, it will also provide additional opportunities, particularly for the electronics sector.

Meanwhile, the PSA reported that manufacturing output plunged in April 2020.

Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) showed that the volume of production index plummeted by 59.8 percent in April 2020 from a contraction of 14 percent in April 2019.

The value of production index likewise dropped by 61.4 percent in April this year from a decrement of 11.8 percent in the previous year.

Getting back on track Chua said the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic are temporary and the government shall stay focus on achieving its target of lifting 16 million Filipinos out of poverty by 2022.

He recalled that the Philippines reached its target four years in advance as the poverty rate in 2018 was slightly lower than 17 percent, the poverty rate target for the end of this administration.

He cited two factors that will help shape the type of recovery that the

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VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Emission testing sector is one of the thriving industries right as vehicle owners troop to the different emission testing centers in Davao City following the resumption of Land Transportation Office’s (LTO’s) operations and starts serving the public. Edge Davao

House approves P1.5 trillion stimulus bill on 2nd reading T

Peso returns to P49:$1 territory after 3 years

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he House of Representatives approved on second reading Friday a P1.5 trillion stimulus after official date showed unemployment during the COVID-19 lockdown ballooned to a record.

The COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus or CURES aims to create infrastructure jobs and encourage people to move to the provinces from Metro Manila.

Funds will be allocated to infrastructure projects such as barangay health centers and municipal and

city hospitals, virus testing equipment, telehealth services and e-prescriptions, post harvest facilities and food terminals, among others, said Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte, one of the bill’s co-authors.

The stimulus also earmarked funds for walking and bike lanes, bridges, evacuation centers, disas-

ter facilities, roads, economic zones and hubs for small and medium enterprises, he said.

“This measure aims to blunt the impact of what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects to be the worst global recession since the Great Depression in the 1930s by stimulating economic activity and creating so many jobs in the countryside,” Villafuerte said.

The bill will boost President Rodrigo Duterte’s “Balik-Probinsya (Back to the Province)” program by building livelihood opportunities in the

PDP in order to integrate these new normal features as part of the strategies of the PDP, so this will guide the work programs of government agencies for 2021 and also for 2022,” she said in an online briefing Friday.

She added that Filipinos also want to have a more accessible healthcare system.

“Government actually needs to make sure that healthcare is more accessible by building more hospitals, health centers and hiring more health personnel,” she said.

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the “new normal” will include social distancing, strict hygiene, and sanitation protocol, sporadic lockdown, and looming threats of Covid-19, Edillon mentioned.

On the other hand, she said this pandemic has improved Filipinos’ behavior toward health and expectations on the healthcare system.

“I always keep saying that this is also a new normal for Filipinos because as people, we

regions, he said.

Unemployment in the Philippines rose 17.7 percent in April with at least 7.3 million Filipinos jobless, government data released Friday showed.

When asked in an earlier Senate hearing if unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic could reach 10 million, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said “it’s possible.”

The timely approval of stimulus bills will help stem rising unemployment, Nomura Securities senior economist for ASEAN Euben Paracuelles said.

he Philippine peso touched the 49:$1 territory on Friday, a level last seen in 2017, as optimism on both domestic and global economic recovery boosted the local currency’s attractiveness.

The local unit closed 2 centavos stronger at P49.8:$1 from 50 on Thursday. This is the strongest for the peso in nearly three years when it closed at 49.63 on June 15, 2017.

The peso also reached an intraday high of 49.8 and low of 50.05, after it opened at 49.93.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist attributed the peso’s

appreciation to the “continued decline in the US dollar against major global currencies on the back of improved global market risk appetite that led to gains in emerging markets such as the Philippines, some optimism recently about a quicker economic recovery as more countries around the world further re-open their respective economies.”

“Slight easing of the inflation inflation rate to 2.1% in May 2020, the slowest in six months, from 2.2% in April 2020, also supported the latest appreciation in the peso exchange rate,” Ricafort said.

PAL parent firm books NEDA to update PDP, integrate ‘new normal’ P9.38-B net loss in Q1

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ational Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the agency will update the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) to address the needs of Filipinos under the “new normal”.

Edillon said the public wants to see a healthy and resilient Philippines, according to the result of the online public consultation recently by the agency.

“What we will be doing in a more structured manner is to update the

have very poor healthcare-seeking behavior. I think that’s the reason why we do not regularly visit doctors unless we are really sick,” Edillon said.

“But this one is actually a good new normal for us because we are prioritizing health care and our health,” she added.

She said this demand from the public means greater expectations on the government to provide improved healthcare and social protection services. (PNA)

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AL Holdings, Inc., the parent firm and operator of flag carrier Philippine Airlines, saw a wider net loss in the first quarter of 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the aviation sector.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, PAL Holdings said its net loss stood at P9.38 billion, significantly higher than the P838.17 million net loss recorded in the same period in 2019.

"The Group’s operations were severely affected by the worldwide trav-

el restrictions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak," the company said.

Consolidated revenue also dipped by 18.3% to P32.07 billion from the P39.24 billion year-on-year on weak passenger operations.

Revenue from passenger operations declined 21.4% to P27 billion from P34.37 billion.

The flag carrier earlier announced it will resume domestic flight to Manila, Cebu, Davao, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Basco,

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VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

ON HOW GOVERNMENT PREPARES PROGRAMS TO EASE THE IMPACT OF LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT AMID THE COVID-19 CRISIS:

Ito po ang rason kung bakit ko ibinahagi ang inisyatibong Balik Probinsya para mabigyan ng bagong pag-asa ang ating mga kababayan. Wala pong pilitan ito. ‘Yung mga gusto pong bumalik na sa probinsya, tutulungan po kayo ng gobyerno na magsimula muli sa paraan na ligtas at makakabuti sa inyo at sa komunidad na inyong babalikan.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go

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VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

A MEDICAL DOCTOR’S WAR DIARY There are very few written eyewitness accounts depicting the emotions and observations the day Davao region was drawn into the global conflict in December 1941. Coinciding with the tragic destruction of Pearl Harbor, Davao City, home to roughly 20,000 Japanese nationals, was also bombed by Japanese Zero planes that same day.

Dr. Santiago Dakudao, first director of the Japanese-owned Mintal Hospital, was inside his room when the first bombs were unleashed. His war diary, written on fragile, onion-skin paper was later found by his architect-grandson, Michaelangelo E. Dakudao, in April 1987, inserted between the pages of a history book that was part of the old man’s library collection.

In clear language, Dr. Dakudao, now retired and successful as investor, realtor, and farmer, described what happened on December 8, 1941, feast of the Immaculate Conception: “We were awakened form out sleep by the heavy drones of devastating planes in the early morning. The calendar on the wood-panelled wood

of our bedroom said December 8, 1941. The thunderous explosion of the bombs shook the huse from its very foundation. The windows which I had opened revealed a clear vista of the planes in the formation of a 9O11 floating out of the now almost clear morning day. It was remarkable, I thought to myself, that the Americans were out on target practie this early. […]

“Japans truck without warning. The Pearl Harbor of the Americans was vanquished rendering it futile. This was the news we had heard all over the radio but not much detail was given. The saddest and most alarming information we got was that Manila was bombed, too. The extent of the damage was not yet available to the public. Alas, war was with us.

“Later this morning, I came across Engineer [Brigido] Valencia at San Pedro, the commercial district. The engineer has been a long time friend whose services had been employed in the construction of some of my buildings. He showed me some of the fragmentary shrapnels of the bombs used by the Japanese in ravaging the Sasa airdrome.

This tangible proof of the reality of war gave me qualms about what lay ahead of us.”

Dr. Dakudao had a particularly good impression about the Japanese people. His first encounter with them was as student of Japan Medical School and later as medical director in Davao. Following his resignation, he turned to agriculture and invited Keniche Migitaka, a Japanese, to manage his farm and hired Japanese laborers to cultivate his farms.

Given the destruction the attacks created, Dr. Dakudao did not harbor anger towards ordinary Japanese but strongly disagreed with the way the Japanese Imperial soldiers committed war atrocities. Continuing with his narrative, his diary provides evidence that Japanese landing in Davao via the gulf of Davao happened on December 19, 1941, a day early than widely recorded in many war chronicles and historical accounts: “In the wee hours of the 19th of December, we were awakened by the continuous rapping on the door. I had to drag myself from bed to go

down to check who it was. It was the watchman who was overly excited to inform me that a number of planes were flying all over. A few minutes later, bomb explosions were heard. I had gotten accustomed to these incidences that I accepted the fact that war was with us. Because of this, I managed to return to sleep. We woke up quite early to the new that the city was bombed. By eight o’clock, we were informed of a heavy combat ensuing at the Talomo area. Evidently, the Japanese had already landed. Bombing explosions interspersed with the sounds made from the firing of machine guns filled the air. We also learned that the Japanese troops, in flanking movement, were marching towards Davao City. They were landed one batch after another in Sasa and Talomo. Our troops were caught in between with no escape except towards the hills.

The Generoso Bridge was rendered useless by heavy bombing and the escaping civilians had to swim across the Davao River to get to the other side.

The casualties from both our Filipino troops and civilians

were innumerable, struggling in agonizing death throes against the formidable weapons of the Japanese. The invaders had tanks, planes and cannons all being nloaded from warships while our own soldiers had only their will to fight against the dreadful armaments of the Japanese. When our soldiers realized the futility in their struggle against the invaders, they retreated and started fleeing demoralized. The unbearable part was that the civilians became an easy target for the enemies’ bullets. The Japanese soldiers who seemed to relish in the positive ttucome of their military strategy made further attempt to disconcert the civilians by dropping their bombs at random.”

Dr. Dakudao, born in Dingle, Iloilo, on April 12, 1892, his wife Carmen Lacson, a native of Jaro, Iloilo, and his entire family survived the war. Highly esteemed and admired, he died on May 2, 1978 and his remains, along with those of his wife and son Santiago, Jr., were buried at the family mausoleum in Tugbok, which was a former residence when war broke out.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

OF SMOKING AND COVID-19 Smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to non-smokers, a review of studies by public health experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) found.

“COVID-19 is an infectious disease that primarily attacks the lungs,” said the United Nations health agency in a statement. “Smoking impairs lung function making it harder for the body to fight off coronaviruses and other diseases. Available research suggests that smokers are at higher risk of developing severe disease and death.”

There were some reports that tobacco can be used in treating COVID-19. The WHO dispels it and in fact urges researchers, scientists and the media “to be cautious about amplifying unproven claims that tobacco or nicotine could reduce the risk of COVID-19.”

Nicotine contained in tobacco is highly addictive. “The American Heart Association says that nicotine consumed from smoking tobacco is one of the hardest substances to quit,” wrote Adam Feldman for Medical News Today. “It

is considered to be at least as hard as quitting heroin.”

Some people try to stop smoking but mostly fail. Feldman reports: “People who regularly consume nicotine and then suddenly stop experience withdrawal symptoms, which may include: cravings, a sense of emptiness, anxiety, depression, moodiness, irritability and difficulty focusing or paying attention.”

But there are some helps.

“Nicotine replacement therapies, such as gum and patches are designed to help smokers quit tobacco,” the WHO said, urging smokers to take immediate steps to quit by using proven methods such as toll-free quit lines, mobile text-messaging programs and nicotine replacement therapies.

What happens to those who quit smoking? There are immediate and longterm health benefits. Beneficial health changes that take place: within 20 minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure drop and within 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

Here are more health benefits: 2-12 weeks, your

circulation improves and your lung function increases; 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; 1 year, your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker’s; 5 years, your stroke risk is reduce to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting; and 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker and your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas decreases.

According to the WHO, the following are benefits in comparison with those who continued: at about 30, gain almost 10 years of life expectancy; at about 40, gain 9 years of life expectancy; at about 50, gain 6 years of life expectancy; at about 60, gain 3 years of life expectancy.

“People who quit smoking after having a heart attack reduce their chances of having another heat attack by 50%,” the WHO states.

In addition, quitting smoking reduces the chances of impotence among men.

Among women, stopping smoking reduces having difficulty of getting pregnant, having premature births, babies

with low birth weights and miscarriage.

Tobacco use is a cause or risk factor for many diseases; especially those affecting the heart, liver, and lungs, as well as many cancers. In 2008, WHO named tobacco use as the world’s single greatest preventable cause of death.

“Tobacco kills more than 8 million people globally every year,” the WHO says. “More than 7 million deaths are from direct tobacco use and around 1.2 million are due to non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke.”

According to the UN health agency, nearly half of all children breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke and 65,000 children die each year due to illnesses related to second-hand smoke.

More than 70 species of tobacco are known but the chief commercial crop is Nicotiana tabacum. “Tobacco has long been used in the Americas, with some cultivation sites in Mexico dating back to 1400-100 B.C.,” Wikipedia reports. “Many native American tribes traditionally grow and use tobacco.”

The English word tobacco originates from the Spanish

and Portuguese word tabaco. “The precise origin of this word is disputed, but it is generally thought to have derived at lest in part from Taino, the Arawakan language of the Caribbean,” Wikipedia says.

In the Philippines, tobacco was reportedly introduced by the Spaniards when they came to the country. Filipinos have been smoking cigarettes since then. In 2014, there were 61,418 metric tons of tobacco produced in the country, with 0.29% of agricultural land devoted to tobacco cultivation, the tobaccoatlas.org reports.

“The Philippines has made progress on tobacco control in recent years,” the Tobacco Atlas states. “However, people continue to die and become sick needlessly, and the costs to society from tobacco use continue to mount.”

Every year, the website claims, “more than 117,700 of its people are killed by tobacco-caused disease. Still, more than 94,000 children (10-14 years old) and 12,338,000 (15 years old and above) continue to use tobacco each day.”

On May 28, the world will celebrate the World No Tobacco Day.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

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.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

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Sky fiber gives quick access to the hottest streaming apps at a reliable internet speed

F

amilies and avid entertainment seekers can now ease their worries and have an enjoyable homestay when they indulge in a wide array of online video content at their disposal as SKY Fiber launches its partnership with the hottest streaming apps today.

Binge-watchers can rely on the premium broadband service provider for uninterrupted viewing pleasure through its fiber-fast speed of up to 200 Mbps, eliminating the woes commonly experienced with online viewing such as intermittent buffering, slow loading, and disrupted connection.

“SKY Fiber understands the evolving needs of our Filipino consumers and forging (Over-The-Top) OTT partnerships complements our fiber-fast internet service. This is very timely since Filipinos are watching more content online as they continue to stay home at this time,” Claudia Suarez, SKY’s Consumer Products Group Head said.

“Viewers today want more options, more control, and have a seamless viewing experience. That’s why having a quick access to a wide variety of content at reliable speeds is

of utmost priority for SKY Fiber,” Alan Supnet, SKY’s head for Consumer Broadband Products said.

To enhance its subscribers’ experience, HBO Go and Viu’s monthly fees will be on SKY Fiber for the first three months, giving its Plan 15mbps and up subscribers a chance to enjoy the new season of “Westworld” on HBO GO and to also catch the Oscar-winning “Parasite” and other on-demand Korean dramas on Viu without breaking the bank.

New subscribers can avail of this promo within 60 days from the date of SKY Fiber installation, while the redemption period for existing subscribers is from June 6 to September 30, 2020.

“This is the perfect time to try out HBO GO. Whether you’re into comedies like Veep or Silicon Valley, dramas such as Succession, cartoons or

the biggest first-run Hollywood movie blockbusters, there’s something for everyone in this awesome app,” said Yasmin Zahid, Head of Distribution in Southeast Asia, China and Pacific for WarnerMedia Entertainment Networks & Sales, the company which operates HBO GO. Meanwhile, Matt Fernandez, GM of Mobile Entertainment for Megamobile, operator of the VIU app in the Philippines, expresses his excitement with the partnership, "We're thrilled to let SKY Fiber Subscribers try our app as we add more highly anticipated Korean shows such as A World Of Married Couple, Road to Kingdom, Memorist, and Oh My Baby.

On top of this, viewers may also look forward to new shows upcoming in the next months as we expand our list of Asian content.

We see our partnership with SKY Fiber as a timely one as more Filipinos are exploring a variety of dramas and series from different countries these days."

With its reliable speeds, SKY Fiber subscribers can quickly access the top 2 video streaming sites in the Philippines – YouTube and iWant – allowing them to binge to their heart’s

para lang may maipadalang pera sa kanilang pamilya sa probinsya ang nadala na at gusto nang umuwi dahil sa krisis na dulot ng COVID-19,” Go said.

“Ito po ang rason kung bakit ko ibinahagi ang inisyatibong Balik Probinsya para mabigyan ng bagong pag-asa ang ating mga kababayan. Wala pong pilitan ito. ‘Yung mga gusto pong bumalik na sa probinsya, tutulungan po kayo ng gobyerno na magsimula muli sa paraan na ligtas at makakabuti sa inyo at sa komunidad na inyong babalikan,” he added.

“Mayroon nang mga programa na nakalatag ang DOLE at DTI. Gamitin dapat

ito para makatulong sa mga mawawalan ng trabaho,” Go stressed further.

DOLE will offer various programs in varying phases. In the immediate phase, the department will focus on those who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Programs include the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged or Displaced Workers Program and Government Internship Program (TUPADGIP), Special Program for Employment of Students during their school breaks, Work Appreciation Program for on-the-job training experience, Tulay 2000 Program for persons with

disabilities, and JobStart for employment facilitation.

The DOLE ASSIST WELL (Welfare, Employment, Legal, Livelihood) Program for national reintegration program of overseas Filipino workers, wage subsidy, one-time assistance for qualified freelancer beneficiary, Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, and Labor Enforcement and Action Program (LEAP)Balik Probinsya are among those the labor department intends to also implement during the short-term period.

Meanwhile, in the mediate or medium-term, DOLE will help nursing graduates

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content over a thousand movies available on the Philippines’ top streaming app iWant and their favorite vlogs on YouTube.

According to iWant’s head, Elaine Uy-Casipit, “We’ve been seeing significant growth in iWant viewership since promoting a variety of content offerings. iWant now offers more than a thousand free Filipino movies, iWant originals library, Kids world, and live channels on top of our catch-up TV series. The rise of affordable, faster and more reliable internet is key in bringing this experience to a wider audience.”

On YouTube, SKY Fiber subscribers can discover new channels, watch videos and connect with their favorite creators as they bring a plethora of enriching content, ranging from lifestyle, fitness, music, tutorials, DIYs, food, film, and travel.

For uninterrupted streaming, maximize SKY Fiber’s best value plan of 25mbps for only P1,499 per month. To start indulging in your favorite shows at fiber-fast speeds, subscribe to SKY Fiber today through the official website: www.mysky.com.ph/ skyfiber. and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-trained nurse assistants to gain employment.

In addition, DOLE proposes to also require contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways to increase the number of workers from the localities where their projects are being constructed.

On the other hand, DTI said they are ready to provide different forms of financial assistance for micro, small and medium enterprises support and development, such as Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo sa Barangay that will include mentoring and training in addition to

9

in the country during the closed season.

This is to allow fish species to reproduce and for the fry and juveniles to mature and restore valuable fish stocks.

BFAR’s National Stock Assessment Program in Region 9 said during the closed season consistent positive growth in sardine production was achieved and may be attributed to the department's conservation measure.

Sardine catch increased from 141, 658.79 metric tons (MT) in 2015 to 148,718.22 MT in 2016, and reaching 165, 293.32 MT in 2017.

Open fishing season is now being observed in the fishing grounds of North-

east Palawan in Northen Sulu Sea that were closed from November to January; the Visayan Sea is closed from November 15 to February 15; and the Zamboanga Peninsula closes from December 1 until March 1 of every year.

Meanwhile, the Davao Gulf is currently on its closed season that started in June and will last until August 31.

Filipino fishers with vessels capable of venturing to fishing in areas within the country's maritime domains including the West Philippine Sea, which are open for fishing all throughout the year, are likewise urged to take advantage of the peak season for fishing. (PNA)

closed.

The SWS survey was conducted via mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing among 4,010 working-age Filipinos aged 15 and above.

The respondents came from the National Capital

Region (294), Balance Luzon or the rest of Luzon (1,645), Visayas (792) and Mindanao (1,279).

Sampling error margins were ±2% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, ±2 for Balance Luzon, ±3% Visayas, and ±3% in Mindanao.

places.

Reservists Transport Marshal was also organized where a special transport bus was provided to ferry employees of Davao Regional Medical Center to and from their homes and workplace during the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the city in which public transport was not allowed.

The Reservists also acted as security forces during the distribution of cash

assistance to the poorest residents of Tagum City in compliance to the Social Amelioration Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

This intervention intensified the agenda for Genuine Peace, Safety, and Security for Tagumenyos amidst the on-going COVID-19 pandemic crisis, which is under the EAGLE WINGS developmental thrust of the City Government of Tagum. Drex Rafols/CIO Tagum

people are seeking -- the proactive policies of the government such as the Bayanihan Act, Social Amelioration Program, Balik Probinsya Program, and wage subsidy among others and the public’s cooperation to maintain minimum health stan-

dards.

“The combination of these factors suggests that there might be a temporary deterioration of poverty but I think given the policies in place, we are on track to still improve our poverty numbers,” Chua said. (PNA)

Laoag, Legazpi, Busuanga, Bacolod, Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, Butuan,

Cotabato, Dipolog, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.

a seed capital; Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso Program – Enterprise Rehabilitation Program; Negosyo Centers under the Go Negosyo Act for business registration, technology centers, production and management trainings and marketing assistance from other agencies; Shared Service Facilities Program for machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills and knowledge for MSMEs; Diskwento Caravan or Rolling Stores, Philippine Trade Training Center Global MSME Academy; and Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program for victims of the pandemic.

“We need to do whatev-

er it takes to find the solutions for our Filipino brothers and sisters, especially those who may soon lose their jobs due to the crisis.

From job fairs, information on job opportunities, skills training and availability of alternative forms of livelihood — let us do what we can to help the country bounce back from this crisis,” Go said.

Go also recently urged the government to assist SMEs manufacturing COVID-19-related medical devices and equipment to help the country in sustaining its medical supply for frontliners that continue to help combat the health crisis.

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10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 49 • SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2020

Lenovo rolls out special ThinkCentre WFH productivity bundles

A

s the ongoing global pandemic continues to disrupt normal business operations, more companies are integrating work-from-home technology to achieve and maintain high levels of productivity and keep their businesses afloat. This is shown in Lenovo’s recent global survey which revealed that nearly half of the employees (46%) were encouraged and 26% were required to work from home. In addition, 77% expect companies to be more accepting of the setup in the future .

Recognizing the need for an efficient and seamless WFH technology solution, Lenovo, the world’s number one PC maker, is offering a special Work From Home productivity suite which bundles together its latest devices and services designed to bolster a company’s capacity to work from anywhere.

Ongoing until June 30, 2020, companies can choose from two Lenovo work from home technology bundles.

ThinkCentre Nano Bundle 1 – PHP 50,390 Includes: • ThinkCentre

M90n with Intel i3-8145U processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, and Windows 10 Pro • ThinkCentre Tinyin-One 22 Gen3 monitor • ThinkCentre Nano TIO Cube • Lenovo Professional Ultraslim Wireless Combo Keyboard and Mouse • Lenovo USB-C Laptop Power Bank 14000 mAh ThinkCentre Nano Bundle 2 – PHP 51,890 Includes: • ThinkCentre M90n with Intel i5-8265U processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, and Windows 10 Pro • ThinkVision T22i10 21.5” • ThinkCentre Nano Monitor Clamp • Lenovo Professional Ultraslim Wireless Combo Keyboard and Mouse Both bundles also come with Lenovo’s Advanced Solutions for Remote Work service, a suite of solutions designed to help businesses easily transition to work from home arrangements.

By combining Lenovo’s proprietary services, namely, Premier Support (24/7 dedicated hotline to Leno-

vo engineers, comprehensive hardware and OEM support), Premium Care (real-time solutions on first contact, ‘Getting started’ and ‘How-to’ support, assistance with hardware and software issues), and Accidental Damage Protection (coverage for accidental drops, spills, bumps, electrical surges, damage to LCD screen), Lenovo is covering all bases and issues that employees are bound to encounter while working remotely.

The two bundles can be purchased through Lenovo’s authorized retail partners and their respective online stores. For more tips on how to bolster productivity at home, contact Lenovo at fb.com/lenovophilippines or visit the website at lenovo.com/ph/en.

“We understand the struggles involved in making work from home arrangements work for certain industries, especially within a short period of time. As a global leader in providing cutting-edge technology, we at Lenovo make it our mission to assist businesses in adapting to the new normal through our holistic solutions pack-

aged in smart bundles for quick and convenient implementation,” said Michael Ngan, Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager.

The devices included in the bundles provide enhanced business flexibility and agility, enabling teams to easily communicate and finish projects from anywhere without any hitches. They also extend added security and a sense of comfort and ease with the support provided by expert Lenovo technicians.

Headlining Lenovo’s work from home technology bundles is the ThinkCentre M90n Nano workstation which delivers powerful performance through its 8th Gen Intel® processor despite being only 179mm x 88mm x 22mm small and having a starting weight of 1.6 lbs. Its several ports, including powered USB Type-C, allow it to be hooked up to peripherals such as projectors, monitors, keyboard, and mouse without unnecessary cable clutter in workspaces. The device is WiFi-ready and has two additional USB 3.1 ports that enable lightning-quick data transfers.

Lenovo recommends two displays for the ThinkCentre M90n – the ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One 22” and the ThinkVision T22i-10 21.5” monitors. The ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One monitor assures a clutter-free workspace through its 1920x1080 borderless LED panel which gives a clearer view of worksheets and projects and a clip that can tuck all cables in, thereby eliminating cable eyesore.

Meanwhile, the T22i provides a clear display of 1920x1080 resolution with a near edgeless IPS-type screen, providing vivid color in images from a wide viewing angle.

To connect the ThinkCentre M90n Nano to a display, Lenovo suggests the ThinkCentre Nano TIO Cube or ThinkCentre Nano Monitor Clamp. Both accessories easily hook up the ThinkCentre M90n Nano to the monitor, thus allowing users to create a lean working environment and an overall better and hassle-free user experience during setup.

Lenovo is also offering the USB-C Laptop Power Bank 14000 mAh. Despite measuring only 124 mm x 83.5mm x 22.5mm and with

a starting weight of 0.64 lbs, it provides 48 Wh battery life which is enough to boot up the ThinkCentre M90n on a mobile workspace environment.

Through its additional two USB-A ports, the device supports simultaneous charging, allowing the charging of a notebook and power bank at the same time. It also has fast-charging capabilities, with less than two hours of charging time already capable of providing up to 80% battery capacity.

To complete the ultimate work from home setup, Lenovo is also including the Lenovo Professional Ultraslim Wireless Combo Keyboard and Mouse into the bundle. Made to give users maximum comfort, it features a 2.5-zone ultraslim keyboard at only 12 mm (0.47 in) thick. The accompanying mouse, on the other hand, has an adjustable DPI of up to 3200.

Less hassle in connecting is assured through their single Nano USB receiver which saves the need to attach both devices through USB ports.

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-100101 series of 2020.

sion cracks were found in these areas after the quakes last year. “Karon lang man nagkusog ulan so kaaron ra nahitabo”

(It’s only now that there is a heavy downpour that’s why it happened), he said.

Geologist Jeffrey Perez, Supervising Science

Research Specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) told MindaNews Friday night that

Gubat’s explanation was correct. He said it is likely “pumasok yung water sa mga tension cracks.”

Five above-Magnitude

6 earthquakes jolted parts of Mindanao, including this city, between October 16 and December 15: Magnitude 6.3 on October

16; 6.6 and 6.1 on October 29; 6.5 on October 31 and 6.9 on December 15. (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

passed the Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed under normal circumstances, Zion Williamson likely wasn’t going to pass Ja Morant for Rookie of the Year. Even if Williamson had played in every Pelicans game for the rest of the season and Morant had missed every Grizzlies game, Morant would have played in 22 more total games. While Williamson’s peak was undoubtedly superior, voters were not going to be able to deny the totality of Morant’s case.

But imagine if Williamson gets his Pelicans up to No. 9 and they face Morant’s No. 8 Grizzlies twice in a play-in setting. Would winning consecutive headto-head matchups with a playoff spot on the line in front of a captive television audience be enough to change minds? Possibly.

Recency bias is a powerful force. On merit, this award should belong to Morant easily, but human voters are fallible, and if Williamson beats Morant convincingly enough, that might be enough to overcome the five months of games played in what feels like an increasingly distant past.

Loser: Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks The Lakers and Bucks fought for home-court advantage all season. Now? Not only is that out the window, but their competition doesn’t seem willing to grant them any sort of alternative advantage to make up for it. They, like the rest of the field, will be playing on neutral courts with neutral rules despite

their sterling records. In fact, it could be argued that their superior regular seasons will actually do more harm than good at Disney.

Teams in the middle of each conference could potentially move around in the standings over the course of eight games.

They have the flexibility to potentially jockey for certain matchups depending on what happens in Orlando. But the Bucks lead the Eastern Conference by 6.5 games and the Lakers lead the West by 5.5. They couldn’t escape the No. 1 seeds even if they wanted to. An 0-8 record for either would only lead to a lower seed if the teams directly beneath them dominated at Disney.

Give either team truth serum and they’d likely admit that, without homecourt advantage, they’d prefer not to have the No. 1 seed. The Lakers are staring down the barrel of a firstround matchup with Zion and the Pelicans, whose starting lineup with him in the fold has decimated opponents by 26.3 points per 100 possessions. As unlikely as it seems, the Bucks could potentially draw Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the first round, whereas their pre-pandemic opponent would have been either the weakened Nets or the Orlando Magic. Injuries to the No. 4 seed in both conference (Indiana in the East, Utah in the West) could boost the current No. 6 seeds (Philadelphia in the East, Houston in the West) up onto the top seeds’ side

of the bracket. The Lakers and Bucks are now, essentially, helpless. They can only watch what happens underneath them and hope for the best.

Winner: Los Angeles Clippers On top of the systemic disadvantages this system presents them with, the Lakers and Bucks are also enormously invested in single players. LeBron James is the only ball handler on the Lakers’ roster.

Giannis Antetokounmpo makes everything the Bucks do possible. If they get hurt before or during the postseason, their teams likely fall out of the championship race.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are about as pandemic-proof as any team in the field. Ivica Zubac is the only player on the roster to have played in all 64 Clippers games this season. Kawhi Leonard missed 13. Paul George missed 22. They are so deep that they could theoretically stay afloat through any short-term injury.

They even have a positive net rating (plus-0.6) with Kawhi on the bench.

Those missed games did pose a potential risk to the Clippers, though.

Their best players hardly spent any time on the court together, at least relative to other top teams.

The James-Anthony Davis combination for the Lakers has played 1,318 minutes this season, for instance, while the Leonard-George duo spent only 760 minutes together. If the playoffs had started immediately,

the Clippers wouldn’t have had any built-in chemistry to fall back on as other contenders do. At least with eight regular-season games in front of them, the Clippers, who presumably won’t load-manage in that span, can get their best lineups some more floor time together.

Loser: Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers The Timberwolves own Brooklyn’s lottery-protected first-round pick. That pick was almost certain to convey had the season ended as planned. The Nets have a six-game lead over the current No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Wizards.

But with the play-in option on the table, the Wizards only need to make up two games over the eight-game regular-season slate to force a playoff between the two of them.

We have heard nothing definitive on the health of Durant and Irving. Until we hear otherwise, they should be assumed to be injured. The Nets fired their head coach, Kenny Atkinson, only four days before the season was suspended, so it would be reasonable to expect them to come out of the gates somewhat sloppily (even by the relatively low standards of this truncated regular season).

They harbor serious trade aspirations, with Bradley Beal reported as a potential target, and an extra lottery pick couldn’t hurt on that front. The Nets aren’t going to tank away their playoff spot, but they’re

hardly incentivized to fight for it, either. Owners typically prefer the No. 8 seed to a lottery pick because a home playoff game is worth around $3 million in gate and in-arena revenue.

The No. 8 seed comes with two guaranteed home playoff games... under normal circumstances. This year?

That revenue opportunity is gone.

The 76ers are in an arguably more precarious position. If Brooklyn’s pick doesn’t convey this offseason, it rolls over to next season. But the 76ers have Oklahoma City’s firstround pick, and if it doesn’t convey this season, it converts into a second-round pick. The Thunder pick is protected 1-20. It currently sits precariously at No. 22.

Had the NBA gone directly to the postseason, that pick would have locked in for the 76ers. A bad eightgame stretch by a team in the other conference could cost Philly a first-round pick.

Winner: Memphis Grizzlies The Grizzlies held a 3.5game lead in the standings when the season was suspended, but that says little about their true playoff odds. They had the NBA’s hardest remaining schedule, while New Orleans and Portland both had easy ones remaining. FiveThirtyEight actually projected the Pelicans, not the Grizzlies, as the likely No. 8 seed out west.

But now? Those easy games that awaited the Pelicans and Blazers are off of the table because the worst

teams aren’t even coming to Orlando. The Grizzlies will likely have to play a play-in tournament to get into the playoffs proper, but that is a chance the typical season would not have afforded them. Oh, and they’ll be far healthier in the process. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke were both injured when the season was suspended. They should be healthy now.

Justise Winslow may even be able to make his Grizzlies debut. All in all, the Grizzlies likely have a better chance at making the postseason now than they did before the pandemic. If nothing else, they’ll have a chance to fight off their top competitor in a play-in.

Loser: Utah Jazz Put the injury to Bojan Bogdanovic aside. Had the standings locked and the top 16 teams immediately started the playoffs, Utah would have been able to avoid Houston in the postseason for the first time since 2017. But now, with Bogdanovic out, there is only a 2.5-game difference between them and the No. 7 seeded Dallas Mavericks. If they slip all the way to No. 7, they’ve likely booked a date with the loaded Clippers. If they play well despite missing Bogdanovic, Houston now has eight games to sneak back up into the No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup against them. The Jazz were likely thrilled by a possible first-round series against Oklahoma City. Their odds of getting it have declined significantly with the news of this format.

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WINNERS... FROM11

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Under the revised NBA format, the Clippers are so deep that they could theoretically stay afloat through any short-term injury.

Winners and losers of NBA’s return

T

he NBA is coming back after a vote by its board of governors Thursday approved commissioner Adam Silver’s plans to send 22 teams to Disney World for the conclusion of the 2019-20 season. As a reminder, the season will be finished under the following terms: All games will be played at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando.

The 22 teams that make the trip to Disney will play eight regular-season games each.

If the No. 9 seed in either conference is within four games of the No. 8 seed in that conference, they will be pushed into a play-in

tournament. The No. 8 seed only needs to beat the No. 9 seed once, whereas the No. 9 seed must win twice.

The first games will be played on July 31. Game 7 of the NBA Finals, if necessary, will be played on Oct. 12. Training camps for the 2020-21 season are expected to begin on Nov. 10, while the start of that

season is projected for Dec. 1, though those dates are fluid.

Obviously, this is an enormous deviation from what teams expected when the season began. Teams were built with an October-June season in mind.

But as has been repeated ad nauseam throughout the past several months, the NBA was not built to withstand a pandemic.

There was not an ideal solution on the board, so the NBA found a compromise it could stomach. But some teams benefit more from that compromise than others. The big winner is a team that won’t even make the trek down to Central Florida.

Durant won't play for Nets this season

F

ormer NBA MVP Kevin Durant will not make his Brooklyn Nets debut when the season resumes next month, the New York Post reported Friday, ending speculation that the veteran forward might salvage some games in the 2019-20 season.

Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors. He was traded to the Nets on July 7 under the belief he would miss the entire 2019-20 season

because of a lengthy recovery timetable.

While Durant was progressing during his rehab with the Nets, the team will take a cautious approach as the NBA gets set to return.

Durant was participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages in March, but has not played to that level since after the season was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He is expected to be ready to participate in training camp for next season. Because of the delayed ending to the

2019-20 season, next season's training camps will start in November, with the season set to start Dec. 1.

Durant, 31, is a twotime NBA champion and won his lone MVP award in 2013-14.

He has averaged 27.0 points and 7.1 rebounds over 12 seasons (849 games) with the Seattle SuperSonics, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Warriors. He has led the NBA in scoring four times, most recently in 2013-14 with the Thunder, when he poured in 32.0 points per game.

Winner: Golden State Warriors While this season’s heavy hitters are forced to duke it out under less than ideal circumstances, perhaps the NBA’s best roster is sitting pretty at home right now. With only around one month between the end of the 2020 NBA Finals and the projected opening of training camps for the following campaign, the 2020-21 season is going to be a war of attrition. Teams that make deep playoff runs in Orlando are going to be exhausted when next season arrives, and even those that don’t face injury risks at Disney because of all of the time off they’ve already had without proper

gym access.

The Warriors have no such concerns. Their injured players, specifically Klay Thompson, can continue to recover in peace.

They’ll be able to add talent through their lottery pick and the $17 million trade exception they earned by dealing Andre Iguodala.

But most importantly, they will be fresh. Their opponents next season won’t be.

Barring something unforeseen, the Warriors should be considered the early favorite for the 2021 championship based largely on that advantage.

Loser: Whoever loses the 2020 NBA Finals On the other end of the attrition spectrum will

be the loser of the 2020 NBA Finals. While most teams would happily trade a sloppy title defense for a championship in the first place, the Finals loser not only misses out on rings in 2020, but significantly hurts its chances in 2021 by having played so deep into the fall in 2020. That is especially true if that loser happens to be an older team like the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets.

Beating the competition is already hard enough. Beating their own exhausted bodies may be too much to overcome.

Winner: Zion Williamson Even if the Pelicans had

FWINNERS, P10

Kevin Durant will not make his Brooklyn Nets debut when the season resumes next month

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ANGRY

NBA legend Michael Jordan donating $100M to social justice groups

M

ichael Jordan said Friday he is making a record $100 million donation to groups fighting for racial equality and social justice amid a wave of protests across the United States.

The NBA legend said in a statement his Jordan Brand would distribute the money over 10 years to different organisations in a bid to stamp out “ingrained racism.”

The pledge is believed to be the largest financial contribution to non-profit groups ever made by a figure from the sports world.

“It’s 2020 and our family now includes anyone who aspires to our way of life,” a joint statement from Jordan and his Jordan Brand said.

“Yet as much as things have changed the worst remains the same.

“Black lives matter.

This isn’t a controver-

sial statement. Until the ingrained racism that allows our country’s institutions to fail is completely eradicated, we will remain committed to protecting and improving the lives of Black people,” the statement added.

“Today we are announcing that Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand will be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organisations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.”

Jordan’s donation comes after a week of unprecedented nationwide protests across

Michael Jordan is donating P100M with Jordan Brand tasked to distribute the money over 10 years to different organisations in a bid to stamp out "ingrained racism."

the United States following the death of an unarmed black man during an arrest in Minneapolis.

Large scale demonstrations have been held in all 50 states, with protesters demanding an end to police brutality and systemic racism after George Floyd’s death on May 25.

‘Sad-

dened, angry’ Jordan, regarded by many as the greatest player in NBA history with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion, had already issued a passionate statement decrying Floyd’s killing.

“I am deeply saddened, truly pained a n d

plain angry,” Jordan, 57, said last Sunday. “We have had enough.”

Jordan’s donation and impassioned recent statements followed criticism during his playing career over his reluctance to take a more prominent role in activist causes.

In the recent “The Last Dance” documentary, he addressed his infamous quip that he had steered clear of politics because “Republicans buy sneakers too.”

Jordan said the remark had been a flippant comment made as a joke.

Jordan added that he never saw himself as an activist athlete in the vein of former heavyweight

boxing champion Muhammad Ali. “I do commend Muhammad Ali for standing up for what he believed in,” Jordan said. “But I never thought of myself as an activist. I thought of myself as a basketball player.”

Jordan acknowledged that his apolitical stance might be viewed as selfish in some quarters.

“I wasn’t a politician when I was playing my sport. I was focused on my craft,” Jordan said.

“Was that selfish? Probably. But that was my energy. That’s where my energy was.”

Jordan said he had instead sought to set an example by his achievements as an athlete.

“The way I go about my life is I set examples.

If it inspires you? Great, I will continue to do that.

If it doesn’t? Then maybe I’m not the person you should be following.”