Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 51 | Wednesday, June 10, 2020

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

MANNY WILL BE NEXT PRESIDENT: ARUM

RESCUE PLAN SPORTS P11

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

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Dayanghirang committee consults financial firms on loans for SMEs ANTONIO M. AJERO

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wner's and stakeholders of Davao City’s thousands of micro and small businesses adversely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic are looking up to the local government unit for succor.

In answer to this need, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio has requested the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on finance and ways and means headed by Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang to immediately hold consultations with financial estab-

lishments and lending institutions like banks, credit cooperatives and their ancillaries how they can help the beleaguered MSMEs by extending short-term loans with low interest rates to tide them over the emer-

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A visually-impaired person undergoes rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19 upon arriving at the Davao International Airport in Davao City from Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday evening.

He is among the second batch of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who arrived in the city under Senator Christopher Lawrence Go's Balik Probinsya program. Edge Davao

WORLDWIDE COVID-19 NUMBERS BOARD

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

PHILIPPINES

WORLDWIDE

CONFIRMED: 7,210,931 • DEATH: 408,980 • RECOVERED: 3,550,905

CONFIRMED: 22,474 • DEATH: 1,011 • RECOVERED: 4,637

As of June 9, 2020, here’s the Top 5 list of countries with most number of COVID-19 cases 1. U.S.A CONFIRMED: 2,026,597 DEATH: 113,061 RECOVERED: 773,505

2. BRAZIL CONFIRMED: 710,887 DEATH: 37,312 RECOVERED: 325,602

3. RUSSIA CONFIRMED: 485,253 DEATH: 6,142 RECOVERED: 242,397

4. SPAIN CONFIRMED: 288,797 DEATH: 27,136 RECOVERED: --

5. GREAT BRITAIN CONFIRMED: 287,399 DEATH: 40,597 RECOVERED: --

SOURCE: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Dabawenyos to receive second tranche of SAP

By MAYA M. PADILLO abawenyos will be receiving the second tranche of the national government’s emergency subsidies under the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

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DSWD regional director Grace Subong said that among the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Davao Region, it is only Davao City that will be receiving the second tranche of SAP. Subong explained that the basis of this is the Executive Order No. 112 and Resolution No. 30 of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which states that an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) shall be in effect in the entirety of the following geographic areas including provinces, highly-urbanized cities (HUs), independent component cities (ICCS), component cities (CCs), and municipalities situated therein from 12:01 a.m. of May 1, 2020 to 11:59 p.m, of May 15, 2020 namely National Capital Region, Region 11 (Central Luzon) except Aurora Province; Region IV-A (CALABARZON); Benguet Province, Pangasinan Province, Iloilo

Province, Cebu province, Bacolod City and Davao City.

“Ang Davao City lang ang puwede maka-avail sa second tranche kay ang Davao City lang naapil na ECQ declared sa EO No. 112,” Subong said.

Subong said there are about 298,043 eligible beneficiaries in Davao City who will be receiving the second tranche.

However, Subong said all the waitlisted in the entire Davao Region can still get their first tranche of SAP. “Maapil sa panghatagan ang mga waitlisted (leftout). Kato ni silang mga eligible based on the assessment of the local government units pero wala sila naapil sa first tranche.

Nagpaabot pa kami sa final list sa mga waitlisted from the LGUs,” she said.

There are about 102,068 submitted on waitlist but are still being verified. DSWD 11 is given timeline to submit the final list on June 10.

“Mao nga nag-hangyo ta sa tanan LGUs na i-certify ang list submitted,” she said.

To expedite facilitation of the distribution of the second tranche, DSWD has launched ReliefAgad app to fast-track data gathering and aid distribution of SAP. The application enabled the public to register on their own, the agency reminded that all registrations will still undergo thorough checking before being approved. The ReliefAgad app is a quick-relief system that would enable the DSWD to expedite capturing social amelioration card (SAC) details, and interface with any electronic payment systems.

Beneficiaries would be able to register for the ESP by digitally inputting the same information they would put on a physical SAC form.

Then they can choose among GCash, PayMaya, or cash (to be distributed by local officials) as their preferred method of payment.

ReliefAgad can only be used by families who have already received an SAC, since the app requires the beneficiary to scan the barcode on the form. The app can be accessed through mobile via www.reliefagad. ph.

Newly-appointed Health Undersecretary Dr. Leopoldo Vega answers to a question from media if he would accept an offer from President Duterte to be appointed to the post of Health Secretary during a virtual presser.

Edge Davao

1,328 waitlisted Matinians to receive SAP allocation

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he City of Mati is no longer included in the 2nd tranche distribution of the Social Amelioration Program along with the rest of the provinces and cities in the Davao Region except Davao City.

However, the City of Mati's list of identified SAP beneficiaries who did not receive their P6,000 from the 1st tranche distribution just might receive their cash assistance this time around.

About 1,382 Matinians are expected to receive their SAP allocation according to the Mati City Social Welfare and Development Office.

Those persons included in the list are identified as “waitlisted” in the 1st tranche.

Those who will receive would only get allocation for 1month of SAP assistance.

A staff from City Social Welfare and Development Office will contact

the beneficiaries on the “waitlisted” to validate whether they are indeed qualified for SAP. CSWDO will provide further information as to when and where the payout would take place.

According to DSWD Region 11 that City of Mati will no longer receive the 2nd tranche of Social Amelioration Program since the city is already under Modified General Community Quarantine. (CIO MATI)

Go reminds public to use social media responsibly

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Government workers chat while taking a rest in front of the Davao City Hall building which is adorned with Philippine flags in preparation for the celebration of Independence Day. Edge Davao

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is denouncing the spate of misinformation on social media after Facebook released a statement in which the social media platform revealed it is investigating reports of suspicious activity such as the proliferation of dummy accounts.

“Mapaparusahan ang mga nagkakalat ng fake news dahil sa paglabag ng batas. Sisiguraduhin namin na mapanagot kayo sa mga kalokohang ginagawa ninyo,” he sternly warned.

Go stressed that Facebook and other social media platforms should remain a safe space for everyone to converse and exchange views.

“We should not tolerate those who use it to mislead people, spread fake news,

conduct anomalous activities and take advantage of the vulnerabilities of fellow Filipinos, especially in times of crises,” he said.

Go also voiced support for the Department of Justice’s decision to launch an investigation with the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to crack down on these alleged possible cases of cybercrimes.

“Lalo na ngayon na may hinaharap tayong krisis, dapat maparusahan ang mga gumagawa ng kalokohan tulad ng maraming nagsisilabasang mga walang katapusang fake news,” said Go. Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar also said

that concerned government agencies, like the NBI and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, have already been directed to look into the matter. He added that the National Privacy Commission has been in touch with Facebook to conduct an investigation and share significant findings with the agency.

“We ask the public to do their part and be conscientious and vigilant.

Please report fake accounts and do not fall prey to unsubstantiated posts from unverified accounts. Our office continues its programs, such as Dismiss Disinformation and Youth for Truth, meant to quell fake news and combat misleading information,” Andanar said.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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President Rodrigo Duterte holds 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 June 4, 2020. The President is scheduled to address the nation from Davao City on Tuesday night. Presidential Photo

Tourism, hospitality sector need financing, livelihood access: PCCI P

Gov’t eyes passage of new laws to support COVID recovery plan

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCI)-Davao Region said it has observed more businesses closing down in the region due to the current coronavirus pandemic.

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Arturo Milan, regional governor of PCCI, said in a text message that the tourism and hospitality sector is the most impacted by the pandemic due to lockdowns and are needing help such as access to financing, programs for alternative livelihood, trainings, etc. to help them deal with the impact of COVID-19.

He cited businesses such as travel and tours,

travel operators, restaurants, lodging houses, inns and small hotels, catering services, service providers of lights and sounds, event organizers and many more are now feeling the crunch and need help.

“Daghan jud ang sarado na ug manara pa. That’s why kinahanglan jud tabagan sila labi na ang mga micro and small businesses kay sila jud ang dako nga na

apektuhan sa COVID,” Milan said.

The more than 1,500 restaurants operating in Davao City, employing about 30,000 workers, with an average of two dependents per employee, have recently expressed grievances of zero sales but still spending the same expenses that include rental fees and income taxes amid the COVID-19.

In fact, a number of restaurants in Davao City will be closed for the rest of the year or until government allows buffets and functions while some decided to permanently closed, and others remained closed since day

or “rido” in the region, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s (BARMM) Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) is holding a series of consultative assembly on conflict resolution all over the region’s five provinces.

The first leg of the activity was conducted in the city from June 8-9 for the participants of Maguindanao Cluster 1.

Participants include experts, influential leaders, and members of various organizations whose efforts are related to the prevention and settlement of

“Beyond work on governance, we need to focus on resolving ‘rido’ since the unrest and unstable peace situation in our region hinders our economic development,” MPOS minister Hussein Muñoz said.

During the assembly, the participants took part in workshops on resolving rido and conflicts, such as conflict tree analysis on the causes and effects of “rido”; identification of best practices, compromise gaps and challenges in mediating conflicts; and formulations on workable solutions and recommendations.

Muñoz said it was cru-

discussions and consultations on “how we can maintain peace and order, and resolve rido which contributed to violence, displacement, and untold sufferings our people.”

“While major skirmishes are not common anymore, clan war is still prevalent in some parts of the BARMM,” he noted.

He also underscored the need to settle clan wars to kick off major economic development in the region.

A similar activity will also be conducted in the areas of Maguindanao Cluster 2 on June 10-11 and Lanao del Sur on June 15-16.

one of the quarantine.

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.

Meanwhile, the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 11) has announced that there are about 10,133 employers in the region that are planning to lay off workers and also cessation of business due to the pandemic.

DOLE 11 also stated that of these companies, about 200,000 workers would be jobless. virus disease 2019 pandemic, the schedule intended for the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi will still depend on the lifting of travel restrictions in going to and out of those areas.

Outputs of the activity will be consolidated and will form part of the MPOS’ general strategy in settling “rido” in the region.

“This is a prelude to a long term and methodical framework on settlement, reconciliation and unification efforts in the BARMM. The success of this activity will lay the solid foun-

resident Rodrigo Duterte’s economic team has pushed for the passage of new laws that will support plans to ensure the country’s recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The proposals identified by Duterte in his report to Congress on Monday are the following: reducing the corporate income tax (CIT) rate from 30 to 25% starting July 2020 and other investor-friendly reforms under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises bill amending the AgriAgra Reform Credit Act to make it easier for banks to pump fresh capital into the farm sector (House Bill 6134)

allowing banks to dispose of non-performing loans and assets (House Bill 6816) providing financial assistance and access to distressed businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and to strategically important companies critical to economic recovery.

"Our economic managers are pursuing measures to strengthen our economy, and to boost the performance and financial standing of our industries," Duterte said.

The government has projected the economic output to shrink by 2.0% to 3.4% this year. For 2021, the government said it expects the country to recover with a GDP growth of 7.1% to 8.1%.

Surge in fake FB accounts BARMM conducts consultative assembly to address clan feuds 'very unusual,' NPC says o address clan wars “rido” (clan war). cial to involve the public in Because of the corona-

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he National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Tuesday said the proliferation of fake accounts in Facebook can be dangerous especially if an account is used without authorization.

NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said the surge of these fake accounts is "very unusual" in the experience of the commission.

"Sa karanasan ng NPC, unusual 'to. ‘Yung mga impostor account, dummy account, ‘yan ay bahagi na ng buhay sa loob ng Facebook. Pero ‘yung ganitong bugso ng mga reports,

very unusual,” Liboro said.

"Kapag may mga fake o hindi awtorisadong mga accounts na lumalabas sa social medoa, may panganib na magagamit ‘yan na hindi awtorisado,” he warned.

Asked about the possibility of utilizing the fake account to plant evidence against a person, Liboro said the NPC has not encountered a case like this yet. “Kung gagamitin ito, tatamnan ng ebidensya, wala pa tayong nakikitang ganung kaso,” he said.

According to Liboro, the perpetrators behind

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

SSS 'fully prepared' to assist unemployed Filipinos —DOF

SPECIAL REPORT:

COVID-19 to plunge global economy T into worst recession since WW II Per capita incomes to shrink in all regions

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ASHINGTON, June 8, 2020 — The swift and massive shock of the coronavirus pandemic and shutdown measures to contain it have plunged the global economy into a severe contraction. According to World Bank forecasts, the global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year. That would represent the deepest recession since the Second World War, with the largest fraction of economies experiencing declines in per capita output since 1870, the World Bank says in its June 2020 Global Economic Prospects.

Economic activity among advanced economies is anticipated to shrink 7% in 2020 as domestic demand and supply, trade, and finance have been severely disrupted. Emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) are expected to shrink by 2.5% this year, their first contraction as a group in at least sixty years. Per capita incomes are expected to decline by 3.6%, which will tip millions of people into extreme poverty this year.

The blow is hitting hardest in countries where the pandemic has been the most severe and where there is heavy reliance on global trade, tourism, commodity exports, and external financing.

While the magnitude of disruption will vary from region to region, all EMDEs have vulnerabilities that are magnified by external shocks. Moreover, interruptions in schooling and primary healthcare access are likely to have lasting impacts on human capital development.

“This is a deeply sobering outlook, with the crisis likely to leave long-lasting scars and pose major global challenges,” said World Bank Group Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu. “Our first order of business is to address the global health and economic emergency. Beyond that, the global community must unite to find ways to rebuild as robust a recovery as possible to prevent more people from falling into poverty and unemployment.”

Under the baseline forecast—which assumes that the pandemic recedes sufficiently to allow the lifting of domestic mitigation measures by mid-year in advanced economies and a bit later in EMDEs, that adverse global spillovers ease during the second half of

the year, and that dislocations in financial markets are not long-lasting — global growth is forecast to rebound to 4.2% in 2021, as advanced economies grow 3.9% and EMDEs bounce back by 4.6%. However, the outlook is highly uncertain and downside risks are predominant, including the possibility of a more protracted pandemic, financial upheaval, and retreat from global trade and supply linkages. A downside scenario could lead the global economy to shrink by as much as 8% this year, followed by a sluggish recovery in 2021 of just over 1%, with output in EMDEs contracting by almost 5% this year.

The U.S. economy is forecast to contract 6.1% this year, reflecting the disruptions associated with pandemic-control measures. Euro Area output is expected to shrink 9.1% in 2020 as widespread outbreaks took a heavy toll on activity.

Japan’s economy is anticipated to shrink 6.1% as preventive measures have slowed economic activity.

“The COVID-19 recession is singular in many respects and is likely to be the deepest one in advanced economies since the Second World War and the first output contraction in emerging and developing economies in at least the past six decades,” said World Bank Prospects Group Director Ayhan Kose. “The current episode has already seen by far the fastest and steepest downgrades in global growth forecasts on record. If the past is any guide, there may be further growth downgrades in store, implying that policymakers may need to be ready to employ additional measures to support activity.”

Analytical sections in this edition of Global Economic Prospects address key aspects of this histor-

ic economic shock: How deep will the COVID-19 recession be?

An investigation of 183 economies over the period 1870-2021 offers a historical perspective on global recessions.

Scenarios of possible growth outcomes: Nearterm growth projections are subject to an unusual degree of uncertainty; alternative scenarios are examined.

How does informality aggravate the impact of the pandemic? The health and economic consequences of the pandemic are likely to be worse in countries with widespread informality.

The outlook for low-income countries: The pandemic is taking a heavy human and economic toll on the poorest countries.

Regional macroeconomic implications: Each region is faced with its own vulnerabilities to the pandemic and the associated downturn.

Impact on global value chains: Disruptions to global value chains can amplify the shocks of the pandemic on trade, production, and financial markets.

Lasting scars of the pandemic: Deep recessions are likely to do long-term damage to investment, erode human capital through unemployment, and catalyze a retreat from global trade and supply linkages.

The implications of cheap oil: Low oil prices that are the result of an unprecedented drop in demand are unlikely to buffer the effects of the pandemic but may provide some support during a recovery.

The pandemic highlights the urgent need for health and economic policy action, including global cooperation, to cushion its consequences, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen countries’ capacities to prevent and deal with similar events in the future.

It is critically important for emerging market and developing economies, which are particularly vulnerable, to strengthen public health systems, address challenges posed by informality and limited safety nets, and enact reforms to generate strong and sustainable growth once the crisis passes.

Emerging market and developing economies with available fiscal space and affordable financing conditions could consider additional stimulus if the effects of the pandemic persist. This should be

accompanied by measures to help credibly restore medium-term fiscal sustainability, including those that strengthen fiscal frameworks, increase domestic revenue mobilization and spending efficiency, and raise fiscal and debt transparency. The transparency of all government financial commitments, debt-like instruments and investments is a key step in creating an attractive investment climate and could make substantial progress this year.

Regional Outlooks: East Asia and Pacific: Growth in the region is projected to fall to 0.5% in 2020, the lowest rate since 1967, reflecting disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Europe and Central Asia: The regional economy is forecast to contract by 4.7%, with recessions in nearly all countries.

Latin America and the Caribbean: The shocks stemming from the pandemic will cause regional economic activity to plunge by 7.2% in 2020.

Middle East and North Africa: Economic activity in the Middle East and North Africa is forecast to contract by 4.2% as a result of the pandemic and oil market developments.

South Asia: Economic activity in the region is projected to contract by 2.7% in 2020 as pandemic mitigation measures hinder consumption and services activity and as uncertainty about the course of the pandemic chills private investment.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Economic activity in the region is on course to contract by 2.8% in 2020, the deepest on record.

World Bank Group COVID-19 Response The World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, is taking broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response. We are supporting public health interventions, working to ensure the flow of critical supplies and equipment, and helping the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs. We will be deploying up to $160 billion in financial support over 15 months to help more than 100 countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery.

This includes $50 billion of new IDA resources through grants and highly concessional loans.

(From worldbank.org)

he Social Security System is 'fully prepared' to provide assistance to jobless Filipinos even with the unemployment rate at a record low in April, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Monday.

According to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the spike in the number of jobless Filipinos was temporary, and those who lost their jobs could seek government assistance.

"With regards to the unemployment, the Social Security System is fully prepared to accept and fund unemployment benefits," he said in a virtual press conference on Monday.

"There is a process for applying for social security unemployment insurance and definitely that is implementable immediately," he added.

This comes as the government last week reported a record-low 17.7% unemployment rate in April, equivalent to an increase of 5 million jobless Filipinos from 2.3 million in April 2019.

The Department of

Labor and Employment (DOLE) earlier said up to 10 million jobs could be lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"First of all, let me say that the unemployment figures, I believe, are temporary and they are not surprising," said Dominguez.

"This unemployment is temporary and as soon as we reopen the economy, I think demand will start picking up and people will be back to employment," he added.

After two months of being in lockdown from March, Metro Manila and other high-risk areas were placed in a general community quarantine starting June 1, paving the way for more businesses to reopen.

"In the meantime, as I said, there is unemployment insurance that is available from the SSS," Dominguez said.

"It may not cover everyone, but as the economy opens, I think you will see more and more people who will be employed. It's temporary, nothing structural with our economy," he added.

Aboitiz hydro unit remits P20-million to host LGUs

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edcor, the run-of-river hydropower unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., has disbursed PHP20.1 million to local government units (LGUs) in Luzon and Mindanao where its projects are located.

Under the Energy Regulations 1-94 (ER 1-94) Program of the Department of Energy (DOE), host communities to energy generation projects are entitled to PHP0.01 per kilowatt-hour of the total electricity sales of the company.

Their shares shall finance electrification, livelihood, and development projects.

But with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the DOE allowed the use of these funds for Covid-19 response.

“In accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, host LGUs can maximize ER 1-94 shares in mitigating the repercussions brought by the pandemic,” Hedcor Group Assistant

Vice President Andy Faelnar said in a statement Monday.

According to Hedcor, over 12 barangays, four cities and municipalities, provinces of Davao del Sur and Bukidnon, and Region 11 are among its beneficiaries for the ER 1-94 in Mindanao.

In Northern Luzon, the ER 1-94 funds benefitted the host barangays in Benguet, Mt. Province, and Ilocos Sur. The Aboitiz subsidiary added its remittances before 2018 are currently with DOE and are also being disbursed to LGUs of host communities.

“The assistance provided by these funds are supplement to Hedcor’s previous three-wave relief assistance, which was conducted in support over the government’s effort to flatten the Covid-19 curve, and prioritized the distribution of ready-to-eat goods and medical supplies,” Hedcor said. (PNA)

DOF chief cautions legislators vs. unsustainable stimulus program

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epartment of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has cautioned lawmakers against approving measures that the national budget cannot finance and increase the budget gap beyond acceptable level.

In a speech during the Sulong Pilipinas e-conference with the business community Monday, Dominguez said several stimulus measures have been filed in Congress that have provisions “that make the proposals fiscally unsustainable.”

He said economic managers have raised their con-

cerns with the lawmakers, adding the Constitution mandates the presence of excess funds and new revenues for any supplemental budget.

“In running a business or a company, we know that borrowings or loans are not revenues. We appreciate the wisdom behind the Constitutional provision for in the absence of additional revenues or income, we jeopardize our fiscal sustainability,” he added.

Some of the stimulus measures that have been proposed are the PHP1.3-trillion Accelerated

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Representatives from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City received the complete sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which include a hazmat suit, N95 mask, head cap and shoe cover, last May 29, 2020 from representatives of DMCI Homes Davao.

DMCI Homes’ Bayanihan Drive supports Davao hospital workers

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uadruple A developer DMCI Homes continues to support the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Davao City medical frontline workers.

DMCI Homes has recently turned over boxes of complete sets of PPE to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) as part of the company’s Bayanihan Drive.

Employees of DMCI Homes launched the Bayanihan Drive last March to support various beneficiaries especially frontline workers fighting against the coronavirus.

Aside from the Davao’s

Southern Philippines Medical Center, DMCI Homes also donated supplies and equipment to other hospitals in Metro Manila such as the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine General Hospital, Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and the Philippine Children's Medical Center.

The property arm of DMCI Holdings, inc. also organized activities to honor medical frontliners. These

include a nightly tribute to healthcare workers of the Adventist Medical Center Manila (ACMC) in Pasay City.

Located across the ACMC, residents of DMCI Homes' La Verti Residences condominium community in April honored their neighbor medical workers by coming out of their balconies to cheer and clap for them.

"Our healthcare frontliners need all the support they can get for all their sacrifices and tireless efforts to keep everyone safe at this time,” said Carlo Gahol, DMCI Homes Corporate Communications Manager.

“We want them to know that we are one with them in this battle every step of the way," he added.

Quarantine, not structural issues reason for unemployment spike

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losure of businesses during the community quarantine is the reason for the spike to record-high Philippines unemployment rate last April, thus Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III believes the uptick in the number of unemployed persons is temporary.

Citing the recent statement of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor

Benjamin Diokno, Dominguez said the unemployment rate in the fourth month this year “is not due to any other reason other than the lockdown.”

“So, there is no structural problem with our economy except that there was a decision made to lockdown the economy in order to reduce the potential number of people who will get sick and die,”

he said in a press briefing during the Sulong Pilipinas e-conference with the business community Monday.

Last April, unemployment rate surged to 17.7 percent, accounting to about 7.3 million individuals. This was way higher than the 5.3 percent rate last January and the 5.1 percent in April 2019.

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

On World Bank's 2020 Global Economic Prospects: This is a deeply sobering outlook, with the crisis likely to leave long-lasting scars and pose major global challenges. Our first order of business is to address the global health and economic emergency. Beyond that, the global community must unite to find ways to rebuild as robust a recovery as possible to prevent more people from falling into poverty and unemployment.

Ceyla Pazarbasioglu

World Bank Group Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions

EDITORIAL

Rough seas ahead

Is global recession inevitable? This is not even a question. Economic experts have seen it coming. It doesn’t even have to take an economics doctorate degree to know how bad the economy is and how worse it can still get while the world continues to wage war against the pandemic.

So how bad can a global recession triggered by this health pandemic get?

In today’s issue, Edge Davao is publishing a report from the World Bank dated June 8 which says that the coronavirus crisis could plunge global economy into its worst recession yet since World War II. According to its economic radar, the blow is hitting hardest in countries where the pandemic has been the most severe and where there is heavy reliance on global trade, tourism, commodity exports, and external financing. That means, for tourism-reliant economies like the Philippines and regions like Davao, expect the rough ride.

For a quick runaround of how the economy will go in all regions, the World Bank shares these regional outlooks: East Asia and Pacific: Growth in the region is projected to fall to 0.5% in 2020, the lowest rate since 1967, reflecting disruptions caused by the pandemic.

Europe and Central Asia: The regional economy is forecast to contract by 4.7%, with recessions in nearly all countries.

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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

Latin America and the Caribbean: The shocks stemming from the pandemic will cause regional economic activity to plunge by 7.2% in 2020.

Middle East and North Africa: Economic activity in the Middle East and North Africa is forecast to contract by 4.2% as a result of the pandemic and oil market developments.

South Asia: Economic activity in the region is projected to contract by 2.7% in 2020 as pandemic mitigation measures hinder consumption and services activity and as uncertainty about the course of the pandemic chills private investment.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Economic activity in the region is on course to contract by 2.8% in 2020, the deepest on record.

All told, it’s not looking good. That’s the bottomline. So for the ordinary Juans, it is a clear warning to be prepared for the hard times. This means saving up on money and staying away from unnecessary expenditures. For business owners, it is time to review the market and see how current business is going to fare amidst stormy seas. For those looking for livelihood after losing employment, it is time to cash in on the opportunities whilst they present amid this crisis.

In this uncertain ride, the key is to be innovative and to be resilient.

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)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

COMPETITIVE EDGE

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

APO VIEW, DAVAO’S POSTWAR HOTEL Founded in 1948, Apo View Hotel, inspired by the panorama of a dormant volcano that is visible from Davao City on a clear day, was originally the business venture of couple Mariano, the son of a millionaire, and Remedios Pamintuan, of Pampanga.

The Pamintuans first settled at Libby, in Ulas, Davao City, where they built a residence there in 1940. When war broke out, the family dwelling was seized and became the home of a Japanese general. Later, an airport was built inside his farm, and when the drive to liberate the city intensified in 1945, his stately domicile suffered a direct from aerial bombings.

When the conflict ended, Mariano became the first commission agent of Philippine Air Lines (PAL) when the idea of owning a hotel inspired him.

Without delay he worked on the an and in 1948 opened Apo View Hotel with 15 rooms; it was recognized as the region’s premier hotel. Overtime, it became a favorite business address, all the while hosting every form of gathering. Peace Corps

Volunteer Geraldine Traina, in her travelogue, Do You Eat Rice?

(1962), wrote: “This time we stayed at the Apo View Hotel, at one time, the hotel did have a view of Mount Apo, the highest peak in the country, until the city became prosperous and buildings sprouted up, blocking the view.

The peak lies 25 bumpy miles from the center of town, a worthwhile trip for anyone interested in physical anthropology…

“The Apo View is in the enter of town and has a swimming pool and nite club, even if there’s no view. More expensive and much more luxurious, with a splendid view of Samal Island and the Davao Gulf, is the Davao Insular Hotel, a newly created luxury hotel and one of the country’s best resorts. It’s away from the center of the city, boasting crystal-clear water for swimming and surfing.”

The Pamintuan family, in 1978, expanded the hotel occupancy to a 100-bed accommoda-tion in 1978. Later, as its popularity soared, the governmenr decided to open its first regional

office of the tourism department in Davao City on a leased space at the ground floor of the hotel.

Tragedy struck the hotel in 1988 after a fire destroyed half of its rooms; it was also hit by a crippling strike. Unfazed, the Pamintuans decided to renovate the building and added 46 rooms in response to its growing clientele. In pursuit of the plan, Pamintuan Enterprises Inc. applied for a loan with the defunct Banco Filipino.

All was not well, however, in the Pamintuan family. Mariano, the founder, was booted out as chairman of the company in favor of son, Mariano Jr. Adding woes to the family issues was the legal dispute with the bank.

The crises persisted until the family patriarch passed away.

The legal wrangle eventually reached the high court, which ruled in favor of the hotel management and the rehabilitation waa approved. In a story (‘Apo View wins case against Banco Filipino’) dated March 16, 2010, The Philippine Star reported lengthily on the case pit-ting the hotel management against Ban-

co Filipino: “The Supreme Court has upheld an earlier approval by the Court of Appeals of a 15year rehabilitation plan of the Apo View Hotel, one of Davao City’s leading hotels, previ-ously agreed with its creditor, the Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.

“Chief Justice Reynato Puno and the other justices of the High Tribunal’s First Divi-sion, in a resolution dated Dec. 9, 2009, denied the petition for review on certiorari filed by Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank against Pamintuan Enterprises (Davao) Inc. (Pamenter), which owns and operates Apo View Hotel.

“The justices found no reversible error that warrants the exercise of the Supreme Court’s discretionary appellate jurisdiction over an earlier decision of the Court of Ap-peals-Mindanao, which upheld the approval of the rehabilitation plan for Pamenter.

“It was Pamenter that initiated the corporate rehabilitation case in an effort to fix its

An immersive opportunity:

financial woes, and at the same time be able to improve the hotel’s performance by offer-ing enhanced services and amenities.”

Moreover, the regional trial court also endorsed a 15-year revised rehabilitation plan on August 6, 2007, for Apo View Hotel given the marked increase. Under the scheme, Pamenter could allocate its future operating revenues in the rehabilitation and improvement its busi-ness, including the lucrative operation of the hotel.

In 2014, the management of hotel was transferred to Eurotel Hotel, a subsidiary of Global Comfort Group Corp. and two years later placed under Icon Hotel, an affiliate of GCGC. At the time, GCGC was managing 65 hotels and mixed-use lodging establishments in the islands.

On October 19, 2017, Apo View Hotel was relaunched, this with a total of 185 rooms.

In repackaging the hotel, the new management spent roughly P280 million for renovation of function spaces and building of additional rooms.

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020 HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

M

MASK online ed by MCM. FACE matics, Business, may proceed to alayan Colleges Mind- MCM’s UNMASKING anao, a Mapúa School learning tools In order for Humanities and this link: https:// These days, wherever you from COVID-19,” said Dr. Tedros continues to advise that health on the composition of fabric touching the mask once you Blackparticipants tobased Social Sciences, bit.ly/MCMDIGIgo, you see people wearing face its Adhanom WHO as workers use medical masks masks, on academic re- have worn it. announced firstGhebreyesus, Dig- such mask. It is a prerequisite when Director-General. and other protective equipment search requested by WHO. When removing the mask, board Learn, maximize the and Basic EdTALBOOTCAMP ital Bootcamp 2020, you goLearning to the public market, In a virtual press confer- when dealing with suspected or “Based on this new research, clean your hands. Remove the Colonline ucation for infollow malls, riding a vehicle, and even ence held last June 5Blackboard at the confirmed COVID-19 patients. learning WHO advises that fabric masks mask and by the straps behindthe the inviting all It SHS College in laborate, when walking alone. is a must and WHO headquarters Geneva, So, Micwhat’s new?

“In areas should consist of at least three ears or head.

Pull the mask experience, they coming Grade 11 subsequent inwhen there are people around. Switzerland, the WHO chief with widespread transmission, layers of different material. De- away from your face. Clean students in Mindanao to expeThe only time you don’t wear a said it has released an rosoft updated we adviseMimedicalwill masksneed for all a tailsdeof which materials we recyour hands after removing the 365, students; Basic structions and mask is whenthe you are at home. guidance on the use of masks people working in clinical ar- ommend for each layer are in mask. Wash the mask in soap rience first fully integratvicenotsuch asguidelines,” a Algebra, Generlink topreferably the “MCM People are wearing face for control of COVID-19.crosoft eas Teams, of a health facility, only the Dr. Tedros said. or detergent, with mask theylearning don’t want The revised in guidance was workers dealing with patients In addition, the updated hot water.

Once it account is dry, store ed because online system Zoom, Panopto, computer unit, al Physics, BusiDigital” to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, based on evolving evidence, with COVID-19,” Dr. Tedros said. guidance also provides infor- the mask in a clean plastic, reor amation tab-on ness Manthat thevirusregion MCMandDigital — Wiley the that causes— coronaviprovided updated advice Plus, Thisand means, laptop for example, how to and wash and sealable bag. will be sent rus disease 2019 (COVID-19). on who should wear Cengage a mask, that Learnwhen a doctor is doing maintain a fabric mask.

“Our Among the things you don’t let; and internet agement, and through the and get the opportunity use Until now, since it was first re- when it to should be worn and a ward round on the cardi- guidance also explains how to do with face mask are as folported late last year in Wuhan,online what it should be madeing of. It is, or palliative care units use them WHO Do not use aaddress mask that to ology complete connectivity ofaatmaskP safely,” ro g ra m i nlows: g email MCM’s powerful learnChina, there is still no vaccine he said, “an update of what we where there are no confirmed chief said. “People can poten- looks damaged. Do not wear tasks least 1 Mbps Coding provided upon available againstfor the FREE! dreaded have been saying for learning months: COVID-19 patients, they should tiallyfor infectand themselves if they for a loose mask. Do not wear ing tools disease. that masks should only ever be still wear a medical mask. use contaminated hands to ad- the mask under the nose. Do As one ad puts it: “If we could simply flush this SARSCoV-2 down the toilet, we would. But until we can, our only weapon is hygiene.”

An ounce of prevention, so goes a saying, is better than a pound of cure. Health experts claim one of the best ways to prevent the virus from further inflicting other people is by staying home.

Two health measures that seem to work is observing proper hygiene by washing hands regularly with soap and practicing physical distancing whenever you are in public places. And, of course, there’s wearing face mask.

Wearing face mask, however, has become controversial resulting in misinformation about their effectiveness. “Masks on their own will not protect you

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

designed for in- asynchronous incoming college your registraNow, in areas with commu- just a mask, or to repeatedly not remove the mask in areas coming nity Grade 11 sessions students.

A full transmission, “we advise and take itat off and put it on, without wheretion. are people not within a that people aged 60 years or cleaning hands in between.” distance of one meter each and 1stover, Yearor Colleast 2 Mbps for course on Math, For any with addithose with underlying Face masks are only part other Do not use a mask that is conditions, should recommendedand difficult to breatheinquiries through. Do lege students. s wear y n ca medh r o nofotheutwo s other Humanities, tional ical mask in situations where basic measures to prevent be- not wear a dirty or wet mask.

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Science about themask MCM distancing is not pos- ing infectedSocial with SARS-CoV-2.

Do not share your with sible.”

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“Masks are of asynchronous tools will initiate during bootto email atonlyad“In light of evolving evi- enough: masks alone will not benefit as part of a comprelearningdence, WHO ses-advises thethat program, af-youcamp period. hensive missions@mcm. gov- protect from COVID-19.” approach in the fight ernments should encourage the Most people are wearing against COVID-19,”or he said. sions togeneral allowpublic for toter which, parTo register edu.ph conwear masks non-medical fabric mask. Here According to Dr. Tedros, the participants to isticipants be things for this activity tact +63918 918 where there widespread will are some you need to cornerstone of the response in transmission and physical disknow.

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The updated guidance The mask must cover your “That is every country’s best learningalsoprovidGeneral Matheed participants 8048. contains new information mouth, nose and chin. Avoid defense against COVID-19.”

used as part of a comprehensive strategy in the fight against COVID-19.”

The United Nations health agency continues to recommend that people who are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 should remain at home, and should consult their health care provider.

“People confirmed to have COVID-19 should be isolated and cared for in a health facility and their contacts should be quarantined,” Dr. Tedros said.

“If it is absolutely necessary for a sick person or a contact to leave the house, they should wear a medical mask.”

The WHO continues to advise that people caring for an infected person at home should wear a medical mask while they are in the same room as the sick person. In like manner, it

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

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VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

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Thawornkham of Thailand to win the WBA Asia flyweight title at the Suamium Night Bazaar in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok last March 1.

Lerasan, on the other hand, stopped Tanes Ongjunta of Thailand to win the WBA Asia super flyweight title also at the Suamium Night Bazaar in

Bangkok in March 1 this year.

The Alegrias are still keeping their boxers fit for a possible fight – in the Philippines or abroad.

Promoter-manager Brico Santig is still waiting for the sport to be lifted from the lockdown due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (PNA)

have also been installed at the Provincial Captiol to ensure observing of the

standard health protocols. | Via Van Jorain O. Rufin | Photos by Franz Albo

the proliferation of fake accounts can be traced and held accountable.

According to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the proliferation of the fake accounts in Facebook could be a result of some glitch. For Liboro, the NPC will wait for the findings of Facebook about the matter.

“It has become a global issue para din sa Facebook. So involved ang mga

technicians ng Facebook mula America and Ireland,” he said.

Liboro expressed confidence that the issue is a priority for Facebook given that it will affect the image of the platform if it becomes instrumental to some irregularities.

The NPC commissioner advised users to take advantage of the privacy options of Facebook for their safety.

dation of our collective efforts to maintain peace and

reconcile those involved in rido,” Muñoz said. (PNA)

Dominguez is optimistic the figures will be better in the coming months as the economy reopens, demand starts to pick up and people regain their jobs.

As a result of the lockdown, growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), posted a 0.2-percent contraction from a 6.4-percent output in the previous quarter.

Dominguez said while the government’s financial support to workers will not be able to cover every one, Filipinos will start to find jobs and this will help in the economic recovery.

He declined to give any figures on how much this unemployment rate will impact on domestic output, saying the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) will still discuss it since members of the Committee have not had a meeting since the latest unemployment report came out last June 5.

“But definitely, the unemployment is a result of a drop in the GDP rather than the other way around,” he added.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director general Karl Chua is optimistic that employment figures in the coming months will be better since the economy continues to open up.

Chua said the economy started this year with good prospects, but the government needed to temporarily close Luzon, which accounts for about 75 percent of the country’s total annual output,

because of the pandemic.

The government, however, ensured that workers that are affected will be extended financial support so the impact on the total economy will be less, he said.

He added authorities will use not just one policy “but all the tools in our arsenal to address the impact of Covid”.

In terms of domestic output, Chua said the second quarter “is likely to be worse” but cited that “since the start of June or the end of the second quarter, we have gradually shifted most of the country to GCQ (general community quarantine) or modified GCQ so the prospects, I think, are getting better.”

“But that doesn’t mean we have to get off our guards. So, we will still have to maintain the minimum health standard. We will still have to proactively manage the economy. And we will, on a very regular basis, look at all the economic indicators to inform us whether there shall be any change in our economic program for the year,” he said.

Chua said GDP this year will be determined by two important factors, namely the government’s pro-active policy to address the pandemic, as well as the public’s cooperation.

“We have to work together. Otherwise, if one of us don’t do our share, then the recovery wouldn’t be as we expect. So, the cooperation of everyone is needed to achieve faster recovery as possible,” he added.

(PNA)

PROVINCIAL... FROM10 SURGE... FROM3

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Atlantic bonito or skipjack tuna is sold at P50 per kilo in Barangay Asinan in Pilar town, Siargao Island over the weekend. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

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without the team being in the mix for the playoffs following five straight trips to the NBA Finals.

The Warriors finished 15-50 for the NBA's worst record with Thompson out and with Curry nursing a broken left hand for most of the season. Two-

time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant departed in free agency to join the Brooklyn Nets.

As eager as everyone is to see Thompson back to his dominant All-Star self, that will come in due time.

“There’s no rush, clearly. As far as I’ve heard

he’s recovering fine, there hasn’t been a setback, but one thing that’s been a little bit difficult in the last couple months is our ability to oversee those things as much as you might normally,” Myers said. “So I imagine at some point when we collectively get

together I can also answer that better.”

“I think what people really want to know is has he been playing and what's he looks like and that's really the answer to 100% and we won't know that until we kind of reach that point in time.”

“We urge everyone to be responsible social media users and warn those who commit malicious acts of fake accounts and fake news creation, that you can be made accountable for your actions, as such actions are prohibited and punishable under the Cybercrime Prevention Act,” the PCOO head added.

On Monday, June 8, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also confirmed that the Department of National Defense has also reached out to Facebook on the matter. “It’s a cause for concern. It creates discordant voices among the people which should not be there,” he said.

Senator Go for his part also warned those responsible for anomalous activities using social media that the government shall not tolerate such acts and they will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“Lahat po tayo nagiging biktima ng fake news. Hindi ko maisip-isip na sa kabila ng kinakaharap natin ngayon, napag-isipan pa ng ilang mga tao na magpakalat ng mga malisyosong kasinungalingan o manlinlang ng

kapwa nilang Pilipinong naghihirap rin,” he said.

Go appealed to the public to make use of social media to help fellow Filipinos instead of wasting their time to cause misinformation, especially in this time of crisis.

“Gamitin n’yo nalang sana ang oras ninyo para tumulong at magmalasakit.

Huwag ninyo sayangin sa pagkalat ng kasinungalingan o sa panloloko ng mga tao. Huwag kayo gumawa ng problema at dumagdag sa pasakit ng bayan,” Go said.

“Sa kasinungalingang kinakalat ninyo, hindi naman po gobyerno ang sinisira ninyo kundi ang kapwa ninyong Pilipino at ang sarili ninyong bayan.

Lahat tayo naghihirap at lahat naman tayo gustong malampasan ang krisis na ito. Unahin nalang sana natin na pagserbisyohan ang kapwa nating Pilipino,” Go also stressed in past statements.

Go emphasized that while criticisms are welcome and are part of the exercise of democracy, Filipinos must make an effort to verify information they

encounter and take part in creating a well-informed citizenry.

“Social media should be a platform where freedom of speech can be exercised as part of a democratic society. But let us do this in a responsible manner.

Welcome ang mga bumabatikos na magbigay ng kanilang rekomendasyon sa paraan kung saan pwede lahat maging parte ng solusyon at hindi dumagdag sa problema,” said Go. Recently, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Go also warned scammers using his name and that of the President to purchase and sell medical supplies.

“I am urging the Executive Branch, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation, to investigate, initiate filing of cases, and arrest corrupt officials and private individuals who are taking advantage of this situation to make money,” he said.

“Huwag po tayo magpaloko. Kung walang magpapaloko, hindi mananaig ang mga manloloko. Sa mga nangsasamantala lalo na sa panahon ng krisis, huwag

kayo mag-alala. Aabutan rin kayo ng hustisya,” Go added.

To intensify the country’s fight against misinformation and scams especially in times of public health emergencies, Go has recently filed Senate Bill 1528 which seeks to amend Republic Act 11332, also known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”.

Aside from strengthening the country’s efforts in disease surveillance and epidemiologic investigation, the proposed measure also seeks to hold liable those who are involved in prohibited acts during a health crisis, such as taking advantage of the situation to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar illegal acts.

It also prohibits creating, perpetuating, or spreading false information on social media and other platforms. This includes spreading information clearly geared to promote chaos, panic, anarchy, fear, or confusion.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 19th Regular Session Series of 2019 PRESENT:

Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. -Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Nilo D. Abellera Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N.Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte

ABSENT:

Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte

Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Alberto T. Ungab Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

- OB- Exchange of Cooperation by and among the City of Davao and the Cities of Jinjiang, Chongqing and Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China - On Official Business - On Domestic Emergency Leave - On Official Business - On Domestic Emergency Leave - On Official Business - On Official Business - On Official Business - On Official Business - On Official Business

ORDINANCE NO. 0105-19 Series of 2019 AN ORDINANCE GRANTING ANNUAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS OF DAVAO CITY Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICIES – Article XV, Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may design programs of social security for them. In addition to this, Section 10 in the Declaration of Principles and State Policy provides that the State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development. Further, Article XIII of the Constitution provides that the “state shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and social services available to all people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the elderly”.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE - This Ordinance aims to support the senior citizens in the cost of their maintenance for medicines and other expenses relative to their health.

SECTION 4. AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - Qualified Senior Citizens shall be entitled to a financial assistance in the minimum amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (PHP 1,500.00) annually. This provision shall be subject to review every two (2) years by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

SECTION 5. QUALIFICATION - The applicant must possess all the following qualifications, to wit: a) Must be sixty five (65) years old within the calendar year starting 2020; b) Must be a holder of an original Senior Citizen’s Identification Card issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of Davao City; c) Must be a registered voter of Davao City as evidenced by the list of registered voters issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC); d) Must be a member of a duly recognized Senior Citizens Organization recognized by OSCA and CSSDO; e) In case of permanent bedridden senior citizen due to illness who is not a registered voter, he/ she must present a certification from CSSDO assigned in the barangay as to his/her condition.

SECTION 6. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE 1. Composition – The Grievance Committee shall be composed of the following: a. OSCA Head or an authorized representative b. CSSDO Head or an authorized representative c. Davao City DILG Director or an authorized representative d. Chairperson, Committee on Social Services of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or any member in case of his absence; 2. Functions – The Grievance Committee will settle any qualification issued duly referred to it through a written complaint within a period of three (3) working days from the receipt thereof.

SECTION 7. ENFORCEMENT - The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of Davao City, the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) and the City DILG shall enforce this Ordinance.

The CSSDO shall take charge in the processing of the application and shall prepare the payroll of the qualified applicants.

SECTION 8. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DISTRIBUTION - The annual financial assistance to all qualified senior citizens of Davao City shall be given every second week of November of each year starting the year 2020. The financial assistance shall be distributed by CSSDO at the Barangays on a date that will be announced by OSCA in coordination with the City Treasurer’s Office, the City Social Services and Development Office and the City Accountant’s Office.

The financial assistance shall be claimed personally by the qualified recipient except in case of bedridden senior citizens who may claim through a relative within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

SECTION 9. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION - The budgetary requirements for the annual financial assistance to senior citizens shall be included in the annual budget of the City subject to the usual auditing and accounting rules and procedures.

SECTION 10. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE BARANGAY - The Barangay may likewise grant the same benefits to its Senior Citizens with funds to be taken from its Real Property Taxes (RPT) subject to the availability of funds.

SECTION 11. REPEALING CAUSE - All ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations whose provisions are inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. APPLICABILITY CLAUSE - The provisions of existing ordinances, resolutions or executive orders which are not contradictory with this ordinance are hereby adopted as an integral part of this ordinance.

SECTION 13. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be full time and effect.

SECTION 14. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.

ENACTED, November 19, 2019, by a unanimous vote of all members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: ATTESTED:

J. MELCHOR B. QUITAIN, JR. Temporary Presiding Officer cns/ray

For in the absence of the Secretary:

MA. THERESA A. REYES

Acting Secretary to the SangguniangPanlungsod (Local Legislative Staff Officer IV)

07 JAN APPROVED : ________________, 2020

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gency.

The consultation-hearings of Dayanghirang’s committee to start this week will discuss areas not covered by initial relief on payments of loans and bills provided by the Bayanihan Law. In a press statement released by the Dayanghirang team, the veteran city councilor said they are looking at the possibility of the lending companies extending loans payable, say, in two years “in order to help them stimulate their working capital in this time of pandemic.”

“The good mayor is firm in her leadership to ease the burden of our businessmen and that our government is capable of doing something to provide hope in this trying time of the pandemic,” Dayanghirang said.

He said that “part of Mayor Sara’s direction is to include pawnshops and other financial conduits doing business in the city to explore restructuring of loans, waiving surcharges and late payment interest and extending payment terms.”

The committee also invited managers and representatives of motorcycle dealers and distributors in order to explore the possibility of helping Dabawenyos who acquired their vehicles on credit.

Dayanghirang said the city has been pro-active in tackling the emergency problems that affect its constituents like the tax relief programs amid the Covid 19 crisis as proposed by the city mayor herself and acted positively by the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte.

BUSINESS LEADERS Prominent business leaders of Davao have reacted positively to the efforts of the Duterte-Carpio administration to come to the aid of those adversely affected by the pandemic among the some 40,000 mostly small businesses registered in the city.

Earlier, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) bared that upwards of 10, 000 business establishments in the Davao region have closed because of the crisis. Majority of these firms are registered in Davao City.

“I think providing lowcost long term loans will be a big help especially to the

micro and small businesses,” said John Carlo B. Tria, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII).

Tria said that the initial relief on payment of loans and bills is provided by the Bayanihan Law. The step after that is to get low-cost, long term financing to help them recover from the heavy losses they’re incurring right now.

“We have met with banks and SB Corporations and they said they have begun receiving applications for such financing,” the DCCCII leader bared.

As far as rent is concerned, I continue to suggest that lessors and lessees will need to discuss winwin arrangements to allow both parties to continue earning, such as discounts on advance payments or to defer a portion of the rent to a later date, Tria explained.

“The new normal will require all of us, myself included, to innovate and lower costs so that our recovery will be easier while keeping as many jobs as possible,” Tria said.

MILAN’S TAKE Arturo M. Milan, Davao regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and immediate past president of DCCCII, said there are many areas “to do rescue and resiliency plans” in our locality.

Foremost, Milan said, there is a need to upgrade our health services system in dealing with the Covid 19 crisis. These include efforts to increase PCR testing capacity to 1,000 tests a day; ICU bed capacity to 100 beds; increase number of ventilators to 100 units; increase hospital isolation wards to 300 beds; and increase of medical frontliners (doctors, nurses, medtechs and support staffs) to a number that is capable of catering to 1,000 patients a day.

On access to the Internet, there is a need to increase broadband capacity to answer the increased during the “new normal,” in transacting business, he said.

Milan said that social services should generate employment to bring back family income. He said government should endeavour to sustain the 4Ps program

and the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) to support the most vulnerable sectors.

On business and the economy, Milan proposed that all loans to micro and businesses of up to P30 million be restructured with six-month grace period on principal payment. There should be no foreclosure of loans up to the end of the year to allow micro and small-scale businesses to recover and find ways to settle their overdue loans.

This includes pawnshop and small financial institutions, He said that banks should be encouraged to extend new loans to micro and small businesses with the suggested terms: 1.

Unsecured loans to micro businesses of up to P300,000 with only interest payment for the first six months with principal amortization to start on the seventh month; 2.

For loans more than P300,000, collateral may now be required; 3.

Unsecured loans of up to P1 million to small businesses, with principal amortization plus interest to start on the seventh month.

4. For loans exceeding P1 million, a collateral will now be required; Milan also proposed that agricultural loan should also be extended to farmers in the amount equivalent to one-hectare cost of planting crops per hectare, plus living allowance of one family of 5 for three months.

The PCCI regional governor proposed that the Department of Agriculture come up with a feasibility study on the cost of planting an agri crop with family living allowance for at least three months and the potential revenue of such arrangement.

Milan said that all his above proposals are calculated to address the 3 macroeconomic parameters of prices of basic commodities expressed in inflation; employment (family income) and livelihood (GDP).

Meanwhile, Benjamin Lizada, president of the Restaurant Owners Association of Davao City, said his group will meet sometime this week to discuss their situation and what help they would need from the city government. AMA

Recovery and Investment Stimulus for the Economy of the Philippines (ARISE) and the PHP1.5-trillion Covid-19 Unemployment Reduction and Economic Stimulus (CURES).

Dominguez said the huge amount of the program will push the government’s budget gap this year beyond what economic managers recently approved.

The inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) recently approved the increase of the budget gap projection to PHP1.56 trillion, or about 8.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

This is higher than the already revised projection

of 5.3 percent of GDP, which, in turn, has been hiked from 3.2 percent of GDP projection because of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Revenue projection has been cut to PHP2.61 trillion, lower than the PHP3.17 trillion approved by the DBCC during their meeting last March 27.

Disbursement is seen to rise to PHP4.18 trillion, or about 21.7 percent of domestic output, due to Covid-19 related spending.

Dominguez said the government currently does not have the extra budget that is required by the Constitution to finance these proposals, adding “we cannot use borrowings as a support for that.”

He said this year’s PHP4.1-trillion national budget includes a borrowing program and this is what the economic managers are following when they tap fund sources here and abroad.

“What we cannot fund from borrowing is additional spending over and above the budget,” he said.

Dominguez added the Philippine government cannot have a budget deficit that is higher than its neighbors because it does not show fiscal responsibility.

“The complemental issue is sustainability. And we believe we are strong enough because we have done a lot of reforms that is why we are in a very strong position,” he said. (PNA)

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10 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

Provincial capitol offices decontaminated

A

s the regular five-day work week in full operational capacity resumes in all government offices amidst the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine, the provincial government through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) together with the Office of the Provincial Fire Marshall (OPFM) conducted a decontamination operation at the Provincial Capitol on Saturday, June 6, 2020.

Donning full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), trained personnel from the PDRRMO and Bureau of Fire Protection sprayed disinfectant solution on office furniture and various surfaces where microbes and viruses thrive.

The offices at the Provincial Capitol were the first to be decontaminated as these are the offices where huge volume of people normally go, particularly for assistance and other government

transactions.

According to Fire Officer II Meljan Macatabog, Chief Operations of the Special Rescue of the OPFM Bureau of Fire Protection, decontamination operation is usually done in facilities, places, vehicles, or individuals that are exposed to contaminants, especially infectious diseases. “Due to the threat of the coronavirus disease pandemic, decontamination operation was done at the provincial Capitol considering that

the facility has a high risk exposure since people regularly come and go inside the facility,” said FO2 Macatabog, who led the decontamination operation with 14 trained personnel from BFP and PDRRMO. “This operation is one example of taking extra precautionary measures for the safety of the employees and clients,” he added.

He said that all other public places like streets, parks, and other government offices where people

regularly go will also be subjected for decontamination in the coming days.

The PDRRMO said that the decontamination protocols and biosafety hazards are now part of the new normal measures to ensure a clean and well-sanitized workplace, thus, securing the health safety of all employees and its clients.

Meanwhile, handwashing sinks, pedal operated hand sanitizer, and foot baths, among others

FPROVINCIAL, P8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

11

Renowned boxing promoter Bob Arum with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

Manny will be next T President: Arum

Thompson's status unclear until Warriors reconvene

B

oxing promoter Bob Arum is predicting that Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao can be the next president of the Philippines -- and thus be the first fighter to reach a country’s highest office.

The Top Rank chief executive appeared in an undated video where he said Pacquiao has already told him of his political plans.

“The first president I

think we’ll get, as a fighter, is Manny Pacquiao,” Arum predicted. “(He) told me, once again, I did a Zoom telephone call with him, ‘Bob, I’m gonna

Father, son team up for boxing promotion

A

father and son are both handling separate boxing champions in the Highland Boxing Promotion.

Allan Alegria, a former World Boxing Association no. 4 welterweight contender is based in Benguet while his son Marvin Alexis is in Manila.

In his heyday, Allan, 56, has defended his RP title in Davao City – eight times in the super lightweight and seven times in the welterweight divisions.

Allan is now handling Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation flyweight champion Jayr “The Dreamer” Raquinel (12W-1L-1D, 9KO) and undefeated super flyweight Jayson “StrikVayson (9W-0L).

Raquinel beat Richard Rosales by a majority decision to won the vacant OPBF flyweight title in 2017. He stopped Keisuke

Nakayama of Japan in the 9th round in March 3, 2018 in Korakuen Hall in his first defense.

He then knocked out Shun Kosaka of Japan in the 4th round in the Big Wave, Wakayama last May 27, 2018.

In his 3rd title defense, Racquinel stopped Takuya Kogawa of Japan in the 8th round in Korakuen Hall last Aug. 23. Vayson, on the other hand, knocked out Geboi Mansalayao in the 3rd round in Manila last Feb. 15.

On the other hand, Marvin, 33, is taking care of two champions – WBA Asia flyweight champion Jeny Boy “Camiguin Tiger” Boca (14W-2L-0D, 12KO) and WBA Asia super flyweight champion Adrian “Wild Beast” Lerasan (9W-4L-0D, 2KO).

Boca TKO’d Sarawut

FFATHER, P8

run in 2022, and when I win, I want you there at my inauguration,” said Arum.

Pacquiao currently serves as a senator, having been elected in 2016. He previously served as the representative of the lone district of Sarangani.

In 2022, the 41-yearold Pacquiao will be eligible to run for a second senate term, as well as for the vice-presidency and presidency.

Pacquiao has not responded to ABS-CBN News’ request to comment on Arum’s statement, as of posting time.

The promoter has been predicting that Pacquiao will run for president as far back as 2015. The “Pacman” remains an active fighter, most recently outpointing Keith Thurman in July 2019 to claim the WBA “super” welterweight championship.

The Alegrias--Allan and Marvin Alexis. (Philboxing photo)

he Golden State Warriors expect to have a better idea about how Klay Thompson’s recovery from reconstructive left knee surgery is going once the team can finally reconvene after the long separation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

For now, general manager Bob Myers is encouraged Thompson has experienced no setbacks during the extensive rehabilitation process.

“I think we’ve got to take a look at him when we see him," Myers said Monday on a conference call. “There’s different versions of 100% — 100% for you or I when

we walk around the street is not 100% of an NBA basketball player playing basketball. So until we kind of test him and see him and he’s starting oneon-one and then two-ontwo — and obviously the pandemic has not allowed him that opportunity to do those type of things.”

Thompson tore the ACL in his left knee on June 13 during Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors and had surgery July 2. He was reevaluated over the AllStar break and the team determined around that time that Stephen Curry’s Splash Brother wouldn't play at all this season

FTHOMPSON, P8

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

PROTOCOLS

VOL.13 ISSUE 51 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020

FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, released on May 26 the protocols that domestic basketball bodies can implement as they begin formatting ways to resume tournaments that have been stalled due to Covid-19.

SBP adopts FIBA’s restart guidelines

T

he Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has fully adopted the guidelines of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on how basketball events can resume amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“These guidelines are meant to be used as reference and aid when various leagues, tournaments and games organizers in the Philippines craft their own respective Return to Basketball programs depending on the circumstances surrounding them in their own localities,” said SBP president Al Panlilio in a letter sent to stockholders and

media organizations on Monday.

On May 26, FIBA, the world governing body of basketball, released the protocols that domestic basketball bodies can implement as they begin formatting ways to resume tournaments that have been stalled due to Covid-19.

The only minor difference is that while the SBP will primarily base its basketball risk assessment and mitigation checklist from the risk assessment guidelines set by the World Health Organization, it will also look at the guidelines made by the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force

for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

One major prerequisite made by FIBA for play-for-pay leagues to resume is the polymerase chain reaction testing for all its players.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), where Panlilio serves as Meralco governor, has required all the players to undergo Covid-19 testing before they can even plan on resuming practice as resolved in its board meeting on Wednesday.

Five teams, the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia Hotshots, Meralco Bolts, and NLEX Road

Warriors, are already done with their Covid-19 testing.

A sixth squad, the TNT KaTropa, is expected to undergo its own Covid-19 testing this week.

The other six teams have yet to announce when they will undergo testing or if they already finished doing so.

These are Alaska, Rain or Shine, Blackwater, NorthPort, Phoenix, and Terra Firma.

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial will talk to two representatives from each club on June 23 regarding the rest of the guidelines set during the board meeting. (PNA)