Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 54 | Friday, June 13, 2020

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Sara urges Dabawenyos to be brave amid pandemic STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at Rizal Park along San Pedro Street during the commemoration of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day on Friday.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 54 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

Voter’s certification to be issued starting June 15: Comelec

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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio obliges to the request of a frontliner to have a selfie with her along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Friday.

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ith health protocols in place in its offices to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and in those areas under general community quarantine, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Thursday the public can secure the voter’s certification starting Monday, June 15.

“The Commission En Banc has promulgated new protocols in the process of securing a Voter’s Certification which institutionalize the new normal,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement.

Pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10672, the concerned Offices of the Election Officers (OEOs) have been directed to be “coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) ready.”

They were directed to install glass windows

or plastic sheet barriers and hand sanitation stations; daily disinfection of all office furniture and equipment; and posting of clear and visible signs about the wearing of face mask/shield, regular hand washing, physical distancing, and other preventive health measures, Jimenez said.

He also reminded the public about the “No Face Mask/Shield, No Transaction Policy”, as well as the observance of physical distancing at all times.

Strictly one requesting party at a time will be served, and all transactions will be done through plastic sheet barriers or glass windows.

Physical distancing will be enforced in waiting areas, with chairs or floor markings spaced one meter apart for purposes of queuing.

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Sara urges Dabawenyos to be brave amid pandemic

By MAYA M. PADILLO ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio encouraged Dabawenyos to be brave amid the COVID-19 pandemic which had brought so much sadness in their lives in a personal message at the sidelines of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day commemoration ceremony on Friday at Rizal Park.

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“Whatever it is that we are going through, a pandemic or sadness in our personal lives, let us be brave because Filipinos are strong,” she said.

Mayor Sara also urged Dabawenyos to celebrate Independence Day in their homes and to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs for Filipinos

Ex-DFA chief Yasay, 73

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ormer Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. passed away on Friday morning, his wife announced in a Facebook post.

Yasay, 73, died of pneumonia due to a complication from cancer recurrence, his wife, Cecille, said.

The Facebook post of Yasay’s wife confirming his passing was screengrabbed and posted by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).

“My husband, my partner, my best friend left us today at 7:26 a.m. due to pneumonia caused by the recurrence of his cancer, not [coronavirus disease 2019]. Jun Yasay, you are loved. We will miss you,”

Cecille said.

Yasay has battled two cancers in life.

The UCCP also mourned the death of Yasay.

Yasay is the current chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) which us an affiliate of the UCCP. “We deeply regret the news of the passing of... the current Chairperson of PCU Board of Trustees and former DFA Secretary, Atty.

Perfecto Yasay, Jr.,” it said.

“Prayer for [his] eternal repose in the bosom of God. Rest in peace our dearest [brother] in Christ. Condolences to [his] bereaved family.”

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to have this freedom today.

“And relate that to their personal lives and how they are as residents of Davao City and citizens of the Philippines,” she said.

The mayor also gave an inspiring message saying this year’s commemoration of the Philippine Independence highlights how Filipinos, as a nation, collectively aspire to keep the spirit and the sacrifices of the brave martyrs alive.

She said the commemoration could be lacking in its traditional flair and grandiosity as it could be somber, but this year’s commemoration is more meaningful and heartfelt.

“This year’s theme truly resonates with all of us because of our present condition, our present fight, our present war, our present daily struggles, our priorities, and how we see our future as a nation. Around us, we see the gloom and despair.

These days the challenge

is for us to overcome the crisis brought by a deadly virus that has brought us fear, deaths, and an unimaginable blow on our lives and our future,” Mayor Sara said.

According to the presidential daughter, history has taught FIlipinos that there is nothing that can defeat and dampen the soul as a people. She added that history has also taught the Filipinos that they will rise when united and win when they fight together. She described

the Filipinos as a race of people with a long history underlined by the heroes’ bravery, strength, and determination to be free.

“We have inherited the soul of our martyrs.

And this is our national weapon. Let us continue to cherish their bravery and sacrifices by showing the world that we can overcome the challenges that are threatening us today as Dabawenyos, as Filipinos, if we dare, if we commit, if we stand together,” Mayor Sara said.

Duterte recognized that while the noble heroes of the past faced the might of colonial powers, the country is still confronted with problems brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.

He was optimistic that the country would once again rise to the challenge.

“As we wage united battle against Covid-19, we now have the opportunity to demonstrate that we possess the same gallantry of spirit and the ability of character as the heroes of our past,” Duterte said.

Duterte skipped the ceremonies for the commemoration of the 122nd anniversary of the declaration of the Philippine Independence held at the Rizal Park in Manila because the number of attendees was limited to 10 people only.

He was instead represented by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea who led the wreath-laying and flag-raising rites during the Independence Day celebration.

Duterte, nevertheless, honored the country’s forefathers who “proudly

proclaimed the birth of the Filipino nation” 122 years ago.

“I join all Filipinos in celebrating the 122nd anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence,” he said. “Today, we honor them (the country’s forefathers) for their bravery, heroism, and sacrifice, as well as we thank them for the gifts of democracy and freedom.”

On June 12, 1898, the Philippines’ independence from Spain was declared at the ancestral house of the first Phil-

PRRD urges Pinoys to have ‘courage, hope, optimism’ amid health crisis

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Friday called on his fellow Filipinos to live with “courage, hope, and optimism” even as the country continues its battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Duterte made the call in a taped video message played during the 122nd Independence Day rites at the Rizal Park in Manila.

“Let us now move forward with courage, hope, and optimism as we overcome this pandemic,” Duterte said.

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NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

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President RodrigoDuterte talks on the phone with People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on Thursday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Tourism establishments in A DDO resume operations

PRRD, China’s Xi discuss mutual COVID-19 response

By MAYA M. PADILLO uarantine and social distancing protocols are crippling local businesses hard. Without the usual face-to-face interactions and physical encounter with merchandise, consumers are taking their shopping to online platforms.

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Davao de Oro Tourism Officer Christine Dompor said in a virtual presser that they are now facilitating the applications for the Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO) of the 35 tourism establishments, which is consist of travel and tours, restaurant, hotels and inns, and resorts.

Dompor said from the 35 applicants, four establishments in the resort and accommodation sector

were already given CAO and five establishments are scheduled to receive CAO. “Naa ta’y requirements na gihatag sa ilaha. Ikaduha, if dili sila accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT), they will apply for an accreditation. If they are already accredited they have to fill up the forms provided by the DOT such as assessment form and application

form,” she said.

To attract tourists in a new normal, Dompor said they will be promoting Davao de Oro through Pinas Muna Program under the Department of Tourism (DOT), which promotes local tourism and support local businesses and products. She said they are eyeing domestic travels to revisit the province.

“Under Pinas Muna, it is offering local destinations and local flavors for the local tourists alongside with strict implementation of our contact-tracing, social distancing,” Dompor said.

Apart from mining, Davao De Oro is also the

he Securities and Exchange Commission-Davao Extension Office (SEC-DEO) has warned the public against dealing with a certain person enticing people to join an illegal investment scheme.

In a statement on Thursday, SEC-DEO identified a certain Ronnie John Dohina Barrientos, based in General Santos City, who has reportedly been inviting people into investing in a company called Crowd1.

The warning came

about as the Commission’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) flagged Barrientos for actively recruiting for Crowd1, registered in the country under the Crowd1 Asia Pacific Inc., which has been ordered by SEC to cease operation last month.

Barrientos, the SEC said, “continues to solicit investments for and in behalf of Crowd1 despite the issuance of advisory and CDO by the Commission against the subject entity.

“If proven guilty for

violating the Securities Regulations Code (SRC), individuals who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents that solicit illegal investments may be held criminally liable under Section 28 of the SRC and penalized with a maximum fine of PHP5 million or imprisonment of 21 years or both pursuant to Section 73 of the SRC,” the SEC-DEO said.

It added that violators may also be punished under the "Bayanihan to Heal As One Act" for “participating in cyber incidents

home of natural landscapes such as mountain peaks, forests, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.

To ensure business continuity, Dompor said they have facilitated loan applications of the said establishments to the financing program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). She said they are also working with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to assist tourism stakeholders with agricultural works as alternative or additional livelihood.

“Naay mga tag-iya sa mga resorts ning divert into agricultural inputs and put up agri supply as alternative source of income,” she said.

that make use or take advantage of the current crisis situation to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts”.

The new law was passed to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Commission found that Barrientos, who claimed to be the youngest in the country to earn PHP10 million in eight months after joining Crowd1, is soliciting in-

SEC-Davao warns public vs. Crowd1 investment scam

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day before the country celebrates its 122nd Independence Day, President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping had a telephone conversation Thursday night on the countries’ mutual COVID-19 response.

According to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the two leaders recognized that both countries helped each other during the COVID-19 pandemic “demonstrating the brotherly friendship of mutual help.”

“I am glad to see that under your leadership, the Philippines has introduced a series of strong prevention and control measures and achieved positive results,” Xi told Duterte during the phone call.

Xi added that Beijing will continue to provide “firm support” to Manila in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which started in the Chinese city of Wuhan last January.

“China upholds the concept of a community of shared future for mankind, provides funds, experience and confidence for global prevention and control, and extends a helping hand to countries in need,” said Xi. The Duterte administration has been vocal in thanking Beijing for its support in the country’s COVID-19 response, and is even counting on the Asian giant to develop the vaccine against the disease.

Last May 10, China

donated 100 ventilators, 150,000 testing kits, 70,000 medical protective suits, 70,000 N95 medical masks, 1.3 million surgical masks and 70,000 medical protective goggles to the Philippine government to aid its fight against the virus.

The Philippines earlier donated surgical face masks, protection suits, medical gloves, sanitation products and goggles to the Chinese province of Hubei, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his letter addressed to Xi sent last June 9 to mark the 45th anniversary of the Philippines-China diplomatic relations, Duterte called for stronger ties between the two countries amid the global crisis.

“We must forge on and ensure that the potential of our special ties is fully realized,” Duterte said.

Duterte reiterated that China “is a close neighbor and valued friend,” and that the Philippines remains committed “to preserve and build on the gains of our close partnership for greater peace, progress and prosperity for our nations.”

Manila and Beijing have been embroiled in a territorial dispute over some islands in the West Philippine Sea, which the latter claims almost its entirety.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration sided with the Philippines in its claims over the West Philippine Sea. However when Duterte

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VOL.13 ISSUE 54 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

A hawker carries a wide array of face masks that he peddles in Davao City’s downtown area on Friday. Edge Davao

LBP releases P40.6-B to UCT beneficiaries T T

IPOPHL supports e-Commerce bill

he Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has released a total of PHP40.61 billion in unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) as of March this year to beneficiary-households of the Duterte administration’s social mitigation program under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

Under the TRAIN, up to 30 percent of the incremental revenues from the law is earmarked for social mitigation measures, such as the UCTs, while 70 percent is earmarked for President Duterte’s centerpiece infrastructure program “Build, Build, Build”.

Republic Act (RA) No.

10963 or the TRAIN Law, which also slashed personal income tax (PIT) rates for most salary earners, was implemented starting January 2018.

RA 10963 benefits salary earners because the hefty cuts in their PIT tax payments translate into extra income equivalent to

about a one-month takehome pay.

This law also adjusted the excise taxes on fuel, which prompted the inclusion of the social mitigation program to ease the initial impact of the adjustments on the poorest 50 percent of the population.

In her report to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), Landbank president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo said PHP22.22 billion sourced from the program funds under the 2018 national budget was released to 9,258,928 UCT beneficiaries from March 2018 to March 2020.

The UCT fund under the 2018 budget totaled

PHP24 billion, which is for the benefit of 10 million targeted households receiving PHP2,400 each.

However, PHP1.78 billion of the amount has yet to be released because the Landbank is still waiting for the submission by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the remaining list of beneficiaries under the UCT program who have yet to receive their subsidies.

Under the 2019 national budget, another PHP18.39 billion was released by Landbank from July 2019 to March 2020 to 5,108,330 UCT recipients.

For 2019, each benefi-

schemes illegally using the names of “key Treasury and Finance officials in other countries to encourage potential investors to buy into their questionable product”.

Bitcoin is one of the more known cryptocurrency, a virtual asset that uses cryptography and is being used for digital financial transactions.

DOF thus encourages

the public to report similar schemes to the Enforcement and Investor Protection Department of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by calling 8818-5704.

“The DOF also warns those behind these unscrupulous and unauthorized investment schemes that the government is monitoring the public space for such schemes, and will take

appropriate legal and regulatory action,” it added.

Last May 19, the DOF issued a statement warning the public on what it called a fake news after an article came out online saying the government has created a platform called Bitcoin Lifestyle, and none other than President Rodrigo R. Duterte was encouraging investment on the platform. (PNA)

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DOF warns public vs. cryptocurrency

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he Department of Finance (DOF) has warned the public against believing information saying that DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez III is promoting a cryptocurrency auto-trading program called Bitcoin Revolution.

In a statement Thursday, the department said DOF employees have also seen similar investment

he Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has expressed support for House of Representatives Bill 6122 or the e-Commerce bill as it would help the agency perform its mandate to protect intellectual property rights.

“Pursuant to the IPOPHL’s mandate to administer and implement state policies on IP (intellectual property) to strengthen protection of IP rights in the country, the IPOPHL endorses the HB No. 6122 and the creation of an e-Commerce Bureau under the Department of Trade and Industry,” IPOPHL Director General Rowell Barba said in a hearing at the House on Thursday.

Barba said enacting the bill into law would also protect consumers from buying counterfeit goods sold online.

“There is also a growing concern about the proliferation of counterfeits in social media platforms, such as Facebook,” he added.

Barba cited a report from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicating that although e-commerce has supported many legitimate businesses, it has also become a platform for trafficking of counterfeit and pirated goods.

He added that sellers of illicit goods have a relatively low risk of facing criminal prosecution or civil liability by selling their products online.

“Hence, e-Commerce platforms need to take additional actions to combat trafficking in counterfeit and pirated goods and reduce, if not eliminate, the availability of such goods on their platforms,” Barba said.

During the House hearing, he said top best practices listed by the DHS in its “Combat Trafficking In Counterfeit and Pirated Goods” report can also be adopted by the House Committee on Trade for the betterment of the e-Commerce bill.

These best practices include comprehensive “terms of services” agreements, significantly enhanced vetting of third-party sellers, limitations on high-risk products such as medicine, efficient notice and takedown procedures, and enhanced post-discovery actions.

He also cited indemnity requirements for foreign sellers, clear transactions through banks that comply with enforcement requests, pre-sale identification of third-party sellers, establishing marketplace transaction IDS, and identifiable country

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ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Japan Credit Rating Agency lifts PH rating to A-level

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A Maranao sidewalk vendor displays merchandise he is selling along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

Foreign investments shrink in Feb. with COVID-19 outbreak

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he Board of Investments has approved tax incentives for tourism enterprises that would rehabilitate and upgrade their facilities for health and safety purposes, the Department of Tourism said Wednesday.

The BSP reported net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) amounted to $505 million in February, a 31.5 percent drop from the same month last year.

“FDI declined as uncertainties on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak dampened investor sentiment,” said the central bank in a media release.

While foreign investments rose to $657 million in January, it wasn’t enough

to pull the total investment inflows for the first two months of the year up.

Combined FDI net inflows for both months amounted to $1.2 billion, which was 12.2 percent less than the year-ago amount. “[T]he COVID-19 pandemic deterred investors from coming into the Philippines and remaining in their country of domicile,” said Luis Limlingan, managing director of Regina

Capital. “Though the lockdown was enacted during the 2nd week of March, the spread of the virus began much earlier in Asia in countries such as China and Japan.”

Equity capital placements also worsened in February, reaching $129 million, a 43 percent fall from the $227 million recorded last year. The placements came mostly from Singapore, Japan, and United States and were channeled mainly into manufacturing, real estate, and wholesale and retail trade industries.

February also saw less investments on debt instruments at $317 million, a 26.4 percent decrease from

the $431 million posted last year.

Reinvested earnings went down to $59 million during the month, from $80 million recorded in February 2019.

In a bid to attract more foreign investments, the Finance Department is pushing for the immediate passage of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, more popularly known as CREATE. One of the key provisions of the proposed measure is to lower corporate income tax rates from 25 percent from the current 30 percent rate by July, which shall bring the country closer to the regional average.

“They could not touch importation. They cannot stop because of WTO [World Trade Organization], because there are limited grounds. We disputed that. Sabi namin, bakit pag sa sibuyas at saka sa bigas, nata-timing yung pagpasok ng imports. Batay sa karanasan, ginagawa ng ibang bansa, puwede namang pigilan yan eh. Kasi 'yung commitment natin to the WTO, it’s a commitment to trade. It is not a commitment to commit suicide. Patayin mo yung industriya mo na pinanggagalingan ng maraming kabuhayan,” Inciong added.

In a virtual press briefing, however, Dar said that the matter raised by the UBRA was a mere miscommunication between the group and the BAI. “Nagkaroon ng miscommunication si [BAI] Director Ronnie Domingo at UBRA... wala naman

ini-issue ang kagawaran ng pagsasaka at saka ang BAI na ipatigil na [ang local production],” the Agriculture chief said.

“Walang order ang kagawaran ng pagsasaka na ihinto na ‘yung poultry production, ganun din ang BAI,” he added.

The Cabinet official also noted that Domingo has already clarified to him the issue.

“Kinlarify na niya kaninang umaga nung nagkita kami na wala rin siyang ganun na sinabi at in-order,” Dar said.

Local poultry producers have been requesting the BAI to suspend chicken importation amid concerns of oversupply, which has resulted in decline of farmgate prices.

To protect the local industry, Dar said, what will be imported is the needed volume to compensate for deficits.

“Kung ano lang kulang sa Pilipinas yun lang ang

pwede i-import,” he said.

He also said that importation is stricter as the DA requires importers to have a warehouse or cold storage facility and they are compliant with food safety protocols.

Limits due to COVID Inciong said that broiler raisers have been affected by the COVID-19 lockdown, forcing many raisers to limit production in order to also limit losses.

This, he clarified, was a decision of the raisers and not a result of the BAI’s call.

But if the government pushes through with the importation, Inciong said they could either comply and limit their production, or just become importers.

“Mababa ang demand ngayon. Marami pang saradong mga restaurant tsaka limitado pa rin ang kabuhayan ng mga ka-

DA denies it ordered limit on local poultry production in favor of imports

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday denied that it ordered local chicken raisers to limit production in favor of allowing more importation.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, United Broiler Raisers Association president Elias Inciong had claimed that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recommended local poultry raisers to “self-regulate” and “limit local production” after the agency argued that the “volume of imports was small in proportion to local production.”

“They were saying, in effect, limit namin yung production namin,” Inciong told reporters in an online interview.

Inciong added that what government should do instead is, “Limitahan muna yung importation para yung breeder base, hindi magalaw.”

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apan Credit Rating Agency (JCRA) on Thursday upgraded its rating on the Philippines from BBB+ to A- with a stable outlook, as it believes that the country can weather the impact of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

From an expected contraction this year, it forecasts growth to recover and rise to between 6 to 7 percent in the medium term.

In a statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the Japan-based debt rater noted the improved economic fundamentals of the Philippines that makes it more resilient to the pandemic, as well as the government’s bid to implement reforms in the tax system such as through the push for the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE).

It said the stable outlook on the credit rating “indicates that the “A-” will be maintained over the near term.

“JCR holds that a downturn will be limited given the country’s strengthened economic base, resilient external position, and the government’s economic stimulus package totaling more than 9 percent of GDP (gross domestic product).

JCR also considers that the fiscal soundness will not be impaired because while the fiscal deficit may widen, the package at this time is justifiable and the government debt will remain comparatively subdued,” it said, quoting the JCRA statement.

The credit rater also cited as a plus to the country’s rating the strength of the domestic banking system, which recorded a capital adequacy ratio (CAR), a gauge of financial health, of 15 percent.

The country’s external debt balance, which currently stands at 22.2 percent of domestic output and the strong gross international reserves (GIR), which posted a record-high of USD90.94 billion as of end-April 2020, were also recognized.

“JCR holds that the country will show its high resilience even when global risk-off moves would be triggered again by a second wave of Covid-19 pandemic,” the debt rater said.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said JCRA’s decision “is encouraging news at this challenging time.”

He said this move shows the debt rater’s “confidence that the Philippines is pursuing appropriate policies that will help Filipino individuals, businesses, and the economy at large to recover from this unprecedented crisis.”

Diokno said for one, the central bank has “implemented a long list of extraordinary relief measures, and we stand ready to do more if needed.”

“While we have temporarily veered our attention away from the ‘Road to A’ agenda because our focus at the moment is on saving lives, jobs, and livelihoods, we welcome positive assessments from international observers like JCR. We hope this helps to uplift the Filipino spirit at this trying time and to inspire us to work harder together to emerge stronger after the pandemic,” he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said this achievement is a result of a team effort.

“It’s the result of the President’s strong leadership and the teamwork of the Cabinet, BSP, and the legislators,” he said Meanwhile, Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Karl Kendrick Chua said the Philippines had continued to strengthen its macroeconomic fundamentals prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“As a result, we have sufficient fiscal space and economic resiliency to address the pandemic. We are currently working with Congress to enact a recovery program. JCR’s latest credit action in the Philippines is an affirmation of the economy’s resilience,” Chua said. (PNA)

CebPac seeks more flights for stranded passengers

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ocal officials should approve more flights to the provinces to reduce the number of stranded passengers, some of whom took shelter under an expressway outside the capital's airport, Cebu Pacific said Friday.

Before the coronavirus lockdown in March, some routes had several flights a day to and from Manila, like General Santos, Davao and Cebu cities. Some areas are now down to 1 or 2 flights per week, said Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon.

"We are constantly working with the national government and we are constantly appealing po sa mga LGU na dagdagan po sana, kahit paunti-unti po, iyong mga frequency ng flight," Lagamon said.

"Kung hindi po natin

dadagdagan, lalo na po doon sa mga high-demand routes, hindi po mauubos ang number of stranded passengers here in Manila," she added.

(We are constantly working with the national government and we are constantly appealing to local government units to increase, even gradually, the frequency of flights. If we won't add flights, especially in high-demand routes, we will not run out of stranded passengers here in Manila.)

Authorities in Pasay, where the NAIA is located, have moved hundreds of stranded passengers to a public school since Sunday, said Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.

A fresh batch of about 50 passengers whose

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 54 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

On the signing into law of the National Academy for Sports Act

by President Rodrigo Duterte:

We are very happy to learn about the signing of the NAS into law as this would greatly boost Philippine sports especially in the grassroots level. With this law, we are confident we can produce the next Manny Pacquiao and Lydia de Vega.

Charles Raymond Maxey PSC Commissioner

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VANTAGE POINTS

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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

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.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

UNMASKING FACE MASK These days, wherever you go, you see people wearing face mask. It is a prerequisite when you go to the public market, malls, riding a vehicle, and even when walking alone. It is a must when there are people around.

The only time you don’t wear a mask is when you are at home.

People are wearing face mask because they don’t want to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Until now, since it was first reported late last year in Wuhan, China, there is still no vaccine available against the dreaded disease.

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

from COVID-19,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

In a virtual press conference held last June 5 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the WHO chief said it has released an updated guidance on the use of masks for control of COVID-19.

The revised guidance was based on evolving evidence, and provided updated advice on who should wear a mask, when it should be worn and what it should be made of. It is, he said, “an update of what we have been saying for months: that masks should only ever be 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

continues to advise that health workers use medical masks and other protective equipment when dealing with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.

So, what’s new? “In areas with widespread transmission, we advise medical masks for all people working in clinical areas of a health facility, not only workers dealing with patients with COVID-19,” Dr. Tedros said.

This means, for example, that when a doctor is doing a ward round on the cardiology or palliative care units where there are no confirmed COVID-19 patients, they should still wear a medical mask.

Now, in areas with community transmission, “we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible.”

The UN health agency has also updated its guidance on the use of masks by the general public in areas with community transmission.

“In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments,” Dr. Tedros said.

The updated guidance also contains new information

on the composition of fabric masks, based on academic research requested by WHO. “Based on this new research, WHO advises that fabric masks should consist of at least three layers of different material. Details of which materials we recommend for each layer are in the guidelines,” Dr. Tedros said.

In addition, the updated guidance also provides information on how to wash and maintain a fabric mask. “Our guidance also explains how to use a mask safely,” the WHO chief said. “People can potentially infect themselves if they use contaminated hands to adjust a mask, or to repeatedly take it off and put it on, without cleaning hands in between.”

Face masks are only part of the two other recommended basic measures to prevent being infected with SARS-CoV-2.

“Masks can also create a false sense of security, leading people to neglect measures such as hand hygiene and physical distancing,” Dr. Tedros pointed out. “I cannot say this clearly enough: masks alone will not protect you from COVID-19.”

Most people are wearing non-medical fabric mask. Here are some things you need to know. Clean your hands before touching the mask. Inspect the mask for damage or if dirty. Adjust the mask to your face without leaving gaps on the sides.

The mask must cover your mouth, nose and chin. Avoid

touching the mask once you have worn it.

When removing the mask, clean your hands. Remove the mask by the straps behind the ears or head. Pull the mask away from your face. Clean your hands after removing the mask. Wash the mask in soap or detergent, preferably with hot water. Once it is dry, store the mask in a clean plastic, resealable bag.

Among the things you don’t do with face mask are as follows: Do not use a mask that looks damaged. Do not wear a loose mask. Do not wear the mask under the nose. Do not remove the mask in areas where are people not within a distance of one meter with each other Do not use a mask that is difficult to breathe through. Do not wear a dirty or wet mask.

Do not share your mask with others.

Masks, Dr. Tedros reminded, are not a replacement for physical distancing, hand hygiene and other public health measures. “Masks are only of benefit as part of a comprehensive approach in the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

According to Dr. Tedros, the cornerstone of the response in every country must be to find, isolate, test and care for every case, and to trace and quarantine every contact.

“That is what we know works,” he said.

“That is every country’s best defense against COVID-19.”

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COMMUNITY SENSE

UP Mindanao and SPMC Sign Agreement to Train More Medical Personnel for COVID-19 Testing Facilities

UP Mindanao chancellor Prof. Larry Digal, PhD (seated, right) and Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega (seated, left) sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the Joint Intensive Training Program on SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Diagnostics, at the SPMC on 26 May 2020. Philippine Genome Center (PGC)

Mindanao director Dr. Lyre Anni Murao (standing, left) and SPMC chief training officer Dr. Maria Elinore Concha witness the agreement. The two government institutions agreed to train more medical technologists and laboratory analysts to be qualified to operate COVID-19 testing centers in Davao Region and in Mindanao.

UP Mindanao, SPMC sign agreement to train more medical personnel for COVID-19 testing facilities

U

director Dr. Lyre Anni Murao and SPMC chief training officer Dr. Maria Elinore Concha witnessed the signing of the agreement.

“Public and private hospitals in Davao Region

are establishing COVID-19 testing laboratories to address the increasing number of confirmed cases and the limited number of testing facilities. Through this joint program, we can address the need for more personnel to handle clinical specimens and perform the necessary molecular tests,” said Chancellor Digal.

UP Mindanao, through the Philippine Genome Center-Mindanao (PGC), will carry out a 14-day training for selected medical technologists and laboratory analysts, beginning with an online module on the molecular biology principles for SARS-CoV-2 reverse

transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and then followed by extensive hands-on and practical exercises on laboratory procedures and workflow simulations at the UP Mindanao campus in Mintal, Davao City.

After this, the trainees will move to SPMC for the clinical diagnostics practicum and assessment program, which will involve actual handling and processing of specimens and operations in a SARSCoV-2 diagnostics facility following guidelines established by the Department of Health (DOH).

The trainees who successfully complete the training program will have to un-

dergo assessment by DOH before they can operate in a COVID-19 testing facility in their respective institutions.

This current initiative is part of UP Mindanao’s Covid-19 response, which includes the PGC-Mindanao’s diagnostic program for the testing facility at the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Davao del Norte and assistance to the City Government of Davao in the renovation planning for the testing lab in Los Amigos, Tugbok District; the Interdisciplinary Applied Modeling (IAM) laboratory’s work on Covid-19 mathematical modeling and data analysis as input

for policy making; and the university’s agreement with the local government to establish two isolation facilities within its campus.

To date, SPMC is the only subnational laboratory certified by the DOH to conduct COVID-19 testing in Mindanao. However, new COVID-19 testing labs are rising in many areas in Mindanao such as Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. The SPMC is also the only institution in Mindanao that the DOH recognizes to provide accredited training for health professionals who will work in the soon-tobe-established testing laboratories.

safe environments children need to thrive.

Through its programs, ChildFund gives parents and caregivers the skills and resources to be responsive to children’s needs, ensure access to health and education, and provide quality learning and safe environments.

To date, it has helped 7.94 million children across the world.

Under the partnership, Globe will be providing SMS Blasting services via AMBER.ph to reach families and inform them on ways to keep their children safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes mitigating potential harm

to kids and maintaining normalcy through continuous learning.

Enabled by Globe’s SMS blast solutions, ChildFund has also implemented a Home-based Family Activity Kits (HFAK) facility, reaching out to 8,729 families from Apayao to Tawi-Tawi, five days a week. This includes suggested activities in creating family routine, social and emotional learnings, farming, arts and crafts activities to foster unity and creativity among family members.

In addition, the organization has completed its six virtual training sessions on Mental Health

and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Psychological First Aid (PFA), attended and completed by 43 individuals representing the organization's 12 local partners nationwide. These virtual training sessions equip local partners with additional knowledge and skills to handle stress and anxiety that is inherent during a pandemic, which they, in turn, can utilize in conducting the same training to parents, volunteers, caregivers and some local government units, all to ensure the protection and development of a child.

“The quarantine poses challenges for us to phys-

ically reach families, but we believe that harnessing technology through our SMS services can help fulfill ChildFund’s vision of helping young individuals achieve their potential,” shared Globe Chief Commercial Officer Albert de Larrazabal.

Globe aims to reach more people as it continues to provide its mobile and other digital solutions to customers and partners, amid the new normal. It continues to enable more personalized customer experiences through innovative digital platforms, partnerships with public and private organizations, and improved

care channels such as customer service apps and chatbots.

“We understand that life goes on even during a quarantine. Through our enhanced services and partnerships with reputable organizations like ChildFund Philippines, we hope to support more Filipinos as they stay connected, productive, and informed, even at home,” added de Larrazabal.

To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 developments, Globe mobile and broadband customers are also given free access to the official websites of the Department of Health

niversity of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao and the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), represented by chancellor Prof. Larry Digal, PhD, and medical center chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega, respectively, signed a Memorandum of Agreement for a joint intensive training program on SARSCoV-2 molecular diagnostics last 26 May 2020 at SPMC. The program aims to train more medical personnel to operate additional COVID-19 testing centers in Davao City and in other areas in Mindanao. Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Mindanao

Globe partners with ChildFund Philippines to empower Filipino children and families in time of COVID-19

W

ith most Filipinos still undergoing the effects of community quarantine policies across the country, Globe is helping keep them safe with its partnership with ChildFund Philippines, an international non-governmental organization that ensures the healthy and safe beginnings of Filipino children.

ChildFund is an international organization that has its beginnings that go way back to 1938 in the USA. It works with local partner organizations, governments, corporations, and individuals in 24 countries around the world to help create the

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EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

9

An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

M

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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VOTER’S... FROM 2

As for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and others needing assistance, the assistors are required to observe the protocol of wearing face mask/shield and proper hygiene.

Alternatively, an authorized person may request on their behalf, who must submit a special power of attorney (SPA) or an authorization letter and photocopies of a valid ID of both the requesting party and the authorized representative.

Jimenez said the certification is free of charge for senior citizens, PWDs, and members of the indigenous peoples (IPs) and indigenous cultural communities (ICCs).

It is also free for voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) who will secure their certifica-

tion in the OEO of the locality where they are registered.

Jimenez said the issuance of certification is still indefinitely suspended in the cities of Mandaue, Cebu, and Talisay, in the province of Cebu.

Last March 15, the Comelec first suspended the issuance of Voter’s Certification nationwide following the declaration of a state of public health emergency in the country pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 922, and the issuances of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

On April 13, the suspension was extended until April 30. Then on April 30, the same was again extended until June 30 in light of the community quarantine.

(PNA)

In a separate statement, Malacañang also extended its sympathies and condolences to Yasay’s family.

“As we pay tribute and honor Secretary Yasay, we offer our sincerest prayers to the Almighty to grant him eternal repose,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Yasay is the first Foreign Affairs Secretary on an ad interim basis under the watch of President Rodrigo Duterte.

His ad interim appointment, however, was rejected by the Commission on Appointments in March 2017 due to questions about his citizenship.

Yasay also served as the chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1995 to 2000.

He also unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the Senate in 2001 and 2004, and for Vice President in 2010.

(PNA)

ippine president, Emilio Aguinaldo, in Kawit, Cavite.

June 12 is a regular

holiday in the country to allow Filipinos to celebrate the Philippine Independence. (PNA)

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vestments on behalf of the entity using social media platforms without authority from the Commission.

“He even showed his support to Crowd1 by is-

suing a statement in reply to the Commission’s Advisory and posted the same in his Facebook account,” the statement added.

(PNA)

assumed presidency in that year, he agreed to shelve differences with China to pursue joint oil and gas exploration in disputed areas.

Despite the international arbitration ruling, China has been aggressive in reclaiming disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea and turning those

into military outposts.

The Duterte government also filed diplomatic protests over China’s declaration of two new reclaimed districts called Sansha City in the West Philippine Sea and a Chinese warship’s pointing of a radar gun at a Philippine Navy warship last year.

of origin disclosures.

“It cannot be emphasized that intellectual property protection is critical to fostering innovation, research, and development so businesses

and individuals can enjoy the full benefits of their inventions, and for artists to be fully compensated for their creations and so cultural vitality will prosper,” Barba said. (PNA)

ty such as age, enrolment, grades, and even playing years shall be relaxed in consideration of the disruption of the school year and major changes in the education system.”

The uncertainty on when the school year for college will begin and how

the classes will take place during the Covid-19 pandemic factored in Letran’s decision to push Season 96 to next year.

Letran is hosting the upcoming season supposedly as part of its 400th foundation anniversary festivities this year. (PNA)

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Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea leads the wreath-laying ceremony during the commemoration of the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Rizal Park in Ermita, Manila on Friday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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ciary-household received PHP3,600.

The Landbank will release the balance of PHP6.1 billion for the 2019 UCT program as soon as the DSWD submits the list of the remaining recipi-

ents, Borromeo said.

Borromeo said the UCTs were distributed to the beneficiaries either through their Landbank cash cards or over-thecounter (OTC) payments in the bank’s branches or

other accredited conduits, such as rural banks and cooperatives.

UCT recipients include beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), social pensioners under the Senior

Citizens Act, and other low-income households identified by the DSWD through its National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-TR), also known as Listahanan. (PR)

babayan natin. Kaya in effect, without really intending to, parang susunod na rin kami. Kasi mabilis makasalanta yang sobrang supply eh lalo na kung galing sa importation yung attack, kasi mababa naman talaga ng presyo ng imported kahit

pa may taripa yan dahil nanggagaling yan sa mga bansa na subsidized ang agricultural systems.

"Saka siguro ang isa pang puwede naming gawin ay mag-import na rin kami. Mukhang yun ang may incentive eh.

Hindi ka ire-regulate,” In-

ciong said.

He also said that consumers don’t stand to gain from the entry of cheaper imported chickens.

“Ang karamihan naman ng mga importer, binubulsa rin naman yung margins eh. Hindi naman pinapasa sa con-

sumer eh. Hindi ko naman masisi,” Inciong said.

The US Department of Agriculture earlier noted that the Philippines’ poultry importation increased to 390,000 metric tons this year from 345,000 MT in 2019 and 320,000 MT in 2018.

flights were canceled took shelter under an expressway near the airport on Friday morning, as a tropical depression Ambo dumped rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas.

Passengers cannot enter NAIA without a confirmed flight. They can also

stay at the airport just a few hours before their trip.

Some passengers failed to get alerts about flight cancellations because Cebu Pacific "never had their contact details," said Lagamon.

Rubiano said he she asked airport managers to

notify passengers about canceled trips through social media, television and radio.

"Kung talaga walang ticket, 'wag na muna silang pumunta. Iyong mga canceled ang flights, sana po tanggapin din ng nandidito sa NCR, Region 3, Region

4 na pinanggalingan nila, pabalikin na," she said.

(If passengers don't have tickets, don't go here yet. I also hope that those with canceled flights could be accepted back by authorities in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4, where they were from.)

(DOH) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Learn more about this story and other ongoing efforts by Globe in response to the COVID 19

crisis via https://www. globe.com.ph/. You may also tune in to ChildFund Philippines' Facebook

page for more updates on issues that affect children's rights, safety and development.

two-way contracts governing play in the NBA

and the developmental G League. Playoff rosters

would be pared to 15 players, with two inactive for

each game, per the ESPN report.

only title at Roland Garros came in 2009.

Even though Federer has slipped from the very pinnacle of the game, he is still a major threat to Nadal and Djokovic.

'Golden' ambitions Last year, the world No. 4 had a 53-10 win-loss record and he reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January in his only tournament this year.

Federer, who is still six ATP titles short of Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109, has one glaring omission from his CV --

the Olympic title.

The Swiss won doubles gold in Beijing in 2008 with compatriot Stan Wawrinka but lost in the singles final to Andy Murray in London four years later.

The postponed Tokyo Games will almost certainly be Federer's last opportunity to complete a career "golden" Grand Slam -- he will turn 40 on the day of the closing ceremony next year.

Tennis will feel the loss of the elegant Federer keenly when he walks off

the court for the last time.

Djokovic and Nadal have been the dominant forces in recent years but the Swiss remains the biggest draw and last month topped Forbes' list of the world's highest-earning athletes.

His last appearance on court was in front of nearly 52,000 fans -- touted by organizers as a world record for tennis -- at a charity match against Nadal in Cape Town in February.

Federer is nearly always the crowd favourite wherever he plays and has

proved a perfect ambassador for the sport since he won his first Grand Slam title in 2003.

He certainly expects to be back and competitive next year.

"I will be missing my fans and the tour dearly but I will look forward to seeing everyone back on tour at the start of the 2021 season," he tweeted.

The avalanche of support from his adoring fans showed they would miss him too, but they will have to get used to a time when he is gone for good.

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NCAA Season 96 set early next year

T

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver with Mickey Mouse mascot at Disney World.

he National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has pushed the start of its upcoming season to 2021 as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) continues to affect the lives of the Filipinos.

On Thursday, host school Letran announced that the league will not hold games for the rest of the year and instead have its 96th season in the early part of next year.

“Season 96, with Colegio de San Juan de Letran as host, shall begin in [the] early months of 2021 subject to the decisions of [the] government for the favorable conduct of the games while strictly observing safety and health protocols,” said Vic Calvo, the management committee chairman for the new season, and Clarence Marquez, the president of the NCAA

policy board, in a joint statement.

The Letran priests also announced that at least four disciplines will only be played for NCAA Season 96, which is now expected to be a short one assuming the league will still look to begin Season 97 later in 2021.

Basketball, volleyball, swimming, and athletics, which Calvo and Marquez classify as “mandatory”, will be surely played.

The officials, however, said they are considering adding online chess and esports to the events that will take place next season.

Regarding the eligibility of the athletes especially those who are graduating by the first semester this upcoming academic year, the statement said, “Some rules and requirements on student-athletes’ eligibili-

originally announced.

No reason for the change was provided.

Eight teams that were far back in the standings will not resume their seasons. The other 22 teams will each play eight regular-season games, and one or two play-in games would be held for the last postseason berth in each conference if the eighthand ninth-place teams wind up within four games of each other.

The standard playoff format would then be followed, with four rounds of best-of-seven series. The

NBA Finals are due to start

by Sept. 30, according to ESPN. Game 7, if necessary, could be played as late as Oct. 12.

Revised roster rules have been agreed to by the NBA and NBPA, according to ESPN. Free agents from the United States could be signed as replacements for absent players, but international players who weren’t in the NBA this season can’t be added.

Regular-season rosters reportedly will be increased to as many as 17 points, with several on

FNCAA, P10

14 of 22 NBA teams will finish in less than 8 weeks

W

ith some NBA players reportedly concerned about the length of their stay in the league’s Orlando-area “bubble,” the league plans to have the vast majority of teams done for the season relatively quickly.

ESPN reported Thursday that 14 of the 22 teams headed to Walt Disney World Resort for the restarted season will be eliminated from contention with 53 days of their arrival.

Just four of the 22

teams reportedly will still be playing after 67 days.

The league and the National Basketball Players Association have been hashing out details of the return-to-action plan in the wake of the NBA’s hiatus prompted by the coro-

oger Federer is talking optimistically about returning to his "highest level" after knee surgery, but does tennis have to start adjusting to a future without the Swiss star?

The 20-time Grand Slam winner announced on Wednesday that he would be sidelined until 2021 after his second operation in a matter of months.

Federer remains upbeat, tweeting: "I plan to take the necessary time to be 100 percent ready to play at my highest level."

In some ways 2020 is a good season to miss after the coronavirus ravaged the tennis schedule.

Writing Federer off in

the past has proven dangerous.

He returned from a six-month injury lay-off to claim the Australian Open in 2017, winning his eighth Wimbledon crown later that year.

But he will be 40 in 2021 and is now heading into uncharted territory.

Despite his groaning trophy cabinet, there are two factors that will motivate Federer to keep going -- the risk of losing his grip on the men's Grand Slam title record and a missing Olympics singles gold medal.

Rafael Nadal has 19 majors, just one shy of Federer's mark and Djokovic has 17.

Spain's Nadal will be

navirus pandemic. The season was halted March 11 when Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

On Wednesday, ESPN reported that the NBA and the union were discussing whether to allow players to voluntarily skip the season’s resumption with no consequences. A conference call that featured up to 50 players reportedly saw some of the participants express concern about the Disney World protocols.

Among the major sticking points is the fact that

Is this the end of the road for Roger Federer?

R

fancied to draw level with Federer at the French Open, rescheduled for September, while few would bet against Djokovic winning in New York weeks earlier.

In April, Federer said he was "devastated" when Wimbledon was cancelled for the first time since World War II. Last year he fell agonizingly short at the All England Club, failing to convert two championship points on his own serve against Djokovic.

The Wimbledon grass probably remains his best chance of adding to his Grand Slam collection -- he has not won the US Open since 2008 and his

FFEDERER, P10

visitors won’t be permitted in the “bubble” until the end of the first round of the playoffs, almost seven weeks after players arrive at Disney World, according to the report.

Players who leave the facility reportedly would be subject to a 10-day quarantine upon their return.

Players are tentatively scheduled to arrive at Disney World from July 9-11. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that the league is now aiming for a July 30 return date, one day earlier than

F14 OF 22, P10

Two factors that will motivate Roger Federer to keep going are the risk of losing his grip on the men’s Grand Slam title record and a missing Olympics singles gold medal.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 54 • SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020

‘GREAT DAY’ PSC Chairman William“Butch”Ramirez (second from right) and Commissioner Charles Maxey (extreme left) in this file photo during the inauguration of the PSC Mindanao Office.

PSC Commissioner Maxey hails Sports academy law

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

C

ommissioner Charles Raymond Maxey of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) was grinning from ear to ear upon learning the news that President Rodrigo Duterte signed the National Academy for Sports Act on Wednesday (June 10) In a livestream interview with this writer on Wednesday night, Maxey said it was “a great day for Philippine sports.”

“We are very happy to learn about the signing of the NAS into law as this would greatly boost Philippine sports especially in the grassroots level,” Maxey said in the livestream of Sports Hub hosted by this writer and Dr. Vince Vicente.

“With this law, we are confident we can produce the next Manny Pac-

quiao and Lydia de Vega,” he said referring to two of the country’s sports icons.

On the other hand, Deputy House Speaker Michael Romero said Thursday the creation of a National Academy of Sports (NAS) would serve as a motivation for student-athletes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Rep. Romero, who is a member of the national polo team, said the NAS would boost the spirit

of the country’s national athletes and aspiring sports heroes who need to continue training in their homes and in isolation from others to avoid catching the disease.

Romero said the Department of Education (DepEd) can get the governing board organized, work out the details, create the systems, design the academic programs, and secure the funding while athletes wait for the government to address the health crisis.

“By the time everyone who needs to be vaccinated for Covid-19 (is) inoculated, the NAS should be able to formally open its doors to welcome its first students,” he said.

“We must get this right.

This NAS (system) is a crucial component of our national goal to win golds

at the Olympics and reign supreme in world championships.”

Romero said the next major step is the creation of a sports state university.

“However, if the government is unable to establish and operate a sports university soon, I am hoping the private sector can come together to build the country’s first private sports university,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11470 creating the NAS in a simple ceremony in Davao City on June 9.

With the establishment of NAS, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the country would be able to raise the student-athletes’ competitiveness in the field of sports and produce

world-class athletes in the future.

Under the new law, the NAS is tasked to implement a secondary education program that is integrated with a special curriculum on sports to help young Filipino athletes develop further their sporting skills.

RA 11470 grants full scholarship to qualified student-athletes.

The main campus of the NAS will be established at the newly constructed New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

According to the law, the sports academy would be equipped with the necessary sports facilities, housing, and other amenities that are based on current international standards.

School buildings with

enough number of classrooms and facilities will also be constructed at the complex.

The DepEd, in close coordination with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), is directed to develop the athletic skills and talents of students in facilities at par with international standards.

The DepEd secretary will chair the academy’s Board of Trustees while an executive director appointed by the education chief and has an expertise in sports will head the NAS. The new law allows the academy’s board to approve the hiring of licensed foreign coaches, trainers, and consultants duly-certified by PSC to ensure the international competitiveness of the student-athletes. (PNA)