Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 58 | Thursday, June 18, 2020

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Shoppers take a break for a bite in SM Lanang Premier’s Designated Dining Area, popup dining spaces that accommodate more customers with safe distancing in mind. Dining services in SM Supermalls in Davao resumed at 30 percent capacity on June 15, following the go signal given by the local government as guided by the IATF. Photo courtesy of SM Lanang Premier

De-prioritize Mindanao Railway project: Mayor Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

BACKBURNER De-prioritize Mindanao Railway project: Mayor Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has recommended to the national government the de-prioritization of the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP TDD) segment.

M Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio attends the 122nd Philippine Independence Day commemoration in Davao City last week. The mayor has recom-

mended for the de-prioritization of the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP TDD) segment. Edge Davao

A statement released by the regional office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA 11) reported that Mayor Sara presented the city’s position paper during the online video conference for the second quarter CY 2020 regular meeting of the Infrastructure Development Committee 11(IDC 11) last June 9 and cited reasons for putting the project in the backburner such as unresolved alignment issues between the MRP-TDD and other priority projects in Davao City in-

cluding the Davao City Bypass Construction Project (DCBCP), risk of the project’s non-completion as the signing of loan agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GOP) and the Government of China, and insufficient ridership which may lead to financial losses.

The committee has endorsed the city’s recommendation to the RDC 11 for its consideration and further deliberation.

In his letter sent to Mayor Sara, a copy of which was shared to Edge Davao, As-

Wednesday morning.

(We know that dexamethasone is a steroid.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help a person who has COVID.) “People might think this is the magic pill for COVID. it is not,” she cautioned.

“Dapat mapakalat natin sa mga tao na hindi tayo bibili sa drug stores para inumin natin ito para ma-prevent na magkaka-COVID tayo,” she said.

(We should inform people that you shouldn’t buy this from the drug store and take it to prevent COVID-19.)

University of Oxford, which showed that dexamethasone helped save the lives of a third of severely ill patients who took it, was done in hospitals.

The said initial study also showed that dexamethasone reduced the deaths of those receiving oxygen or were on ventilators by a fifth.

However, besides being just a preliminary study, it is not yet peer-reviewed, which means it has not yet been analyzed by other experts.

Vergeire said it is crucial for studies to be peer-reviewed first.

sistant Secretary for project implementation-Mindanao Cluster of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) Eymard Eje explained that the alignment issue between the MRP and the Davao Bypass Construction project can be resolved without scrapping either of the projects.

“De-prioritization does not mean cancellation. The project will continue. I believe the Office of Mayor Sara Duterte already received our letter,” Eje told Edge Davao.

Eje said technically, a road design has a higher flexibility to adjust that a railway design and any slight changes in the horizontal and vertical design of the railway would greatly affect the speed and travel time. He added that

FBACKBURNER, P10

Año: Anti-terrorism bill has Dexamethasone is not a magic pill for Covid-19, DOH says he Department of ria Rosario Vergeire said Vergeire pointed out She said it is only after stricter supervision on cops Health on Wednesday during a media briefing on that the study done by the then that Philippine ex-

I

nterior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday said the controversial anti-terrorism bill would allow strict supervision of police after some security forces have been accused of abuse of power.

“Lalo na tayong magiging mahigpit kapag mayroon na ang batas na ito kasi kailangang bantayan talaga natin at ang gusto natin nakafocus lang tayo sa terrorism,” Año said in a virtual press briefing.

“I will guarantee also na ito namang reforms na ginagawa sa AFP at PNP, tuloy-tuloy ito. Huwag na nating ikumpara ‘yung noon sa ngayon sapagkat nakikita ko naman na talagang nai-internalize naman sa buong organization ‘yung pagsunod sa human rights,” he added.

He maintained that the proposed law has safety measures to protect the rights of every individual against law enforcers who will abuse their authority.

He added one could question if ever there will be cases of warrantless arrests.

Authorities who will abuse their power could even face years of imprisonment, according to Año.

“If nagkaroon naman ng abuses, nandiyan naman sa batas din, 10 years imprisonment ‘yung nanghuli nang hindi nababatay sa rules of court, ‘yung nagconduct ng wiretapping na walang authorization or court order from Court of Appeals, at kung nagkaroon ng torture or anumang paglabag sa human rights. 10 years imprisonment ‘yan at forever banning in any government position,” he said.

“Napakaraming mea-

sures na nandoon sa batas.

Unang-una, kung magkaroon ng warrantless arrest, ang unang-unang gagawin ng arresting officer is to notify in written form the nearest court or judge, notify also the CHR and then provide access to the accused private or even direct communication with his lawyer and family. Puwede rin magfile ng writ of habeas and writ of amparo ang counsel ng accused. Ibig sabihin, puwede mong kuwestiyonin ‘yung arrest niya,” he explained.

When asked on some police officers supposedly tagging militant groups as “terrorists,” Año said it has never been the position of the national government, noting that it acknowledges the right of every citizen to air their grievances against the government in a peaceful manner.

“It has never been the government’s position.

We always respect citizens’ right for freedom of expression as long as they are not committing any crime or inciting sedition or rebellion,” he said.

Some have expressed apprehensions over the proposed measure, saying that it could target individuals expressing dissent against the government.

The anti-terrorism bill has already been submitted by the Congress to President Rodrigo Duterte last June 9. The President has yet to decide whether to sign or veto the bill.

Once approved, implementing rules and regulations will be crafted by the government, Año said.

“Kapag ito ay naaprubahan ng Pangulo, may-

FAÑO, P10

T

reminded Filipinos that the steroid treatment dexamethasone is not yet approved as a COVID-19 treatment and should not be used outside of the hospital.

This, following promising clinical trials in the United Kingdom which showed the drugs could help save those critically ill from the virus.

“Alam naman natin ang dexamethasone is a steroid eh. It has anti-inflammatory properties na maaaring makatulong talaga sa nangyayari sa isang tao 'pag siya ay nagka-COVID,” Health Undersecretary Ma-

perts would look into dexamethasone.

The health official also pointed out that dexamethasone is not considered a cure but only part of the support treatment for COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms.

“Yes this is a breakthrough in science if ever pero kailangan antayin natin makumpleto ang proseso ng pag-aaral,” she added.

(Yes this is a breakthrough in science if ever, but we need to wait for the study to be completed.)

Vergeire also told peo-

FDEXAMETHASONE, P10

A group of health workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) takes a rest in front of a TB Dots center along Camus Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

President Rodrigo Duterte talks during a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday evening. The President is waiting for the vetting process to be finished before he decides to sign or veto the anti-terrorism bill. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Davao coastal road section to open late August 2020 P

PRRD waiting for antiterror bill to be vetted

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 11) has set its timeline for the opening of the 2.7 kilometer-Davao City Coastal Bypass Road which stretches from Bago Aplaya to Talomo section by the end of August this year.

Dean Ortiz, chief information officer of DPWH 11, said in a phone interview that the agency will open the said section which will feature bike and jogging lanes. He also said an esplanade will be added for tourism-related convergence.

“The feature of the coastal road is not only as access to any traffic, but

also as tourism convergence area as there will be an esplanade or a park,” Ortiz said.

He said supposedly section was scheduled to open in May this year. However, it was delayed due to the health crisis.

“All projects will be minus two months accomplishments. This is the rea-

son why we are planning to open the Bago Aplaya-Talomo section in late August,” he said.

He added that a 650-linear meter bridge for Talomo-Punta Dumalag section is already underway.

Ortiz said DPWH 11 is hopeful for the completion of the whole stretch of the project from Punta Dumalag to Times Beach section then Roxas Avenue to Sta. Ana Wharf to Azuela Cove in Lanang, Davao City by 2023.

“Hope the project will not be paralyzed by another pandemic. We are looking forward with no more delays,” he said.

With the construction commenced in 2017, the Davao Coastal Road ex-

he City Government of Davao will employ 42,915 workers who have been displaced due to the closure of companies affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outreak.

Mayor Sara Duterte said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that the city’s cash for work program called “Work for Davao” would employ the workers at 396 pesos a day for 10 days, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Mondays to Fridays.

The program will start on June 22 and end on December 7, 2020.

Jobs include clean-up for two weeks for Brigada Eskwela in preparation for face-to-face classes, if it resumes; canal cleanup; Davao-Bay clean-up; Dengue Awareness 4S Campaign (Search, Secure, Seek, and Support); Purok Clean Up within their communities; daily cleaning and disinfection of public parks, public markets, public health centers, and district offices local gov-

ernment.

“This ‘Work For Davao is an emergency employment or cash for work for the people who have been retrenched or laid off by the companies that closed down,” she said.

She said the “Work For Davao” program has been allocated the budget of P159.944 million.

Aside from “cash for work,” Duterte said the local government would also roll out “Eskwela Davao,” an educational assistance program for the children of

tends from Bago Aplaya in the South to R. Castillo in the North.

Destruction of cyclone fences Ortiz also said that DPWH 11 is now seeking for the cooperation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and barangay officials of Talomo and Bago Aplaya after the agency has received reports that the cyclone fences set up in a portion of Bago Aplaya-Talomo section are being destroyed by the residents in the area.

“Deliberately destroyed by the residents para naa sila access to do some gardening. The area is very spacious. Contractors cannot apprehend but the police can,” he said.

workers who are currently employed but salaries have been reduced by a skeleton workforce arrangement in their offices.

Families with children in grade school and high school can avail of the educational assistance at 1,500 pesos for 6,000 elementary students, 3,000 for 6,000 high school students and 3,000 for 10,000 senior high school students.

How to avail? Parents can contact Norman Balaoro, spokesperson of Esk-

Davao City’s ‘cash for work’ program to employ 42K displaced workers

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FDAVAO, P10

resident Rodrigo R. Duterte will wait for the vetting process to be finished before he decides to sign or veto the anti-terrorism bill, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President is still waiting for Senator Panfilo Lacson, the principal author of the measure, to finalize the measure’s provisions.

“When he spoke about the anti-terror bill, he was saying, ‘I’m waiting for Senator Lacson to finalize his commas and periods before I sign the bill,'” Roque said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

He said the proposed law has not reached the President’s desk, which means that the Office of the Executive Secretary and the Department of Justice were still vetting it.

Roque said the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel has already finished reviewing the bill and has sent their input.

“There are at least three departments that are given the leeway to comment on this legislation.

The most important is the Office of the Executive Secretary, specifically the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, and of course, it’s important to listen to the Department of Justice as well,” he said.

Besides these offices, Roque said the President, a lawyer himself, would read the provisions of the bill.

“Let’s not forget, that the President was also a criminal lawyer, a public prosecutor. He will read the bill himself and he will himself make a determination if there’s any provision that is contrary to the bill of rights and the Constitution,” he said.

Meanwhile, Roque clarified that it was not the President who sought support for the anti-terror bill from 784 local government officials.

“I don’t think it was the President that asked for the support because he was in Davao. It was (Interior) Secretary (Eduardo) Año,” he said.

Roque said it was only “natural” for the interior chief to seek support from local government officials, who deal with the threat of modern-day terrorism.

“Terrorism, of course, can occur in specific jurisdictions of the Philippines constituting LGUs,” he said, adding that he respected the decision of other local government officials who opposed the bill.

“It’s a free country,” Roque said.

The anti-terrorism bill seeks to amend and improve the provisions of the Human Security Act of 2007 by giving it more teeth.

Under the measure, the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days sans a warrant of arrest will be permitted. It also allows a 60-day surveillance with an allowable

FPRRD, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Small businesses urged to register with BIR

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Child waters a variety of vegetables in the remote village of Magsaysay in General Luna, Siargao Island on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Organized by Hardin ng Pagbabago, a community-driven initiative, at least 30 farm

organizations all over the island are enjoying bumper harvest. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

mall business owners are encouraged to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) not because the government merely wants to collect taxes but for them to be accounted for and be included in its programs for the sector.

During the Laging Handa PH briefing on Tuesday, Finance Assistant Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino II said registered small businesses with an annual revenue of PHP250,000 are exempted from paying income tax.

Lambino said the law provides tax exemptions for small businesses so there is no reason for the owners not to register and violate existing rules.

“We just want them to follow the law. That is actually applicable to everybody doing business,” he said.

Lambino said BIR-registered businesses may also be included in the various programs for this sector, such as the small business wage subsidy

German firms in PH: Easing of quarantine helps businesses

DOF chief: BBB, agriculture G to boost PH economy in '20

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he government’s infrastructure program and the agriculture sector will be among the main growth drivers of the Philippine economy this year despite the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a virtual briefing, after the signing on Tuesday of two big-ticket projects in the Visayas and Mindanao with a combined amount of PHP75.5 billion, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he is confident that both the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are ready to implement their projects after weeks of delay due to the implementation of the community quarantine in Luzon.

Dominguez said the DWPH, which handles about 90 percent of the government’s infrastructure program, is “fully ready” to resume construction activities.

The government’s recovery program “relies heavily” on the implementation of projects under the priority “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program and the strengthening of the agriculture sector, he added.

“Agriculture is big because, you know, the demand for food is inelastic,” he said, noting that the sector is a major contributor to the recovery of ar-

eas outside Metro Manila and a plus to the government’s “Balik Probinsya” program that encourages people to return to their provinces to decongest the country’s capital.

Dominguez further said the BBB has the highest multiplier effect among the government’s infrastructure programs because it requires a large number of workers and provides “services and public goods that are totally necessary for reducing the cost of transportation and logistics within the country.”

“So you can expect towards the second half of the year acceleration of the projects,” he added.

Dominguez likened the current situation to last year when the approval of the national budget was delayed, which hampered the timely implementation of BBB projects.

During the same briefing, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the department was able to spend about PHP700 billion for the implementation of the infrastructure program and meet its target despite starting

construction only in the second half of last year.

Villar said they expect a similar outcome this year based on their experience.

“We’ve discussed our targets for this year and again, we’re quite confident that (since) we’ve done it before, (we’re going to) hit the target again this year as we establish a new guideline. So, it’s all systems go at this point,” he said.

Meanwhile, the pact signed between the Philippine and the Japanese governments, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), pertains to the PHP57-billion (119 billion Japanese yen) loan for the construction of the Cebu-Mactan Fourth Bridge and the Coastal Road Construction project in the Visayas, and the supplemental financing of PHP18.5 billion (35 billion yen) for the Davao City Bypass Construction Project.

The loans have been given concessional lending terms of 0.10 percent annual interest rate for non-consulting services and 0.01 percent for consulting services, with a maturity period of 40 years, inclusive of a 12year grace period.

Specifically, the Cebu-Mactan Fourth Bridge and the Coastal Road Construction project is the Visayas’ biggest infrastructure project under the BBB, with a total estimat-

ed cost of PHP76.4 billion.

It is targeted to improve the current road network between Cebu and Mactan Island through the construction of a 3.3-km. bridge with an elevated viaduct; and a 4.9-km. four-land coastal road with an elevated viaduct.

The JICA will finance 75 percent of the project’s total cost through official development assistance (ODA) financing, while the balance of PHP18.82 billion will be financed through local borrowings.

The Davao City Bypass Construction project is aimed at reducing congestion in Davao City and improving accessibility to its major development hubs through the construction of a 45.5-km. four-lane bypass road.

The Department of Finance (DOF) said the project also includes a 2.3-km. the main tunnel that will be constructed using advanced Japanese technology, and a 0.5-km. four-lane cut-and-cover tunnel section that will run through the mountainous terrain in Barangay Magtuod, Davao City.

Construction will start this year and the project is expected to be operational by 2023.

The DOF said JICA would provide a PHP18.5-billion loan for this project, which is “supplemental to the loan accord worth PHP9.27 billion (23.9 billion yen) signed in 2015.” (PNA)

(SBWS) program extended to workers of firms affected by work stoppage during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from mid-March to midMay this year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health crisis.

He said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also has loan programs for these firms.

“So it’s (registering a business) not only a requirement and an act of good citizenship. It also comes with benefits,” Lambino added.

Last June 1, the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) 60 2020 urging online businesses to register with the bureau or update their registrations, a move that is part of the government program to tax digital transactions.

These businesses are given until June 31, 2020 to register or update their registration so as not to be slapped with penalties.

(PNA)

erman companies doing business in the Philippines said the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has impacted their operations but the easing of quarantine measures both in the Philippines and in Germany will help them in the coming months.

In a survey of German-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) from June 5 to 12, some 30 percent of surveyed firms said they expect their sales this year to decline between 25 to 50 percent.

About 26 percent of them said their projected sales will drop by more than 50 percent by end2020.

The survey also showed the top negative effects of the pandemic include travel restriction (84 percent), delay or cancelation of investments (55 percent), problems in supply chain or logistics (54 percent), cancelation of trade fairs and events (54 percent), and less demand for products and services.

“The survey clearly shows the enormous effect of Covid-19 on companies,”

GPCCI president Tristan Arwen Loveres said.

With the easing of lockdown measures both in Germany and the Philippines, 47 percent of German firms said this “helps moderately” in their operation for the next two months.

A total of 39 percent said the easing of lockdown “helps a lot” in their future operation.

Meanwhile, 26 percent of German firms said they expect that supply chains will recover as early as September 2020, 43 percent said supply chains will recover by December 2020, while 30 percent said this will normalize by June 2021.

German firms also cited top government support measures that will help their businesses at the moment, which are reducing administrative burdens, stimulus programs, and corporate tax reduction.

“We encourage all stakeholders to get the proposed economic stimulus packages quickly approved to mitigate the negative impacts on the economy,” Loveres added.

(PNA)

DOE to ensure proper implementation of temporary 10% add'l levy on oil imports

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he Department of Energy (DOE) said Wednesday it will make sure that President Rodrigo Duterte's order imposing additional 10% tax on crude and petroleum imports is properly implemented.

In a statement, the DOE said Secretary Alfonso Cusi directed the Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) to ensure oil firms’ compliance in Executive Order (EO) No. 113.

“Upon the release of EO 113, our Oil Industry

Management Bureau immediately met with industry stakeholders to discuss the way forward, including their strict compliance with the EO’s guidelines,” Cusi said.

On May 2, Duterte signed EO No. 113, which temporarily imposed an additional 10% import tax on petroleum products to help augment government funding in the fight against COVID-19.

The DOE said the additional tax is expected to

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

DINE-IN, PLEASE. Customers observe physical distancing while eating at a fast food chain along Timog Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday (June 16, 2020). The government has allowed the resumption of dine-in services but only up to 30 percent capacity, subject to health protocols in areas under the general community quarantine starting June 15. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

Innovative, flexible training T to upskill labor force: NEDA

BDO increases provisioning due to pandemic, posts lower Q1 income

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ollowing the latest results of the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) labor force survey (LFS), more innovative and flexible learning programs are needed to respond to the challenges of preserving and creating jobs amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

“Workers now need to adapt to the changes in business operations brought about by the pandemic as economic activities resume. Online or blended learning programs will now play a key role in providing opportunities for Filipinos who will require retooling and

upskilling, especially those whose livelihoods have been affected by the pandemic,” acting NEDA Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in a statement Tuesday.

Chua cited the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Online Program

(TOP) launched in 2012 to serve as an open educational resource that will make technical education more accessible to Filipinos through the use of information and communications technology (ICT).

Currently, the TOP has 70 available online courses under 16 categories.

Technical-vocational institutions may now adopt flexible learning delivery modes depending on institutional capacity, trainer’s capability, and learner’s access to ICT. According to the TOP monitoring report, 564,828 users, 70 percent of whom are female, enrolled during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period.

Meanwhile, 62 percent

of active users revealed that they registered to the TOP in light of the lockdown. These users expressed they intend to learn more skills either to secure their jobs or to find new employment.

The report also identified tourism (21 percent), entrepreneurship (16 percent), 21st century skills (14 percent), and ICT (10 percent) as the most enrolled courses in the TOP. Courses such as utilizing electronic media in facilitating training, development of training curriculum (blended), and facilitating e-learning sessions were developed to address the skills needed in the education sector due to the shift to flexible learning de-

over the period.

Most of these pledges are from information technology services with investments amounting to PHP10.68 billion, more than double from January to May 2019’s PHP4.92 billion worth of projects.

This was followed by the manufacturing sector with pledges reaching PHP10.35 billion this year, declining by 10.43 percent from PHP11.56 billion in the previous year.

Registered projects from real estate, rent-

ing, and business activities from January to May this year amounted to PHP8.47 billion, while that of transport, storage, and communications reached PHP35.26 million.

There were no investments registered by the electricity, gas, and water supply industry in the past five months.

At the end of the first quarter of the year, PEZA registered PHP16.5 billion projects and added PHP13 billion in April and May despite the ongoing quaran-

tine measures.

Amid the pandemic, Plaza said PEZA is rolling out its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) response, which involves providing workers temporary housing, transportation services to workers, and Covid-19 testing.

“This is for companies to feel being assisted and supported by the government,” she said.

As of June 5, some 75 percent of PEZA-registered companies are already operating. (PNA)

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PEZA registers P29.5-B investments in Jan-May

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he Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) registered PHP29.5 billion worth of projects in the first five months of the year despite the coronavirus pandemic.

In an online press conference on Tuesday, PEZA Director General Charito Plaza said investment approvals from January to May declined by 31.65 percent from last year’s pledges amounting to PHP43.22 billion.

There were 113 projects registered with PEZA

he Sy-led BDO Unibank has increased its provisioning for this year in anticipation of higher credit costs vis-à-vis the impact of the pandemic on their operations.

BDO president and chief executive officer Nestor V. Tan, during the bank’s virtual annual stockholders meeting on Tuesday, said they increased the PHP2.3 billion provisioning set aside in the first quarter of this year by PHP20 billion to bring the total to PHP22.3 billion.

“With these provisions, together with our excess provisions that we have already booked, we are already allocating a total of 170 basis points in anticipated credit cost for the effects of the pandemic,” he said.

Tan said the amount they set aside for provisioning “is a conservative estimate of probable losses as a result of a comprehensive review of our portfolio.”

“It is anticipatory in nature. We are not yet experiencing losses,” he said, noting that “the bank’s capital will not be impaired and that the bank’s capital adequacy ratio is expected to remain stable.”

In the first quarter of the year, BDO registered a PHP8.8 billion

net income, 10 percent lower than the PHP9.8 billion print they registered in the same period last year.

“Capital market conditions impact investment portfolio and drag the bottom line,” Tan said, citing the impact of the Taal Volcano eruption, the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health crisis, and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) implemented in mainland Luzon since mid-March until midMay and extended until May 30 for Metro Manila to address the rise in the number of infections.

Tan said 2020 is going to be a challenging year as the economy is expected to post a contraction due in part to the measures being implemented to address the pandemic.

He said loan growth is expected to be lower this year because of the difficult operating environment.

“Among the emerging risks is the potential impact on asset quality. We anticipate an increase in loan defaults due to the economic fallout from ECQ,” Tan said.

He, however, said the government’s stimulus package is seen to counter the economic effects of the programs to address Covid-19.

(PNA)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

On Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio recommending to the national government the de-prioritization of the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP TDD) segment:

De-prioritization does not mean cancellation. The project will continue. I believe the Office of Mayor Sara Duterte already received our letter.

Eymard Eje

Assistant Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DoTr)

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

BAROK AND THE TUBA STORY Rural folks, especially readers of comic strips, associate Barok, a stone-age caveman created by Filipino cartoonist Bert Sarile, with the American caricature Flintstones. The character was adopted in movies and popularized in music

by Visayan singer Yoyoy Villame of Butsikik fame.

Barok or tangal, a colorant and preservative, is alternately known in Cebuano as tungog, in reference to the tungog tree or bakhaw (Ceriops tagal) which produces tannin-rich extracts from its dried bark that when mixed with coconut juice or tuba turns the sap into deepbrown orange and adds bitterness to the taste. After days of fermentation, the tuba turns into bahal or bahalina.

Dr. Jurgenne H. Primavera, a Filipino marine scientist known for her marine conservation efforts, in ‘The tungog (Ceriops tagal) industry and prospects for mangrove rehabilitation’ (1998), pinpoints the distribution of the Ceriops tagal: “An Indo-Pacific species,

Ceriops tagal is widely distributed from East Africa and Madagascar, throughout tropical Asia and northern Australia to North Caledonia and Micronesia in the south Pacific and to Hong Kong. It is called the yellow mangrove because of its bright yellow-green leaves which may be dark in shaded areas. It is a typical constituent of the inner (middle and landward) mangroves zone and forms pure stands of small trees (2 to 7 meters high) in well-drained clay soil but grows as a short shrub (1 meter tall) in poorly drained soils frequently by tides.”

The dried mangrove bark, also called cutch, is classified according to how it is prepared.

When pounded into bits and pieces, it is called pinulpog; when powdered it is called binokbok.

Dr. Primavera traces the origin of the tungog industry to the 1930s in Bohol. Prevalent in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, harvesting of tanbark, done by boatloads, has been blamed in part to the slow de-

struction of the country’s ecosystem: “[The tungog gatherers] started their trade at the age of 14-15 years during the peak of the industry in the 1930s to the 1950s. At this time, around 100 sailboats for tongog gathering were based in the four villages of Pangangan Island, Bohol.

“Each sailboat had a keel 60-90 feet long, two masts each measuring 70 feet, a buwang (opening) of 12 feet, and dagpak of 8 feet. The largest sailboat could load 60,000 kilos of dried tungog.

“Among the crew, it was the maestro who directed the trip (e.g., the route to take, where to sell and at what price) while the segunda maestro supervised the crew and tungog gatherers. The manunong guarded the boat and kept watch for bahura (coral reefs) which could ground the boat…”

When the demand for tanbark as fermenting agent grew, the bulk buyers were forced to look for other sources. In later years, collection of tungog went as far as Dumatan (Pala-

wan), Ulutanga (Zamboanga), Surigao, Cotabato, Tungkil Island near Jolo, Mindoro, Camotes, Polillo Iland in Luzon, Kudat and Banggi in North Borneo. Harvesting bakhaw, meanwhile, has direct impact on mangrove population. Dr. Primavera explains: “Unlike other mangroves such as pagatpat [Sonneratia caeseolaris Linn.], tungog easily dies when stripped of its bark. There are two ways of removing the bark: by kuyo for short mangroves (e.g., parang-parang) and by padyag for tall mangroves (e.g., tabyog). In the kuyo system, most of the bark is removed but the tree is left standing. In the padyag, the tree is first cut and then stripped of its bark.”

In the 1950s, the tungog in powder form was popularized

by Alfonso Uy, a Boholano of Chinese descent who also pioneered in the consolidation of rural banks in Bohol under the flagship firm First Consolidated Bank, then the country’s biggest rural bank. He called his company UTC Business

Enterprises, which, during its heyday, was the most popular brand in Mindanao.

Using a simple business approach and cultivating links with sari-sari stores in the countryside where tuba is sold, he introduced the use of tanbark which, in the sixties and seventies, changed the way coconut juice was marketed.

The popularity of tuba mixed with the bitter tanbark eventually drew competition from other enterprising individuals outside Bohol. In the early 1970s, Leopoldo Tiu, a Davao resident, also of Chinese descent, launched his Union Special Tongog, which, with proper publicity and expansive marketing strategy, became an overnight success.

Demand for tungog was drastically reduced in recent decades, in part due to the widespread cutting of coconut trees as source of lumber, and the stringent regulations the government has imposed in the harvest of bakhaw bark due to its impact on the environment.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

FATHER KNOWS BEST Last month, the world celebrates Mother’s Day. This June, it’s the turn of fathers. A little boy was once asked what Father’s Day is all about. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “It’s just like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend much.”

It seems that fathers are not given much importance compared to their counterparts.

Humorist Erma Bombeck, the author of several books including the best-selling, ‘You Know It’s Time To Go Home When You Looked Like Your Passport Picture,’ once told a story of a little lost girl who doesn’t know whether she would miss her departing father: “One morning, my father didn’t get up and go to work. He went to the hospital and died the next day. I hadn’t thought that much about him before.

He was just someone who left and came home and seemed glad to see everyone at night.

He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. He was the only one in the house who wasn’t afraid to go into the basement by himself.

“He cut himself shaving, but no one kissed it or got excited about it. It was understood when it rained, he got the car and brought it around the door.

When anyone was sick, he went

out to get the prescription filled.

He took lots of pictures but he was never in them.

“Whenever I played house, the mother doll had a lot to do.

I never knew what to do with the daddy doll, so I had him say, ‘I’m going off to work now,’ and threw him under the bed.

“The funeral was in our living room and a lot of people came and brought all kinds of good food and cakes. We had never had so much company before. I went to my room and felt under the bed for the daddy doll. When I found him, I dusted him off and put him on my bed.

He never did anything. I didn’t know his leaving would hurt so much.”

Natasha Josefowitz echoed the same sentiment when she said, “My father died many years ago, and yet when something special happens to me, I talk to him secretly not really knowing whether he hears, but it makes me feel better to half believe it.”

To be a father is a great responsibility. Hollywood actress Marlene Dietrich once compared: “A king, realizing his incompetence, can either delegate or abdicate his duties. A father can do neither. If only sons could see the paradox, they would understand the dilemma.”

C. Neil Strait, one of America’s most admired and influential authors, penned: “The best gift a father can give to his son is the gift of himself – his time.

For material things mean little, if there is not someone to share them with.”

I was reminded of the above passage while reading an article of “the transformation of Robin Williams” by Ellen Hawkes. The award-winning actor grew up as the only son of Robert and Laurie Williams in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. His father worked as an executive with the Ford Motor Company.

His mother always praised him but his father paid no attention to some of his achievements. When his family moved to Tiburon, a small town hugging San Francisco Bay, he became interested in acting and missed his classes. At one time, he showed his poor grades to his father, who told him bluntly, “I’m not paying all that tuition for this.” Hearing his comment, Robin replied, “It’s okay. I’ve found what I really love to do.

I’ve decided I want to be an actor.”

Robert looked at his son.

He sensed a lack of discipline and practicality that might prevent his son from achieving his

goals. “It’s fine to have a dream,” he told him, “but you’d better learn a skill, like welding, just in case.”

Robin became an overnight television sensation when he did ‘Mork & Mindy.’ But after four years, the show’s popularity faded. His first two screen appearances – ‘Popeye’ and ‘The World According to Garp’ – were poorly received. His marriage was on the rocks and one of his best friends – John Belushi – died from a drug overdose.

His world was getting nowhere. So, he decided to return home – to visit his father who was also sick at that time. It was at this time that father and son had each other. They started to open up and shared their thoughts. “I don’t want to lose my family or my career,” Robin told his father. “I guess that’s why I came home.”

Robert said, “You know, when my father died, the family business went bankrupt. I was only a teenager, but I had to go to work in the coal mine to help support the family.” In the weeks that followed, Robin learned more about his father’s past.

But one story that really touched him was when Robert explained why he’d retired

from Ford in 1967 and moved his family to California. At that time, Robin was 16 and he never knew what really had happened.

“The automobile industry was going downhill,” Robert said. “I loved what I did, but all they wanted to do was churn out as many cars as they could. The companies were losing their sense of pride in their product.

I couldn’t stand by and watch it happen. I had to get out.”

Hawkes wrote: “To Robin, his father’s message was clear: you must decide what you want your life to be. Inspired by his father’s courage, he knew that he, too, had to make some risks and reclaim the life he wanted.”

In 1997, Robin received an Oscar nomination – his third – for his performance in ‘Good Will Hunting.’ He did win the award. In accepting the prestigious trophy, he said, “My father told me I should always have a backup profession like welding.”

According to Will and Ariel Durant, the family is the nucleus of civilization. It is composed of parents and children. Of course, the head of the family is the father. “A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be,” Frank A. Clark once said.

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

Donate blood and save lives

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

L

ast Sunday, on June 14, the international community on the other hand observed the World Blood Donor Day whose campaign theme this year was “Safe blood saves lives.”

Even in the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, blood is especially needed.

In fact, people who joined the campaign carried the slogan, “Give blood and make the world a healthier place.”

“The idea is to focus on the contribution an individual giver can make to improve health for others in the community,” explains the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), which led the campaign. “Blood donations are needed all over the world to ensure individuals and communities have access to safe and quality-assured blood and blood products in both normal and emergency situations.”

The United Nations health agency calls blood

as “the gift of life.” It states: “Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components – red cells, platelets and plasma – which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.”

Safe blood saves lives and improves health. This is done through blood transfusion, a unique technology that blends science with altruism. Though its collection, processing and use are technical, the availability of blood depends entirely on the generosity of the donor who gives a gift of life.

“Many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood,”

the WHO points out. “Providing safe and adequate blood should be an integral part of every country’s national health care policy and infrastructure.”

The WHO says blood transfusion is needed for: women with complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and hemorrhage before, during or after childbirth; children with severe anemia often resulting from malaria or malnutrition; people with severe trauma following man-made and natural disasters; and many complex medical and surgical procedures and cancer patients.

Blood is also needed for regular transfusions for people with conditions such thalassaemia and sickle disease and is used to make products such as clotting factors for people with haemophilia.

“There is a constant need for regular blood supply because blood can be stored for only a limited time before use,” the WHO says. “Regular blood dona-

tions by a sufficient number of healthy people are needed to ensure that safe blood will be available whenever and wherever it is needed.”

Blood is replaceable, life is not. Hollywood actress Donna Reed knows this

in high-income countries, 15.9 donations in upper-middle-income countries, 6.8 donations in lower-middle-income countries, and 5.0 donations in low-income countries.

According to WHO, most people can give blood if they are in good health.

However, there are some basic requirements needed to fulfil before anyone can become a blood donor.

These are: age (between 18 and 65), weight (at least 50 kilograms), and health (must be in good health at the time a person donates).

Among those who can’t donate blood are individuals who engaged in “at risk” sexual activity in the past

tion procedure will usually take about 10 to 15 minutes,” the health department says. “You are encouraged to give accurate data for your own safety and that of the recipient.

All information gathered will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

During blood donation, a skilled phlebotomist will ask you to lie down on the blood donor’s couch for blood collection. The amount of blood which will be taken will be determined by a physician. It will depend mainly on your body weight and does not exceed 450 milliliters. This procedure takes another 10 to 15 minutes.

well. “I’ve been involved with blood donation since the 1980s because there is a critical need,” she was quoted as saying.

“Donating blood is one of the greatest ways to help humankind,” wrote Nikos Alepidis in an article. “By doing so, we save someone’s precious life, and that is a blessing in itself. There are people who hesitate to donate blood if they aren’t given monetary returns or because of the various myths surrounding it.”

Of the 118.4 million blood donations collected globally, 40% of these are collected in high-income countries, home to 16% of the world’s population, data from the WHO states.

“In low-income countries, up to 54% of blood transfusions are given to children under 5 years of age; whereas in high-income countries, the most frequently transfused patient group is over 60 years of age, accounting for up to 75% of all transfusions.”

Based on samples of 1,000 people, the WHO data shows the blood donation rate is 31.5 donations

12 months, had a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus), and have injected recreational drugs.

Many countries also implemented the policy to defer blood donors with a history of travel to areas where mosquito-borne infections (like malaria, dengue and Zika virus) are endemic. Pregnant women and those who have just given birth are deferred to donate blood.

In the Philippines, the website of the Department of Health shares three steps in blood donation: before, during and after.

Before blood donation, you will be asked to fill-up a donor’s form upon arrival at the blood collection site.

A trained professional staff will ask questions regarding your health history and give you pre-donation education counselling. Your weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and temperature will be checked. Once these are done, a physician will examine you. Small sample of blood will be taken to check your blood type and hemoglobin level.

“Screening and selec-

After blood donation, you will be advised to rest for 10 more minutes. Beverage and simple snacks will be served. A trained professional staff will give you post-donation education and counselling. You will be advised to drink more fluids. The volume of fluids taken is completely replaced by the body within 3 to 5 hours.

There are some side effects of donating blood.

“Blood donation is safe for healthy adults,” assures the website healthline. com. “There is no risk of contracting disease. New, sterile equipment is used for each donor.

“Some people may feel nauseous, lightheaded, or dizzy after donating blood,” it continues. “If this happens, it should only last a few minutes. You can like down with your feet up until you feel better.”

Others may experience some bleeding at the site of the needle. Applying pressure and raising your arm for a couple of minutes will usually stop this. You may develop a bruise at the site.

FDONATE, P10

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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.

10 EDGEDAVAO

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apparently, this issue has been raised and will be resolved on a Secretary level anytime soon.

Eje also explained that the loan agreement with China will be signed anytime soon and this has been guaranteed by the Chinese counterparts. DoTr is currently waiting for the shortlist of bidders for them to commence the construction phase immediately.

DoTr promised to continue in providing the mayor with an accurate, fair, and honest account of the status and impact of MRP to the people.

Eje also stated in his letter the impact of MRP such as in the acquisition of ROW, DoTr will be providing homes to thousands of informal settlers that have been living for almost 50 years now which will be affected with the alignment; the construction of the project will create thousands of jobs and those who lost jobs because of the COVID-19, the new corona-

virus 2019, pandemic will also benefit from the project; the project will boost the economy of Davao and the materials, supplies and other equipment to be used for the project will be sourced locally.

Electrified and dual track Eje also emphasized in his letter to the mayor that DoTr has always pushed for an electrified and dual track railway system, unfortunately, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved the single track-diesel type railway system for this segment.

Nonetheless, DoTr will be acquiring a 40-meter wide of the right-of-way (ROW) for its entire line.

Eje said this will enable the department to operate a dual track railway system in the future.

He added that the maximum design speed of electric multiple unit (EMU), which is 350 kph, is fast-

er that the dual multiple unit (DMU), which is 200 kph, yet the DMU train still meets the design speed of the MRP TDD at 160 kph and its assumed average operational speed of 100 kph and with reduced travel and waiting time, the public will patronize the Mindanao railway based on the feasibility study (FS) conducted.

Meanwhile, among the items discussed during the IDC 11 online meeting was the Midterm Update of Chapters 12 and 19 of the Davao Region Development Plan, 2017-2022 Results Matrices with special consideration of the possible adverse effects of the pandemic to the Region’s development targets.

The Committee also reviewed the Region’s infrastructure sector performance for the 1st Quarter CY 2020 through the Quarterly Progress Report on the Achievement of Chapters 12 and 19 DRDP Outcomes.

Also the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Unified Project Management Office presented the Proposed Steel Flyover Construction for Traffic Decongestion in Urban Areas, particularly in Quimpo Boulevard.

The Committee also recommended that the Traffic Analysis consider on-going and pipelined projects such as the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road and the Davao City Bypass Road. The Committee recommended RDC XI endorsement of the Project’s approval to the NEDA Board – Investment Coordinating Committee (NB-ICC).

The Committee also endorsed to RDC 11 the establishment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Air Station/Hangar at the Old Airport, Davao City to accommodate the proposed deployment of PNP helicopters in the Mindanao Area to combat insurgency, terrorism, criminality, and the pandemic.

be reflected in price adjustments “only after oil companies have exhausted existing inventories that have been purchased prior to the issuance of EO 113.”

Projections based on oil companies’ inventory reports indicated that the added costs might be included beginning the third week of the month or on June 14 to 20.

Currently, Shell Phil-

ippines has reported that 644 of its liquid fuel retail outlets have implemented the tariff adjustment for diesel products only, with this week’s adjustments generally reflecting upward developments in the global oil markets.

The DOE noted that even with the additional P1.50-P1.60 per liter tariff range, prices of petroleum products continue to re-

main low.

Cumulative rollbacks from January 2020 to date stand at P6.72 per liter for gasoline, P9.99 per liter for diesel, and P13.69 per liter for kerosene.

“Protecting our consumers is always our top priority. We will not allow any unfair practice to derail consumer interests, especially given the challenges we continue to face in

the midst of the pandemic,” Cusi said.

Under EO No. 113, the temporary imposition of additional tariffs will immediately revert to 0% upon the certification of the DOE that a trigger price has been reached or when Dubai Crude reaches $64 per barrel, or when the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act ceases to be in effect, whichever comes first.

The website suggests that you call the blood donation center is: you still feel lightheaded, dizzy, or nauseous after drinking, eating, and resting; you develop a raised bump or continue bleeding at the needle site; and you have arm pain, numbness, or tingling.

The basic requirement of a potential blood donor are as follows: weight (at least 110 pounds or 50 kilograms), pulse rate (between 60 and 100 beats/minute with regular rhythm), blood pressure (between 90 and 160 systolic and 60 and 100 diastolic), and hemoglobin (at least 125 g/L.). The blood volume collected will de-

pend on the donor’s body weight.

While everyone is encouraged to donate blood, not all can do so. “There are certain conditions that prevent a person from donating blood temporarily or permanently,” the health department says.

Among the temporary conditions are: pregnancy, acute fever, recent alcoholic intake, ear or body piercing and tattooing, and surgery.

Persons with the following conditions are not allowed to donate blood anytime: cancer, cardiac disease, severe lung disease, hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency

syndrome (AIDS) or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), unexplained weight loss of more than 5 kilograms over six months, chronic alcoholism, and other conditions or disease stated in the Guide to Medical Assessment of Blood Donors.

“Most blood centers strive to maintain an optimum inventory level of a three-day supply,” the health department states.

“Due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents, the inventory fluctuates hourly. When the blood supply drops below a three-day level, the blood center starts alerting local donors to increase the in-

ventory to a safe operating level.”

Generally, donors are not allowed to give blood more than once every 65 days, according to The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

“Despite the advancement in science, artificially synthesizing blood remains impossible,” says Dr. Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director of the Western Pacific. “We are grateful for all those who make blood donation a regular part of their lives, and we urge many others to do the same. Together, we can save lives.” – ### (Photos courtesy of WHO)

and other rules the league applied in response to the pandemic would still apply.

June 23 is significant in another way as well. That would be the first day players on the 22 teams that will be going to the Disney campus would be required to undergo coronavirus testing conducted by those teams.

The league also said it is still working on plans for the eight teams — Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Golden State, Minnesota and New York — that will not be part of the restart at Disney. Those teams can keep their facilities open for now for voluntary workouts until told otherwise.

The rest of the league’s timetable, as of now and with the caveat that it is still

considered tentative until the health protocols are done and agreements with Disney are signed, includes: July 1 through July 7, 8 or 9 — Required individual workouts for players on the 22 participating teams, with the end date coinciding with which day that team would arrive at the Disney campus.

July 7, 8 and 9 — Arrivals at the Disney campus in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

July 9-29 — Team training camps at Disney, which would follow initial health and safety screenings upon arrival.

July 21 or 22 — Start date for three intersquad scrimmages for each team.

The scrimmages will be scheduled by the NBA and will have NBA referees.

July 30-August 14 —

Seeding games at Disney.

Games will resume. The NBA is still working on completing the schedule for those eight games per team, and the matchups will be based on regular-season games that remained when the league suspended play on March 11.

Aug. 15-16 — The two-game play-in series to determine the No. 8 seed in each conference, if necessary. The series would be necessary if the team in ninth place in either conference when the seeding games end is within four games of the No. 8 team. A best-of-two series would be played, with the ninthplace team needing to go 2-0 in those games to earn a playoff berth. Otherwise, the No. 8 team would take

that seed and move into the conference quarterfinals.

Aug. 17 — Playoffs begin. This date would move up to Aug. 15 or 16 if the play-in series are unnecessary. The playoffs are all scheduled as traditional best-of-seven series.

Aug. 30 — A limited number of family members and guests of remaining teams will be permitted to arrive at Disney for the first time. They would stay on the Disney property. They will not be permitted until this point in the schedule.

Aug. 31-Sept. 13 — Conference semifinals.

Sept. 15-28 — Conference finals.

Sept. 30-Oct. 13 — NBA Finals. The league originally planned an Oct. 12 end date, though that has now been adjusted.

DOE... FROM 4

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Jollibee looking at offshore capital market for precautionary funds against COVID-19

T

he Jollibee Group is now contemplating offering another offshore securities issuance as a precautionary measure for unforeseen events that may be caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a regulatory filing, Jollibee Foods Corp. said its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. has already mandated managers to arrange a series of investor calls.

Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, J.P Morgan, and Morgan Stanley were tasked as joint global coordinators. The same group, along with BPI Capital Corporation, Credit Suisse, and UBS, were tasked as joint lead managers and joint bookrunners for the investor calls.

The fixed income investor calls start on June 17, which may be followed by a Reg S only dollar-denominated guaranteed senior unsecured securities

offering, subject to market conditions.

"Proceeds from the contemplated offering will be used for general corporate purposes, intended as a precautionary measure from unforeseen eventualities that may be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as fund initiatives of the Group," the disclosure read.

According to the Jollibee Group, it currently has "sufficient" liquidity and cash of P26.5 billion ($522.3 million) as of endMarch to support operations on a continuing basis and meet obligations.

To recall, JFC made its debut on the offshore capital market in January when it raised $600 million from the issuance of perpetual securities.

The proceeds were allocated for Jollibee Worldwide to refinance shortterm debt spent on the acquisition of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf brand.

ple to be wary about those linking dexamethasone and the Fabunan antiviral drug.

While it claims to include dexamethasone as a component, it has only been given to mild and asymptomatic outpatients. It is also still not registered

with the Food and Drug Administration, which means that its effectivity has not yet been validated.

Vergeire said the group selling the so-called antiviral drug has a license to operate but their products are unregistered, which means they cannot sell it.

roon pa naman tayong IRR na gagawin at dito ay ihihimay-himay kung ano

‘yung mga puwede at hindi puwede base doon sa batas,” he said.

wela Davao at 0999916903, 09235851995, and 09771938176.

For “Work for Davao,” a downloadable application form can be accessed on www.facebook.com/ workdfordavaoor applicants may email WorkforDavao@gmail.com Duterte said the funds

for both programs are sourced from the budget intended for the non-infrastructure project proposed last year. She said the Department of Budget and Management downloaded the funds to the city government very recently.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

30-day extension that can be conducted by the police or the military against the suspected terrorists.

A person who voluntarily or knowingly joins a terrorist organization will

also face 12 years of imprisonment.

In case of the detention of a suspected terrorist, the Commission on Human Rights should be notified. (PNA)

livery modes.

Chua underscored the importance of digital transformation particularly in government offices.

“As we transition to a new normal where physical contact remains restricted, we need to invest in digital transformation.

This is an important structural reform that will allow us to continue to provide educational, training, and other social services and also enable people and

businesses to transact with (the) government more safely and easily,” Chua said.

Chua said there is a need to have competition policies that will encourage the private sector to help improve the country’s information technology infrastructure.

“The challenge is how to bring down the cost while increasing the quality of services,” he added.

(PR)

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Tributes pour in for basketball patron

T

he Philippine basketball community lost one of its modern-day pillars after San Miguel Corp. (SMC) chairman and chief executive officer Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. passed away on Tuesday night. He was 85.

Cojuangco was the architect of the Northern Consolidated Cement or the NCC-backed national team pool during the 1980s, which became the current standard on how a Philippine team consisting of young guns should be formed.

Made up of amateur stars who would become Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) mainstays in the next decade, the NCC squad went on to win the 1985 FIBA Asia (formerly the Asian Basketball Confederation) Cup championship and remains the only non-professional team to win a PBA title.

"His NCC concept was my inspiration for the Gilas program," former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala, who helped establish the current national team model, said via Twitter.

The first Gilas lineup, like the NCC squad, mainly consisted of amateur players and was eventually mixed with PBA veterans and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.

Cojuangco was also the longtime patron of La Salle's men's basketball team, which won multiple University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) titles, as well as two Philippine Collegiate Champions League cham-

pionships.

"His devotion to DLSU as patron and supporter was unparalleled," Eala added.

"Together with the whole La Sallian community, we mourn for your loss. Thank you for your countless contribution, Ninong Boss ECJ!" former Green Archer and now TNT KaTropa player Almond Vosotros said through his Twitter account.

Current University of Santo Tomas coach Aldin Ayo, who steered La Salle to the 2016 UAAP title, added, "Thank you for the opportunity. (I am) forever grateful for your kindness and generosity."

Cojuangco also remained supportive of the PBA since its inception in 1975 with SMC's flagship squad, the San Miguel Beermen, being the only founding member, which remains active in the league to this day.

San Miguel's sister teams, Ginebra and Magnolia, also became successful in their own right, especially when the SMC bought the La Tondeña and Purefoods companies.

"His commitment to SMC teams and the PBA was legendary," Eala further said. "(He was) a tremendous friend to Philippine basketball. Our prayers for him and the Cojuangco family. The passing of an era," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said in his own tweet.

In a statement, the PBA thanked Cojuangco "for your countless contribution to the PBA and Philippine sports!" (PNA)

Danding Cojuangco was De La Salle University’s bankroller in the UAAP.

Cage patron Danding Cojuangco passes away

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ports patron Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco, Jr., billionaire chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp. and longtime supporter of Philippine basketball, died of a lingering illness, the PBA announced on Wednesday. He turned 85 last June 10.

Cojuangco was one of the country’s most prominent businessmen who also served as ambassador, governor of Tarlac and head of the political party Nationalist People’s Coalition. He ran for president in 1992 but lost in a close race

to Fidel V. Ramos.

But for sports fans, he is best remembered as the designated godfather of Philippine basketball late in the Marcos regime who put together a team of top amateur players and naturalized players under the

late Ron Jacobs.

Backed by Cojuangco’s deep resources, the Philippine team first made waves by winning the Asian Youth Championship before home fans in 1982 with a team led by Hector Calma, Alfie Almario, and Teddy Alfarero.

Carrying the colors of Northern Consolidated, the national team ruled the Asian Interclub Championship in Malaysia in 1984 and the Jones Cup title, a PBA championship and a SEA Games gold medal in 1985.

The team’s crowning

glory came in the 1985 Asian Championship (played in January 1986), which was the last time the Philippines won the regional title. NCC never got to play at the World Cup as it was disbanded after the Edsa Revolution that toppled Ferdinand Marcos from power.

As SMC big boss, the conglomerate’s teams enjoyed great success in the PBA, highlighted by San Miguel’s grand slam in 1989 and the rise of Robert Jaworski’s never-say-die Ginebra teams in the late eighties.

NBA gives teams, players more detailed schedule for restart

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The NBA restart will be staged at the Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

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he NBA gave teams a more definitive timetable for the restart to the pandemic-interrupted season Friday (Saturday morning in the Philippines), including required coronavirus testing that is set to begin this month and mandatory individual workouts in early July before training camps.

The league is still working on completing the health and safety protocols that will essentially become the rulebook for the restart at the Disney campus near Orlando, Florida — and told teams that talks with the National Basketball Players Association on those issues are continuing.

Meanwhile, a person with direct knowledge of the talks said that Disney workers who will be on the campus during the NBA restart will have to follow a long list of protocols — including constant mask or other appropriate personal protective equipment usage when in the vicinity of any NBA participants or others there for the restart, strict social distancing guidelines and a submission to daily tempera-

ture checks and symptom self-assessments.

There are other requirements that will also apply to those working in housekeeping and food service, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those details have not been revealed publicly. The NBPA has said player health and safety will be a top priority, and there are still many concerns about how things will work once teams arrive at Disney.

But with negotiations on many levels apparently far enough along to determine a schedule of sorts, the league gave teams the go-ahead to immediately start allowing two assistant coaches to deal with voluntary player workouts.

The rule had been one coach with one player since teams were given the green light to re-open facilities for the voluntary workouts last month.

NBA head coaches can be one of those two coaches involved in the voluntary sessions starting June 23, though social distancing

FNBA, P10

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VOL.13 ISSUE 58 • THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2020

PBA slaps TNT’s foreign coach Baldwin with P75-K fine, suspension

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he Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) slapped TNT assistant foreign coach Tab Baldwin with a huge amount of fine and a lengthy suspension for statements aired in a podcast last week.

Commissioner Willie Marcial handed Baldwin a three-game ban plus a PHP75,000 fine for what he said in the Coaches Unfiltered podcast about the format of the PBA Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.

Asked about the things he was surprised at when he first came to the Philippines, Baldwin said the current format of both conferences, in which the teams can sign up one foreign player each of a certain height limit depending on what tournament they are playing, is “one major flaw in the basketball landscape of the Philippines.”

“This is a big mistake,” said the program director of Gilas Pilipinas Men of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

He also compared the “rules latitude” given by the referees to the imports to the one being given to the locals, saying that what the referees call a foul on a local player is not necessarily being called on the import and vice versa.

The PBA found the remarks of the American coach detrimental.

Baldwin also drew the ire of local coaches following his statement that they still have “tactical immaturity” compared to other basketball nations.

“They are significantly unaware of the tactical and the systematic advancements of coaching systems coming from Europe, in particular, which are built on the backs of player development,” he explained.

Following the backlash he got over the weekend, Baldwin called for an online meeting on Monday with Marcial, Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro, and Legal Counsel Melvin Mendoza to air his side of the story.

Baldwin apologized but later said everything that he said in the podcast was “taken out of context.”

He will serve his suspension in the first three games of the KaTropa’s campaign.

They have yet to begin their season as the PBA has indefinitely postponed the games due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Entitled to own opinion On the other hand, while he admitted that he has not finished Baldwin’s in-

terview, Ateneo athletic director Emmanuel Fernandez said he respects Baldwin’s take o n

the current Philippine basketball landscape.

“At the end of the day, everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” Fernandez said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum earlier Tuesday.

Baldwin also serves as the men’s basketball coach of the Blue Eagles, the defending UAAP champions. (PNA)

TNT assistant foreign coach Tab Baldwin was fined with P75,000 and a lengthy suspension for statements aired in a podcast last week.