Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 66 | Saturday, June 27, 2020

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LIVERPOOL ENDS 30-YEAR DROUGHT SPORTS P11

‘HAIR-RAISING’

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

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Acosta share ‘horror story’ after councilors, agency reps sample bike lane route STORY ON PAGE 2

Councilor Maria Belen Acosta takes to her bicycle to sample the bike lane route in Davao City on Thursday morning.

Photo from Councilor Acosta’s Facebook account

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

BJMP employee is Mati City's 5th confirmed COVID-19 case

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Davao City councilors Joselle Villafuerte (left) and Mabel Acosta (right) lead a group of cyclists in a ride through of the city’s downtown streets on Thursday morning. Photo courtesy of Monica Ayala (Cycle for Life)

‘HAIR-RAISING’ Acosta share ‘horror story’ after councilors, agency reps sample bike lane route

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO air-raising.

That’s how Councilor Maria Belen “Mabel” Acosta describes how it is to ride a bicycle around Davao City’s proposed bike lane route.

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On Thursday morning, Acosta and City Council colleague Councilor Joselle Villafuerte took the challenge of the city’s biking community to get a real feel of how it is to ride a bicycle on the proposed bike lane.

According to Cycle for Life convenor Monica Ayala, in her account of the experience posted on her Facebook account on Friday, the “Work On Wheels” ride came as an offshoot to the Joint Committee Hearing last June 15 which tackled amendments of the

2010 Davao Bicycle Ordinance and a proposed ordinance for Bike hours and routes conducted via Zoom led by office of Councilor Mabel Acosta.

In that forum, Ayala said the cycling community representatives challenged the working committee to try the proposed Davao Bikelane Route on board a bicycle. The bike challenge was willingly accepted by chiefs of offices of the Committees on Peace Safety and Security, Transportation and Communication, and Health, the City Traffic

and Transport Management Office (CTTMO), PSSCC, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Task Force Davao (TFD).

“The activity was set for June 25 however on the said date not all office representatives were available,” Ayala said.

Leading the ride were councilors Acosta and Villafuerte who took to their saddles along with Ayala, Acosta’s daughter lawyer Luna Acosta, Chuck Lozano, bike advocates Iluminado Quinto (Dean of Architecture, University of Mindanao), Liza Parreño (Lend-a-Bike) Ed Luenberger (Davao All Terrain Bikers Association) Kahlil Sobong “ Karim Elijah” (Road Safety vlogger), Martin Zaldivar, (Lend-A-Bike) Dominic Carpio (FORCE),

Ben Gonzalez (EcoTeneo), Lemuel Manalo and lawyer Mark Peñalver of IDIS, and Yas Ocampo (media representative).

According to Ayala, the 15-man group was then divided into two teams to observe physical distancing. Each team took separate routes. With the help of IDIS, an app was used to conduct a road audit along the assigned bike lane paths identifying obstructions that cause impediments in the flow of bikelane use.

“Kurog sa kulba ang first kilometer ride but our snappy salute to girl power on wheels, Councilor Mabel Acosta, Councilor Joselle Villafuerte and Atty Luna for carrying out the ride with grace and cour-

on pooled testing, and preliminary results of the research will come out in the next two weeks.

He said their research team is doing five, 10, and 20 samples per kit to determine which pooled testing is more accurate.

Concepcion said the pooled testing will be a game-changer in testing activities in the country as it can test more people at a lower cost while using the gold standard in coronavirus disease (Covid-19)

testing.

“We have to bring back the confidence to the Filipino people that we are in control of the health situation,” Concepcion said.

He added that it is expected that the number of cases will increase while the country is expanding its testing capacity.

“We will know and identify where the problem is, then isolate, trace, and control the infection. Without testing we will not be able to control the health

situation in the country,” he said.

On top of the RT-PCR testing that the government is doing, the private sector – through the Project ARK – has spent around PHP400 million to PHP500 million for 1.3 million rapid test kits (RTKs) to test the employees of 350 companies.

The Project ARK also partnered with 70 local government units in the country for Covid-19 testing using RTKs, Concepcion said. (PNA)

FHAIR-RAISING, P8

Pooled Covid-19 testing among construction, factory workers eyed

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he private sector-led Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kit) targets to provide reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing among workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors as well as returning overseas Filipinos.

In a Laging Handa public briefing Friday, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Project Ark is already doing the research

he fifth confirmed and only remaining active case of Covid-19 in Mati City is an employee of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) assigned in Lupon town, Davao Oriental, the local government of Mati said.

On Wednesday, June 24, the Department of Health (DOH) – Davao reported that the patient is among the 13 new recorded positive cases in Davao Region.

The patient, a 45-year old male resident of Barangay Central was identified as DR-479 is the 22nd positive case and is among the four remaining active cases in Davao Oriental.

The city government said the patient came home from Lupon last May 31 and underwent home quarantine.

Initially, the patient and four other BJMP personnel tested negative for Covid-19 based on the rapid diagnostic test they underwent on June 15, the day his mandatory 14-day quarantine ended.

The Mati Incident Management Team (IMT) gave them clearance to go back to work based on the initial negative result.

As per the BJMP’s health protocol, all personnel reporting for duty are required to undergo a “quarantine clearance” through the mandatory two-week quarantine period and must be tested.

On June 18, the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19 required all personnel of BJMP–Lupon to be swabbed for the reverse transcript – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test in compliance with the recently issued provincial order to swab personnel in enclosed facilities of the province.

Patient DR-479 was the lone employee of BJMPLupon that tested positive for Covid-19.

But Mati IMT commander Dr. Ben Hur Cat-

bagan said that since the patient did not have any travel history outside the province he could have been infected either in Lupon or Mati.

The patient, who is asymptomatic, is currently in a “stable health condition” and is now quarantined at the Alternate Care Site – the designated isolation facility in Mati.

“If proven that the patient is without any travel history outside the province and has not been in close contact with any of the past confirmed cases in the province, then this would be the first case of a local transmission,” the local government said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit has already coordinated with the two local government units and is currently tracing the individuals who may have had contacts with the patient.

Those who were already traced have already been placed under isolation and monitoring. They will also be subjected to swab testing.

Meanwhile, the province reported the recovery of patient DR-377, an asymptomatic 19-year-old female resident of Barangay Mahanub and the second case recorded in Baganga town. She was admitted on June 2 and was confirmed positive on June 9.

The provincial government said she already tested negative for the virus based on RT-PCR swab tests, but was still required to continue the mandatory 14-day home quarantine.

The patient was among the eight new recoveries in Davao region, seven of whom were from Davao City.

As of June 24, Davao region has a total of 488 confirmed cases, with 311 recoveries and 31 reported deaths. (Warren Elijah E. Valdez/MindaNews)

PRRD signs law restoring GMRC, values education

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law institutionalizing Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education as core subjects in the K to 12 curriculum both in public and private schools.

Under Republic Act (RA) 11476 inked by Duterte on June 25, GMRC and Values Education replace the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) subject.

GMRC will be taught from Grades 1 to 6 as a separate subject and will also be integrated into the daily learning activities of Kindergarten students.

“The Department of Education (DepEd) shall introduce GMRC through clear, distinct, specific, and concrete character building activities such as role playing in the classroom, community immersion activities, teacher-parent collaborative learning ac-

tivities, school-initiated values formation activities, simulated activities, and other forms of experiential learning,” the law read.

Values Education, on the other hand, will be taught as separate subject from Grades 7 to 10 and will also be integrated into current subjects in Grades 11 to 12 under the K to 12 basic education curriculum.

According to RA 11476, Values Education will encompass “universal human, ethical, and moral values, among others.”

“It (Values Education) shall inculcate among our students the basic tenets of the observance of respect for oneself, others, and our elders, intercultural diversity, gender equity, ecology and integrity of creation, peace and justice, obedience to the law, nationalism and global citizenship, as well as the

FPRRD, P8

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

Davao travel blogger Glen Santillan of Escape Manila

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Alexander Divinagracia, former president of the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) and general manager of Globalwings Travel and Tours

Carmel Carpio, managing director of TravelDUO Travel and Tours

Julius R. Paner, senior municipal tourism officer of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur

Renaming of NAIA gets mixed reactions

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he move to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas (PPP) drew mixed reactions from travel and tourism individuals in Davao City.

On Thursday, Representatives Paolo Duterte, Lord Allan Velasco, and Eric Go Yap pushed for the renaming the country’s primary airport through House Bill No. 7031.

NAIA is the main international gateway to the Philippines and serves as a hub for the country’s major carriers.

Davao travel blogger Glen Santillan of Escape

Manila recommended to revert the airport to its previous name Manila International Airport (MIA) for easy recall to travelers.

“Personally, better na ibalik ra sa Manila International Airport para easy recall sa travellers, especially foreign travelers. I agree i-change pero unta ibalik lang sa dating name para wala na kaayo adjustment in terms of recall,” he

Duterte calls for recalibrated Asean plans vs Covid-19

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has sought the recalibration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) plans to ensure the region’s faster recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said Friday.

Duterte made the call on his fellow Southeast Asian leaders when he delivered a seven-minute speech during the 36th Asean annual summit that was held online for the first time due to the threat posed by Covid-19, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser.

“Sinabi ng Pangulo na bagama’t meron tayong mga existing cooperation dito sa mga area na ito, kinakailangang ma-recalibrate ang ating mga plano para po tayo ay mas mabilis na maka-recover dito sa Covid-19 (The President said that while we have existing cooperation, we need to recalibrate our plans to ensure our faster recovery from Covid-19),” Roque said.

Duterte, he said, emphasized the need to step up the promotion of regional connectivity and sustainable supply chains, human capital development, and migrant workers’ rights.

The President also urged his fellow Asean leaders to strengthen the regional bloc’s capacity to address future infectious disease outbreaks, Roque said.

“At sinabi po niya makakamit natin ito sa pamamagitan ng research and capacity-building pagdating po sa health technology development (He said it could be achieved through research and capacity-building on health technology development),” he said.

Asean leaders have conducted various virtual meetings with their dialogue partners to come up with strategies intended to defeat Covid-19.

Arresting the further spread of Covid-19 is the Asean’s top priority.

‘Cohesive, responsive’

FDUTERTE, P8

said.

Santillan's Escape Manila is a personal travel blog turned into a community travel site featuring travel stories, travel guides and itineraries from Filipino travelers. Santillan, a frequent flier, has visited all the 81 Provinces in the Philippines. He has also traveled to some countries around the globe.

Alexander Divinagracia, former president of the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) and general manager of Globalwings Travel and Tours, said renaming the airport will have no impact in terms of promoting

the Philippines but what is necessary is upgrade the facilities of NAIA. “Though there were big changes in the airport now compared to the past administration, I believe there’s still a need to improve more. The connection from one terminal to the other should be improved for the convenience of the connecting passengers. Yong hindi ka na lalabas ng building to get a shuttle. I’ve been to other airports like Singapore Changi Airport, Suvarnabhumi (BKK) Airport, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Noi Bai International Airport

in Hanoi. Di ba ang ganda ng facilities nila in terms of transfers, etc. Renaming the airport for me, personally lang ha will not matter.

But improving the existing facilities is a 'BIG YES' for me,” Divinagracia said.

Carmel Carpio, managing director of TravelDUO Travel and Tours and tour operator for Guam servicing the Philippines market, said she does not think now is the right time to change name.

“Although, I’m in favor of the new name, but just don’t do it now when we have bigger pressing issues to solve,” she said.

On his end, Julius R.

Paner, senior municipal tourism officer of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, said he is in favor for the renaming, however, instead of naming it in Filipino term, it should be in English just to be tourist-friendly.

Based on the press release, renaming NAIA will “finally get rid of the [airport’s] bad image” and enable it to “start fresh," after previously being named as one of the worst airports in the world.

The proposed bill will be calendared also for first reading where it will be referred to the Committee on Transportation for deliberation.

President Rodrigo Duterte signs Republic Act (RA) 11476 institutionalizing Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education as core subjects in the K to 12 curriculum both in public and private schools. Presidential Photo

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

Oil down with surprise increase in US crude oil production

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rude oil prices were down on Thursday with a surprise increase in US crude oil production, inciting fears of an increase in the global oil supply glut.

International benchmark Brent crude was trading at USD39.92 per barrel at 0650 GMT for a 0.97-percent decline after closing Thursday at USD40.31 a barrel with a daily loss of 5.44 percent.

American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at USD37.62 a barrel at the same time for a 1.02 percent loss after ending the previous day at USD38.01 per barrel with a daily decline of 5.85 percent.

US crude oil production increased by 501,000 barrels per day (bpd) to approximately 11 million bpd for the week ending June 19, according to data released by the country's

Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday.

This marked the first weekly increase in US crude oil output since the week ending March 13, the EIA data showed.

Crude oil production in the US declined for 13 consecutive weeks since then, as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has taken a major toll on global oil demand and pushed prices in April to their lowest levels since 1999.

Risks of a second wave of Covid-19 continue to keep global oil demand low and create downward pressure on crude prices.

On top of that, rising oil supply from the US, the world's largest crude producer, is again arousing fears that the global oil oversupply will be difficult to trim in the second half of 2020. (Anadolu)

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines through its Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC) chair and Freedom Inc. executive director Antonio Peralta says the partnership between ECCP-SMBC, Commission on Higher Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM) and various educational institutions

in the Bangsamoro Autonomous in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) area is a rare moment where initiatives by the educational sector as a starter are seeking to revitalize the BIMP EAGA partnerships forged in the 1990s.

Edge Davao

European chamber, CHED-ARMM partner for education opportunities in BARMM

By MAYA M. PADILLO he European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines through its Southern Mindanao Business Council (ECCP-SMBC) stressed the role of education in nation building as it transforms human beings into intelligent citizens particularly those in the least developed areas in Mindanao.

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The ECCP-SMBC has partnered with SIDMA College, Commission on Higher Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CHED-ARMM),

Bangsamoro University of the Philippines, Inc. and Philippine Muslim Teachers’ College for the development of the schools in the Bangsamoro Autono-

mous in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) area.

The partnership will be highlighted with a webinar entitled “Opportunities in Educational Partnerships between East Malaysia and the BARMM Education Institutions”, slated on June 29, 2020, with resource speakers who will share their offered academic programs, student exchange programs, and staff exchange program to the universities and colleges in the BARMM area.

The resource speakers are Dr. Mornie Kambri, founder and chairman of SIDMA College; Dr. Amor Pendaliday, commissioner of BARMM CHED; and Dr. Norma Sharief, president of the Philippine Muslim Teachers College in Marawi City and was the former chairperson of BARMM CHED for the last 10 years.

“Once the partnerships between educational institutions are in place, the upscaling of educational programs in

the BARMM area can happen through the technical partnerships that both institutions can work on.

This is a rare moment where initiatives by the educational sector as a starter are seeking to revitalize the BIMP EAGA partnerships forged in the 1990s,” said Antonio Peralta, chairman of the ECCP-SMBC and executive director of Freedom Inc. Peralta said the partnership bodes well for educational institutions in the BARMM, which is con-

DTI raises essential goods purchase limit

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Maintenance personnel wearing face shields cut grasses at the capitol grounds in Malaybalay City, the capital of Bukidnon province, on Thursday.

MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

sidered to be in the least developed areas in Mindanao as they seek to benefit from the partnership with educational institutions in East Malaysia.

Peralta said the ECCP-SMBC is also utilizing its business network in East Indonesia and East Malaysia to revisit the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP- EAGA) region given the new business opportunities that may be present in the area.

rom two bottles of disinfecting alcohol and five pieces of face masks per transaction, consumers can now buy up to five bottles of alcohol and one box of face masks in supermarkets as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) eases the purchase limit on essential goods.

The DTI released Memorandum Circular (MC) No.2036 amending the MC 20-07 and 20-10 that sets a limit in buying food and non-food products to avoid hoarding and panic buying.

Under the latest MC, DTI lifted the purchase limit of essential goods, except for some non-food products.

There will be no quantity limit in buying instant noodles, canned sardines, canned milk, powdered milk, instant coffee, and mineral water.

But DTI still set purchase limits on non-food products like alcohol and face masks.

Aside from these two

products, the department also increased the allowed quantity per transaction for purchasing hand sanitizers and disinfecting liquids.

Consumers can now buy up hand sanitizers and disinfecting liquid up to three bottles if the size is more than one liter and up to five bottles if they are one liter and below.

According to the MC, supplies of these products are “sufficient to cover consumer demand during the period of community quarantine”.

It added hoarding and panic buying are no longer observed in the market.

Some manufacturing firms repurposed their factories into producing essential goods during the Covid-19 outbreak in the country to augment the supply in the local market.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said the country now produces over 20 million face masks in a month.

(PNA)

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

A Cebu Pacific aircraft is parked on the apron of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the main gateway to the Philippines and serves as a hub for the country’s major airlines, in this undated photo. Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte together with Marinduque Lone District Representative Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco and ACT-CIS Repre-

ECONOMY 5

sentative Eric Go Yap filed House Bill No. 7031, renaming the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas. Edge Davao

Economists: Latest BSP rate decision to buoy PH economy T

DOLE, IBPAP to help OFWs get jobs in BPO industry

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conomists said the unexpected 50 basis points reduction in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates Thursday indicates the gravity of the situation, although it could help the economy from the projected contraction this year due to the pandemic.

Economists said the unexpected 50 basis points reduction in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates Thursday indicates the gravity of the situation, although it could help the economy from the projected contraction this year due to the pandemic.

BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) slashed the central bank’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) rate to record-low 2.25 percent, the overnight deposit rate to 1.75 percent, and the overnight lending rate to 2.75 percent effective June 26, 2020.

“The surprise BSP rate cut of -0.50 may be seen as a pre-emptive monetary easing measure needed most by the economy at this time and in the coming months,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said

in an e-mail to the Philippine News Agency.

He said “more monetary easing measures may be needed as seen by the latest BSP rate cut” due to the national government’s financial constraints for stimulus measures. The latest rate cut, which to date brought the total for the year to 175 basis points, is needed “to prevent the economic contraction from spiraling further and also to help mitigate/limit the risks of recession looming locally and in many countries worldwide largely brought about by the Covid-19 lockdowns/pandemic,” he added.

In the first quarter of the year, the domestic economy posted a 0.2-percent contraction, the first since the last quarter of 1998.

Ricafort said the latest BSP key rate reduction “could also signal the pos-

sibility of a surprise cut in (the) bank's reserve requirement ratio (RRR) in the coming days/months.”

The MB has authorized Diokno to slash banks’ RRR by a total of 400 basis points this year, and half of this has been used last March.

The possible RRR cut is “another potential pre-emptive move as needed most by the economy at this time and in the coming months,” he added.

A 100 basis points cut in banks’ RRR is seen to release about PHP90 billion worth of liquidity into the domestic economy.

In a report, ING Bank senior economist Nicholas Mapa said BSP’s latest rate cut is another factor that will help the domestic economy from the projected contraction this year.

He, however, forecasts this key rate reduction to be the last for this year “with (BSP Governor Benjamin) Diokno likely in favor of approximating positive real policy rates.”

Domestic inflation rate decelerated further to 2.1 percent last May, bringing the average in the first five months this year to 2.5 percent.

Cutting the BSP’s key policy rates by at least 25 basis points more will result in a negative real interest rates in the country.

For one, a negative interest rate will mean that instead of bank account holders earning from their funds deposited with the banks, they will be required to pay the banks to keep their cash.

Mapa does not see any cut in the RRR “in the near term given that the financial system is swamped with liquidity with excess funds parked at BSP’s deposit facilities hitting roughly PHP1.3 trillion in June.”

“The surprise rate cut by the BSP will likely sap some appreciation pressure for the peso in the near term, which has enjoyed relative strength in recent weeks buoyed by financial account inflows tied to the government’s foreign borrowings,” he said.

Mapa added the local bond market may benefit from the central bank easing, offsetting some concerns about additional bond supply in the near term after the government posted another substantial budget deficit for the month of May. (PNA)

he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) are working together to provide returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with job opportunities in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

In a statement, the DOLE said it would work with the IBPAP —the umbrella organization of BPO firms in the country— for the “productive reintegration” of OFWs and at the same time “fill the demand for additional manpower in the BPO industry.”

Employment opportunities in the industry awaiting those OFW returnees with background in the fields of information technology and healthcare.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said that the Labor department was seeing the resurgence of the BPO industry as the subsequent global recession will force the “West” to outsource more jobs in the industry, a good size of which will go to the Philippines.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique Tutay welcomed IBPAP’s initiative and assured the labor

department’s support to facilitate the matching between employers and jobseekers.

The DOLE said it would provide the database of OFW returnees who are interested or who are qualified for the job vacancies.

Meanwhile, career marketing activities, initial screening, and job matching will be conducted by IBPAP from August to November, it said.

Tutay said that the DOLE was gearing towards virtual job caravans for easier matching between jobseekers and employers.

National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) OIC-Director Roel Martin said that the partnership would further help the DOLE attached agency in linking OFW returnees, and even their families, for possible employment.

Martin said among the agency's partners in OFW reintegration were SITEL; the Department of Public Works and Highways and DMCI for Build Build Build projects; Mega Sardines; and Motolite.

He also said OFW returnees are referred to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for retooling and upgrading of their skills.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

Early this morning, I experienced first hand, together with Committee on Health Chair Mary Joselle Dilig Villafuerte, bike enthusiast Ed Leuenberger, Monica Ayala of Cycle for Life, Mark Penalver of IDIS, architect Iluminado Quinto, journalist Yas D. Ocampo, and other environmental and biker groups, how it is to be a biker in the downtown streets of Davao City.

Dili lalim. Maka tindog balahibo. Most cars and jeeps would just load, unload, park, swerve without consideration to bikers.

We have to level up the public’s awareness about shared roads with bikers. Streets and signs have to be improved. Traffic enforcers should be strict about apprehending violations on illegal loading and unloading.

There’s lots of room for improvement for all sectors. Making Davao City biker friendly is a work in progress. Together we can do this!

COUNCILOR MARIA BELEN ACOSTA

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CORPORATE SEALS OF DAVAO CITY Since its creation as a city in 1937, Davao has alrerady adopted two different corporate seals.

Under Commonwealth Act No. 51, which created the city effective March 1, 1937, one of its provisions, particularly Section 4, provides the corporate seal, which can be changed anytime.

The same provision is also invoked under Section 4 of Republic Act No. 4354, the Revised Charter of the City of Davao, approved June 19, 1965. Under the law, particularly Section 10 (c), the City Secretary is imbued with the power to secure the corporate seal: “(c) He shall keep the corporate seal and affix the same with his signature to all official acts of the mayor and to all other official documents and papers of the government of the city as may be required by custom or usage, in the discretion of the mayor.”

In the seal, the outer and inner circles are formed from simple circles with a shield encased in the inner sphere. The shield has four quadrants and

a overlaid circle. The quadrants carry the pictures of a banana, abaca rope formed in reef knot, coconut tree, and Mt. Apo with undulating waves. The circle, meanwhile, has a stylized star, with each point presumably representing a district. The symbols highlight the rich agricultural resources (farming and fishery) of the city.

In the revised corporate seal, the symbols or features are also symbolic of the city’s resources (land, natural and mineral resources, and population), namely: The circles, which is defined as “a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the center); a group of people with shared professions, interests, or acquaintances.” There are two corded circles, outer and inner, which wrap the word ‘Lungsod ng Davao’ and the word ‘Sagisag.’

The abaca rope reminds of the old town of Davao which owed its huge progress to the

booming plantation economy it underwent during the prewar period. For six decades (190060), abaca, thanks to Lebanese, American and Japanese entrepreneurs, was chief cash crop of the region.

The shield, protected by an inner circle of hemp, represents protection and is symbolic of the defense of the city against peril, threat, and other hostile events.

The official city logo is divided into four quadrants and a superimposed rectangle. Rectangles represent stability and are familiar shapes in many government logos; they also represent honesty and solidarity.

The quadrants in the shield, meanwhile, carry the following representations, namely: (i) ‘warehouse with chimneys’ stands for the industries that made Davao region vibrant; (ii) ‘coconut groves’ represent Davao region’s main product; (iii) ‘durian and orchids’ represents the city’s fruits and flowers; (iv) ‘ocean-going steamer’ represents the city’s trade and commerce; and ‘tilted shield

with bolo’ represents the Moros and natives who defended the region from invaders.

The importance of a corporate seal is again cited under Republic Act No. 7160, The Local Government Code of the Philippines, approved on October 10, 1991. Book I, General Provisions, Title One, Basic Principles Chapter 1, which is The Policy, Code and Application, states under Section 22 (b), Corporate Powers, thus: “Local government units may continue using, modify, or change their existing corporate seals: Provided, That newly established local government units or those without corporate seals may create their own corporate seals which shall be registered with the Department of the Interior and Local Government: Provided, further, That any change of corporate seal shall also be registered as provided herein.”

Meanwhile, Administrative Order No. 270, which prescribes the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Local

Government Code of 1991, was approved on February 21, 1992.

Article 48 of the Order, titled as Corporate Seal, stipulates: “LGUs may modify, change, or continue using their existing corporate seals. Newly established LGUs or those without corporate seals may create their own corporate seals in consultation with NHI [now National Historical Commission of the Philippines] and shall register such [corporate] seals with DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government]. Any change of corporate seal shall also be registered with DILG.” To fully appreciate the evolution of the city’s corporate seal, some questions cry for answers: When was the first seal made?

When was it approved and under what ordinance? When was the second seal made? When was it approved and under what ordinance? How any districts did Davao City have prior to RA 7160? What are their names?

Do the five points of the star in the original corporate seal represent the five districts?

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

FACING ADVERSITY WHAT do these words have one thing in common: hardship, difficulty, danger, misfortune, harsh conditions, and failures?

Well, they all mean the same thing: adversity.

William A. Ward once said: “Adversity causes some people to break; others to break records.”

John F. Kennedy, one of America’s most beloved presidents, remarked: “Only when the winds of adversity blow can you tell whether an individual or a country has steadfastness.” Henry Ward Beecher points out, “Adversity, if for no other reason, is of benefit, since it is sure to bring a season of sober reflection. People see clearer at such times. Storms purify the atmosphere.”

When he was still alive, New Jersey Governor Charles Edison told a vignette about his famous father, a man of resilient, undefeatable spirit. Of course, you know who I am talking about – Thomas Alva Edison. Here goes the story: On the night of December 9, 1914, the great Edison Industries of West Orange was virtually destroyed by fire. Thomas Edison lost two million dollars that night and much of his life’s work went up in flames. He was insured for only US$238,000 because the buildings had been made of concrete, at that time thought to be fireproof.

“My heart ached for him,” Charles said. “He was 67 – not a young man anymore – and everything was going up in flames. He spotted me. ‘Charles,’ he shouted, ‘where’s your mother?’ ‘I don’t

know, Dad,’ I replied. ‘Find her,’ he told me. ‘Bring her here. She will never see anything like this again as long as she lives.’”

The next morning, walking about the charred embers of all his hopes and dreams, Thomas Edison said, ‘There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.”

And three weeks after the fire, his firm delivered the first phonograph!

“Now that’s the story of a man who had learned how to face the adversities and disasters of this human existence. He also knew that 67 years were in the past… that the loss of money was nothing really, because there was that inner strength that would allow him to build again,” Charles concluded his story.

“Prosperity is a great teacher,” Victor Hugo says, “adversity is greater.” To which Robert Collier adds, “In every adversity, there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time.” William A. Ward gives a more definite meaning: “As the valley gives height to the mountain, so can sorrow give meaning to pleasure; as the well is the source of the fountain, deep adversity can be a treasure.”

Harold B. Walker has a very thought-provoking idea about adversity. “You can think about your problems or you can worry about them, and there is a vast difference between the two,” he said. “Worry is thinking that has turned toxic. It is jarring music

that goes round and round and never comes to either climax or conclusion. Thinking works its way through problems to conclusions and decisions; worry leaves you in a state of tensely suspended animation. When you worry, you go over the same ground endlessly and come out the same place you started. Thinking makes progress from one place to another; worry remains static.

The problem of life is to change worry into thinking and anxiety into creative action.”

The hammer shatters glass but forges steel, so goes an old Russian proverb. So just what adversity does to you depends upon what is in you. “The tests of life are to make, not break us,” says Maltbie D. Babcock. “Trouble may demolish a man’s business but build his character. The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessings to the inner man. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure that the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or rebel.”

In all the adversities we face each day, God is just a prayer away. But in most instances, we take Him for granted. Take the case of patriarch Jacob in the Holy Bible. He had lost one son. Another had been accused of espionage and was imprisoned. Now, his beloved Benjamin was in danger.

Family problems multiplied, a famine struck, and the whole family teetered on the edge of starvation. Jacob, aged and defeated, complained, “All these things are against me” (Genesis 42:36).

His attitude was understandable, but he badly underestimated God’s care.

In A Turtle on a Fencepost, Allan Emery tells of accompanying businessman Ken Hansen to visit a hospitalized employee.

The patient lay very still, his eyes conveying anguish. His operation had taken eight hours, and recovery was long and uncertain.

“Alex,” said Ken quietly, “you know I have had a number of serious operations. I know the pain of trying to talk. I think I know what questions you’re asking.

There are two verses from the Bible I want to give you – Genesis 42:36 and Romans 8:28. We have the option of these two attitudes. We need the perspective of the latter.”

Hansen turned to the passages, read them, then prayed and left. The young man, Alex Balc, took the message to heart. He later enjoyed full recovery. And what did Paul write in Romans 8:28? “All these things are working together for good to those who love the Lord.”

Remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said about adversity? “When it is dark enough, men see the stars,” he said. You will never see the stars unless you make some mistakes in life. Benjamin Franklin reiterates, “The man who does things make many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all – doing nothing.”

Next time you face another adversity in life, don’t let it control you. Take it as part of growing up and learning some lessons

in life. Again, here’s what Harold B. Walker has to say: “I walked slowly out on the beach. A few yards below the high-water mark I stopped and read the words again: Write your worries on the sand. I let the paper blow away, reached down and picked up a fragment of shell. Kneeling there under the vault of the sky, I wrote several words, one above the other. Then I walked away, and I did not look back. I had written my troubles on the sand. The tide was coming in.”

Now, ever heard of a “Trouble Tree”? One wise businessman has such a kind of tree. It is located about a block away from his house, where he has to pass it every evening on his way home.

“When I reach that tall tree in the evening,” he explains, “I leave all the troubles and worries of the day right there. ‘Let them hang on the branches if they want to,’ I say to myself. ‘I’m through with them for the day.’ And I throw back my shoulders and stir up and a grin and get ready for a fine evening with my family.”

He continues: “I used to take my troubles home to my wife, and often they would stay with me all night, and I’d get up the next morning with a grouch. But no more! I hang them on the Trouble Tree, and five nights out of six they have all blown away by morning.”

Perhaps, only Mark Twain can dismiss all these adversaries in life humorously: “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”

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age,” narrated Ayala.

The images posted by Ayala revealed the need for community education to make the bike lane effective. There were instances during the ride that saw public utility vehicles stopping in front of the bikers to unload passengers who immediately cross the street to go to the other side. There was also a parked police vehicle that impeded the imaginary bike lane.

In her Facebook account, Acosta posted: “Early this morning, I experienced first hand, together with Committee on Health Chair Mary Joselle Dilig Vil-

lafuerte, bike enthusiast Ed Leuenberger, Monica Ayala of Cycle for Life, Mark Penalver of IDIS, architect Iluminado Quinto, journalist Yas D. Ocampo, and other environmental and biker groups, how it is to be a biker in the downtown streets of Davao City.”

The lady councilor, a known environment advocate, revealed: “Dili lalim.

Maka tindog balahibo.

Most cars and jeeps would just load, unload, park, swerve without consideration to bikers.”

“We have to level up the public’s awareness about shared roads with bikers.

Streets and signs have to

be improved. Traffic enforcers should be strict about apprehending violations on illegal loading and unloading,” she said.

Acosta added in her post that “there’s lots of room for improvement for all sectors.”

“Making Davao City biker friendly is a work in progress. Together we can do this,” she said.

Ayala thanked the two councilors and other agency representatives for heeding the challenge.

“The community of bicyclists would like to express deep gratitude for the kind attention and acceptance of participants to

the posed “ bike challenge” (most especially to our legislators) as a necessary exercise towards understanding the daily plight of local bicycle users, a move closer to biker friendliness and more inclusive and sustainable mobility, and safer roads for all in Davao City. This effort is in synchronicity and dedicated to our growing cycling groups and communities in Davao and other parts of the country, establishing bicycles as an essential and primary mode of transportation to address modern day challenges in times of COVID and beyond,” Ayala said.

values of patience, perseverance, industry, honesty and integrity, and good faith in dealing with other human beings along with all other universal values,” it said.

The new law mandates DepEd to carry out appropriate training for teachers and educators on GMRC and Values Education, as well as to provide them with adequate and relevant instructional materials to develop their capacity to teach the subject.

To ensure the effective institutionalization of GMRC and Values Education in the K to 12 curriculum, a whole school approach will be adopted to facilitate the collaborative action in and by school community and other stakeholders to foster parental involvement and develop home and school partnerships for an inclusive values education framework.

DepEd, as the lead agency tasked to imple-

ment RA 11476, is also directed to conduct an annual review to ensure the proper implementation of the law.

The report should be submitted to the committees on basic education of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The initial funding for the implementation of the new law will be taken from DepEd’s current appropriation, the law states.

The amount necessary for the continuous imple-

mentation of the law will be includes in the annual General Appropriations Act. RA 11476 also orders Deped to issue the necessary rules and regulations and consult relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the law.

“The State shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs,” the law read. (PNA)

response During the virtual Asean summit, Duterte told his fellow Southeast Asian leaders that there should be a “cohesive and responsive” response to stop the transmission of Covid-19 within the region, Roque said.

“Kinakailangan, sabi ni Pangulo, na magkaroon ng isang cohesive at responsive response ang Asean para tayo po ay ma-navigate out of this perfect storm of a crisis (The President said the Asean must have a cohesive and responsive response so it can navigate out of this perfect storm of a crisis),” he said.

Roque noted that Duterte also called for greater cooperation and connectivity as the Asean deals with the Covid-19 crisis.

He added that Duterte also welcomed the creation of an Asean Covid-19 response fund to boost the 10-member regional bloc’s efforts to combat Covid-19.

“Sinabi ni Presidente na ang Covid-19 ay nag-expose ng mga vulnerability sa ating mga sistema.

Kasama sa mga vulnerability na sinabi ni Presidente ang mga limitasyon ng ating health care at ng ating social protection systems (The President said Covid-19 has exposed our

systems’ vulnerabilities, such as limitations in our health care and social protection),” Roque said.

Economic integration The Asean country with the highest number of Covid-19 infections is Indonesia, which reported a total of 50,187 confirmed cases.

It is followed by Singapore (42,736), the Philippines (33,069), Malaysia (8,600), Thailand (3,158), Vietnam (352), Myanmar (293), Brunei (141) Cambodia (130), and Laos (19).

Roque said most Asean leaders have signified their intent to further boost their economic co-

operation to mitigate the adverse impact of the Covid-19 crisis and facilitate the region’s quick recovery.

He noted that Asean leaders have also agreed to have “common responses” to contain Covid-19.

“Ang naging panawagan ng mas marami sa kanila ay ang mas matindi pang economic integration dahil ito po ang susi para magkaroon ng mas mabilis na pag-recover dito sa Covid (Majority of them have sought economic integration because they believe it is the key for faster recovery from Covid-19),” Roque said. (PNA)

League champion in June.

The title itself had hardly been in doubt since December, with Klopp’s team quickly building a massive lead with a rampant attacking style of play that has earned 28 wins in 31 games so far.

“The world has watched the fierce determination of this club on the field for every single match,” said John Henry, Liverpool’s American-based owner, “the preparation, the resolve and the talent of those who put together perhaps the greatest league performance ever in any country’s history.”

For a while, though, it seemed the coronavirus could still prevent Liverpool from ending its drought.

The club was 25 points clear when the league was abruptly halted in March as the country was forced into lockdown to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Null and void” became the dreaded term in the red half of Liverpool amid fears the season could be

canceled completely as the coronavirus death toll soared and clubs struggled to agree on a strategy to restart the league during the country’s gravest emergency since World War II. After Liverpool finally returned to the field on Sunday, a 0-0 draw in the Merseyside derby against Everton delayed the crowning moment. But not for long.

The team quickly rediscovered its scintillating attacking form as it swept aside Crystal Palace 4-0 on Wednesday inside an empty Anfield.

Chelsea then put Liverpool over a winning line that had proved so elusive for a team accustomed to dominating English football in the 1970s and 80s.

After waiting so long to win a 19th English title, the pandemic left an anticlimactic cloud over celebrations on the hottest day of the year so far.

Fans couldn’t even gather in pubs, which have been shut since March, to watch Chelsea clinch the title for

them. Gatherings of multiple households are also still banned inside.

The only communal viewing experiences allowed are for groups of up to six people to meet outside. Photos of garden viewings spread on social media. A few fans watched on phones outside Anfield.

Klopp, the German manager who has restored a winning mentality to Liverpool with his brand of “heavy metal” football, already led the club to the Champions League title last year. But this will widely be regarded as the moment he truly brought Liverpool back to the pinnacle of English football.

The last time Liverpool won the league, it was still called the First Division and the club held the English record for most titles with 18.

But the inception of the Premier League in 1992 transformed the landscape of the English game.

Liverpool faded as a force, to be eclipsed by Manchester United. Sweep-

ing to 13 Premier League titles, United manager Alex Ferguson succeeded in his mission of knocking Liverpool “off their perch” by helping the Mancunians become 20-time English champions and one of the wealthiest sports teams in the world.

Liverpool was even in a fight for financial survival in 2010 when the American ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. plunged the club into heavy debt.

The club was rescued — via High Court action — by new American investors from the Fenway Sports Group led by Henry, who added Liverpool to an investment portfolio that included the MLB’s Boston Red Sox. It has been on a steady rebuilding path since.

The experiment of bringing back 1990-title winning manager Kenny Dalglish was short-lived, as it its eighth-place finish in the league in 2012 was the club’s lowest in 18 years.

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massive fish kills?

The three authors surmised in their study: “The ultimate cause has to be associated with aquaculture practices, although no definitive proof can be established. The decrease in DO was not a sudden event, but is associated with the large increase in the number of fish pens and fish cages and resulting unconsumed feeds and fish wastes.”

In a report published by “Philippine Daily Inquirer,” the BFAR regional chief was quoted as saying: “Around 30% of the feeds given are not consumed by the fish culture and are eventually thrown out into the water and seabed.”

The three authors again wrote this conclusion: “The build-up of organic matter eventually leads to eutrophication, which caused a phytoplankton bloom. The bloom led to an increased rate of die-off resulting in more organic matter on the sea bottom. Decomposition of the additional organic matter then depleted the dissolved oxygen in the water and caused further stress to the confined fish.”

But there’s more to fish kills than just economic loss. There are also health

issues to it. “In the wake of the 2002 fish kills, 75 people were hospitalized due to allergic reactions after dried milkfish and other people who were affected complained of headache, dizziness, vomiting, difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain, nape pain, itchiness, chest pain and skin redness,” the authors wrote.

Based on the outcome of the study, the authors suggested several policy implications and better regulation of coastal aquaculture operation. These include strict enforcement of the Municipal Fishery Ordinance, penalties for violation that are high enough to make violation of the ordinance costly, and incentives for compliance to the ordinance considered (like reduction in taxes and technical assistance).

“Authorities need to better communicate the risks associated with overstocking to aquaculture operators and to provide evidence that there are negative consequences to them as well as their community if they put too many fish in their enclosures,” the authors pointed out.

wrestling with the virus, which has killed more people in the United States than any other country, and a surge in case numbers not seen since April, including in Florida.

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets also tested

positive for the virus in his home country Serbia on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Malcolm Brogdon, who plays guard for the Indiana Pacers, confirmed he had also contracted the virus.

(Anadolu)

to ignore on tape.

The anecdotal evidence favors the idea of Bradley as an elite defender as well. Teammates and coaches have been praising him since training camp.

"We've got two of the best players in the world competing together and all anybody's talking about is Avery Bradley's tenaciousness," Frank Vogel said in September. Anthony Davis and LeBron James have offered similar tributes.

Actual contributions aside, the Lakers believe Bradley is a defensive superstar, and that matters. He is the tone-setter for one of the NBA's best defenses.

But is he one of its most important players?

That's a bit harder to say.

Metrics have always been unkind to Bradley. He is ranked third among all point guards in Defensive Real Plus-Minus, but he is ranked only ninth on the Lakers in Defensive Win Shares and 11th in Defensive Box Plus-Minus. Most damning of all? The Lakers don't really seem to miss him when he goes to the bench, allowing only 1.2 more points per 100 possessions without him than with him. That trend has existed for most of Bradley's career. While he looks like one of the best defenders in basketball, his teams tend to do just fine without him.

Sharing so many minutes with Isaiah Thomas, for instance, likely con-

tributed to Boston's defensive improvement with him on the bench. But the pattern is alarming. Bradley's former teammate, Marcus Smart, has played for a team that was better defensively with him on the bench only once in his entire career. The sample is significantly smaller, but the difference between the Lakers with Alex Caruso on the floor defensively and without him has been gargantuan three seasons in a row. None of this makes Bradley a bad defender.

But very few guards are capable of demonstrably improving defenses consistently, and Bradley doesn't appear to be one of them.

Bradley's best defensive trait has drawbacks in a team system. He's obsessive when it comes to ball-denial, and that comes at the expense of providing solid help defense. His overeager style leaves him susceptible to late rotations and designed off-ball actions.

He could be better off the ball, but many of his issues boil down to size.

Bradley is only 6-2. His 6-7 wingspan allows him to play ballhawk in passing lanes, but he provides next to no resistance at the rim: He's also vulnerable to switches against the right scorers. Kawhi Leonard is likely the single-most important opposing scorer the Lakers will face in the playoffs, and he shoots over Bradley easily.

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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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AGRITRENDS

Fish kill: Gasping for breath

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO ake Sebu, a town in the province of South Cotabato, is often dubbed the “Summer Capital of Southern Philippines” as its climate is pleasantly cool (due to an elevation of 1,000 meters high from sea level).

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But what most people don’t know is that there are actually three lakes.

Lake Sebu (from which the name of the town got its name) is the largest as it occupies 354 hectares. The other two are named Seloton (48 hectares) and Lahit (24 hectares).

With these three large bodies of water, it is not surprising that the municipality has “a vibrant ecotourism economy based on the aquaculture of tilapia grown in floating cages,” to quote the words of Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, former director of the Philippine Council for Aquaculture and Marine Research and Development.

But it’s not rosy, though.

Tilapia production in Lake Sebu is beset with perennial problem of fish kills, according to Dr. Guerrero, who is now an Academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology.

In January and August of 2012, P3.8 million and P0.65 million of losses, respectively, were reported due to fish kills in Lake Sebu. In 2013, a loss of 20 metric tons of fish was also incurred. In February 2014, a loss of 68 tons with a value of P5.2 million was reported.

“The fish kills in Lake Sebu are caused by overturns in the lake, known locally as ‘kamahong,’ which take place naturally in Taal Lake in Batangas,” reported Dr. Guerrero. “During a lake overturn, which usu-

ally occurs in the cooler months of the year, strong cool winds cause the upper water portion of the lake to become heavier in mass than the water at the lake’s bottom.”

The sinking of the upper water column, he further explained, pushes up the bottom column that is poor in oxygen and in toxic compounds like hydrogen sulfide, and this kills the fish in floating cages.

The same reason was cited as the culprit of the fish kill that happened last June. The incident destroyed around 4,000 kilos of tilapia in Lake Sebu and 320 kilos in Lake Seloton.

By October, it occurred again, hitting an estimated 200 fish cages.

But Lake Sebu was not the only place where fish kills happened. Just recently, a fish kill was reported in two barangays in Isabela town, situated along Binalbagan River in southern Negros Occidental. Five months later, another fish kill occurred in the coastal waters of Cavite which affected the towns of Tanza and Rosario.

Since fish kill – also known as fish die-off – happens all the time in the Philippines, a timely study was conducted to assess the effects of excessive aquaculture structures and stocking density on water quality and aquaculture production.

The study – done by Zenaida M. Sumalde, Kar-

en Lou A. Francisco and Mildren Peñales – was financially supported by the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA).

The researchers conducted the study in Bolinao, Pangasinan, one of the major aquaculture producing municipalities in the country.

“Occurrences of fish kills had been common in Bolinao but were undocumented since most of the occurrences are site specific – that is, by specific pens or cages – not throughout the whole aquaculture area,” the three authors reported.

Fish kills happen all year-round in specific fish pens in Bolinao and two other aquaculture towns, Dagupan and Anda. The rates of fish kill peak during the months of April, May

and June. But these don’t alarm officials as these are “isolated occurrences.”

But it changed when a major fish kills occurred on February 1-3 in 2002.

It was considered as the worst fish kill event that ever happened in the country.

“It started in the evening of February 1, during a neap tide when tidal currents are slow, causing less oxygen-rich water flowing in from offshore areas,” the authors wrote. “A few days before the event, operators had been reported to have been using aerators to introduce oxygen into the fish pens or cages. This practice is typical in fishponds where water does not flow in naturally, but not in coastal waters where water currents provide oxygen. The use of aerators is also an indication that

there was high oxygen demand in the area.”

It was observed that two days before the fish kills happened, the milkfish (bangus) “were crowding the surface, evidently gasping for air due to low dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water.”

A water-quality testing conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) a few days before and during the fish kills in Bolinao pointed out that the DO level was only 1.5 parts per million (ppm) – way below the recommended level of 5 ppm for fish growth.

Unlike the previous isolated events, this fish kill affected not only Bolinao but also other villages near it.

Fish kills occurred in Luciente 1, Luciente 2, Luna, Salud, Lucero and Tara.

The damage was so

large (estimated value was P600 million) that the Senate Committee on Local Government urged to conduct an inquiry to aid the creation of appropriate legislation.

On February 5, the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines issued a statement that the fish kills indicated two causes: a bloom of dinoflagellates (plankton cells) associated with eutrophied water and low DO levels in the municipal waters of Bolinao.

Dinoflagellates are known to asphyxiate fish and a high density of them was found in the water column and in the gills of the fish. This was the first time such a bloom occurred in the country.

The question remains: what really caused the

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Liverpool ends 30-year drought Liverpool clinched its first league title since 1990 on Thursday, ending an agonizing title drought without the players even having to take the field.

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IVERPOOL, England (AP) — The 30-year wait is over. Liverpool is champion of England again.

Liverpool clinched its first league title since 1990 on Thursday, ending an agonizing title drought without the players even having to take the field.

Instead, the Premier League crown was secured when Chelsea beat second-place Manchester City 2-1, a result that means City

can no longer catch Liverpool with seven games remaining.

For the city of Liverpool, this has been a party three decades in the making, and even the restrictions caused by the coronavirus failed to prevent fans from gathering to celebrate outside Anfield.

Only a few dozen sup-

Avery Bradley said he will sit out the NBA In The Bubble.

porters were outside the stadium as the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge.

But hundreds more quickly arrived, setting off flares and fireworks, waving flags and singing “Allez, Allez, Allez” on the steps of the stadium.

“It is such a big moment, I am completely overwhelmed,” said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, who was almost in tears as he spoke to broadcaster Sky Sports via video link. “I

never would have thought it would feel like this. I had no idea.”

After a dominant campaign that was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool became England’s earliest-ever champion -- and the latest.

No team since the inception of the country’s league system in 1888 has clinched the title with seven games remaining. And no team has been crowned Premier

F3 MORE, P8

11

Jump in C-19 cases jolts NBA N ews of multiple coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the Sacramento Kings are jolting the NBA, but the US basketball league is still set to return next month.

The Kings’ Buddy Hield, Alex Len and Jabari Parker have all tested positive for Covid-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, according to insiders and the league itself.

"Kings guard Buddy Hield has tested positive for coronavirus, sources tell me and Sam Amick," sports reporter Shams Charania wrote Thursday on Twitter.

"Sacramento Kings players Alex Len and Jabari Parker confirmed Wednes-

day that each had tested positive for the novel coronavirus," the NBA said on its website.

Hield, 27, averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season.

The Kings' 25-yearold power forward Parker clocked up 14.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per match.

Len is a center for the California team, averaging 8.3 points and 6 rebounds in the 2019-20 season.

The NBA is set to return with a 22-team format at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida, with a tentative start date of July 31.

But the league is still

FJUMP, P8

How Bradley's absence will impact on Lakers A very Bradley wasn't the first player to decide not to play when the NBA season resumes at Disney World in Orlando, but he is by far the most important to do so thus far. Davis Bertans and Trevor Ariza may hold similar value as players, but neither plays for a contending team. Bradley's Los Angeles Lakers have a legitimate chance to win the championship, and he was their starting point guard. Now the Lakers have a seven-day transac-

tion window a month before play resumes to figure out how to replace one of their most important players.

How will they do it?

To figure that out, we need to start by assessing what the Lakers are really losing with Bradley out.

We'll start with the end of the court for which he is known: his defense.

Few guards in all of basketball put this much pressure on the ball so consistently, and it simplifies everyone else's job.

The Lakers lead the NBA in blocks in part because of their excellent big men, but Bradley is what puts them in position to block shots in the first place.

His willingness to fight through any screen allows the Lakers to largely play traditional pick-and-roll coverage, dropping their centers into the paint to deny anything at the rim.

Bradley routinely blows such plays up before they even get there. He is utterly relentless, and it's hard

FHOW BRADLEY’S, P8

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 66 • SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

CROSSROADS Magic Mike Plania’s future looks bright in the 122-lb division.

Is superbantamweight the goldmine for Plania?

M agic Mike Plania is on the crossroads of his boxing career.

After a massive career-boosting victory over American top ranked bantamweight contender Joshua Greer, Jr. in their recent overweight match, Mike Plania has decided to continue to campaign in the super bantamweight class.

His decision not to move down to the bantamweight division may have been due to the fact that there are plenty of fellow Pinoys currently campaigning at 118 lbs including WBO titlist Johnriel Casimero, former WBA super champi-

on Nonito Donaire, Jr. and IBF mandatory challenger Michael Dasmarinas.

Casimero is set to meet Naoya Inoue in a high profile titles unification bout and Donaire is ranged for a title challenge versus WBC champion Nordine Oubaali of France in bouts yet to be rescheduled in the US. Dasmarinas, the IBO titlist who vacated his title to vie for the IBF belt is waiting in the wings for the Inoue-Casimero winner.

For his part, Plania is now aiming to get a crack and

win a world championship at the 122 lbs to duplicate the feat achieved before only by Bobby Berna, Manny Pacquiao and Donaire himself.

Plania, however, will be virtually negotiating a dangerous minefield in order to achieve his ambition and dream at super bantamweight as the division is stacked and loaded by undefeated champions and strong title contenders, including two former titlists.

A pair of tall, powerful and almost invincible Mexicans namely Rey Vargas (34-0, 22 KOs) and Emmanuel Navarette (32-0-1, 28 KOs) hold the WBC and WBO titles respectively. For-

mer Uzbek amateur standout Morudjon Akhmadaliev (80, 6 KOs) currently holds the WBA and IBF belts following his brilliant win over erstwhile unified titlist Danny Roman.

Ex titlist Ryosuke Iwasa (27-3, 18 Kos) is the IBF interim titlist after beating former WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales last year and undefeated American Brandon Figueroa (20-0, 15 KOs) is the WBA regular champion.

Former unified champion Danny Roman (27-3-1, 10 Kos) is still very much in contention.

Plania 24-1, 12 KOs is currently rated #11 by the WBA and

#12 by the IBF where Akhmadaliev is the defending champion. He is figured to move up in rankings following his victory over Greer and earlier win over erstwhile unbeaten Giovanni Gutierrez for the IBF NABF super bantamweight title last year.

But Plania is not the highest rated Filipino fighter in the division. Albert Pagara is rated #1 by the WBO and Tapales remains highly rated at #4 by the IBF. Two more Pinoys are in the ranking namely Jeo Santissima, #5 by WBO, who failed in his bid against Navarette like erstwhile rated Juan Martin Elorde last year, and the equally

promising Jhunriel Ramonal, the WBO Asia Pacific champion, #11 by WBC. Ramonal in fact scored impressive back to back knockout wins over former world rated Japanese fighters Shingo Wake and Yasuku Kuga late last year.

The super bantamweight division also now features former undefeated WBC bantamweight champion Luis Nery and still have around the likes of ex titlists Yukonori Oguni, Cesar Juarez and Isaac Dogboe.

Plania will certainly find the route to the championship a very difficult one fraught with dangers.

(Philboxing.com)