Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 69 | Wednesday, July 1, 2020

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

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STILL ENOUGH Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the 9th year commemoration of the Matina flood that claimed 31 lives in 2011 on Monday. CIO

DOH 11 assures bed capacities of COVID-19 hospitals still in ‘safe zone’

By MAYA M. PADILLO he regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) assured the critical care utilization rate in Davao Region is still in the ‘safe zone.’

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Critical care utilization rate refers to the percentage utilized out of all available mechan-

ical ventilators and isolation beds in temporary health facilities as well as hospitals. It is a met-

ric to determine whether a healthcare system will be overwhelmed.

Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera, assistant director of DOH 11, explained in a virtual presser a healthcare system is considered in a “safe zone” if less than 30 percent of the beds and ventilators are occupied, ‘warning zone’ if 30 to

70 percent are utilized, and ‘danger zone’ if 71 percent to 100 percent of their beds and ventilators are used.

“Kung titingnan natin kokonti lang yung critical cases kasi more of asymptomatic ang cases natin. Based on the DOH data collect bed tracker as of June 28, 2020,

Davao Region is still are 28 percent lang po tayo at kung titingan natin sa range nasa safe zone tayo,” she said.

Rivera explained DOH 11 came up with the 28 percent critical utilization rate as hospitals being used for COVID-19, the new coronavirus 2019, cases are

the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC).

She said SPMC’s current critical utilization rate is at 40.2 percent while DRMC is at 16.7 percent. “Meaning Davao Region is still in the safe zone at may enough beds

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

SEC encourages social bonds to support recovery from COVID-19 pandemic

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A mother sways her infant child to sleep using a blanket as hammock in Brgy. Igpit, Digos City on Tuesday. Almost hundred families from Brgy. Igpit

affected by last Sunday’s flashfloods take refuge at a covered court of the barangay. Edge Davao

By MAYA M. PADILLO ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said there is no need to stop accepting individuals from Metro Manila as cases of COVID-19 in Davao City is still manageable.

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Locally stranded individuals (LSIs) are reported temporarily banned from returning to Western Visayas and Caraga to contain the spread of the virus.

“Sa karon I can say na manageable pa siya (cases) so there is no need na mag-stop ta mag-dawat ug mga tao nga gikan ug Metro Manila. Kung stranded ka karon, stranded gihapon ka ugma kay naa man ta sa

quarantine ug wala ta kahibalo unsay mahitabo by July 1, 2020,” Mayor Sara said.

The city has been preparing the city’s health systems by implementing protocols and establishing facilities in preparation for the influx of stranded individuals.

“Kung dili ta ready karon, okay lang na stop nato (ang pagdawat) to

allow us to prepare para pagsulod nila (individuals) positive sila, ma-catch sila and ma-manage nato ang COVID-19 situation.

But kita diri sa Davao City during the ECQ and before the GCQ nag- andam nata para sa ingon ani na situation nga mudaghan ang mga tao nga musulod sa Davao City ug mu-daghan ang atoang confirmed COVID-19 cases ug dapat ma-manage nato ug tarong para dili mu-paspas ang pag-daghan sa cases,” she said in a live interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5.

“Normal nga mudaghan kay naa man ta’y

Davao Light begins rapid COVID-19 tests for employees

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ow that Davao City is placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ), Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. has started the rapid antibody testing to its employees including its third-party providers in preparation for their re-entry in the workplace.

Davao Light, in cooperation with the local government unit, the Department of Health (DOH), and the City Health Office of Davao, has conducted the testing to protect its workforce and at the same time ensure that they serve the customers with stringent safety.

The Rapid Test Kit (RTK) is part of the company's safety guidelines to screen employees for the COVID-19 virus as it opens its workplaces safely and continues providing essen-

tial services to its customers.

The testing is done in phases to employees who have been working as front liners. Medical professionals in their complete personal protective equipment (PPE) have administered the testing.

As Davao Light tread lightly into the new normal, strict safety protocols will be implemented in the offices and accredited service centers such as washing of hands, observing physical distancing in all work and common areas, and wearing of face mask or face shield.

Furthermore, in compliance with the Department Memorandum No. 2020-0220 on Interim Guidelines on Return to Work issued by the DOH, the AboitizPower Group

has also implemented a well-thought-out way on how to screen and monitor the daily health of its employees who are returning to their workplaces.

The health monitoring is done through the 1AP Entry Pass App wherein employees, contractors, visitors, suppliers, and delivery men shall submit themselves by logging in to a web-based Daily Health Monitoring tool accessible to any mobile device upon entering to any Davao Light facility. Access will either be granted or denied depending on the information provided in the questionnaire that will be presented to the guard prior to entry.

This new method of health screening and monitoring does not only help in containing the spread of

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has put forward the issuance of social bonds to support efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, manage the resulting socioeconomic impacts and build resilience to future shocks.

Social bonds are financing instruments whose proceeds are exclusively used to finance or refinance new or existing projects that directly aim to address or mitigate a specific social issue and/or seek to achieve positive social outcomes.

The Commission cited the potential of the social bond market as a funding source for COVID-19-focused projects, as it approved the country’s first issuance in accordance with the ASEAN Social Bond Standards (SBS).

On June 17, the SEC approved the application of Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to use the ASEAN Social Bond label for its COVID Action Response (CARE) Bonds.

BPI looks to raise at least P3 billion from the

ongoing offering to finance and refinance eligible micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The CARE Bonds, which represents the third tranche of the bank’s P100 billion bond program, will have a tenor of 1.75 years and an interest rate of 3.05% per annum.

“COVID-19 has given rise to serious socioeconomic issues globally, pushing enterprises to the brink of failure and leaving millions of people jobless,” SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino said.

“The social bond market could boost our response to and recovery from the pandemic by unlocking the much-needed capital for the promotion of public health, reopening of businesses and preservation of jobs, among others.”

ASEAN Social Bonds Social bonds have gained traction among issuers and investors across the world.

In 2018, the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum introduced the ASEAN SBS to enhance transparency, consistency and uniformi-

ty of social bonds issued in the region and thereby contribute to the development of a new asset class, reduce due diligence costs and help investors make informed investment decisions.

The Philippines adopted the ASEAN SBS in April 2019 through the issuance of the Guidelines on the Issuance of Social Bonds Under the ASEAN Social Bond Standards in the Philippines under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 9, Series of 2019.

The ASEAN SBS reflect the four core components of the Social Bond Principles launched by the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) as voluntary process guidelines in 2017, namely use of proceeds, process for project evaluation and selection, management of proceeds, and reporting.

Issuers may use the ASEAN Social Bond label in raising funds for projects benefiting the poor, excluded or marginalized populations and communities, vulnerable groups,

local transmission pero ang dili nato gusto kay paspas kaau nga widespread sa local transmission,” she added.

Based on the assessment conducted by the Inter-Agency Task Force Region 11 two weeks after opening the Davao International Airport (DIA) for commercial flights last June 8, Davao City can accommodate more people to come in.

“Sa karon manageable pa ug dili nako na matubag two weeks after. But since nag-open ang atoang flights atong June 8, kana lang atong basehan, before nagend ang two weeks nag as-

sessment ang interagency kung unsa ang status and it was decided na we can accommodate more people to come in. Mao to nadungagan ang atong mga flights,” Mayor Sara said.

According to her, the inter-agency will conduct assessment on the cases of COVID-19 every two weeks.

“Should we wait na mudaghan ang atoang mga kaso bago ta muingon na manarado nata? No, because sa pagka-karon naglisod naman gani tanan ang mga tao ug lihok so magworsen ang ilaha situation kung atoang sirad-an ang atoang syudad,” she said.

The presidential daughter also reminded the public that under general community quarantine (GCQ), which is a less strict quarantine level than the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) leisure, amusement, gaming, fitness, tourism, and religious gatherings and conferences are not allowed.

“Ang puwede lang mulihok katong ga-negosyo ug katong mga naga-trabaho.

Ang COVID-19 dili ni siya mahuman tomorrow or by December or by next year, mahuman ra ni siya kung dunay tambal ug vaccine or miracle nga mawala ni siya ug kalit,” she said.

Rapid antibody testing for Davao Light employees and contractors. With the help of medical professionals, Davao Light and Power Co., Inc has start-

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ed testing its employees, including its third-party providers, who will be returning back to their workplaces.

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

Mental health should be a priority concern: Sen. Go

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enator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is appealing to the Departments of Health, and Social Welfare and Development to bolster efforts to extend psychosocial assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and other more serious psychological issues.

“In this time of pandemic, we should also ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected. Aside from physical health, ‘yung mental health, napaka-importante rin po,” Go recently stated.

The Senator notes the ongoing pandemic and subsequent disease-containment responses have created conditions that are taking a toll on the mental health of many adults and children. Public measures, such as social distancing and self-isolation, can cause loneliness and fear in people which in turn increases anxiety and stress.

Moreover, people receiving mental health services before the pandemic may have been cut off in areas under community quarantine.

“Marami pong nade-de-

press dahil sa sitwasyon ngayon. In fact, nakakalungkot ang mga OFWs natin, napakatagal na napalayo sa kanilang pamilya. Alam ninyo, hindi nababayaran ‘yung lungkot. Napakahirap mapalayo sa pamilya,” he continued.

DSWD Secretary Roland Bautista revealed that concerned agencies led by DSWD and DOH are actively working to address the rising number of Filipinos seeking mental health treatment. Over 150 individuals have availed of the agency’s online psychosocial counseling as of June 2020.

Despite this, Go believes the government can do more to lend support to Filipinos during the crisis.

This includes expanding existing mental health services, raising awareness

about mental health issues, and addressing barriers, such as stigma, access and inconvenience, that discourage people from seeking treatment.

He encourages the aforementioned departments to take advantage of online platforms, such as social media and other technologies, which may provide free and greater access to mental health care and psychosocial support.

Last May 28, the Senator presided over a Senate health committee hearing to discuss Senate Bill 1471 which seeks to amend Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Act. Filed

by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and supported by Senator Go, the bill will enhance Section 5 of the Act or the Rights of Service Users.

The new section will provide Filipinos with mental health conditions immediate access to the “compensation benefits and/or any special financial assistance that he or she is entitled to under existing laws should the service user sustain temporary or permanent mental disability while in the performance of duty or by reason of his

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Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go wants to extend psychosocial assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues.

PH winning fight vs.Covid-19: Palace Digos City flashflood

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he Philippines is winning the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Malacañang said Monday, after the country defied the number of cases projected by a University of the Philippines (UP) study.

“In terms of positivity rate, in terms of case-doubling rate, in case of mortality rate, we are winning. As, in fact, we defied what was predicted by the UP study,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual

presser.

Early this month, the University of the Philippines (UP) released a study predicting that the country’s Covid-19 cases would reach 40,000 by the end of June.

As of Monday (June 29), the country has 36,438 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 9,956 of whom have recovered and 1,255 have died, according to the Department of Health.

Roque also cited an initial UP study that the country’s coronavirus

cases would have reached 3.6 million by June if no interventions were done.

“Ang sabi po ng UP, kung wala po tayong lockdown na ginawa eh ngayon po meron na tayo sanang 3.6 million cases ng Covid, 3.6 million! Saan po nagkulang ang Presidente? Ano pa po ang dapat ginawa nya? Naiwasan po ang 3.6 million cases ng Covid (According to UP, if we have not imposed lockdown, we have now 3.6 million cases of Covid. Where did the President fall short? What

more does he have to do?

We have prevented 3.6 million Covid-19 cases),” Roque said.

He said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is doing its best to manage the Covid-19 situation in the country.

“Hindi po tayo perpekto, siguro po talaga (We’re not perfect, perhaps) we could have done better.

Pero narito na po tayo (But we’re here now) and one thing I can assure you, the President did the very best that he can and we

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victims return home

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he more than 400 families from seven low-lying barangays in Digos City in Davao del Sur province, who evacuated Sunday night due to flashfloods, have now returned safely to their respective homes.

This was bared by Digos City Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) OIC Samuel Miralles, who said that a total of 1,772 individuals have been rescued when their areas were submerged by floods around 7:30pm yesterday.

There has been no re-

ported casualty, stated Miralles in a phone interview.

He said that the CDRRMO team and other emergency responders were able to immediately secure the affected families and brought them to the evacuation centers during a fivehour response and rescue operation.

He disclosed that there were 310 families who were accommodated overnight at the Digos City gymnasium, while 67 families were housed at Digos City National High School and 35 families were brought to Brgy. Igpit gymnasium.

Malacañang distances from proposal to rename NAIA

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A woman parks her bicycle at the bike rack in Abreeza Mall, Davao City on Monday ( 29 June 2020). Bicycles have become one of the main modes of tranportation in the city during this time of COVID-19 pandemic. MindaNews Photo

alacañang on Monday distanced itself from the lawmakers’ move to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace will leave it to Congress to file measures they wanted.

“Iniiwan po namin iyan sa Kongreso dahil kinakailangan po ng batas kung kinakailangang baguhin ang pangalan ng NAIA (We leave it to the Congress because there is a need for a law to rename NAIA),” he said in a virtual presser.

Last week, Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte filed House Bill No. 7031, saying there is a need to

identify the country’s largest international airport as belonging to the Philippines by using the Filipino language.

“We need a more representative branding for the international gateway of our country, thus our proposal renaming NAIA to the Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas. Aside from it bearing our country's name, it is in our national language," Duterte said.

The presidential son said he wanted the country’s main gateway to “reflect the legacy of the Filipino people” without bearing any color nor political agenda.

The bill was also authored by Marinduque Rep. and House energy

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

A market goer buys sweet potato at an almost deserted part of Bankerohan Public Market on Tuesday. Edge Davao

PH halted rice importation due to sufficient supply — Palace T

Philippines inks two loans with AFD worth €250M

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he Philippines shelved plans to import rice from Vietnam after the government found there is enough supply of the staple food amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Monday.

“Sapat po ang ating supply ng bigas kaya po hindi na tinuloy ang pag-aangkat,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Roque did not give figures.

The country was supposed to import 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice from Vietnam after the Southeast Asian country lifted its ban on rice exportation, but Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said last Friday that this would no lon-

ger push through.

Vietnam serves as a major import source of the Philippines, accounting for over 90% of the country’s rice imports, the Department of Trade and Industry said. It also said that the Philippines imports around 7% to 14% of its total rice requirement.

Under the implementing rules and regulations of the Rice Tariffication Law, the President, in the event of a rice supply shortage, may direct the Secretary of Trade and Industry and

new climate fund backed by philanthropic donors is aiming to trigger $2.5 billion of clean energy investment in Southeast Asia and aid the region's green recovery after the coronavirus.

The South East Asia Clean Energy Facility (SEACEF) is managed by Singapore-based Clime Capital, with an initial investment of $10 million and a focus on getting new projects underway in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

"We need to mobilize billions to make a meaningful impact on climate change," said Mason Wallick, Clime Capital's managing director, who sits on the SEACEF investment

committee.

Money is most needed to fill a gap in funding to help early-stage projects get off the ground, he added.

Asia-Pacific, home to two-thirds of the world's people, is experiencing rising urbanization, population and economic growth, leaving nations scrambling to provide enough electric power while keeping promises to cut heat-trapping emissions.

Last year, researchers said Southeast Asian countries must end their reliance on coal power and switch to clean energy, to meet pledges to curb climate change and tackle air pollution.

But the region is struggling to wean itself off

abundant, locally produced cheap coal in favour of clean alternatives to burning fossil fuels, the main contributor to climate change.

"Here in Southeast Asia, we have the equivalent of a China in terms of potential emissions," said Wallick.

"It's a big market that should be coming up the curve in a more meaningful way to promote renewables now that (they are) economic and can fit within the (power) supply plans for these countries," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

China is today the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

SEACEF describes itself as a "first-of-its-kind" phil-

the Philippine International Trading Corporation to purchase the needed rice supplies from domestic and foreign sources to enhance market competition and stabilize rice prices.

Effective March 2019, the Philippines allowed the unlimited importation of rice —through the private sector — as long as traders secure a phytosanitary permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry and pay the 35% tariff for shipments from neighbors in Southeast Asia.

anthropic initiative to tackle climate change, focused on the high-risk funding needed to get new clean energy projects up and running.

It will look to invest broadly in projects and businesses that include wind and solar power, mains grid infrastructure, energy efficiency in buildings, and electronic mobility and storage, Wallick said.

Early-stage capital is "in very short supply", a situation exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic pushing investors to reduce their exposure and limit development budgets, he added.

The fund, which hopes to attract an additional $40 million in capital from

Climate fund targets $2.5B in clean energy investment for SE Asia

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he Department of Finance (DOF) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) have signed two credit facility agreements worth €250 million (approximately ₱14 billion) combined to support two major policy reforms of the Philippine government that aim to expand financial services to vulnerable sectors and increase private sector participation in infrastructure projects.

Both programs, co-financed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), also aim to support the Philippine economy and strengthen its resilience in the post-Covid-19 period.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and French Ambassador to the Philippines and to Micronesia Nicolas Galey signed the loan agreements for the Inclusive Finance Development Program (IFDP) worth €100 million and the Expanding Private Participation in Infrastructure Program (EPPIP) worth €150 million on June 9.

“The Philippine government is grateful to the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) for co-financing with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) two programs supportive of President Duterte's overriding goal of accelerating infrastructure development in order to spur high growth, attract investments, create jobs and achieve financial in-

clusion for all Filipinos," Secretary Dominguez said.

Secretary Dominguez pointed out that President Duterte has put his signature project "Build, Build, Build" back on the fast track amid the COVID-19 pandemic, given that infrastructure investments spell the highest multiplier effect on the economy, particularly the creation of jobs that will make up for the ones lost during this global health emergency.

"Such financial support from the country's development partners like AFD for our priority programs is crucial at this time when the Philippine government is embarking on its resources-intensive, four-pillar strategy to suppress the coronavirus outbreak and provide relief to our most affected sectors while restarting the stalled economy to a quick recovery from the global economic slump induced by the lethal virus," he said.

The €100 million policy-based loan for the first sub-program of the IFDP will help fund initiatives of the Philippine government to expand financial services across the country, especially among small entrepreneurs, farmers and fisherfolk, women and other vulnerable sectors.

The AFD loan for the Program will also help the government consolidate its institutional and regulatory environment, im-

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

ALI raises P10-billion from fixed-rate bonds

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roperty developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) has raised PHP10-billion fixed-rate bonds, making it the first non-bank corporate to issue bonds in the local market since the country was placed under community quarantine.

The bond due 2022 with a coupon rate of 3.00 percent per annum was listed on the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corporation (PDEx) through its first virtually held listing ceremony on June 26.

In a statement Monday, ALI said the bond was “strongly received” and was 1.75x oversubscribed.

“We are pleased with the reception for our twoyear bond issuance. Our primary objective during the last three months was to ensure that we preserve value for Ayala Land and maintain financial sustainability. It was therefore imperative that we ensure that we have more

than adequate liquidity to meet our obligations and that we manage our cost of funding during this period,” ALI president and chief executive officer Bernard Vincent Dy said.

Dy expressed hope their success will spur investor confidence and pave the way for the reopening of the local debt capital market.

“We are confident that as the economy continues to reopen, business will continue to pick up and we hope to resume our expansion program within the next few months,” he added.

BPI Capital Corporation, BDO Capital & Investment Corporation and Chinabank Capital Corporation are the joint lead underwriters for the issuance, while PNB and Investment Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corporation are co-lead managers. (PR)

DavNor strengthens its coffee industry

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he Provincial Government of Davao del Norte is set to launch today (June 29) its drive to strengthen its coffee cluster now that it has proven its high quality of Arabica coffee production.

Dubbed as Launching of Coffee Adaptive Training Approach-cum-Organizational Strengthening of Davao del Norte Coffee Cluster, the event is set at PTV DavNor Studio where Kapihan sa DavNor will also be held in advance schedule to feature the coffee industry of Davao del Norte.

Provincial Governor Edwin I. Jubahib is expected to attend the launching ceremony that will be attended by provincial and regional heads of the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

XI, heads of provincial government offices led by Provincial Administrator Josie Jean Rabanoz.

Private stakeholders of the coffee industry in Davao del Norte including proprietors of leading coffee-maker entities in Davao Region are being lined up for the Kapihan sa DavNor that will form part of the whole-day event, together with DTI .

Aside from Governor Jubahib and DTI Provincial Director Romeo Castanaga, other panelists are Marivic Dubria, 2019 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition Champion – Arabica Category; Joefel Manlod, proprietor of Purge Coffee Roaster/Barista/Roasters Champ; Ludovico “Jun” Ramirez, technical coordinator of Agricultural Cooperative Development

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Five German energy firms eye biz opportunities in PH

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ive Germany companies are looking into business opportunities in the country through a virtual business-to-business (B2B) networking from June 30 to July 1.

According to the German-Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), German firms that will be participating the online B2B meetings are Ecoligo GmbH, which provides financing and delivering solar projects; and Enerbar UG, which offers energy supply services for residential and commercial buildings including solar energy and energy storage system.

Material Innovative Gesellschaft mbH, a manufacturer of energy-saving and environment-improving building materials; Meteocontrol GmbH, a provider of professional monitoring

and control systems for photovoltaic power plants and solar parks; and Viessmann GmbH & Co. KG, a manufacturer of heating, industrial, and refrigeration systems are also looking for partnerships here.

The B2B networking is part of GPCCI’s German Energy Week which discussion aims to focus on energy efficiency, management, and operations in the country.

“The Philippines offers interesting opportunities for improved energy conservation solutions and green sources of power generation,” GPCCI said.

In 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act promoting the development and utilization of efficient energy technologies and sys-

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ECONOMY 5

A parent fills up an enrollment form on top of the concrete base of a flag pole beside Leon Garcia Sr. Elementary School in Bangkal, Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

Govt launches digital-only, 1st branchless bank in PH

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he Department of Finance (DOF) in partnership with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank), today launched the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) as a digital-only, first branchless Philippine government bank that allows clients to complete banking transactions anytime and anywhere across the globe.

Amid strict physical distancing and minimum health standards against COVID-19, the OFBank virtual launch was streamed live on the Facebook Pages of OFBank (@OFBank), and its parent bank, LandBank (@landbankofficial), and the LandBank YouTube Channel (/landbankofficial). The event was hosted online by TV personality Gretchen Ho. The virtual launch was made possible with the support of officials led by Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez, OFBank Chair and LandBank president and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo, OFBank president and CEO Leila C. Martin, Visa Country Manager for the Philippines and Guam Dan Wolbert, and the respective Board of Directors of OFBank and LandBank.

“Despite the global health crisis besetting the country today, our government remains true to its commitment of upholding the welfare of all Filipinos abroad and their families.

The launch of OFBank today as a digital-only, first branchless Philippine bank is a testament to this,” Borromeo said.

As a digital-only facility, the OFBank, a fully-owned subsidiary of LandBank, now utilizes Digital Onboarding System with Artificial Intelligence (DOBSAI) to facilitate real-time account opening via the OFBank’s Mobile Banking Application. The new digital account opening platform allows overseas Filipinos (OFs), overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their beneficiaries to securely and conveniently

submit all requirements online.

Opening an account using DOBSAI via the OFBank Mobile Banking App is safe and secure. The applicant will only need to take a “selfie” and the system will compare this photo with the photo in the valid identification (ID) card uploaded by the client. The app likewise has advanced encryption and security technology that protects sensitive information.

There are three types of accounts available in OFBANK’s DOBSAI: the OFBank Visa Debit Card for OFs and OFWs, the OFBank Visa Debit Card for beneficiaries, and the OFBank Debit Card for beneficiaries below 18 years old.

These are interest-bearing peso savings accounts with no minimum initial deposit and monthly average daily balance (ADB), as well as dormancy fee. To earn interest, the accounts need to have a daily balance of P500.00.

The OFBank Visa Debit Card allows cardholders, specifically the beneficiaries of OFs and OFWs, to receive secure and convenient real-time fund transfers using Visa Direct, Visa’s real time pay-

ment solution through the 16-digit card number.

“We’re extremely pleased to join our valued partner, OFBank in this launch to support OFWs, OFs and their beneficiaries. The reintroduction of OFBank as a digital-only, branchless Philippine bank is extremely timely when Filipinos are becoming more digital, and our research also shows that close to 80% of Filipinos are interested to use services from a digi-bank. We are glad to show our support to this community by enabling beneficiaries of OFWs and OFs to receive money in real-time by seamlessly and securely using the 16-digit OFBank Visa debit card, which they can also use to make face-to-face and online payments wherever Visa is accepted.” Wolbert said for his part.

OFBank account holders can use OFBank’s mobile facility to transfer funds to their beneficiaries’ OFBank and LandBank accounts, free of charge.

Interbank fund transfers, on the other hand, are subject to a service fee of P25.00 per transaction via InstaPay and P15.00 per transaction via PesoNet.

the first quarter of the year, with spending expected to be lower in the second quarter.

"Given the full impact of the ECQ and the delays the company experienced with its network rollout, capex for the second quarter will likely be lower by at least P2 billion from the first quarter capex spend," it said.

"Although plans to ramp up spending once operations normalize (and) are in place, the full impact

on the planned 2020 capex is currently being re-evaluated," it added.

In a separate statement, Globe said it set to start several cell site builds in different parts in the country in the next three months starting July.

"In order to complete the installations of the cell sites and towers, our customers and the public in general may experience temporary disruptions in their call, text and mobile data services," said Joel

Agustin, Globe SVP for Program Development-Network Technical Group.

"We would like to assure our customers that we will send out advisories days before the service disruptions will happen so that they can fully prepare when the time comes," it added.

Globe said affected customers will receive advisories through SMS or other available channels regarding the anticipated service interruptions.

Globe Telecom signs P3-B loan to boost capital expenditures

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lobe Telecom Inc. has inked a P3-billion loan with China Banking Corp. to boost its capital expenditures and finance other spending obligations.

"The loan shall be used to finance the company's capital expenditures, refinancing of maturing obligations, and general corporate requirements," it said in a regulatory filing.

The Ayala-led telecom said in May that it had already spent P10.7 billion in

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On bolstering efforts to extend psychosocial assistance to individuals struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and other more serious psychological issues: In this time of pandemic, we should also ensure that mental health is valued, promoted and protected. Aside from physical health, ‘yung mental health, napaka-importante rin po.

Marami pong nade-depress dahil sa sitwasyon ngayon. In fact, nakakalungkot ang mga OFWs natin, napakatagal na napalayo sa kanilang pamilya.

Alam ninyo, hindi nababayaran ‘yung lungkot. Napakahirap mapalayo sa pamilya.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go

Chairman, Senate Committee on Health

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VANTAGE POINTS

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ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO CITY’S DEPUTY MAYORS Appointing deputy mayors to act as alter ego of the city mayor dates to the time of Carmelo L. Porras, first elected mayor of Davao City. The idea could have been implemented during his second term (196064). Given the expanse of the city’s territory, which is about 244,000 hectares, visiting all the barangays was very difficult given the other responsibilities and functions a city chief executive has to conduct and comply.

Deputy mayors, as functionaries, were deployed to administrative districts to deliver the city mayor’s intent, hear public pleas, suggestions, and complaints, assess peace and order condition, and monitor projects within their jurisdictions.

Originally, the city was divided into seven administrative districts, namely, Talomo, Toril, Buhangin, Bunawan, Tugbok, Calinan and Baguio. Each distrift was assigned a deputy mayor. When martial law was declared, the bustling city proper, then comprised of 10 barangays, was collectively orga-

nized to form another executive district. Eventually, under the Duterte administration, Agdao was split into 11 barangays and organized into a new district.

During the watch of city mayor Luis T. Santos, a new feature was added. He appointed a deputy mayor at large who acted as head of deputy mayors and acted like a vice mayor minus the legislative obligation. More aptly, he performed the duties of an acting mayor by representing the chief local executive in various activities, such as delivering messages.

Over time, the city’s administrative districts, with the rise of new urban centers, expanded to 11, namely Poblacion, Talomo, Agdao, Buhangin, Bunawan, Paquibato, Baguio, Calinan, Marilog, Toril, and Tugbok. Later, as part of honoring the city’s 11 tribes, the appointment of a deputy mayor for each tribe was institutionalized.

The 11 tribes are the Bagobo, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, Tausug, Matigsalog, Ovu-Manuvo, Sama, Tagabawa, Tausog, Ata, Kagan, and Klata-Guiangan.

(Interestingly, the city has yet to include the seafaring Badjaos in the roster of recognized tribes.)

In 1984, during the leadership of city mayor Elias B. Lopez, Davao had nine deputy mayors, namely Dalmacio Desabilla (at-large), Roque Bosque (Bunawan), Dr. Manuel Garcia (Calinan), Simplicio Tano (Baguio), Dr. Juan C. Tolero (Tugbok), Ricardo Reyes (Toril), Gregorio Perez (Talomo), Pablo Juinio (Buhangin), and Glbert Navarro (Paquibato).

Under the Local Government Code, the city mayor is imbued with the power to appoint all officers and employees based on the Local Government Code of 1991, or Republic Act 7150, subject to the laws and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and only if such appointments are deemed necessary in carrying out the functions of the local government.

Under the old setup, deputy mayors were employed as consultants or contractual employees designated under another title. In Cebu City, for instance, councilors appointed as deputy

mayors became a focus of legal suit. Under Republic Act 5525, the city mayor was authorized to transfer an employee in the interest of public service and may introduce a “corresponding change of title.” Arguably, no transfer was involved in the assignment as Cecu City deputy mayor because it was merely an added title.

On the other hand, if the City Council, to formalize the creation of the position of deputy mayor, can pass an ordinance establishing the title, which makes it a regular position but still subject to the civil service regulations and other pertinent laws.

In the annals of personalities who held the position of deputy mayor-at-large, Nemesio ‘Nene’ Romano Depillo, the first to hold the position in 1971, was the most visible and well-received. A native of Ayungon, Negros Oriental, he was former barangay captain of Kilate, Toril district. He took high school at the Davao Central College and tertiary education at Rizal Memorial Colleges

before finishing at the Siliman University, in Dumaguete City.

Considered a farmer-leader, Depillo was also rural broadcaster whose velvety voice was the signature of his early morning program, Tingog sa Barangay (Village Voice), which gave out tips for cultivators with help from agriculture experts.

The on-air broadcast survived for 15 years, including the time he was already functioning as deputy mayor-at-large. At the time, the city had only 80 barangays as compared to today’s 182.

Almost unrelenting in his development efforts, Depillo earned plaudits for his trendsetting initiatives. He was honored as most outstanding barangay captain, outstanding public servant, outstanding alumnus of Davao Central College, and most outstanding member by the Lions International. An effective public speaker, he was married to Paulina Bandayanon with whom he has seven grown-up children.

He died on March 12, 1996 at age 61.

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

WAIVERS AND QUITCLAIMS IN THE COVID19 PANDEMIC Waivers and quitclaims are ineffective in barring recovery of the full measure of a seafarer’s rights, including the underpayment of monetary benefits during their extended work on board the vessel.

This was the pronouncement by Atty. Bernard Olalia, administrator of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) during the recent webinar organized by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington, D.C. in celebration of Migrant’s Day. Olalia answered a query by a seafarer on the issue of waivers signed on board stating that they will not be paid during the extension the whole monetary package as indicated in their original POEA contract.

As a general rule, the period of employment shall be for a period mutually agreed upon by the parties but not to exceed 12 months.

The contract shall cease when the seafarer completes his period of contractual service aboard the ship, signs-off and arrives at either airport or seaport of the point of hire.

But airline and port restrictions have made it difficult

for seafarers to get home.

If a seafarer keeps working longer than the agreed period, any subsequent period is to be considered an extension of the contract.

The POEA issued a memorandum stating that consummated contract of seafarers who are prevented by circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic to disembark or to be repatriated can be extended for a maximum of sixty (60) days.

Their employment is governed by the contracts they sign at the time of engagement, which have the force of law between the parties as long as the stipulations therein are not contrary to law, morals, public order, or public policy,.

Deemed written in the seafarer’s contract is a set of standard provisions implemented by the POEA, called the Standard Terms and Conditions, which are considered to be the minimum requirements acceptable to the government for the employment of Filipino seafarers on board foreign ocean-going vessels The POEA contract is crafted for the sole purpose of ensuring that the seafarers are

not put at a disadvantage in their desire of seeking greater economic benefit abroad.

Olalia underscored that the provisions of the POEA contract must be strictly enforced and not disregarded “without justifiable reason” even during the current pandemic.

There are reports that some employers are paying only basic wages, while some none at all, during the extension period.

The seafarer must not be forced to accept monetary benefits that are lower than those stated in the original contract.

The Supreme Court ruled that the obligations and liabilities of the local agency and its foreign principal do not end upon the expiration of the contracted period as they were duty bound to repatriate the seafarer to the point of hire to effectively terminate the contract of employment (Interorient Maritime v. NLRC, 330 Phil.

493).

“A subsequently executed side agreement which reduced one’s salary below the amount approved by the POEA is void because it is against existing laws, morals and public

policy. It cannot supersede the contract approved by the POEA. This is a scheme all too frequently resorted to by unscrupulous employers against helpless OFWs who are compelled to agree to satisfy their basic economic needs. Such practice is known as contract substitution for which the recruitment agency may be held accountable”. (Chavez v. Bonto-Perez, 312 Phil. 88) The Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (R.A. 10022) explicitly prohibits the substitution or alteration to the prejudice of the worker, of employment contracts from the time of actual signing thereof by the parties up to and including the period of the expiration of the same without the approval of the DOLE. Olalia echoed the several rulings of the Supreme Court that a deed of release or quitclaim can not bar an employee from demanding what is legally due him.

As a rule, quitclaims, waivers or releases intended to limit the employer’s liability for full compensation provided under the law and contract are looked upon with disfavor by the courts.

“The reason for this is that the employee does not really stand on an equal footing with his employer. In some cases he may be so penurious that he is willing to bargain even rights secured to him by law. He had no means of questioning his employer’s acts. He had no choice but to accept what was being offered to him.” (JGB and associates vs Arrojado, G.R. No. 109390 March 7, 1996) The Supreme Court aptly used in the Arrojado case the phrase “necessitous men are not free men” with respect to actions of employers in capitalizing on the vulnerable position of seafarers in entering into such agreement and take advantage of the situation to their prejudice.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) earlier said that the pandemic cannot be used by the employers as an excuse to renege on their obligation to the seafarers as keyworkers.

(Atty. Dennis Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786.)

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pa tayo for the critical and COVID-19 patients and this is because of the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders.”

As of June 28, 2020, there are a total of 526 cases of COVID-19 in the region already since the start of the spread of COVID-19. Out of the 526, there are 219 asymptomatic and 233 symptomatic. Of these 286 are males and 240 are females.

Rivera said there are 138 active cases and out of this 109 are asymptomatic, 23 mild, four severe, and two critical. In terms of admission, there are 40 admission at SPMC, one at DRMC, and 97 at the temporary treatment monitoring facilities (TTMF).

Most affected are those individuals age 20 years old to 49 years old and the least affected are those individuals age 19 years old and below while

the youngest who was tested for COVID-19 is a six day old neonate and the oldest is 82 years old.

She also explained that from the additional 21 cases four are asymptomatic, one death, and six with symptoms. Also out of the 21, there were three repatriates and nine locally stranded individuals (LSIs), wherein three were from Manila and six from Cebu.

In terms of contact tracing, out of the 526, there are 488 individuals or 93 percent who were already contact traced while 38 individuals or seven percent are still subject for contact tracing.

Also as of June 28, there had been 15,996 specimens collected and ran in the three laboratories in in Davao Region wherein 988 yielded positive results and 15,008 negative.

the virus but also reduce the carbon footprint from a lot of forms.

Davao Light is one with the city and the country in the fight against COVID-19.

committee chair Lord Allan Jay Velasco and ACTCIS Rep. and House appropriations committee chair Eric Go Yap. Velasco said the proposal aims to reposition the Philippines as a choice tourist destination as the country prepares to reopen to travelers once the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is over.

Yap said the country’s main gateway should reflect the Philippines and the Filipino nation.

It was in 1987 that the original name of the biggest airport in the country, Manila International Air-

port (MIA), was renamed to Ninoy Aquino International Airport through Republic Act No. 6639 during the administration of then President Corazon Aquino.

The airport was renamed in honor of the late senator, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. who was assassinated in its tarmac on August 21, 1983.

Vice President Leni Robredo has criticized the lawmakers’ plan to rename the NAIA, questioning their “sense of history”.

She also said renaming NAIA was “ill-timed” amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

(PNA)

foundations and development banks, aims to mobilize more than $2.5 billion in clean energy investment from the private sector.

So far it is backed by Sea Change Foundation International, Wellspring Climate Initiative, High Tide Foundation, Grantham Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Packard Foundation and Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

"The launch of this new fund comes at a critical mo-

ment, with the COVID-19 crisis shrinking traditional sources of finance, dedicated towards bending the curve of climate change," said Imraan Mohammed, head of impact investing at CIFF. Philanthropic organizations and impact investors are "stepping up to bridge the gap, catalyse other sources of funding and ensure the transition to clean energy in Southeast Asia continues to accelerate", he added in a statement.

International / Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) A session on Organizational strengthening and action planning is set in the afternoon together

with private sector representatives to the Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Council (PAFC) and the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO). (Jeanevive D. Abangan, PIA XI)

tems.

During the 5th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency of the International Energy Agency last week, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said energy efficiency plays a

major role in the country’s quest for self-sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint.

He added energy efficiency can also play a vital role in a post-Covid-19 world. (PNA)

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including those affected by natural disasters, the unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants and displaced persons, the undereducated and the underserved.

Eligible projects include those providing and/ or promoting affordable basic infrastructure, access to essential services, affordable housing, employment generation, food security, and socioeconomic advancement and empowerment.

BPI will be the second to issue ASEAN Social Bonds in the region. In 2019, Bank of Ayudhya of Thailand issued the first ASEAN Social Bonds, which also represent the first ever private sector “gender” bond issuance in Asia and the Pacific, to raise $220 million for lending to women-led SMEs. The CARE Bonds being

offered by BPI, however, will be the first ASEAN Social Bonds whose proceeds will be used to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 social bonds At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICMA released guidance on the usability of social bonds in financing projects aimed at addressing or mitigating social issues wholly or partially emanating from the coronavirus outbreak.

ICMA confirmed social bonds may finance COVID19-focused social projects such as those seeking to increase capacity and efficiency in provisioning healthcare services and equipment, and those supporting medical research.

Issuers may also issue social bonds to provide SME loans that support employment generation in affected small business-

es, and advance projects specifically designed to prevent or alleviate unemployment stemming from the pandemic.

While they seek to achieve positive social outcomes for target populations, social bonds may likewise finance projects that address the needs of the general population, given the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any resulting socioeconomic crisis, according to ICMA. The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, likewise provided illustrative case studies on how issuers from various industries may use social bonds to raise financing toward addressing social issues brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the pharmaceutical industry, for instance,

social bonds may finance research and development of COVID-19 tests, vaccines and/or other medications intended to alleviate symptoms of the coronavirus.

Financial institutions, meanwhile, may use proceeds from social bond issuances to provide loans to small businesses negatively impacted by the economic slowdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manufacturing companies may likewise issue social bonds to finance the manufacturing or modification of existing machines to produce health safety equipment and hygiene supplies.

“We hope more companies will explore the social bond market to pursue socially relevant and impactful projects, especially in this time of unprecedented global health and economic crisis,” Aquino said.

or her office or position.”

The proposed amendment is an opportunity to reinforce the rights and protections afforded to the affected Filipinos, according to Go. Essential workers reporting to work despite

facing substantial health risks must be adequately protected.

He reminded employers that the mental well-being of their employees has a direct impact on their productivity. “Now more

than ever, they must fulfill their moral obligation to take care of their workers given the emotional toll of the pandemic.”

"With or without COVID-19, napakaimporante ng health, kalusugan

po ng bawat Pilipino… Let me reiterate, let us learn from this pandemic and work together to strengthen our health care system and to better provide quality health care to our people,” added Go.

are in control of the situation,” he said.

Don't compare Roque disputed the report of the World Health Organization (WHO) saying the country has the fastest-growing number of new Covid-19 cases among 22 countries in Western Pacific Region.

He echoed the Department of Health (DOH) saying it was not right WHO to compare the Philippines to countries with a smaller population such as Singapore.

“We beg to disagree.

Bakit tayo ikukumpara sa Singapore eh ang Singapore 5 milyon lang po iyan. Isang siyudad lang po iyan, hindi pa siyudad ng Quezon City o Manila (Why should be compared to Singapore when they only have a 5 million population. That’s as good as one city, that’s not even the size of Quezon City or Manila),” he said.

Roque claimed that the Philippines only ranked sixth in the West-

ern Pacific region if the cases were divided on a per million population basis with India topping the list followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Singapore.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia are not part of the Western Pacific region based on the demographical classification of the WHO. Pakistan is classified under the Eastern Mediterranean region while the three other countries are under the South-East Asia region, according to WHO. Roque's presentation ranked Covid-19 cases in the entire Asia instead of WHO's category, Western Pacific Region.

However, he insisted that India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are still Asian countries.

He admitted that the national government could have done better in addressing Covid-19, but stressed that it took the right steps to slow down

the spread of the deadly virus.

"To reiterate, nothing to be ashamed of in terms of density, we are not one in Western Pacific, pero sa akin hindi naman ito contest (but for me, it’s not a contest)," he said.

Earlier, the DOH said the Philippines should not be compared to other countries with different socioeconomic context like population, living conditions and health system capacity.

"Our socioeconomic context, particularly living conditions, as well as health system capacity, even prior to Covid, is different from Singapore.

Please take that into account when we do our analysis. Let us not cherry pick the countries we want to compare ourselves to,” DOH said in a statement.

New classifications Meanwhile, Roque said the President is expected to announce the new quarantine classifi-

cations in the country on Tuesday (June 30), Roque.

He said the President would address the public to announce the new quarantine rules that will be implemented nationwide beginning July 1.

The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the highest level of community quarantine, was imposed only in Cebu City until June 30.

A modified ECQ was implemented in Talisay City but later downgraded to general community quarantine (GCQ).

A GCQ was imposed in Metro Manila; the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor; and the cities of Santiago, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Zamboanga, and Davao.

The rest of the country remained under modified GCQ. (PNA)

prove its financial infrastructure, and strengthen the capacities of financial service providers, supervisors and regulatory bodies in line with its goal of building an inclusive and resilient financial sector.

In addition, AFD will also finance a €1.5 million Technical Assistance (TA) program to strengthen the capacities of financial inclusion stakeholders (i.e. supervisor, operators, clients). The TA program, which will be carried out in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP), aims

to help accelerate the digital transformation of the Philippines’ financial institutions, especially those serving rural communities.

The €150 million loan for the EPPIP aims to heighten private sector participation in infrastructure financing in line with the government’s goal of fast-tracking the implementation of its “Build, Build, Build” program to jumpstart the economy and create more jobs.

This policy-based loan will complement the government’s funding plan to secure financial resources for critical programs, such

as the “Build, Build, Build,” as it grapples with market uncertainties and volatility, as well as increased social expenses and reduced fiscal resources amid the economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Three main outputs are targeted through the EPPIP program in order to develop sustainable public-private partnership (PPP) projects: strengthen the government’s support to PPPs; expand and efficiently implement a pipeline of PPP projects and strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for PPPs. Beside this policy loan,

discussions are underway to secure additional funding from the European Union’s Asian Investment Facility in the form of a grant to be channelled through the Philippines’ PPP Center. The proposed grant aims to facilitate and encourage the development of sustainable PPP projects at the local level, both in terms of promoting resilient infrastructure and in the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. Stimulating the development of health infrastructure will be a key component of the forthcoming European Union support.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

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An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

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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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Lakers finalizing deal with guard JR Smith

T

he Los Angeles Lakers are finalizing a deal with guard JR Smith to add him to their roster for next month’s season restart in Orlando, Fla., multiple outlets reported Monday.

According to ESPN, the Lakers have been in talks with Smith since Avery Bradley opted out of the restart last week in order to stay with his family.

The NBA transaction window closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with teams required to submit their final rosters by Wednesday.

Smith, 34, has not played in the NBA since an 11-game stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the start of the 2018-19 season, when he accused the

team of tanking before eventually parting ways.

His last full season came in 2017-18 with the Cavs, when he averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds in 80 games (61 starts) in LeBron James’ final season before he left to join the Lakers.

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals that year, Smith infamously lost track of the score in a gaffe that ultimately led to Cleveland losing to Golden State in overtime.

Across 14-plus sea-

sons, Smith has career averages of 12.5 points and 3.2 rebounds in 971 games (395 starts).

NBA players already have reported to their teams and begun testing for the coronavirus, with mandatory individual workouts beginning Wednesday. Teams will travel to Orlando between July 7-9 to begin training camps before restarting the season July 30.

The Lakers will play their first game that day against the Los Angeles Clippers. When the season was halted on March 11 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Lakers held a 5.5-game lead over the Clippers in the Western Conference standings.

he Philippine Football Federation (PFF) is still waiting for the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to approve the guidelines it has set so that football matches, especially the Philippines Football League, can resume despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The PFF already submitted a 26-page "operations protocols" to the Games and Amusements Board, which will then endorse them to the IATF for its final approval in hopes of finally pushing through with the stalled Philippines Football League (PFL) season.

The protocols are expected to be used for other PFF-organized events like the Regional Festival of Football, PFF Women's League, the PFF U15 and U17 Boys Championships, and the PFF U16 and U18 Regional Championships, which are postponed like the PFL until further notice.

According to the PFF, the

protocols are based on the guidelines set by football leagues which have already returned to play.

The German Bundesliga finally finished its season on Saturday with Bayern Munich already clinching the championship two weeks before that.

The English Premier League also returned to play, and Liverpool ended a 30-year drought for a first division championship on Friday (Philippine Time) with some help from Chelsea, which shut down Manchester City's last gasp to keep the title with a 2-1 home win. Liverpool did so with a record-setting seven matches to spare.

The LaLiga Santander also returned to play with Real Madrid and Barcelona engaging in a tight championship battle.

The PFF also said that it adopted the guidelines set by FIFA and the World Health Organization regarding the health and safety of players.

PFF president Nonong

Araneta recently set a June 15 restart of training in hopes that restrictions in Metro Manila and Laguna will be eased to the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) at that time so that it can finally push through with the PFL season by July 15.

However, President Rodrigo Duterte kept the two provinces under GCQ, effectively postponing anew the PFL kickoff. Duterte will announce the new lockdown classifications by Tuesday.

Cannot be canceled With the supposed training schedule already stalled by the extension of GCQ, the chances of the PFL pushing through with the 2020 season just got bleaker.

But according to a sportswriter covering football, the PFL should still push through even if it may start as late as September.

"The fan in me ang magsasalita na 'di siya pwedeng ma-cancel (The fan in me will tell you that it should not be canceled)," Jaimer

11

Reports say JR Smith is close to signing with the Lakers.

PFF still waiting for IATF approval on football return Nets’ Jordan tests positive for coronavirus T dela Cruz of Huddle PH said.

He said 2020 should be the year that the "fruits of labor," that is, the positive effects, of the "Miracle in Hanoi" in 2010 will go full bloom.

"2020 is supposed to be the year na nage-enjoy na tayo sa fruits of labor na 'yun (that we should be enjoying those fruits of labor)," dela Cruz added.

Since that "Miracle", in which the Azkals shocked the Southeast Asian football community after blanking Vietnam, 2-0, in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup group stages, football made its rise in the Philippines.

The Azkals are currently the third-best team in Southeast Asia based on the recent FIFA rankings and at one point were number one in the region.

The biggest breakthrough came last year when the Azkals qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, even coming close to forcing a draw against perennial powerhouse South Korea.

D

eAndre Jordan has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not join the Brooklyn Nets at Disney, he announced on Twitter Monday. He caught the virus while in Brooklyn with the Nets, who are not scheduled to travel to Orlando until July 7. The Nets will sign a replacement player for Jordan, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Jordan is the fifth Nets player to reveal that he will not make the trip to Orlando with the team when the season resumes. Wilson Chandler opted out of doing so in order to spend more time with his family. Rookie big man Nicolas Claxton had surgery that will keep him out. And of course, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were both ruled out with injuries of their own. Earlier Monday, Spencer Dinwiddie also revealed that he had tested positive for coronavirus, but his status for Orlando is not yet known. Losing him too would leave the Nets without arguably their four highest-profile players.

Missing the playoffs at

Disney would not be the worst thing for the Nets.

They owe their first-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but not if it lands in the top 14. Should they keep their pick this offseason, they'd send their choice to Minnesota next season, when Durant and Irving's availability would presumably lower the value of their pick. An extra young player or trade asset would be a decent consolation prize for a Nets team focused on next season anyway.

The lost reps aren't ideal for Jordan, though. After coming off of the bench for most of the season, interim coach Jacque Vaughn elevated him into the starting lineup after taking over for the fired Kenny Atkinson.

While Jordan presumably has the support of close friends Durant and Irving, he is nearly a decade older than his competition at center, Jarrett Allen. Now Allen will have a chance to impress the organization at Disney and potentially take back his starting role for next season.

Three matches confirmed for ONE Championship's return

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The PFF is only awaiting the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to approve the guidelines it has set so that football matches.

NE Championship will make its return on July 31, with three matches already confirmed.

ONE: No Surrender will be held behind closed doors, with no fans in attendance on July 31 in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will be broadcast live around the world in over 150 countries.

Two ONE Super Series World Championship bouts have been confirmed for the event.

Reigning ONE flyweight muay Thai champion Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon will defend his title against former ONE flyweight kickboxing world champion Petchdam Petchyindee Academy .

READ: NWSL players

kneel during the national anthem In a battle for the ONE featherweight muay Thai world championship, defending champion Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy takes on Yodsanklai IWE Fairtex.

In a ONE Super Series Kickboxing Super-Bout, Superbon Banchamek and “The Killer Ki” Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong will battle for the first time in the ONE Championship ring.

“The world is suffering from the worst global crisis in a hundred years,” said ONE Championship chairman Chatri Sityodtong. “Most national borders remain closed in Asia, and this has posed unique logistical and operational challenges.”

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 69 • WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2020

COMING HOME Mike Plania recently demolished top bantamweight prospect Joshua Greer Jr. (Top Rank photo)

Stranded after big win, Magic Mike is finally heading home on July 3

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ilipino world ranked super bantamweight prospect “Magic” Mike Plania (W24 KO12 L1) is finally heading home.

The Gen. Santos City fighter is set to come home on July 3 after his masterful beating of Joshua Greer Jr. His plane ticket has been booked and he will undergo all necessary tests and quarantine procedures before stepping foot in General Santos City where his family and team awaits.

“I know all the hassles I will have to go through but it’s fine as long as everyone’s safety is ensured. I will

comply with all the procedures just to be with my family again. I badly miss my family, baby and of course I can’t wait to celebrate my victory with my Sanman Team. This was the biggest win of my career,” Plania stated.

According to Plania’s manager and Sanman CEO Jim Claude Manangquil, they will discuss Plania’s future specifically their plan to move up to 122 and look for

a world title bout.

Meantime, it’ time to enjoy his ward’s most recent victory.

After a massive career-boosting victory over the American top ranked bantamweight contender Greer, Jr. in their recent overweight match, 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, for-

mer WBA super champion 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 (340, 22 KOs) and

Emmanuel Navarette (32-0-1, 28 KOs) hold the WBC and WBO titles respectively. Former Uzbek amateur standout Morudjon Akhmadaliev (8-0, 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.