Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 70 | Thursday, July 2, 2020

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PRRD lowers Davao City quarantine status to MGCQ

By MAYA M. PADILLO AT A GLANCE: * Liquor ban still subject to review * Restaurants, bars, salons, karaoke bars on restricted 25% capacity * Wearing of face masks, physical distancing to continue * FM passes still required

Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), told media that in nearly two

decades, Mindanao’s economy has managed to demonstrate uninterrupted growth from 5.4 percent in 2001-2002 to 7.2 in 2018-2019, with

an average growth rate of 5.8 percent.

Montenegro said from 2010 to 2019, Mindanao posted an average GRDP growth rate of 6.6 percent, higher than national average of 6.2 percent. He said this is most notable, even against the backdrop of power supply shortfall and rotating brownouts during first half of the decade in review.

“Such robust Mindanao performance showed Mindanao’s resiliency

amidst adversity, and the island being able to gain from structural reforms and sustained development programs. These measures helped encourage investments that create jobs, raise incomes and improve people’s lives,” he said.

Montenegro clarified this is just preliminary data as processed by MinDA because the final data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) usually comes out end of first

quarter of this year.

Meanwhile, Montenegro said last year’s average annual inflation rates in all regions in Mindanao was 1.6 percent, lower than national headline inflation rate of 2.5 percent. He said as of September last year, Board of Investments (BOI) approved investments were already hitting P95 billion mark.

“We expect the figure to have gone up by end 2019, again showing Min-

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Davao City is now placed under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) from until July 1 to 15 based on the recommendation of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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Probe sought on broadcast firms with expired franchises

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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reiterates to business and office owners to always observe the health protocols set by the government to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Edge Davao

Davao City may tap health workers among AFP reservists to help fight COVID-19

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he City Government of Davao may tap health workers who are listed as reservists in the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP) to help the local government battle coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Mayor Sara Duterte said.

During a live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5), Duterte said the city might need AFP reservists as she anticipates a possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

She added, however, the number of COVID-19 cases remains “manageable” based on the statistics released by local health authorities.

According to the Department of HealthDavao, there are 529 total COVID-19 positives in Davao Region as of June

29: 411 in Davao City, 43 in Davao del Norte, 21 in Davao del Sur, 26 in Davao de Oro, 24 in Davao Oriental, and four in Davao Occidental.

Duterte said they want to tap the AFP reservists since only four health workers have so far heeded the call of the local government to “volunteer” in the fight against COVID-19 since March.

“Last March, we appealed for more volunteer health care workers. Right now, we only got four volunteers. We are looking

for volunteers who want to help out of your love for your fellowmen and love for your city,” she said.

The mayor also asked other health care professionals such as dentists, medical technologists, doctors, among others, to sign up as reserve health care workers, this being one of the preparations of the city in the event that it would experience a surge in COVID-19 cases.

She added that the local government of Davao would not prohibit stranded individuals from returning here since the COVID-19 cases are currently manageable.

In a virtual press briefing on Monday, DOH-Davao assistant regional director Lenny Joy Rivera said the regional task force on COVID-19 discussed what measures they would need to implement as the region

eased travel restrictions, receiving more returning overseas Filipinos and locally stranded individuals.

“The government has been doing all its best and all the strategies that should be implemented not only in Davao City but also in other provinces,” she said.

Dr. Ricardo Audan, chief of clinics and health emergency of Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), said that as of June 26, the hospital conducted 2,700 tests for the frontline health workers, and had so far recorded 56 total frontliners who tested positive for COVID-19 with two deaths.

Of the 56 positives, 19 were doctors, 22 nurses, eight nursing attendants, one radiologic technologist, and six hospital personnel.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

ed Kingdom had “more draconian” laws compared to the Philippines.

“I think, it’s a view of the High Commission of the Human Rights has to be taken in the context of other existing Anti-Terror legislation and I’m sure that the studies will confirm that we are at par as with the rest of the developed world in fact and not just with the developing countries,” he said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

He also trivialized Bachelet’s finding that the country’s laws and policies to counter national security threats and illegal drugs have been crafted and implemented in ways that severely impact human rights, saying no country could claim a “perfect record” for human rights.

“No country can claim a perfect record as far as human rights is concerned.

Again, benchmark should be the United States, I’ m

sure the Special Rapporteur is on equality, have equally bad things to say about the United States.

The Rapporteurs on the rights of refugees have equally bad things to say about Australia and don’t even mention countries like Israel ‘no. And of course, Europe now faces challenges as far as refugees coming from Africa are concerned,” he said.

Roque, however, pointed out that what mattered is that atrocities or acclaimed violations of human rights are being investigated and perpetrators are being punished.

“As far as the Philippines is concerned, (Justice) Secretary Menard Guevarra has said that in an effort improve our capacity to investigate and punish the perpetrators of human rights violators, we have created an inter-agency body headed by the DOJ (Department of Justice),”

he said.

Speaking online before the UNHRC 44th session, Guevarra bared that the national government has created an inter-agency body that will look into the 5,655 deaths in the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Citing Guevarra, he said the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also duty-bound to conduct an investigation even without complainants against its operations that resulted in deaths.

“I am confident having worked with the PNP Chief (Archie) Gamboa ‘no, that these are in fact being done by the PNP. But nonetheless, the inter-agency response is necessary to assure the country and the international community, of the impartiality of the investigation of these deaths arising from police operations,” Roque said.

PH anti-terror bill ‘at par’ with developed countries

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he Philippines’ proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is “at par” with the anti-terrorism legislation of the developed countries, Malacañang said on Wednesday with the measure only a signature away from becoming law.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urged President Rodrigo Duterte to “refrain” from signing the anti-terrorism bill.

She made this call during the 44th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on June 30, saying the passage of the controversial bill could intensify concerns on the “blurring of important distinctions between criticism, criminality, and terrorism.”

Roque explained that other countries such as the United States and the Unit-

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lawmaker suggested on Wednesday a probe on other broadcast companies that are still allowed to operate despite having expired franchises.

During a House hearing on media giant ABS-CBN’s franchise, Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago said more than 15 broadcasting firms continued to operate beyond the expiry date of their respective franchises as Congress deliberated on bills regarding their franchise renewals.

ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued a cease and desist order against the local media giant following the expiration of its franchise.

The NTC also issued an order on Tuesday stopping ABS-CBN’s broadcasts of its TV Plus channels in Metro Manila as well as SKY’s satellite broadcast nationwide.

“Bakit hanggang ngayon merong mga broadcasting companies na continuous ang paglabas nila kahit

expiredna ang kanilang franchises (Why are other broadcasting companies still operating despite their expired franchises?) They might also be violating [the] labor law or tax evasion law,” Violago said.

“Sana ay makita din natin ito para maging patas ito sa paningin ng ating sambayanang Pilipino nang wala tayong kinikilingan na ano man na broadcasting company. Para makita rin natin kung ito ba talaga ay kalakaran na sa industriya ng broadcasting (We should also look into this so that we would seem fair in the eyes of the Filipino people, and we do not favor any specific broadcasting company. So that we could also see the practice in the broadcasting industry),” she added.

House committee on good government and public accountability chair Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado said Violago can file a House resolution to look into the operations of these broadcast companies that are still on air without a valid franchise. (PNA)

DOJ chief warns on remarks vs PH human rights situation

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ustice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra appealed to the international community to take great care against concluding that certain human rights situation in the Philippines is “systemic” or cases “emblematic”.

Speaking via video participation during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Philippines of the United Nations 44th Human Rights Council Session in Geneva, Switzerland on June 30, Guevarra said concerned delegations can consult the Philippine Human Rights Situationer, an official document of meeting, that contains how the government exhaustively addressed specific human rights cases.

“Certain so-called “emblematic” cases have been cited and selectively used to make hasty conclusions about the situation of civic space, press freedom, and judicial independence.

There are self-contradictions in these kinds of argument(s),” he added in his concluding remarks.

He lamented that while the international community upholds the independence of the judiciary, and welcomes the Court’s decisions on many cases such as the conviction of 53 public officials involved in the Maguindanao massacre, the latter “regrettably entertains allegations of the Court’s partiality on processes and decisions in specific cases.

“Logic should be consistent on the principle of the equal application of the law, and in making judgments about the independence of the judiciary and the outcomes of judicial processes,” he said.

He added that the Philippine government supports and encourages dis-

course grounded on facts and a diligent assessment of the merits of each case.

Global Terrorism Index “There should be no moral ambiguity in looking at efforts to strengthen anti-terrorism legislation; as it is the State’s duty to address, within the bounds of the law, all threats and challenges to the security and safety of our communities,” he said, adding that the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) has consistently ranked the Philippines among countries most impacted by terrorism.

The Philippines ranks 9th in the 2019 GTI, a comprehensive study analyzing the impact of terrorism for 163 countries that covers 99.7 percent of the world’s population.

The GTI report released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) on November 26, 2019, showed that the top 10 countries accounted for 87 percent of deaths from terrorism in 2018.

“In the Philippine situation, where the option of righting every possible wrong evidently and vigorously exists, there is no reasonable basis to allege impunity or lack of accountability for human rights violations,” he said.

Guevarra, on the other hand, said the Philippine government is heartened by the wide acknowledgment from other States of the government’s good governance agenda and national accountability efforts, as well as encouragement for constructive ways forward.

“This manifests the desire of the majority to support effective human rights mechanisms, and a Council that bases its discussions and actions on

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Tuesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Unemployment in Davao Region higher than the national figures I

22 new COVID cases in Caraga; 138 total cases as of June 29

By MAYA M. PADILLO he regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE 11) announced that the current unemployment rate of 17.9 percent in Davao Region is higher than the unemployment rate of 17.7 percent across the country based on the data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

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“Normally diha ra ta gadagan-dagan sa 5.6 percent. In fact, last January this year naa pa ta sa 5.7 percent. There is a big impact caused by the pandemic as many establishments decided nga mag-sarado o wala pa nag-operate considering na dili pa gina-allow karon ang pagtapok-tapok such as conducting job fair,” said Marlito Ayala, regional focal on employment of DOLE 11, in a virtual presser.

Based on the data of PSA majority of the industries including tourism decided to lower their employment rate at 50 percent.

“Ingon ana kadako ang nabawas dili lang specific sa turismo halos tanan dako ang pagbaba sa ilang employment,” Ayala said.

To address this unemployment problem, DOLE 11 is intensifying facilitation of the unemployed through other ways that

are allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of the Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“Ang challenge is to inform the jobseekers na naay online job fair as alternative to the usual job fair. Tanan mag-adjust even kami sa DOLE 11 are advised to upgrade by looking into the current demand especially online platform such as Zoom. Dapat hisgutan nato kung unsaon mapabalik ang integration between the jobseekers and the employers,” he said.

Ayala announced that there are 25,872 active job vacancies available for those employees, who were retrenched, due to COVID-19, the new coronavirus 2019, pandemic.

Based on the online page of DOLE 11 and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) there

are a total of 25, 872 active job vacancies available in Davao Region.

Ayala said these job vacancies, which were posted since the beginning of the pandemic is composed of 443 employers of various industries. “Dili lang sa food but also clerks and drivers.

Nag-pasalamat ko sa PESO tibuok region kay abtik ang atong mga PESO managers, given sa mga protocols implemented kay ga-padayon ang programa sa PESO by offering job vacancies. In fact, ang Davao City PESO conducted a virtual job fair to facilitate the jobseekers.”

Applicants have to check the online pages of the PESO and DOLE 11 for job vacancies, according to the DOLE officer.

Based on the termination reports received by DOLE 11 submitted by the 206 establishments in the

500,000 Filipinos applying for the one-time cash aid of USD200 (PHP10,000).

“There are about 500,000 more applying for assistance that’s the reason why we would like to ask again for additional funds,” he said.

He, however, said they still have funds worth PHP700 million left for the program.

“We still have about PHP700 million given by

the President, that is why we are still accepting applications. Because there are so many OFWs who would like to avail of the assistance, we will ask the President for additional funds,” he added.

Bello said he is confident that Duterte will approve their request since he is compassionate to all Filipinos working abroad.

“I’m confident because he super loves our OFWs,”

he added.

The cash assistance is given to Filipino workers abroad and those stranded in the country due to the community quarantine implementation to stop the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

A budget of PHP2.5 billion had been released under the AKAP program which has so far benefitted close to 200,000 OFWs. (PNA)

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DOLE seeks additional funding to help more OFWs

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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to ask for additional budget from President Rodrigo Duterte to be able to assist more displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) applying for cash assistance under its Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong (AKAP) program.

In a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said there are some

n span of three days, 22 more cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded from laboratory results, bringing a total of 138 cases in Caraga Region.

Friday last week, the number of confirmed cases in the region was even higher at 29, based on laboratory tests conducted at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City.

The Department of Health’s Center for Health Development Caraga (DOH-CHD-Caraga) reported that of the 22 new cases, 18 are local stranded individuals, two are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), one with travel history in Metro Manila, and another is a health worker.

DOH-Caraga has noted that as of Monday, 10 COVID-19 patients remained positive in the followup laboratory tests while 15 have already turned negative in the SPMC laboratory results.

The new COVID-19 cases were distributed in 14 towns and three cities in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte.

The Province of Dinagat Island remains free of COVID-19 cases while this is the first time that Siargao Island recorded a COVID-19 case, a 19-yearold female who travelled with her two other siblings From Cebu.

Dr. Terrence Kua, an official from the Provincial Hospital in Bad-as in Surigao del Norte, said

that the new COVID case in Siargao and her two siblings were able to reach their hometown, Del Carmen, and subjected themselves to a home quarantine in the house of their grandmother.

She was initially tested positive during the rapid diagnostic testing a few days after their arrival that led to the collection of swab samples in June 24 which turned out positive. Her siblings, however, were tested negative.

Unlike the positive case in Del Carmen town, all of the positive cases in Agusan del Sur did not have the chance to have physical contact with their families when they arrived in the province since they were fetched and immediately sent to the quarantine facilities.

The new cases were distributed in Butuan City, Cabadbaran City, Buenavista, Carmen, Jabonga and Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; Prosperidad, Loreto, Esperanza and Sibagat in Agusan del Sur; Alegria, Del Carmen, Tubod and Mainit in Surigao del Norte; and Bislig City, Carmen and Lingig in Surigao del Sur. The Philippine Information Agency Caraga reported that seven COVID-19 cases have recovered and discharged from the hospitals, another 28 have recovered after completing quarantine period while 103 positive cases were admitted at the hospitals and on strict facility quarantine. (Chris V. Panganiban / MindaNews)

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Fitness Gyms in Davao City will be re-opening on 50 percent capacity following the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday lowering the quarantine restriction level to Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). Arcadia Fitness Gym in Quimpo Boulevard is one of the fitness establishments that will be resum-

ing operations soon. The city government is conducting inspections in all fitness gym establishments before they are allowed to re-open.

DOF chief: Filipinos need to face LPG prices up in July ‘new reality’ brought by pandemic T

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inance Sec. Carlos “Sonny” Domínguez III said Filipinos will have to “face reality” that the novel coronavirus isn’t going away anytime soon, and that the Philippine economy needs to run to support the country’s fight against the pandemic.

In a Malacanang briefing streamed late Tuesday evening, Domínguez said that 60 percent of the country’s economy is based in Metro Manila and Calabarzon, and recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to place the two regions under a modified general community quarantine “as quickly as possible.”

“People have to start

working,” the finance chief said. Under a modified general community quarantine, more establishments in a specified region or area will be allowed to continue their operations, but are still under COVID-19 policies.

Both Metro Manila and Calabarzon were placed under strict quarantine after cases of COVID-19 rapidly rose in both regions

early March.

To prevent further coronavirus infections in a city or region, Dominguez suggested placing lockdown placing barangays under lockdown based on their number of coronavirus cases, so other areas or villages will not be affected economically.

He also said lockdowns can also be placed on “company-to-company” basis.

“If the company has a big spike [of infections], close them down also,” Dominguez said.

Duterte meanwhile said the pandemic has “eaten up a lot of” the country’s treasury, calling on Filipinos again to stay at home to avoid being in-

he coronavirus crisis has taken a much heavier toll on jobs than previously feared, the UN said Tuesday, warning that the situation in the Americas was particularly dire.

In a fresh study, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimated that by the mid-year point, global working hours were down 14 percent compared to last December—equivalent to some 400 million full-time jobs.

That is more than double the number forecast by the UN organisation back in April, when it expected 6.7

percent of working hours to be lost by the end of the second three-month period of the year.

It is also far higher than the ILO estimate in late May, when it expected 10.7 percent of global working hours to vanish during the period.

"Things are getting worse. The job crisis is deepening," ILO chief Guy Ryder told AFP in an interview.

"We are not through this yet," he warned.

The ILO said the new figures reflected the worsening situation in many regions in recent weeks, especially in

developing economies.

Its report pointed out that 93 percent of the world's workers live in countries still affected by some sort of workplace closures, with the Americas experiencing the greatest restrictions.

'Worst in the world' The United States and Latin America are currently the areas hardest-hit by the pandemic, which has killed more than 500,000 people worldwide and infected more than 10 million.

Soaring transmission rates in the United States, which alone accounts for a quarter of all infections

fected by the pathogen.

“Kung maaari lang, lalo na sa matatanda, ‘wag na ho muna kayo lumabas,” he said.

(If it’s possible, especially for the elderly, don’t go out yet.)

In the same briefing, the President blasted the Visayan people for allegedly violating lockdown policies that led to the surge of COVID-19 cases in their region.

Cebu City in Central Visayas has recorded the most number of infections in the country, with 4,639 reported as of Monday.

To date, the Philippines has recorded 37,514 coronavirus cases with 1,266 fatalities and 10,233 recoveries. and deaths globally, and in countries like Brazil, which accounts more than 1.3 million cases, have hit the labor market hard.

The crisis is "hitting particularly hard the Americas, where we see the loss of jobs as being the worst in the world," Ryder said.

Overall, the Americas lost over 18 percent of working hours during the second quarter, equivalent to 70 million full-time jobs, the ILO said.

South America has shed a full 20.6 percent of all working hours, while North America has seen its work-

Global employment crisis deepening, equivalent of 400M jobs lost —UN

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he prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have increased for July, effective Wednesday.

In separate advisories, Petron and Phoenix LPG adjusted the price of their 11-kg. LPG cylinder by PHP0.50 per kg.

They also implemented an increment of PHP0.30 per liter on the prices of AutoLPG.

The Solane-branded LPG likewise increased its price by PHP0.45 per kg.

Companies said the adjustments reflect the international contract price of LPG for this month.

The increment for July translates into price increases of PHP4.95 to PHP5.50 for a standard 11-kg. LPG tank. (PNA)

LT Group: guarded outlook for 2020 due to Covid-19

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he conglomerate LT Group, Inc. (LTG) is keeping a “guarded outlook” for this year due to the projected lingering effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement, LTG president Michael Tan said he hopes LTG’s strong 2019 results would give the conglomerate a strong foundation to weather the current crisis.

“Even as the economy restarts under different permutations of the quarantine thereafter, LTG believes it will take a while before the Philippine economy goes back to the normal, or to what it used to be. The key to faster recovery would be the availability of a vaccine for Covid-19, which it hopes will be sooner than later,” Tan said during the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Tuesday.

He said the effects of Covid-19 were already felt in the first quarter of

2020, starting mid-March when the government declared an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), particularly by the bank, tobacco, and the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage businesses.

“Some plants were not allowed to operate when ECQ was declared as the products were considered non-essential. Sari-sari stores that play a big role in reaching consumers, were closed in some areas. There were also liquor bans declared by some local government units,” Tan said.

In 2019, LTG’s attributable net income reached PHP23.12 billion or 43 percent higher than the PHP16.19 billion reported for 2018.

Meanwhile, for the first quarter of 2020, its attributable net income amounted to PHP6.21 billion, 41 percent more than the PHP4.42 billion reported for the first three months of 2019.

(PR)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

ECONOMY 5

BSP projects June inflation rate to stay at 1.9% to 2.7%

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has forecast June’s inflation rate to range from 1.9 percent to 2.7 percent.

In a Viber message to journalists on Tuesday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said upside risks to the rate of price increases in the sixth month of the year are the upticks in the prices of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, as well as that of rice, due to supply issues.

However, these factors are seen to be countered by the drop in electricity prices in areas being serviced by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the decline in the prices of liquefied petro-

leum gas (LPG).

“Looking ahead, the BSP will continue to monitor evolving economic and financial conditions to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability mandate,” Diokno added.

The rate of price increases has continued to decelerate since the start of the year, with the May figure at 2.1 percent.

Average inflation rate to date is at 2.5 percent, well within the central bank’s 2 percent to 4 percent target for this year until 2022.

The BSP has forecast inflation to average 2.2 percent this year and 2.4 percent next year. (PNA)

PH fiscal stimulus to 'cushion' pandemic blow on economy

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he path to economic recovery rests on the passage of fiscal stimulus measures among others, an analyst said on Wednesday as it sees the Philippine economy shrinking by at least 2 percent this year.

“Fiscal stimulus measures are still pending whereas most other neighboring countries have started to roll out.

I believe the measures are still likely to be announced over the next couple of weeks. Based on the plans, we will adjust our forecast accordingly. We do remain cautious about this. It’s something we think will be the main cushion for growth this year,” Anwita Basu, Head of Asia Country Risk Research at Fitch Solutions said.

Philippine urban hubs are on extended lockdowns. President Duterte announced on Tuesday Metro Manila will remain under general community

quarantine while Cebu City will stay under enhanced community quarantine until July 15.

“If we see prolonged third quarter lockdowns in emerging economies, then that would trigger further revision downwards to our growth forecast.

We still remain hopeful the second half will see a recovery in economic activity," she said.

Unconventional tools by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to prop up the economy also helped.

Some pending stimulus bills include the P1.5 trillion COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES), and Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE), formerly known as CITIRA, which seeks to cut the corporate income tax rate to 25 percent from 30 percent as early as July.

The Davao City Business Bureau reminds Dabawenyos that although online platform makes things convenient for consumers it is right to always check the legitimacy of the business before ordering the items. Edge Davao

Duterte orders CIDG, NBI, BIR to probe J&T Express

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday ordered an investigation into courier company J&T Express, amid complaints from consumers and a viral video showing cargo mishandling.

In a streamed public address, Duterte said he is ordering the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the complaints against the company.

He also ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to look into the company’s finances.

“May isa dito na madalas akong makatanggap ng complaint. You better shape up. But I’d like you

to know that I am ordering now, because CIDG is listening, the NBI to investigate you, at ang BIR to look into your finances,” Duterte said, referring to the courier company.

(There is a company that I always receive complaints about. You better shape up. But I’d like you to know that I am ordering now, because CIDG is listening, the NBI to investigate you, and the BIR to look into your finances.)

“Yung mga padala, nawawala. Tapos pagdat-

ing, pinapalitan, wala nang laman,” he added.

(The packages, they get lost. If they arrive, the contents are replaced.)

Duterte also referred to a viral video showing the company’s warehouse personnel allegedly deliberately mishandling parcel.

The workers in the video placed goods on the ground and were not wearing protective gear required during the coronavirus pandemic.

If the company is proven guilty of the complaints against it, Duterte said he will shut it down.

“It’s not really one or two incidents na itinapon ninyo. Hindi masyado ‘yung sa handling of the cargo. It’s the lost cargo or cargo na pinalitan ninyo. As a cou-

worth loan agreement for the Mindanao Water Supply Program in Taraka, Lanao del Sur on Tuesday (June 30, 2020). Part of the loan will also be used to buy infrastructure equipment to build road networks in the town. (MinDA photo)

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German giants join FB ad boycott over hate speech

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WATER SUPPLY. Taraka Mayor Nashimba Sumagayan (2nd from left), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) representative Angelita Aguhob (right) show the signed documents of the PHP218 million

rier, a company registered as a courier, I would like, because of so many complaints, but I will close you down,” he said.

(It’s not really one or two incidents that you throw it. It’s not really the mishandling of the cargo.

It’s the lost cargo or cargo that you replace. As a courier, a company registered as a courier, I would like, because of so many complaints, but I will close you down.)

“Sigurado ‘yan. Sasarahan talaga kita, whether you like it or not, after the CIDG and the NBI would finish their investigation and would point the liability sa inyo,” Duterte added.

(I’m sure. I’ll shut you down, whether you like it

erman giants Volkswagen, Puma and Adidas on Tuesday joined a growing advertiser boycott over hate speech against Facebook, following major consumer companies like Levi's and Coca-Cola.

Some 200 brands have now paused advertising with the social media giant as part of the #StopHateForProfit campaign launched by social justice activists.

The unprecedented move has already wiped billions off Facebook's market value.

Car giant Volkswagen, which also owns the Audi, Porsche and Skoda brands, said it was suspending the group's ads on Facebook.

"Hate speech, discriminating comments and posts containing dangerous false information must

not be published uncommented and must have consequences," the group said.

Sportsgear maker Puma said it was joining the #StopHateForProfit campaign "throughout July".

Puma "is part of an overall effort to create positive change and improvement in Facebook's platform by demanding the removal of inaccurate, hostile and harmful conversation," a spokeswoman said.

A spokesman for Puma's rival Adidas said the company would "develop criteria to develop and maintain a cosmopolitan and safe environment that will apply to ourselves and our partners" during a Facebook ad pause also encompassing US subsidiary Reebok.

FGERMAN, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

ON FACE MASK REQUIREMENT UNDER THE MGCQ: Everyone inside (karaoke, bars) dili tanggalon ang face mask unless muinum mo ug non-alcoholic drink ug mukaon ka.

Unsaon pag bar kung wala ang alak? I try sa ninyo. I think mas importante ang paguban ninyo sa imong mga higala.

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

EDGEDAVAO

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KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

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ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Cartoonist Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 1923 In 2023, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce, then without a ‘city’ attached to its name, will be celebrating its centennial. In effect, the organization by that time will become the longest surviving businessmen’s group in the region.

As Davao Chamber of Commerce, it was registered as a “no capital stock” corporation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Its first officials were William H. Gohn, as president, and Nactaro Inouye, Alejandro Livicko, Rafael S. Castillo, E. C. Walters, as directors.

Gohn, a retired U.S. soldier, was a resourceful trader; he was engaged in motor sales, shipping, lumber, trucking, real estate and invested in Davao Light & Power Co. He also owned a farmland in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and was the first to introduce irrigation in the region.

Married to Mary Matthewson, an American nurse, Gohn partly owned the 126-hectare Keller & Gohn Co. farm. He

was dubbed as Davao’s ‘father of boxing.’ After the war, he repatriated on aboard the Red Cross vessel MS Gripsholm for Louisville, Kentucky, USA. As chamber president, Gohn, with the support from Manila exporters and chambers of commerce from the U.S. west coast, led the petition to make concrete Santa Ana wharf and open Davao as port of entry. The appeal, passed during the chamber’s December 12, 1923 regular meeting, was twofold, namely: (i) to avoid the need for American and other ocean steamers to enter through some other domestic port of entry and (ii) the higher volume of hemp export emanating from Davao compared to Zamboanga, the main port of entry.

Among those who supported the chamber’s position were M. M. Saleeby, of Hanson and Orth; H. H. Boyle, of Columbia Rope Co.; John W. Haussermann and Samuel F. Gaches, chamber directors; and Brig. Gen. Frank R. McCoy, of the Governor General’s staff,

to name a few.

Davao Chamber of Commerce, elated by the positive response of the government to their request, went on to spearhead numerous engagements that pump-primed trading in the region. As a multinational group, it took a low-profile position during the Commonwealth.

The war, as expected, rendered the chamber activities inactive. The organization remained active despite the return of Gohn to the U.S. A 1951 letter in The American Chamber of Commerce Journal identified the sender as L. S. Lozano, acting secretary of the chamber. The letter was about the annual subscription of the group to the monthly journal.

Obviously, the chamber, for one reason or another, died down in the 1950s. It was only on February 15, 1968 when leading capitalists of Davao met for dinner at the Davao Beach Club to revive the organization with the objective “to promote and uphold he material interest of the Phil-

ippine and the Filipino people in general, and in particular, of the local Filipino businessmen engaged in trade, commerce, industry, and agriculture.”

The historic banquet was well attended. Later, the nucleus of the chamber would include businessmen Vicente Ang Cho-Kok, Ruben E. Angeles, Francisco Ma. Basilio, Juan G. Bosquite, Honesto E. Cabarroguis, Jose B. Custodio, Ricardo B. Garrido, Honorio S. Hilario, Celso L. Navales, Carlos G. Puentespina, Rodolfo P. del Rosario, Jose C. Sevilla, Ramon A. Tirol, Ernesto Fadullon, Cesar Leonardo, and Mariano Pantaleon.

Four of those who attended the dinner eventually became chamber president, namely: Tirol (1968-70), Madrazo (1971), Custodio (1972), and Sevilla (1973).

Installed as the first officers were Tirol, as president; Garcia, as vice president; Cabarroguis, as secretary; Sevilla, as treasurer; Custodio, as Public relations officer; and Bosquit, Hilario, Madrazo, and

del Rosario, as directors. They were inducted into office on May 11, 1968 in ceremonies held at Davao Insular Hotel.

Coincident with the event was the presentation of the chamber’s Charter of Affiliation by the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

Initially, the organization had a total of sixty-one members.

The gathering of entrepreneurs was the initiative of Teodoro Araneta, then vice-president for Mindanao of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines who linked with Davao businessmen Edmundo N. Madrazo, Leon Ma. Garcia, Jr., and Ramon A. Tirol to reorganize the new organization after its proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were done.

A few days thereafter, the documents were forwarded for perusal by the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Manila where the national board, in no time at all, approved and accepted the affiliation of the Davao chapter.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

TRUTH SETS YOU FREE “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed.

If people all over the world… would do this, it would change the earth.”—William Faulkner *** I don’t know who said it, but I remember the words to this effect: “One good thing about telling the truth is you don’t have to remember what you said.”

Those words came to my mind when I read what Dr. Tony Leachon wrote in his Facebook account recently.

“Most of us avoid telling the truth because it’s uncomfortable,” he posted. “We’re afraid of the consequences – making others feel uncomfortable, hurting their feelings or risking their anger.”

Dr. Leachon resigned recently as an adviser to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“And yet,” he further wrote in his post, “when we don’t tell the truth, and others don’t tell us the truth, we can’t deal with reality.”

By saying all those that he knew, Dr. Leachon has set himself free from whatever

burden he has in his heart.

The Bible states it directly, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

A wise man once said: “Every person has two ends: an end to think with and an end to sit with. What he accomplishes depends on the end he chooses – heads, he wins; tails, he loses.”

A person may be one individual but actually there are three of him: the one you are, the one other people think you are, and the person you really are. The same is true with truth. In every case filed before a judge, there are three sides: the protagonist’s, the antagonist’s and the truth.

In his book, Reminiscences, General Douglas MacArthur – known in the Philippines for his famous quote, “I shall return!” – recalled a classroom experience he had as a West Point cadet. His class was studying the time-space relationship, which the great genius Albert Einstein later called his “Theory of Relativity.”

The text was very complicated and Cadet MacArthur could not figure out what it

was all about. So, he just memorized the pages concerned.

When he was called upon to recite, he dutifully reeled off almost word for word what the book said. The instructor looked at him in a puzzled sort of way and inquired, “Do you understand his theory?”

It was a bad moment for the young cadet, but he stood upstraight and answered bravely, “No, sir.”

Hearing his answer, everyone in the class seemed to stop breathing. You could have heard a pin drop. The young MacArthur braced himself and waited. Then, the instructor said very slowly, “Neither do I, Cadet MacArthur. The class is dismissed.”

“Truth is generally the best vindication against slander,” wrote American president Abraham in a letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. To which one sage added, “Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.”

There is also truth to this statement by Arthur Schopenhauer: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”

“So, what was it then exactly this truth-telling?” asked Graham Swift in Mothering Sunday. “It was about being true to the very stuff of life, it was about trying to capture, though you never could, the very feel of being alive. It was about finding a language.

And it was about being true to the fact, the one thing only followed from the other, that many things in life – of so many more than we think – can never be explained at all.”

Truth is stranger than fiction, so goes a familiar saying.

Oftentimes, however, people prefer to listen to fiction than knowing the truth. From Gems of Thought comes this anecdote: One Sunday, a clergyman was preaching one Sunday and noticed that his congregation was sleepy. Suddenly, he paused, and then in a very loud voice, related an incident that had no connection whatsoever with his sermon.

“I was once visiting a village and came to the house of a farmer,” the clergyman related. “I stopped for a bit when I saw something stranger than I had ever seen in my life. There was a sow with a litter of ten

little pigs. She and each of her piglets had a long-curved horn growing out their forehead between the ears.”

At this point, the clergyman stopped his story and ran his eyes over the congregation. Everybody was wide awake now. “How strange,” he told the audience. “A few minutes ago, when I was telling you the truth, you all went to sleep. But now, when you have heard a whooping lie, you are all wide awake!”

“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” wrote Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes novel, The Sign of Four.

In some instances, truth may be buried in the beginning. But just like in the movies, at the end, it will be revealed. Mahatma Gandhi said it right. “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it – always.”

8

VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

GLOBE MYBUSINESS POWERS ATENEO DE DAVAO’S DIGITAL SCHOOL YEAR

INDUSTRIES are developing ways to thrive amid the new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the coming school year, educational institutions are transitioning to online learning to allow students to complete their requirements while staying safe at home.

Strengthening its position as an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning, Globe myBusiness has partnered with Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) by providing tailor-made internet plans for the next school year.

Through the partnership, the university secured 7,000 Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi units for instructors and students.

The kits are equipped with a WiFi modem with a LAN port, free 10GB of data allocation upon modem activation, and access to a customizable suite of apps to aid the learning process.

“Technology plays an important role in this global pandemic, as it connects us while keeping us safe in our homes,” shares Bernie Jereza, Institutional Communications and Promotions or ICOMMP Office Head of ADDU. “We are making the transition more seamless by providing students their own WiFi kits to stay connected. What started out as an order for 2,000 units

For small schools that don’t have the proper IT infrastructure, use limited resources.

Do classes by email or phone, or what your bandwidth can accommodate. Deal with the limitations and shift online.”

quickly became 7,000 to better serve the students of the basic and higher education units.”

Jeremy Eliab, Executive Vice President at ADDU cites how technology can open new doors for Ateneo de Davao University, with the possibility of admitting students from other parts of the country and in the future, the world. He also advises other schools to prepare for crises using connectivity and other innovations: “We’re forced to shift.

Globe myBusiness and Ateneo de Davao HPW units.

Globe myBusines powers Ateneo de Davao digital school year.

SMART STRENGTHENS SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR IN-STORE TRANSACTIONS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS and its store personnel, Smart Communications, Inc. has strengthened its health and safety protocols for its stores in areas under general community quarantine.

These measures follow the guidelines set by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Health, Labor, and Trade departments, and the World Health Organization.

All visitors and employees are required to wear face masks and to have their temperatures checked before entering the physical stores. Only a limited number of customers will be allowed to enter the store at a certain time, in order to practice social distancing.

Each store will be equipped with

sanitation areas, distance markers, and other features that reduce physical interaction, such as peer less drop boxes, virtual and express counters.

High traffic areas also undergo regular disinfection after each transaction. Demo units will be replaced by QR codes that customers can scan to know more about a certain device.

Customers who visit Smart Stores are also urged to use cashless transactions and self-care kiosks, to help prevent the spread of the virus. More importantly, the public is encouraged to use online payment services such as PayMaya to pay their bills and to purchase Smart products and devices via the Smart Online Store (http:// www.store.smart.com.ph) or official partner platforms, such as GrabMart.

#Recreate. The way we learn.

In line with partnering with different schools, Globe myBusiness is helping educational institutions integrate technology through the new mySchoolSURF, a lineup of internet promos specifically designed to help students and instructors in online learning. Plans start at P199, which comes with 34GB of data allocation valid for 7 days.

All plans come with 4GB daily data allocations for pre-defined apps useful for learning. This includes video conferencing tools like Zoom, and research and productivity platforms such as Office 365, Canva, Blackboard and Course Hero. It also comes with access to messaging apps like Viber, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.

By bridging teachers to information and technology that enable continuous learning, especially during times of crisis, Globe myBusiness continues to prove itself an invaluable partner in promoting 21st Century Learning and improving resilience in education.

AMBITIONS AND DESIRES TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT ON GMA HEART OF ASIA’S ‘MISTY’

“We prioritize the health and safety of our customers and employees, especially those in our brick-and-mortar stores,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart. “This goes hand-in-hand with our push to promote more innovative, digital ways to better serve our consumers amid the pandemic,” she added.

Visit stay.smart to see the complete list of available stores, health safety guidelines, and other information.

KAPUSO VIEWERS are set to meet the powerful character of Arianne, played by three-time Baeksang Best Actress titlist Kim Nam-joo, on GMA Heart of Asia’s newest offering ‘Misty.’

This drama will highlight the intriguing story of a popular anchorwoman in a primetime news show whose seemingly puttogether life and career will be threatened by a dark and tragic secret.

One day, Arianne becomes the suspect in a murder case involving Kevin Lee, a golf champion and her past lover.

She will seek the professional help of her husband Tommy Kang, played by Ji Jin-Hee. He worked as a prosecutor in the past, but now works as a public defender and will take on her case.

Will Arianne get away from all the controversy Witness how this woman’s journey will unfold beginning this week right after ‘Meant To Be’ only on GMA Heart of Asia.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 • SATURDAY,JULY JANUARY VOL.13 ISSUE ISSUE 220 70 • THURSDAY, 2, 202018, 2020

9

EDGEDAVAO 9

COMPETITIVE EDGE

An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

M

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 EDGEDAVAO

SLIGHT... FROM1

danao’s attractiveness as an investment destination,” he said.

Montenegro noted that investment inflow in Mindanao has grown ten-fold during this decade (20102019) at P50-60 billion annual average inflow, compared to a mere P5 billion to P6 billion average inflow from 2001 to 2010.

According to him despite the uninterrupted economic growth of Mindanao, the growth disparity vis-à-vis Luzon regions show unequal level of regional output.

Montenegro added that the focus now are the following: ensuring that high priority is given to regional development outside the economic centers (rural development) and for growth to be more inclusive and sustainable and roll-out more regional inter-linkages and logistics hubs to attract investments

into manufacturing and services.

He said while Mindanao has seen structural shift from Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing (AHFF) activities to industry and services sectors, it must not lose sight of the fact that key to Mindanao’s sustained economic growth rests largely in agrisector.

He also added there is a need to bring agri products, especially the priority commodities, up the value chain as well as promote industrial growth, complemented with support on access to quality education and training skills required in the modern economy.

“More and better jobs need to be created with higher productivity and wages that could improve the disposable income of families and eventually reduce poverty incidence in the long-run,” he said.

region, currently, there are a total of 5,517 workers retrenched and working hours are reduced. He said of the 5,517 workers there are 4,596 workers affected after establishments decided to reduce workforce, while 921 workers became unemployed after their companies opted to perma-

nently shut down.

“Tungod sa pandemic pirting daghana nga kompanya ang nagbawas ug tao. Ang DOLE 11 gadawat ug termination reports sa mga establishments para mahibal-an nato kung pipila na ang natanggal sa mga dati nga naay trabaho,” he said.

or not, after the CIDG and NBI finish their investigation and find liability.)

Duterte encouraged those who have bad experiences or complaints against

the company to report to the nearest police station to help in the investigation.

J&T Express said it was already investigating the viral video incident.

"Racism, discrimination and hateful comments should have no place either in our company or in our society," he added.

The movement against

online hate speech has picked up steam following George Floyd's death on May 25 at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis.

ing hours dip 15.3 percent, the study found.

By comparison Europe, the Arab states, and most of Asia saw working hours dwindle by around 13 percent, while they fell just over 12 percent in Africa.

Women hit hardest The crisis had also hit women harder, threatening decades of progress, said Ryder.

Women are more likely to be in the sectors most affected by the crisis and they also bear most of the additional burden brought on by closures of schools and care facilities.

"All the evidence is that women are being hit harder than men," he said—and the crisis risked aggravating gender inequalities in the workplace.

"The stumbling, slow and glacial gains made towards gender equality in recent decades runs the risk of simply being sent into reverse."

The ILO painted three possible scenarios for the second half of the year, but Ryder acknowledged "we cannot see a scenario in which we get back to the

starting pont with which we began the year."

The most pessimistic scenarios assumes a second wave of the pandemic that significantly slows recovery. Global working hours would still be 11.9 percent (the equivalent of 390 million jobs) lower at year-end than at the end of 2019, the study said.

The most optimistic scenario, which assumes a rapid recovery, would still see a 1.2-percent year-onyear loss of global working hours—equivalent to 34 million jobs.

That is "still a very, very hard hit on the global economy," Ryder said.

He called on countries to work together to implement the policies needed to help workers and "build back better."

"The decisions we adopt now will echo in the years to come and beyond 2030," he said.

"I remain hopeful that because of the obvious and stark need of international cooperation, the world in some way will recover its appetite for multilateral cooperation," he said.

UNEMPLOYMENT... FROM3

DUTERTE... FROM5 GERMAN... FROM5 GLOBAL... FROM4

VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

Two 15-minute power interruptions on July 3 in Dumoy and Toril areas

D

avao Light and Power Co., Inc. will conduct two 15-minute power interruptions on July 3, Friday, affecting customers in Dumoy and Toril.

The first service disruption will be anytime between 4:00 a.m. to 4:30 am.. This will be necessary to facilitate deloading in preparation of the maintenance works at Davao Light TSI Substation Specifically affected by this 15-minute power

interruption are customers from Julu Feeds Mill in Dumoy going to Gaisano Grand Mall Toril, including parts of Daliao, Toril Proper and neighboring areas.

Meanwhile, another 15-minute power outage anytime between 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. will be

PH ANTI-TERROR... FROM2

conducted to facilitate normalization of Ponciano Feeder 5. Affected by this short power disruption are those from Quirino Avenue Corner Mabini Street going to Ateneo de Davao University Matina Campus, including General Luna, Illustre, Duterte and Legaspi Streets and nearby areas. Also affected are parts of San Pedro and Magallanes Streets.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconvenience brought about by these scheduled power inter-

ruptions. But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our 24/7 Customer Contact Service at 229-3572, 0917-864-2793 (Globe) or 0920-970-1357 (Smart) for any power interruption that will fall outside the given schedule.

Last June 2, Roque assured that there are no “draconian provisions” in the measure meant to beef up the country’s law against terrorism.

“Wala naman pong draconian na provision diyan. Lahat po ng provision diyan ay ibinase rin natin sa mga batas na mga iba’t ibang bansa na mas epektibo po ang kanilang

pagtrato dito sa mga terorista (There is no draconian provision there. All of those provisions are based on laws of other countries that are effective in fighting terrorists),” he said.

Compared to anti-terrorism laws in other countries, Roque said the country’s current Human Security Act of 2007 or Republic Act 9372, which

the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 aims to repeal, is the tamest.

Under the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days sans a warrant of arrest will be permitted. It also allows a 60-day surveillance with an allowable 30-day extension that can be conducted by the police or the

military against the suspected terrorists.

The bill also imposes a 12-year jail term on a person who voluntarily or knowingly joins a terrorist organization.

Lawmakers, human rights groups, and celebrities have opposed the measure, saying it would further violate human rights.

(PNA)

facts and promotes genuine dialogue with concerned countries,” he said.

He assured that the Philippine government underscores its resolve to strengthen national efforts

to safeguard our vast and robust civil society and media space, strengthen the administration of justice, and address all claims and allegations case by case in a transparent and

inclusive manner.

“At the same time, we highlight our commitment to continue to contribute to collective efforts aimed at enhancing and upholding the integrity and ob-

jectivity of the Council and its processes and mechanisms, to ensure that its work leads only to transformative and enduring impact on the ground,” he said. (PNA)

in Paris, naka-schedule na rin ang training nila to peak when they go to Paris.”

Aside from Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Ian Clark Bautista, and Rogen Ladon are also hoping to compete in the world Olympic qualifying tournament in Paris, France for another chance at a Tokyo berth.

The tournament was originally scheduled in May, but it was scrapped due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The boxers are still training regularly and are in contact with their coaches, but online training sessions are simply “not the same,” Vargas pointed out.

“Training online is not the same. So maraming gagawin. We lost steam,” he admitted.

“We need to be able to go back to the gym and really work and spar, and box with other boxers, not only here, but overseas as well,” he added.

Unfortunately for Filipino boxers, ABAP has yet to receive the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Department of Health as to when physical training sessions can resume. Contact sports are still barred in areas under the general community quarantine.

Vargas also revealed that they have gotten an invitation to a boxing tournament in Thailand later this year, but he is uncer-

tain if the Filipino pugs can compete given the travel restrictions.

“It’s all estimate,” he said of their plans. “Kailan ba magkakaroon ng Olympics? The latest is August.”

“Thinking positively, we’d like to be able to prepare our boxers before October for the qualification,” he added. “Sayang. Kung natuloy lang ‘to, we were more than ready then than we are now, I would like to think.”

Eder Sarabia during a water break at Vigo and on Tuesday it was impossible to ignore the contrast with Atletico's players, who huddled around Diego Simeone while 50 metres away Setien stood alone.

At full-time, Setien stared into space with the look of a coach that is running out of time but he had taken bold decisions, leaving 120-million-euro signing Antoine Griezmann on the bench and handing another start to 20-year-old Riqui Puig.

"It's true that taking him out of the team like that is hard for a player of his level but the circumstances forced me to do it," said Setien of Griezmann.

"Tomorrow I will speak to him, not to apologise, but it is a decision he has to understand."

- Costa nightmare Yet it started well for them as Costa endured a nightmare first quarter of an hour, first diverting Messi's corner into his own net after misjudging the flight of the ball at the near post.

Then he missed a penalty, won after the excellent Yannick Carrasco left Gerard Pique for dead and then cut back inside Arturo Vidal, who stuck out a leg.

Costa's shot was saved but VAR showed Marc-Andre ter Stegen had sprung off his line too early and Atletico were given a second

chance. This time Saul took the ball and he scored the equaliser.

Messi dinked over the sliding Renan Lodi and then whistled a curling effort past the far post. His deflected free-kick forced Jan Oblak to adjust his feet and palm over.

Finally, it was laid on a plate for him shortly after half-time. Felipe clipped Nelson Semedo and Messi, with the 700th in sight, chipped the ball delicately down the middle.

But every time Barca pulled away, Atletico pegged them back. Another penalty was awarded, again instigated by the speedy Carrasco, who made the most of the slightest touch

from Semedo.

Saul took responsibility again and while Ter Stegen got a hand to it, the ball squirmed into the corner.

Vidal twice went close, the second time heading wide Jordi Alba's cross, and Thomas Lemar might even have won it for Atletico in injury-time. For Barca, the draw was damaging enough.

Earlier, Sevilla's Oliver Torres scored twice and Munir El Haddadi added a third to see off Leganes and boost their hopes of holding onto fourth place.

Sevilla sit five points ahead of Getafe, having played a game more. Leganes stay 19th, nine points adrift of safety.

packs and a sack of rice by the city government amidst the health crisis.

Fitness gyms, cinemas, computer shops, bars, and

other business establishments in areas under a modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) will be allowed to reopen,

albeit at a reduced operating capacity. During a Palace briefing, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said businesses under Cate-

gory 4 are still prohibited to reopen under GCQ, but are allowed to resume in MGCQ areas at 50% operating capacity.

DOJ CHIEF... FROM2

PH HOPES... FROM11

MESSI... FROM11

GYMS... FROM12

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VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

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Dwight Howard remains uncertain for Orlando

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Dabawenya boxer Nesthy Petecio in action. File photo.

PH hopes to send more boxers to Tokyo Olympics

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espite the postponement of the qualifiers and the Tokyo Olympics itself, Ricky Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP), is staying hopeful that the Filipino boxers will not only secure their berths in the Games but also possibly win medals.

“Marami tayong hopefuls na pwede pang mag-qualify,” Vargas told reporters during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

One of those still seeking a ticket to the Tokyo Games is Dabawenya fighter Nesthy Petecio who failed in her bid to qualify in the qualifiers right be-

fore the coronavirus crisis.

“I’m in touch with Nesthy, and she’s very eager to go for the qualification and to redeem herself. Carlo Paalam, Rogen Ladon, Ian Clark Bautista -- may chance pa ‘yan to qualify for the Olympics.”

“Hopefully, we can qualify for five (boxers) din.

This is going to be a bounti-

Messi scores 700th goal

M

ADRID, Spain -- Lionel Messi scored his 700th career goal but Barcelona suffered another blow to their La Liga title hopes after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Messi chipped in a penalty to reach another astonishing milestone at Camp Nou but twice Atletico hit back with spot-kicks of their own, Saul Niguez converting both after Barca took an early lead through Diego Costa's own goal.

The result gives Real Madrid the chance to move four points clear at the top of the table if they can overcome Getafe at home on Wednesday, a formidable lead with five games left.

Atletico stay third, two points ahead of Sevilla, who won 3-0 at Leganes.

With a superior headto-head, it would take a dramatic capitulation for

Real Madrid not to lift the trophy from here but there is no guarantee Barcelona can finish strongly enough even to create pressure.

This was their third draw in four matches and with suggestions of disharmony between the players and coaching staff, the future of coach Quique Setien looks bleak too.

"From the dressing room I feel supported, yes," he said. "And regarding the meeting with the board, I will not say what was said in that."

Setien was also asked about his job on Monday and had to play down the significance of a frank exchange of views in the dressing room following Saturday's draw at Celta Vigo.

Messi had also caused a stir by appearing to ignore Setien's assistant

FMESSI, P10

ful crop for us in ABAP,” he said. “They’re all working as much as they can with their coaches.”

Boxing has been the most productive sports for the Philippines in the Olympiad having produced five Olympic medals. However, it has been a while since the 1996 Atlanta Games when Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco settled for a silver medal in the men’s light flyweight division that the country has bagged a medal in the event.

With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, Filipino boxers appear to have “lost steam”, but Vargas remains optimistic that they will make an impact in next year’s Games.

Two Filipinos -- Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno -are already assured of tickets to the Tokyo Olympics, with at least four more boxers hoping to qualify.

“When I looked at our boxers, we were ready eh,” said Ricky Vargas, president of the Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP), during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

“We got two of them, and they were at their peak.

They were really training for the Olympics,” he added. “Naka-schedule na ‘yan -- the training has been scheduled. When you look at those who will compete

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os Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard is uncertain about joining the team in Orlando for the restart of the 2019-20 season, general manager Rob Pelinka said Tuesday.

Pelinka said the mother of one of Howard's children passed away recently, adding another taxing element to Howard's decision.

In a Zoom videoconference with reporters, Pelinka said Howard is working through his concerns and discussing options with his agent.

Players were required to give teams formal notice of extenuating circumstances and declare whether they planned to opt out of games, and Howard did not do so, Pelinka said.

In addition to the family matter, Howard made a strong statement in the aftermath of George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis saying basketball was not a priority.

Howard told CNN that now is not the time for games. He said the Black community must put itself first now.

"Basketball, or entertainment period, isn't needed at this moment, and will only be a distraction," Howard's lengthy statement began.

"I would love nothing more than to win my very

first NBA Championship.

But the unity of My People would be an even bigger Championship, that's just too beautiful to pass up.

What better time than now for us to be focusing on our families?

"This is a rare opportunity that, I believe, we as a community should be taking full advantage of.

When have we ever had this amount of time to sit and be with our families?

This is where our Unity starts. At home! With Family!! European Colonization stripped us of our rich history, and we have yet to sit down and figure us out."

"The less distractions, the more we can put into action into rediscovering ourselves. Nations come out of families. Black/ African American is not a Nation or Nationality.

It's time Our Families became their own Nations.

No Basketball till we get things resolved."

The NBA intends to finish the coronavirus-interrupted season and the playoffs at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Training camp is set to be held July 9-29 before the season restarts July 30.

The league plans to allow players to put a social cause or personal message on the backs of their jerseys, according to reports.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) battles for rebounding position against Indiana Pacers guard Justin Holiday (8) and forward Doug McDermott (20) during the first quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Reuters

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi banks his 700th behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Albert Gea, Reuters.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 70 • THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2020

GYMS ARE BACK

Inspected Davao City fitness gyms can now re-open By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO itness gyms in Davao City that have been inspected and cleared by the City Sports Development Office (CSDO) may now resume operations.

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After Davao City was officially placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) status beginning Wednesday (July 1), fitness gyms are among those businesses that are allowed to re-open.

However, they must pass the safety standards set by the city government and must pass the in-

spection.

Once cleared, it's a go.

Among those that have announced resumption of operations are Beefit Gym branches in Gov. Duterte Street and Lanang.

Beefit Gym operator Jimmy Javier said they are opening on Friday, July 3, after having been

cleared by the CSDO under officer-in-charge Mikey Aportadera.

"We're back in business effective Friday. We are very thankful to the city government for conducting immediately the inspection and fortunately, we passed the required standards," Javier said.

Under the Beefit Gym's guidelines, they will follow strictly a firstcome-first serve rule with only 40 individuals per time slot based on 40% gym capacity), 90-minute time limit per person,

wearing of face mask and face shield, undergo hand disinfection procedure, thermal scanning and filling out of screening form prior to entry.

Beefit also required all gym users to bring their own towels--one big towel to wipe the equipment and one small towel for wiping off sweat. Gym users are prohibited from using the shower and working out closer than the required physical distancing rules, no machine sharing, no buddy workout and no spitting.

For group classes, members are required to be at least two feet apart and no back-to-back sessions are allowed.

It has been more than three months since fitness gyms around the city closed their facilities at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

Fitness gym operators have been hoping Davao City's quarantine status will improve to Moderate General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) phase for the city government to lift the shutdown.

"We suffered a lot from the shutdown. No income and we're paying rent and loans," Javier, also a consultant at Arcadia Fitness Gym, told this writer in an online interview.

Arcadia Fitness Gym suspended operations in compliance with the city government's safety protocols last March 19.

It has yet to make an announcement on its social media page on when it is re-opening.

Employees of fitness gyms were given food

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