Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 71 | Friday, July 3, 2020

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STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMES FIRST

Serving a seamless society

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

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P 15.00 • 16 PAGES A resident pours water onto an improvised shower made from an empty mineral water container as his younger brother takes a bath outside their home in Ecoland, Davao City on Tuesday.

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Dabawenyos urged to participate in campaign vs terrorism story on page 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

ALL IN

A Catholic faithful offers a prayer outside San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City during the quarantine. The City government of Davao gives religious groups a go signal to host religious activities, provided that they only accommodate churchgoers at a maximum of 50 percent of the venue’s seating capacity during ceremonies. Edge Davao

Churches in Davao City may now resume religious activities

Dabawenyos urged to participate in campaign vs terrorism

By MAYA M. PADILLO he city government has intensified its campaign against terrorism but getting added boost will have to come with the support of its residents.

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With that mindset, Dabawenyos are encouraged to participate in the city government of Davao’s campaign in securing Davao City against terrorism through the Culture of Security: "May Nakita? Dapat magsalita!" Project, launched on Wednesday, July 1.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded Dabawenyos from all walks of life to be conscious of their roles as citizens and as responsible members of the community in keeping Davao City safe.

The Culture of Security Project is a people-centered campaign that encourages Dabawenyos to adopt vigilance as their way of life. The campaign “May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita!” was launched by the city government of Davao and Task Force Davao (TF Davao) following the issuance of Duterte-Carpio’s Executive Order No. 41, which is an order encouraging Dabawenyos to adopt the Culture of Security as part of their way of life.

In that EO it is specified that terrorism is

propagated by the threat groups when they are able to gain entry to Davao City, are allowed a place to stay inside the city or have Dabawenyos that give them a safe haven to hide –reasons why bombings happened in Davao City.

In his presentation during the launch, TF Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla discussed the four acts in the Culture of Security that Dabaweyos will adopt: volunteer, report, remind, and participate.

Dabawenyos are urged to volunteer themselves for inspection and help in the implementation of security measures in the city; report all suspicious persons and activities in their community; remind

friends and family of all the security regulations within Davao City; and Participate in implementing the culture of security within their workplace, school, purok, subdivision and to be an active part of their community defense system.

“Dugay na nato ni gina-kampnaya ang atoang Culture of Security and our highlight is one of the pillars of the Culture of Security is to report that is why “Kapag May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita!" nga kampnaya, which is asking everyone if you see suspicious individuals or suspicious baggage or anything na sa tan-aw ninyo na kakaiba or weird ug kinahanglan i-report

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eligious sectors in Davao City may now hold church services from Mondays to Saturdays, as the city shifted to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) starting July 1 until 15, Mayor Sara Duterte said on Wednesday.

During a live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5), Duterte said religious groups were already given the go signal to host religious activities, provided that they only accommodate churchgoers at a maximum of 50 percent of the venue’s seating capacity during ceremonies.

Duterte, however, said the local government would prohibit church services on Sundays to lessen the number of people going out of their houses to slow the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) since all establishments and offices have resumed operations under MGCQ, although some are operating with skeleton workforce.

“We can have at least one day to lessen to the barest minimum the possibility of transmitting the disease to other people because we are certain that when you go, there is that high risk that you can get infected,” she said.

The mayor reminded churchgoers to observe physical distancing and wear facemask during reli-

gious ceremonies.

Section 5 of the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, updated as of June 25, provides that mass gatherings such as but not limited to, movie screenings, concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment activities, religious services, and work conferences shall be allowed provided that participants shall be limited to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity.

The Omnibus Guidelines, however, did not prohibit the conduct of church services, and other mass gatherings, as defined in Section 5, on Sundays.

According to the Department of Health-Davao, Davao Region reported 534 COVID-19 cases: 416 in Davao City, 43 in Davao del Norte, 21 in Davao del Sur, 26 in Davao de Oro, 24 in Davao Oriental, and 4 in Davao Occidental as of June 30.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte has placed 16 areas in Mindanao, including Davao City and Zamboanga City, under MGCQ starting July 1 to July 15.

The provinces Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro would remain under MGCQ. Zamboanga City would also shift to MGCQ from

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

DOH 11 to intensify disease surveillance in 3 provinces

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) will be intensifying its disease surveillance activities in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental after being identified as among emerging hotspots for COVID-19.

Davao de Oro and one in Magupising, E. Dujali in Davao del Norte.

Meanwhile, Davao City recorded 19 positive cases coming from the areas of Binugao, Calinan, Dumoy, Barangay 76-A, Tigatto, Barangays 19-B and 23-C. “Kinahanglan atong pakusgan ang atong disease surveillance ani nga mga lugar, apil na usab nga paspasan ug i-intensify nato ang pagbuhat sa contact tracing aning mga bagong natala nga kaso,” the statement read.

Vergeire cited several factors that can be considered for the emergence or increase of COVID cases in an area among them is the possibility that the natural movement of people is a contributor to the hotspot or to the sudden increase in cases in a specific area.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire identified nine provinces in Mindanao namely Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental in Region 10 or Northern Mindanao; Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental in Region 11; South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in Region 12 or SOCCSKSARGEN, and Maguindanao in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as emerging as hotspots for COVID-19.

In a statement issued

by DOH XI, these hotspot

are areas where there are non or few cases of COVID-19 and suddenly recorded significant number of cases.

Based on the latest data of DOH 11 as of 5 p.m. of July 1, 2020, the profiles for 31 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Davao Region: in Davao del Norte, there are three positive cases recorded in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS), one in Panabo, one in Dacudao, one in Asuncion, and one in San Isidro.

There are four positive cases recorded in Maco,

elecommunication companies are discussing with government possible services they can provide for virtual learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic, their officials said on Wednesday. “[O]ur business groups are currently in talks with the Department of Edu-

cation for a plan to offer a service that will not only provide Internet connectivity but bundled with gadgets that they will be needing,” said PLDT first vice president Aileen Regio at the Senate Committee on Public Services hearing.

Regio said Globe is also involved in the discussion,

which the Ayala-led firm confirmed. “[T]he industry is in talks with the DepEd as well as CHED as to the offering for the students for gadgets as well as the training for the teachers,” said Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo.

DepEd is securing

“BSP made sure that the FSPs have (1) payout partners to ensure ease and ability to cash out, (2) business model institution, (3) experience in the commercial roll-out, and (4) type of cash-out points that may contribute to ensuring liquidity,” he said in Filipino.

DSWD signed a mul-

and the FSPs: GCash, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), Robinson’s Bank, PayMaya, and Starpay on June 30 for the second tranche of SAP. Bautista also noted that they have since completed payout to 9,391 waitlisted families worth PHP52 million.

and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), Bautista cited the assistance of police and military in transportation and security.

RCBC’s 'Diskartech Lite' In a statement, RCBC Executive Vice President Lito Villanueva said they will utilize their disburse-

Telcos bare talks with govt.on online learning services

Education Secretary Leonor Briones answers queries during a news conference at City Hall in Davao City on this undated photo. The Department of Education (DepEd) has reported that the enrollment turn-

out in private schools for the school year 2020-2021 is low due to the economic setback brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

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FTELCOS, P10

Davao City ready to impose DSWD identifies 6 payment partners for SAP assistance he Department of So- capacity to roll out financial tilateral memorandum of With most of these guidelines under MGCQ cial Welfare and De- assistance to SAP beneficia- agreement with the Land beneficiaries living in velopment (DSWD) ries in the country.

Bank of the Philippines geographically isolated

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he city government of Davao is all set to implement the guidelines for modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) effective July 1 until July 15, in accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Omnibus Guidelines issued on June 25.

Under MGCQ, more businesses will be allowed to operate provided that the minimum public health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and disinfection of premises and offices will still be strictly implemented.

“Kinahanglan i-implement gihapon ang mask, ang ilahang distancing sa employees and customers, make sure nga available ang alcohol sa ilahang customers and employees (Wearing of face masks is still implemented, as well as distancing of employees and customers, make sure that alcohol is available to them,” Mayor Sara Duterte in a live 87.5 Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) broadcast on Wednesday.

Duterte also reminded employers that their employees’ health should still be prioritized, although public and private establishments are now allowed to operate at 50 percent or at full capacity, as the case may be.

“I-remind nato sa atoang employers nga duna

tay pandemic, so dili nila dapat pugson nga mureport sa opisina ang workers nila nga nay sakit (Let’s remind our employers that we have a pandemic, so we cannot force employees to report in the office while they’re sick),” Duterte said.

She added that employers may opt to require their workers to secure a medical certificate from an inhouse or referral physician for confirmation.

Under the IATF Omnibus Guidelines, movement of persons will still be limited for purposes of accessing essential goods and services, work or business.

Persons aged 21 years old and 60 years old and above, as well as those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities and other medical conditions such as pregnant women, shall be required to remain in their residences at all times, except for the purpose of purchasing essential goods and services.

Meanwhile, outdoor non-contact sports are now allowed, such as running, biking, swimming, jogging, badminton, golf and the like, provided that they are done for exercise or training purposes and not for leisure, amusement or entertainment.

Religious gatherings are also allowed at 50 percent of the venue capacity and provided that they are held from Mondays to Sat-

FDAVAO CITY, P10

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has partnered with six financial service providers (FSP) to distribute the government’s social amelioration program (SAP).

Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista said Tuesday that the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) came up with the list of service providers with the

The municipal government of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte tightens checkpoints as it implemented a hard lockdown of Puroks 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Barangay Delabayan after five locally stranded individuals and one returning overseas Filipino who availed the “Balik LaNorte” program were found positive of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in confirma-

FDSWD, P10

tory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. The six patients are now confined at the Old Kapatagan Provincial Hospital Annex, which is the province’s isolation and treatment facility. Photo taken 1 July 2020 courtesy of JAMES UMARAN for MindaNews

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

SSS approves Covid-19-related loan of nearly 350K members

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A worker delivers softdrinks in Brgy. Leon Garcia Street, Davao City on Thursday. The city government of Davao has announce it will still implement barangay Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or house,

street, purok and compound lockdowns to areas with high COVID-19 cases during the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) to prevent the spread of the virus. Edge Davao

he Social Security System (SSS) announced on Wednesday that it has approved the loan application of close to 350,000 members affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Simula po nang nilaunch natin ito ng June 15, nakapagtala tayo ng successful applications na 346,375,” SSS President Aurora Ignacio said in a briefing.

[Translation: Since we launched this on June 15, we recorded 346,375 successful applications.]

Ignacio also said that the SSS already authorized P5.4 billion in loans under its COVID-19 calamity loan assistance program two weeks since it started.

Members may still apply for a loan of up to P20,000 until September

PSC releases P711-M pandemic aid to 7-Eleven franchisees

All Phoenix stations in Davao P Region back in operation

By MAYA M. PADILLO avao-based independent oil firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. said all its 49 stations in Davao Region are now back in operation as quarantine measures have been relaxed beginning Wednesday, July 1.

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Lawyer Raymond Zorrilla, senior vice president of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., told Edge Davao that an average volume of petroleum went down by 60 percent as against pre-COVID-19 period and the subsequent community quarantine measures imposed by the government.

According to him, out of 49 stations in the region, the company was able to keep 88 percent of the stations open, while six had to be closed.

“Currently, all our stations in the region are open

and ready to serve customers with proper safety precautions in place,” he said.

Zorilla added that during the pandemic, the company has delivered 26 percent of its average volume per month during lockdown and this has increased to 70 percent after the lockdown was lifted.

Since the pandemic hit the country, Phoenix has implemented safety standards in the stations to ensure the forecourt crew, dealers, and customers are protected and safe.

“Even now that quarantine measures have

DA assures PH not importing China's pork, pork products

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he Department of Agriculture(DA) on Wednesday said Wednesday that the Philippines still imposes importation ban on pork and pork products from China amid a reported new type of swine flu from the East Asian country, which has the capability to trigger a pandemic.

The DA gave the assurance as umbrella group of the farming sector called for a suspension of all agricultural imports.

“The DA-BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) assures the public that the Philippines does not import swine or pork products from China,” the DA said in a statement.

Since last year, the Philippines has been prohibiting pork and pork products importation

from China, including Hong Kong and Macau; as well as other countries such as Russia, Mongolia, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Moldova, Zambia, South Africa, Hungary, Belgium, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, Vietnam, Romania, and Cambodia amid the outbreak of African swine fever.

US science journal PNAS published a study that a new type of swine flu, named G4, possesses "all the essential hallmarks of being highly adapted to infect humans.”

The scientists said G4 genetically descended from the H1N1 strain that caused a pandemic in 2009.

For its part, the Samahang Industriya ng Agri-

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been loosened, health and safety protocols are still implemented. These include the wearing of a face mask and face shield, the availability of rubbing alcohol and cash baskets, and the implementation of contactless payment, among others,” he added stressing that under the new normal, safety is king and going digital is no longer just an option but a need these days.

Fortunately, Phoenix has started the digital revolution in the company long before the pandemic hit.

“These initiatives are now bearing fruits, and example is the contactless payment option which is available in many of our stations nationwide,” he said.

To keep the safety of the employees, Zorilla said 70

percent of their workforce will be working from home until the end of the year to help stop the spread of the virus and keep everyone in the company and the communities its serve safe.

“We are glad to report that there are no positive cases reported in the company, and we are determined to keep it that way.

While safety has always been a priority, it is all the more important nowadays, which is why we have implemented heightened sanitation and safety protocols not only in Davao but across all our stations in the country,” he said.

He said the same applies to Phoenix offices, as well as terminals and depots where thorough sanitation and disinfection, habitual mask-wearing, and other safety measures are observed.

14 via the portal My.SSS. Those interested to borrow money must ensure that they have paid all 36 monthly contributions in the last three years — six of which should be settled at least a year before the loan application, Ignacio said.

Also, members should not have been granted any 'final benefit' and must have no outstanding loans under the SSS' Loan Restructuring Program.

The agency has rejected 119,000 applications because of non-compliance to requirements, Ignacio noted.

She added that the coronavirus-related loan could be paid off for 12 months, four months after their loan application was approved.

hilippine Seven Corp.

(PSC), the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven in the country, has started releasing its PHP711-million pandemic support program (PSP) for its franchisees.

In a statement, the PSC said the program allows 7-Eleven franchisees to borrow money from PSP’s credit line at zero interest to continue their operations amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

The company began to disburse the fund last June 20.

“We recognized immediately that the country’s and the world’s battle with Covid-19 would be long and painful, so the first thing we did was (to) request our bankers for an increase in our credit lines.

Thankfully, they responded quickly and generously, and our next focus became how to deploy this access to capital strategically during the pandemic. The PSP is one such example,” PSC president and chief executive officer Jose Victor Paterno said.

At the end of the first quarter this year, PSC’s cash amounted to PHP6.1 billion, while debt reached PHP1.8 billion.

It posted a net income of PHP104 million from 2,916 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak in the country early this year, 22 percent of its stores were closed in April.

The number of closed stores declined to 11 percent in May as the government began to relax lockdown measures in some areas of the country.

Paterno said many of its stores are currently unprofitable and this situation is expected to last until the end of the year.

“If and when the franchisee’s situation improves, he or she commits to paying down the credit line monthly, at zero interest.

Should he or she choose to no longer continue as a franchisee, all outstanding balances from the PSP will be forgiven,” PSC said.

Meanwhile, Paterno asked landlords of 7-Eleven stores to also look into

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Trays of fresh chicken eggs are piled outside a rice dealership outlet at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. Traders have continued to flood the markets with fresh chicken eggs as the demand went up after the city implemented quarantine. Edge Davao

5 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

Tuob: Gambling with your health?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

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ho among you have gambled with your health?

A few may admit but many are doing it without them knowing it. Many Filipinos – even the affluent ones – are practicing self-medication and doing so means betting their lives. Self-medication, defined as “the act or process of medicating oneself especially without the advice of a physician,” is actually a hit or miss thing.

Such is the case of “tuob” or steam inhalation therapy. Tuob is an age-old technique where a person covers his head with a towel over a pan filled with just hot water or some herbals.

The hot steam is inhaled for several minutes.

For those undergoing flu, fever, sore throat, or cough, tuob moisturizes dry, irritated nasal and throat passages thus making them more comfortable. It also relieves nasal congestion. Some people report that it is also good for those having asthma.

An award-winning Filipina actress, who’s living with asthma, even shared her experience on it. “I was on the verge of having my asthma,” she wrote in her social media account. “I did tuob for two weeks, two times a day, morning and evening. I got healed and felt much better, so I didn’t have to take my medicines for asthma any longer. I continue to do tuob; it’s the best natural medicine and inexpensive. Just need time and consistency to do it!”

Steam inhalation may be an “alternative cure” for those types of diseases but

not against SARS-CoV-2, the distant cousin of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

Let’s get some basic facts about COVID-19, which was first reported in Wuhan, China. Everyday, new cases are being reported and there’s still no vaccine available. But are there some treatments available if you’re one of those unlucky ones who gets infected?

SARS-CoV-2 is one of the hundred viruses that cause colds and flu symptoms in humans. “The infection ranges in severity from almost silent (asymptomatic) to a mild cold, all the way to lung and organ failure,” explains Dr. David King, a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland. “The symptoms may be worse than a normal cold or flu because the coronavirus is new to our species and we haven’t built up herd immunity to it yet.”

Fever, fatigue, and dry cough are the most common symptoms, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, a sore throat or diarrhea.

“The most bothersome symptoms tend to be fever and muscle pains,” Dr. King, who writes a feature for The Conversation. “You can safely treat these with paracetamol. You can treat nasal congestion with decongestants and nasal sa-

line. Effective treatments for a sore throat include honey, salt water gargles, and sore throat sprays or gargles.”

Among the symptoms, the hardest to control is cough. “But you may be able to improve it with honey, steam inhalations and saline nose sprays,” the Australian doctor writes.

“Cough suppressants have only minimal benefit in reducing a dry cough.”

Many Filipinos are wondering why there are those who were infected with COVID-19 but were able to recover. The reason is that many of those who recovered have not suffered from serious complications.

Current estimates suggest about 80% of cases will have relatively mild to moderate illness. “From the perspective of treatment, if your illness is reasonably mild, it doesn’t really matter whether you have a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or not,” Dr. Kang points out.

But the elderly, pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions (like diabetes or liver disease), and those with compromised immune systems may suffer serious complications.

“About five to seven days after the onset of symptoms, some patients develop shortness of breath and trouble breathing, which will require medical attention,” Dr. Kang writes.

“Shortness of

breath occurs when pneumonia develops, causing a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs that blocks the transfer of oxygen into the blood vessels.”

Although Dr. Kang mentions steam inhalation, he never states that it can kill SARS-CoV-2. He recommends it only as a way to help improve the condition of those having cough. The United Nations health agency also reminds that tuob is not a cure for COVID-19 nor a prevention for the pandemic.

The WHO says heat at 56°C kills the SARS virus at around 10,000 units per 15 minutes. “It is not possible for hot steam to reach the whole respiratory tract,” a fact sheet says. “The moisture only reaches the upper airways, like the nose and throat, but not the bronchi and lungs.”

Inhaling hot steam, the fact sheet further states, cannot kill SARS-CoV-2.

“Our cells cannot tolerate heat above 41°C, beyond that it will cause cellular damage,” it reminds.

In Cebu, however, the provincial government issued a memorandum to all its employees “a wellness program” in the form of tuob. “Everyone is enjoined to perform hot steam inhalation twice a day between 8:00-9:00 am and 4:00-5:00 pm at their respective workstations.”

There are some reports, although unconfirmed, that some COVID-19 patients were healed after doing tuob. Because of this, some people believed in its efficacy. “So, we don’t need to go to the hospital anymore as hot steam inhalation is the treatment for COVID-19,” one man said. “Doctors are already useless against the disease. We have to do steam inhalation so the government won’t have to spend much money.”

But how true are those recovered cases after undergoing hot steam inhalation? As stated earlier, most people who have been confirmed with COVID-19 were mild cases.

“For many with mild infections, the coronavirus could be virtually indistinguishable from the common cold or seasonal flu,” said a medical professor at the University of Hong Kong. Additionally, “some of these patients, they just go unrecognized,” he surmised. “It could be just as small as a sore throat. Then one day, two days, it’s gone.”

The Department of Health (DOH) itself confirmed that tuob is not a cure for COVID-19. “There is not scientific evidence yet proving that steam inhalation can kill the virus that causes COVID-19,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire citing WHO, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local medical societies.

“While we understand this initiative (of steam inhalation), we emphasize that this is just part of other supportive measures that one may opt to do to relieve one’s symptoms,” said part of the joint statement issued by medical societies. “We stand by up-todate medical evidence that steam inhalation has not been demonstrated to kill viruses, specifically SARSCoV-2.”

The practice may even be precarious, if done by in-

fected individuals, as it may facilitate spread if done communally, the statement adds. “Because steam inhalation does not kill the virus and may cause potential harm, we cannot, in good conscience, endorse its use as preventive or curative measures,” it further states.

Dr. Teofredo “Ted” T. Esguerra, who had a bout with the serious complications of COVID-19, also confirms saying that tuob doesn’t kill the coronaviruses. But he believes in tuob though.

“I underwent tuob when I was still a kid in the province, particularly when my coughing was dry,” he admits. “For the most part, it gave me relief. My breathing became better. As far as I could remember, I was made to inhale steam only after it is boiled, with a tablespoon full of salt mixed in hot water, and a few times, with a towel covering me.”

But it’s a different story when it comes to COVID-19.

“As to the coronavirus which causes COVID-19, it is intracellular,” the doctor who grew up in Bansalan, Davao del Sur explains. “If you want to kill the virus, go inside the cell. The only way to kill this neutralizer of humanity is with an antiviral drug or antibodies against the virus. Tuob cannot do that. If you think the steam can kill the germs, it will be a grave mistake.”

Actually, doctors are not against tuob, especially now that people should be doing something for their health in this time of pandemic. “Should you decide to proceed with tuob,” the statement from medical societies states, “we strongly advise you to be careful and mindful of the first stages of burn injuries.”

The British Journal of General Practice published a study stating that the primary adverse effect of steam inhalation therapy is burns. Most of the victims were children and they needed skin grafting more often than adults.

In extreme heat, tuob can injure or burn the upper airways. In addition, spilling of hot or boiling water can cause scalding injuries.

The statement from medical societies also urged: “We appeal to members of the public

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

ON CAMPAIGN AGAINST TERRORISM: Dugay na nato ni gina-kampnaya ang atoang Culture of Security and our highlight is one of the pillars of the Culture of Security is to report that is why “Kapag May Nakita?

Dapat Magsalita!" nga kampnaya, which is asking everyone if you see suspicious individuals or suspicious baggage or anything na sa tanaw ninyo na kakaiba or weird ug kinahanglan i-report sa mga gihatag na mga hotlines sa Globe, Smart ug landlines. There is no information na dili importante and all pieces of information that reported are important.

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

COMPETITIVE EDGE

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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.

8 EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 65 • FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

9

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

SAFETY...

Bill seeks to rename NAIA FROM 12

NOTICE Notice Noticeis ishereby herebygiven given that that LANANG LANANG REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CORPORATION ((represented represented by Ms. DEVELOPMENT Myra C. C. Como, Como, Davao Davao Admn.

Admn. Head) Head) with with business business office Myra at Block Block 2A 2ALot Lot88First FirstMindanao MindanaoBusiness BusinessPark, Park,Mandug, Mandug at , DavaoCity Cityhas hasfiled filedwith with the the Department Department of of Human Davao Settlements and Urban Development, Region XI for a Settlements CHANGE OF NAME NAME of DUSIT DUSIT THANI RESIDENCE CHANGE DAVAO located at Maryknoll Maryknoll Drive, Bo. Pampanga, DAVAO Lanang, Davao Davao City from from DUSIT DUSIT THANI RESIDENCE Lanang, DAVAO to to TIERRA TIERRA LORENZO DAVAO PHASE DAVAO LONZO DAVAO PHASE 1. 1.

Any person with with valid validobjection objectionto tothethe change Any person change of of ownership may file his objection in writing with ownership may file his objection in writing with the Department Department of of Human Human Settlements Settlements and and Urban Urban the Development, Region Region XI XI ,, telephone telephone number number 297-2399 297-2399 Development, within (5)days (5)days from from date within date of of last last publication. publication.

19 June 2020, Davao City 19 June 2020, Davao City

TWG (Health Secretary Francisco me fter Duque having told recovto meet with theits PSC and ered from image DOH, as so one a joint adminisofwas the worst trative order made. airports in the world, the That is what we submitNinoy Internationted to Aquino the technical workal is now ingAirport group),"(NAIA) Mitra said. poised to change its name In the case of provinces under theof general to finally get rid the bad community image and startquarantine fresh.

(GCQ) like Metro Manila In Congress, there is a and that Cavite, onlytofive peobill seeks change ple, name four players and one the of do theconditioncountry's trainer, can primary from NAIA ing drillsairport at a certain time. to PPP This oristhea Paliparang little bit Pandaigdig Pilipinas. stricter thanngthe manpowHouseset Billby No.the 7031 is er limit PBA, which is six, ballers, authored by four Representaone trainer, and another tives Paolo Duterte (Davao member the team staff.

City 1st ofDistrict), Lord Mitra revealed that Allan Jay Velasco (Marinthe sixth member in the duque), and Eric Yap PBA proposal is aGo health (ACT-CIS). officer, but he added, "Yung lima na yun, pwede na yun -- apat na player, isang coach o isang trainer. 'Yung health officer does not have to be in the playing court.Nasa labas ka lang. I-check mo lang avao yungLight mga andplayerPower skungCo., wala lagnat Inc.silang will conduct (Those people four a five series of -power players and one or interruptions on coach June 28, one trainer -- are customalready Sunday, affecting enough. The health officer ers Tugbok, doesinnot have Calinan, to be in Bathe guio andcourt.

Marilog Districts. playing You should service disrupjustThese be outdoors.

Just tions necessary to checkwill if thebeplayers do not have a fever)." facilitate upgrading works However, in of Davao Lightprimarily 69 kV line the case of football, Mialong Tugbok and Calinan. tra The saidfirst thattwo GAB would power inbe more lenient in terms terruptions will be for 30 of people present on the minutes field in anytime provincesbetween under 12:00 a.m. lockdown, to 1:00 a.m. the lightest the and 8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.. modified GCQ to (MGCQ), alSpecifically affected are lowing 10 people including the trainer at a Tugbok certain customers from time. Elementary School Central The of Biñan, the going to city Baguio and Buda,

A

home of PFL side Stallion Laguna, has already shiftRepublic Act 6639, ed to MGCQ along with enacted on December 10, the rest of the then province, 1987, renamed Mapaving the way for the nila Airport club International to return to training to Ninoy Internaonce the Aquino protocols have tional Airport during the been approved. administration then Meanwhile, ofdespite Carmona Corazon -- and the enPresident C. Aquitire Cavite -- still being no. under thethe classic GCQ, the Being international player-trainer limit was gateway of the Philippines, also set for the said town the three congressmen in anticipation that the said "there iswill a need entirethatprovince be to identify the same beplaced under MGCQasvery longing soon. to the Philippines" andPFF notpresident to one Nonong person Araneta bared that the enalone. tireThe PFL season, should it proposed name pushes through, may only Paliparang Pandaigdig ng take placeis behind Pilipinas a nameclosed that doors at the PFF National clearly represents the Training Center in Carmowhole nation and brings na.

On whether Stallion Laguna can still hold home matches at the Biñan Football Stadium this year remains unknown since the pitch is just near the Alonte Sports Arena, is including Los which Amigos, used as a treatment facilRiverside, Calinan Proper, ity for Covid-19 patients.

Malagos, Wangan, Baguio Araneta said is Proper, Wines, BiaoheJoaproposing that the PFF quin, Talandang, Lacson, National Training Center Gumalang, Marwill be theTamugan, Azkals' home ahan, Marilog, Baganihan for their upcoming FIFA and neighboring areas. and World Cup Qualifiers 3-hour AFFMoreover, Suzuki Cupa matches with theinterruption Rizal Memorial power will Stadium here beingonclose also be conducted the to thedayRizal same from Memorial 5:30 a.m.

Coliseum and the Ninoy to 8:30 a.m. affecting cusAquino Stadium, twoStreet aretomers from De Lara nas that are also being to BiaoasJoaquin, Talandang used Covid-19 treatand neighboring areas. ment facilities.

AlsoMitra affected saidare thatcustomup to ers from Philippine Eagle 20 people can be allowed in a training hall once all Center to Baguio Propthe restrictions have been er, Wines, Tawan-tawan, lifted.

Cadalian and neighboring

One-hour limit pride to the Filipinos with bared that the Mitra use of then the national lanonly one hour may be alguage. lotted for a certain set of Rep. Velasco said that players and trainers to having very Filipino do theira workouts with name for our international a 30-minute interval for gateway sparks nationalcleaning the facility. silaeveryone nang ism"Pasok in each and alas-otso hanggang of us. alas-nuwebe [ngour umaga].

He said that FilipiLinis.

Then [by] 9:30, no language should be pathe sok ng team.

[By] very firstisang thing our 10:30, tapos navisitors 'yan. see upon[a.m.] landing at the ang airEleven naman port an indication we kasunod, parang that ganun Filipinos proud of our ba (Theyare may enter the heritage. practice facility from 8 to 9The in theproposed morning. Then bill theybecan clean theforhall. will calendared 1st Then by where 9:30, one group Reading it will be can do totheir practices. referred the Committee They should be done by on Transportation for can de10:30.

The next group liberation. come by 11 a.m. It somehow looks like that)," he said.

The total time one team may utilize for practice is expected to become shorter once MGCQ will be in place in Metro Manila and Cavite. areas.

The TWG, Davao Light according apologizto for Mitra, convene es the will inconvenience once all about the industries brought by this have madepower theirinterruppitches scheduled regarding their Covid-19 tion.

But it will exert all efprotocols. forts" M toarestore serg d e - delectric e l i b e ra te vice scheduled or earlier. sila as kung ano ang ipapaHowever, there may be insok nila saIATF meeting (They will deliberate on stances where restoration what extend proposals will the be may beyond presenteddue in tothe IATF schedule unavoidmeeting)," he quipped. able circumstances.

The IATF will hold Pleaseon Thursday, contact oura meeting and 24/7 Customer Contact it may decide on whether Service at 229-3572, it will approve the 0917prac864-2793 (Globe) or 0920tice protocols or not.

970-1357 (Smart)happens, for any Whatever though, interruption Mitra said that power GAB fall would abide the will outside thebygiven IATF's rules. (PNA) schedule.

Service disruptions in Tugbok, Calinan, Baguio, Marilog Districts on June 28

D

EDGEDAVAO 9

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

VOL.12 ISSUE 220 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2020

EDGEDAVAO LIVING

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMES FIRST

Building Legacy Leisure Residences earthquake ready All structures of Legacy Leisure Residences including the 4 15-storey towers are designed and will be constructed without shortcuts.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY comes first.

This is how CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. design its buildings. Each time the company builds living spaces, safety, comfort and peace of mind for its residents, tenants and guests are on top of mind. A structurally sound building will always present a sense of security.

CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. will abide by this principle with its latest residential project, the the soon-to-rise condominium in Ma-a, Legacy Leisure Residences. Tasked to come up with a structurally sound building with modern aesthetics is the design firm of Design Team @24J Avenue, Inc., a Davao-based company that has handled diverse projects ranging from low-rise to high-rise developments. Part of the team is structural engineer, Engineer Lizardo P. Remojo, who holds a Master’s degree in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering and undertaken projects which have been proven to be structurally safe through the years.

Even prior to the notable events (the series of earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic) that transpired in Davao, the details on Legacy Leisure Residences architectural plans has already addressed the building’s strength and exterior design according to its theme. All bases are covered, so to speak, said the head architect and engineer consultant, on the project’s four buildings with 15 stories each and an impressive amenity area designed on 60% of the total land area.

“The main objective of Legacy Leisure Residences is to come up with a design that

depicts a comfortable homey feel and a resort-like ambience that will give the residents an equal grasp of urban living and top-of-the-line leisure. It’s a ‘staycation’-themed mixed-use condominium development.

Also, its modern architectural design approach appeals to diverse types of people,” said Architect Gelly Omongos.

But what will hold all these together in times of earthquakes? How safe is it to live in this condominium?

Structural Engineer Lizardo P. Remojo said, “Legacy Leisure Residences is prepared for earthquakes. On the onset of the design phase, the structures were planned to fall under the category of Seismic Source Type-A. The National Struc-

tural Code of the Philippines (NSCP) 2015 Edition – Seismic Source Type-A is the main basis for the structural design, the highest category on the NSCP standards.”

To be on the Seismic Source Type-A category, Legacy Leisure Residences’ structures are designed to withstand an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 to 8.40. The strongest magnitude recorded during the 2019 series of earthquakes in Davao was 6.9.

Even the design of the amenities, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, is based on Seismic Source TypeA category, although its location on the ground level makes it less susceptible to damage shall strong earthquakes occur.

There will be no shortcuts in the design and construction of this vertical village project.

With the numerous structural members of the building, each will have its own design specification. It has complied with the NSCP with regard to the minimum dimensional limit of structural members such as columns, beams, slabs and has maximized its structural soundness by applying reinforced concrete dual structural system of Special MomentResisting Frame (SMRF) and shear walls.

“It will be costly, but the structural output will be very good,” said the structural engineer.

The structural design has undergone a meticulous pro-

cess and strictly follow the standards of the NSCP. The concern on safety now relies on the workmanship and quality control during the construction phase.

Since the developer, CrisRon Holiday Builders Inc., is also the contractor of the project, the future residents are assured of quality of work. Construction will be closely monitored.

Structural integrity will not be jeopardized.

The Bangayan’s and Yap’s make up CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. Two business-oriented families who have been in the construction industry for years now. They have earned the trust of the locals. Resorts (Holiday Oceanview Residences and Camp Holiday Resort) and subdivisions (Orchid Hills and Holiday Oceanview Village) are some of the successful projects in their list. All buildings were able to withstand the series of earthquakes in 2019.

Adding to the list of hospitality establishments is the Mt. Apo Tourist Inn, with three towers of two 7-storey buildings and one 8-Storey Building rising along Mt. Apo Street.

“Our experience in the construction industry as well as their systematic methods of construction assure our buyers that Legacy Leisure Residences is worth your trust,” said Wesley Bangayan, Vice President for Marketing for CrisRon Holiday Builders, Inc. Visit the Legacy Leisure Residence showroom along Ma-a Road and know why it is wise to invest in a homegrown brand that guarantees a structurally safe residence for you.

PR

Legacy Leisure Residences’ structures are NAMES YOU CAN TRUST. Wesley Bangayan & Clark Yap of CrisRon designed to withstand an earthquake with Holiday Builders, Inc. Legacy Leisure Residences will be built by its sister THE CLUBHOUSE. Even the structures in the amenity area are designed to fall under the NSCP category a magnitude of 7.0 to 8.40, said Structural company. of Seismic Source Type-A. Engineer Lizardo Remojo.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

ERRATUM

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ARMANDO ADANZA NAYONA SR. who died on May 4, 2020 at Davao Doctor Hospital E. Quirino St., Davao City has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among his heirs, per Doc. No. 419; Page No. 91; Book No. LXXXVII, Series of 2020, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY ANTOINETTE G. PRINCIPE

In the June 26, 2020 issue of Edge Davao, in the Notice of publication given by LANANG REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, was erroneously published from TIERRA LONZO DAVAO PHASE 1 to DAVAO TIERRA LORENZO DAVAO PHASE 1 Our apologies

7/3,10,17/2020

ALL IN... FROM2

sa mga gihatag na mga hotlines sa Globe, Smart ug landlines. There is no information na dili importante and all pieces of information that reported are important,” Mayor Sara said.

The Culture of Security was conceptualized aiming that bombing incidents in Davao City will not happen again.

“We have had bombing incidents over the years and while our security sector made more stringent measures to preventt similar incidents to happening again we too must do our part,” the mayor said.

There are total of eight bombing incidents in Davao City since 1981 that killed 75 people and wounded 390 others: San Pedro Cathedral bombing on April 19, 1981 that killed 17 individuals and wounded 157 individuals; San Pedro Cathedral bombing on December 28, 1993 that killed six persons and wounded 51 individuals; Evergreen Hotel bombing on March 16, 2002 with one wounded; Old Davao City Airport bombing on March 4, 2003 that killed 22 and wounded 55 individuals; Sasa Wharf bombing on April 3, 2003 wherein 16 were killed and 46 wounded; City Overland Transport Terminal

bombing on February 14, 2005 wherein six were wounded; SM and Gmall bombing on September 20, 2013 wherein five were wounded; and Roxas Night Market bombing on September 2, 2016 wherein 15 were killed and 70 wounded.

“It is a wake-up call for us to adopt a Culture of Security to ensure that we will be safe. Why we need this culture of Security? Because the failure of one witness to report suspicious backpack on that faithful night resulted to the death of the 15 persons and wounding of 70 others in the Roxas Night Market,” Yecla said.

Mayor Sara said the adoption of measures that these small acts of everyday vigilance can become part of Dabawenyos’ way of life.

“Because ang Dabawenyos dili lang disiplinado but we also look out for each other and for the community. Kitang tanan gusto ug malinawon na pagpuyo dinhi sa atong syudad. Dili ta gusto na mahasi. In fact, kitang tanan dili pud ta gusto aning pandemic so that is why it is important na we are all partners in securing our city,” she said.

It is also emphasized in the EO that there is a need for Dabawenyos to understand that each in-

dividual, young or old, is a stakeholder in maintaining peace and order in Davao City and that the Culture of Security is a concept that entails commitment on the part of Dabawenyos to support the anti-terrorism efforts, which will in turn help create a physically and psychologically secure community.

The campaign will be propagated through various activities that include malls, cinemas, PUV terminals, airports, seaports, event organizer, hotels, restaurants, convention centers and other establishments where iin they are required to show for public viewing an infomercial on the Culture of Security.

All public and private schools are urged to work with the city government to develop modules on prevention of radicalization and must integrate in their orientation briefing to all students the culture of security.

All places of worship are urged to practice and propagate the Culture of Security and to enforce their own security plan including the prevention of violent extremism.

All security agencies/ providers are urged to integrate the Culture of Security in their refresher trainings.

All LGU offices are required to become active proponent on the practice of the Culture of Security through their in-house or external trainings and seminars.

“This is the long term solution because pipila lang man ang atoang personnel sa TF Davao, although, this unit is a special unit nga naka-direct gyud against anti-terrorism in Davao City but pipila lang sila. It is important that we abide in the responsibilities and the functions of TF Davao because kita ang nag-panag-iya sa atoang syudad,” Duterte-Carpio said.

To report suspicious persons and activities in the community, Dabawenyos can call TF Davao hotline numbers Globe 0917-131-4333, Smart 0999-227-1111, and telephone no. (082)2240911.

“Pag-alam ng terorista na dito sa Davao City lahat ay nagbabantay ng mga kahinahinalang tao, talagang hindi na sila mag-attempt and will be discouraged from or even planning terrorist activities in Davao City. This is how we should honor the 75 residents and visitors who lost their lives and the 390 others whose lives were forever changed because of terrorism,” Yecla said.

kultura (SINAG) said if the DA cannot implement a 100% border inspection, it is suggesting “the immediate suspension of all refrigerated and non-refrigerated agriculture and agri-based imports.”

SINAG also asked what happened to the P2-billion first border examination facilities, which were established across the country early this year.

These facilities were supposed to be set up at the ports of Manila, Batangas, Bataan, Cebu, and Davao to perform test on all imported agricultural products.

“In the era of global pandemic, food safety and public health concerns we urge the government

to strictly implement the global standard of Quarantine First Policy,” SINAG said.

Calling for a “quarantine first policy,” the group said: “No 100% inspection at the port of first entry, no unloading of cargoes/containers.”

“Cargoes with insufficient documents would not be processed and would not be released, all expenses incurred would be charged to the importers,” it added.

Technical meeting Meanwhile, the DABAI said that it will host this week a technical meeting with the Philippine Inter-agency Committee on Zoonoses to prepare the framework

for managing emerging diseases that affect animals and humans.

Then, the National Task Force on Animal-Borne Diseases (NTFAD), chaired by the DA, led by Agriculture Secretary William Dar, will report appropriate recommendations to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The US study noted that G4 was observed to be “highly infectious,” replicating in human cells and causing more serious symptoms in ferrets than other viruses.

Tests also showed that any immunity humans gain from exposure to seasonal flu does not provide protection from G4, according to the report.

The study that was conducted in China from 2011 to 2018 revealed that 10.4% of swine workers had already been exposed and as many as 4.4% of the general population also appeared to have antibodies.

With this, the DA-BAI urged the general public to report any unusual pig mortality to their farm veterinarians or to the nearest government veterinary/agricultural office, and to consult a physician when experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The agency strongly recommended that swine farm owners consult their licensed veterinarians to review farm biosafety and biosecurity programs.

DA... FROM4

CHURCHES... FROM2 GCQ. Still on extended MGCQ are Zamboanga del Sur in Zamboanga Peninsula; Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao; North Cotabato and South Cotabato in Soccsksargen; Agu-

san del Norte and Butuan City in Caraga; and Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The rest of Mindanao would be under “low-risk type of MGCQ.” (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Internet connection for some 7,000 schools, according to President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest report to Congress. The project costs ₱700 million and is targeted for completion in ten months.

The agency also tapped the mobile networks to provide free access to the DepEd Commons, an online education delivery

platform designed to support remote learning. With this, mobile subscribers of Globe, TM, Smart, Sun and TNT may access the site without incurring any data charges.

However, Smart VP for legal and regulatory affairs Roy Cecil Ibay said this free access is not permanent, and still under stufy in coordination with DepEd.

ment platform "DiskarTech Lite".

They are set to release approximately PHP4.6 billion in emergency cash subsidy to estimated 800,000 recipients from the provinces of Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Albay and Cebu as designated by the DSWD. “RCBC has made sure that the DiskarTech Lite platform will be easily accessible to all the recipients.

The process has especially been designed to be easy and safe for the benefit of the people and the government,” Villanueva said.

Qualified beneficiaries in localities covered

by DiskarTech Lite shall receive text messages in their registered mobile numbers, providing them with a unique Beneficiary

Reference Number (BRN) and informing them of the date and assigned payout partner branch or location, the bank official added.

DiskarTech Lite has partnered with Bayad Center, rural banks, cooperatives, pawnshops, lending center, microfinance institutions and other small to medium enterprises to bring the offsite payment of these government subsidies closer to the beneficiaries.

Recipients only need to bring their registered mobile phones and present their BRN along with an accomplished social amelioration card and valid ID, barangay certificate, or certificate of no valid ID to receive their grants.

As approved by DSWD, minimal cash out fee will be charged by all FSPs. (PNA)

urdays only.

Lockdowns during Sundays are still in place, the mayor said.

On the other hand, fitness gyms, massage centers, waxing salons, and spa services are also allowed but they should be limited to services that do not touch the hands, face or neck of clients, she said.

Other forms of mass gatherings are also allowed but solely for business or government purposes, and only up to 50 percent of the seating capacity of venue.

Davao City is one of the areas downgraded to less strict MGCQ as announced

by President Rodrigo Duterte late Tuesday night.

(PCOO DAVAO)

helping franchisees to continue their operations amid the challenging business environment due to the pandemic.

“Most of our 1,000+ franchisees have to pay rent, and we are doing our part to ensure they survive. We are now asking our landlords to do theirs

because if they do not, the franchisee will have to close the store, as will we for our corporate-run stores,” he said.

He added PSC initially targets to add 400 stores this year but plans were put on hold as the firm assesses the condition in the near future. (PNA)

doing tuob see if symptoms persist or worsen, to seek medical consultation immediately. We continuously urge the public to observe practices that

have been proven effective in mitigating virus spread like wearing of masks, handwashing, and physical distancing.” – ###(Photos taken from the net)

months. I’m proud of him, I respect him. He needed to do it. We understand the impact he can have on our team.”

Brown also said no player on the Sixers has tested positive for COVID-19 and no player has decided to opt out of the restart.

TELCOS... FROM3

DSWD ... FROM3

DAVAO CITY ... FROM3

PSC ... FROM4

TUOB... FROM5

EMBIID... FROM11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

Embiid, Simmons ‘good to go’: coach

P

hiladelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown says All-Star guard Ben Simmons is “good to go” for the NBA restart after sitting out the final games before the shutdown with a back injury.

Brown, whose contract runs through 2021-22, also expected fellow All-Star Joel Embiid to start the season in the best shape of his professional career.

The Sixers need their franchise stars at full strength if one of the early favorites to win the East Conference can shake off both an ordinary regular season (39-26; 6th in the East) and a nearly fivemonth layoff to return contenders for their first NBA championship since 1983.

The 23-year-old Simmons had missed his eighth straight game and was receiving daily treatment for his nerve issues in his lower back when the season stopped. Embiid was recovering from surgery on his left hand and had just returned after missing five games with a sprained left shoulder at the time of the shutdown.

“I’m looking for Joel to come in as good a shape as he has been in since I have coached him,” Brown said Wednesday.

Simmons, who averaged 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists in 54 games, was hurt in a Feb. 22 game at Milwaukee. He vomited because of the pain and there was no guarantee he would have been ready for the playoffs had the season not been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Simmons, the league leader in steals, worked out and played pickup games with LeBron James -- and videos of the two showed

both stars playing without mask. Simmons’ trainer, Chris Johnson, posted video two weeks ago of a shirtless Simmons shooting and dunking.

“He’s good to go. He’s put in a tremendous amount of work for me to be able to confidently say that,” Brown said. “I think when you search for silver linings with this pandemic and the way things have shaped up, it would be hard-pressed for me to find something more obvious than this. It’s enabled Ben to reclaim his health. But I think ‘inching along’ from maybe a month ago, that is not true.”

Embiid has been riddled with injuries since he was drafted with the No. 3 pick of the 2014 draft. Embiid, averaging 23.4 points and 12.3 rebounds, has never played more than 64 games in a season. He was hindered by illness and knee injuries during last season’s playoff run, and the Sixers worked this season to balance his minutes with the proper amount of rest.

The Sixers signed the 25-year-old Embiid, a native of Cameroon, to a $148 million, five-year extension that kicked in at the start of the 2018-19 season.

It’s about time for the big man to deliver when the NBA resumes July 30 at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Florida.

“There is nobody on our team that has put in more time than Joel Embiid,” Brown said. “Forget what he has actually done in the gym for a minute, just go to the man hours and consecutive days and the amount of days that he has put in over the past few

FEMBIID, P10

11

J.R. Smith will be reunited with former Cleveland Cavs teammate Lebron James.

Lakers sign JR Smith ahead of NBA restart F ree-agent guard JR Smith has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for the rest of the season, the team announced Wednesday.

Terms of the deal were not released.

The Lakers and Smith reportedly have been discussing a deal since starting guard Avery Bradley opted out of the season restart in order to stay with his family.

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 Cavaliers, when he averaged 8.3 points and 2.9 rebounds

NBA 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 5.5game lead over the Clippers in the Western Conference standings.

lies in need.

"It wasn't about the victory today. It was about something else," Watson said. "When you think about the internet access, for them to have it at home, that's the cool part."

Watson and Varner won the 10th hole to start the match. Day birdied the par-4 13th but Watson matched him to halve the hole and Watson birdied again from four feet at the par-3 15th for a 2-up lead.

Varner chipped in for eagle at the par-5 17th to clinch the victory.

"It was good to be able to do something special," Varner said.

Watson, wearing a red shirt and golf shorts, called out 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, who has not played since a May charity event.

"Tiger, get off your couch," Watson said.

Woods is expected to play in two weeks at the Jack Nicklaus-hosted

Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

Watson was excited about $500,000 in donation from PGA event sponsors, joking, "They felt sorry for Day." Day fired back as good as he got, noting of the long-driving Watson: "Even though he's old and hairy, he still hits the ball a long way."

Watson wanted to be given a birdie putt at the 15th, but Day rejected the idea, saying, "No, you've got to putt it. You get that head wobble."

Nothing wobbled as Watson knocked it in to double the lead.

In other groups during the first and second rounds, Webb Simpson, a Heritage winner two weeks ago, will join fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and defending champion Nate Lashley while US stars Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed are joined by Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

Bubba, Varner beat Day, Bryan in PGA charity tuneup match

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Jason Day and Bubba Watson walk the 13th hole during the Rocket Mortgage Classic charity golf event. Reuters

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

ASHINGTON -- Bubba Watson and Harold Varner III defeated Australian Jason Day and Wesley Bryan 3 and 1 in a nine-hole charity event Wednesday ahead of the PGA Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Two-time Masters champion Watson and former world number one Day traded jokes ahead of their pairing for Thursday and Friday tournament rounds alongside Brendon Todd, seeking his third PGA title of the season.

The Detroit Golf Club event, played without spectators, is the fourth tourney of the tour's comeback from a threemonth coronavirus shutdown that began in March.

Wednesday's foursome played a casual back-nine round with television cameras and microphones, raising $570,000 to bring internet access to Detroit fami-

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 71 • FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020

SAFETY BOOK

GAB submits sports practice protocols T

he Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has submitted the "new normal" protocols in team practices for three sports to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

GAB Chairman Baham Mitra confirmed the development of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday night.

"We finished presenting to them by around 3:30 [p.m.]," Mitra said via a phone call.

The three sports that submitted their practice protocols are basketball, football, and boxing.

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Philippines Football League (PFL), and the Chooks-ToGo Pilipinas 3x3 have drafted their respective protocols last month in hopes that their member clubs can return to practice very soon, the first step for them to

begin or resume their season during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Regarding boxing, Mitra bared that GAB itself made the protocols with some additional rules from the Omega and the Elorde Boxing Gyms.

However, he added that the Department of Health (DOH) is still barring GAB from reopening practices for boxing.

"Ayaw pa rin talaga ng DOH eh. Walang go signal (The DOH still does not want that to happen. There is no go signal yet)," Mitra said, although he added that he is still working with the IATF for boxing to

return, citing the return of the sport in the United States.

The Philippine boxing community came alive recently when Mike Plania stunned world title contender Josh Greer in a 10-round action in Las Vegas.

Only players, trainers allowed

Meanwhile, Mitra bared that a joint administrative order was made between GAB, DOH, and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to determine the number of people who can be inside the practice facility at a time during a certain lockdown status.

"Sinabihan ako ni [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque to meet with the PSC and DOH, so gumawa ng joint administrative order. 'Yun ang sinubmit namin sa

FSAFETY, P8

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during the dialogue with players on June 23.

PBA Images