Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 74 | Tuesday, July 7, 2020

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‘HOTSPOTS’

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

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Dabawenyos cautioned not to travel to and visit very high risk areas STORY ON PAGE 2

A police officer stands guard at the entrance of a coastal community in Brgy. 23-C, Quimpo Blvd., Davao City on Monday. The barangay was placed under a 14-day ‘hard lockdown’ on Saturday afternoon due to the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

Anti-Terror Council to start crafting IRR

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‘HOTSPOTS’ Military vehicles are stationed near the entrance of Mini-Forest in Brgy. 23-C Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

Dabawenyos cautioned not to travel to and visit very high risk areas

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he city government of Davao has cautioned Dabawenyos to refrain from visiting or travelling in barangays in Davao City identified as either very high risk or high risk areas, unless the purpose of going is work, business, and emergency.

The city has issued complete list of barangay classifications and risk assessment from July 5 to 10, 2020: very high risk areas are Barangay 23-C, Agdao Proper, and Leon Garcia; while high risk areas are Brgy. 5-A, Bucana, Buhangin Proper, Ma-a, Matina Aplaya, and Matina Crossing.

Other high risk areas (in close proximity to very high risk barangays) are Brgy. 15-B, Brgy. 26-C, and Tomas Monteverde.

Residents, however, are allowed to travel and visit to moderate risk barangays, however, need to be cautious: Brgys. 3-A, 6-A,

8-A, 9-A, 10-A, 11-A, 12-B, 13-B, 14-B, 19-B, 20-B, 21C, 22-C, 27-C, and 34-D; Angliongto, Bago Gallera, Bago Oshiro, Baliok, Bangkas Heights, Binugao, Bunawan Proper, Cabantian, Calinan Proper, Catalunan Grande, Catalunan Pequeño, Centro (San Juan, Agdao), Communal, Dalagdag, Daliao, Dumoy, Governor Bangoy, Gov. Duterte, Ilang, Indangan, Langub, Mabuhay (Paquibato), Malagos, Matina Pangi, Mintal, Pampanga, Panacan, Rafael Castillo, Saloy, San Antonio (Agdao), San Isidro/Licanan, Sasa, Sto. Niño (Tugbok), Tacunan, Talomo Proper, Talomo River, Tibungco, Tigatto,

Toril Proper, Vicente Hizon, Sr., and Wildredo Aquino.

Other moderate risk areas (in close proximity to high risk barangays) are Barangays 1-A, 2-A, 31-D, 39-D, and 40-D; Magtuod and Waan.

All barangays not mentioned in the classification are identified as low risk areas.

Based on the Covid-19 Risk Assessment Map published on June 25, areas that are classified as very high risk are Barangay 23C, Agdao Proper, Bucana, Buhangin Proper, Cabantian, Leon Garcia, Ma-a and Matina Crossing while identified as high-risk areas are Barangay 5-A, 19-B, 22-C, Talomo Proper, and Wilfredo Aquino.

Earlier, the city government of Davao imposed a hard lockdown of the entire Barangay 23-C because of the increasing number of persons infected with Covid-19 beginning on Saturday (July 4) with mea-

sures against the transmission of the virus to be strictly observed a minimum of 14 days.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the hard lockdown was intended to stop the spread of the virus that has so far infected 88 residents and killed two others in the area populated by around 18,000.

“Very severe ang situation nato sa Brgy. 23-C because daghan kaayo ta og [positive] patients nga gikan sa 23-C. We advise everyone to avoid going to that area for whatever reason trabaho man o dili, or pag-adto sa mga establishments nga naglangkob niining area,” the mayor said.

From June 28 to July 3, there have been a total of 17 residents who tested positive of COVID-19.

Based on the data from the Davao City Operations Center for COVID-19, the youngest infected resident was a 25-day old, while the oldest was 75-year old.

treatment for hospitalized patients.

The International Steering Committee formulated the recommendation in light of the evidence for hydroxychloroquine vs standard-of-care and for lopinavir/ritonavir vs standard-of-care from the Solidarity trial interim results, and from a review of the evidence from all trials present-

ed at the 1-2 July WHO Summit on COVID-19 research and innovation.

These interim trial results show that hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir produce little or no reduction in the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients when compared to standard of care. Solidarity trial investigators will interrupt the trials with immediate

effect.

For each of the drugs, the interim results do not provide solid evidence of increased mortality.

There were, however, some associated safety signals in the clinical laboratory findings of the add-on Discovery trial, a participant in the Solidarity trial. These will also be reported in the peer-re-

WHO discontinues trial treatment arms for COVID-19

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he World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday (July 5 PH Time) accepted the recommendation from the Solidarity Trial’s International Steering Committee to discontinue the trial’s hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir arms. The Solidarity Trial was established by WHO to find an effective COVID-19

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embers of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) are set to meet to review the newly-signed anti-terrorism law to ensure they have a common understanding of the Republic Act 11479 and craft its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., who is also vice chair of the ATC, bared that these will be among the first tasks which will be carried out by the powerful body that formulates and adopts plans against terrorists and terrorism in the country.

“Kailangan bago tayo makapag-action patungkol diyan sa mga isinasaad ng ating bagong batas, Anti-Terrorism Law, ay kailangan gumawa muna tayo ng implementing rules and guidelines (Before we take any action stipulated in the new law, we need to create the implementing rules and guidelines),” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday.

Once crafted, he said the IRR will be submitted to Congress, whose members will make up a Joint Oversight Committee.

The Committee will have the authority to summon law enforcement or military officers and members of the ATC to answer questions and submit written reports on the implementation of the law.

Esperon said the ATC would soon identify initial individuals and organizations to be included in the

government’s list of terrorists.

He said the ATC would start designating terrorists in accordance with resolutions issued by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Ang unang gagawin natin ay titingnan natin kung ano iyong mga nandoon na sa listahan ng United Nations Security Council.

Tayo ay sumusunod sa mga natuklasan na ng United Nations Security Council at iyong bagong opisina ng United Nations Office for Counterterrorism (The first thing we will do is to check what’s on the list of the UNSC. We are following what the UNSC and the new United Nations Office for Counterterrorism have discovered),” he said.

He said the names of individuals and organizations on the list of the UNSC and the UNOC will immediately be placed in their own list of terrorists.

After making a list, Esperon said the Justice Secretary, a member of the ATC, would petition the Court of Appeals to declare these individuals and organizations as terrorists.

He said the court could give preliminary approval of proscription declaring an individual or organization a terrorist and hold hearings for up to six months before issuing a final ruling.

The next step, he said, would be to seek permission from the appeals court to conduct up to 60 days of

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DFA says 31 countries open borders to Pinoys

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he Department of Foreign Affairs reported Sunday that of the 177 countries/territories across the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/ Africa included in the updated infographics on travel restrictions, 31 have already lifted the inbound border restrictions on Filipino travelers, subject to medical protocols on arriving passengers.

In a press release, DFA said additional countries that have recently opened their borders include Bahamas, Egypt, Ethiopia and UAE. On the other hand, 68 countries/territories in the list still do not allow entry in their borders such as Cuba, Haiti, Palau, Timor Leste, France, and most countries in Middle East/ Africa, among others.

About 78 countries/ territories, despite inbound border closures, give entry exemptions to Filipinos who are citizens of the destination country and returning residents, OFWs with work visas and contracts, diplomatic or UN passport holders going to post or on official travel.

The new update under this category is Macau SAR, with imposed medical pro-

tocols.

Moreover, DFA said the updated infographics also confirm that 138 countries now allow Filipinos to return to the Philippines, subject to flight availability and other special arrangements.

New countries which have allowed departures for the Philippines include the mentioned countries which also recently opened their inbound restrictions.

The DFA, together with its embassies and consulates in these countries, said it remains fully committed to bringing home Filipino nationals, whenever possible.

Meanwhile, with the recent announcement of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) of the resumption of international flight operations in NAIA Terminal 3 beginning 12:01 a.m. of July 8, the DFA reiterated that travel restrictions can change without prior public notice.

The DFA advised all travelers to always check ahead of travel dates with the airlines that will be used as well as with relevant embassies or consulates before departure or before booking a ticket.

(DFA PR)

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

PH logs 2,434 more Covid-19 cases; recoveries rise to 11,942

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he Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported 2,434 additional coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections, raising the overall tally to 44,254.

The DOH said 1,287 of the additional cases are “late” or results belatedly reported and were only verified recently, while 1,147 are “fresh cases” or results released to the patient within the past three days.

Of the fresh cases, 440 are from the National Capital Region (NCR), 364 are from Region 7 (Central Visayas), 336 from other regions, and 7 are repatriates.

Meanwhile, 629 of the late cases are from the NCR, 238 are from other regions, and 420 are from other regions.

The DOH also reported 489 new recoveries and seven new deaths.

To date, the total number of recoveries nation-

wide is 11,942, while the death toll is 1,297.

“As the country continues to ease community quarantine measures, the rise in the number of cases today may be attributed to the increased contact tracing among the population,” the DOH said.

The DOH advised the public to continue practicing general preventive measures such as proper handwashing, physical distancing, wearing of mask, avoidance of non-essential travel outside their homes and to observe minimum health standards to prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

“We appeal to all establishments to implement the minimum health standards in their premises and immediately report clustering of confirmed cases in their respective workplaces,” it added.

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Pinoys should adapt to ‘changed’ environment amid pandemic

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s the country observes national disaster resilience month, Filipinos should adapt to a "changed" environment under the new normal brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal said disaster resiliency also refers to the ability to survive threats caused by pandemics.

"Our national goal of resilience covers not just hazards but pandemics as well. We are in the 'new normal' now and we must skillfully adapt to this changing environment to protect ourselves while doing our work as productive citizens; to work together to overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and other disasters," he said.

Timbal said the support and cooperation of everyone are crucial in defeating these challenges.

"We continue to build preparedness and resilience. With the support and cooperation of our people, we can surmount these challenges," he added.

Executive Order No. 29 signed on June 28, 2017,

by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 28, 2017 mandates the observance of national disaster resilience month nationwide every July through activities related to the building of disaster resilience covering the four thematic areas: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and recovery.

Through disaster resilience month, the public would know the impor-

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A resident of Brgy. 23-C Quimpo Blvd. receives grocery items from the city government of Davao on Sunday as the barangay was placed under ‘hard lockdown’. Edge Davao

Most new confirmed Covid-19 cases, recoveries are asymptomatic: DOH 11

By MAYA M. PADILLO he regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) announced that a total of 292 persons were tested on Sunday (July 5) yielding a dozen positive cases for Covid-19, majority of which are asymptomatic.

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DOH Davao Center for Health Development reported 12 new cases in the region bringing the total number of cases to 607. Davao City accounted for 11 of these cases and one from Davao del Norte.

Five recoveries were also reported, all from Davao City.

Based on DOH report, the profiles of 12 new cases that are currently admitted are as follows: 32 year-old male from

Sibulan, Toril, Davao City; 30 year-old female from Dalag Lumot in Marilog; 29 year-old male from Cabantian, Davao City; 27 year-old male from Tungkalan, Toril; 36 year-old male from Barangay 23-C; 50 year-old female from Matina Aplaya; 37 yearold female from Apokon, Tagum City; 40 year-old female from Baliok, Talomo South, Davao City; 41 year-old female from Baguio, Davao City; 39 year-

old female from Carmen, Baguio, Davao City; 27 year-old male from Buhangin, Davao City.

Investigations of all the patients’ history of exposure are ongoing.

The patients who have recovered and discharged were 10 year-old male from Barangay 23-C, Davao City; 11 year-old female from Leon Garcia Sr, Agdao, Davao City; 67 year-old female from Barangay 23-C; 28 year-old female from Brgy. 23-C; and 29 year-old female from Dalagdag, Calinan, Davao City.

DOH 11 also reported that among the 607 cases, 33 have died, 393 have successfully recovered, while 181 are still active cases.

'Surge' in new COVID-19 cases seen as virus now at least 3X more infectious

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Three hundred ninety five Filipinos arrive in the port of Bongao, Tawi-tawi from Sabah, Malaysia on Saturday, 04 July 2020, the first batch among 5,000 deportees. Bangsamoro Minister on Local Governments Naguib Sinarimbo said the returnees went through an RT-PCR testing in

Sabah and their results are negative of the virus that causes COVDI-19.

But they will still undergo a 14-day quarantine at the Bongao Trade School before they are sent home. Photo courtesy of Minister Sinarimbo

Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera, assistant director of DOH 11, earlier reported that as of June 17, most of the cases are asymptomatic or do not display any signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

She said that the increase of asymptomatic cases in the Davao Region is a good indicator that the disease can be managed due to a reduced risk of local transmission.

“Based on the data that we have gathered, most of the new cases are asymptomatic and this means that there is a reduced chance for infection since we all know that the transmission of the virus is through droplets which are prevalent in patients who are symptomatic,” Rivera said.

government scientist warned on Sunday that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases may be partly due to a mutation in the novel coronavirus which is making it at least 3 times more infectious.

After the DOH reported a record number of new confirmed infections of COVID-19, Dr. Edsel Salvana said “it is very clear our overall cases are ramping up” even if some of the new confirmed cases were backlogs.

Salvana, who is a member of the Technical Advisory Group that advises the Department of Health, said that after the government lifted strict lockdown measures, the country got hit with “a double whammy” of more opportunities for COVID-19 to spread as well as “a more infectious virus.”

On his Facebook page, Salvana posted on Sunday that the virus is “about 3 to 9 times more than the pre-

vious virus.”

Salvana, who is also a professor at UP-Philippine General Hospital, warned the public that “we must all be meticulous with our compliance or its back to ECQ and many people will die from the virus or starve.

“The important thing now is to protect our healthcare system so it doesn't get overwhelmed.”

Salvana advised people to continue to wear masks, practice physical distancing and hand washing, and stay home as much as possible.

He recommended that people only go out for essential activities especially if they live in general community quarantine zones or above.

“No time for fighting amongst ourselves. Man versus virus. We can do this if we all work together. Stay safe and let's take care of each other,” Salvana said.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

Most businesses in Malaybalay City, including this repair shop for vehicles in Barangay Casisang, have reopened after the city was placed on modified general community quarantine. MindaNews photo taken 4 July 2020 by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Dominguez firm vs. sale of gov’t assets for Covid-19 response L

Solons urge DICT to fast-track installation of rural cell sites

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ny plan to sell government assets to address funding requirements for programs against coronavirus disease (Covid-19) remains a plan for Malacañang.

Asked whether President Rodrigo R. Duterte has discussed this plan with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the latter, in a Viber message to journalists said, “No”.

Last Friday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a televised briefing, said the President remains firm on selling government assets to purchase

Covid-19 vaccines once these become available.

This, after US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and its partner, Germany-based Biopharmaceutical New Technologies (BioNTech), said their ongoing study for a possible Covid-19 vaccine is showing positive results.

Last April, Dominguez discounted the need to sell state assets because the

government entered the pandemic on a strong fiscal position.

He said there are also government borrowings intended to finance the Covid-19 response.

“We have not reached the point at which we are considering (the) sale of major government assets,” he said.

The current budget being used to finance Covid-19 programs came from government savings, dividends from some government agencies as well as borrowing from multilateral partners like Asian Development Bank (ADB),

nvestments generated in Soccsksargen (Region 12) sharply dropped by 96.42 percent to only P69.13 million in the first quarter of 2020 as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic reared its ugly head in the country, data from the National Economic and Development Authority-12 (NEDA-12) showed.

For the same period last year, the region registered investments worth around P1.93 billion, indicating that the investment for the first quarter of 2020 was down by P1.86 billion.

In a regional economic situationer, Teresita Socorro Ramos, NEDA-12 director, reported that the Board of Investments registered only a single investment in

the region during the first three months of 2020.

She identified the region’s lone investment as the Treelife Coco Sugar, an exporter of banana chips located in Carmen, North Cotabato, which generated 168 jobs.

Rommel Tanghal, NEDA-12 planning division chief, said investors adopted a wait-and-see attitude as the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in Wuhan in central China last December, spread to other countries.

“Investors became cautious during the first quarter as the signs of a global COVID-19 pandemic began to unfold,” he told MindaNews in a telephone interview on Friday.

In mid-March, Pres-

ident Duterte ordered a lockdown in the capital Metro Manila to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which other regions also eventually imposed to combat the virus.

Tanghal expressed confidence the investment climate in the region will improve once measures to defeat COVID-19 are adequately put in place.

Citing past investment trends in Soccsksargen, he said some investors find the right timing when to pour in their money.

“Sometimes, investments would just be a trickle in the first quarter but in the second, third or fourth quarter, there would be huge investments coming in,” he explained.

Tanghal said the Re-

the World Bank (WB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

Last week, Dominguez signed, for the government, an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for a PHP23.5-billion loan, the first ever concessional loan that JICA approved for a country for Covid-19 emergency support.

To date, the Philippine government has borrowed about USD5 billion from external fund sources, more than half of the USD8.6 billion programmed foreign borrowing for this year.

(PNA) gional Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19, composed of various national government line agencies and local government units in the region, has already approved the regional economy restart plan for implementation until the end of the year.

The COVID-19 lockdown from mid-March to May brought economic activities in the region to a standstill with businesses shutting down and sending workers out in the streets jobless, he noted.

The region has been under Modified General Community Quarantine since June 1.

According to Tanghal, the regional economic restart plan, which reiterat-

Socssksargen investments: P1.93-B in Q1 2019, P69-M in Q1 2020

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awmakers called on the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to fast-track the installation of cell sites in far-flung areas with no internet connectivity as the education system shifts to a blended learning scheme amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Rizal Representative Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles and Ang Probinsyano party-list Representative Ronnie Ong cited the need to prioritize communication infrastructure.

"We really need good internet signal especially during the time when the new normal is really using technology to work and also learn from home," said Ong. "Government needs to invest in technology infrastructure, and not just roads and bridges. Kailangan i-bundle na talaga ito," he added.

Nograles, vice-chair of the House Education Committee, chimed that the building of cellular sites

could be accelerated.

The Department of Education (DepEd) earlier declared that there would be no face-to-face classes until a vaccine against the coronavirus disease was available.

Meanwhile, the DICT, last month, finally released the guidelines governing the sharing of telecommunications towers in a common tower policy.

The planned common tower policy seeks to free telecommunications companies from costly capital expenditures in building communication towers.

Under the policy, the DICT would assist telecommunications companies in securing the necessary permits to put up towers, which takes as much as nine months to finish.

At present, 24 independent tower companies (ITC) have expressed their intent to build towers which they will then lease out to telecommunications companies.

Dito Telecommunity Corp., the newest player in

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Gasoline prices to be rolled back; diesel no change: Unioil

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he pump price of gasoline would be rolled back in the coming, Unioil Petroleum Philippines said Saturday.

In its fuel price forecast for July 7 to 13 trading week, Unioil said the price per liter of gasoline should go down by P0.70 to P0.80.

“Diesel should have no

price movement,” it said.

Fuel companies usually announce price adjustments every Monday to be effective the following day.

Data from the Department of Energy showed that the year-to-date adjustments for gasoline stood at a net decrease of P4.97 per liter and P8.84 per liter for diesel.

5 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

Over 3K firms notified DOLE of temporary closure: Bello

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Fueling COVID-19 initiatives nationwide, Phoenix reached 179,079 liters of total fuel donations by end of June to various organizations including Libreng Sakay programs for frontliners, and outreach activities in areas under quarantine.

Phoenix fuel donations reach nearly 180K liters

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s the government eases up quarantine restrictions nationwide, Phoenix Petroleum, the homegrown, leading independent oil company in the country, wrapped up its fuel donation initiatives with a total of 179,079 liters of free Phoenix fuels as part of its campaign to help battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Donated to nine different organizations all over the country, Phoenix participated in various programs and partnered with local government units (LGUs) and non-governmental groups in the past three months to be able to provide relief to frontliners, health workers, and affected communities.

In Luzon, the company partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for its Libreng Sakay program. Free Phoenix fuels were donated to more than 2,245 vehicles that provided free shuttles to health workers all over the metro since April. A total of 114 vehicles from the Philippine Disaster Recovery Agency’s Libreng Sakay program were also

provided with free Phoenix fuels.

For eight weeks, Phoenix fuel vouchers were also given to 58 GrabBayanihan vehicles that were used to deliver essential medical goods to hospitals. Philippine Red Cross’ MV Amazing Grace Humanitarian Ship, used to transport COVID-19 testing kits from Manila to other parts of the country, was also powered by 20,000 liters of donated Phoenix fuels.

In partnership with Agrea and other Udenna companies, Phoenix also provided fuels to the Sagip Saka program which transported fresh farm produce from Batangas and Benguet farmers and donated to communities

in Metro Manila. Makati LGU’s rolling market and grocery store called Makati Mart also used fuel donated by Phoenix.

Likewise, free Phoenix fuels were given to the West Visayas Hospital ambulance and the Iloilo LGU vehicles for the transport of medical supplies and frontliners in the province.

A total of 69 vehicles received a combined 2,000 liters of Phoenix fuels. The company also provided fuels for the Libreng Sakay services of six Vallacar Transit buses in Davao City.

“Staying true to our battle cry, ‘Sasamahan ka ng Phoenix’, we have been relentless in providing help to individuals, groups, and communities greatly affected by the pandemic and the quarantine. While adjusting our business to adapt to the new normal and keeping our workforce safe and motivated, we have also been busy taking part in various outreach initiatives around the country by providing free Phoenix fuels to vehicles used in humanitarian

programs. As a business that offers such an essential product, we are proud that we were able to give back to the Filipinos in the way we can during this difficult time,” Phoenix Petroleum President and Chief Operating Officer Henry Albert Fadullon said.

Aside from fuel donations, the company also donated cash to the Pinoy Tsuper Helping Hands, a Facebook group dedicated to helping the public utility drivers affected by the mass transportation suspension during the quarantine period. Cash donation was also given as support to the outreach activity of Phoenix’s Pinoy Tsuper Hero Year 3 winner Alberto Abad who distributed relief packs to his community. Meanwhile, face masks and PPE were donated to the Bureau of Fire in Davao City.

The fuel donations are only a portion of Phoenix and its subsidiaries’ pledge to various initiatives to help and support communities all over the country in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

pose Sections 32 and 151 of the National internal Revenue Code, mandates the exemption from payment of income and excise taxes on the sale of gold to the BSP by registered small scale and accredited small scale miners and traders.

The BSP Davao Regional Office Gold Buying Station is now accepting accreditation of these small scale miners and traders. These entities can visit the BSP to obtain

copies of the following documents, namely; the IRR, the new BSP Gold Buying Program Guidelines and the Checklist of Requirements for Accreditation with the BSP. For questions or clarifications or additional information on the accreditation, concerned parties are advised to call Leonides Sumbi, director of BSP Davao Regional Office or Acting Deputy Director Nestor B. Bastereche with number (082) 227-9051

locals 3757 and 3759. Or in case of absence they can contact foal person Engineer Johannes Bantugan or his alternate Bank Officer II Dorothy Joy Diaz at (082) 227-9051 locals 3777 and 3760.

Or they can email at Lsumbi@bsp.gov.ph or nbastareche@bsp.gov.ph bantuganja@bsp.gov.ph and DiazD@bsp.gov.ph.

BSP Davao Regional Office is open Mondays to Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (PIA/RGAlama)

Tax exempt accreditation for smallscale gold miners, traders starts

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ollowing the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11256, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has announced the accreditation of small-scale gold miners, traders, mining associations or cooperatives for subsequent tax exemption.

R.A. 11256 also known as An Act to Strengthen the Country’s Gross International Reserves, Amending For the Pur-

ore than 3,000 businesses in the country have informed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that they would be closing down their operations temporarily amid the COVID-19 crisis, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Sunday.

Bello said that while no firm in the country has so far filed for bankruptcy, more than 200 have already notified the DOLE that they would be permanently closing down. “’Yung mga nagparating sa amin ng notice na magsasara sila pero pansamantala lang naman, mahigit 3,000 na. Mula nu’ng January hanggang ngayon lang ‘yan,” he said.

Bello reiterated that there are already around 2.7 million workers whose livelihood were affected due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data even showed that 7.3 million were left jobless in April this year as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, but Bello said this was only based on surveys and not on actual reports.

“Maaaring totoo ‘yun pero ang kaibahan sa aming report, ‘yung amin actual, ‘yung talagang nagsabi na ‘magsasara kami,’” he said. “’Yung PSA kasi, survey ‘yun and it’s probably accurate. Sana naman ay hindi natin abutin ‘yung puntong ‘yun. Biruin mo, 7.3 million,” he added.

Bello is hoping Congress would provide for

an amelioration fund to help affected workers.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano ang plano ng Kongreso pero alam naman natin na ang House of Representatives at Senado ay concerned sila sa kalagayan ng ating mga manggagawa. Malaking bagay diyan ‘yung ating mga manggagawa na mawalan ng trabaho, kahit temporary, pero siyempre, wala kang trabaho, wala kang kita,” he said.

“Hopefully, ang Congress, with the approval of our President ay magbibigay ng konting tulong, amelioration fund para sa ating mga manggagawa na mawawalan ng trabaho,” he added.

The House of Representatives last month approved on final reading the bill which proposes a package of reforms, amounting to P1.3 trillion in total, to help address the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the country.

Under the said measure, wage subsidies will be provided to non-essential businesses (50% to 75% of wages), self-employed and freelancers (75% of minimum wage), and overseas Filipino workers (P15,000 per month), all for a period of two months.

A total of P110 billion for 2020 will be allocated for wage subsidies under the measure.

The existing cash-forwork (TUPAD) program of the DOLE will also now include COVID-19 related work, and has a funding of P30 billion.

Facebook's Zuckerberg to meet activists, won't act on boycott

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acebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has agreed to a new meeting with activists on the social media giant's content policies while vowing to resist pressure from an advertiser boycott, the company said Thursday.

The news comes amid increased pressure on the leading social network to clamp down on incendiary content which promotes racism and violence, which has gained momentum with more tan 650 advertisers joining a boycott.

Zuckerberg told an employee meeting this week the boycott is not likely to have a major impact and that most of the advertisers "will be back on the platform soon enough," according to an account first reported by The Information and confirmed

by AFP. The Facebook CEO repeated that he would not change policy based on "a threat" to revenue but based on "the right things" for the Facebook community.

"We're not gonna change our policies or approach on anything because of a threat to a small percent of our revenue, or any percent of our revenue," he said.

"We're gonna do what we think are the right things that we think are gonna serve the community best over time."

A Facebook spokesperson, asked about the pressure, said in an email: "We take these matters very seriously and respect the feedback from our partners... But as we've said, we make policy changes based on principles, not revenue pressures."

The spokesperson said Zuckerberg agreed to join a meeting with activist leaders including from the NAACP, Anti-Defamation League and Color of Change to discuss Facebook's moderation practices.

"They asked about having Mark at the meeting, and we've since confirmed that Mark is able to join," the statement said.

The Washington Post reported the meeting would take place Monday.

The groups are seeking a top level executive to evaluate "products and policies for discrimination, bias, and hate," according to a statement from the Stop Hate for Profit campaign, as well as independent audits of "identity-based hate and misinformation."

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

On Filipinos being able to adapt to a “changed” environment under the new normal brought by the coronavirus pandemic:

Our national goal of resilience covers not just hazards but pandemics as well. We are in the ‘new normal’ now and we must skillfully adapt to this changing environment to protect ourselves while doing our work as productive citizens; to work together to overcome the challenges of Covid-19 and other disasters.

Mark Cashean Timbal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO STREETS AND THEIR COLONIAL PAST Streets may look like simple markers that direct commuters and travelers to their intended destinations. But more than that, they speak volumes about our colonial past and provide us a window of understanding on how early administrators planned and named our thoroughfares.

The Davao City map dated October 20, 1944, released by the U.S. months before Davao became the focus of intense aerial bombings, offers interesting clues, even unwritten anecdotes, of the streets that existed during the Commonwealth and wartime periods.

Before the Davao was dragged into the global conflict, there were only three city streets that were named after Americans. These were Edward R. Bolton, after the district governor who was assassinated in 1906; Frank W. Carpenter, after the governor of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu (191317); and George Washington, after the first American president (1789-97).

The first American honored

with a city street was Washington, a road stretching from the Bonifacio Monument at Magallanes street (now Capt. Antonio Pichon Sr.) to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). There was no Cabaguio Avenue yet to speak of. Bolton, eulogized by the legislative council of Moro Province after his death, was the first American soldier given a street-name in Davao, followed by Carpenter. Bolton Street, now Paciano Bangoy, was originally named Nueva, probably opened during the last decade of Spanish rule.

Interestingly, the original Carpenter Street was the road linking Santa Ana wharf to what is now known as Leon Ma. Guerrero Street. Exactly when the old Carpenter Street was reassigned to what is now Leon Ma. Garcia Street is something future research will surely unravel.

The same 1944 map also tells us that Rizal Street was arguably an American creation.

Prior to American occupation, that road did not exist. A 1903 road sketch done by Rev.

Franklin Black, the first American Protestant pastor in Davao, shows that at the time Rizal Street was a short trail that linked Claveria Street to an area where Metrobank now stands.

Black’s road plan also tells us that the primary roads in 1903 were limited to Fernando Magallanes, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, Simon de Anda y Salazar, Narciso Claveria y Zaldua, Jose Uyanguren y Cruz, and San Pedro Streets. All are Spanish or Hispanized names chiefly named after conquerors. Cortez Street, which was an unnamed trail at the time, reached only as far as Ponciano Reyes Street, now Cayetano Bangoy. Everything else in present-day Vicente Ilustre Street and the peripheral areas in the north were all rice lands.

In the 1944 map, Cortez and Escario, both Spanish conquerors. were already introduced as street names. Hernan Cortez de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano was the conqueror of Mexico and the Aztec Empire while Federico Escario y Garcia was the subjugator of Cuba.

In the post-war period, presumably due to rising patriotism, officials committed to revive the city from ruins opened new roads and named them in honor of Filipino heroes. Consequently, you find national icons such as Andres Bonifacio, Miguel Malvar, and Antonio Luna interlinked and getting their credit in city streets. Before liberation, Bonifacio was the alternate name of Piapi. The old Hospital Avenue, meanwhile, stretched from Acacia area to SPMC. Part of it is now officially called J. P. Laurel Avenue.

Beyond these extant streets, the 1944 map also gives us an idea where many of the iconic structures and landmarks in prewar period were situated. For instance, the main public market, which occupied the space now used by University Mall, was along C.M. Recto Street.

The other landmarks not spared from the conflict were the Spanish Club (just across the original site of Ideal theatre); Carriedo’s (at Tagumpay theatre site), Davao Japan As-

sociation (where University of Mindanao tower stands), Filipino Club (near the old Puericulture Center across Osmeña Park), Helen’s Hotel (barbecue stalls at Bolton-Magallanes streets); Davao Autobus Co. terminal (old Davao Motor Sales at Bankerohan), the cockpit (inside the block fronting the Bankerohan flower market), Davao Lumber Yard (between Monteverde and Uyanguren streets), ‘Radio’ Theatre (Lizada Street area), Awad building (where Development Bank of the Philippines and Maguindanao Hotel stand), and Davao Club (on a strip linking J. P. Laurel and Quirino streets).

Moreover, the original length of Alvarez Street, then unnamed, stretched from Oyanguren to Iñigo Street at what is known informally as Rosemarie Street or 6th Street. The Japanese school was housed in a structure built at the UMBolton grounds and across it, the UM Multi-test Center, was where the Japanese consulate stood.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

COVID-19 TRIGGERS MIGRAINE ATTACKS Stress and anxiety induced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been found to trigger migraine attacks.

A social media analysis done by Novartis found that the stress and anxiety brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have generated migraine attacks in patients all over the world. The analysis took a closer look at 3,645 posts (in English), mostly on Twitter, from March 15 to April 15, 2020 that mentioned migraine.

The overlapping of migraine and COVID-19 symptoms – such as headache, nausea and vomiting – was the main stressor among migraine sufferers, the study showed.

“Due to these overlapping symptoms, migraine sufferers feared they had COVID-19, which triggered migraine attacks,” Novartis said in a press release. “Limited access to clinic visits and migraine medications due to the coronavirus lockdown and fear of infection increased the risk of patients’ migraine to worsen, which further induced stress and anxiety.”

In the Philippines, around 12 million Filipinos suffer from migraine, the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 showed.

This is alarming as suffering from migraine is no joke.

“Unfortunately, migraine is widely misunderstood and misconceptions abound,” Dr. Regina Macalintal-Canlas, president of the Philippine Headache Society, was quoted as saying. “People living with migraine may experience a lack of empathy from employers and colleagues when frequent migraine attacks prevent them from delivering optimal work outputs.”

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in the United Kingdom alone, some 25 million working-or school-days are lost every year because of migraine.

Ninety percent of people report they cannot work or function with a migraine, according to Migraine Research Foundation.

The Journal of Headache and Pain singled out migraine as the third most common disease in the world – after dental caries and tension-type headache. The estimated global prevalence is 14.7% – that’s around one in 7 people.

When migraines attack, it can be chilling. “It’s very difficult to be a migraine sufferer,” admits television host and model Bianca Gonzalez. “My worst migraine attacks last three days. Whenever I had to host shows and events, there were bright lights and loud sounds, which are all migraine

triggers. I have to take a strong medicine and take a nap before showtime, so I could ease my migraine and be able to perform my role as host.”

Generally, migraine strikes women. In fact, seventy percent of migraine sufferers are female. In 2006, Janet Jackson cancelled a number of concerts due to migraine. In her book, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Loretta Lynn wrote about her migraine attacks while on stage.

Other famous migraine sufferers are Carly Simon, Sharon Stone, Gwyneth Paltrow, Whoopi Goldberg, Lisa Kudrow, Virginia Woolf, Serena Williams, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Males, however, are not spared from migraine. In his autobiography, This Is Me, Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe, admitted he has migraine. British reality TV judge Simon Cowell is noted for having a migraine attack which caused him to miss five hoursworth of auditions from one of his TV shows.

The following famous men also suffer from migraine: Hugh Jackman, Ben Affleck, Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, Ulysses S. Grant, Charles Darwin, Thomas Jefferson, Miguel de Cervantes, Julius Caesar, and Sigmund Freud.

Migraine has been around for more than 2000 years. Hip-

pocrates, the father of medicine, was familiar with its symptoms.

However, it was Greek physician Galen who called it “hemicrania,” which, loosely translated, means half a head.

“It alludes to the fact that a migraine typically affects only one side of the head – usually around the eye – and caused by changes in the blood vessels,” Philip Goldberg and the Editors of Prevention Magazine wrote in Pain Remedies.

The pain may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and preceded by an hour of more of other symptoms, like numbness or weakness on one side of the body that marches up the arm, leg or face over the course of minutes. Occasionally, speech may be impaired, and the attack may be disabling.

Sometimes, a migraine is preceded by an aura – visual distortions such as blurred vision and zigzagging lights.

This “announcement” of a migraine’s pending arrival is never welcome: It foretells incapacitating pain that can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.

The sad thing is that medical science doesn’t know what causes migraine until now.

“The exact cause of migraine is unknown, but an attack may be triggered by emotional factors, including excitement, tension,

shock, physical exertion, a blow to the head, some foods, and some drugs,” says the Guide to Prescription and Over-theCounter Drugs.

Some studies show that migraine can be hereditary. Up to 90 percent of sufferers have a family history of the condition. The father of Gonzalez, for instance, is also a migraine sufferer. “If your parents are migraine sufferers, there’s a 75% chance you’ll acquire the disease,” Dr. Macalintal said.

Most people require prescription medication to relieve migraines. A doctor may prescribe either prophylactic (preventive) or abortive medication, depending on the frequency and severity of the attacks.

“Prophylactic drugs are taken on a daily basis, while abortive drugs are taken only when a migraine occurs,” says Dr. Jerome Goldstein, director of the San Francisco Headache Clinic.

“Migraine patients and their neurologists should discuss treatment goals, which should not be limited to stopping the headache attack but to prevent recurrence,” Dr. Macalintal stated. “Newer treatment on preventive management addresses recurrence and other limitations of oral medications.” – ###

8 EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

CLEANING AND PAMPERING YOUR HANDS WITH THE BODY SHOP

Cleanse and pamper your hands with The Body Shop’s moisturizing Hand Wash collection.

AS COMMUNITIES around the world struggle with COVID-19, hand washing is consistently mentioned - even

by World Health Organization guidelines - as one way to keep ourselves not only clean but safe and healthy.

Constantly washing our hands though comes at a price resulting in dry skin. Excessive washing can strip hands of moisture leaving your skin feeling dry and tight.

The good news is that The Body Shop has a range of moisturizing hand wash is the perfect addition to your bathroom and as protection to harmful bacteria. These 100% vegan hand washes lather up instantly and provide extra moisture whilst keeping hands clean and fresh. Here’s how you can pamper your hands from The Body Shop.

Drench your hands with the dewy scent of roses with British Rose Hand Wash that leaves your skin feeling fresh and smelling florally fresh infused with the essence of Community Trade handpicked roses from England and Community Trade organic cane sugar from

Paraguay.

The conditioning and purifying properties of Tea Tree Hand Wash will help hands wash away bacteria and feel squeaky clean. This refreshing hand wash is enriched with Community Trade tea tree oil from Kenya.

Get an uplifting burst every time you wash your hands with Pink Grapefruit Hand Wash. Wake up your senses with its zesty citrus scent that leaves skin cleansed and smell-

ing irresistible enriched with Community Trade sugar from Paraguay.

For best results, simply follow along with the 10 steps for washing your hands the right way with The Body Shop’s Hand Wash range: 1. First, wet your hands with warm water.

2. Apply 1-2 pumps of soap to cover your hands.

3. Lather up by rubbing the palms of your hands together.

4. Use the palm of one hand to

WILBERT ROSS DROPS SOPHOMORE SINGLE “KUNG SIYA MAN”

“HASHTAGS” MEMBER Wilbert Ross just released his soulful new single “Kung Siya Man,” the sequel to his 2019 massive hit “Maaari Ba,” produced under Star POP. The song puts an emphasis on granting freedom to someone you truly love no matter how painful it may be, and how loving a person wholeheartedly sometimes means settling for half of what you actually deserve.

“Kung Siya Man” continues the forlorn story of Wilbert’s debut single “Maaari Ba,” which looked into the falling out and ensuing collapse of a once loving relationship.

Fans of the 23-year-old actor-singer expressed their fondness for the song on its lyric video posted on YouTube.

“I feel it, that feeling of being beside the one you love but he’s still looking for that other person,” Riza Mae Guinoo mused.

“If we’re going to listen to the song, it’s so meaningful, because aside from

the fact that he’s hurting, he’s also regretting that they broke up. This should serve as a lesson that we should think really hard before deciding on something. Beautiful song,” Jaymark

It is recommended to wash your hands for 20 seconds to effectively reduce the build-up of bacteria on your hands. rub the back of the other and clean in between the fingers.

Repeat on the other hand.

5. Rub your hands together making sure you clean in between your fingers.

6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms on both hand.

7. Don’t forget your thumbs.

Rub each one using your other hand.

8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand.

Batin shared.

The new song was composed and produced by Wilbert, arranged by Huly Ray Asidor, and executive produced by ABS-CBN Music head Roxy Liquigan.

Before being launched as one of the members of the new wave of “It’s Showtime’s” boy group “Hashtags” in 2017, Wilbert joined the noontime show’s singing competition, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” and the reality singing contest “Pinoy Boyband Superstar” in 2016. Aside from being a mainstay on “It’s Showtime,” he has starred on other projects as an actor, most prominently in the top-grossing film “Hello, Love, Goodbye.”

Listen as Wilbert sings about letting go in the name of love in his newest single “Kung Siya Man,” out now on various digital streaming platforms.

For more details, follow StarPOP PH on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ starpopph), and on Instagram (@ starpopph).

9. Rinse your hands with running water.

10. Dry your hands completely with a clean towel.

Join The Body Shop in lathering up to prevent and fight harmful bacteria and viruses.

The Body Shop’s Hand Wash collection is available in all The Body Shop stores. The Body Shop now accepts SM Advantage Card for points earning and redemption, SM and Sodexo premium pass in all The Body Shop stores nationwide.

The Body Shop self-care essentials are now available on Lazada, Shopee under The SM Store as well as ShopSM.

ACEL INTRODUCES WISTFUL SONG ‘ALAALA’

ACOUSTIC POP ARTIST Acel looks forward to a promising future while reminiscing prized moments from the past in her latest single under DNA Music, “Alaala.”

“As a musician, may this music soothe you and keep your mind off the negative for a while and focus on what we can do, and also reminisce the beautiful memories we have with our loved ones,” shared Acel.

The former band vocalist wrote the music and lyrics to “Alaala,” with arrangement and production by Jack Rufo. Acel also dropped the music video of the song last May, which showcased how memories affect one’s daily life.

The Kapamilya artist held an online gig with guests Trisha Denise, Yeng Constantino, and Cooky Chua this month, in which they celebrated her 25th year in the industry through musical performances. A lucky fan who won the “Sing Alaala Challenge” also graced the virtual event as a guest.

In 2019, Acel’s delicate and soothing voice was lent to produce a new version of Rico Blanco’s “Your Universe,” which she followed up with the release of her original record “Pitik Bulag,” about how love always wins despite the dissimilarities of romantic couples.

VOL.12 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2020ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE ISSUE 220 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 VOL.13

EDGEDAVAO

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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

WHO... FROM2

viewed publication.

This decision applies only to the conduct of the Solidarity trial in hospitalized patients and does not affect the possible evaluation in other studies of hydroxychloroquine

or lopinavir/ritonavir in non-hospitalized patients or as pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19. The interim Solidarity results are now being readied for peer-reviewed publication.

In its case bulletin, the DOH said there are 29,087 active cases and 1,486 or 5.1 percent of the active cases are asymptomatic; 27,429 or 94.3 percent have mild symptoms; 144 or 0.5 percent have severe symptoms, and 28 or 0.1 percent are in critical condition.

As of Saturday, the DOH has 14,249 total bed capacity dedicated to patients with Covid-19.

Occupied are about 45.25 percent of 3,328 ward beds; 40.57 percent of 9,615 isolation beds; and

40.74 percent of 1,306 intensive care unit beds.

There are 1,971 total ventilators for Covid-19 patients with about 19.89 percent in use.

In facilities of Local Isolation and General Treatment Areas for Covid-19 cases (Ligtas Covid) across the country, some 51,091 beds are dedicated to Covid-19 patients.

Meanwhile, some 3,193 beds are dedicated to Covid-19 patients in Mega Ligtas Covid facilities.

(PNA)

tance of understanding disaster risks and governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, enhancing pre-

paredness for effective response, and implementing “Build Back Better” in rehabilitation and recovery. (PNA)

the sector, said earlier this month that securing permits was not as difficult as expected.

For its part, Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. said that it still took as much as six to nine months to put

up a tower.

Globe earlier filed a civil suit against a resident of the upscale Dasmariñas Village in Makati City for preventing the telco from constructing cell sites inside the subdivision.

García stepped on left back Marcelo's right foot inside the area. Athletic wanted a penalty for a similar foul by Ramos away from the ball a few moments later, but the game was allowed to continue.

“I'm tired of always talking about the same thing," Zidane said. “It seems like we only win thanks to the referees, and that's not true. The players deserve respect.”

Eighth-place Athletic was coming off two straight victories and had won three of its last four matches, with the only setback a loss at Barcelona.

Madrid was without forward Eden Hazard and defender Raphael Varane because of minor injuries.

Zidane said James Rodríguez asked not to be in the squad for personal reasons but did not elaborate.

BARCELONA REBOUNDS Two-time defending champion Barcelona ended its two-match winless streak with Messi setting up goals by Suárez in the 20th and Griezmann in the 45th.

It had opened the scoring with an own-goal by Pau Torres in the third minute, and Ansu Fati netted the final goal in the 87th. Gerard Moreno scored for the hosts in the 14th.

“These points were important to keep us in the

fight for the title,” Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué said.

“We will keep pushing even though we know it's going to be complicated.”

Suárez's strike was his 194th goal with Barcelona, tying him with Ladislao Kubala as the club's third alltime highest scorer, behind César Rodríguez (232) and Messi (630).

Griezmann, back in the starting lineup, hadn't scored since February.

Messi had a goal disallowed for offside in the 69th and hit the crossbar with a free kick in second-half stoppage time.

Barcelona led when the league was suspended but had drawn three of its six matches since the return, including the last two. It entered the match against Villarreal with coach Quique Setién under pressure because of the team’s poor run of results.

Villarreal had won five of its six matches after the break. It stayed three points behind fourth-place Sevilla, which hosts relegation-threatened Eibar on Monday.

OTHER RESULTS Last-place Espanyol lost 1-0 at home to secondto-last Leganés to stay 11 points from safety.

Midtable Osasuna drew 0-0 against sixth-place Getafe.

paying rent and loans," Javier, also a consultant at Arcadia Fitness Gym, told this writer in an online interview.

Employees of fitness gyms were given food packs and a sack of rice by the city government amidst the health crisis.

VOL.13 ISSUE 74 • TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020

PH LOGS... FROM3

PINOYS... FROM3 SOLONS... FROM4

MADRID... FROM11

ARCADIA... FROM12

Panabo City launches bamboo sanctuary during the 32nd Philippine environment month

I

n line with the 32nd Philippine Environment Month, the City Government of Panabo launched its first Bamboo Sanctuary on June 30, 2020 with the theme “Protect nature, Sustain our Future #HealNature4OurFuture”. This activity was observed on the celebration that coincides with the World Environment Day on June 5.

Approximately, 220 seedlings with seven (7) bamboo species were planted at the sanctuary site,

Purok 3, Barangay New Malitbog, Panabo City, namely; Buddha-belly Bamboo, Variegated Bamboo, Black Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Pole Bamboo, Giant Bamboo, and Laak Bamboo.

According to CENRO Department Head Engr.

Felix Jonasses P. Senajon, “Panabo City Bamboo Sanctuary promotes the Engineered Bamboo Industry of Davao del Norte as alternative products of timber, supports eco-tourism and provides local livelihood

opportunities, and serves as climate change mitigation.”

The month of June was declared as Philippine Environment Month by virtue of Proclamation No. 237 signed in 1988 by then President Corazon Aquino to promote environmental awareness among Filipinos.

“With this, we can start building a better world with a simple effort and protect our environment from harm, creating a secure and sustainable envi-

ronment by replacing the old nature-destructive habits into eco-friendly ways of living,” added Engr. Senajon.

The launching activity was initiated by the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources and participated by representatives of each department/ office in the City Government of Panabo including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Personnel. | Recson Engalgado/CENRO

surveillance of proscribed individuals and organizations.

Matter of necessity Amid calls to prevent the enforcement of the law, Esperon, a former military chief-of-staff, stressed that “it’s a matter of necessity.”

“Itong batas na ito ay talagang kailangan ng bansa (This law is really needed in our country). It’s a matter of necessity. Huwag nating kakalimutan iyong mga nakaraan na mga pangyayari na gawa ng mga terorista (Let’s not forget the past acts committed by terrorists),” he said.

Esperon said Presi-

dent Rodrigo Duterte, the country’s first leader from Mindanao, wanted nothing more than to deter terrorism.

“Huwag nating kalilimutan ang mga ito, ito na ngayon ang pag-asa natin.

Ito ang ating gagamitin against terrorism (Let’s not forget that this is our hope.

This is what we are going to use against terrorism),” he said.

To allay fears of abuse, Esperon assured that terrorist acts are not “ordinary killings or destruction of properties” but those whose purpose is “to intimidate the general public or

cause disorder.”

“So ano ang kinakatakot nila? Itong ating law-abiding citizen ay walang dapat ikatakot dahil itong Anti-Terrorism Law ay para sa kapakanan at para sa seguridad ng mga law-abiding citizens (So what are they afraid of? Law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear because the law is for the welfare and security of law-abiding citizens),” he said.

He also assured that the law would not be used to quash dissent and opposition.

The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which Dute-

rte signed on July 3, aims to protect life, liberty and property from terrorism.

It also states that individuals who either use weapons, explosives, and chemical weapons or release dangerous substances causing fire, floods, or explosions are considered terrorists.

A 12-year imprisonment will be meted on any person who threatens to commit any of the terror acts mentioned in the law.

People who propose to commit or join terror acts are also punishable by 12-year jail term, the law reads. (PNA)

ed health protocols such as wearing of face masks and social distancing, aims to bring back businesses on their feet as well as restore consumer confidence in the “new normal” triggered by the COVID-19

pandemic.

Region 12 straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Koronadal, the region-

al center and the capital of South Cotabato.

Manufacturing, agriculture and fisheries largely fuel its economy, with canned pineapple and fresh and canned tuna products among the

region’s top dollar earners.

As of 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, Soccsksargen has 73 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 44 recoveries and two deaths. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

two fighters, flyweight Rogen Ladon and lightweight Charly Suarez through the qualifiers.

ABAP is hoping to advance Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam and three others of their teammates who fell short in their bids in Amman through the final world qualifiers.

Petecio, the 2019 world championship winner and the 2019 Manila SEA Games gold medalist in the women's featherweight class was the tournament top seed in Jordan. But she

faltered losing to Japan's Sena Irie, the same fighter she beat in the semis of last year's worlds, in the Amman zonal quarterfinals, 4-1.

Meanwhile Paalam who also won the SEA Games gold in the men's flyweight, dropped two consecutive heart breaking decisions to Indian ace Amit Panghal in the quarterfinals and to Uzbekistan's Saken Bibossinov in the box off and went home empty handed.

Featherweight Ian

Clark Bautista lost to familiar Thai tormentor Chatchai Decha Butdee, women's lightweight Riza Pasuit was out of her depth against six time world champion Mary Kom of India and James Palicte had the misfortune of being pitted very early in the tournament to eventual topnotcher Elnur Abdulraimov of Uzbekistan.

India, with nine, topped the list from Asia but Japan, Taiwan and Thailand have advanced more boxers than the Philippines.

Given the fluidity of the final world qualifier situation, perhaps the ABAP could buttress our chances by inviting Charly Suarez to rejoin the national team if and when that tournament becomes a certainty.

Suarez was at the last Olympics in 2016 Brazil and won his third straight gold medal in the last 2019 Manila SEA Games. Though already a pro, there is no prohibition for Suarez to fight again in the amateurs, including in the Olympics.

(Philboxing.com)

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Olympic boxing Qualifiers in limbo

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he hope of the Philippines to advance more boxers in the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics through the final world qualifier tournament has hit a snag.

There are still no official word from the IOC Task Force which has been created to handle Olympic boxing in lieu of the discredited AIBA when the final qualifier will be held or if it will still be held at all.

The final qualifying tournament, originally set last May in Paris, France was suspended and yet to be decided on.

Two options are being evaluated at the moment for that final world qualifier tournament. One is to push through with the world final qualifiers after the conclusion of the European and Americas zone tournaments. And the other is to just dispense with it and automatically seed select fighters who nearly missed the cut in the zonal tournaments and from "under-represented countries".

But also casualties of the pandemic are the zone qualifiers for Europe and the Americas originally

set starting second half of March in London and Bogota, Colombia respectively. These will be rescheduled though as they are integral to the process. The organizers in London are in fact looking at moving the European zone tournament to the outskirts of Paris.

The Asia-Oceania and the African zones have managed to stage and complete their qualifying tournaments before the pandemic caused a halt and suspension of all sports activities across the globe.

The Philippines through the ABAP has qualified two fighters for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in Eumir Felix Marcial who topped the men's middleweight division and Irish Magno who managed to earn a spot by winning in the box off for the last two of the six slots allotted for the zone in the women's featherweight class in the last Asia-Ocania qualifying tournament held last March in Amman, Jordan.

This has equaled the feat achieved in the last Rio Olympics where ABAP also managed to advance

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11

Scottish junior welterweight Josh“The Tartan Tornado”Taylor wants a shot too at Fiipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Taylor would love to fight ‘hero’ Pacquiao

A

dd undefeated Scottish junior welterweight Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor to the growing list of people who want to step in the ring with eight-division boxing world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

The 29-year old Taylor (16-0, 12 KO) is coming off a majority decision victory over American Regis Prograis to retain the IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion and

caputure the WBA (Super) Junior Welterweight World Championship in the World Boxing Super Series Junior Welterweight Finals.

Now, Taylor is looking

up to a different weight class and targeting one of it’s biggest names in Pacquiao, who’s currently the reigning WBA (Super) Welterweight World Champion.

Taylor had nothing but praise for the 41-year old Pinoy icon, and even referred to Pacquiao as his hero.

“Manny Pacquiao is my hero,” Taylor said in an interview with BT Sport. “To share the ring with my hero

would be brilliant. It would be amazing. That would be a dream come true in itself sharing the ring with Manny Pacquiao.”

While the respect is indeed there, Taylor kept it real and said that if he did get the opportunity to share the ring with a legend like Pacquiao, he wouldn’t be putting it to waste.

“Obviously once you get in there you, go in there to take his head off. I would

love to fight my hero it would be brilliant,” Taylor continued.

Taylor is just the latest to pinpoint Pacquiao as a coveted opponent, with other top-tier welterweights like Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., Mikey Garcia, and Keith Thurman all expressing their desire to face off against Pacquiao.

Taylor is confident that he can hold his own and do well against some of the

Madrid wins 7th, moves closer to Spanish title

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Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal from a penalty shoot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at the San Manes stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Sunday, July 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

world’s best 147-pounders.

“I’m pretty big for one 140. I can afford to go on and put one a bit of muscle and a bit of strength,” Taylor explained. “I think it works in my advantage with the speed coming up from the slightly lower weight with Spence killing himself to make 147, me coming up with the speed and the natural weight would work in my advantage.”

ADRID (AP) — With another decisive penalty kick from Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid extended its perfect run after the coronavirus break and moved closer to its first Spanish league title in three years.

Ramos scored his fifth goal since the season resumed as Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 on Sunday to keep a four-point lead over Barcelona, which beat fifth-place Villarreal 4-1. Luis Suárez and Antoine Griezmann were among the scorers for Barcelona after assists from Lionel Messi.

Ramos converted a 73rd-minute penalty to give Madrid its seventh straight victory and it remained the only team with a perfect record since the league resumed.

“These three points are very important, we knew this was going to be one

of the difficult matches we had left,” Ramos said. “This was a key victory to try to put some pressure on Barcelona. We only depend on ourselves.”

It was the third straight 1-0 win by Madrid. It has four matches left as it chases its first league title since 2017.

“We can’t relax or think about the title until we clinch it mathematically,” Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said. “But I admit that winning seven games in a row is impressive.”

Ramos had already scored a late winner from the penalty spot in Madrid's 1-0 win against Getafe on Thursday, and he also netted from the spot in the 2-1 win at Real Sociedad last month.

Ramos converted on Sunday after video review determined there was a foul when midfielder Dani

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ARCADIA

IS BACK

Arcadia Fitness Gym sets

re-opening on July 8 By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO avao City's premier fitness hub Arcadia Fitness Gym will be re-opening its doors to members and fitness enthusiasts beginning Wednesday, July 8.

D

Couched at the ground floor of the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center, Arcadia Fitness Gym is the second major fitness outfit to re-open since the coronavirus shutdown which lasted 85 days. Beefit Fitness Gym re-opened its Lanang and Guerrero branches last Friday, July 3. Arcadia Fitness Gym suspended operations in compliance with the city government's safety protocols last March 19.

"It's back to fitness once more! We are thrilled to announce that Arcadia Fitness Gym will be back to operations starting July 8, 2020," Arcadia Fitness Gym announced on its social media page.

Arcadia will be operating under new schedules and observe new normal protocols in compliance to the safety guidelines set by Davao City Sports Development Division Office (CSDO),

which conducted inspection of all gym facilities in the city prior to granting the green light to resume operations.

Arcadia said it will be posting new normal protocols and safety guidelines.

Members and guests are urged to call for inquiries thru (0917) 146 4304 | (082) 327 8471 or send the management a personal message via Messenger.

"We thank you for your cooperation. Stay focused, stay safe," the Arcadia page read.

Fitness gyms in Davao City that have been inspected and cleared by the CSDO may now resume operations.

After Davao City was o f f i c i a l - ly 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 inspection.

Once cleared, it's a go.

Under the Beefit Gym's guidelines, they will follow strictly a first-come-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

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