Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 76 | Thursday, July 9, 2020

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Workers wearing face masks walk along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City after a day’s work on Wednesday. The City Council of Davao on Tuesday night passed an ordinance for the mandatory wearing of face mask in public places during the community quarantine. Violators of the said ordinance will incur a maximum fine of P5,000 and/or one month imprisonment. Edge Davao

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VOL.13 ISSUE 76 • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

DISMISSED

Prosecutor clears ACQ of rape, human trafficking raps

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he Davao City Prosecutor’s Office has dismissed complaints of rape, child abuse, and human trafficking charges filed by a former member of Kingdom of Jesus Christ against the group’s founder Apollo Quiboloy and 5 other church members.

The City Council of Davao approves an ordinance for the mandatory wearing of face mask in public places during the community quarantine. Violators of the

said ordinance will incur a maximum fine of P5,000 and/or one month imprisonment. Edge Davao

In a joint resolution issued on June 29 but was only released Tuesday, the city prosecutor cleared Quiboloy of rape and also dismissed complaints of child abuse and human trafficking against the pastor and Jackielyn Roy, Cresente Canada, Pauline Canada, Ingrid Canada and Sylvia Cemañes.

Lawyer Israelito Torreon, the religious leader’s legal counsel, said the complaints were dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.

“For 2 years she was here in the Kingdom, she never divulged such factor or her own sister living here, and only report-

ed such 6 years after the fact and with no medical evidence, no medical certificate, no police report, no other evidences that would corroborate her claims and no other physical evidence,” he said.

The camp of the Christian sect will file criminal complaints against the woman for making “untruthful allegations.”

“Indeed, malicious prosecution is a ground for filing a case on damages against a complainant who actually alleges untruthful allegations against a certain person especially that person is respected in the society” Torreon said.

Lawyer Ian Enterina,

and community transmission.

“We are not experiencing a second wave but an increase in numbers of positive cases due to increase in testing, and community transmission caused by lack of implementation of minimum health standards. The increase has been gradual and our health system is able to cope with the increasing number of cases,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Despite the rise in cases, Duterte said the the country has logged more recoveries than deaths

since the pandemic began in January.

“Ang patay natin compared to those who recovered it’s quite small,” he said.

On Tuesday, the country saw its third highest-single daily rise of coronavirus cases with 1,540 new infections, pushing the nationwide toll to 47,873. The tally includes 1,309 fatalities and 12,386 recoveries.

During his speech, the President also defended the government’s decision of gradually easing lockdown measures, saying the country couldn’t afford

the complainant’s legal counsel, said his client was willing to file a joint motion for reconsideration.

“We defer issuing a statement pending receipt of the joint resolution but my client has long prepared for any temporary legal setbacks and she is willing to file a joint motion for reconsideration, if necessary and even a petition for review to reverse any unfavorable resolution,” he said.

In December 2019, the woman filed complaints of rape, child abuse and human trafficking against the Davao City-based televangelist and 5 other church members.

The woman claimed she was raped by the religious leader in 2014 while she was a scholar of Quiboloy’s church. She was 17 at that time.

However, Quiboloy’s camp felt some people were behind the complainant to malign his reputation.

Duterte vows to expose PRRD: PH still grappling vs. 1st wave of Covid-19 Maria Ressa as ‘fraud’ T

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday bared that he would soon expose the truth about Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa being a “fraud.”

In a taped public address aired on state-run PTV-4 early Wednesday, Duterte said he is now preparing documents that would prove that Ressa is a trickster.

“Ressa is a fraud.

Maniwala kayo (Believe me). Give us time. (It’s) too early for you to enjoy ‘yung mga award-award mo (your awards). You are a fraud actually,” he said.

The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 on June 15 convicted Ressa and former Rappler researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. of cyber libel and sentenced them to a jail term ranging from six months and one day to six years.

The court ruling against Ressa and Santos was based on the 2017 cyber libel complaint lodged by businessman Wilfredo Keng.

Keng was named by Rappler as the owner of a sports utility vehicle used by the late chief justice Renato Corona who at that time was facing an impeachment case.

Duterte said he could not stomach reading articles published by the online site.

Taking a jab at Ressa,

he said “some folders” he obtained in the past years show evidence that the embattled Rappler chief is a fraud.

“I have some folders in me given all throughout the years. You will have a dose of your own medicine one of these days,” Duterte said. “We are just compiling at this stage. And someday in bold letters, we will show your incongruity.

You are a fraud.”

Critics have claimed that Ressa’s conviction is an affront to press freedom.

Malacañang has repeatedly said Duterte is not behind Ressa’s conviction as the President continues to value the freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the Philippines.

On June 16, Ressa claimed that the Palace statement that Duterte values press freedom was “misleading at best, a lie at worst.”

Duterte, alluding to Ressa, said the Rappler chief would be judged the way she judged his administration.

“You judge us the way… Then one of these days, we will also judge you in the same way and with more ferocity.

And it will come. It will come,” he said.

The PNA sought a reaction from Ressa through her official Twitter account but she has yet to reply as of posting time. (PNA)

he Philippines is still battling the first wave of COVID-19, President Rodrigo Duterte said early Wednesday, as the country’s coronavirus infections neared 48,000.

“Have we arrived at the second wave? I don’t think so. We’re still grappling the first wave,” the President said in a streamed public briefing aired 1 a.m.

Wednesday.

The health department earlier said the country was not experiencing a second wave of the disease, saying the surge in infection is attributed to increased testing capacity

to have another surge of COVID-19 cases.

“Because if we open the entire Philippines, thousands of thousands of new cases would happen then we are in deep s***. Talagang mahirapan tayo. Una wala tayong pera,” he said.

Since emerging in Wuhan City in China’s Hubei province last year, there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The President, however, said the vaccine against the disease could be avail-

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President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with the core members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City on Tuesday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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EDGEDAVAO

Davao City to allow motorcycle ‘angkas’

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Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte volunteers to develop a campaign materials that are all images which aims to spread awareness on safety and protocols against Covid-19. Edge Davao

PBGEA expects big drop in banana production this year

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA) is expecting a big drop in banana production this year.

Alberto Bacani, president of PBGEA, said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday what drives the drop of production is the reduction of hectarage due to the spread of panama disease.

Citing contraction of production area as key problem, PBGEA is now looking at “virgin” areas

for expansion.

Bacani said PBGEA is looking at the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as biggest potential area for planned expansion. He cited Basilan, an island province of the Philippines in BARMM, as ideal area to cultivate banana.

Bacani, who is also the president and chief executive officer of Unifrutti Tropical Philippines Inc., said that his company is looking at developing an

initial of 500 hectares for banana production.

However, he said the potential land that can be developed can reach up to 5,000 hectares.

Bacani said what remains the roadblock of developing the area into a banana plantation is the approval from the Provincial Agrarian Reform Council to approve the agribusiness venture agreement as these are all reform lands.

“The land is magnificent and has sturdy top

soil,” Bacani said.

Other initiative to boost production is to recover the areas that are affected by panama disease (fusarium wilt) by planting Cavendish banana variant GCTCV-218, which is resistant to the very aggressive Tropical Race 4 (TR4) Fusarium Wilt disease.

The group is also imploring for assistance from the national government for the establishment of a world-class research laboratory to help address the problem of fusarium wilt.

currently working on validating the list of beneficiaries, or the process of "deduplication", to ensure that it is free from duplicates.

"We are in the process now of what we call deduplication. Ito po yung sinusuri ang pangalan na walang magka-doble doble (This is the part where we validate names to avoid double [benefits]) so that we can avoid the duplicates and names including yung mga (those) beneficiaries who have received an emergency subsidy or SAP from other agencies," he said. "Once the names are submitted and deduplicated, then we will proceed with the digital payment.”

DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, who was also present during the hearing, said the agency has traced around 48,000 duplicate beneficiaries for the SAP. "Sa unang stage namin ng deduplication, nagkaroon ng more or less 48,000 na nadoble ang natanggap na ayuda. Meron ding nakita doon na may mga ineligible at questionable ang pagkakasali (In the first stage of dedupli-

cation, there were more or less 48,000 [beneficiaries] who received double subsidies. There were also those who were ineligible and questionable for their inclusion)," Bautista said.

Bautista said some 12 million families are expected to receive the second wave of cash aid under SAP, as well as around 5 million waitlisted or "left out" families during the first tranche distribution.

Pamonag said as of Tuesday, there are 1.38 million beneficiaries who received the second tranche of SAP. Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte pointed out that only a little over 10 percent of the target beneficiaries of the second tranche have received their cash subsidies.

Villafuerte stressed that the fear of duplication should not prevent the DSWD from fast-tracking the distribution of the second tranche.

“So ang point ko, why will the 10.7 million suffer kung meron nagkaroon na 48,000 na duplication? Nakalagay naman sa DSWD guidelines...nakalagay

naman sa MOA [memorandum of agreement] with LGUs na if ever there are duplications na dapat ibalik nila ang pera? (My point, why will the 10.7 million suffer if there are 48,000 duplications? It was already stipulated in DSWD guidelines, and in a MOA with LGUs, that if ever there are duplications, they would return the money?)," Villafuerte said.

DSWD Undersecretary Aimee Neri, for her part, said the agency has signed a multilateral agreement with some financial service providers (FSPs) for the digital payment of SAP. "For every 'dedup' [deduplicated] clean list of beneficiaries submitted to the central office, we immediately paid out. That's the reason why there are already 1.3 million [beneficiaries] paid out," Neri said.

"As for the clean list beneficiaries that were provided to the central office, we shared the same already to the financial service providers," she added.

The participating FSPs are GCash, RCBC, Robinson Bank, PayMaya, Starpay, and Unionbank. (PNA)

DSWD awaits final list of SAP 2 recipients from LGUs

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n official of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Tuesday said the distribution of the second tranche of cash aid under the government’s social amelioration program (SAP) could be completed within a week once the full list of beneficiaries is submitted by local government units (LGUs).

During the hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, DSWD Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag said the central office is still waiting for the final submission of the names of qualified beneficiaries from LGUs. "As long as the names of beneficiaries are completed, we could complete the distribution of the emergency subsidy for a period of a week. Ang nakikita po namin ngayon (What we're seeing now is that) the list of beneficiaries is still at the ground level... Precisely, we are reminding those on the ground to facilitate or hasten the submission of names," Pamonag said.

He said the DSWD is

s locals demand more options for public transportation, the city government of Davao will soon allow motorcycle back-riding months after it was prohibited to control the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Mayor Sara Duterte said during her live interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Monday that she asked for guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease on back-riding or “angkas” weeks after the task force announced it would allow back-riding once the guidelines have been crafted.

The IATF’s Resolution 47 released last June 19 provides that a technical working group – which included the Department of Transportation, Department of Health, and Department of Trade and Industry – was “directed to convene and determine the safest and most effective manner to reduce the rate of transmission in back-riding in motorcycles.”

Duterte said the city government would follow what the provincial government of Bohol did, writing IATF a letter to ask for guidelines, and would resume motorcycle back-riding if it does not respond within a week.

“I have just talked with the governor of Bohol (Gov. Arthur Yap). We have areas in the Philippines where motorcycles are the primary mode of transportation unlike here where we

have jeepneys and tricycles. Their households and families have motorcycles but they do not have fourwheel vehicles,” she said.

She said the province of Bohol would be requiring motorcycle owners to comply with some “engineering interventions” to avoid the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Duterte said the city government of Davao would announce once it decides to allow motorcycle back-riding.

“We will do the same in Davao. We will request, and if they do not come back to us within one week, regardless if the answer is ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ then we will proceed with resumption of back-ride,” she said.

The mayor added that the local government would draft its own guidelines in lieu of the IATF guidelines.

“We will announce what we will need to do to resume. We will send [Monday] the letter and then within one week, if there is still no response, we will give our own local guidelines for ‘angkas’ because until now we still have no guidelines from the NTF [national task force] for ‘angkas,” she said.

As of July 7, Department of Health-Davao reported a total of 614 cases, with 33 deaths and 399 recoveries in the region.

Of the total cases, 463 are in Davao City, 57 in Davao del Norte, 25 in Davao del Sur, 33 in Davao de Oro, 32 in Davao Oriental, and four in Davao Occidental. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

More LSIs return to provinces via 'Hatid Tulong' program

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he beneficiaries of the latest batch of the government's "Hatid Tulong" program have already reached their destinations while others are arriving soon, an official said Monday.

"May mga batch na po tayong nakarating sa kanilang mga probinsya at ang Region 11 (Davao) po ay malapit nang makarating sa kanilang mga drop off points (We have batches who already reached their home provinces, while the Region 11 batch is close to its drop off points)," Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo said in an interview at the Laging Handa network briefing aired over state-run PTV4.

He said they are now coordinating with local government units to fetch the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) arriving in their areas.

“Ang byaheng Zamboanga ay nasa unang drop off point na rin. Ang mga LGUs ay kaniya-kaniya na pong sundo sa pier at patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa mga LGUs para masundo ang mga LSIs papunta sa kanilang mga sariling probinsya at hometowns (Those going

to Zamboanga are now at their first drop-off point.

The LGUs are picking them up at the pier, and we are in continuous communication with the LGUs to fetch their LSIs),” he said.

Encabo said once the Caraga Region lifts its moratorium on LSIs, they will immediately dispatch around 1,200 LSIs bound to the area.

“Magiging priority ang ating mga kababayan na taga Caraga. Merong mga initial feelers ngayon o feedback na baka ma-lift na ang moratorium ng Caraga sa lalong madaling panahon at kung ang Caraga ay mauuna sa paglift ng moratorium ay agad agad kaming mag-schedule ng kanilang byahe upang yung 1,200 LSIs na pauwi ng Caraga ay ma-accommodate agad natin in two to three batches (We will prioritize those going to Caraga. We have received words that Caraga will soon lift the moratorium.

If that happens, we will immediately schedule a trip to bring home about 1,200 LSIs going to Caraga and we will accommodate them in two to three batches)”.

Meanwhile, Encabo re-

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10-year Treasury bond coupon rate declines

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A market goer buys vegetables from a roadside vendor who is braving the scorching afternoon heat at Bankerohan Public Market on Wednesday afternoon.

Edge Davao

PH grapples for banana market share vs Latin America: PBGEA

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association, Inc. (PBGEA) reported that countries in Latin America have eaten up market share of Philippine Cavendish bananas in the countries Japan, Korea, China, and Gulf Estates/Jeddah.

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“The Japan market has gone down because Latin American bananas are eating up some of the market share of Philippine bananas in Japan. Banana is still a popular fruit in Japan.

Latin America is a threat to Philippine banana in Japan,” said Alberto Bacani, president of PBGEA in a virtual press conference on Wednesday.

Bacani added that Japan remains a lucrative market for Philippine cavendish bananas.

Based on Bacani’s presentation, the Philippine bananas starting to face competition with Vietnam,

Cambodia, Laos, and Ecuador as emerging market threats in China. In terms of boxes exported to China in 2019, Philippines exported 73,600,000 boxes while Vietnam exported 27,700,000 boxes, Laos 360,000 boxes, Cambodia 6,700,000, and Ecuador 29,900,000 boxes.

Bacani said the Philippine bananas have become more expensive compared to Ecuador bananas and consequently lost Gulf Estates/Jeddah market share over the last seven years.

In terms of spot prices per box, in 2018, Philippine bananas has an aver-

age of $7.35 while Ecuador has an average of $4.38; in 2019, Philippine has an average of $5.85 while Ecuador has $4.83; and in the first quarter of 2020, Philippine has $7.78 while Ecuador has $4.72.

In terms of banana market share in Gulf Estates/Jeddah, in 2013 the Philippines has 90 percent market share while Ecuador has 10 percent; however, in 2019, the Philippines has 48 percent market share while Ecuador has 52 percent.

Meanwhile, Latin American banana volume into Iran has eroded Philippine volume over the past 10 years. In 2017, before the US sanctions were implemented, Iran was supplied with about 37 million boxes: 27 million boxes from the Philippines and 10 million boxes from Latin America that are trucked from the Port of Mersin in Turkey.

Bacani said they are imploring to the national government take notice of this and find means to help the local banana export industry to survive such as on the market side, he said government could lower tariffs in bananas and create bilateral agreement with other global players in banana trade.

“It is no longer an issue of one Philippine banana company competing against each other. It is the Philippines against the world. Our bananas are still the best option for Asian and Middle East markets, unfortunately, we are facing so many challenges in the Philippines, while other banana-producing countries are doing everything to take away our markets from us by reducing prices through means like negotiating for reduced duties and providing subsidies,” Bacani said.

law-making body, approved the BDP for 20202022 last week.

The development goals include the establishment of foundations for inclusive, transparent, accountable, and efficient governance; to uphold peace, security, public order and safety, and respect for human rights; create a favorable enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable economic development; and promote Bangsamoro identity, cultures, and diversity.

The development goals also seek to ensure access to and delivery of quality services for human capital development; harness technology and innovations to increase socio-economic opportunities and improve government services;

Increase strategic and climate-resilient infrastructure to support sustainable socio-economic development in the Bangsamoro region, among others.

On July 3, the MFBM released Bangsamoro Budget Memorandum No. 2020-01 or the Bangsamoro Budget Call for the Fiscal Year of 2021 that signaled the first of the four-phased budget cycle of the region.

Ebrahim also noted the regional government’s adoption of the Cash Budgeting System as well as the consolidation of autonomous regional government funds to the Single Treasury Account, among others.

“This strengthens the focus and accountability of the government,” Ebra-

him said. “Making sure all targeted operations are on schedule, all budget entrusted are fully disbursed within the fiscal year.”

Last year, the BTA passed the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 3, the legislation which appropriated the funds for the operation of the Bangsamoro government for 2020.

The appropriations act is the “lay down” of all the available funds allotted to each ministry and office in the BARMM. The 2020 legislation was crafted anchoring the 12-Point Priority Agenda of the interim BARMM chief minister as aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s 0+10 Point Socio-Economic Agenda and the Philippine Development Plan. (PNA)

BARMM kicks off budget forum for 2021

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he Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) kicked off Tuesday a budget forum for the year 2021, dubbed as “2021 Bangsamoro Budget Call”.

BARMM's Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM) reminded all regional ministry offices and agencies to plan their budget according to the eight development goals in the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP).

“This aims to uplift the lives of the Bangsamoro and establish the foundations of self-governance through moral governance,” Ebrahim said during his speech at the forum.

The 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the region’s

he rate of the Philippines’ 10-year Treasury bond (T-bond) declined Tuesday, which National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon attributed to the high liquidity situation in the domestic economy.

Coupon rate of the freshly auctioned debt paper went down to 2.875 percent from the 6.875 percent the same tenor that was also newly-auctioned and fetched during the auction in January last year.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) offered the debt instrument for PHP30 billion and the auction committee made a full award. Total bids amounted to PHP59.7 billion.

The government reported an uptick in the June 2020 inflation rate to 2.5 percent from last May’s 2.1 percent.

Despite the acceleration of domestic inflation rate to a three-month high level, de Leon said this did not affect investors’ sentiment during the T-bond

auction Tuesday.

Average inflation in the first half of the year stood at 2.5 percent, within the government’s 2 to 4-percent target band until 2022.

“Inflation remains benign at 2.5 percent,” she said.

Meanwhile, the rate setting auction for the retail treasury bond (RTB) has been pushed a day later to July 16, de Leon said but did not elaborate on the reason for the rescheduling.

RTBs are debt papers intended for small investors since minimum investment is PHP5,000 and additional placements need to be in increments of PHP5,000.

The last time BTr issued RTB was in January this year.

During the rate-setting auction alone, the auction committee awarded some PHP134 billion worth of three-year paper, more than fourfold from the PHP30-billion offer. (PNA)

DOF maintains need for fiscal sustainability of stimulus plans

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has maintained the Duterte administration’s position to anchor on fiscal prudence and sustainability any plans to stimulate the domestic economy amid the deepening coronavirus-induced global downturn, as state borrowings to beat the pandemic went up in the first four months of the year to PHP1.22 trillion.

Net of repayments to the government’s creditors and bondholders for existing loans, the government’s financing increased by an additional PHP873 billion from the end of 2019 to April 2020.

The latest report from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) revealed that around PHP982 billion, or 81 percent of the new borrowings, was sourced domestically through treasury bills and bonds and a PHP300-billion short-term loan from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The balance, amounting to around PHP237 billion or 19 percent of the total, was sourced externally through a mix of concessional foreign loans and bond issuances.

Dominguez said higher borrowings this year are crucial to letting the Duterte administration carry out a wide range of initiatives for the country to cope with the unexpected shocks unleashed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and before that, the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

"The government has had to increase spending to implement its Four-Pillar Socioeconomic Strategy against Covid-19 even as strict mobility restrictions that national and local governments imposed since March to suppress the coronavirus’ spread had

curtailed economic activity and led to a sizable drop in the state's revenue intake," he said.

Before the surge of Covid-19 community transmissions in the country, Dominguez said the Duterte administration also had to deal at the onset of 2020 with the eruption of the Taal Volcano, which caused temporary suspensions in production, particularly in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (Calabarzon) growth corridor.

“While the government is borrowing more than usual this year in order to fund healthcare, social protection, and other essential programs while our revenues are down, we have to be careful about spending too much above our means," Dominguez said.

He said as the country borrowed PHP1.22 trillion in just four months, “fiscal space should be saved to afford us elbow room” in case future circumstances require a new round of big healthcare spending, subsidies, and/or stimulus programs.

“Loans are not free money,” he added. “They are advances that we, or even our children and their children, will have to pay for in some way in the future. The Duterte administration’s policy is to be careful not to borrow beyond sustainable levels, lest we fall into a vicious cycle of accumulating unmanageable debt, which might drastically increase our financing costs, and plunge us deeper into debt."

"Hence, it is imperative that we limit state spending to a manageable and sustainable level equivalent to a 9-percent budget deficit.”

The economic team earlier reported that a tar-

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EDGEDAVAO

The Tagumpay Mobile Agri-Market serves as a venue for local farmers in selling their harvested vegetables, fruits, and other agri-products at low cost in the different barangays in Tagum, conveniently bringing fresh produce closer to the residents. Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

Gov’t borrowings reached E P1.22T in Jan-April: DOF

Digital tech, agri value chain support key to stable prices

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he national government’s borrowing reached P1.22 trillion in the first four months of 2020 as the Duterte administration ramped its reliance on lending to fund its COVID-19 response and economic relief initiatives, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Tuesday.

Citing a report from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), the DOF said the lion’s share or P982 billion (81%) of the total borrowings for the period were sourced domestically.

These were raised through treasury bills and bonds and through a P300-billion short-term loan from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The balance, amounting to around P237 billion or 19% of the total, was

sourced externally through a mix of concessional foreign loans and bond issuances.

Finance Secretary Dominguez III noted that higher borrowings this year “are crucial to letting the Duterte administration carry out a wide range of initiatives for the country to cope with the unexpected shocks unleashed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and, before that, the eruption of

the Taal Volcano.”

“The government has had to increase spending to implement its Four-Pillar Socioeconomic Strategy against COVID-19 even as strict mobility restrictions that national and local governments imposed since March to suppress the coronavirus’ spread had curtailed economic activity and led to a sizeable drop in the state's revenue intake,” Dominguez said.

The Finance chief said that before the surge of COVID-19 community transmissions in the country, the Duterte administration also had to deal at the onset of 2020 with the eruption of the Taal Volcano, which caused temporary suspensions in production, particularly in the Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon (CALA-

he country’s inflation rate remains manageable despite an uptick to a three-month high last June, with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno saying risks remain limited to the impact of the pandemic.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday that inflation in the sixth month this year accelerated to 2.5 percent from 2.1 percent last May, primarily due to a faster annual rise in the transport

index, specifically of tricycle fares.

The year-ago level was higher at 2.7 percent while average to date stood at 2.5 percent.

In a Viber message to journalists, Diokno said inflation rate last June is within the central bank’s 1.9 percent to 2.7 percent forecast for the month and “is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that inflation pressures remain limited due largely to the adverse impact of the

Covid-19 pandemic on the domestic and global economic conditions.”

He said the latest forecasts by monetary officials point to a benign inflation environment over the policy horizon, with the average inflation this year seen at 2.3 percent, while it is at 2.6 percent for next year and 3 percent for 2022.

Diokno said domestic recovery is seen to be u-shape on a quarterly basis with output likely to contract further in the re-

BARZON) growth corridor.

“While the government is borrowing more than usual this year in order to fund healthcare, social protection and other essential programs while our revenues are down, we have to be careful about spending too much above our means," he said.

"None of us knows how long this pandemic will last.

As we have borrowed a lot– P1.22 trillion in just four months, to be exact–fiscal space should be saved to afford us elbow room in case future circumstances require a new round of big healthcare spending, subsidies and/or stimulus programs,” he added.

Since loans are not free, the Finance chief said that it is an imperative that the government limit state

maining quarters of 2020.

“Growth is expected to recover in 2021 once the impact of government policy support measures gains traction,” he added.

Meanwhile, Diokno said the outlook for the global economy “has further deteriorated with considerable uncertainty brought about by the magnitude and duration of containment measures across all economies.”

He said the central bank “remains committed to the

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Inflation manageable despite uptick in June, Diokno says

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nsuring price stability through greater use of technology and supporting the agriculture value chain is necessary to help build consumer confidence and support the gradual recovery of the domestic economy, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday that the country’s headline inflation accelerated to 2.5 percent in June 2020, faster than the registered 2.1 percent in May 2020. This inflation outturn brings the year-todate inflation to 2.5 percent.

“The moderate increase in inflation will help in the recovery of consumer demand as the economy gradually reopens,” acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said.

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic continues to affect the daily lives of Filipinos, the government needs to ensure that commodity prices remain low and stable to preserve the purchasing power of Filipino consumers especially those in the bottom 30 percent income households. This will help build-up consumer confidence and support the gradual opening and recovery of the domestic economy.

The NEDA chief said that with the onset of the rainy season and continued implementation of community quarantine measures, the government and the

private sector need to use existing digital technologies to better address supply bottlenecks and ensure stable prices.

“Digital technologies, such as eKADIWA, a digital marketing platform, the Supply Chain Analytics (SCAn) Dashboard and the SCAn Reporter, are important government platforms to address potential supply bottlenecks and ensure ample and unhampered supply of commodities while many regions are still on various forms of community quarantine,” Chua added.

Chua attributed the faster inflation largely to the increase in transport price index, as public transport remains partly restricted, and as domestic petroleum prices started to increase month-on-month because of the recovery in international oil prices.

Transport services inflation rose significantly to 8.4 percent in June 2020 from 1.3 percent in May 2020.

Inflation in passenger transport by road accelerated to 9.5 percent from 2.6 percent. In particular, tricycle fares recorded an increase of 26.0 percent from 6.6 percent, as operators tried to compensate for reduced passenger load to follow social distancing measures with higher fares.

Meanwhile, food inflation decelerated to 2.7 percent. This is attributed to the stable supply of agricultural commodities with the implementation of the food resiliency protocol and

FDIGITAL TECH, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 76 • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

In the aftermath of the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office dismissing complaints of rape, child abuse, and human trafficking charges filed by a former member of Kingdom of Jesus Christ against the group’s founder Apollo Quiboloy and 5 other church members:

Indeed, malicious prosecution is a ground for filing a case on damages against a complainant who actually alleges untruthful allegations against a certain person especially that person is respected in the society.

Israelito Torreon

Legal Counsel of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy

EDGEDAVAO

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

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL Layout/Cartoons

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

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

MAYOR (SHIP’S COOK) AND THE SEAFARER’S HEALTHY DIET “Taking responsibility for the health of all human souls on their ships also defines the shipowners’ sense of humanity and justice. No ship sails without a human crew.”

Thus declared the Supreme Court in the case of Oscar Paringit vs. Global Gateway Crewing Services, Inc. ( G.R. No. 217123, March 28, 2019) where it pointed out that a crew properly nourished, adequately fit, and enjoying humane working conditions will redound to the benefit of the shipowners.

The proverbial saying ‘you are what you eat’ is the notion that the food one eats has a bearing on one’s state of mind and health.

Without safe, adequate, varied and nutritious meals prepared and served in hygienic conditions, seafarers would not be able to perform their duties effectively on board ship.

Seafarers are on board vessels in the high seas for a substantial length of time and food supplies are usually frozen, preserved, smoked, salted and canned meats as these items are not easily perishable.

On the other hand, fresh

fruits and vegetables cannot last long in the high seas.

A seafarer had no choice of what to eat on board except those provided on the vessels and these consisted mainly of high-fat, high-cholesterol, and low-fiber foods. (Leonis Navigation v. Villamater , G.R. No. 179169 March 3, 2010 ) The shipowners are mandated under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC2006) to make sure that food and drinking water supplies shall be suitable in respect of quantity, nutritional value, quality and variety, having regard to the duration and nature of the voyage, the number of seafarers on board as well as their religious requirements and cultural practices as they pertain to food.

MLC2006 recognizes the need of ensuring that sufficient food and drinking water of appropriate quality are served on board by qualified and trained catering personnel.

The ship’s cook, who is more popularly called “Mayor” by his fellow crewmates, is the person whose primary responsibility on board a ship is to prepare food for the crew of the ship.

His role extends beyond the preparation of food to include maintenance of the kitchen and ensuring the cleanliness and hygiene of food and drink preparation areas and the handling and storage of food and stores.

The ships’ cook must be trained, qualified and found competent for the position through the completion of the duly approved training course, which covers practical cookery, food and personal hygiene, food storage, stock control, and environmental protection and catering health and safety.

It is an anecdote among seafarers that the cook is befriended by many so that they can ask extras for the day’s meal.

But the life of a cook, just like any other seafarer, is not always a walk in the park.

In Tamin vs. Magsaysay Maritime Corp. (G.R. No. 220608, August 31, 2016), while on kitchen duty and chopping pork knuckles for lunch, the chopping knife accidentally slid down and cut the cook’s left forefinger at about 1.5 inches, causing it to detach from the joint bone.

The Supreme Court ruled

that the loss of his index finger does not preclude an award for total and permanent disability because, in labor laws, disability need not render the seafarer absolutely helpless or feeble to be compensable.

It is enough that it incapacitates him to perform his customary work.

Since his entire left hand was permanently affected, he would not be able to resume his previous occupation and the probability that he would be hired by other maritime employers would be close to impossible.

In Teodoro vs. Teekay Shipping Phil.

(G.R. No. 244721 February 5, 2020), the Supreme Court considered the loss of vision of the cook’s left eye as attributable to the sudden extreme changes in temperature from the upper deck to the freezer during the hauling and storage process for the food provisions.

The panel of voluntary arbitrators pointed out that the company’s personnel were exposed to extreme temperatures without the proper protective clothing, thus, creating a more dangerous work environment that resulted

to the seafarer’s permanent blindness in the left eye and his incapacity to resume the same line of work.

The Supreme Court noted that the Grade 7 disability rating assessment by the company-designated physician negates any claim that the non-listed illness is not work-related.

In Torillos vs. Eastgate Maritime Corp. (G.R. No. 215904, January 10, 2019), the Supreme Court affirmed that the illness, lumbar spondylosis, was work connected though it may be degenerative.

The Court ruled that it was aggravated by his work as chief cook whose duties involved heavy manual labor such as carrying the heavy provisions of the ship, preparation and serving of all meals for the entire crew of the vessel, cleaning of dining, kitchen and work areas and of utensils.

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

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

(NOT-SO) SECRET TIPS TO A LONG, GOOD LIFE I don’t think my dear readers would be raising their eyebrows as I write about a topic that is not so seldom written about.

Actually, it is a subject that is more talked about these days.

Why? Well, it is wholly or in part, due to the global CoVid 19 pandemic that has claimed the lives of more than a million people from all over the world.

You have to be physically healthy if you want to survive this monstrous Corona virus from Wuhan, China.

Some say they are lucky to have reached seniority age while others wonder if they would get to the senior’s bracket.

Anyway, here are some of the not-so secret tips to help you stop wondering how and why you could catapult into the long life zone.

Health – physically and spiritually – is and must be the person’s primary rea-

son for living. If you are not healthy (meaning you are sickly), your situation will definitely hinder or abort your goal to live many years past your desired age.

Make friends but select good company. Socializing in wholesome activities with the right minded people enable a person to look at life’s complexities with a positive mind and attitude.

Get into sports. Golf, basketball, running and other muscle-flexing activities help take away the stress that you get through every day.

Enrolling in a fitness gym is one of the regular items that most people have resorted to because the ambiance is conducive to the exercise regimen.

Sleep at least eight hours daily. For some who can’t, make sure you take thirty minute to one hour quick naps to make up for the lost night time slumber.

A healthy (less salt) diet complements and enhances

the above. Eating fresh vegetables and fresh fruits and drinking less of soda or sugar-based liquids will keep a person from visiting his friendly doctor.

White meat is recommended while red meat should be avoided.

Of course, smoking and alcohol should be a BIG NO. They weaken one’s immunity to respiratory diseases such as flu, cough and colds.

For seniors who are already bothered by some age-related diseases, regularly reading the Bible usually keep them at peace and assured of being relieved of either anxiety or mood swings.

I can guarantee you that Gospel reading takes away the cares of the world. It develops your faint hope in God and strengthen a person’s faith that believes in the existence of a Supreme Being who created the universe, who provides and cares for us and for whom we owe our

existence.

The Bible teaches us salvation through Jesus Christ the Son of God sent to redeem mankind’s sins via His death on the cross.

Reading the Scriptures also teaches us good moral and spiritual lessons that enrich our understanding of human relations, good manners and right conduct, loyalty, wisdom in the dispensation of justice and transparent governance, wealth acquisition and distribution, forgiveness and compassion.

These positive values are a big help to living a long quality life.

However, having so much money (while this thrills money-loving people) oftentimes become a headache because the possessor of such huge wealth is often bothered by how he could double his treasure or how he would prevent losing his business.

Worry is a product of having too much of one thing

or having too less that a person is deprived of enjoying his earthly life.

Therefore, a person must exert honest effort to balance his appreciation of his existence and relationship to the world and the situation he is in.

Moderation is the practical solution. In a world where there is so much material allurements, chances are that so many may be entrapped and ensnared. As a prime example, read the vignettes of Hollywood showbiz celebrities – how they lived and perished – and you will realize that too much of a good thing brings disaster.

Live a Godly life and live it long.

I leave you this quote from Confucius who said: “The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

KNOWLEDGE CHANNEL’S “CLASS PROJECT: INTERCOLLEGIATE MINI-DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION” has served as a haven for aspiring documentarists in highlighting Filipino values and culture and telling inspiring stories in today’s society. On its third year, the competition in partnership with ABS-CBN, DocuCentral, and Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), delivered once again 10 remarkable student documentaries that viewers can now watch on iWant for free!

Here are the ten must-watch “Class Project” winning minidocumentaries: The dedication of “Titser Gennie” It revolves around the story of Gennie, an Aeta teacher, whose dedication to her profession traverses heights, as she treks the trails of Sitio Tarukan daily to teach Aeta children. In the docu, she narrates her struggles and triumphs in becoming a licensed teacher. “Titser Gennie,” produced by students from the University of Makati, won first prize in the recent Class Project 2019.

Learn more about Pampanga’s heritage “Kulitan” Also from University of Makati, this documentary shows the cultural heritage of Kapampangan’s language and pre-colonial writing system called “Kulitan.” The feature also highlights the efforts of the

10

people working to preserve the lost art of Kulitan. For them, it’s not only an ancient writing system, but it also signifies Pampanga’s hidden legacy. “Kulitan” won second prize in Class Project 2019.

Witness the determination of “Mga Batang Anipa” “Mga Batang Anipa” is a testament to the determination of the Filipino youth to reach their dreams. It follows four children who go to school daily, traversing the surging current of the river aboard a lifesaver. Despite the risks, the students did not let the currents drown their goal of pursuing a better life for their families through education.

The documentary, also from students of the University of Makati, won third prize in Class Project 2019.

Know the hardships of every Filipino farmer in “Binhi” This Class Project 2019 finalist, produced by students from Palawan State University, narrates the struggles of Mang Ariel, a farmer from Taytay, Palawan, in providing for his

COMPELLING STUDENT DOCUS WORTH WATCHING ON IWANT

family. Despite the hardships, he strives against all adversities to bring a bright future for his children.

The cultural significance of the betel nut in “City Painted in Red” “City Painted in Red” highlights the cultural significance of chewing betel nuts or the traditional practice of northern tribes called “moma.” The red dye it leaves on the chewer signifies the rich highland tradition of Cordillerans. Despite numerous health claims about the dangers of chewing betel nuts infused with tobacco, highlanders say that it helps them in quitting smoking and has its benefits too.

Vash’s fast-paced adventure in “Ang Munting Karera ni Vash” Follow the story of eight-yearold boy Vash in his adrenalinepacked journey to becoming a pocket motorbike racing champion. Although there are risks attributed to racing, especially for minors, Vash’s parents are supportive of his passion for the sport and pursuit of the gold.

The dreams of three scholars in “Iskolar ng Merkado” “Iskolar ng Merkado,” tells the stories of Mike, Irish, and Kyrell, who in their determination to finish their studies, worked in the wet market to meet their needs and help their families. The three working students serve as an inspiration to every Filipino student, embodying diligence, and willingness to follow one’s dreams.

The heartwarming stories of grandmothers in “Hiling sa Dapithapon” The documentary from students of the Lyceum of the Philippines University Laguna shares the moving stories of grandmothers who spend their days in a home for the aged facility, longing to be with their loved ones someday.

Feel the affection of a foster parent in “Aruga” A parent’s love is immeasurable and unconditional, even if one is not blood-related to his or her child. “Aruga” proves this as it shows the affection of Nanay Nida, a licensed foster parent,

for her temporarily adopted children. Through DSWD’s Foster Care program, she and her husband Tatay Renato, are able to serve as loving parents to children yearning for a family.

The loyalty of “Hachiko ng Lapu-Lapu” Dogs are truly a man’s best friend. In the documentary “Hachiko ng Lapu-Lapu,” watch the true story of a street dog in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, named Kit, and how he waits daily for the uncertain return of his best friend, who moved to Manila.

Rain or shine, Kit remains in one spot to patiently wait for his beloved friend, showing a dog’s true love and loyalty.

Amid today’s uncertain times brought by the pandemic, these Class Project documentaries aim to uplift the spirits of every Filipino through inspiring stories straight from the heart.

Viewers can also catch more Class Project documentaries every Friday at 7:30 pm on Knowledge Channel. Download the iWant app or visit iwant. ph to stream more acclaimed documentaries for free!

IMBESTIGADOR AIRS “COVID-19: SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS NI MIKE ENRIQUEZ” This July, GMA Public Affairs’ longest-running investigative television program Imbestigador presents “COVID-19: Special Investigative Reports ni Mike Enriquez”which brings back Imbestigador to its news-based, investigative roots. The special series is a comprehensive examination that seeks crucial answers to relevant issues relating to the COVID-19 response in the country.

COVID-19 has become the worst pandemic the world has ever seen in the past century. It

continues to cause an unprecedented global health calamity and it has become the greatest challenge that mankind has collectively faced since World War II. While people and businesses are grappling with significant adjustments to the socalled “new normal” after more than three months of lockdown, Filipinos need to take a step back to analyze and discuss significant issues related to the pandemic. What happened to the mass testing program?

Where did the billions of funds

intended for the COVID-19 response really go? Has the Social Amelioration Program been implemented well enough to support all Filipinos in need?

How bad are the economic

effects of the crisis to businesses and workforce? What future awaits Filipinos in the new normal?

For the special’s first part on July 11, Mike begins the investigation with a deep dive into the current state of the transportation sector.

After being suspended for months, public transportation is gradually resuming its operations, although limited. As means of transportation remain few, some commuters have resorted to riding motorcycles and bicycles. Others are

even forced to walk for hours to go to work and run errands because they are left without any options to commute.

Meanwhile, other public transport drivers still prohibited by the government from plying their regular routes continue to suffer financially.

Are there any concrete and long-term solutions in the horizon?

Catch “COVID-19: Special Investigative Reports ni Mike Enriquez” which airs its initial episode this July 11, 4:45 pm after Wish Ko Lang on GMA-7.

EDGEDAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 76 • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

AGRITRENDS COMPETITIVE EDGE

9

An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

M

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 EDGEDAVAO

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GOV’T... FROM 2

able by December.

“I’m confident by our readings of other countries who have much improved their scientific study, I

think that by December meron na hong vaccine or at least if not a vaccine a medicine that could kill the COVID-19,” he said.

get budget deficit of 9 percent, which takes into account the administration’s proposed stimulus measures, would place it at the median of the Philippines’ peer group.

This should hold whether the country is compared to countries in East Asia and the Pacific, to its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) neighbors, or countries with credit ratings in the "BBB" to "A-" range.

In a vote of confidence in President Duterte’s prudent fiscal management and his government's capability to steer the economy back to its high-growth trajectory, the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgraded the country’s credit rating from "BBB+" to "A-" with a "stable" outlook last week.

The credit rating upgrade comes at a time when economies across the world are reeling from what could likely become

the worst global downturn in nearly a century.

Dominguez earlier said JCR's "A-" rating upgrade was a solid recognition of the Philippines’ capability to stage a quick and strong recovery from the Covid-triggered global economic slump on the back of its Four-Pillar Strategy to beat the pandemic.

The government’s Four-Pillar Socioeconomic Strategy against Covid-19 is made up of emergency support for vulnerable groups and individuals; marshaling of resources to fight Covid-19; fiscal and monetary actions to finance emergency initiatives and keep the economy afloat; and an economic recovery program focused on getting businesses back on their feet to sustain and create jobs.

The strategy has a combined value of PHP1.74 trillion or 9.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

(PR)

use of monetary instruments and regulatory relief measures when needed further in fulfillment of its mandate to promote non-inflationary and sustainable growth.”

“The BSP likewise re-

iterates its support for the health and fiscal programs already being rolled out by the National Government to support the needs of Filipino households and firms amid the pandemic,” he added. (PNA)

will be in place, which Silver hopes will make the campus safe for players and NBA personnel despite the rise in COVID-19 cases in Florida.

"We can analyze the virus itself and try to track whether, if there's more than one case, if it's in essence the same virus, the same genetic variation of

the virus that has passed from one player to another," Silver said.

"This should work," he said.

"But again, this virus has humbled many, so I am not going to express any higher level of confidence than we are following the protocols and we hope it works as we designed it."

id test kundi yung RTPCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction)--swab talaga--para accurate kami (Our focus right now is on testing the players, not through rapid test but through RT-PCR-that is, swab testing--so that we are accurate),” he further said.

The RT-PCR testing is being called the “gold standard” for Covid-19 testing since it gives the most accurate results.

Araneta said the PFF will begin testing the PFL players by Wednesday, and he expects that they can begin training next week once they get the results.

Ceres Negros on ‘status quo’ Meanwhile, Araneta reiterated that the defending PFL champion, Ceres Negros, has yet to make an official communication regarding its stay in the league as rumors continue to swirl that the club may beg off for this season.

However, he confirmed that a representative of the Bacolod-based team

was present in an online meeting with the other PFL clubs on Monday.

“At the moment, status quo pa rin naman (it is still status quo),” Araneta said.

He said regardless of the Ceres Negros situation, the PFL will still push through this year.

“Whatever happens, tuloy naman yung liga, and I think meron naman sigurong sasalo just in case unfortunately aalis sila sa league (the league will push through, and I think there may be one that will take over just in case they leave the league unfortunately),” Araneta said.

He hinted that another Luzon-based club may join Ceres Negros, assuming it stays, Kaya Iloilo, Stallion Laguna, Global Makati, Mendiola, Air Force, and the Azkals Development Team for this year.

“Sinabi namin (We told them) they just have to apply for licensing,” Araneta quipped, adding that the PFF may waive the licensing fees for the meantime due to the pandemic. (PNA)

DOF... FROM 4 2

A market goer buys vegetables from a roadside vendor who is braving the scorching afternoon heat at Bankerohan Public Market on Wednesday afternoon.

Edge Davao

PH has sufficient supply of HIV drugs, DOH says

T

he Philippines has sufficient supply of antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV, the health ministry said Tuesday, following reports that dozens of countries were at risk of running out of medication for the AIDS-causing virus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The DOH (Department of Health) has secured stocks of antiretroviral drugs for HIV up until next year," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing.

"There is also an ongoing procurement for this drug so we won't have any shortage in the future," she added.

Antiretroviral treatment reduces patient's viral load to the point that they are undetectable, and prevents onward sexual transmission to other people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday 73 countries were at risk of stockout of antiretroviral medicine due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Countries and their de-

velopment partners must do all they can to ensure that people who need HIV treatment continue to access it," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

"We cannot let the COVID-19 pandemic undo the hard-won gains in the global response to this disease," he added.

Data from WHO showed that new HIV infections fell by 39 percent while HIV-related deaths decreased by 51 percent between 2000 and 2019. Some 15 million

lives were saved through the use of antiretroviral drugs.

According to a 2019 report from UNAIDS, there are 97,000 people living with HIV in the Philippines, of whom 43,000 are on antiretroviral treatment.

The virus that causes AIDS has so far claimed 1,600 lives, the report added.

HIV is mainly spread through sexual intercourse or sharing of needles, and can also be passed on from an infected pregnant mother to her child.

minds the LSIs who wish to avail of the Hatid Tulong program to keep in touch with the concerned government agencies and have their names listed so

that this will be submitted to the program's technical working group.

“Para maumpisahan na sila sa enrollment at sa assessment para mapabil-

ang na sila sa mga batches na pwede nating ipabyahe kaagad sa lalong madaling panahon (So they may be enrolled and assessed and be included in the next

batches)”.

He also reminded LSIs to avoid going out and observe home quarantine and observe safe physical distancing. (PNA)

spending to a manageable and sustainable level equivalent to a 9% budget deficit.”

The economic team earlier reported that a target budget deficit of 9%, which takes into account the administration’s proposed stimulus measures, would place it at the median of the Philippines’ peer group.

This should hold true whether the country is compared to countries in East Asia and the Pacific, to its Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

neighbors, or to countries with credit ratings in the "BBB" to "A-" range.

To recall, the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) upgraded the country’s credit rating from "BBB+" to "A-" with a "stable" outlook last week.

The credit rating upgrade comes at a time when economies across the world are reeling from what could likely become the worst global downturn in nearly a century.

The government’s Four-Pillar Socioeconomic Strategy against COVID-19

is made up of the following: • emergency support for vulnerable groups and individuals • marshalling of resources to fight COVID-19 • fiscal and monetary actions to finance emergency initiatives and keep the economy afloat • an economic recovery program focused on getting businesses back on their feet to sustain and create jobs

The strategy has a combined value of P1.74 trillion or 9.1% of GDP, according to the DOF. “[Loans] are advances that we, or even our children and their children, will have to pay for in some way in the future. The Duterte administration’s policy is to be careful not to borrow beyond sustainable levels, lest we fall into a vicious cycle of accumulating unmanageable debt, which might drastically increase our financing costs, and plunge us deeper into debt,” Dominguez said.

related guidelines which ensured the unhampered delivery of essential items.

“Although inflation is expected to remain within the target range of 2 to 4 percent this year, we need to closely monitor possible upside risks to inflation as select economic activities are now resuming,

although at reduced capacities. This is to comply with guidelines and protocols set to contain the spread of Covid-19,” Chua said.

He said it is also important to increase the utilization of high-yielding and early maturing varieties of crops and adopt disaster-resilient farm tech-

nologies and practices in order to ensure stable food supply and prices in the months ahead.

“At the same time, we need to strictly monitor suggested retail prices on basic commodities to protect consumers from overpricing and against unscrupulous sellers and traders,”

he added.

Chua further said the government is closely watching the developments in the global market, particularly on the movement in the rice and oil sectors and exploring other possible sources to ensure sufficient supply of rice and oil in the country. (PR)

MORE LSIS... FROM 2 GOV’T... FROM 5

DIGITAL TECH... FROM 52

INFLATION... FROM 52 NBA... FROM 112

PFL... FROM 112

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VOL.13 ISSUE 76 • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

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NBA teams begin arriving in Orlando for restart of season

N Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Alfredo Panlilio (right) chats with Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Willie Marcial (left) in this file photo.

SBP awaits approved basketball practice protocols

T

he Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is waiting for a copy of the approved guidelines for the resumption of basketball team practices at the professional level.

Executive Director Sonny Barrios said on Tuesday that such protocols are needed for the national sports association to map out its next plan of action.

“We cannot really plan concretely what to do without specific guidelines, especially from the authorities,” Barrios said in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

For one, according to SBP operations director Butch Antonio, seeing the protocols is needed so that Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 can resume its training for next year’s FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“We will convene the group once magkaroon ng more firm plans (firmer plans surface),” Antonio said.

Mainly for the sake of having Gilas 3x3 train again despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3, the chief backer of the squad, sought help from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) in submitting its own practice protocols independent from the one the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) submitted.

On Friday, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved the resumption of practices in professional basketball, including that of the Chooks 3x3 league, which according to GAB is seeking to formally become pro.

Barrios added that the

PFL eyes August start to new season

T

he Philippines Football League (PFL) could start very soon.

Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Nonong Araneta said the PFL may begin its 2020 season by August following the decision of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow pro team sports practices again.

“Hopefully, by August 15, magsimula na kami (we can start already),” Araneta said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas 2’s Aaron Bayato on Monday.

Araneta said the PFF will first submit a report to the Games and Amusements Board how the first two weeks of training went down before meeting with the IATF again to discuss what to do so that the PFL can begin its season.

PFL clubs are to comply with the protocols set by PFF regarding club training during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Only 10 people, preferably a combination of eight players and two trainers so that they can train in groups of five, are allowed to be on the pitch at a certain period.

After a 30-minute break, another set of 10 people can now enter the field.

Close contact drills like tackling and set pieces are not yet allowed at this stage.

Only those tested negative for Covid-19 will be cleared to train, and with that, Araneta said the PFF will make sure about that.

“Ang [focus] namin ngayon is yung testing muna, hindi yung rap-

FPFL, P10

SBP wants to see the approved protocols so that it can make a move regarding the situation of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) and the National Basketball League (NBL).

While both regional leagues also function on a play-for-pay basis, they are not sanctioned by GAB. “Gusto naming makita ‘yung official copy. Gusto naming malaman ‘yung coverage (We want to see the official copy. We want to know its coverage),” Barrios further said, adding that the SBP also wants to find out if the protocols set are only specific for the PBA. The former PBA commissioner bared that the SBP was supposed to make an advisory regarding the resumption of club practices but could not make one due to the vagueness of the approved protocols.

“Hindi namin alam kung ano’ng ilalagay sa advisory (We do not know what to put in the advisory)

until we see the copy of the official ruling,” Barrios said.

He encouraged the MPBL and the NBL, as well as the collegiate leagues, to draft their own protocols so that their member teams can resume their practices.

“Maganda ‘yung malaman ng mga authorities na maraming gustong bumalik na sa (It is good that the authorities know that many want to go back to) training, at the very least,” Barrios said.

The Covid-19 pandemic stalled the MPBL playoffs, as well as the first conference of the NBL season.

MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes said he is still keen on finishing this year’s playoffs since only the Game 3s of the division finals and the best-of-five national finals have yet to be played, although he added that the next season would be pushed a year further to the 2021-2022 fiscal calendar. (PNA)

BA teams are making their way to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida ahead of the restart of the season, some four months after it was halted because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Orlando Magic were the first team to arrive at the "bubble."

The Denver Nuggets have also arrived, with Troy Daniels proclaiming the team "bubble-ready."

The Utah Jazz also announced that they have arrived at the bubble.

'Significant' virus spread could thwart NBA restart: Silver Meantime, NBA commissioner Adam Silver reiterated Tuesday that a "significant spread" of coronavirus could burst the league's safety "bubble" and cause a second shutdown of the season.

Silver said he fully expects some players who gather in Florida to resume the suspended season will test positive for coronavirus, especially as teams first arrive in Orlando from their home markets.

But he said fresh outbreaks after players go through quarantine procedures could prove more damaging.

"Certainly, if we had any sort of a significant spread at all within our campus, we would be shut down again," Silver said at Fortune's virtual Brainstorm Health conference.

"It would be concerning if once (the players) sit through our quarantine period, and then were to test positive, we would know that, in essence, there's a hole in our bubble."

The NBA halted play on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the coronavirus.

The season is set to resume on July 30 with 22 teams jockeying for a spot in the 16-team playoffs that start August 17.

All games will be held at the ESPN Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, where players will stay in a quarantine environment.

Coronavirus testing and contact tracing measures

FNBA, P10

Nadal will play Madrid, raising doubts over US Open participation

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afael Nadal said on Tuesday that he will take part in the Madrid Open, raising doubts about whether he intends to defend his title at the US Open.

The US Open, whose fate still hangs in the balance, is scheduled to run from August 31 to September 13 on the hard courts of New York while the main draw at the Madrid event on clay starts on September 14.

Madrid will serve as a warmup for the rescheduled French Open, the claycourt Grand Slam that begins on September 20.

The Madrid tournament director Feliciano Lopez tweeted: "I have

spoken to my friend Rafael Nadal who confirmed his participation in Madrid in September. As always, we await you with open arms in the Caja Magica!"

Nadal answered: "That's right Feli. See you in September in Madrid.

Meanwhile everything is going well!"

The United States has seen a sharp resurgence of new coronavirus cases, leading to fresh doubts about whether the US Open will take place.

Leading players, including world number three Dominic Thiem, have said they expect a decision from US Open organisers this week.

The PFL may begin its 2020 season by August following the decision of Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to allow pro team sports practices again.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 76 • THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2020

GYM SAFETY

Arcadia releases new sked, ‘new normal’ gym protocols

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

A users.

rcadia Fitness Gym opened its doors anew to members on Wednesday, July 8, laying out the new normal safety protocols for all gym

The gym management released the Member Safety Guidelines along with the new gym schedules on its social media page.

Located inside the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center and operated by the Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco), Arcadia Fitness Gym is the premier fitness hub in the city equipped with state-of-the-art gym equipment and parading a battery of experienced trainers.

Davao City government allowed fitness gyms to operate after it was declared under an improved Moderate General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) status last July 1. To be able to operate anew, fitness gyms underwent inspections conducted by the City Sports Development Office.

Arcadia’s new gym schedules are as follows: Mondays-Fridays 9am-7pm -- First Session 9-10:30 am; 2nd Session 11 am-12:30 pm; 3rd Session 1-2:30 pm; 4th Session

3-4:30 pm; and 5th Session 5-7 pm.

Saturdays 7am-3pm -- 1st Session 7-8:30 am; 2nd Session 9-10:30 am; 3rd Session 11 am-12:30 pm; and 4th Session 1-3 pm.

Disinfection will be made for 30 minutes in between sessions.

Members must reserve a schedule prior to gym visit by calling through the Front Office for immediate confirmation at 0917 1042585. Only those with text confirmation will be allowed entry. For online payment transaction, members and interested parties may contact (0917) 146 4304 or (082) 327 8471 for more details.

Before a member visits, they must reserve a schedule via Front Office and get a confirmation sent through S M S .

Only 20 members are allowed per gym schedule which will be for 90 minutes per session. A member is allowed to enter Arcadia 10 minutes before the session. There will be no walk-ins and use of the gym will be exclusively for members at this time. New members are encouraged to sign up online and gym visits/tours are temporarily suspended.

Upon entry, temperature checks shall be conducted at the front doors. Members who are unwell or with temperature of 37.8C or higher shall be restricted from entering. Members are obliged to provide contact tracing information upon their first visit for record keeping. This will be done via paperless forms and are initiated at Front Desk or via phone prior to visit.

Sanitized mats are placed outside the access doors from the gym area and everyone is re-

quired to sanitize their hands prior to entry. Disinfectant sprays are provided for members inside the gym area. However, members are advised to bring their own to avoid communal items inside the gym as much as possible.

During workout, members must bring his/her own towels every visit--one for wiping down equipment before and after use and another for personal use. Wearing of face mask at all times is mandatory and members are advised to adjust face masks from time to time for comfortable breathing.

Wearing of face shield for additional protection and gym gloves to avoid direct contact to equipment are advised but not mandatory.

Physical distancing is required at all times and gym users must follow appropriate markings.

Meantime, group classes and boxing are discontinued as of the moment as well as training activities that necessitate close contact.

Sauna, lockers and showers are temporarily inaccessible. Members must be in workout clothes upon entry and are advised to leave the premises at once after the session ends.