Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 80 | Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

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IATF decides to return Davao City to GCQ status on July 15 STORY ON PAGE 2

A flock of pigeons catches the attention of a hawker who is peddling homemade chips snacks along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

Two of 499 passengers from Manila who are bound for the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi who were offloaded in Cagayan de Oro City on July 7 undergo swabbing for RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at the Regional Isolation Facility in Sanitarium Hospital, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on 10 July 2020. Those who test negative

will be able to board naval vessels bound for their respective islands while those who test positive will remain for treatment. MindaNews photo by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA

BACK TO GCQ

IATF decides to return Davao City to GCQ status on July 15

By MAYA M. PADILLO avao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio forewarned Dabawenyos for possible return of the city to general community quarantine (GCQ) status on July 15, 2020.

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The mayor shared advance information in her live interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Monday that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging and Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) will classify Davao City as GCQ status on Wednesday.

“Duna tay advance information gikan sa IATF nga ang Davao City will be classified as General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status on July 15. Mao na siya ang mahitabo kung labad ug dili magpa-tuo ang mga tao sa mga health protocols nga atoang ginapaimplement.,” she said.

Mayor Sara said she will try to appeal the classification.

“We will try to appeal that based on the data nga ginapangyo sa IATF gikan sa LGU,” she said.

However, if her appeal will be denied, the mayor reminded Dabawenyos to review the July 2 version of the Omnibus Guidelines as guide what to do during GCQ. “But kung ma-deny gihapon ang atoang appeal nga magpa-bilin ta og MGCQ, may I request everyone nga duna ta’y July 2 version sa Omnibus guidelines nga i-review nato.

Maayo ng mangandam ta

daan for GCQ status nga GCQ,” she said.

The city government of Davao has adopted the national government’s Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine issued by the IATF. Through an Executive Order No. 28-A issued by the mayor on May 4, 2020, “An Order Providing for the Extension of the Enhanced Community Quarantine and other Activities Thereafter” adopting the provisions for ECQ in the Omnibus Guidelines. Mayor Sara said the Omnibus Guidelines will now guide the city government in the implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for the whole country.

Among salient points of the guidelines include allowing the operation with a

skeleton workforce of laundry shops; private establishments involved in the provision of essential goods and services, and activities in the value chain related to food and medicine production, allowing the operation of other goods such as clothing, accessories, hardware, housewares, school, and office supplies but for delivery only.

Under GCQ, no hotels are also allowed to operate, except those accommodating: 1) guests who have existing booking accommodations for foreigners as of May 1, 2020; 2) guests who have existing long-term bookings; 3) Distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and stranded Filipino or foreign nationals; d) repatriated OFWs in compliance with approved protocols; e) Non-OFWs who may be required to

people in the affected barangays, considering that tricycles are not allowed to traverse in the national highways.

DPWH spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo responded saying that they will look into it and will have the regional team assess and provide recommendations on this particular situation.

Thankful Meanwhile, Mayor Cagas is thankful for the

commitment given by the DPWH for the immediate repair of infrastructures which were damaged by the recent flooding incidents in the city.

In the Laging Handa Network Briefing with PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar earlier today, Cagas reported that the flashfloods that took place on June 28, 2020, has caused almost P500 million worth of damages to flood control dikes and hanging

bridges in the affected barangays.

DPWH spokesperson Anna Mae Lamentillo assured the local chief executive and the residents of Digos City that the agency is committed to expeditiously repair 16 projects affected by the flashfloods.

She said that there is a need to repair revetments in Barangays Aplaya, Cogon, Zone 1 and Tres de Mayo. (CLC/Laging Handa Network Briefing)

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Cagas urges DPWH 11 to install bailey bridges in Brgys. Aplaya, Ruparan

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igos City Mayor Josef Cagas has raised a request for the Department of Public Works and Highways to install bailey bridges in Barangays Aplaya and Ruparan to replace the hanging bridges which were impaired by the recent flooding.

Cagas explained during today’s Laging Handa Network Briefing, that this particular project is for the easy transportation of goods and mobility of

LSIs, returning OFWs contribute to the increasing positive cases

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avao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reported that there are a total of 162 active Covid-19 cases in Davao City, which is the highest number so far recorded as of 8 a.m. of July 13, 2020.

Mayor Sara attributed to the high number of active cases to the returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) that continue to arrive in Davao City.

“Nagadaghan ni tungod sa positive cases nga mga locally stranded individuals and OFWs as expected. On top of local transmission nagdungag ang LSIs and OFWs during testing nato,” Mayor Sara said in a live interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Monday.

The mayor also cited that of the 166 LSIs from the Grand Hatid Program of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) that arrived in Davao City via Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT), 15 were tested positive of Covid-19.

“Out of 166 na gi-test nato, ang nag-positive sa ilaha 15 kabuok,” she said.

These LSIs, who arrive in three batches from Manila, were immediately swabbed and screened for Covid-19 at DCOTT. Mayor Sara assured that the city can still cater confirmed positive Covid-19 patients as there are still available beds in various Covid-19 facilities.

“Sa pagka-karon wala pa napuno ang atong mga faciltiies. In fact, ganiha duna mi miting with our DOH regional director ug naghangyo mi sa ila kung puwede i-re-classify nato ang atoang mga facilities so that madungagan tong ginagamit and magamit tong wala nagamit na facilities,” she said.

Currently, there are 11 isolation facilities wherein six of these are being utilized for Covid-19 patients.

She added that one private hospital is ready in deck and ready to cater Covid-19 patients.

“We have one private hospital ready on deck, waiting for patients nga ipadala sa ilaha just in case

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Newly-appointed ASec will handle Bangsamoro projects for MinDA

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ormer three-term mayor Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar of Isabela City, Basilan, newly-appointed Assistant Secretary, has been detailed at the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) where she has been tasked

by Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to “handle the Bangsamoro projects and activities of the agency,” according to a MinDA press release.

Akbar was introduced to the MinDA Management Committee during a Zoom meeting last Tuesday.

Piñol, according to the press release, tasked Akbar to focus on the development programs in Taraka,

Lanao del Sur, one of MinDA’s flagship efforts for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“We cannot fail in Taraka because it plays a critical role, having been selected as the model town for rural development in the Bangsamoro area,” he was quoted as saying.

Earlier this month, the Development Bank of the Philippines and MinDA signed a PhP 218-Million loan agreement for the MinDA Water Supply Program (MWSP) in the municipality of Taraka to address the lack of potable water supply and other

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VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

TF Davao, DCPO to strengthen security system in churches

By MAYA M. PADILLO s religious masses are now allowed in churches following the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MGCQ) status in Davao City, the city’s security team is looking into security protocols in places of worships.

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Task Force Davao, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) are now doing a review to strengthen the security system in various churches.

Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said in a virtual presser on Friday that security forces are now doing inventory of churches to intensify security in the churches as a significant effort against counter-terrorism.

“Ang ating efforts ngayon under MGCQ, dahil nag-open na ang services ng ating mga churches, the first thing we did is review our security system in the churches. Napakahalaga nito pagdating sa counter-terrorism because amid Covid-19 kasi ang mga churchhgoers natin ay naka-facemask so it

is difficult to identify kung sino sila at we cannot detect their faces using our gadgets,” Yecla said.

Yecla said during a meeting with DCPO, PSSCC, ABC, and the admin officers of various churches, it was discussed to require all churches to advice the churchgoers not to bring backpacks, not to wear jacket, and not to bring non-transparent water container inside the church.

“Nung nag-miting tayo with the security and admin officers of the churches this napag-usapan namin to strengthen the security kasi we observed na yung binalik na yung mga serbisyo ng simbahan hindi naibalik yung dating security system,” he said.

He also said that despite tightening the security, health protocols such as wearing of mask will still be observed inside

the churches.

“Wala sa usapan yung paghubad ng mask. Kasi ayaw namin i-violate yung safety protocols just to ensure security. Ibig sabihin kahit na sampung patong yung face mask niya okay lang sa amin as long as malinis siya kagaya ng hindi pagdala ng hindi natin gusto nyang dalhin na mga ipinagbabawal na mga bagay sa loob ng simbahan,” he said.

Yecla also said they are now re-aligning their forces while ensuring individuals’ safety from the pandemic. He said it is also being discussed to tap barangay tanods, hiring of blue guards, and organizing of volunteer groups to ensure security.

“Lahat ng na-deploy sa mga supermarkets nilipat ko muna sa mga simbahan while allowing them to prepare for the security na pinag-usapan namin kagaya ng pag-organize ng volunteer groups, tapping of the barangay tanods, pag hire ng mga blue guards isa sa mga napag-usapan naming,” he said.

Yecla said it was agreed during the meeting that the host barangay, where the church is situated, should allocate

FTF, P10

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says the national government is now discouraging home-based quarantine for those who tested positive for corona-

virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to minimize the risk of transmission within households. Edge Davao

DOH acknowledges Davao City’s isolation of Covid-19 patients 'Lingap' continues aiding indigents,

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he Department of Health (DOH) has acknowledged Davao City government’s move to assign only one hospital to cater to patients suspected of and infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as one of its best practice.

DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega, in a press briefing, said one of the main drivers of the city’s progress in the fight against the virus is it has assigned the Southern Philippines

Medical Center (SPMC) as the only institution to receive cases related to Covid-19.

“This way, private hospitals will accommodate non-Covid patients and SPMC will handle everything that’s COVID-19 related,” Vega said.

Dr. Vega, who is former SPMC chief, told reporters that having to keep all equipment and medication necessary for the containment and cure of the viral disease in one facility is a

“good strategy”.

In March, City Mayor Sara Duterte signed an ordinance stating private hospitals in Davao City shall not accept patients with COVID-19 to keep their patients and health workers safe from possible infection due to exposure from the virus.

DOH Davao Regional Director, Dr. Annabelle Yumang, said devoting the government hospitals would lessen the risk of COVID-19 transmission to

other patients.

“Dedicating one hospital for persons under investigation (PUIs) is one way to lessen transmission,” she added.

Private hospitals refer patients suspected with Covid-19 to SPMC. As of July 10, DOH records 484 cases in the city.

Of this number, 154 are active cases; 302 have recovered; while two deaths have been reported.

Other efforts

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A couple rides a motorcycle without a prescribed divider is seen cruising along the national highway in Toril, Davao City over the weekend. Edge Davao

notes decline in seniors asking help

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avao City’s long-running local medical assistance program Lingap Para Sa Mahirap continues to extend assistance amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Josephine “Nenen" Mitaran, head of Lingap-Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), said in a virtual presser that the office is extending assistance to Covid-19-related patients.

“Gina-arrange nato kung unsa ang puwede nila madawat na assistance from Lingap,” she said.

She said Lingap also provides assistance for the burial of the patients who passed away due to Covid-19.

“Ang Lingap ga-paningkamot nga mahatagan nato ug tabang katong mga Covid-19-related patients, Through this program, gina-arrange nato ang pagpalubong sa mga namatay na pasyente, especially cremation. Naga-assist ang Lingap kung unsa ang plano sa family labi na kung Covid-19-related gyud ang pasyente. Kami na pud mismo ang muduol sa ilaha,” she said.

For non-Covid-19 patients, Mitaran said they noticed lesser number of people asking for assistance particularly from the senior citizens group.

“Nagbaba ang paghatag nato ug assistance sa ilaha labi na tong mga gapangayo ug maintenance medicine sukad gibawal tong mga senior citizens sa paggawas. Nalimitahan

gyud ang amoang clientele particularly sa mga senior citizens,” she said.

Mitaran said Lingap program provides assistance for patients admitted in the government-owned hospital and private hospitals.

“Kaning mga pasyente nga naa sa SPMC, ang among entrance naa lang sa emergency room complex, mas dali pud makakuha ug assistance kung naka-admit sila sa SPMC. Kung naka-admit sila sa private hospitals puwede gihapon ta muhatag ug hinabang. For the meantime ang atoang opisina for the private hospitals nga ga-cater ug asisatnce naa sa Magallanes Street,” she said.

Mitaran also reminded the people to observe protocols when asking assistance at Lingap. She said there will be no more oneon-one procedure. She said they will be only accepting requests that will be assessed by the staff.

“Unlike before pagnag-bibigay ng assistance sa mga tao, sila yung lumalapit sa atin ng personal, but since Covid-19 pandemic, the process is papel lang ang tatanggapin namin sa ngayon. Yung client pag-pasok sa office may assessment na ng social worker natin and bago ibigay ang mga assistance, i-che-check ng staff, at ibabalik naming ay papel din po at wala na kaming nung one-on-one na process,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

Out of Nowhere Kitchen maintains its restaurant clean and safe for customers. The restaurant is present in SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier. (Photo by SM Supermalls Davao)

SM malls reopen F dine-in services

PAL has promo fares for trips from August 2020 to May 2021

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ining services in SM Supermalls in Davao resumed on June 15, following the go signal given by the local government as guided by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Dozens of restaurants and food establishments in both SM malls in Davao opened at 30 percent capacity and implemented standard health protocols to ensure both employee and customer safety.

Extended dining To ensure best experiences, SM also mounted extended dining spaces in mall areas to ensure safe distancing is followed among

patrons.

The Designated Dining Area is part of the continuing #SafeMallingAtSM campaign of the mall. A mix of greenery in carefully spaced tables and chairs create comforting moments of delight for customers during their dining pause in both Davao malls.

“Extended dining spaces gives SM shoppers quick dining experiences during their visits to the mall. The

setup of these consider strict measures to assure everyone that dine-in services are clean, safe, and satisfactory,” said Engr. Jonathan Nick Santos, Regional Operations Manager, SM Supermalls – Mindanao.

Standard protocol The following are also prominent and visible and accessible by diners: contactless sanitizing stations, floor markings that encourage one way foot traffic, alternate modes of payment.

In addition to this, a limited number of customers will also be allowed to dine-in and standard disinfection of facilities is followed in regular intervals.

Customers are also guided by a 3-step dining eti-

quette: to enjoy food from mall restaurant, to stay for a quick bite, and to clean as you go. They are also encouraged to call ahead to book orders.

In SM Lanang Premier, the designated dining area is located in the mall atrium and features food merchants like Toriyamu, BBQ Nation, Classic Savory, Out of Nowhere Kitchen, and Anniepie.

In SM City Davao, the dining space pop-up is located in the mall’s annex specifically in the event center with the following food brands: Out of Nowhere Kitchen, Kuya J, Hukad, Blue Posts Boiling Crabs and Shrimps, Tong Yang, Cabalen, Mesa, Selera, and Rustic Box.

agreements were inked by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III in late June and early July.

"This EU assistance will certainly help the Duterte administration achieve its goal of just and lasting peace and development in southern Philippines, and in supporting genuine autonomy in the Bangsamoro region," he said.

The agreements includ-

ed €35.5 million for the Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MINPAD)-Rise Mindanao which was signed on June 26.

According to the DOF, the MINPAD-Rise Mindanao project had a total cost of €149.5 million. It would be co-financed by the EU with the government of Germany for an indicative amount of €4 million, and the World Bank for an indicative

amount of $130 million.

Another agreement was the €25-million Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) program inked on July 1, accounting for 96 percent of the estimated total project cost of €26 million.

The remaining €1 million will be financed by the Spanish Agency for International Development (AE-

EU pours fresh P3.375-B grant for Mindanao projects

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he Philippines inked two financing agreements with the European Union for peace and infrastructure projects in Mindanao cumulatively worth €60.5 million.

At the exchange rate of P55.7976:€1 as of July 10, the agreements were equivalent to P3.375 billion.

In a statement on Sunday, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the two

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lag-carrier Philippine Airlines over the weekend announced promotional fares as low as P388 for one-way tickets for domestic trips starting next month.

In an advisory, PAL said it will offer one-way domestic tickets for as low as P388, and one-way international tickets as low as $99, covering trips from August 1, 2020 until May 31, 2021.

The promo will start on Monday, July 13, and will last until next Sunday, July 19, 2020.

The promotional fares will be available through the carrier's official website, through its reservations at (+63 2) 8855 – 8888, any PAL ticketing office, partner travel agents, or through the PAL mobile app.

In the same advisory, the carrier reiterated the stricter health safety measures to be implemented given the coronavirus pandemic: Thermal scans before entering ticket office; no mask, no entry for all visitors • Managed social distancing inside ticketing office • PAL staff wearing face masks • Transparent barriers at the counter • Passengers are advised to check-in online and be at the airport early— four hours before international departures and three hours before domestic departures from airports in the

Philippines Face masks required for all flights • Up to two kilos allowed from the original seven kilos carry on • For Free Baggage Allowance: 5 kilos added to passenger's FBA • Passengers may carry on board up to 10 100ml bottles of sanitizers with up to 70% alcohol • Rigorous cabin cleaning and disinfection • Simplified meal or snack service • Social Distancing cabin seating options • HEPA filters to purify cabin air PAL also assured that its cabin crew will be required to wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) while onboard, and will undergo medical evaluation prior to the duty. It also said its aircraft are equipped with advanced cabin air systems that continuously infuse fresh air across the cabin.

"The onboard air creates a controlled and cleaner environment comparable to hospital operating rooms that is safer than most enclosed public spaces," it said.

The flag carrier has already partially resumed regular commercial flights to various domestic destinations and key international cities in the US, Asia, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Canada.

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VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Envi certificate for SMI's project ‘restored’ by OP

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A fisherman in Sitio Mam-on in the village of Suyangan in General Luna, Siargao Island prepares his boat to venture out to sea on Friday morning July 10, 2020. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Excise tax collections from large taxpayers surpass 1H target

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he collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from excise taxes paid by large taxpayers for the first half of 2020 reached P128.59 billion, exceeding its adjusted target of P113.64 billion for this period by P14.95 billion or 13.15 percent despite the severe economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Revenue collection targets for 2020 were adjusted to take into account the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak on economic activity.

While the BIR surpassed its first-semester target for excise tax collections this year, the amount it collected based on preliminary data is P41.13 billion or 24.23 percent short of the P169.718 billion it collected during the same period last year.

Preliminary data submitted to the Department of Finance (DOF) show that tobacco products led the gainers in terms of excise tax collections from large taxpayers, with P61.47 billion collected over the peri-

od of January 1 to June 30, surpassing the BIR’s target of P43.6 billion for this period by P17.87 billion or P41 percent.

Excise tax collections for alcohol products from large taxpayers amounted to P27.46 billion, which is P6.51 billion or 31.07 percent over the target of P20.95 billion for the January-June period.

Large taxpayers paid a total of P16.41 billion in excise taxes on sweetened beverages, which is just 2.46 percent shy of the P16.83 billion target of the BIR for the first half of 2020.

For other products, excise tax collections from large taxpayers covering

the January-June period amounted to P2.12 billion for minerals, which is P161 million or 8.2 percent more than last year’s P1.96 billion; P985 million for automobiles; P129 million for non-essentials; and P1 million for cosmetic procedures.

Excise tax collection from large taxpayers on petroleum products amounted to P19.99 billion from January to June.

With restrictions on movement strictly imposed starting March, demand for oil products declined, which is why the excise taxes collected is P8.59 billion or 30 percent below the target of P28.59 billion for this period.

For the month of June, excise tax payments of large taxpayers on tobacco products amounted to P18.1 billion, which is almost triple or 176 percent of its target of P6.56 billion and P4.8 billion or 36.1 percent more than the P13.3 billion collected in the same month of 2019.

Excise tax collection from large taxpayers in June for alcohol products

also exceeded the BIR target.

Collections amounted to P7.35 billion, which is P4.2 billion or 133 percent over the target of P3.15 billion for the month, and P515 million or 7.5 percent more than the P6.83 billion collected in June 2019.

The BIR also collected P483 million or 19.1 percent above its target of P2.53 billion for the excise taxes of large taxpayers on sweetened beverages in June, with collection reaching P3.02 billion.

Petroleum products yielded P2.1 billion in excise taxes in June, down by P2.2 million or 51 percent compared to the target of P4.3 billion, as quarantine measures were relaxed slightly last month but the means of public transport remain limited. But the June 2020 collection is higher by P53 million or 2.6 percent compared to the P2.05 billion collected in June 2019.

Excise taxes in June from automobiles amounted to P124 million; minerals, P368 million; non-essentials, P2 million, and cosmetic procedures, 0.

ng motorsiklo. 'Yun lang ang worry namin," he added.

The report also showed a couple using a makeshift frame who said that dealing with the air flow created by the moving motorcycle made it difficult for the rider to hang on to her companion as well as to the barrier at the same time.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año last Thursday announced that back-riding or riding pillion is allowed among couples and partners with the same resi-

Against COVID-19 has since released a prototype design.

In an effort to comply, several motorists have come up with improvised shields which in some instances, are vastly different from the issued prototype.

"Imbes na makatulong, ang nakikita namin dito eh baka maging sanhi ng aksidente. Halimbawa may kasalubong na malaking sasakyan, halimbawa truck man o malaking pick up.

Biglang hahanginin 'yung barrier shield na 'yan,

trolado ang ihip ng hangin, so pwede kang ma-aksidente," said Jay Taruc, a motorcycle safety advocate.

For his part, Año defended the prototype shield, saying that the safety really depends on the motorcycle driver. "'Yung regarding naman kasi sa accident-prone, both sides 'yan eh, both ways 'yan, kahit naman walang shield o walang barrier, katakot-takot 'yung aksidente ng motor. Nasa driver talaga 'yan," he said Friday.

agittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI), developer of the mammoth S5.9 billion Tampakan copper-gold project in South Cotabato, has “reacquired” its environmental compliance certificate (ECC), one of the requirements needed to proceed to the commercial production phase, a senior environment official said.

Omar Saikol, Environmental Management Bureau – Region 12 (EMB-12) director, said the ECC of SMI, which the late Environment Secretary Gina Lopez canceled on February 14, 2017, has been restored by the Office of the President (OP).

“The ECC of SMI was reinstated by the Office of the President on May 6, 2019,” Saikol, reading from a prepared document, told reporters on Thursday, 9 July.

Felix Alicer, newly installed regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-12, called the press conference his first “Meet the Press” engagement with journalists here.

Saikol said that SMI was originally granted the ECC by the EMB main office on February 19, 2013.

The firm needs to secure an ECC because its proposed mining operation falls under the environmentally critical project category, he added.

Speaking briefly to MindaNews after the press conference, Saikol said his office learned from the EMB main office “earlier this year that SMI’s ECC has been restored.”

“We were not notified of the development by our main office but we learned about it only after we inquired,” he said.

Lopez cancelled SMI’s ECC, after a review by the DENR, because of the company’s alleged failure to comply with the conditions and permitting requirements set by the ECC. The late environment secretary also banned the open-pit mining method.

SMI had announced that open-pit mining is the most viable method to extract the massive deposits for the Tampakan project, so named because the minefield is located in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Touted as Southeast Asia’s largest known undeveloped copper and gold minefield, the Tampakan project has the potential to yield an average of 375,000 tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold in concentrate per annum in the 17-yearlife of the mine.

The national government granted SMI a 25-year

Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) that was to expire on March 21, 2020.

The FTAA is subject for renewal for another 25 years, but long before its expiry, SMI sought and was granted a 12-year extension of the original FTAA. Leo Jasareno, then national director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), an agency under the DENR, approved the extension on June 8, 2016 “by authority of the secretary.” The DENR secretary at the time was Ramon Paje.

The 12-year extension of SMI’s FTAA, or until March 21, 2032, was not made public until January this year.

The FTAA covers about 10,000 hectare straddling the towns of Tampakan in South Cotabato, Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.

Felizardo Gacad, Jr., MGB-12 director, said during Thursday’s press conference here that they are still waiting for SMI to submit their requirements, including the “restored” ECC and the Certification Precondition (CP) from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

The CP certifies that the free, prior and informed consent has been obtained by the project proponent from the concerned indigenous cultural communities.

According to Gacad, he met with SMI representatives last June 22 for project updates.

In October 2019, Gacad, then new to the post here, drew flak for saying that the Tampakan project “was expected to go on full swing soon,” as the Office of the President will lift the order suspending the ECC granted to SMI. But as it has turned out, as announced Thursday by EMB-12’s Saikol, SMI’s ECC had been “restored” by the Office of the President on May 6, 2019.

Saikol said SMI continues to conduct drilling activities to determine the stability of the ground for the infrastructure facilities that will be built to support the mining operation.

The Tampakan project has been facing opposition from the local Catholic Church and environment groups.

Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas vowed to sustain the local Catholic church’s opposition against the Tampakan project on concerns over the environment, food security and human rights.

Aside from security

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Motorcycle safety advocates warns vs required barrier shields Muji USA files for bankruptcy otorcycle safety ad- ma o tumusok sa katawan dence. dadalhin ka either kaliwa or amid COVID-19 pandemic vocates on Sunday nung backride 'yung frame The National Task Force kanan eh di mo naman kon-

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warned against the barrier shields being required for motorcycles with back riders, saying they may cause accidents.

According to Motorcycle Philippines Federation official Atoy Sta. Cruz, metal barriers could cause more harm in an accident.

"Kini-criticize ko nga 'yan eh, kasi gumagamit sila nung pinaka-frame niya is made of metal," he said in an interview on Sunday.

"Ngayon, additional 'yan baka mamaya magkaroon ng road crash, tuma-

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UJI USA on Friday announced it has filed for bankruptcy.

“While the retail industry is navigating challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, MUJI has made the decision to restructure its business in order to better serve our community, which involves filing for Chapter 11,” the company said in its website.

Its operations, however, will continue despite filing for bankruptcy.

“MUJI USA will remain fully operational through-

out this restructuring,” it said.

“Our stores across the country remain in various phases of reopening, in accordance to public health guidelines, and our e-commerce website continues to run,” MUJI USA said.

The company is among the businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and filed for bankruptcy in the US. Department store JCPenney and Gold’s Gym USA also filed for Chapter 11 in the US.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

On the Department of Health (DOH) acknowledging Davao City government’s move to assign only one hospital to cater to patients suspected of and infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as one of its best practice:

This way, private hospitals will accommodate non-Covid patients and SPMC will handle everything that’s COVID-19 related. Dedicating one hospital for persons under investigation (PUIs) is one way to lessen transmission.

DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO’S FIRST GLOBAL CONVENTION The first international gathering in Davao City, held on November 15-20, 1994, was an offshoot of the creation of Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia and Philippines (BIMP) East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) a year earlier during the state visit of President Fidel V. Ramos in Brunei Darussalam.

Dubbed as The Polygon, the borderless geopolitical quadrangle (triangle in some arrangements) originally included regions east of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the assembly was officially called the East ASEAN Business Conference and Exhibits.

The convention, first scheduled on May 26-28, 1994, at the Central Bank building in Davao City, was cancelled after Indonesia and its business participants withdrew “in protest against the holding of a conference on East Timor” at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. It was moved to November 15-20, 1994.

President Ramos, in his keynote speech, traced the ori-

gin of the BIMP-EAGA concept: “The East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) was a mere concept which I started discussing with the ASEAN heads of government in October 1992, particularly President Soeharto of Indonesia, when we all met in Brunei on the silver jubilee of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. But such was our belief in the desirability—and workability of the idea—and such were our commitments to making it happen—that, with this convention, the EAGA has now become a practical reality.

“While we all have our individual strengths, it makes sense for those of us within a common geographic and cultural zone to use the complementarities of our economies.

“In the global markets for the twenty-first century, the countries that will best survive and prosper are those that cooperate with their logical economic partners in achieving synergistic efficiencies among them.

“Thus, the governments and peoples of ASEAN have a

strategic stake in EAGA’s success. And for EAGA to work as a sound economic concept it must be supported by the political commitment of our national leaders, and of our business sectors.”

The growth triangle concept was formally introduced

by Singapore deputy prime minister Goh Chok Tong in 1989 as part of a proposal to Malaysia and Indonesia to create a development zone involving three corresponding regions adjacent in locations.

Ramos expounded on the recent positive developments the economic arrangement had so far produced, saying: “The direction [of the concept] has clearly been toward free trade even before the GATT-UR [GATT Uruguay Round agreements]. Unilaterally, we have pared down a past list of 2,720 items restricted for import by 95 percent to a much shorter list of only 193 protected items.

“Liberalization is the central theme of our economic growth.

“Over the past two years we have liberalized and deregulated key industries that were long monopolized and cartelized by vested interests. In the telecommunications industry, for instance, we are witnessing unprecedented investments and growth as a result of deregulation. In Mindanao alone, 1993 saw a 27 percent increase in telephone line capacity and the placing of digital interconnection of telephone services in most major urban centers.

“Recently, we also opened up and decartelized interisland shipping and insurance and are moving to more deregulation in land and air transportation.

More Filipinos now enjoy better and cheaper services because of the resultant competition.

“We have passed laws that provide broad opportunities for the private sector to invest in key public infrastructure projects through expanded build-operate-transfer arrangements with Government.”

Greatly benefitting from the BIMP-EAGA is Davao. Since

it hosted the 1994 global conference, the city has tremendously grown economically, earning the sobriquet as the country’s gateway to the east ASEAN region. As a testament to this incredible progress, the region now hosts over a dozen consular offices and the destination of numerous international airlines.

Collectively, the BIMP-EAGA covers a total land area of 1.6 million square kilometers with a combined population of roughly 58 million. Geographically, the economic arrangement encompassed the sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the provinces of Maluku, Kalimantan, Manado City, Sulawesi, West Papua and Papua in Indonesia; Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan in Malaysia; and Palawan and Mindanao in the Philippines.

In terms of ecosystem, BIMP-EAGA comprises two of the world’s largest rainforests found in Borneo and Papua, and biodiverse marine systems in the South China Sea, Celebes Sea, and Sulu Sea.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

FAMOUS ERRORS UNLIMITED “To err is human; to forgive divine,” wrote English poet Alexan­der Pope (1688-1744).

Yes, we always make mistake whether we like it or not, sapagka’t tayo ay tao lamang, to use a Filipino cliché.

All over the world, people commit blunders, but the more important or famous a person is, the more memorable (infamous) his errors are likely to be. Most of the information presented here were culled from The Book of Lists.

If you have taken American literature as a subject, then Carl Sandburg needs no introduction. Born in Galesburg, Illinois, he is considered as “one of the greatest American poets and biographers.” He has filled many newspaper positions, won prizes and awards for poetry, given the world a great biography of Abraham Lincoln, and become famous as a singer and reciter of American folk songs.

But Sandburg, like any other human being, once made a mistake. In his biography, Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years, he wrote: “Lincoln’s mother was standing at the door of their cabin singing Greenland’s Icy Mountain.” That’s quite a feat, so to speak. The song was not written until twenty-two years after Lincoln’s death.

In 1961, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City

displayed Henri Matisse’s La Bateau. Nothing strange about that. But after 45 days, someone finally discovered it was displayed upside down. Most of those who took a look at it probably thought it was just a matter of art.

This reminds us of another topsy-turvy work of art. The United States Academy of Design once held an art competition and awarded second place to a work by Edward Dickinson (no relation to poetess Emily Dickinson). The judges learned only later that the artwork had been hung upside down.

Even heard of gun-toting Moses (yes, the man who’s associated with the Ten Commandments because of that movie starring Charlton Heston). In his renowned oil painting, “Israelites Gathering Manna in the Wilderness,” painter Tintoretto armed Moses’ men with shotguns. But history tells us that the earliest known gun did not appear until 1326, definitely after the Exodus.

Here’s another boner from the world of art. In a portrait of his patron, Charles I of England, Anthony van Dyke painted the king in full armor with two gauntlets (commonly known as medieval gloves) – both for the right hand.

This brings us to another boner. Billy the Kid, who is

in real life William H. Bonney (1859-1881), a Brooklyn-born gunman, inspired many movies and made many actors great.

Among them were Johnny Mack Brown, Roy Rogers, Robert Taylor, Jack Beutel, Audie Murphy, Don Barry, Anthony Dexter, and Scott Brady.

In 1958, Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman played the role of Billy the Kid in the movie titled The Left-Handed Gun. As everyone knows, Billy the Kid was actually right-handed.

In most cases, painters apparently fail to notice their errors. When Emanuel (with one M, please!) Leutze painted “Washington Crossing the Delaware,” he depicted the Stars and Stripes being carried in the boat. So, where’s the boner?

Well, for the information of the uninformed, the famous Stars and Stripes was not adopted as the American flag until June 14, 1777 - half a year after Washington’s crossing.

Writers, like painters, are not exempted from committing errors. In his immortal novel, Robinson Crusoe, author Daniel Defoe had his shipwrecked castaway try to salvage some goods: “I resolved, if possible, to get to the ship; so, I pulled off my clothes, for the weather was not to extremity, and took to the water.”

After the naked Crusoe

climbed aboard the ship: “I found that all the ship’s provisions were dry: and being well disposed to eat, I went to the bread room and filled my pockets with biscuits.” Huh? Remember Sherlock Holmes, the detective created

by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle?

And if you can still recall, his sidekick was Dr. John Watson.

According to Sir Doyle, Dr. Watson once suffered a bullet wound during a military action.

In the novel, A Study in Scar­let, Dr. Watson’s wound is in the shoulder. While in another novel, The Sign of Four, Dr. Watson’s wound is in the leg. Sherlock Holmes should figure that one out.

Sports, too, have their share of boners. Dan O’Leary of the Port Hurton baseball team, for instance, came to bat against Peoria with the score tied.

O’Leary hit what may have been the first home run of his career.

After rounding the bases, he was declared out. The reason: He had run around the bases the wrong way.

Many years ago, the U.S. Mint printed on a run of its gold coins: “In Gold we trust.” Of course, it should have run this way: “In God we trust.”

And in 1919, at the Versailles Peace Conference, Lloyd George of Great Britain advised Italy that it could make up for its

commercial losses by increasing the production of its banana crops. The Italians thought the British had gone bananas. You see, Italy does not grow bananas.

Believe it or not, a comma can cost US$2 million. An unidentified congressional clerk was once instructed to write: “All foreign fruit-plants are free from duty.” Instead, he wrote: “All foreign fruit, plants are free from duty.” The U.S. government had to spend $2 million before a new session of Congress could rectify the error.

This one will make you laugh. After completing construction of the Howard Hotel in Baltimore, the contractors installed boilers and started fires - before discovering they had forgotten to build a chimney.

Errors, like money, make or unmake man. As H.L. Mencken says: “The world always makes the assumption that the exposure of an error is identical with the discovery of truth... that error and truth are simply opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, when it has been cured of one error, is usually simply another error, and maybe one worse than the first one.”

And a German proverb has this to say: “An old error is always more popular than a new truth.”

8 EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

INTIMATE CELEBRATIONS AT THE

WATERFRONT TIMES MAY BE TOUGH, but it shouldn’t stop us from celebrating life’s special moments and creating wonderful memories. With social distancing as a health necessity, Intimate Celebrations are the new normal.

This year has been full of unexpected events in many modern-day love stories. And we know that many couples have had to postpone and reenvision how their wedding plans will be carried out.

Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao teamed up with Davao’s premier styling and event partners to offer couples in Davao, a beautiful solution to putting the party on hold, but not the marriage. Say goodbye to your event checklist for now because we got you covered with all the things you need to prepare for a beautiful and intimate cel-

ebration with those who truly matter.

Gatherings may have been dramatically downsized but the event setup with surely be eye-candy for your guests as lush and thematic decors light up the entire venue. The play of lights adds more drama and creates a warm and cozy atmosphere.

To make you and your guests feel pampered, a 5-course plated meal consists of Soup, Salad, 2 Main Course and Dessert with Drinks will be served.

Completing the whole dining experience, a carving station (a choice of Lechon, Lamb Leg, Roast Turkey, or Whole Fish) will be set up during the event. Top it off with a thematic 3-layer cake that compliments the event decor and styling.

You and your guests can just sit tight, enjoy the festivity, and be camera-ready as Photo and Video Coverage is already

included, from the preparation & ceremony up to the event reception.

Seal the day by relaxing and staying overnight in our spacious Junior Suite as complimentary.

This all-inclusive package is not limited to weddings; it can be for birthdays, debuts, or small celebrations.

Visit our Intimate Celebrations at the Waterfront showroom at the Agila Ball, Mondays to Saturdays from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. For inquiries and package inclusions, please contact our Convention and Events Office at (082) 300-8881 or (082) 233-2881 to 8206.

Here at Waterfront Davao, you always come first as we help you keep special occasions memorable, no matter how small it would be. PR

‘ALL-OUT SUNDAYS’ RETURNS TO TELEVISION THIS JULY 12 BEGINNING JULY 12, the fun and all-out entertainment continues as GMA Network’s musicalcomedy-variety program ‘All-Out Sundays: The Stay Home Party’ airs simultaneously on television and online via the network’s official social media pages with a new time slot at 12:45PM. Spice up your weekend while in quarantine with exceptional song and dance performances from Alden Richards, Julie Anne San Jose, Rayver Cruz, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Mark Bautista, Gabbi Garcia, Ken Chan, Rita Daniela, Miguel Tanfelix, Ruru

Madrid, Kyline Alcantara, Jak Roberto, Mavy Legaspi, Golden Canedo, Jeremiah Tiangco, Garrett Bolden, Thea Astley, Kim de Leon, Shayne Sava, Lexi Gonzales.

In ‘Four The Win’, Kapuso singers Aicelle Santos, Thea Astley, Golden Canedo and Julie Anne San Jose showcase their worldclass vocal prowess as they belt out the hits of OPM band Side A. Meanwhile, Kapuso actress and recording artist Bianca Umali launches her debut single ‘Kahit Kailan’ in the show with Mikee Quintos and Rodjun Cruz.

Groove to the rhythm of the

most iconic ‘90s hit songs as the AOS barkada gather for a fun game dubbed as ‘Mass Dancing.’

Laugh the boredom away and witness Pekto, John Feir and E.A Guzman in the hilarious segment

‘Walang Talent Show’ as they vie for the title of ‘Walang Talent’ with judges Aiai delas Alas and Boobay, hosted by Paolo Contis.

Exciting surprises also await loyal audiences of All-Out Sun-

days as lucky TV viewers will get the chance to win amazing prizes!

Don’t miss the fun games and all-out performances from the brightest Kapuso stars in ‘All-Out Sundays: The Stay Home Party’, on television and online, beginning July 12, every Sunday at 12:45PM, only on GMA-7 and GMA Network’s official social media pages.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 80 • TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

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 BACK... FROM2 undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine and; f) healthcare workers and other employees from exempted establishments under the Omnibus Guide-

lines and applicable Memoranda from the Executive Secretary. Provided that hotel operations shall be limited to the provision of basic lodging guests.

nga manginahanglan ug another hospital,” she said.

The testing through Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is still being done at SPMC and Davao One World.

“Ang atong RT-PCR laboratories duha lang gihapon ang Davao One World and SPMC and ongoing ang pag-asikaso sa ilang laboratory ang Davao Doctors Hospital and Los Amigos City Health Office,” she said.

From April 29, 2020 to July 12, 2020, the city has

assisted a total of 4,478 inbound passengers to Davao City while 4,645 for outbound passengers.

The city government of Davao has also started implementing voluntary and free COVID-19 testing via RT-PCR to passengers who arrived in Davao City via air travel since June 8, 2020. The initiatve aims to look for and treat Covid-19 patients. Volunteer passengers may reach out to the city’s COVID -19 Operation Center Hotlines if they want to avail the free testing. By Maya M. Padillo

agricultural facilities in the different barangays there.

The agency through its MinDA Water Program aims to assist local government units in Mindanao with water sources for irrigation and household use through a self-reliance program.

“We at MinDA are striving to change the lives of the people in Taraka and make the community productive and self-reliant. I believe ASec. Akbar can best handle the job,” he said.

“It is a tough job but I will do my very best to prove my worth with the trust given to me by President Rodrigo Duterte,” Ak-

bar said.

Akbar, widow of Governor Wahab Akbar who was killed in a bomb explosion at the parking lot of the House of Representatives in November 2007, served as mayor of Isabela City for three terms (2007 to 2016) and vice mayor from 2016 to 2019. She ran for mayor in 2019 under the ruling party but lost to Sitti Djalia Hataman of the Liberal Party.

Isabela City voted against inclusion in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the 2001 plebiscite and again voted against inclusion in the BARMMM last year. (MindaNews)

threats from the New People’s Army, the Tampakan project has been impeded by the open-pit mining ban imposed by the South Cotabato provincial government since 2010.

Pro-mining groups challenged before a local court the ban on open-pit mining contained in the province’s

environment code.

If developed, the Tampakan project “has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economic prosperity of the Philippines and enable a better future for the people of southern Mindanao,” SMI said on its website. (Bong Sarmiento / MindaNews)

and shuttered several industries.

'Seeing millionaire NBA players complaining about the size of hotel rooms and the contents of their 18 meals a day in the middle of a global pandemic where even their lowest standard exceeds the average poor person’s highest standard,' one woman wrote on Twitter.

And players including Ja Morant, 20, of the Memphis Grizzlies also took a subtle swipe at his cohorts.

'My room is fine. The food is fine. I'm not a silver spoon guy,' he said, according to Bleacher Report.

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown agreed and urged players to see the larger picture.

'We understand that the conditions might not be as normal as we’re used to.

But no need to complain,' Brown told Mass Live.

'I think all of us come from humble beginnings as is, so seeing the bigger picture while we’re down there to not only divert the

attention to things that’s going on in the actual world, but come and use our platforms to make a big influence,' he said.

'I think that’s the big thing, but the basketball part is going to be easy for a lot of us. We just have to get comfortable slowly but surely.'

Other Twitter users chastised players for complaining about their food options after food banks became overwhelmed during the pandemic as people lost their jobs and ability to afford food. '@NBA Players, Y'all complaining about the food while people out here hungry, y'all complaining about the rooms while people are homeless,' the user wrote.

'You didn't have to have a season ending, y'all are blessed to have that. Take the good with the bad and stop it.'

One man suggested NBA players be more concerned with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and not the hotels.

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Nograles: Gov’t discourages home-based quarantine

T

he national government is now discouraging home-based quarantine for those who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to minimize the risk of transmission within households, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Sunday.

Nograles, also cochair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), said the government will instead be shifting its focus on facility-based quarantine to ensure that disease transmission is controlled.

“We are now discouraging yung tinatawag na mag (what you call) home quarantine. Dapat facility quarantine na e (It should be facili-

TF... FROM3

ty-based quarantine),” he said in an interview over DZBB. He warned that there would be a higher chance that persons in the same household would contract Covid-19 even if the person who tested positive would self-isolate.

“So we’re now shifting that even those asymptomatic should be given facility-based quarantine),” he said.

According to Nograles, there are enough quarantine facili-

ties that could accommodate even mild Covid-19 cases.

Localized lockdowns Nograles said the second phase of the government’s National Action Plan against Covid-19 will push for a more proactive implementation of localized lockdowns nationwide.

In a recent meeting with mayors via Zoom, he emphasized the need to impose lockdowns for at least 14 days, not just two to five days.

“Fourteen days dapat kapag nagla-lockdown (A lockdown should be at least 14 days),” he said.

The incubation period for Covid-19 is on average five to six days, however, it can be increased to 14 days, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

As the world continues to grapple with Covid-19, Nograles also reiterated the importance of observing minimum health and safety standards such as physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and frequent handwashing.

Currently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is enhancing its contact tracing efforts by hiring more contact tracers.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año also encouraged those who have a suspicion of being in contact with a possible Covid-19 patient to come forward and subject themselves to testing.

As of Saturday, the Philippines has 54,222 confirmed Covi-19 cases with 14,037 recoveries and 1,372 deaths. (PNA)

two city paid barangay tanods. The TF Davao will deploy forces in churches that don’t have security guards. He said TF Davao and DCPO should deploy 50 percent of the forces they used to deploy preCovid-19 pandemic.

“The agreement namin

with DCPO is dahil busy tayo sa Covid during the religious services kahit na 50 percent of what we used to deploy should be there. Dati every Sunday tayo nag-de-deploy pero ngayon dahil walang mass ng Sunday but during Saturdays. Fifty percent for

the PNP and TFD and two tanods ng mga brangay and one city-paid tanod ng host barangay,” he said.

“City paid barangay tanod lang muna kasi they supported by the city. We also encouraged churches to hire blue guards,” he said.

Churches without Parish Disaster Response Teams (PDART) are also urged to organize one.

“Pagkatapos maisaayos ang security system ng simbahan ng Roman Catholics ay isusunod na natin yung iba pang mga simbahan,” Yecla said.

In earlier reports, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque commended the strict implementation of the local government during the quarantine period.

"Strikto po talaga ang implementasyon nila ng mga quarantine guidelines, bagamat modified general community quarantine [MGCQ] na ang Davao City, sarado pa rin ang mga tourist spots, at hindi pa nagbubukas ang Samal Island (They are strictly implementing their quarantine guidelines even though they are on MGCQ already.

Tourist spots like the Samal Island are still not yet open to the public)," Roque said.

In her July 10 live inter-

view on Davao City Disaster Radio, Duterte-Carpio responded to Roque’s remark saying the LGU cannot claim that their actions are the “best-practice” as there is no measure to gauge the comparison.

“We do not know because there is no precedent, where we can say that this is best practice or not because this is our first time to encounter or experience COVID-19. The LGU would respond depending on the situation in its area of responsibility, and maybe what they said is that Davao is a model city for COVID-19 response,” she said.

Food programs In a statement from

the City Information Office, apart from its medical strategies, the city also rolled out four food programs: (1) the food ration run by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); (2) the Agri-food Program jointly implemented by the City Agriculturist Office (CAO) and City Veterinarian’s Office (CVO); (3) the Hot Meals (Lomi and Lugaw) on Wheels program, and (4) the barangay rice distribution program ration.

The beneficiaries hold a Ration Card to receive the relief.

Those without the Ration Card will be given the Agri-Food Card for the agrifood assistance. This way,

the government resources are maximized and no Dabawenyos will be left out in food assistance during the ECQ. The Barangay and Cultural Communities Affairs Division (BCCAD) is running the hot meals program for 98 villages in the City.

BCCAD through the barangay leaders serves the hot meals daily at 10 a.m and 5 p.m. Duterte-Carpio said each of the 182 barangay receives 100 sacks of rice.

The mayor said that apart from the rice ration, residents will also benefit from rice assistance rolled out by some barangays from their respective resources. (PNA)

CID or Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo).

"SUBATRA is expected to boost the capacity of the Bangsamoro executive branch in formulating and implementing transitional

policies, and strengthen the BARMM Parliament's ability to exercise its legislative, oversight and representation functions during the transition," the DOF said.

To recall, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front

(MILF) signed a landmark pact with the government in 2014 to end a separatist insurgency that killed some 150,000 people.

The agreement led to the creation of the Bangsamoro, which was over-

whelmingly approved in a January 2019 vote.

Power to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was formally turned over in February 2019.

never looked likely to cause an upset.

This loss in Juan Ramon Lopez Muniz's first game in charge leaves them hovering above the relegation zone, only three points ahead of Real Mallorca, who have hope after their win over Levante on Thursday.

Zidane will be relieved all the same, particularly

as he had to do without a string of key players.

Ramos and Dani Carvajal were both banned while Marcelo was injured, taking out three of Madrid's regular back four.

Eden Hazard was unable to start but came on in the second half to ease concerns about niggling problems with his ankle.

A makeshift defense,

including Lucas Vazquez at right-back, chalked up another clean sheet, Madrid's fifth in a row for the first time in 12 years. It is also their sixth in eight games since the restart.

Alaves might have broken that run in the first few minutes as Joselu headed against the crossbar and Lucas Perez's follow-up had to be cleared off the

line by Varane.

Eder Militao then had to make a perfectly timed challenge to prevent Perez going clear.

But Madrid survived and then took the lead in the 11th minute, Ferland Mendy driving to the line and going down under the sliding tackle of Ximo Navarro, who caught him with his trailing leg.

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No social justice message on LBJ jersey for NBA restart

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ebron James says his thoughts on social justice can’t be contained on the back of a basketball jersey.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar won’t wear one of the NBA-approved social justice messages on the back of his jersey when the NBA resumes competition later this month in the Orlando bubble.

The Lakers star says messages do not‘resonate with my mission’.

Real Madrid in sight of title after beating Alaves

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eal Madrid could win La Liga on Monday after a routine 2-0 win over Alaves on Friday put them within touching distance of the title.

With suspended skipper Sergio Ramos sitting in the stands, Karim Benzema took over the armband and then penalty duties, firing in from the spot before teeing up Marco Asensio to add a second at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium.

After restoring their 4-point advantage at the top of the table, the pressure is back on Barcelona.

If Barca fail to win away at Real Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid will clinch the title with two games to spare by beating Granada on Monday at Los

Carmenes.

Yet even if Madrid have to wait, it seems inevitable they will hoist the trophy given they also boast the superior head-to-head record against Barcelona with three games left.

Madrid can afford to draw two of those, even if Barcelona manage three victories out of three.

"We still don't know what is going to happen," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. "La Liga is very hard and we have three finals still to go."

"We have to stay focused," added Raphael Varane.

After sacking their coach Asier Garitano last week following five consecutive defeats Alaves

FREAL MADRID, P10

Complaining NBA players slammed for ingratitude

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BA fans have shared a collective eye-roll at top league players for complaining about the 'airline' menu options and comparing their Walt Disney resorts rooms to 'Motel 6'.

As hundreds of NBA players arrived to Orlando, Florida, this week to resume the 2020 season, several of them hurled complaints over amenities and menu options they believe are underwhelming.

Los Angeles Lakers star J.R. Smith, 34, went on Instagram Live to show off several snack op-

tions while questioning 'you want us to eat this s***?'

Players Joel Embiid, Montrezl Harrell, Troy Daniels and Ben McLemore also shared displeasure over their meals and Rajon Ronod, a veteran Lakers' player, compared his hotel room at Walt Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, where the highest seeds are placed, to 'a Motel 6.'

Fans called them out for appearing ungrateful amid a global coronavirus pandemic that has seen massive unemployment in the US

FCOMPLAINING, P10

“It was no disrespect to the list that was handed down to all the players,” James told reporters on Saturday. “I commend anyone that decides to put something on the back of their jersey. It’s just something that didn’t seriously resonate with my mission, with my goal.”

As part of the league’s recognition of the worldwide anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, NBA players are allowed to choose from a lengthy list of possible messages for their

jerseys during the league’s restart. James is among just a few who declined to choose one of the messages, he said.

“I would have loved to have a say-so on what would have went on the back of my jersey,” James said. “I had a couple of things in mind, but I wasn’t part of that process, which is OK. ... Everything that I do has a purpose, has a meaning. I don’t need to have something on the back of my jersey for people to understand my mission or know what I’m

about and what I’m here to do.”

The 35-year-old has a long history of social involvement and advocacy for progressive causes.

James speaks frequently of what he feels is a responsibility to campaign for positive social change from his powerful position as one of the most famous people in America.

“This is the mission I’ve been on for a long time now,” James said. “It’s great that a lot of people’s ears are opening. A lot of people are understanding, a lot of people are recognizing. A lot of people still don’t get it, and a lot of people are still afraid to talk about the racism that goes on in America, especially for our people. ... But we have some ears, and we will continue to push the envelope and let everyone know that we are human as well. We don’t

want to be just be used for our God-given abilities.”

James also said he didn’t consider sitting out the NBA’s restart, believing the league can be a positive force through its visibility and competition.

He expressed no concerns for his health inside the bubble.

“I believe the NBA and [its commissioner] Adam Silver, they took all precautionary measure to make sure that we as a league are as safe as we can be,” James said.

“Obviously, in anything that you do, there can be things that can happen, so we will cross that line if it happens. But we’re doing everything to make sure everyone stays safe during this pandemic.

Adam Silver has given me no reason to not believe him since he took over. I have no concerns. I’m here 100% and in great health.”

professional sports league, colleges, and universities, the PSC heads bared their solid plans on resuming the preparations of Tokyo-bound athletes.

“We are working towards the approval of the training of our national athletes who have earned their slots in the Games. We are hoping it gets the go-signal from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) first,” shared Fernandez.

“The PSC discussed this with the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee).

We still have to sit down with the PPC (Philippine Paralympic Committee).

The POC will determine through their NSAs (National Sports Associations) who are coming for the Olympic slots and they will be the ones to return first or if possible, we can

have them in a bubble,” explained Velasco. He added that the PSC has to work with the POC, NSAs, and the team of Dr. Randy Molo of the PSC’s Medical Scientific Athlete Services (MSAS) and look at the guidelines and the protocols so “we can all have a good guide for the return to training.

We’re preparing the venues as well.”

Highlighting the zero positive cases among the national athletes so far, the PSC seeks to push forward with getting the country’s Olympic bets back in training but having them undergo standard health procedures first.

“We did that with athletes who stayed here in Philsports. We facilitated their transit – since Metro Manila is high-risk and they are going to their low-

risk provinces. So we did tests on them, but at the same time, we kept them in a bubble. Through that, we were able to guarantee that the athletes were not exposed, which is confirmed by the tests, and then we made sure that even their transport to the airport was controlled by PSC,” shared Velasco.

The said meeting for the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) Guidelines was to prepare and check with the stakeholders ensuring that they cover all required public health standards for physical and sporting activities and allowable thresholds for professional and nonprofessional sports per risk severity area. The guidelines are still under discussion and subject to necessary changes before it gets submitted to the IATF.

Olympic bets remain PSC’s priority

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) emphasized the need of Olympic qualifiers to resume their training during the PSC-GAB- DOH Stakeholders’ Virtual Meeting hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.

PSC Officer-in-Charge Ramon Fernandez and National Training Director Marc Velasco represented the sports agency in the discussion for the Joint Administrative Order Guidelines on the Conduct of Health-Enhancing Physical Activities and Sports during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the meeting participated in by Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Baham Mitra, sports leaders of the Department of Education,

Players like JR Smith and Rajon Rondo of the Lakers took to social media to complain about food and hotel room in Disney.

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Carlo Yulo is among the country’s top bets in the Tokyo Olympics.

Olympic hopefuls wait for IATF nod to resume training

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) remains keen on having the national athletes resume their training for the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

“We are working towards the approval of the training of our national athletes who have earned their slots in the Games. We are hoping it gets the go-signal from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) first,” said PSC offic e r - i n - c h a rg e Mon Fernandez.

Fernandez and National Training Director Marc Velasco raised the said concern during a virtual meet-

ing hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday.

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Baham Mitra, sports leaders from the Department of Education, and playfor-pay leagues which were not included in the approved team practice protocols attended the said PSCGAB-DOH Stakeholders’ Meeting, which was done online.

According to Velasco, the PSC already met with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) regarding the return to national team practice.

“The POC will determine through their NSAs (national sports associations) who are coming for the Olympic slots and they will be

the ones to return first or if possible, we can have them in a bubble,” he added.

Only one national team, the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team, was cleared to practice again ahead of the FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Austria next year.

Chooks-To-Go

Pilipinas 3x3, the chief backer of Gilas 3x3, pitched its practice protocols to the IATF for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases along with the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippines Football League.

While it remains de jure amateur at this

point, Mitra said in an earlier interview that Chooks 3x3 is now eyeing fullfledged professionalization for its next season.

None of the national athletes has been tested positive for Covid-19 so far, which inspires PSC to bat for the resumption of their training.

(PNA)