Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 89 | Friday, July 24, 2020

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Serving a seamless society

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

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Locally stranded individuals are screened by health workers upon arrival at the Port of Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City in this undated photo. All concerned agencies are now readying for the arrival in Mindanao of hundreds of LSI beneficiaries of the Hatid Tulong Program from Luzon and Visayas. Edge Davao

SNEAKING IN Some LSIs enter Davao City via other airports: Sara

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

SNEAKING IN Some LSIs enter Davao City

Double parking of vehicles is a common practice outside the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) along Guerrero Street in Davao City which causes traffic congestion in the area. Edge Davao

via other airports: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio disclosed that there are some locally stranded individuals (LSIs) that entered Davao City via other airports.

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In a live interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5, the mayor bared that 16 LSIs were tracked down on July 22, 2020 through land checkpoints.

“Daghan na pud ang atoang na detect na mga LSIs na nigamit ug laing airport, sa karon duna nata’y 16 wala pa nahuman ang adlaw. Sixteen kabuok nga nakuha nato from our land checkpoints na gidala nato for testing. Mga airplane passengers ni sila nga nigamit ug laing airport and then nisulod ug Davao City,” she said.

The mayor said using other airports in getting through Davao City will still not be easy for passengers as they will be brought back for testing.

“Mas madugay pa ang ilahang return kay dili sila priority kay dili sila gikan sa Davao airport,” she said.

The city government of Davao has started implementing the new control measures of requiring passengers of negative RT-PCR test result upon exit from the Davao International Airport (DIA) on July 21, 2020. The test is free of charge at DIA and all passengers, Davao residents and non-Davao residents are subject to testing.

A holding area has been set up at DIA for arriving passengers with expired reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) swab test results and those who failed to have themselves tested at DIA. The holding area can

cater to up to 50 people and is equipped with folding beds and mattresses for passengers waiting for their test results.

“Ang mahitabo sa pasahero duna siya choice, kung nag-dali ka ug dili ka gusto madugay sa imohang travel you can take the RT-PCR within 24 to 72 hours of the departure date and dad-on na nimo and pag-deplane nimo diri mauna naka ug gawas and mauna ka ug advise kung unsa ang kinahanglan nimo buhaton apil na ang home quarantine.

Ug ang katong mga walay RT-PCR result gina-hold sila and gina-test nato silang tanan without exemption,” Mayor Sara said.

One-stop-shop quarantine procedure for OFWs eyed at Davao airport Mayor Sara announced that the national government is conducting inspection in Davao International Airport (DIA) for the possibility of establishing a onestop-shop (OSS) for OFWs. The national govern-

ment has implemented stricter quarantine and testing procedures for all arriving OFWs by establishing OSS at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Clark International Airport, and Mactan International Airport in Cebu.

“The national government is conducting inspection in Davao International Airport if there is a possibility to establish a one-stop-shop. Kaning one-stop-shop naa ni sa Clark, NAIA, and Cebu. In a one-stop-shop, ginapadala ang OFW, gina-testing, and gina-butang nila sa hotel and once mugawas ang tests, OFW may proceed to the LGU of destination and proceed to home quarantine or unsa man ang protocol sa LGU and for those positives ginapadala sila sa hospital. So nag-tan aw ang national government if this is doable in DIA,” the mayor said.

On July 22, 2020, the national government has

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Covid-19 patient in Mati City remains positive on 4th swab

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returning overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from Saudi Arabia (MC-7) from Mati City, Davao Oriental, remained positive of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on his fourth swab test, following his first diagnosis when he arrived in the country on June 21.

Ben Jason Tesiorna, Mati City Information Officer, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA)

Wednesday, that the 35-year-old patient tested positive for the virus again during the transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here early this month.

For the third and fourth time, Tesiorna said the same result came out in a test conducted in his hometown.

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BUSTED. Kapa Community Ministry founder Joel A. Apolinario (center) is led to a waiting vehicle by Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO) chief, Col. James Goforth (right), after his arrest on Tuesday (July 21, 2020) in Barangay Salvacion, Lingig, Surigao del Sur. Victims of Kapa ministry in Caraga Region who poured in millions in pesos of investments want government to make an inventory all the assets, cash and other properties of the ministry and help all the victims get back the money they lost. (Photo courtesy of SDSPPO)

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Waitlisted SAP beneficiaries to be included in second tranche

By MAYA M. PADILLO eneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) placed on waitlist will be included in the release of the second tranche of the government’s cash aid, the Department of Social Welfare and Development regional office said.

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Grace Subong, DSWD 11 regional director, said in a virtual presser that there are 29,192 waitlisted beneficiaries in Davao City.

They are classified as such for having been assessed and certified eligible by the DSWD. She said the list was already forwarded to the central office for possible funding and processed for digital payment via Starpay.

“Naka-gather man ta ug 29,192 waitlisted and kani tanan naay reklamo nga wala daw sila maapil sa first tranche. They have gone to the barangays. The list also already assessed and certified eligible, and was forwarded to the DSWD for possible funding and already processed for digital payment,” she said.

Subong said DSWD 11 has already gathered the amelioration card (SAC) of the beneficiaries.

DSWD 11 has received complaints from qualified

SAP beneficiaries who were excluded in the initial list of the first tranche.

“So far wala na ta kaayo nadawat (complaints). In fact, we have also records of those mga nag-return sa ilahang mga SAP and with this, nakita namo nga na-meet na gyud nato tong nag-reklamo nga wala sila nakadawat before,” she said.

In case there are still qualified beneficiaries still left out during the second tranche, Subong said DSWD 11 will assess and help them to get assistance through other programs of DSWD. “Assuming nga wala siya maapil sa waitlisted ato siyang i-assess. Nahuman naman gud ta sa atong pag-submit (list). Of course, we cannot promise na mahatagan ba siya ug SAP but we can probably assist niya through other programs.

Depende sa iyang need .

We have assistance to in-

dividuals in this situation, however, wala sad nato gi-limit ang mga serbisyo sa pag-tabang sa mga wala gyud maapil kay nahuman naman ta sa atong cut off.

Ang mga LGUs atong gi-encourage to also provide assistance kadtong wala pa gyud naapil nga mga beneficiaries,” Subong said.

The second tranche of SAP will be released in Davao City only and is targeted to be completed by end of July this year. Those beneficiaries in Davao City who received the first tranche of SAP will also receive the second tranche.

Subong said in the first tranche DSWD 11 paid to a total of 298,043 beneficiaries and of this number, based on the guidelines the agency had to do de-duplication, a process where the field office and the central office do a duplication check if beneficiaries are eligible.

“Kung kani ba ang atong mga beneficiaries nga nakadawat sa first tranche wala ba ni sila nakadawat ug ikaduha. Ato sad gi-match ang atoang na-paid didto sa DOLE nga cash assistance program sa ilahang database,” she said.

Subong said out of the 298,043 beneficiaries,

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Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles bares that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is eyeing the use of antigen test technology

for conducting Covid-19 tests to ramp up the country’s daily testing capacity. Edge Davao

IATF mulling use of antigen test to ramp OWWA 11 recorded 4,558 repatriated OFWs in R-11 up Covid-19 testing, Nograles says

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he Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases is eyeing the use of antigen test technology for conducting COVID-19 tests to ramp up the country’s daily testing capacity, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday.

“The use of the antigen test technology is recently discussed in IATF. We are looking at how we can roll this out,” Nograles said in an interview.

“The turnaround time is 30 minutes. It is like a pregnancy test [kit]. If the

protocols are approved by the IATF, this will ramp up our testing per day,” he added.

Nograles explained that the antigen test technology is a process wherein a sample is taken from the individual and placed inside a kit and mixed with a solution before the test result for COVID-19 is revealed.

He said the antigen test is a better option compared with the use of rapid test kit, which tests the individual for antibodies IgM (immunoglobulin) and IgG (immunoglobulin G).

Testing positive for IgM is a sign of active COVID-19 infection while testing positive for IgG indicates that a person has recently recovered.

“It (antigen) does not test for antibodies. It detects the part of the COVID-19 virus, so it is more accurate,” Nograles said.

The Department of Health considers the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction test -- conducted via swab test with the sample processed in a laboratory -- as the gold standard in conducting

COVID-19 test.

According to Nograles, the country’s average number of COVID-19 tests done per day is just at 21,000 due to lack of manpower and supplies in the 91 accredited laboratories.

In total, at least 1.19 million Filipinos were already tested for COVID-19 using RT-PCR test.

The Philippines has 72,269 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number,23,623 recovered while 1,843 died. This makes the total number of active COVID-19 cases at 46,803.

used our money to buy all these guns and pay for his bodyguards,” a 68-year-old mother from Surigao City told PNA in a phone interview Wednesday.

Apolinario and 25 of his companions were arrested in a raid conducted by the combined elements of the Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13), the Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office (SDSPPO), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday (July 21) in Barangay Salvacion, Lingig, Surigao del Sur. A firefight between the police and Apolinario’s group resulted in the killing of two and the wounding of one of the Kapa founder's bodyguards.

Police also recovered from Apolinario and his

men several high-power firearms, including two rocket-propelled grenades, as well as various types of ammunition.

Apolinario and some top members of Kapa Community Ministry are facing criminal charges for syndicated estafa for investment fraud by selling securities to the public without a government license.

He has been the subject of manhunt operations by authorities since last year when arrest warrants were issued by several courts.

Millions in investments The 68-year-old victim from Surigao City said her family invested PHP700,000 in the form of a donation to Kapa ministry last year.

“First, I donated PHP100,000 and

PHP200,000 from my son.

Then in the succeeding months, we gave PHP20,000 to PHP30,000. There was a time I delivered PHP80,000 from the proceeds of my jewelry I pawned and the income from the five hogs I sold. Then suddenly, we heard the Kapa closed down,” she said.

She added she was hospitalized for 12 days upon knowing that the ministry already stopped its operations.

“It’s very painful especially that the money we invested to Pastor Apolinario came from our savings and income,” she said.

Another victim from Butuan City, a 38-year-old mother, said her family invested around PHP1.3 mil-

Kapa victims in Caraga want ‘donations’ back

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ow that "Kabos Padatoon" or Kapa Community Ministry founder Joel A. Apolinario is in police custody, victims of the group’s investment fraud in the Caraga Region are demanding the return of their "donations".

Several Kapa "investors" were interviewed by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday (July 22) on condition of anonymity.

They cheered the arrest of Apolinario but also expressed optimism on the possibility of getting back the money they poured into the Kapa ministry.

“I collapsed upon hearing of Apolinario’s arrest.

What struck me most was the photo of the guns confiscated by the police from his possession. My God, he

FKAPA, P10

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ince the start of the COVID19 pandemic, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA XI) recorded and assisted 4,558 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

OWWA XI regional director Ron Lionel Bartolome said in the One Davao Virtual Presser that the OWWA head office recorded about 100,000 OFWs who were back in the Philippines ; 80,000 of them were able to return to their provinces while the remaining 20,000 were still on isolation. “ We still expect more returning OFWs with the rate that we are receiving on a daily basis which does not go lower than 50 OFWs. Most of the workers we’ve recorded are from Italy,, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia,” said Bartolome.

The OWWA XI continues provision of assistance to returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) by way of registering them, checking their medical clearance, provision of food.

Prior the implementation of the tighter measures in receiving LSIs and ROFs in Davao Region that started yesterday (July 20), national government agencies such as OWWA XI provided for hotel accommodation to ROFs who need to stay in Davao City while waiting for the transportation service that will ferry them back to their

province. “ With the tighter measures, we no longer provided hotel accommodation because they are no longer allowed to stay longer than 2 hours at the airport and even to stay overnight in Davao City. But we do our best to send them at least at the borders while the receiving LGUs already take care of the other assistance,” Bartolome said.

The OWWA Davao Region immediately informed its head office about these local policies as requested by the Regional Task Force XI. The ROFs need to have a negative RT-PCR test rest within 48 hours before their flight inorder for them to get on board and return to Davao City.

Bartolome also said that in the first batch of dead OFWs sent back to the Philippines, two were from Davao region. One is a COVID fatality while one is due to a car accident in Korea.

In the second batch of cadavers sent back to the Philippines last Sunday, none of whom were residents of Davao Region. “ The families of the dead OFWs will receive death and burial benefits.

We have given them the papers that they need to fill out so we can process the said assistance,” he said.

The families of OFWs whose death are job-relat-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

Mayor Allan Rellon administers the Polio vaccine to a child on the launch of the 3rd instalment of the Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio (SPKP) Gleiza Delgado/CIO Tagum

RCBC economist sees sustained increase of government revenues

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mprovement of the government’s revenue collection is expected to be sustained after June on continued re-opening of the domestic economy, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said.

In a reply to e-mailed questions from Philippine News Agency, Ricafort attributed the improvement in tax collections last month to easing lockdown policies after an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was raised over mainland Luzon from March 17 until May 15, and until end-May for Metro Manila.

He said the lifting of the highest level of movement restrictions allowed “more businesses/industries/institutions to operate again from lockdowns and leading to some pick up in tax payments by businesses, individuals/households, and other institutions.”

The deadline for the submission of the income tax return (ITR), among others, was postponed to June due to the ECQ. Tax collections by the Bureau of the Internal Revenue (BIR) alone rose by 79.10 percent year-on-year in June to PH282.7 billion against year-ago’s PHP157.8 billion.

Total revenue collection last month increased by 50.06 percent year-on-year

to PHP351 billion compared to the PHP233.9 billion in June 2019.

Government spending totaled to PHP349.2 billion, up by 26.65 percent from year-ago’s PHP275.7 billion.

This resulted in a budget surplus of PHP1.8 billion, a 104.22-percent improvement from the PHP41.8 billion deficit in the same month last year.

However, revenues in the first half of the year declined by 6.09 percent to PHP1.453 trillion against year-ago’s PHP1.547 trillion.

BIR’s collections contracted by 10.31 percent to PHP956.4 billion from yearago’s PHP1.006 trillion.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) dipped by 16.47 percent during the same period to PHP253.1 billion from PHP303 billion in the same period in 2019.

Total expenditures increased by 26.63 percent to PHP2.013 trillion against the PHP1.59 trillion in end-June last year.

This brought the budget gap to PHP560.4 billion, or 1,214.07 percent higher

than the PHP42.6 billion deficit in the first half of 2019.

Economic managers have anticipated the drop in revenues given the economic impact of the pandemic and they increased the budget ceiling to 9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) from about 3.2 percent earlier.

The budget deficit this year is expected to reach about PHP1 trillion from PHP677.6 billion programmed earlier on account of additional spending to address the health and economic impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Ricafort said the budget ceiling that has been set by economic managers is “a positive sign in terms of fiscal discipline/performance” and is “a delicate balancing act amid the need to increase government spending for various Covid-19 programs/ priorities especially for the most vulnerable sectors.”

He said the “additional government spending on fiscal/economic stimulus would be limited to around PHP180 billion at the moment and there are no government funds available for now for any additional fiscal/economic stimulus (as new sources of government revenues would be required to finance any additional stimulus spending).”

Ricafort, however, said

the budget can be augmented by fiscal measures such as the 10 to 20 percent excise tax on junk food, 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions, and the 5 percent import tariffs.

“Further re-opening of the economy by further relaxing lockdowns/quarantine measures and allowing more businesses to operate and also at much higher capacity could help increase tax revenue collections in the coming months,” he said.

Ricafort said this factor may be countered by the “risk of relatively slower economic recovery/rebound from lockdowns that could still potentially lead to reduced tax revenue collections on a year-on-year basis and may lead to relatively wider budget deficits, with reduced government revenues vis-a-vis the need to increase government spending for various Covid-19 programs.”

Meanwhile, Ricafort said the eventual passage of the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) bill, which economic managers hope to happen this year, “could lead to some decrease in the government's tax revenue collections especially as early as in the latter part of 2020, thereby could lead to wider budget deficits.”

However, he remains optimistic following the upgrade by Japan Credit

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DA releases P2.6-B loans under SURE aid program

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) has released more than PHP2.6 billion worth of loans under the Expanded SURE Aid and Recovery Project for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), and small, marginal farmers and fishers adversely affected by the quarantine measures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

During the third PreState of the Nation Address (Pre-SONA) forum on Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the agency, through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), has released to its partner lending conduits PHP1.12 billion in loans for eligible farmers and fishers and PHP1.5 billion for MSEs. Dar said as of date, PHP767 million was lent to some 30,699 small, marginal farmers and fishers, while PHP646 million was lent to 93 enterprises engaged in agriculture and fisheries production.

Under the SURE Covid-19 loan program, eligible farmers and fishers may borrow up to PHP25,000, with no collateral, zero interest, and payable in 10 years.

Eligible MSEs may avail of up to PHP10 million, zero interest, and payable in five years. A micro or small enterprise may be a single proprietorship, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association.

Aside from the loan pro-

gram, Dar said the DA has also extended financial subsidy to rice farmers (FSRF), with a total of 591,246 beneficiaries benefitting from this pandemic relief.

The PHP5,000 cash subsidy is part of the DA’s initiatives to assist small rice farmers, who plant one hectare or less, located in 24 provinces not covered under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.

The PHP3-billion FSRF fund is earmarked under the 2020 General Appropriations Act. For the RFFA, Dar said another PHP3 billion was allocated and some 597,404 beneficiaries benefited from this amelioration program.

The RFFA Program is an unconditional cash transfer program which aims to give PHP5,000 financial assistance each to rice farmers tilling 0.5 to 2 hectares of land in 33 provinces nationwide.

Meanwhile, Dar noted that the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita direct marketing program has recorded a total sales of PHP5.5 billion nationwide.

Some PHP2.24 billion worth of produce were bought by local government units under the same direct marketing program.

"Sinisiguro po natin na meron tayong sapat na pagkain (We want to make sure that we have enough food) during the pandemya (pandemic) and we would like to believe that we can survive

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

ECONOMY 5

Phoenix SUPER LPG now accepts card payments

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ollowing the launch of its new and improved online ordering and delivery site, Phoenix SUPER LPG, the LPG brand of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc., now accepts online payments for its products—the first to offer such service for retail LPG nationwide.

Starting July 21, Visa and Mastercard debit and credit card holders can pay for their Phoenix SUPER LPG orders via its online portal, offering safer and more convenient transactions to its customers nationwide.

“Since the pandemic hit our country, we have been introducing a lot of new and digital-based programs in the past months to quickly

adapt our operations to the new normal,” said Phoenix President and Chief Operating Officer Henry Albert Fadullon. “Demand for LPG products has particularly increased during the quarantine period since most households prefer cooking at home these days. Thus, on top of the convenience we provide through our online order and delivery ser-

vice, we have enabled online payments for the purchase of our products to help the community become a safer place for everyone,” he added.

The online payment option for Phoenix SUPER LPG products is part of the company’s aggressive shift to digital transaction as response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

In June, the company rolled out its contactless payment option in Phoenix gas stations nationwide. Its convenience store brand, FamilyMart, has also been accepting online payment for transactions made in its store or through its online order and delivery service.

PH shares down due to COVID-19 worries, profit-taking ahead of SONA

P Phoenix SUPER LPG launches online payment option to help promote contactless payment transaction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

hilippine shares closed in the red on Wednesday as investors continued to pull out gains from previous sessions as they await the President’s announcement on his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Lingering concerns over the impact of COVID-19 pandemic also sent the market down.

The benchmark PSEi shed 72.05 points

or 1.17% to 6,064.26 at the closing bell. The broader All Shares lost 30.63 points or 0.85% to 3,569.09.

“Investors took profits as the local second quarter earnings releases will start next week and kept to the sidelines ahead of the SONA,” Regina Capital head of sales Luis Limlingan said.

President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to

deliver his fifth SONA on July 27, Monday.

“Last minute profit taking amid coronavirus worries sent the local market lower,” Philstocks Financial said in its daily market commentary.

More than 3.006 billion shares valued at P4.501 billion, changed hands. Decliners led advancers, 105 to 89, and 35 issues were unchanged.

Prudent debt policies back PH's Pfizer gets $1.95B to produce Covid-19 vaccine by year’s end s nations around the Arab Emirates. data suggesting that their approach, but Dr. Kathrin guard against external shocks world race to lock up The Pfizer contract, an vaccines could stimulate Jansen, a senior vice presi-

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he country’s judicious management of its liabilities allows it to ensure economic resilience despite the impact of the pandemic, a Department of Finance (DOF) economic bulletin said.

In an economic bulletin released Wednesday, Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said the country’s foreign debt accounted for 19.67 percent of gross national income (GNI) as of end-March 2020, lower than the 20.98-percent share in the same period in 2019.

In terms of its share of goods and services and primary income, the external debt as of end-March this year is about 54.4 percent, a drop from year-ago’s 54.8 percent.

“The decline is due primarily to public sector debt which dropped from USD40.13 billion to USD38.3 billion,” the economic bulletin said.

Citing a World Bank (WB) data, Beltran said the proportion of the Philippines’ external debt to GNI is lower in 2018 at 19.9 percent, compared to seven other Asian countries.

That year, Malaysia posted the highest external debt to GNI ratio at 67.8 percent, followed by Vietnam, 46.7 percent; Indonesia, 37.6 percent; Thailand, 35.1 percent; Taiwan, 33.7 percent; South Korea, 27.5 percent; and India, 19.3 percent.

China registered the lowest ratio that year with 14.5 percent.

Beltran said the Philippine government’s “prudent debt policy has enabled the country to strengthen its defenses against external shocks like the Covid-19 pandemic.”

“This is one of the reasons for the strong confidence of investors in the Philippine economy,” he added. (PNA)

ECOP urges gov’t not to require rapid testing every two weeks

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usiness owners, particularly small-scale businesses, can not afford to provide rapid testing for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among their employees every two weeks amid the challenging business environment due to the pandemic.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) issued a statement Wednesday following Health Undersecretary Ma-

ria Rosario Vergeire’s interview with ABS-CBN News Channel urging businesses to randomly test their employees every 14 days using rapid test kits (RTKs).

Vergeire said RTKs only detect the presence of antibodies that only appear between the fifth and seventh day of illness.

“The Employers Confederation of the Philippines expresses its deep

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coronavirus vaccines even before they are ready, the Trump administration on Wednesday made one of largest investments yet, announcing a nearly $2 billion contract with Pfizer and a German biotechnology company for 100 million doses

by December.

The contract is part of what the White House calls the Warp Speed project, an effort to drastically shorten the time it would take to manufacture and distribute a working vaccine. So far, the United States has put money into more than a half dozen efforts, hoping to build manufacturing ability for an eventual breakthrough.

Europe has a parallel effort underway. Germany recently took a 23 percent stake in a German firm, CureVac, that President Donald Trump once tried to lure to American shores in hopes that its vaccine, if successful, would be distributed in the United States first. A European-led fundraising effort in May brought $8 billion in pledges from the world’s governments, philanthropists and leaders for coronavirus vaccine research, even with the United States sitting out the conference.

China, meantime, has militarized the effort: Researchers associated with the Academy of Military Medical Sciences have developed one of China’s leading vaccine candidates, and another Chinese firm, Sinopharm Group, announced in June that it was beginning Phase 3 trials in the United

agreement to ensure the pharmaceutical giant has a market for its work, is the biggest splash yet by the Americans. If the vaccine being produced by Pfizer and BioNTech, the German firm, proves to be safe and effective in clinical trials, the companies say they could manufacture those first 100 million doses by the end of the year.

Under the arrangement, the federal government would obtain that first batch for $1.95 billion, or about $20 a dose, with the rights to acquire up to 500 million more, or 600 million total.

Americans would receive the vaccine for free. Before it could be distributed, it would need emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration. But the US government does not pay the nearly $2 billion until the drug is approved and the first 100 million doses are delivered.

Pfizer said that largescale safety and efficacy trials were to begin this month, with regulatory review set for as early as October, although nothing was guaranteed.

“Depending on success in clinical trials, today’s agreement will enable the delivery of approximately 100 million doses of vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech,” Alex Azar, the health secretary, said in a statement announcing the deal.

On Monday, Pfizer and AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish drug company developing a potential vaccine with Oxford University, released

strong immune responses with only minor side effects.

But unlike AstraZeneca, which has also obtained funding from the US government, Pfizer did not receive a contract for its earlier research and development efforts — only for the doses and their distribution.

By refusing funding until now, Pfizer was able to avoid drawn-out contractual negotiations and get its vaccine to trials, company officials say.

“We didn’t accept the federal government funding solely for the reason that we wanted to be able to move as quickly as possible with our vaccine candidate into the clinic,” John Young, Pfizer’s chief business officer, said on Tuesday at a congressional hearing with executives from five vaccine manufacturers.

Pfizer and BioNTech are developing a vaccine candidate that uses genetic material from the virus, known as messenger RNA, to stimulate the immune system without making the recipient sick.

The technology can create a vaccine quickly, but has not yet produced one that has been approved and marketed.

Moderna, a Massachusetts biotech company, received $483 million from the US government for its vaccine development and is also using mRNA technology.

By putting the might of an industry giant behind it, Pfizer is making the technology mainstream.

The lack of a track record has prompted some skepticism about the mRNA

dent and the head of vaccine research and development at Pfizer, dismissed the criticism.

“That’s not a scientific mindset — that just because it’s new, it will fail,” she said in an interview.

Jansen said Pfizer had placed its bet on mRNA not just because the technology could produce a vaccine quickly, but also because its review of previous work by BioNTech on experimental cancer vaccines suggested the approach could cause a powerful immune response.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the two companies had been collaborating on flu vaccines.

Vaccines using mRNA consist of genetic material from part of the virus, encased in tiny particles made of fat that help it get into human cells. The mRNA then prompts the cells to churn out a tiny piece of the virus, causing the immune system to attack the real virus if the person is exposed. In essence, the patient’s cells become factories for a harmless fragment of the virus.

These mRNA vaccines set off several different kinds of immune responses, Jansen said, which is important because scientists do not know yet which type will be most potent against the coronavirus.

Jansen described making an mRNA vaccine as a clean, fast process that required a relatively small footprint to produce many doses. “mRNA has the potential

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

On allegations of a double standard in the government’s enforcement of quarantine laws amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic:

I wouldn’t really say that there is inconsistent application of rule of law.

It just so happened that a greater number of those arrested came from the lower-income groups simply because they are the ones who were caught on the streets and for that reason since they have been found, or at the time of their arrest, found violating certain quarantine rules and regulations.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

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

VANTAGE POINTS

COMPETITIVE EDGE

7

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

An immersive opportunity:

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.

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020 HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

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8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

LIVING

THE PASSION TO TRAVEL is always there and with fewer restrictions being implemented across Durianburg and the Davao Region, more businesses are now slowly opening up. While our wings may still be clipped, it does not mean that we cannot go out and enjoy our own local tourism products. One of Davao’s luxury destinations, Dusit Davao is indulging Filipinos to pursue their passion for new adventures and experiences while still staying safe.

Since Davao City was classified under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease, Dusit Davao has reopened its facilities and outlets for guests to enjoy safely.

The DFiT, fitness centre is now open from Mondays to Saturdays, 12:00 PM to 8:30 PM, with a maximum of three guests at a time. Namm Spa reopened on July 23 with select treatments based on local government guidelines and with new operating hours from Wednesdays to Saturdays, 1:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Relaxing and Comfortable Stays dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani Residence Davao have also both opened their doors again and are already accepting reservations. Operating at 50% capacity and with strict health and safety standards in place, both hotels are welcoming guests with the Dusit Great Comeback Sale, offering exciting discounts and deals for the entire month of July.

The Eat Now, Stay Later promotion lets guests enjoy a sumptuous feast of grilled

DUSIT DAVAO

HOLDS BIGGEST COMEBACK SALE OFFERS EXCITING ROOM AND F&B DEALS

specialties at Benjarong Davao while having a relaxing stay at one of dusitD2 Davao’s modern and vibrant rooms for only Php 5,000 nett for two persons.

With the Welcome Back Special, guests can create lasting memories with their loved ones by booking a fun, safe, and comfortable overnight stay for only PHP 3,800 for room only or PHP 4,500 for room with breakfast for two persons.

For those who intend to stay for long periods for work or business, Dusit Thani Residence Davao offers a Long Stay Package that allows them to maximize their time and get things done. For a minimum of seven nights, guests can save as much as 40% and enjoy the convenience of modern amenities and a fully-equipped kitchenette.

Unlimited Thai Feast If you are craving for the flavours of Thailand, Benjarong Davao also welcomes guests

with an exciting All-You-CanEat offer for only PHP 899 per person beginning July 14. An extensive menu of authentic and delectable Thai dishes is avail-

able and food will be prepared and handled with care so guests can eat to their heart’s content.

The offer is available from Tuesdays to Saturdays with a

2-hour limit between 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and includes one round of soft drinks. No takeout and leftovers allowed and advanced reservation is required.

To book a table, please email fb.reservations@dusitdavao. com or call +63 82 272 7500 or +63917 803 2862.

For reservations and inquiries, you can email davao@ dusit.com or call +63 82 272 7500.

To find out more about the current promotions, guests can visit the property websites at https://www.dusit.com/dusitd2davao/ and https://www.dusit. com/dusitthani-residencedavao/.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

9

A Cebu Pacific aircraft is seen hovering over Brgy. Sasa, Davao City before landing at the Davao International Airport. Airline companies are now allowed by the city government of Davao to carry Davao-bound passengers without reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as per agreement between Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, National Task Force and Inter Agency Task Force. Edge Davao

RDC 11 tackles the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of Mindanao Railway Project

T

he Regional Development Council (RDC) XI convened for a special meeting on 21 July 2020 via video teleconference to discuss matters on the implementation of the Mindanao Railway Project Tagum-Davao-Digos Segment (MRP-TDD). The MRP-TDD is among the Davao Region’s Priority Projects for 2019 – 2022. The PhP 81.69 Billion project was approved by the NEDA Board on 29 November 2019.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Railways, USec. Timothy John R Batan, and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Officer-in-Charge for Investment Programming, ASec. Jonathan L. Uy, graced the special meeting as resource persons. Among the highlights was the updated timeline for the implementation of the MRP-TDD in view of the postponed

field operations due to the COVID-19 quarantine. Atty.

Clipton Solamo of the DOTr MRP Project Management Office reported that the validation of affected parcels in Digos City, Davao City, Panabo City, Carmen, and Tagum City is at 100%, while the Municipality of Sta. Cruz was at 69%. Atty.

Solamo further reported that the tagging of structures will be at 100% before the end of July 2020.

DOTr targeted the com-

mencement of construction for the MRP-TDD by the first quarter of 2021, and committed partial operation of the TDD line by the first quarter of 2022.

DOTr and DPWH are currently undertaking a study to resolve the alignment interfaces between the MRP-TDD and the ongoing Davao City Bypass Construction project, which will commence construction in the third quarter of 2020.

he government's intensified efforts to uphold the rule of law resulted in a 51-percent decline in the country's crime rate since the start of community quarantine measures in the country, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday.

Citing data from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Lorenzana said only 10,145 crimes were reported nationwide from March 17 to July 20, compared to the 20,575 crimes reported from Nov. 17, 2019 to March 16, 2020.

“Rule of law (is) strengthened, pinalakas natin ang pananaig sa batas ng ating bansa. Napanatili ng

ry, rape, robbery, theft, car theft, and motorcycle theft.

The crime rate in Luzon declined by 52 percent, from10,870 from Nov. 12, 2019 to March 16, 2020 to 5,267 from March 17 to July 20, while the Visayas registered a 53-percent decrease from 5,236 to 2,519, and Mindanao saw a 46-percent drop, from 4,379 to 2,359 over the same period.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the PNP should not relax despite the decrease in crime incidence.

Año said the presence of PNP checkpoints and the issuance of quarantine passes by LGUs would continue during the GCQ because movement would

still be limited and only those allowed to work in permitted industries and access essential services are allowed to leave their residences.

The number of community quarantine violators in the country has reached 234,720 since mid-March.

Based on latest data from the Joint Task Force Covid Shield released on Wednesday from March 17 to July 20, most of the violators were from Luzon numbering 148,290, while 46,714 are from the Visayas and 39,716 are from Mindanao.

Meanwhile, out of the figure, 118,870 were warned, 42,412 were fined

S

The Mindanao Railway Project and its future phases will be further discussed by the NEDA Board Regional Development Committee – Mindanao Area Committee (RDCom-MAC). The RDCom-MAC shall provide the venue for other Mindanao Regional Development Councils to be involved in the prioritization of MRP development in the regions and to subsequently engage other stakeholders.

PH posts 51% drop in crime rate since start of quarantine Food manufacturing facility starts

T

ating kapulisan ang kapayapaan at kaligtasan ng ating mga pamayanan. Bumaba ang bilang ng krimen, napabilis ang pagresolba sa mga ito at napaigting ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga (we strengthened our commitment to uphold the law. Our police officers have maintained the peace and safety of our people.

Crime incidents decreased and the resolution of these crimes were fast-tracked and we also strengthened the campaign against illegal drugs),” said Lorenzana, head of the Security, Justice and Peace Cluster at a pre-SONA forum.

The data covers the eight focus crimes of murder, homicide, physical inju-

FPH, P10

operation in AIE amid pandemic outhern Harvest, Inc., a banana chips processing company of Davao-based businessman Jam Abella and family held its factory blessing at the 64-hectare Anflo Industrial Estate in Panabo City.

The factory will soon begin its operations on July 27, 2020 processing Southern Harvest banana chips for export to Australia, Russia, and China.

In spite of the current COVID situation, the PEZA-registered Anflo Industrial Estate welcomes and celebrates this positive development not only for Southern Harvest, Inc. but for Panabo City and the Davao Region as well. The

factory's opening signifies a resilient and prosperous region despite the pandemic. Businesses are still busy and investors are still investing.

The Anflo Industrial Estate will also have several more of its locators that will be in operation in the next 2-3 months such as Connovate Philippines, PMR Pallet Ltd. Co., and FoamPack, Inc. When the pandemic had reached levels of concern in the country and the region, AIE had quickly responded by implementing strict measures on site to prevent the spread of the virus. No instance of

FFOOD, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO SNEAKING... FROM2

conducted meeting for the establishment of OSS in DIA. She said, once approved, the quarantine protocols for OFWs will be while awaiting test results, OFWs must stay in the approved quarantine hotel. Travelers whose test results are positive will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical management. Travelers whose test results are

negative will be allowed to move out and undergo a 14-day quarantine at home or at an appropriate local monitoring facility.

“Kung ma-approve man ang DIA as OSS. Ang OFW muabot ug mu derecho siya, diri siya i-test, diri siya i-hotel and paulion siya once muagwas ang iyahang negative test results didto sa iyahang LGU of destination and i-process siya sa LGU,” she said.

DSWD 11 came up with a clean list of 290,258 beneficiaries after de-duplication.

This is already forwarded to the central office, which will be submitted to financial service provider Starpay, which will handle the payout through its different remittance outlets.

“Starpay is already on the process of preparing and segregating the beneficiaries through their

mobile numbers and those without mobile numbers.

Starpay will inform directly the beneficiaries through their mobile where and when to get their assistance,” she said.

The online release of the second tranche aims to prevent mass gathering of people in one place and the risk of bringing of money to the distribution site on the side of DSWD 11 staff.

ed will get P200,000; additional P20,000 for the burial;

and P10,000 for livelihood assistance. (PIA XI/FGM)

concern over the statement of the Department of Health (DOH) urging business owners to conduct random Covid-19 testing for their employees through rapid tests every two weeks,” the group said.

“However, employers should not and cannot be held responsible to pay for the Covid-19 testing of its employees,” it added.

The ECOP said large companies have been voluntarily testing their employees using RTKs as part of their corporate social responsibility. However, requiring businesses to test the employees every two weeks will not be viable.

“ECOP would like to emphasize that around

99.6 percent of registered establishments in the Philippines belong to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are typically faced with budget constraints,” the group said.

It cited recent data that businesses are shutting down their operations either temporarily or permanently that also leads to laying off their workers.

“For this reason, to require business owners to conduct random Covid-19 rapid tests for their employees and repeating it every two weeks will add to the cost of doing business and drive those still operating to eventual closure,” ECOP added. (PNA)

ernment of Sariaya, built a sustainable housing project in Barangay Castanas.

Homes have been given for free to qualified relocatees.

The housing development, called San Miguel-Christian Gayeta Homes, has a total of 450 houses on a 5.4-hectare land area. A total of 86 families have relocated and more are about to move into the 300 completed units while the remaining 150 units are under construction.

Apart from the houses built under Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) standards, San Miguel has made sure that education and business opportunities are available to the new residents.

SMC established a skills and livelihood training center inside the village. In partnership with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA)-Quezon Provincial Office, Quezon National Agricultural School, and Fadz Construction, Inc. it offers

programs in food and beverage services, organic farming, driving, electrical installation and maintenance, shielded metal arc welding, and housekeeping, to residents.

For those who are still in the fishing trade, SMC partnered with the Archdiocese of Lucena and the Sariaya provincial government to construct a Fisherman’s Hall. This facility, located near the river channel leading to the Sariaya Bay, will be a safe and secure place to house the fishermen’s boats, their boat engines, and fishing implements.

Austria is sure that San Miguel’s investment support is what Sariaya needs to boost its economy and generate jobs for his townmates.

“Ako nga kailangang umalis pa ng Sariaya para makipagsapalaran sa Maynila nung bata pa ako dahil mahirap ang buhay.

Ngayong nandito na ang San Miguel para tumulong ay di na kailangang pumunta pa ng Maynila ang mga taga sa amin,” he said.

WAITLISTED... FROM3

OWWA... FROM3 ECOP... FROM4

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VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

COVID-19... FROM2

“The fourth swab result came out today (July 22) and he is still

Covid-19 positive,” Tesiorna said, adding the OFW is currently admitted at a

patient care facility and remains asymptomatic.

Tesiorna, however, as-

sured that MC-7 has no known contacts in the local community. (PNA)

lion to Kapa ministry early last year.

“In our family, it was I who invested first in the amount of PHP300,000.

Some of the money I used was from my savings, extra income, and a loan,” she said.

She said she did not withdraw her earnings of 30 percent of the total investment she made as she was told that her money would double in months as the interest would increase.

“In more than two months they showed me the increase of my money. I was so glad then and told the other members of the family with the developments of my investments in the form of donation,” she said.

Her family, including her parents and siblings, became interested to pour in investments and were able to accumulate PHP1 million that was immediately handed over to a Kapa ministry office in Agusan del Sur. Unfortunately, a month after the investment of PHP1 million, the Kapa ministry was ordered shut down by the government.

“We cried upon hearing of the closure. My parents were hospitalized. What was painful was that we did not know what to do, where to go, and to whom to report our situation,” she said.

She said they are holders of eight accounts in Kapa ministry, which they paid at PHP300 per account.

“We still have the certificates and receipts and we can prove that we invested at Kapa ministry last year,” she said.

Another 48-year-old businessman from Surigao City recounted to PNA how he was convinced by testimonies presented to him

by Kapa ministry officers in their area.

“I was really convinced because of the testimonies of members who were able to buy motorcycles, cars, appliances and even improved their houses from the benefits they got from investing in Kapa ministry,” he said.

He started investing in Kapa ministry in January last year with the amount of PHP50,000, then followed

by PHP200,000 the following month.

By the succeeding months, he continued his "donations" to Kapa ministry until it reached PHP1 million in April last year.

“I did not get the earnings because I want to double and triple my investment money at Kapa ministry. I was glad it reached over PHP1 million. Then, suddenly, the ministry stopped its operations. I cried upon hearing it. I contacted some of the officers but their numbers could no longer be reached,” he said.

The businessman said some of the money he invested came from his business, savings, and loans.

Three more victims in the Caraga Region, two of whom invested more than PHP3 million and the other at PHP1.5 million, also talked in a phone interview and aired their disappointments to Apolinario and the Kapa ministry.

Creation of task force Most of the victims who were interviewed want the government to create a task force that would make an inventory of all the investments received by Kapa

ministry.

“Now that Apolinario is arrested it is time for the government to create a group or a task force that would inventory all the investors and the total money he collected,” said the 38-year-old mother from Butuan City.

She also appealed to the government to help the victims recover their investments.

“Have pity on us. I ask our high officials to work for the recovery of our money now that Pastor Apolinario is already arrested,” she said.

The 48-year-old businessman from Surigao City also suggested that the government should inventory all the investments made by Kapa ministry, its bank deposits, and other properties to determine where all the money of the investors was used by Apolinario.

“These properties, monies in banks, and other investments can be taken over by the government that can be used to remunerate all the victims of Kapa ministry,” he said. (PNA)

Rating Agency (JCRA) of its investment-grade rating on the Philippines to A- with a stable outlook, and the affirmation by Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings of their respective investment-grade ratings on

the Philippines.

The rating actions, he said, “are signs of resilience despite economic challenges brought about by Covid-19 lockdowns/pandemic that caused credit rating downgrades in some countries

worldwide).” “(These actions) still attest to the country's improved economic, credit fundamentals, and fiscal performance/discipline, thereby increasing international investor confidence/

sentiment on the country and generating more employment and other business/economic activities in the country, as needed to sustain economic recovery/ rebound after the Covid-19 lockdowns,” he added. (PNA)

to be fast to produce a product that is very well defined and very pure,” she said.

Several other companies are also making mRNA vaccines, and each has its own formulation of the genetic material and types of fat used to encase it.

The large vaccine studies set to begin this month will each include 30,000 people, with some getting placebo shots. The Food and Drug Administration has said that to be considered effective, a coronavirus vaccine should protect

50 percent of the people who receive it.

Companies hope to show proof of effectiveness by the fall, but that will depend on enrolling enough volunteers in areas where the infection rate is high enough to see a significant difference be-

tween the vaccinated people and the placebo group.

“We think we will see the end points, given that the infection rates are going up, up, up,” Jansen said. “If the stars are aligned, it could be next fall. But everything has to be right.”

and we can reboot again Philippine agriculture with the help of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," Dar said.

Dar urged the Filipinos

to be resilient and turn challenges into opportunities “to survive and move forward towards a food secure and more resilient Philippines

with prosperous farmers and fishers”.

"I would like to conclude by saying that no amount of pandemic and or impacts

of climate change can slow us down. No lockdown can really delay our activities in farming and fishing,” he added. (PNA)

and 73,438 were arrested.

Last week, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said they will intensify the enforcement of existing laws and local ordinances against drinking, smoking, and roaming around topless in public places in line with ongoing govern-

ment efforts to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Gamboa added that the strict enforcement of ordinances includes those related to the observance of minimum health standard protocols such as wearing face masks, safe physical

distancing, and avoiding mass gatherings.

He said he had already tasked all police commanders to increase police visibility through optimized personnel deployment in all places of convergence.

Meanwhile, Gamboa said the two tons of illegal

drugs seized in various operations proved that the government is winning the war against illegal drugs.

Recent PNP data showed that law enforcers seized a total of 6.5 tons of shabu in 217,000 anti-illegal drug operations since July 1, 2016. (PNA)

COVID-related incidents has occurred and AIE has steadily and carefully been able to do business during the quarantine period with

the new measures implemented. To date, AIE has a total of 15 locators represented by 5 nationalities.

Southern Harvest, Inc.

will start their operations with a daily production of 10 tons which will gradually rise to 75 tons daily once they are fully operational.

Recruitment of more workers will be posted soon as the company targets 130 employees for their first factory.

Clippers and the Orlando Magic were the first teams to take the court in a scrimmage, with the Clippers seizing a 99-90 victory.

The 40-minute scrimmage marked the first

NBA action since the league suspended play in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All teams will play three scrimmages before the official restart of the season on July 30.

Both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George suited up for the Clippers, but it was Lou Williams who led the team in scoring with 22 points. Nikola Vucevic had 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists for the

Magic.

In another game, the New Orleans Pelicans routed the Brooklyn Nets, 99-68, despite missing rookie star Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram put up 12 points in the win.

KAPA... FROM3

RCBC... FROM4

PFIZER... FROM4 DA... FROM4

PH... FROM9

FOOD... FROM9

ZION... FROM11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

11

SMB coach thanks RSA for SMC investments in Sariaya

S

an Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria has not been back to his native Sariaya, Quezon since the quarantine in March due to travel restrictions caused by Covid-19, but he knows that good things are coming to his hometown.

The eight-time PBA champion is grateful that even if the pandemic has impacted the country’s economy, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president and COO Ramon S. Ang has vowed to pursue new investments in Sariaya.

The town will soon host a modern, state-of-the-art integrated agro-industrial complex to include a brewery, a grains terminal and feedmill, a readyto-eat food manufacturing plant, a fuel tank farm, and port facilities.

“Nakaka-bilib si Boss RSA dahil kung yung ibang kumpanya dito sa Pilipinas ay medyo nag-aalangan, siya naman tuluy-tuloy lang ang investment,” Austria said.

He added: “Sa panahong ito, maraming tao ang nahihirapan sa buhay.

Kaya natutuwa ako na allout pa si Boss. Marami talagang nangangailangan ng trabaho sa amin sa Sariaya, lalung lalo pa nung tumama ang Covid.”

Austria was born and raised in Sariaya, where he also learned to play basketball en route to a stint in the now-defunct Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), both as player and coach.

When the Covid-19 pandemic was still unheard of, Austria would often travel to Sariaya

during PBA season breaks and other occasions to rest and reconnect with relatives and childhood friends.

“Nitong di ako nakakauwi dahil bawal pa rin bumiyahe, marami pa ring nagtatanong sa akin tungkol sa development sa Sariaya kung matutuloy pa.

Ang sabi ko basta si Boss, huwag silang mag-aalala dahil magaling mag-alaga ang San Miguel, “he said.

Austria told townmates about how San Miguel, under the leadership by RSA, has led Covid-19 response efforts in the private sector. SMC’s P13.112 billion support as of last June 25 includes P500 million for PCR testing machines, testing kits, personal protective equipment, and other medical donations; P511.1 million in food donations, including canned products, poultry, fresh meats, bread, flour biscuits, milk, coffee, rice; and P97.1 million worth of free ethyl alcohol donated to hospitals and critical health facilities.

Recently, SMC also established its own Covid-19 testing laboratory called Better World Edsa to provide regular testing to 70,000 employees and third-party providers in its network to usher their return to the workplace and help the economy.

He also pointed out that the company has provided housing for those informal settlers who have long been staying at the Sariaya coastline, long considered a hazard zone.

San Miguel, in partnership with the local gov-

FSMB, P10

PMS Asistant Secretary Joseph Encabo with President Duterte in file photo.

PSC donates laptops for various gov’t projects

T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) gives its all-out support to the government’s program against Covid-19 by donating more than 500 laptops to the workforce of different government offices including the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

The Office of the President - Presidential Management Staff (PMS) through Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo will receive 300 laptops and another 100 for the Covid-19 technical

working group through IATF Deputy Chief Implementer Vince Dizon.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go’s Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa Program (BP2) is also set to

Meantime, Denver rookie Bol Bol made his debut for the Nuggets in a scrimmage against the Washington Wizards, ahead of the NBA's official restart at the Walt Disney World Complex in Orlando, Florida.

The 20-year-old Bol, who stands at 7-foot-2, was drafted by the Nuggets in the second round of the 2019 Rookie Draft, but did not play in the regular season due to a foot

injury.

The son of NBA legend Manute Bol, he put up 16 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks in the Nuggets' 89-82 win over the Wizards.

Denver All-Star Nikola Jokic had 16 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in the win.

Rookie Rui Hachimura led the Wizards with 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Los Angeles

Zion 'fully intends' to rejoin Pelicans

N

ew Orleans rookie star Zion Williamson "fully intends" to rejoin the Pelicans after leaving the NBA bubble at the Walt Disney World complex in Orlando, Florida last week.

The Pelicans announced that Williamson had to leave "to attend to an urgent family matter."

The top overall pick in the 2019 NBA Rookie Draft, Williamson is getting tested for COVID-19

daily, the team assured.

"While there is no current timetable for his return to campus, he fully intends to rejoin the team," the Pelicans added.

"Per NBA protocol, his quarantine period will be determined upon his return."

Williamson, 20, is averaging 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game for a Pelicans team that has a 28-36 record in the NBA's Western Conference.

FZION, P10

Lonzo Ball (2) and Zion Williamson (1) of the New Orleans Pelicans talk during practice as part of the NBA Restart 2020 on July 13, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.

NBAE

receive a number of units for their program.

PSC Chief of Staff and National Training Director Marc Velasco said that the “board readily approved the request.”

“These are units used during the country’s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games last year, they will be put to good use with these donations,” Velasco explained.

In a letter addressed to PSC Chairman Ramirez, Encabo, who also heads the Hatid-Tulong Initiative, also

asked for the assistance of the agency by requesting volunteers to be detailed for two weeks under PMS, to help in processing the return of stranded individuals.

“This will help fast track our actions on the concerns of the LSIs (Locally-Stranded Individuals),” explained Encabo in his letter.

The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) will also serve as a venue for transportation services of the program on July 2526.

Westbrook rejoins Rockets workouts after quarantine

H

ouston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, whose positive COVID-19 test delayed his trip to the NBA restart bubble, rejoined the club Wednesday for his first team workout.

Westbrook was forced to quarantine for two weeks after testing positive, then arrived Monday and tested negative but still spent two days in isolation in his hotel room at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

While the league began scrimmage games Wednesday, Westbrook was adjusting to his first time on the court with NBA scoring leader James Harden and his other teammates.

"I'm just thankful and blessed to be able to go out and compete again," Westbrook said. "Before I had to quarantine, I was in pretty good shape, so I should be all right."

Westbrook said a stuffy nose was his only COVID-19 symptom and that he felt like he was able to stay in shape while in isolation.

"Just quarantining at home, trying to be productive, obviously not able to get on the basketball floor, but finding ways to kind of stay

active and do as much conditioning I can probably do as far as that," Westbrook said.

"I have to see if I can make a layup at this point. I got to start there and work my way from there."

Westbrook, who joined the Rockets last July in a trade with Oklahoma City, probably will not play Friday in Houston's first scrimmage against defending NBA champion Toronto after going through about 80 percent of the full workout, coach Mike D'Antoni said.

"We'll wait the next two practices, see where he is, whether he wants to be thrown out there real quick or wants another couple of days," said D'Antoni.

"Whatever he wants is cool. He knows his body.

We're not talking about a normal athlete. We're talking about a super athlete."

Westbrook was the 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player after matching 1960s star Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average a triple double for an entire season, producing his first of three consecutive triple-double campaigns with a league-high 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 89 • FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2020

NO STOPPING Lotes Avancena, mother of karateka Robert Lawrence Avancena receives the Male Athlete of the Year award from So Peng Kee, chairman of the So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Inc.

Davao’s ‘best of the best’ feted by SKC, DCSC T

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

he show must go on.

Not even the coronavirus pandemic can stop So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Inc. and its partner Davao City Sports Council can stop the annual recognition of Davao City’s sports talents.

The longest-running sports recognition program named in honor of the late Davao sports godfather So Kim Cheng feted the “cream of the crop” athletes, teams, coaches and associations in the amateur grassroots backyard.

With the mass gathering restrictions, the 26th edition of the awards presentation was

split over in two days on Wednesday and Thursday (July 22-23) at the Eskina in Lanang Business Park.

SKCI chairman So Peng Kee led the awards presentation. Face masks, gloves and physical distancing protocols were observed during the proceedings.

“In light of city ordinance for mass gathering, we have

decided to limit the number of people in this year’s awards,” said John Irene del Campo of the So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Incorporated.

Davao City Sports Council Incorporated public relations officer Jerson Tamayo said: “For this year, the ceremony will be split into two days with different sports events to be awarded per day.”

On Wednesday, the main awards for Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sports Leadership and Lifetime Achievement as well as citations for arnis, duckpin, karatedo, volleyball, Philspa-

da and tenpin bowling were presented. On Thursday, it will be the turn for citations in chess, wushu, badminton, muay thai, rugby, archery, motocross and athletics.

Two promising athletes in karateka Robert Lawrence Avancena and arnisador Sherhalee Bulaso of arnis are this year’s Male and Female co-Athletes of the Year. Avancena’s mentor Jeofrey Albarico was hailed as Coach of the Year.

Tamayo of duckpin bowling and karatedo was conferred the Sports Leadership Award.

This awardees are: Kristine Ibag and Arnold Rojas (archery); John

Lloyd Calubag, Ayesha Tomakin, Jollah Baruiz, Jezebel Morcillo, Julia Zarate, Clifford Anajao, Nino Jay Barena, Adelfa Sagne and Liezl Dimangadap (arnis); Nick Conrad Arendain, Karylle Kaye Molina, Jethra Diaz (badminton), John Marvin Miciano, Samantha Umayan (chess), Arnel Crudo, team DACIBA Homer (duckpin bowling), Stephen James Cartagena, Jaime Daniella Nirza, Aldren Solon, Robert Bryan Dayanan Jr., Vryzyse Edelweiss Krebs, Jet Lu (karatedo); Rhowell Matias Mangosong IV, Princess Angelyca Calamongay, Jerome Lagrada

(motocross), Neil Ivan Udarbe, Johanna Jejel Barbero, Isolde Aoife Hernani (muay thai), Arvie John Arreglado, James Infiesto, Marzel Burgos (Philspada), Klaint Harvey Buynay, Jae Heart Escultura, Agot Danton, Davao Young Lady Durians, Davao Juniors Durians (rugby), Ivan Awid, Crystal Chaves, Ralph Martin (tenpin bowling); Dux Euan Yambao, Athenna Bea Maneja, team Davao City Batang Pinoy, Khalia Sinsuat, April Joy Locaberte, Dinri Yambao, Cristy Balbon (volleyball); Mikko Camingawan Jahaziel Care Barbero (wushu).