Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 96 | Saturday, August 1, 2020

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DAYS OF BIG RAINS

Serving a seamless society

EASING UP

VOL.13 ISSUE 96 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020

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ENVIRONMENT P9 P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

City government set to lift FM pass, curfew by Monday STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announces that liquor ban will be lifted by August 30, 2020 if Davao City will maintain the manageable of Covid-19 cases while the Executive Order for the lifting of the implementation of Food and Medicine pass and curfew will come out on Monday. Edge Davao

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VOL.13 ISSUE 96 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020

EASING UP

City government set to lift FM pass, curfew by Monday

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has announced that the implementation of Food and Medicine Pass (FM Pass), curfew will soon be lifted.

The liquor ban is set a little later but under certain conditions.

In a live interview with government-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87. 5 on Friday, Mayor Sara said an Executive Order (E.O) for the lifting of FM pass and curfew hours will be released on Monday.

“I-lift nato ang FM pass ug curfew. Mugawas ang EO sa Lunes. Ngano kinahanglan i-lift? Because we want people to self-regulate. Naa gihapon ta’y quarantine, meaning naa gihapon ta’y stay at home.

Ang vulnerable sectors allowed sila mugawas kung necessary and to exercise,” she said.

The liquor ban will be lifted later on August 30,

2020 on the condition that Davao City will maintain the manageable number of Covid-19 cases.

“Kung maka-self regulate na ta ug kung ma-maintain nato ang number sa cases na manageable, by August 30 we will lift the liquor ban and we will resume the Roxas Night Market,” Mayor Sara said.

Meanwhile, Davao City and other provinces in Davao Region remain under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until August 15, 2020, according to President Rodrigo Duterte during his Talk to the Peo-

ple Address aired on July 31, 2020.

“Gusto ko mahibalo na tanan na ang tinuod nato na classification sa IATF is GCQ pero ni appeal ta nga magpabilin ug MGCQ atong status. Maayo kay naaprove nila atong request,” said Mayor Sara.

“Kinahanglan masabtan sa mga tao na there is quarantine and there is a need to stay home. Kung mugawas wear mask, magdala-dala ug alcohol ug practice frequent handwashing,” she added.

Other provinces in Davao Region that remain under MGCQ status are Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

Areas and regions in Mindanao that also remain under MGCQ are: Region 9 (Zamboanga del Norte,

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A biker is seen maneuvering his bicycle outside the designated bike lane along R. Castillo Street in Davao City as tricycle drivers make it their waiting and parking area. Edge Davao

DICT: Projects to improve connectivity in Mindanao IATF reactivates national

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mid concerns on the impact of poor connectivity in the country, an official of the Department of Information and Communications Technology said the agency is doing its best to improve Internet connection in Davao Region.

Speaking during the Davao City Business Forum via Zoom on July 28, DICT Director for Mindanao Cluster 3 Alimbzar P. Asum said DICT has earmarked more than PHP6 million for the construction of wifi lines and free wifi sites for Davao Region last year.

DICT also implemented 179 communication centers such as library, training centers, and digital classrooms in Davao Region this year, Asum said.

For 2021, DICT has

proposed PHP40 million for the construction of more projects aimed at improving the country’s communication and information system, he added.

Meanwhile, Asum said DICT was elated with President Rodrigo Duterte's stand boost Internet connectivity in the country.

“At this time of the pandemic, we realized we can do many things through the internet. So, government has to interconnect the whole country through the internet, the DICT official said.

Asum quipped that Internet connectivity in the Philippines remains poor. “(it's) very serious. If I would categorize it in the medical term--it’s critical,” he said, adding that the problem became more pronounced amid the

coronavirus pandemic, when demand for Internet is high as the quarantine restrictions compelled people to stay home and use the web more.

Asum said he understood where President Rodrigo Duterte was coming from when he singled out the country's major telcos during the recent State of the National Address for poor connectivity.

The DICT official said slow connectivity has disrupted the work from home arrangement of several companies, while putting at risk the online learning modalities adopted by schools amid the pandemic.

However, Asum said DICT is "doing its best" to help telecommunications companies speed up the construction of more cell sites in Mindanao.

mag-away ulit. I am just telling you, stop it and allow the normal process of helping the country."

The Communist Party of the Philippines earlier declared a ceasefire with government forces from March 26 to April 15 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raging across the country.

Duterte is pinning his hopes on China for a vaccine by December since Chinese firms are

responsible for 2 of the 3 most advanced coronavirus vaccines that had entered Phase 3 trials, or large-scale testing on humans -- the last step before regulatory approval.

"Ang una nga makuha siguro natin from China," he said, noting that China's Sinopharm and Sinovac have reported progress in their inactive vaccines.

He added that he hopes to vaccinate every Filipino, starting with the poorest sector and

He also noted that for a telco to put up a single cell site, which costs PHP10 million to PHP15 million to build, more than 20 clearances are required in the local government level.

One solution the agency is looking at, he said, is giving more teeth to the existing Anti Red Tape Act of 2007 (ARTA) to compel LGUs to simplify and speed up the processing of permits that telcos have cited as a primary problem in putting up more cell sites.

Asum said DICT will also help telcos negotiate with homeowners associations in establishing cell sites, noting that several projects have been on hold because of health concerns by residents about the presence cell sites near their homes. (PNA)

PRRD offers vaccines to NPA rebels if they stop fighting till December

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resident Rodrigo Duterte is offering COVID-19 vaccines to New People's Army rebels if they stop fighting military troops until December 2020.

"If you stop fighting for a while during the period or until December because my soldiers will be busy monitoring, supervising - 'wag niyo nang galawin - puwede kayo sumali," he said in a press briefing aired Friday.

"Post COVID na tayo

the military.

The President has tapped retired military generals to lead the country's pandemic response, including Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Peace Process Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr, and Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu.

The Philippines as of Thursday has 89,374 confirmed COVID-19 infections, of which, 22,327 are active.

avian influenza task force

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he Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATFEID) has approved the recommendations of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strengthen efforts versus the N5N6 avian influenza or bird flu in the country.

Under resolution no.

60, the IATF allowed the reactivation of the National Avian Influenza Task Force (NAITF) to manage the outbreaks using multi-agency coordination and collaboration.

The NAITF was first created in February 2004 under Executive Order No. 280.

The resolution also directs the DA to strengthen coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with local government units to do sustained monitoring and surveillance of the H5N6 avian influenza and its possible effects to humans.

Moreover, concerned agencies will also be tasked to intensify information campaign that chicken meat and eggs are safe for human consumption; strictly enforce the Good Animal Husbandry Practices; and enjoin the public to immediately report poultry mortalities to their respective LGUs and to the DA Regional Field Offices or to the DA-Bureau of Animal Industries.

On Tuesday, the DA announced the resurgence of bird flu in San Luis town in Pampanga province.

To control the spread of the disease, the DA said the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has ordered the culling of nearly 39,000 egg-producing chickens.

"The team humanely culled a total of 38,701 head of layers and disposed them off properly, employing the protocols under the Avian Influenza Protection Program of the Philippine government," said DA-BAI director Ronnie Domingo, in his report to DA Secretary William Dar. A composite team of veterinarians and animal health immediately applied emergency control measures at "ground zero" and conducted disease surveillance around the infected farm in San Luis town.

All personnel involved in the disease control measures were strictly monitored by the health office of San Luis, Domingo said, adding that the DA-BAI assures the public that the A(H5N6) has not been reported and detected among broilers, the primary source of poultry meat.

Last week, the BAI declared Jaen town in Nueva Ecija province as bird flufree, four months since an outbreak was announced in the area.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 96 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020

NEWS 3

Davao Region ranks 6th in most number of human trafficking cases

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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awyer Barbara Mae Flores, deputy regional prosecutor of the Regional Prosecution Office, bared on Friday that Davao Region ranked sixth across the country with the most number of human trafficking cases.

“If you compare Davao Region to the rest of the country, we have the sixth most number of human trafficking cases filed in court. Meaning out of the regions in the country, ika sixth po tayo sa pinakamaraming cases na na-file in court. As regards to convictions, we are also in the top 5, meaning we are the fifth region with the highest number of convictions

of human trafficking cases,” Flores said in a virtual presser.

Although the internet has been a positive catalyst for innovation and education, Flores said it has also enabled those who intends to harm children by making it easier for them to access and share child sexual abuse materials; to find like-minded offenders; and reduce their risk of detec-

PH’s 1st Covid-19 vaccine might come from China, says Duterte

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has expressed optimism that the Philippines’ first vaccine for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) would come from China.

“Kaya ako, saludo talaga ako sa Chinese (That is why I salute Chinese). Ang unang makuha nga natin sigurofrom China (Perhaps, the first Covid-19 vaccine we will get is from China),” Duterte said in a taped public address aired on state-run PTV-4 on Friday morning, as he noted that Covid-19 vaccines produced by Chinese drugmakers Sinovac Biotech and Sinopharm are showing promising results.

He said he is confident that a vaccine for Covid-19 would be developed by December this year.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address delivered Monday, Duterte disclosed that he had personally asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to prioritize the Philippines’ request to receive China’s vaccine for Covid-19, once it passes all clinical trials.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday ensured that the Philippines would be the first nation to get the Covid-19 vaccine, once China becomes successful in developing a vaccine.

Two vaccines against Covid-19 developed by Chinese private pharmaceutical firm Sinovac and state-run Chinese firm Sinopharm have entered Phase 3 trials, the last step before regulatory approval.

‘Disadvantaged’, gov’t troops are priority Duterte was thankful that the Philippines' “friendly” relationship with China is bearing fruit.

He guaranteed that underprivileged Filipinos would be the first to receive Covid-19 vaccines, once these become available.

“Ang mauna ‘yung walang-wala at saka of course, those in the hospitals, ‘yung mga sick or dying. Ang una talaga ‘yung mga tao sa listahan na tumatanggap ng assistance sa gobyerno (Those who are disadvantaged and in the hospitals, sick, or dying, will be given priority. Those who are also receiving aid from government will be prioritized),” Duterte said.

He said he would also give priority to the police and the military, noting that he needs “a strong backbone.”

The President reiterated that Covid-19 vaccines would be distributed for free, except for rich people and drug personalities.

Military to lead distribution Duterte said he would tap the military to lead the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

“Sino ang magdala nito? Military. Military lang.

Bahala na. I’m asking the armed forces. The implementing arm – military (Who will distribute this?

The military. Just the military. Let it be. The implementing arm would be the military),” he said.

Duterte made the pronouncement as he admitted that he could not trust local officials in distributing the vaccines. “‘Yung (The) overall umbrella to supervise must be the armed forces. This will remove partisan, favoritism, (and) corruption,” he said.

Back to ‘normal’ Duterte said he believes that Filipinos need not experience the “new normal” because, for him, life will return to “normal” by December.

“Ang recovery natin is normal na (Our recovery would be normal),” he said.

“We are not going back to a new normal. It’s going to be normal again.”

Duterte also asked the

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tion.

She said as connectivity expands, so too do sexual crimes committed against children where online tools and/or services are used such as online sexual exploitation.

Flores said in Davao Region, RPO 11 already has four cases filed for online sexual exploitation on children and majority of the perpetrators are the parents and relatives of the victims.

She said three of these cases filed has resulted to conviction of the perpetrators.

“Unfortunately, the perpetrators that we usually catch here are the parents

or relatives of the victims.

Sila talaga yung usual perpetrators. Now you asked bakit ang parents or relatives? Because they have control over the children,” she said.

According to Flores, it also concerns the agency that at this time of pandemic more children are inside their houses wherein they are more vulnerable to online sexual exploitation.

“As for foreign perpetrators, we are thankful that the law enforcers in other countries are helpful in making sure that the perpetrators are identified and cases are filed against them,” she said.

Flores cited one partic-

ular case handled by RPO 11 where the perpetrator is a foreigner and was sentenced to five year imprisonment.

Flores said that online sexual exploitation on children is one of the hardest crimes to detect.

“But fortunately, advance na rin ang pag-detect sa mga perpetrators.

Ang ating mga law enforcers have strategies to catch these perpetrators through the use of technology,” she said.

The RPO 11 is part of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in Persons (IACATP), which is composed of national agencies, local government

units (LGUs), and NGOs and is in-charge with the rescue and entrapment operations, and the prosecution of cases in court.

Merlinda Paragamac, assistant regional director of the Department of Social and Welfare Development 11 (DSWD 11), said the agency is part of the IACATP 11 and is in-charge on the recovery and re-integration.

“In terms of our services and interventions we do psychosocial interventions, provide temporary shelters, extend legal assistance, medical and educational assistance, livelihood and skills training of our victims,” she said.

Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, chairperson of the Committee on Health, bares that a proposed measure on the proper disposal of the single-use masks is being discussed by the City Council’s Committee on Health. Edge Davao

‘Poorest of the poor’ will be prioritized for Covid-19 immunization: PRRD

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resident Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday the government would prioritize the “poorest of the poor” in the Philippines for the COVID-19 immunization program, once a vaccine becomes available.

“Ang mauna, ‘yung walang wala at saka of course those in the hospitals, ‘yung mga sick or dying. Ang una talaga ‘yung mga tao sa listahan na tumatanggap ng assistance sa gobyerno,” Duterte said in a

taped address aired Friday.

(We will prioritize the poorest of the poor, and those who are sick and dying in hospitals. The priority is really those who accept aid from the government.)

The government could provide vaccines for free for the 20 million poorest people in the country, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

Once it becomes available, the Philippines can buy at least 40 million doses

of COVID-19 vaccines with the help of the Philippine International Trading Corp and financed by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, Dominguez said.

Middle-income earners, police officers, and soldiers would also be eligible for free COVID-19 immunization, the President said.

“Pangalawa, ‘yung middle-income. Libre ito. Hindi ko ito ipagbili,” Duterte said.

(Second is the middle income. This is for free. I won’t sell it.)

“Itong mga military na ito pobre ‘to. Mauna rin kayo. And also my military and my police because I need a strong backbone.

The backbone of my administration is the uniformed personnel of government,” he added.

(The military is poor.

You will also be prioritized.)

The President however

ilipinos are divided about going to work and attending religious activities even after the community quarantine due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ends, Social Weather Stations survey results released Friday showed.

According to SWS national mobile phone sur-

vey conducted July 3 to 6, 55% of the employed Filipinos feel comfortable about going to work in case the community quarantine or lockdown ends next month while 40% feel uncomfortable.

Of the respondents, 20% feel very comfortable and 34% fairly comfortable going to work while

26% were not very comfortable and 13% were not at all comfortable.

The survey also showed that 45% of adults feel comfortable while 54% feel uncomfortable about attending religious services, such as going to church or mosque.

Those from Mindanao feel comfortable about

going to work and church, 64% and 45%, respectively, while residents of Metro Manila were the least comfortable, 45% and 39%, respectively.

The proportion of those comfortable going to work was higher in men than women.

The SWS also said

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Pinoys divided about going to work, church even after lockdown: SWS

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VOL.13 ISSUE 96 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020

Globe chief faces PRRD, airs telcos' grievances

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A neighborhood store alerts customers to the reimposition by the city government of Digos of the total ban on selling and buying liquor effective 1-15 August 2020 in this photo taken 30 July 2020. The move, part

of the response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, was announced in new guidelines issued on the same day. MindaNews photo by ERIC SB LIBRE

Goal to have 70% of adult Pinoys financially included doable: BSP

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angko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) executives are confident of having 70 percent of the adult population part of the formal financial system by 2023 after basic deposit accounts rose since the enhanced community quarantine.

In a virtual briefing Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said about 3.8 million deposit accounts were opened in line with the government’s social amelioration program (SAP), a financial support for families and individuals affected by the pandemic.

He said a bank, which he did not identify, registered almost one million new deposit accounts in the first half of this year alone.

“This data area (is a) good proxy for the increase in account penetration considering that their clients that opened these accounts are more likely still unbanked,” he said.

Diokno added that about four million accounts were opened digitally between March 17 to end-April, or when areas around the country were placed under community quarantine.

He, however, said these accounts may already

be secondary accounts opened by some bank clients.

He said results of the 2019 BSP Financial Inclusion Survey showed that financial account ownership in the country jumped to 29 percent last year from 23 percent in 2017.

Diokno said their target to have 70 percent of the adult population to be financially included by 2023 was a “tall task” but they consider it doable “as a public demonstration of our strong commitment to drive inclusion, and to give us an ever greater sense of urgency.”

“A lower target would have been safe but uninspiring,” he said.

Thus, Diokno said results of the latest Financial Inclusion Survey, conducted before the pandemic,

that we can blend with our internally-generated funds so that we can give the loans probably even at 3.5 percent,” she said.

Landbank has allocated PHP10 billion for the RISE UP LGU lending program, which has an interest rate of 4.5 percent.

Borromeo said they decided to make the interest rate the same for all LGUs without looking at their credit ratings to allow the local executives to immediately implement programs that will boost their local economy.

Among the projects that can be financed by this loan program include the purchase of agricultural produce, construction of market infrastructure, and acquisition of agricultural

equipment and vehicles to be used for mobile palengke (market).

“This is a very good time, even for smaller LGUs, to embark on their projects to really rev up their own local economies,” Borromeo said, citing the low interest rate environment in the domestic economy.

Quirino Governor Dakila Cua, who is the concurrent ULAP president, said they are asking the national government for funding aid from measures, such as the proposed Bayanihan 2.

“These days, we are talking about a wholeof-nation approach to defeat Covid (coronavirus disease 2019) and what better example than to enable a local government-led local

“have been encouraging.”

“This gives us confidence that we’re getting closer to our target sooner rather than later,” he said.

Diokno said they will continue to support programs that will promote affordable and reliable internet connection, particularly in the provinces, to boost their financial inclusion program.

He said the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or national ID will greatly help people in opening bank accounts.

He said implementation of PhilSys, which also serves as a digital ID, is on track.

Diokno said the Philippine Statistics Authority is targeting to register some five million low-income households this fourth quarter of the year. (PNA)

acing President Rodrigo Duterte during a Cabinet meeting, Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu explained the difficulties telecommunications companies face in securing permits to build towers or cell sites.

During his televised address aired Friday morning, Duterte quipped that he will hang Cu in one of their towers.

“Sabi niya (Cu), ‘You cannot do that because there is no tower.’ The local governments are all fucking it up that’s why,” the President said.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered last Monday, Duterte threatened Globe and Smart Communications that their properties will be expropriated by the government if they fail to improve their services by December.

Cu, during the meeting, told the President that “we are suffering from many, many years of this before your administration, many administrations.”

The Globe chief noted that securing 25 to 29 permits to build one telecommunications tower takes about eight months.

“Tapos marami pa ho kaming miscellaneous fees po, iba-ibang klaseng tower fee, meron kami special use permit. Hindi ho namin ma-strandardize po ‘yan,” Cu complained.

He added that it becomes uncertain how many towers the company can build compared to their target “sa dami ng permit na required para makarating kami sa stage na ready to build.”

“Isipin niyo lang ho ‘yun, sir, kung nag-apply kami ng 5,000 towers times 28 or 30 permits... ilang libong permit ang kukunin namin para makapag-umpisa?” Cu said.

Duterte, in response, said, “It’s really corruption.”

He then ordered his Cabinet to employ the “most drastic measure you can

find.”

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, for his part, said the Department of the Interior and Local Government signed a joint memorandum circular with concerned departments and agencies to shorten the process of securing permits for building telco towers.

“Dati kailangan pa ng homeowners association resolution, kailangan ng Sanguniang Bayan resolution, wala na po ‘yun. Sixteen to 20 days na lang para lahat ng permit ay tatakbo,” Año said.

“Ang mga LGUs at ibang ahensya ay susunod para ma-approve ang licenses at clearance,” he added.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority has formed a special task force to monitor and strictly enforce the compliance of agencies, particularly of local government units, with a joint memorandum circular that streamlines the permitting process for construction of telco towers.

On July 23, the ARTA and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) led the signing of Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 01-2020, along with the DILG, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Transportation-Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Department of Health-Food and Drug Administration, and Department of Public Works and Highways.

The said government departments and agencies are involved in the permitting process for the telco towers.

Under the JMC, the processing time for permits of telco towers has been cut down to approximately 16 days from an average of eight months across national government agencies (NGAs) and LGUs. The circular also reduced the number of documentary requirements required from 86 to just 35.

DTI launches online trade Landbank, ULAP tie-up raises lending program funds, cuts rates fair for PWD entrepreneurs

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and Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) is looking for ways to bring down the interest rate of its RISE UP local government units (LGUs) lending program with the help of local executives.

RISE UP stands for Restoration and Invigoration package for a Self-sufficient Economy towards UPgrowth for LGUs. During the LagingHandaPH briefing Thursday, Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Borromeo said they are coordinating with the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) to source additional funds for the program.

“Landbank will endeavor to look for funds

government stimulus empowered by the funds of Landbank of the Philippines and if possible subsidized by the national government through the Bayanihan to Heal as One Part 2,” he said.

Cua said LGUs are in a different position compared to the national government because local executives can micromanage the needs of their constituents.

He, however, said the issue here is the capacity of the LGUs to finance their programs and projects.

“I think this bridge financing from Landbank will greatly help us,” Cua said, adding he is hopeful that interest rates will be lowered and payment terms will be more flexible. (PNA)

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) began on Thursday the online trade fair featuring products of persons with disability (PWD) entrepreneurs in line with the celebration of the 42nd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

The Biz-Ability Online Trade Fair, which runs from July 30 to August 12, will introduce the products of PWD entrepreneurs at the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion’s (BDTP) Facebook page www.facebook. com/DTI.BDTP. Initially participating in the online trade fair are six micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owned by PWDs that produce fashion accessories, wearable items, bags, face masks, ice cream, sherbet, coco sugar, tofu, gifts, décors, housewares, blankets,

and table runners, among others.

More PWD entrepreneurs are expected to join in the coming days.

“We continue to give support to our persons with disability entrepreneurs in every way we can.

The online trade fair we have developed especially for them shows that we acknowledge and value the hard work and dedication they put in creating their products/services,” DTI-PWD focal person, Assistant Secretary Ameenah Fajardo, said in a statement Thursday.

Fajardo said the online platform is critical for businesses to run smoothly during the pandemic and it is now being applied to PWD entrepreneurs.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez also said the online

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ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Gzyman Nogaliza shows “puyot”, an endemic root crop in San Mateo, Burgos town in Siargao Island that serves as buffer food during hard times. MindaNews photo taken July 29, 2020 by ROEL N. CATOTO

secures new funding SEC-Davao says 5 online firms DTI for MSME loan program illegally soliciting investments T

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Davao Extension Office has warned the public to exercise caution in dealing with five online companies that are soliciting investments without licenses in its area of responsibility.

The agency identified these firms as Royale Online Generation, Million Money or Million.Money, Maxi Trendy Sales Corporation, Trendy Unlimited Trading Corporation or “Trendy”, Lucky Likers Digital Marketing Services, represented in the social media as “Lucky Likers Club”, and Ecolife Biz/Ishared Technologies Ecolife.

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un Life Asset Management Company, Inc. (SLAMCI) on Thursday launched the Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund, which gives domestic investors the chance to tap on the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI).

ACWI represents the performance of over 2,000 small to large capital stocks from more than 40 developed and emerging markets.

In a virtual briefing,

It likewise warned against investing in Ceazar Pacific Money Lending Co. Ltd. and Captchalinkz Digital Marketing Services, which operate in other parts of the country.

There was no confirmation yet if these two companies operate in SEC-Davao Extension Office’s jurisdiction, which covers Davao Region, Maguindanao and

Soccsksargen or Region 12.

The warning came barely a month after the SEC en banc denied the motion of Crowd1 Asia Pacific, Inc. (CROWD1) to lift the cease and desist order issued against it last May 12, ending the online firm’s assertion that its investment activities were legitimate.

In its order dated May 12, the agency said it has ordered CROWD1 to “cease their internet presence relating to the transactions and investment scheme,” and would institute “appropriate administrative and criminal action against any persons or entities found to act as solicitors, information providers,

salesmen, agents, brokers, dealers, or for and in behalf of the subject partnership.”

The agency warned the public that it would be unsustainable to invest in companies that do not have a legal personality.

It said the Securities Regulations Code provides that registered companies could only solicit securities and other similar investment instruments after securing a “secondary license,” explaining that a certificate of incorporation does not constitute a license to solicit or accept investments from the public.

“The Commission finds that the foregoing investment scheme involves the

SLAMCI President Valerie Pama said their latest product “was designed specifically for experienced investors who can tolerate significant fluctuations in the value of investments and currency movements, and do not mind market volatility.”

“They know that the potential challenges could lead to the capital appreciation for their investment portfolios and bring them closer to their long-term financial goals,” she said.

The minimum investment in the Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund is PHP50,000 and additional investments need to be on increments of PHP10,000.

During the same briefing, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. Global Funds Head Mikko Vergara said that even with the volatilities in the global equities market to date, it is expected to eventually recover and post improvements.

He said their latest product will allow domestic investors to tap the performance of information technology and healthcare sectors, which are not available in the local bourse.

Aside from this, Vergara said emerging markets like the Philippines “tend to deliver better returns” compared to developed markets because of factors like demographics.

“Having more funds in different markets gives you

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rade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the Small Business (SB) Corp., the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has been able to secure fresh funding for the Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program to assist the recovery of small-scale businesses.

In a text message on Thursday, Lopez said government financial institutions Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have provided PHP1 billion to SB Corp. to continue the rollout of the loan program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The SB Corp. has

stopped receiving new applications for the CARES program as loan applications have reached PHP3.5 billion.

The DTI initially earmarked PHP1 billion for the program.

“We are just completing documentation from (the) SB Corp. side,” Lopez said, adding that fresh funding may be rolled out next week.

Aside from Landbank and DBP, the DTI is also allocating funds from its “Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso”, or P3 loan program.

Early this week, Lopez said an additional PHP5 billion would be “good enough for now” to sustain the CARES program. (PNA)

BSP forecasts July inflation rate to stay within 2.2-3%

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projects the rate of price increases in July to range between 2 to 2-3 percent.

In a Viber message to journalists Thursday, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the central bank’s Department of Economic Research (DER) considers as upside risks to this month’s inflation rate the higher domestic fuel and rice prices.

Diokno said these factors, however, are seen to

be countered by the decline of power rates in areas being serviced by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) as well as the strengthening of the peso, which currently is trading at the 49-level to a US dollar.

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor economic and financial developments to ensure that monetary policy settings remain consistent with the objective of price stability conducive to a balanced

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On the supposed corruption in processing the requirements for the construction of new telecommunication towers:

It’s really corruption. Ang order ko sa Cabinet ngayon is to really take ‘yung pinakamabigat (My order to the Cabinet is to take) the most drastic measures that you can find para magkaintindihan na tayo (to address the issue).

President RODRIGO DUTERTE

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

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL Layout/Cartoons

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

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA JASPER V. BACSAL OLIVIA D. VELASCO General ManagerPresident Advertising Specialist General Manager/Finance VP-Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

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EDGEDAVAO LIVING

917VENTURES, AC HEALTH TEAM UP FOR NEW HEALTHCARE APP

WITH THE CURRENT PANDEMIC, it’s not easy for Filipinos to take care of their health. There have been delays in seeking medical help due to fear of contracting the virus when they go out to visit a doctor’s clinic or a pharmacy.

Healthcare providers, on the other hand, are also facing a challenge, as they have to handle a tremendous volume of patients while making sure that everyone receives the appropriate help at the right time.

917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe, is collaborating with ACHealth to provide solutions to these problems. The collaboration resulted in HealthNow, an all-in-one health app that will help Filipinos get the healthcare they need anytime, anywhere.

With HealthNow, users will be able to consult a doctor through video, buy medicine for delivery, and book clinic and lab appointments. The mobile app will be powered by the assets of 917Ventures and ACHealth, which include KonsultaMD, FamilyDOC, Healthway, and Generika. The mobile app will be available for download in Google Play and App Store in August.

“When COVID-19 struck the country, there has been a massive shift in consumer behavior from passive to active participation in health, creating more demand for convenience and transparency,” said Issa Cabreira, 917Ventures Managing Partner. “Since it is our mission to solve the most prevalent problems plaguing the Philippines, we found it necessary to prioritize the

DARREN AND JAYDA DROP SURPRISE COLLAB SINGLE “SANA TAYO NA”

delivery of healthcare to our fellow Filipinos who are in need of medical attention especially in this trying time.”

HealthNow was initially offered as a website that provided free video teleconsultation from volunteer doctors. Over 11,000 patient requests were received and more than 100 volunteer doctors were pooled from April to June this year. The pilot has since proved the need for

patients and doctors to be digitally connected for better healthcare.

The contactless delivery of health services through telemedicine is advocated by the Department of Health (DOH) as a way to relieve hospitals of non-critical cases and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially among vulnerable members of society.

To know more about HealthNow, visit https://healthnow.ph/

YOUNG SINGERS Darren Espanto and Jayda have partnered for the first time for the warm and rosy love song “Sana Tayo Na” produced under Star Music.

The two initially teased the collaboration by simply tweeting “Sana tayo na” and tagging each other’s accounts, which immediately sent Twitter abuzz with assumptions on what their posts meant. “SANA TAYO NA” even landed on the site’s Philippine trends list.

A feel-good love poem, “Sana Tayo Na” confesses two people’s hopes of being together in the future with assurance and stability. It’s a lighthearted take on expecting that the stars would align and unite two people in love someday.

The track is a revival of Jayda’s father Dingdong Avanzado’s composition, which was originally a part of his “Coming of Age” album. The new version was produced by Jayda and ABSCBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo.

Jayda’s last collaboration was with “The Voice Teens” finalist Jeremy G in 2019 for the heartening track “Perfectly Imperfect” which she penned. Darren, on the other hand, is fresh from performing his latest single “Sasagipin Kita” at the virtual celebration of MYX Awards 2020.

Believe that you’ll eventually be with the one you love by listening to Darren and Jayda’s “Sana Tayo Na” on various digital streaming services.

SANYA LOPEZ BANNERS NEW EPISODE OF WISH KO LANG! THIS SATURDAY

SANYA LOPEZ banners the fresh episode of Wish Ko Lang! this Saturday, August 1.

Together with Sue Prado, Allan Paule, and Ayeesha Cervantes, Sanya brings to life the story of Kathleen and Khaycee (Ayeesha)—two sisters from Laurel, Batangas who were struck by lightning during a storm.

Kathleen and Khaycee only wanted to provide for their family especially since their father is slowly losing his vision. To make matters worse, he was retrenched after the lockdown. Their mother tried to make ends meet by making suman that Kathleen and Khyacee sold. But they got short on capital so their mother went to the mountains to get ingredients such as coconuts.

Their mother told them not to join her but Kathleen and Khaycee were worried about her safety and insisted on going with her. It was raining hard and the

sisters decided to take shelter inside a hut while their mother continued sourcing for other fruits. Nobody expected what would happen next— lightning struck Kathleen and Khaycee.

Ever since the sisters’ death last July 12, their family has been trying to pick up the pieces and start life anew. Kathleen and Khaycee’s dream included getting their father treated, putting up a business for their mother, and sending their two siblings to school. Now, the family wishes they would be able to make Kathleen and Khaycee’s dreams come true.

Sanya shared that she is honored to be part of this heart-warming episode.

“I was so excited when I found out na I’ll be part of a new episode of Wish Ko Lang. Lalo na yung story nag dalawang magkapatid na involve sa isang tragic event sa buhay nila. Ang ganda ng story nilang magkapatid.”

As TV production is still limited these days, Sanya says she is grateful how the Wish Ko Lang! team took care of her and her co-actors. “Siyempre ang first challenge dyan is how would you stick sa safety protocols. I was lucky that I was with professional actors and production team kaya everything went smoothly.”

The reenactment portion of Wish Ko Lang! is directed by Rommel Penesa, second unit director of Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation).

Sanya only has good words about Direk Rommel.

“Direk Rommel has always been my favorite director. Parang tatay ko na ‘yan. Alagang alaga ako n’yan sa set at alaga rin nya mga scenes ko. He’s very good at his craft.”

Watch the compelling story of Kathleen and Khaycee this Saturday in Wish Ko Lang! with host Vicky Morales, after Tadhana on GMA-7.

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PH schools go cashless in the 'new normal' with the help of PayMaya

A

s schools embrace alternative learning methods this year, PayMaya is empowering over 40 schools nationwide with cashless payment solutions online and inschool, providing students a safer and more convenient way to pay for enrollment fees and other educational expenses.

EcoWaste coalition pitches for reusable face masks to lessen COVID-19 plastic waste

T

he EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental health group, prodded the general public to go for reusable cloth face masks to control the unbridled use and disposal of single-use masks made of non-biodegradable and non-recyclable plastic.

The group’s latest plea for sustainable resource use followed its discovery yesterday of soiled medical or surgical face masks on the so-called Baseco Beach in Port Area, Manila and along the coast of Barangay Muzon in Rosario, Cavite.

“While we fully support the wearing of face coverings or masks as part of the basic health protocol to stem the spread of COVID-19, we are deeply upset by the unchecked consumption and disposal of soiled masks that are ending up on our streets and in the beaches and seas,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“This is very concerning as these throw-away masks, which are supposed to protect us and others from the dreaded virus, pose a real threat to aquatic life,” she said, warning marine animals might mistakenly eat, get choked or become entangled in them.

Aside from disposable masks, the group also found rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer plastic

bottles washed up on the beaches along with mostly plastic garbage such as carry bags, product sachets, polystyrene containers, straws and other single-use items.

“To discourage the unrestrained use and disposal of throw-away masks, we urge the public to don reusable fabric masks, which can be easily washed with detergent or soap and safely reuse,” Lucero said.

“By opting for reusable or washable face masks, we avoid generating non-biodegradable and non-recyclable trash that only adds to the worsening plastic pollution crisis,” she said. "Over time, discarded masks in the oceans will break down into extremely small particles and may contribute to the microplastic contamination of the food supply chain."

She added “limiting our use of medical masks will also ensure adequate and steady supply for those who need them the most,” citing a World Health Organization (WHO) advisory on who wears medical and fabric masks, where and when.

According to the WHO, “medical masks (also known as surgical masks) should be worn by health workers, people who have COVID-19 symptoms and those who take care of someone suspected or confirmed with COVID-19.”

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EcoWaste Coalition also pointed to the need to integrate in the National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML) concrete policies and steps to cut down on coronavirus plastic waste and to stop such waste from entering the oceans.

The NPOA-ML is currently being finalized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).

1. To see photos of littered face masks on Baseco Beach and the Rosario shoreline, please visit: http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot. com/2020/07/photos-ofdiscarded-face-masks-rubbing.html 2. To know more about the WHO advisory on the use of face masks, please refer to: https://www.who.int/ emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019/ advice-for-public/whenand-how-to-use-masks 3. To guide the public on the proper use of reusable masks, the EcoWaste Coalition is pleased to share the attached "Safety Instructions" from the Break Free From Plastic (BFPP) movement.

Major learning institutions such as the University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo De Davao University (ADDU), La Salle Green Hills, Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati Inc.

(DBTI-MAKATI), Nord Anglia International School Manila (NAIS Manila), Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MCM), University of Immaculate Conception (UIC), among others are beginning to adopt PayMaya’s end-to-end digital payment solutions such as the PayMaya’s Online payment gateway for their online channels and the One

by PayMaya Point of Sale (POS) device for school cashiers.

“As we prepare to open another school year, ensuring that health and safety measures are implemented across learning institutions is important to protect both parents and students. By implementing PayMaya's suite of cashless payment solutions on their online and physical channels, our school partners are adapting to provide continuous quality education to students in a safe and convenient way even amid the current crisis,” PayMaya President Shailesh Baidwan said.

As schools transition to the ‘New Normal’ in education, UP, ADDU, La Salle Green Hills, DBTI-MAKATI, NAIS Manila, MCM, UIC, are among the

schools enabling their online student portals with PayMaya’s online payment gateway, which allows them to easily process tuition and other payments using debit and credit cards and e-Wallets such as PayMaya.

These institutions are also equipping their school’s cashiers with the One by PayMaya POS device to allow safer and more seamless payments by using the scan-to-pay via PayMaya QR feature or by tapping or dipping using their credit, debit, and prepaid cards.

These efforts are in response to the Department of Education’s directive to implement blended learning that utilizes both online and in-person modalities for education, where students are encouraged to utilize online classes, printed modules, and educational TV and radio broadcast as main learning channels this school year.

PayMaya’s cashless payment solutions play a critical role in the schools' shift to blended learning while at the same time helping keep school personnel safe by eliminating

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Days of big rains

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

hree’s a company, so goes the title of a popular American television show. In the Philippines, disaster comes together in three forms: typhoon, rain, and flood.

Typhoons Sendong and Pablo that hit the country’s second largest island were only a preview. Both were described as “super typhoons,” and as such both caused widespread devastation in Northern Mindanao (particularly the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan) and Southern Mindanao, respectively.

There will be more typhoons of the same magnitude that will come – thanks to climate change.

Getting a Grip on Climate Change in the Philippines, a report released by the World Bank a couple of years back, surmised: “Climate change is expected to lead to more intense typhoons, whose storm surges will be superimposed on higher sea levels.”

Experts claim the forthcoming typhoons will be much stronger and so the devastation will be greater.

With them, come big rains and strong floods. For a country like the Philippines, which has lost much of its forest cover, that really means disaster.

A typhoon, as scientists define it, “is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E.” Unfortunately, the Philippines is located in this region which, according to the US National Hurricane Center, is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, shares this bit of information: “The majority of storms form between June and November whilst tropical cyclone formation is at a minimum between December

and May. On average, the northwestern Pacific features the most numerous and intense tropical cyclones globally. The Philippines receive a brunt of the landfalls, with China and Japan being impacted slightly less.”

In the past, Central Luzon and Mindanao were typhoon-free but now tropical cyclones don‘t spare them anymore. The country’s cyclone paths cover Mindoro, Marinduque, Bicol, Panay Island, Samar, and Leyte. Typhoons used to be moderate in Northern Luzon and Batanes, but not anymore as typhoons after typhoons now frequent these areas.

The Bicol region and Central Luzon, particularly Pampanga and Zambales, are in greatest danger because they are located right in the socalled “typhoon corridor” in the Philippines. Super typhoons blowing one after another could, experts claim, could flatten whole towns in Bicol and volcanic avalanches from Mount Pinatubo could bury entire towns in Pampanga and Zambales.

“Each year, about 20 tropical cyclones enter our country,” says Rene Paciente, chief of the weather forecasting and warming system of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Fortunately, only 6 to 9 of these tropical cyclones make landfall.

If Filipinos had not devoid their mountains of forests, super typhoons would not be much a problem. Houses could

be strengthened to make them stand against 200-kilometer-per-hour winds and farms could be diked to keep off excess surface overflow.

“Trees are one of nature’s most efficient weapons of soil defense and are used to tie down steep hillsides, check the growth of big gullies, stabilize unsteady stream banks and screen cultivated fields from harmful winds,” said Jethro P. Adang, the current director of the Davaobased Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center.

But the mountains in almost all parts of the country are now bald.

With thin forests tying down the mountain soil, floods are inevitable.

A really big flood can cause billions of pesos in damage to agriculture, infrastructure, loss of productivity in industry and commerce, not to mention loss of human lives. Congested urban centers like Metro Manila could stand still for days.

“With too much rain

and floods, agriculture production especially in flood-prone areas will be adversely affected with physical and economic losses,” pointed out Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero, a national scientist at the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

“Floods will wash away crops, hasten soil erosion and increase crop spoilage due to poor storage and distribution problems.”

The Department of Health (DOH) said floods will accelerate food-borne and water-borne diseases.

“Flooding can contaminate the public water through the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, rupture of underground pipelines and storage tanks,” it said.

Using contaminated water can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses, among them: acute gastroenteritis, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, and hepatitis A. “Foods that may have been in contact with contaminated flood water should not be eaten,” the health department advised.

In addition, there is an increase of leptospirosis cases after heavy rains or flooding incidents. This transmissible disease may be acquired through wading in water contaminated with urine of infected animals, particularly rats.

Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria also rise with the increase in mosquito breeding grounds. And with the cold weather also come airborne diseases like influenza, which spread fast in congested areas such as Metro Manila’s inner cities.

Because of these projected economic and health problems, the weather bureau said that flood damage mitigation

and protection should be a concern not only during disasters but should be practiced before, during and after the occurrence of a flood. As such, it issues the following flood safety rules: Before the flood, a person must find out how often his location is likely to be flooded. He should know the flood warning system (issued by PAGASA) in the community and inform the family about it. The head of the family must know the daily weather condition.

He must designate an evacuation area for his family and the livestock. In addition, he must assign family members instruction and responsibilities according to an evacuation plan.

In addition, people are advised to keep a stock of food which requires little cooking and refrigeration before the flood. The following must be kept: transistorized radio and flashlight with spare batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candles, matches, first aid kit, and water.

When warned of flood, everyone must watch for rapidly rising flood waters.

The family should listen to the radio for emergency instructions. If the head of the family finds it necessary to evacuate, then he must move them to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. However, it is wise to turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating. “Also lock your

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Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay); Region 10 (Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Iligan City, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City); Region 12 (North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City, and Cotabato City); Region 13 Caraga (Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Butuan City); and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM- Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi).

Meanwhile, the President has downgraded Cebu City’s lockdown sta-

tus to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting August 1 to 15, 2020.

On the other hand, The National Capital Region will also remain under GCQ. Other areas under GCQ are Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal for Luzon; Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Minglanilla and Consolacion for the Visayas; and Zamboanga City for Mindanao.

For NCR and Region 4-A to maintain their GCQ classification, the National Task Force, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic Teams will implement in areas with high

community transmission a strictly localized lockdown/ECQ in barangays where 80 percent of cases are located and the publication of these barangays.

The rest of the Philippines is under MGCQ. The local government units (LGUs) are directed to submit daily updates and weekly comprehensive reports containing daily trend of active cases, number and percent of population; cases in community isolation facility vs. health facility vs. home for priority areas or barangays under localized lockdown.

Included metrices to be submitted by LGUs are percent of close contacts traced and percent of con-

tacts in quarantine; number of utilization of community isolation beds; met health system capacity targets utilization; and COVID Special Teams investigations and results.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has approved the recommendations of the IATF Screening and Validation Committee that beginning August 1, 2020, the community quarantine classification of provinces, Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs), and the Independent Component Cities (ICCs) based on epidemic risk level, economic, social, and security considerations, and the appeals and commitment of local government units (LGUs).

those comfortable about attending religious services were higher among Muslims, 71%; and members of Iglesia ni Cristo, 58%; compared to Christians other than Roman Catholics and Iglesia

ni Cristos, 47%; other non-Christian religions, 42%; and Roman Catholics, 41%.

The survey asked 1,555 adult Filipinos nationwide using mobile phone and computer-as-

sisted telephone interviewing and has sampling error margins of ±2% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, and ±5% for Balance Luzon, ±5% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao

SWS also said it employed its own staff for questionnaire design, sampling, fieldwork, data-processing, and analysis, and does not outsource any of its survey operations.

sale and/or offer of securities in the form of investment contracts which require secondary license under the SRC,” it said.

In its decision, the SEC’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department established that “CROWD1 is selling and/or offering securities to the public in the form of investment contracts without the required secondary license from the Commission.”

It added CROWD1’s business model claims to be a “digital marketing business which generates

income from online games, and allegedly facilitates the generation by its members of residual income from its affiliate gaming companies such as AFFIGLO and MIGGSTER which developed DOTA, Mobile Legends, Flappybird and Candy Crush.”

It said CROWD1 in reality is “carrying out a fraudulent investment scheme consisting of the sale and/ or offer of inexistent securities in the form of investment contracts to the public using the internet and online platforms.”

It said CROWD1 actively promotes and entices the public to invest in it by choosing from among the packages available which guarantee a return of investment, and paying the corresponding price for the same to wit: (a) white package worth ₱6,000.00; (b) black package worth ₱18,000.00; (c) gold package worth ₱47,000.00; and (d) titanium package worth ₱150,000.00. There is also this Pro-titanium package worth ₱240,000.00 which is allegedly limited in number.

“CROWD1 also represented to the public that a pairing incentive/benefit payable in Euro is available to member-investors who are able to recruit new members.

“After choosing and purchasing a package, the member-investor is made to believe that he/she will start to earn five different bonuses: streamline bonus, binary pairing bonus, fear of loss bonus, matching bonus, and residual bonus from games and gambling apps,” it said. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

better opportunity to sort of tide over in this challenging time,” he added.

Vergara said investing in foreign equities is “scary” because domestic investors are not used to placing their funds overseas, but added ACWI is the lower volatility outlet compared to other investment

options because of the number of equity players from lots of countries.

“It is new to us but statistically it is less risky partly because it has more constituents within,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vergara forecasts the peso to range between 49-51 against the US dollar this year.

The peso is currently on appreciation mode against the US dollar given the weakness of the latter due anxieties as a result of the pandemic, among others.

But Vergara said the greenback historically appreciated by about 3 percent annually on the average against the local cur-

rency in the past.

“I think investors should think about that. If you think investing in the underlying stocks in the ACWI will deliver a return of more than that 3 (percent appreciation of the US dollar against the peso). I think it’s a worthwhile risk to look at,” he added. (PNA)

risks of cash handling in light of the current public health situation.

Aside from these digital payment innovations, PayMaya has previously rolled out cashless payment ecosystems starting with the PayMaya-powered student ID card in schools including University of the Philippines, La Salle Green Hills, LPU-Batangas, and STI, among many others. Students can easily link the PayMaya-powered stu-

dent ID card to their PayMaya account and maximize for payment transactions even outside the campus at Bancnet-powered payment terminals and ATMs nationwide.

PayMaya is the only end-to-end digital payments ecosystem enabler in the Philippines, with platforms and services that cut across consumers, merchants, and government. Aside from providing payments acceptance for the largest

e-Commerce, food, retail and gas merchants in the Philippines, PayMaya enables national and social services agencies, as well as local government units, with digital payments and disbursement services.

Through its app and wallet, PayMaya provides millions of Filipinos with the fastest way to own a financial account with over 40,000 Add Money touchpoints nationwide, more than double the total number of tradition-

al bank branches in the Philippines combined. Its Smart Padala by PayMaya network of over 30,000 partner touchpoints nationwide serves as last mile digital financial hubs in communities, providing the unbanked and underserved with access to services. To know more about PayMaya's products and services, visit www.

PayMaya.com or follow @ PayMayaOfficial on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

house before leaving,” the PAGASA suggested.

During the flood, the PAGASA advised to avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. It cautions: do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee; beware of water-covered

roads and bridges; eat only well-cooked foods; and drink only bottled, boiled or treated water.

After the flood, the weather bureau recommended that you re-enter the house with caution using a flashlight. “Be alert for fire hazards like

broken wires,” it warned.

“Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for flood water contamination.”

The PAGASA also suggested that broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and telephone) be reported to appropriate agen-

cies/authorities. “Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have been checked by a competent electrician,” it said.

Now, for our weather forecast!

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A (H5N6) is a subtype of the bird flu virus that can be passed from animals to humans.

In 2017, Pampanga was the epicenter of the bird flu outbreak in the Philippines. (PNA)

public to just be patient while the country is waiting for the successful development of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“I promise you, by the grace of God, I hope by December we would be back to normal. Huwag ninyo ‘yang new normal, new normal kasi sabi ko nga

noon pag-umpisa natin hintayin lang natin ‘yung vaccine (Do not expect anymore the new normal because we’re just waiting for the vaccine),” he said.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has logged 89,374 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 65,064 recoveries and 1,983 fatalities. (PNA)

apologized to well-off Filipinos, saying they should purchase their own vaccines.

“Itong mga mayaman, huwag na ninyo akong isipin kasi hindi ako nag-iisip sa inyo. Sorry na lang,” he said.

(To the rich, don’t think of me because I don’t think of you. I’m sorry.)

Duterte said he expects things to return to normal

by December as he expressed hopes that China

could come up with a vaccine by then.

China had earlier pledged to prioritize the Philippines once it develops a COVID-19 vaccine.

Chinese firms are responsible for 2 of the 3 most advanced coronavirus vaccines that had entered Phase 3 trials, or large-scale testing on humans -- the last step before regulatory approval.

trade fair for PWD entrepreneurs promotes inclusivity and empowerment for differently-abled Filipino business owners.

He said they could explore digital platforms in reaching out to their market, particularly in this time of the pandemic.

“With the persons with disability community by our side as we continue to promote and train MSMEs to go into the e-commerce industry, we will be able to not only adjust to the ‘new normal’ but thrive in a ‘better normal’,” Lopez said.

(PNA)

and sustained growth of the economy,” he added.

Domestic inflation rate posted an uptick last June to 2.5 percent from monthago’s 2.1 percent, bringing the average in the first half of the year to 2.5 percent.

This uptick is the first since the start of the year when the inflation rate

stood at 2.9 percent.

Monetary officials remain confident that inflation for this and next year will remain within the government’s 2-4 percent target band.

They forecast the inflation rate to average at 2.3 percent and 2.6 percent for this and next year. (PNA)

Ahead of the opening tip-off, players from the Jazz and Pelicans -- wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter” -- kneeled in unison as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played.

Despite an impressive Utah win, the key narrative

of the game was Zion Williamson’s performance on a minutes restriction.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry resisted removing the shackles from his star rookie phenom, limiting him to three-minute bursts in a move that frustrated eager fans.

press, Nueva Ecija Bespren, Muntinlupa Emeralds, and Pasig El Pirata are the teams still vying for the title and will enter the bubble.

With the league still currently amateur in nature, the NBL is awaiting the clearance needed for it to push through, but it has already reached out to the

Games and Amusements Board regarding its intent to turn professional.

"NBL Pilipinas is determined to name a champion for our third season, but we will abide by the government's directives on the conduct of contact sports in the country," Mercado said.

(PNA)

him in cotton wool rather than risk further damage.

Speaking after the match, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said he “wished we could have used him down the stretch” but he didn’t want to go against the medical team’s advice.

Social media went into overdrive as Williamson

remained on the bench, gobsmacked the Pelicans wouldn’t budge on their stance even when the game was there to be won.

Adding to the mystery is New Orleans (28-37) essentially needs to win every remaining game to have a shot at making the playoffs.

PH’S... FROM3

POOREST... FROM3

DTI... FROM4

BSP... FROM5

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NBL... FROM11

ZION... FROM11

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Lebron James doing the things as usual.

NBA Restart: Lakers take down Clippers

Y

es. The NBA is back.

Thank God. And it absolutely delivered everything the fans could ask; superstars playing at a high level, back-and-forth thrillers and final-minute drama as the Jazz and Lakers escaped with wins on re-opening night.

The Lakers and Clippers came into Thursday having already fought three heavyweight bouts, but Round 4 was the closest one yet. The Lakers opened up a 13-point lead in the first quarter, but the Clippers fought back to build a lead of their own. Anthony Davis owned the third

quarter, and finished with 34 points of his own, but the night belonged to LeBron James.

Despite struggling his way to 6-of-19 shooting, James hit the game-winning runner after rebounding his own miss. He then proceeded to defend Kawhi Leonard on the final pos-

Zion watches from bench as Pelicans bow to Jazz

Z

ion Williamson is in danger of becoming a meme after watching from the bench as his New Orleans Pelicans suffered a two-point loss to Utah Jazz in the NBA’s first game back since suspending the season in March.

Coronavirus put the league on hold for more than four months but teams are back competing in Orlando at the Disney World “bubble” and it didn’t take long for fans to sink their teeth into a major talking point.

Utah beat New Orleans 106-104, thanks to two free throws from Rudy Gobert with six seconds left. Ironically, the Jazz centre was the first NBA player to test positive and it was his case

that prompted the league to shut things down.

But the biggest drama was served up by the Pelicans, who left Williamson — their best player — on the bench with the game on the line as the fourth quarter wound down.

The 2019 No. 1 draft pick — a college superstar touted for NBA greatness because of his freakish combination of size, strength and speed — played only 15 minutes as New Orleans put a limit on how long he could spend on the floor.

Williamson missed much of the season before the COVID-19 shutdown with a knee injury and the Pelicans are keen to wrap

FZION, P10

session well enough to force a pass, and then switched on Paul George to contest his game-winning attempt. When the final buzzer sounded, it was 103-101 Lakers.

The two best teams in the Western Conference have now played four times, and they’ve split the matchups 2-2. The Clippers have outscored the Lakers by only four in those matchups. These teams are as close as it comes, and now that their regular-season battles are in the books, they have a few months to prepare for what should be an inevitable Western Conference Finals matchup.

Four months after

the league shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA is restarting its season with 22 teams based inside a secure “bubble” at Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

The unprecedented NBA experiment began with the Utah Jazz defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 106-104 in an empty arena at the resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The first and last points of the game were scored

by Utah’s Rudy Gobert -- the Frenchman whose COVID-19 case triggered the NBA’s shutdown in March.

FNBA, P10

Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson continues to have limited playing time.

NBL eyes Pampanga ‘bubble’

T

he National Basketball League (NBL) is considering a bubble just to finish its postponed third season amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

On Thursday, the league bared the plan after revealing that it has accomplished a 50-page comprehensive set of protocols that the teams will follow amid the pandemic.

The bubble will run for 11 days and will take place at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

To ensure the health and safety of the players and team staff, everyone will undergo Covid-19 testing and a 14-day self-quarantine.

As part of the quarantine rules set by the national government, only players aged 21 and

above will be allowed to play.

The teams will also undergo "a slow but safe return to training and competition" strictly enforced by the NBL. NBL Pilipinas chairman Soy Mercado said that NBL Commissioner Edward Aquino and executive vice president Rhose Montreal have already proposed the said plan to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and other government agencies.

The NBL was already in its playoff phase when play was halted due to Covid-19.

The Pampanga Delta, the designated host of the bubble, defending champions Taguig Generals, inaugural winner Paranaque Aces, La Union PAOwer, CamSur Ex-

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FRIENDS

AND FOES

Khan wants fight with Manny in Dubai

B

ritish boxing champion Amir Khan has revealed he wants to make history by bringing the first ever title fight to Dubai and said there would be no better opponent than his old Filipino friend Manny Pacquiao.

Khan, who earlier this week said he was looking to make Dubai his second home away from his native Bolton in the north west of England, has already boxed in the Middle East, having taken to the ring in July last year for a match-up against Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia.

In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, he said: “There’s always talk about a fight in Dubai but the only fight, if it was ever going to happen in Dubai, which would be massive,

would be a Manny Pacquiao, Amir Khan fight.

There’s a lot of Filipinos here and it’s not far from the Philippines, you’ve got a lot of English expats.

“I think that’s the only fight, which would be the biggest, but who knows.”

However, Khan, a former unified light-welterweight world champion, stressed that any future fight, whether in Dubai or anywhere else in the world, would have to include fans.

UFC’s

Fight Island has just finished in Abu Dhabi, where bouts were contested without crowds. While that was considered a huge success for the sport, Khan admitted that it wasn’t something he was warming to.

“They’re saying that boxing can go ahead behind closed doors but I don’t know if it’s going to be possible or if I’m even going to be up for it. I can’t see it working. You want the fans there to pump you up,” he said.

“I’m going to wait for a couple of more months.

I don’t want to leave it too long, I want to be back in the ring quite soon, but we just don’t know when this is going to end.”

As previously revealed, Khan, who has been

at the top of the sport for the past 15 years, is looking to set up boxing academies in the emirate and he said he is willing to tour round the city’s schools teaching students the tricks of the trade.

“I’ve started doing it in the UK where they do now have boxing classes and coaches from my academy go to schools around the area and they teach kids boxing. Not because we want them to fight, it’s about discipline, it’s about knowing when to punch, when not to punch as well,” he said.

“Opening an academy here is something we’re really interested in doing.

It’ll keep me busy if I’m going to be living here. It’ll be good and keep me fit at the same time.”

British boxing champion Amir Khan.