Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 242 | Thursday, January 28, 2021

MUCH ADO ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINE HEALTH P9

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

CONSTANT TARGET

VOL.13 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

A health worker sprays her fellow medical frontliner with disinfectant at the swab testing area of Sta. Ana Health Center on Wednesday. The House of Representatives has approved on second reading House Bill 8259, or the proposed “Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumaban Kontra COVID-19 Act,” the measure seeking to grant COVID-19 medical frontliners a 25% discount on their personal income taxes. Edge Davao

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NorCot VGuv says bus bombing an act of cowardice, terrorism STORY ON PAGE 2

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VOL.13 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

NEWS

National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (left), gives President Rodrigo Duterte an update during a meeting with core members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Monday night. He said the country is well-prepared for the arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines. (Presidential Photo)

CONSTANT TARGET T NorCot VGuv says bus bombing an act of cowardice, terrorism

By MAYA M. PADILLO orth Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou “Lala” Talino-Mendoza described the bombing of a Yellow Bus Line unit in Sibsib, Tulunan North Cotabato at 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday as “an act of cowardice and terrorism.”

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According to report, the blast killed one and wounded five individuals.

“This act of cowardice of some lawless elements is an act of terrorism which I resolutely con-

demn. I would like to offer prayers and express sympathy to the family of the victims and wish speedy recovery for the wounded of the bomb explosion that transpired

today,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza called on the authorities to speed up their investigation to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“Let us continue to be vigilant and joint efforts for a peaceful and progressive Cotabato Province,” she said.

The Yellow Bus Line company have had some of its buses hit by bombings in the previous years.

In October 2015, a bomb exploded inside a passenger bus in Polomolok town in South Cotabato around noon that injured 18 people.

In August 2007, a blast inside a Yellow Bus Line in Southern Koronadal City occurred and in July of the same year, a bomb exploded inside one of the company’s buses parked in the same terminal, wounding one passenger.

said Brig. Gen. Samuel Rodriguez, police director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“The bombs are really intended to kill or maim people, including our security forces in the area,” Rodriguez told reporters here in an interview.

He said the second IED was found in the same area around 10:35 a.m.

during a clearing operation by government troopers.

The blast, which occurred at 5:45 a.m., killed motorcycle driver Alberto delos Santos, 51, and wounded Loreto Palma Jr., 56, his back-rider, as they were passing Barangay Poblacion Romangaob.

Both victims are residents of Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat province.

Military and police investigators believed the bombs were intended to disrupt a scheduled peace dialogue between warring families over land problems in the village of Kuya in the municipality.

Rodriguez said a police augmentation force had been sent to South Upi to beef up security for communities in the area.

(PNA)

Another bomb disarmed at Maguindanao blast site

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ilitary and police bomb disposal experts deactivated a second improvised explosive device (IED) on the highway in South Upi, Maguindanao, following a roadside blast that killed a motorist and wounded another Tuesday morning.

The IED was rigged from a 105-cannon projectile with an attached triggering mechanism,

PH ready for arrival of vaccines: Galvez he country is well-prepared for the arrival of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines, National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said.

"Mayor, prepared po tayo. Kaya po natin makuha ang mga vaccines, including Pfizer at saka Moderna.

Mayroon po tayong kakayahan po (Mayor, we are prepared. We can acquire vaccines, including Pfizer and Moderna. We have the capacity to do so)," Galvez told President Rodrigo Duterte in a televised meeting on Monday night.

He said the Department of Health - Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) has already procured ultra-cold chain refrigerators that can store about one million vaccines with a temperature requirement of up to -70°C. In preparation for the deployment of the vaccines, Galvez said they have inspected possible cold chain storage facilities nationwide.

The government has partnered with local pharmaceutical firms for scaling up cold chain storage facilities.

Meanwhile, he cited the importance of an information drive to counter the

misinformation posed by the "anti-vaxxers" on social media.

Anti-vaxxers refer to people who disagree with the use of vaccines for a variety of reasons.

"Ito po ang medyo may problema po tayo na talagang dapat po pagtulungan po natin. Alam po namin na malaki po ang maitutulong ng ating Mayor, Presidente, Mr. President, kasi po talagang bumababa po ‘yung willingness at saka ‘yung uptake ng ating mga kababayan dahil nga po sa mga tinatawag nating mga nakikitang mga adverse effect ng certain brands (This is a problem that we need to address together. We know that the President will be of great help because the willingness of our countrymen to get the vaccine is decreasing due to the adverse effects of certain brands)," Galvez said.

He noted that the presence of anti-vaxxers is one of the reasons why some Filipinos are hesitant.

“At the same time, malakas po yung social media ng mga anti-vaxxers. So ito po malaki pong hamon po ito (the anti-vaxxers have a strong social media presence. This is a huge challenge)," Galvez said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, he

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Hotelier says clients are starting to return

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eda Abreeza Hotel Manager Ken Kapulong said there are noticeable changes in people beginning to return to staying in hotels despite the yet unstable Covid-19 situation in Davao City.

Kapulong said he is optimistic of the improved market confidence in Davao Region.

He ade the assessment based on the current good number of occupied rooms per day at Seda. He said several of their guests are returning local guests who are staying at the hotel for business travel, and government meetings.

“I can only say that for our hotel, it may be a different point of view from others. We’re doing okay and I am hoping things will get better soon,” he said.

Seda Abreeza is now promoting safe staycation to attract visitors. With the

guests’ safety as top-priority, everywhere in the hotel, from the public areas and guestrooms to backof-the-house and delivery areas, safety protocols are in place to help keep the guests safe whenever they visit.

Seda Abreeza is among those accommodation facilities in Davao City issued with certificates to operate by the Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11) during the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) last year.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced that tourism establishments are allowed to host small gatherings to the limit of up to 50 percent of the total venue capacity based on the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Maya M. Padillo

PH includes Czech Rep. in travel ban due to new Covid-19 variant

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he Philippines has included Czech Republic on the coverage of the temporary travel ban on foreign travelers due to the new coronavirus variant, Malacañang said.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said foreign passengers arriving directly from Czech Republic as well as those who have been there within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, will be restricted from entering the country starting Jan. 28 until Jan. 31.

Foreign passengers coming from, or who have been to the Czech Republic within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, arriving before Jan. 28 12:01 a.m., Manila time, will be allowed to enter the Philippines.

Filipino citizens coming from, or who have been to the Czech Republic, will be allowed to enter the Philippines but they need to undergo quarantine until the result of a subsequent reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) test, which is administered on the fifth day of the quarantine is released.

Those who tested negative from both RT-PCR tests will be endorsed to their respective local government units, which will strictly monitor the remainder of their 14-day quarantine.

Filipino and foreign passengers merely transiting through the Czech Republic will be covered

by the rules as provided in the Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated Dec. 31, 2020.

Currently, foreign travelers from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Canada, Spain, the United States, Portugal, India, Finland, Norway, Jordan, Brazil, Austria, Pakistan, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Oman are prohibited from going to the Philippines.

Studies found that the new variant that emerged from UK is nearly 70 percent more transmissible than the original Covid-19 variant. However, there is no evidence yet that it is deadlier than the previous variant.

On Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed local transmission of the new variant in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

DOH said that it identified linkages of the 12 cases of the new variant through genome sequencing.

However, the agency said that there was "no strong evidence of community transmission" of the new variant yet.

Earlier, the DOH reported that the 12 cases of the new variant in Mountain Province, saying these cases were among the 16 new cases of the UK variant in the country. (PNA)

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during a vaccine forum that some vaccines, like Pfizer’s, specify that those who were already infected with COVID-19 must defer vaccination for 60 to 90 days.

“Based on that, we will have specific guideline for specific vaccines,” she said.

Cabotaje said once the

DOH: Allergy, COVID-19 tests not required for vaccination he Department of Health said it is not necessary for COVID-19 vaccine recipients to have themselves tested for the disease and for allergies, although certain brands have specific rules.

Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said

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A vendor prepares special cuts of pork meat at a stall at Agdao Public Market in Davao City. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced that starting next month, the rapid test kits for African swine fever (ASF) would be mass-produced. Edge Davao

Near bankruptcy could force resort owners to sell business

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ith business continuing to plummet down, the only option left for some resort owners in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) would be to sell their resorts.

Pastor Lozada, Jr., president of the Samal Resort Owners Association, said resort owners have been experiencing huge losses due because of the lockdown that affected their operations. Making matters worse, business expenses are piling up.

“Kaya nga naisip ko na ang pinakamadaling gagawin ay ibenta ko na lang ang resort ko sa Samal.

Dahil kung bangkarote ka na tapos ganito pa, ibenta mo na lang sa mga big time ang resort mo,” he said.

In December last year, the local government of IGaCoS announced that the island will prohibit tourism or leisure activities. Non-residents, landowners, or workers in the island who are traveling to and from the island for business purposes must have a Samal QR code or

DavNor QR code, a valid government-issued ID, and their proof of transaction such as a business permit or Department of Trade and Industry registration, notarized Deed of Sale or land title or certificate of employment or a company ID. “Wala talaga kaming guests kahit locals dahil hindi ka naman bibigyan ng QR code kahit na papasok sa Samal at kung kukuha ka ng QR code kailangan may reservation ka sa resort.

Bankrupt na ang lahat ng mga resorts dahil sa haba ng lockdown. Napakaraming nilagay na restrictions na para sa akin hindi naman praktikal at viable.

Kaya yung mga guests imbes na magpunta sa Samal, kung saan saan na lang pumupunta sa mga lugar na wala masyadong restrictions,” Lozada said.

Lozada said the association is calling on the LGU to let the resort owners pay 30 percent of the taxes to get their business permits for the meantime and to help the resort owners continue their operations and let them pay the remaining 70 percent when business is doing good already.

“Kung puwede sana 30 percent na lang muna for the meantime. Kung sakali medyo malakas na ang operation ng mga resorts they could pay the full tax na. Lahat kasi nag-close at mag-iisang taon na. Ngayon kung kumuha kami ng business permit problema din kasi kung ano anong hinihinging requirements ng LGU pati pa ng DENR, CENRO, hindi ka bigyan ng clearance para makakuha ng business permit dahil kailangna daw may foreshore lease, waste water disposal system ang resort,” Lozada said.

Lozada cited challenges that make getting their business permits a problem that include getting permits for waste water disposal, foreshore lease,

critical gadget that could have led to the identity of the killer or killers of Fr. Rene Regalado was either not working on the night he was killed in Malaybalay City last Sunday, or someone tampered with the dashcam and erased some files.

Fr. Virgilio Delfin, spokesperson of the Diocese of Malaybalay diocese, said when they examined the dashboard camera on the Chevrolet SUV driven by the slain priest, they found that several hours of video footages were “erased” from the gadget.

“We found the video

was only up to 12 noon on Sunday. There was no longer any video after that,” Delfin told MindaNews by phone.

“It could have allowed us to see who were the killers of Fr. Regalado,” he added.

Police investigator Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Lloren said they found the 42-year-old priest already dead about 9:45 p.m. Sunday.

Lloren said the incident happened near the gates of the Mount Carmel Monastery in in Sitio Paling in Barangay Patpat.

He said the priest was going home to John XXIII

College Seminary when the killers ambushed and killed him.

Regalado, a diocesan priest, was staying at the seminary located a little farther from the Mount Carmel Monastery.

Lloren said they have already turned over the Chevrolet SUV to the diocese.

Delfin said Regalado left the seminary about 2 p.m. for the Diocesan Formation Center in Barangay 10 in Malaybalay City.

He said one of their priests later received a call from Regalado that he would be meeting some-

and clearance from CENRO. “Sa foreshore lease naman di ko maintinidihan. It is a right of every citizen na maligo sa dagat.

Gagamitin mo lang ang foreshore lease kung gagawa ka ng infrastructure sa dagat. Hindi nila puwedeng bawalan ang mga tao na maligo sa dagat at hindi na kailangan ng foreshore lease to swim. Ito yung mga problema,” he said.

He is hopeful that the LGU will relax the requirements in acquiring business permit for them to be able to continue operating.

“Bigyan na sana nila ng business permits ang mga resort owners at since wala kaming kinita sa loob ng isang taon kung puwede ang business permit namin hindi na mahal tulad nung regular operation dahil wala kaming kinita,” he said.

“Ang sa amin lang, our LGU must help us na magkaroon ng negosyo by way of hindi kami pahirapan, in terms of getting permits.

Kung tutuusin hindi dapat mahirap kumuha ng permits,” he added.

one.

“Fr. Regalado did not tell the priest who was the person he would meet,” Delfin said.

He said that around 6:30 p.m. the cook at the seminary called Regalado but did not get any answer.

In a report, Lt. Col. Jerry Tambis, Malaybalay police chief, said Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered a Colt .45 pistol with two magazines, 10 unspent shells and one empty shell.

Delfin said the priest’s hands were bound with a white shoelace.

Slain priest’s dashcam not working, or files ‘erased’

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MinDA chief urges Mindanao LGUs to initiate self-reliant food production

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has urged local government units (LGUs) to initiate “self-reliant food production programs” to increase local food sufficiency as the country faces an increase in the demand and prices of food supplies amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, MinDA chairman, said in a statement Tuesday that during his consultations with various LGUs, he pointed out that while Mindanao could sufficiently supply the needs of its population, “the rising prices of goods in Metro Manila and Luzon because of short supply could destabilize the food sufficiency programs of the region.”

“An example is the increased demand for live hogs from Mindanao to be shipped to Metro Manila which has resulted to a dramatic increase in the farm gate price from P90 per kilo last year to as high as P220 per kilo now,” he said.

Piñol added that the de-

mand for beef, vegetables, and fish has also intensified “as Metro Manila grapples with skyrocketing food prices.”

MinDA is proposing various strategies to be adopted by Mindanao LGUs, including livestock production through the establishment of LGU-owned “cattle fattening feedlot” using locally procured cattle or imported steers; hog production program through a “communal hog raising concept” where LGUs will be setting up facilities with sufficient biosecurity safeguards against the African Swine Fever (ASF), which have previously affected the backyard hog industry.

A “free range chicken

he House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading the measure seeking to grant COVID-19 medical frontliners a 25% discount on their personal income taxes.

In a vote of ayes and nays, the chamber approved

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House Bill 8259, or the proposed "Handog sa mga Bayaning Lumaban Kontra COVID-19 Act," principally authored by House Committee on Ways and Means chair Joey Salceda and Nueva Vizcaya Representative Luisa Loren Cuaresma.

The measure is being

the undue burden on applicants of having to fill up redundant entry forms with different agencies.

Through the portal, applicants can now complete their business registration with SEC and BIR, generate BIR tax identification number, pay for BIR filing and registration fees, and register employer numbers for SSS, PhilHealth, and PagIBIG. The CBP now also features a Unified Employee Reporting Module for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG, and process applications for secondary license featuring FDA’s License to Operate (LTO) for Center for Drugs.

The integration of FDA's LTO into the portal is also part of the implementation of ARTA’s National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficient Measures of Inter-related Agencies or NEHEMIA Program – Food and Pharmaceutical Sector. This move reduces the number of steps from 28 to nine, the number of requirements from 41 to 12, and the number of days from 63 to 21 in acquiring the LTO.

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production program” is also being proposed by MinDA, and this will be done through the establishment of provincial breeding centers for locally bred poultry for distribution to farming families; fisheries and aquaculture development is also eyed by the agency by putting up post-harvest facilities such as ice makers and cold storage facilities “to encourage fishermen to catch more fish.

Moreover, MinDA is proposing the intensified vegetable production to be adopted by the LGUs to ensure “sufficient local supply at affordable local prices.”

“While these developments would benefit Mindanao food producers, an intensified effort to produce more should be undertaken in the region to ensure food sufficiency,” Piñol said.

He noted that these food production initiatives designed by the agency will also be financially supported by its banking partner, the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

(Warren Elijah E. Valdez / MindaNews)

House OKs bill giving 25% income tax discount to medical frontliners

Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairman, urges local government units (LGUs) to initiate “self-reliant food production

programs” to increase local food sufficiency as the country faces an increase in the demand and prices of food supplies amid COVID-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

ARTA, partner national agencies to launch CBP

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he Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), along with partner national government agencies and 18 pilot local government units (LGUs), will be launching the first phase of the Central Business Portal (CBP), an online one-stop shop for registering business in the country on Jan. 28.

The ARTA’s partner national government agencies include Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund or Pag-IBIG Fund, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The CBP (business.gov. ph) offers a single site for all business-related information and transactions such as securing business permits, licenses, and clearances.

It had been on its softlaunch phase to targeted law and accounting firms since Aug. 28, 2020 with

additional features had since been added for the nationwide launch of its Phase 1 on Thursday.

The creation of CBP through DICT is mandated

by Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

By mandate of a Joint Memorandum Circular among the abovementioned agencies, along with the Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Cooperative Development Authority, ARTA will be overseeing the implementation of the CBP and will be providing support, facilitation, and assistance to the participating agencies throughout its development and implementation.

The implementation of the CBP is projected to improve the country’s performance in the Starting a Business indicator under the World Bank’s Doing Business Report.

In the World Bank’s 2020 Report, the Philippines ranked 171st among

190 economies in the said indicator, which measures the number of procedures, time, cost, and paid-in minimum capital requirement for a small- to medium-sized limited liability company to start up and formally operate.

Through the CBP, business applicants can now register their business in just one step in less than a day, as compared to the previous manual process with 13 steps that could be completed in 33 days.

Once the CBP is fully implemented, ARTA projects that the country’s ranking in the Starting a Business indicator could jump up to the 7th rank.

The CBP Phase 1 will allow for the registration of one person corporations, corporations with two to four incorporators, and regular corporations whose incorporators are juridical entities and/or the capital structure is not covered by the 25 percent-25 percent rule.

The portal provides a Unified Application Form for all agencies involved in the business registration process, thus eliminating

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proposed to express the government's appreciation for the services rendered by medical frontliners amid the COVID-19 pandemic by granting them relief in the payment of their income tax.

Under the bill, medical

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DTI on Duterte order to keep kids at home: Better err on side of caution hile it has long been pushing for the easing of agebased restrictions to further boost consumer demand, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave in to President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to reverse the policy allowing children aged 10 to 14 to go out of their homes.

“We heard the decision of the President last night to revert back from 10 years old to 15 years old the minimum age restriction. So it's back to status quo APOR (authorized persons outside of residence) age of 15 to 65 years old,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

“Of course we follow the wisdom of our President. He asks us to study further the new variant because it might spread and the blame might be put on the easing of age restriction,” Lopez said.

Duterte, in his weekly public address on Monday, said he has revoked the Inter-Agency Task Force's earlier decision to allow minors aged 10 to 14 years old to leave their homes

in areas under modified general community quarantine.

The President said this was due to the UK variant of the COVID-19 virus that had been detected in several patients in the country.

The IATF’s move to lower the age of individuals allowed to go out has drawn criticisms from the OCTA Research Group and other health professionals, especially with the arrival of the UK variant of the coronavirus, which is more transmissible.

The Department of Health (DOH), meanwhile, said Duterte’s decision “will give us time for at least two cycles of genome sequencing with adequate representation from all regions to determine the extent of the transmission of the variant of concern."

“So better to observe further the new variant and it might be safer to adjust once we are able to control the spread of the new variant,” Lopez said.

“Better to err on the side of caution,” he said.

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ECONOMY 5

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DOF chief to lawmakers: Ease economic policies

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MORE UNIT TURNOVERS THIS 2021 AT AEON TOWERS. Aeon Luxe Properties executives handed over the ceremonial key and turnover kit for the first two clients on January 18-19, 2021 at 6F Club Aeon, Aeon Towers,

Davao City. Present in the ceremonies are ALPI Vice President for Sales and Marketing Almira Mariano and Vice President for Operations Engr. Daniel Manalo.

Aeon Towers set to turn over more units in 2021

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ore keys will be handed over to unit owners of the Aeon Towers all year round.

Aeon Luxe Properties Inc. (ALPI) Vice President for Sales and Marketing Almira Mariano said the prime iconic property will see more unit owners moving in this year as the homegrown firm looks to 2021 with turnover of units high on its calendar.

Aeon Luxe actually kickstarted the new year

with back-to-back turnover ceremonies for Aeon Towers unit owners held over the week at the Club Aeon, Aeon Towers in Davao City.

In a statement, Mariano said the new Aeon residents and their representatives received the official turnover kits including the keys to their units as they prepare to transition and get

3M profits jump amid high demand for face masks

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M, a maker of N95 face masks, reported higher fourth-quarter profits Tuesday on the mixed impact of Covid-19 across its businesses while also projecting sales growth in 2021.

The industrial giant -- which operates in transportation, electronics and consumer businesses in addition to health care -- pointed to continued strength in personal safety, cleaning and home improvement as the coronavirus boosts demand for some products.

But 3M said the pandemic had dented revenues tied to some other areas, including elective health procedures and hospitality.

The company is projecting sales growth of between five and eight percent in 2021.

"In an uncertain economic environent, we stayed focused on innovating for our customers, improving our operational execution and fighting the pandemic from every an-

gle," said Chief Executive Mike Roman.

Earnings were $1.4 billion in the fourth-quarter, up 43.3 percent from the year-ago period. Revenues rose 5.8 percent to $8.6 billion.

For all of 2020, 3M had profits of $5.4 billion, up 17.5 percent from the yearago level.

3M's products run the gamut of household goods such as Scotch Tape and Post-It notes, as well sealants for the aerospace industry and sensors and protective equipment for the electronics industry.

During the pandemic, 3M has been a key player in supplying personal protective equipment, especially N95 "respirator" masks used by health care workers. The company produced 2 billion of the masks in 2020.

That came after 3M doubled its mask capacity twice during 2020 as it worked with the governments of the United States,

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acquainted with their new abode.

"To see the smiles on their faces after receiving their unit keys is absolutely heartwarming for us," said Mariano who presided over the turnover ceremonies and personally welcomed the new Aeon Towers residents.

The Aeon Luxe management also organized a tour for the new unit owners to check that everything is according to specifications before moving in.

Property Manager Arch.

Mitch Casado gave a short briefing about the house rules and construction guidelines for a well-coordinated move-in process and to safeguard their care and security.

Also present during the turnover ceremonies was Vice President for Operations Engr. Daniel Manalo.

For more inquiries about Aeon Towers, you can message at www.facebook. com/AeonLuxeDVO or visitwww.aeonluxe.com.ph.

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has urged lawmakers to remove restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution to help in the recovery of the domestic economy partly by opening it to foreign investors.

In his remarks during the meeting of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Tuesday, Dominguez declined to give his side on the proposed changes in the Constitution but highlighted the need to “act on something that is doable” and “immediately achievable.”

“It is preferable, of course, to achieve the liberalization reforms in one blow. But if there are things that we can do to open up the economy through administrative measures, we must implement them. If there are areas that we can liberalize by amending our existing laws, then let's do that,” he said.

Among the priority measures he cited include the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE), the amendments to the Public Service Act, the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and the Foreign Investments law.

Citing latest World Bank (WB) data, Dominguez said the Philippines is the seventh among the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states in terms of average foreign investments inflows to gross output from 20152019.

The Philippines is perceived by the international community as the most restrictive among the Asean countries based on the latest Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

These findings, he said, can be traced to the restrictive policies that need to be changed to entice more foreign investors to place their funds in the country and make it more competitive.

“It is never a good idea to tie down our economy to a fixed set of policies. In a world that is constantly innovating, it is always better to have an adaptable economic policy regime,” he added.

Dominguez said the country “should have the flexibility to be able to adjust and maximize economic opportunities as, and whenever, necessary.”

“State policies that should be in the Constitution should be limited to fundamental policies universally accepted and unalterable in character,” he said.

Dominguez said “restricting economic activity is an outdated nationalistic concept, overtaken by technological developments,” thus, “maintaining preferential treatment for Filipino citizens in certain areas of concern no longer serves any imperative purpose.” s an example, he said limitations on foreign investments on public utilities “forced us to depend on undercapitalized Filipino businesses”, making the country’s logistics system one of the weakest in the region.

“The inefficiency of public utilities has forced Filipinos to pay more for necessities and has stymied the growth of small businesses,” Dominguez said.

He added “liberalizing the participation of foreign risk capital in this area by encouraging experienced and strategic investors to expand services would improve the delivery of our public utilities in our country.”

While he proposes the easing of foreign invest-

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A pump attendant refills a motorcycle with gasoline at a gasoline station in Davao City. After three consecutive weeks of increases, gasoline prices went down by P0.15 per liter and diesel by P0.10 per liter. Edge Davao

DAVAO 6 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On the improved occupancy rate of hotels in Davao City, particularly Seda Abreeza: I can only say that for our hotel, it may be a different point of view from others. We’re doing okay and I am hoping things will get better soon.”

Ken Kapulong

Seda Abreeza Hotel Manager

EDITORIAL 15,400 arrests, what it means If you’re looking for reasons why so many Dabawenyos get infected with Covid 19, the number of arrests of people violating prescribed health protocols might provide some clues. There are so many infections in Davao City that it tops the national list almost everyday.

The Davao City Police Office reported a total of 15,400 people have been arrested in the city for violating quarantine guidelines starting in May last year. The number could indicate how many Dabawenyos are hardheaded and stubborn they do not follow the guidelines even if by doing so they are risking their lives and those of others.

It also tells volumes about the poor kind of discipline we have, a sad departure from a long time hype started by some well-meaning community leaders that Dabawenyos are “disiplinado”.

According to Angel Sumagaysay, head of the Public Se-

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curity and Safety Command, as of this month (January), a total of 3,262 people were apprehended for violating curfew, 6,617 for breaching social distancing and mass gathering rules, 2,333 for not wearing face mask and 2,670 for not wearing face shield.

And worse, of those arrested, 33 were caught presenting tampered or bogus RT-PCR results. Of these violators, 10 are now facing charges in court, Chief Sumagaysay said.

And yet, the number of arrests could also indicate that the campaign is not strictly imposed.

The dire statistics tells us, too, in sum, that there is a need for our authorities -- police, military, barangay officials and even tanods -- to be dead serious and stricter in implementing the guidelines, in order to strengthen the campaign against the spread of the deadly virus.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

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

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EDGEDAVAO

242 • TUESDAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 VOL.13 ISSUE 234 JANUARY 19, 2021

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VOL.13 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

LENOVO LEGION GAMING PCS ELEVATE THE DAILY GRIND THIS 2021 HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SECOND CHANCE

“The willingness to forgive is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity. It is one of the great virtues to which we all should aspire. Imagine a world filled with individuals willing both to apologize and to accept an apology.” – Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something: NeglectCELEBRATING the10 new ed Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts year always brings in renewed and Homes vigor and energy to face the *** challenges ahead. This 2021, Some I received people willyears still back, be adjusting some electronic mails from friends. to the new normal brought Some of those are quotable quotes by the COVID-19 pandemic,on life, others were about life. I particularly instories working and have saved some of them not knowstudying at home. Fortunateing personal that I will be able to usehelp them in ly, computers the future. keep the world going even Onequarantine. of the storiesBut that caught under when my attention is the story below. faced with multiple projects I reallydeadlines, don’t knowstudents who the original and and author of it is but it exemplifies employees alike may find the virtueaI standard, am discussing here. I am not that mainstream sure if the story really happened laptop for general home usebut go ahead and read it: cannot always keep up with As a demands. young man, Global Dr. A.J. Cronin current was in charge of a small hospital. One technology and innovation evening, the Scottish physician perleader Lenovo suggests utilizformed an emergency operation on ing gaming PCs instead, as a little boy. very delicate operthey haveIt was the aperformance ation, and the doctor felt great relief needed to power through when the little fellow 2021 and beyond. breathed freely after it was He gave Gaming PCsover. are more thanorders to the young nurse and went home capable of bolstering productivfilled with gratitude for the success. ity through components such as Late that night processing came a frantic a dedicated graphics

unit (GPU) or graphics card, better memory and storage capacity, and the latest processors. Lenovo, through its dedicated gaming sub-brand Legion, offers its newest gaming lineup with devices that transcend both personal and professional use.

The dedicated graphics cards in the devices allow users to see and render images and videos to the highest quality with ease, making the job of digital artists more seamless than ever. Adding to this exceptional performance are the “A politician mankind enhanced memorydivides and solid-state into two classes: tools and enemies.” drive (SSD) storage options that (Friedrich Nietzsche) allow programs to run quickly and Will Joseph Biden (want to) be a simultaneously friend of Digong without Duterte?any hiccups,Lest as well as the latest Intelthe andinyou be mistaken, AMD processors that unlock other coming Biden administration may be features more intensive work taking a for wait-and-see attitude as far tasks.

Furthermore, the new Legion as its relationship with the incumbent administration is concerned. devices are sleeker and lighter than Recall that during wee hours ever, allowing them tothe fit right in of the 8-year old Obama government, even in corporate settings. the“We newly-elected Philippine purposely designed andChief Executive had a falling apart with developed our new Legion lineup the former president, including an not only for gamers but also with exchange of sour words with Philip today’s workforce in mind.

WithamGoldberg, the outgoing American current business demands, it’s no bassador. longer enough devices to only The Bidenfor administration may run look basictoo office applications and not kindly with the manner the usual tasks. As PRRD hasday-to-day shabbily treated thethe VFA (Visiting Agreement) at at a time world of Forces work evolves — and a when relations were not rapid the paceUS-China at that, we want to equip that good because of trade imbalance professionals with devices that can and diplomatic help them adapt irritants and excelcaused in mul-by territorial issues in the West Philiptiple scenarios,” said Michael Ngan, pine Sea (or South China Sea).

Lenovo Philippines President and The fact that US-based allies of General Manager. the Yellow Party supported the LiberThat said, Lenovo made some

call for the doctor. Everything had gone wrong, and the child was in desperate conditions. When Dr. Cronin got to the bedside, the little boy was already dead.

The nurse had become frightened and had neglected her duty. Dr. Cronin decided she should not be trusted again, and he wrote a letter to the board of health which would end her career as a nurse. He called her in and read the letter to her. She listened in shame and misery, saying nothing.

After reading the letter, Dr. Cronin inquired, “Have you nothing to say?” The nurse shook her head. She had no excuse to offer. Then she did speak, and this is what she said, “Give me another chance.”

The story is not about the little boy, the doctor, or the nurse. It is about clemency and understanding.

It is about pity and forgiveness. “To err is human,” Alexander Pope wrote in An Essay on Criticism, “to forgive, divine.” “Forgiveness is our command,” C. Neil Strait declared. “Judgment is not.” recommendations of Legion gamA which SteveprofesGoodier ing PCsstory ideal for different wrote came to my mind when I read sions to complement everyone’s Strait’s statement.

A young man renewed vigor in facing new chalsecretly misappropriated several lenges this 2021. hundred dollars from the business where he was employed. When the For online entrepreneurs/business shortage was discovered, the3isenior owners – IdeaPad Gaming

partner called the young man into his office.

Immediately, the young man knew he would be fired and sent to prison. His employer asked the worried man if he was guilty. He replied that he was. Then the executive surprised him. “If I keep you in your present capacity,” he said, “can I trust you in the future?”

VOL.13 I SSUE 237 • FRIDAY, JANThe astonished employee reUARY 22, 2021 plied, “Yes, sir, you surely can. I’ve learned my lesson.”

His boss must have detected the repentant man’s sincerity. “I’m not going to press charges and you can continue in your present responsibility,” he said. Then, he added, “I think you ought to know, however, that you are the second man in this firm who succumbed to temptation but was shown leniency. I was the first. What you have done, I did. The mercy you are receiving, I received.”

Jesus told us to forgive others just as He has forgiven our sins. His discipline Peter, if you recall, denied him three times. And yet, He appeared to Peter after He resurrected and forgave him. He asked Peter to show his love by “feeding his sheep.”

People who follow Christ are called Christians. But despite being a Christian, man still has a hard time giving a person forgiveness for the wrongs done to him. “People have to

Online businesses are booming amid the COVID-19 pandemic and for those wanting to set up shop, Legion recommends the IdeaPad Gaming 3i. Through its up to 10thgeneration Intel processor and up difficult, musicians need a home to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti studio setup to continue making dedicated graphics card, the Ideamusic. For the centerpiece of the Pad Gaming 3i assures business studio, Lenovo recommends its SPECKS LIFEnotebook Legion 7i. Its owners that they can easily run all OF flagship the applications they need to reach specifications not only make it the growth and success. Bolstering the new Legion lineup’s most powercompletion of tasks further are the ful notebook for gaming but also up to 16GB DDR4 memory and produce the best audio through either up to 1TB NVME PCIe SSD its Dolby Atmos Speaker system. als in plotting so many ways and ag- it to snatch the topto position or 2TB HDDin storage options.

It’sis)specifically made provideof the itating the ouster of the former Davao land, thus preventing another Duterte cinema-like sound quality and City mayor since Day One of his presi- (Sara, as rumors persist) from inherFor content creators (vloggers, contains tools that musicians can dency may come in the way. iting her dad’s most coveted post, and graphic designers, photographers, utilize to get the perfect pitch and However, early announcements or his anointed successor. videothe editors, and re- sound. from Palaceanimators, say the Duterte Biden’s US policy vis a viz the layoutisartists) Legion 5Pi gime looking–forward to establish incumbent will most probably hinge Producing picture-perfect imFor the programmers and developers friendly relations with the newly-inon latter’s “failed” anti-illegal ages and videos is critical for digital drugs – Legion stalled Biden presidency. war5/5i and the “gross” human Wetoday maytobestand ableout. to “decipher” rights violations his politicaltakes enemies artists To help A computer’s processor the what happens next with the appointhave been harping about since PRRD achieve this, Lenovo has the Legion brunt when it comes to compiling ment of a newthat US ambassador it in code. the beginning of his six5Pi notebook comes with to a the launched and running The better Philippines. year term.

15-inch In-Plane Switching (IPS) they are, the more programs they One thing is certain though.

If the recent ugly dynamics of 1080p display with up to a 144Hz can run.

Knowing this, Lenovo I have heard from the political the US presidential elections are the refresh rate and 500nits of brightrecommends the Legion 5 and and media grapevines that the LP will gauge, I will entertain a not-so-pleasnessmoving for high qualityand andearth vividto de- ant Legion (“i” is for Intel) gaming be heaven and 5i comfortable position. images and videos without tearing. programmers. monize PRRD continuously until the notebook And iffor you might have observed The display polls is alsoina2022.

VESA-certified already, Equipped with either theClinton acclaimed presidential Obama, Hillary and high This dynamic range DisAMD Ryzen 4000-series is first of (VESA all to discredit the so-called Deep State, processor the mainplayHDR 400)away screen or Intel’s high-performing him and take thethat hugecomes popular stream media, the globalist 10tholigarchs support he is getting from the Filipino and elitists and the Leftthe have all conwith 100% sRGB color accuracy, generation processor, Legion people as per the last several surveys. spired to ensure Donald Trump making it perfect for more realistic 5/5i is capable of running any loses If the local political opposithe presidential as the visualization of images while editapplication that contest developers canlatter tion, considered to be a spent force, is the last stumbling block in their deing photos and videos. think of.

FRED C. LUMBA

forgive,” said an inspirational author named C. JoyBell C. “We don’t have to like them, we don’t have to be friends with them, we don’t have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don’t, we are tying rocks to our feet, too much for our wings to carry.”

But in some cases, the hardest person to forgive is yourself. “One of the saddest mistakes we make is a lack of forgiveness, especially to ourselves,” wrote Richard Carlson in Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work.

“We constantly remind ourselves of our flaws and previous mistakes. We anticipate future mistakes. We’re highly critical of ourselves, frequently disappointed, and ruthless in our self-judgement. We badger and blame ourselves, and often we’re our own worst enemy.”

To illustrate his point, he cited the story of Jack, a broker for a large financial institution. At one time, he convinced his client to put all the money in mutual funds. It was bad advice; his client lost a huge sum of money. The client was not alone; there were others. As a result, Jack “became despondent and self-destructive. He lost his self-confidence and eventually changed careers.”

“All this because he simply couldn’t forgive himself,” Carlson

under the new normal and to equip members of the academe to address their education tech needs, Lenovo is recommending the IdeaCentre Gaming 5i desktop. Equipped with up to a 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and up to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super dedicated graphics card, the IdeaCentre Gaming 5i, paired with any Lenovo broadcast) as well asup in the SocMed. monitor from 21.5” to 27” (sold Funding for these activities will separately), can run almost any come pouring like rain. You will begin distance learning tool with ease. to see the materialization of Liberal It also comes with up to You might alsoan want to512GB connect PCIe NVMe SSDearly for storing the dots with the (thoughnotes, abjectreports, tests, proposals and worksheets. ly premature) in the House

noted. “His friends, colleagues, even his clients, tried to convince him that his judgement and rationale at that time were solid – and that, by most standards, his clients had all done exceptional well. He should be proud.

When someone is unforgiving of himself, however, logic isn’t 2060 dedicated graphics cardusually that received with an open mind.” enables several perks such as ray“The truth is, unless let go, tracing and Variable Rateyou Shading. unless you forgive yourself, unless Also giving the Legion Tower 5i a you thetosituation, unless you boostforgive is its up 10th-generation realize that the situation is over, you Intel Core i9 processor that delivers cannot move forward,” wrote Steve remarkable performance upgrades Maraboli in Unapologetically You: when it comes to gaming or proReflections in Life and the Human ductivity. It can reach clock speeds Experience. of upForgive to 5.3GHz and comes with and then forget. These 10 cores and 20 threads for faster two must go together – like cart and processingOne of tasks. carriage. is useless without the Built“Remember to last, Legion gaming PCs other. that forgiveness for work make a reminded great investment too is a power,” Margaret in the long run. Further extending Atwood, author of The Handmaid’s their longevity 3-Year Tale.

“To beg forisitLenovo’s is a power, and to Premiumor Care warranty solu- perwithhold bestow it is a power, tion that comes bundled with the haps the greatest.” devices upon purchase.forgiveness The serviceis Again, bestowing easier said than done. “Itechniwant to be includes comprehensive the kind of person who can that,” cal support for any hardwaredoand Susane Colasanti, the woman behind software concerns, a 24x7 direct Waiting forLenovo You, admitted. on hotline to experts, “Move and Onand forgive people and be healthy site Repair. It also includes an anand It seems liketo anmaintain easy thing nualhappy.

PC Health Check to do in my head.

But it’s not so easy the computer’s health. All these when you try it in real life.” features and services in Legion’s Butdevices just remember: give that newest position Lenovo as person a second chance! an integrated solutions provider

capable of helping customers address their most critical needs and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Lenovo is dedicated to building and managing smarter IT service solutions that are designed to drive customers’ intelligent transformation and empower them to be more agile and efficient in pursuit of their desired outcomes.

New Year, New Prices and Promos

The Legion lineup’s new prices WILL BIDEN BE A FRIEND TO DIGONG? for 2021 add another reason to get

is successful in getting the backing of the Biden administration, then For musicians – Legion 7i the Liberals will proceed to put up a With the ongoingbearer global(whoever pan“credible” standard

demic making recording sessions

sire to establish a globalist dominion.

Watch out then for a wellFor teachers and professors – planned and calculated anti-Duterte IdeaCentreinGaming 5i (print and campaign the media

Online learning is here to stay

of Representatives and the Senate to For 3D designers and architects grant ABS CBN a franchise renewal.– Ostensibly, Legion Tower 5i a broadcast giant likeAABS is a necessary adjunct in the computer overheating while successful implementation of a media performing 3D rendering is comcampaign destroy multiple Duterte et al, mon since to it requires including whatever he has built and components operating in unison. achieved for the nation.

Fortunately for 3D artists and arPolitical enemies of PRRD as well chitects, there’ssectors the Legion Tower 5i as disgruntled will not leave gaming battle station.

Thetheir desktop any stone unturned since ranks easilybeen breezes through have decimated in intensive the 2016 and 3D rendering its Legion 2019 ballotingthrough where Filipinos collecColdfront System, tively voted2.0 forCooling candidates endorsed and supported by thesystem Duterte which is a complex ofbloc. innerIf Biden and his expert advisers working hardware and software on Southeast affairs and the allowing betterAsian airflow and lower China issue handle US foreign system temperatures. In addi- relations with aplomb, it might do well tion, 3D artists and architects can for them not to commit the mistakes design everything they can think made during the Obama incumbency of fromshort scratch theUS-Phil Legionrelawhere, of with cutting

Tower 5i’s NVIDIA GeForce RTX

one for work this year. To celebrate

tions, theyear, Dems alienated its ties with the new Lenovo Legion the Philippine government by continremoved up to PHP 45,000 off from uously demonizing Duterte in the US the prices of several of itsasgaming and the Philippine media well. devices, including thosethe mentioned Duterte respected VFA pact above. accordingly but only up to a point because he wanted to establish an Also, buyers purchasing a Legion independent foreign stance for the device from now up to January Philippines the country has 31, 2021 willwhere earn corresponding now freely established market tradEmpire points under the extended ing relations with China, Russia and Empire Christmas Sale. All of the the European Union.

Legion devices discussed above Come to think of it, my fearsare are part the of the sale, and participants that political opposition will use buying them can get exclusive hammer and tongs and other persuasive in order to commit itemssales suchpitches as a gaming keyboard, Biden to support their plots in exmouse, and chair upon redempchange for favorable strategic military tion of points. To learn more about pacts with the US. the mechanics of the promo and to Who knows if the Biden regime redeem visit www.legion.perwill evenpoints, resort to a “diplomatic” fan/EmpireSalePH. The government Empire is suasion for the Duterte theallow exclusive community of to the USgaming to rent anew a portion of raw lands to put up a new military Lenovo Legion. base Subic and Clark.

Forsimilar more to information on how We will never knowdevices what Biden Lenovo Legion gaming will up to.your productivity this can be bolster We’ll just have to pray. (Email 2021, visit www.lenovo.com/ph/en/ your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. legionGOD or get in touch Facebook com.)

BLESS THE on PHILIPPINES!

at LenovoLegionPH.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Red Cross Youth Negros Occidental was recognized as the Coke Barkada Awardee last December 2020 in TAYO Awards. While their Drumvatory Handwashing Facilities helped provide cleaner and safer province during

the pandemic, it was also aligned with Coca-Cola Philippines' Water Stewardship and Recycling advocacies.

31 Drumvatories were distributed to different hospitals, medical centers, establishments, municipalities all over Negros Occidental to encourage proper hygiene and sanitation.

Coca-Cola continues to champion sustainability by supporting young social, environmental stewards

B

eyond what has already been played out in the news of the ongoing global pandemic, humanity also bore witness to many awe-inspiring initiatives from non-government organizations, private groups, and individuals across all sectors, in the year that has been.

The renewed sense of social responsibility, rightfully taking spotlight especially in the Philippines, also highlights the impact that the youth sector can collectively make in the face of challenges and adversity. Such as that of the Negros Occidental chapter of the Red Cross Youth (RCY) and Kilusan Para sa Kalikasan (KKK), who were the recipients of the Coke Barkada Awards for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Coke Barkada Award is a special award given to one of the chosen Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) to recognize and empower the outstanding youth group that share the passion to improve the well-being of communities through projects that are aligned with Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability priorities. And for the past two years, these two model youth organizations man-

aged to stand out for their noble work.

A cleaner, safer province with the help from RCY Composed of youth volunteers from school councils all over the country’s “sugar bowl,” RCY Negros Occidental is led by young humanitarian leaders empowered through training and education by the Philippine Red Cross.

These young individuals—responding to the call to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19—repurposed 31 used steel drums into “Red Cross Youth Drumvatory Handwashing Facilities”—installing them in populated locations such as hospitals, health centers, establishments, and local government offices across the province. According to the group, each drumvatory is approximately used 4,000 times in a single day, no doubt an encouraging response.

A clearer, greener tomorrow led by the ‘KKK’

Meanwhile the KKK, whose members are students from the Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), initiates programs and activities geared towards environmental conservation all while providing opportunities for the youth to actively participate in these efforts.

Through their “Kahapan ma Kawman” project for instance, they set out to empower the heavily discriminated Badjao community by spearheading community-based solid waste management programs and bio-intensive gardening.

This has seen the installation of waste bins situated near the homes of tribal leaders who, after being trained on proper waste disposal, were then tasked to share this know-how with their constituents.

Meanwhile, by extending knowledge on the development of bio-intensive gardens, food security, self-reliance and additional income for community members is also promoted.

A brighter, better shared future “Every year, we are ignited with a light of hope emanated by our Coke Barkada Awardees and their projects. Much like

The 2019 Coke Barkada Awardee, Kilusan ng Kabataan an ma Kawman”project. Part of the project is commupara sa Kalikasan (KKK), empowered the heavily dis- nity-based solid waste management programs and criminated Badjao community through their “Kahap- bio-intensive gardening.

“It’s quite heartening tal and the KKK leading our own Company initiatives, these efforts aim to that for 15 years now, we the change, hope springs address the immediate and have been seeing such eternal. Together with long-term needs of com- bright and responsible these youth organizations, munities, proving that even young minds who do their Coca-Cola Philippines will the youth can play a part in share in community and continue to work towards making a positive impact nation building. Thus, achieving its World Withon the lives of others,” said through the Coke Barkada out Waste vision: to collect Cecile Alcantara, Coca-Co- Award and TAYO Awards and recycle every single la Foundation Philippines Foundation, Coca-Cola will bottle it sells by 2030. In President. She added that continue to support these line with this, the Compathey will remain commit- youth groups so that they ny is set to make progress ted towards seeking out can further serve as an in- this year on the PETValue recycling plant, the biggest and supporting youth spiration to others.”

No doubt, with groups bottle-to-bottle recycling groups that spark positive like RCY Negros Occiden- facility in the country. change.

96.7% of deposit accounts nationwide fully protected by deposit insurance

A

s more savers opt to keep their money in banks, more deposit accounts in the Philippine banking system continue to benefit from deposit insurance provided by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) up to the maximum deposit insurance coverage (MDIC) of PhP500,000 per depositor per bank.

Latest data released by the state deposit insurer showed that as of September 30, 2020, 96.7% or 76.1 million of the 78.7 million total deposit accounts maintained in 537 banks nationwide are fully insured by PDIC. The total number of fully insured accounts was 11.8% more compared to the 68.1 mil-

lion recorded in the same period in 2019. In terms of amount, 11.6% or PhP1.7 trillion of the PhP14.3 trillion total deposits is fully covered by deposit insurance and represents an increase of 11.3% from the PhP1.5 trillion insured deposits in the same period in 2019.

The PDIC reported that the double-digit growth in the number of fully insured accounts year-on-year mirrored the double-digit growth of 11.7% in the number of total deposit accounts in banks nationwide. Total deposit amount grew 9.5% year-on-year from PhP13.1 trillion to PhP14.3 trillion.

“The steady growth in the number of deposit

accounts and in terms of amount of deposits, reflects increased depositor confidence in the banking system despite the adversities posed by the pandemic. We are confident that the full year data will present even brighter prospects for saving as a positive response to the health crisis. As depositor confidence has become evident, it is important for PDIC to also help sustain the trust of the depositing public through adequate deposit insurance coverage and effective supervision of banks’ operations,” PDIC President Roberto B. Tan said.

Deposit data released also showed that deposits with balances of PhP100,000 and below

posted the biggest growth in terms of amount and accounts, or by 12.4% from PhP476.7 billion in September 2019 to PhP535.7 billion in September 2020.

This mirrored the double-digit growth of 11.9% from 63.6 million deposit accounts to 71.2 million accounts.

Meanwhile, deposits with balances greater than PhP100,000 up to PhP500,000 increased by 10.8% from PhP1.0 trillion in end-September 2019 to PhP1.1 trillion in end-September 2020. This accounted for an increase of 11.4% from 4.5 million deposit accounts to 5.0 million deposit accounts.

Further, data showed that deposits with balances

above PhP500,000 grew by 9.3% from PhP11.6 trillion to PhP12.7 trillion. This represented an increase of 6.7% in terms of number of deposit accounts from 2.4 million to 2.6 million.

In these uncertain times, Filipinos showed an inclination to save through banks. Savings deposits and demand deposits/NOW accounts amounted to PhP6.8 trillion and PhP3.9 trillion, respectively, and jointly accounted for the bulk of total domestic deposits at 74.5%. Meanwhile, combined time deposits and LTNCDs amounting to PhP3.7 trillion accounted for 25.5% of the deposits.

Depositors’ preference for liquidity in these uncertain times, with ac-

counts that allow them to withdraw cash immediately, shows in the negative growth of 7.4% in time deposits and LTNCDs from the previous PhP4.0 trillion in end-September 2019, while savings deposits increased by 14.6% and demand/NOW deposits grew by 21.1%.

The PDIC is an active member of the Financial Sector Forum composed of Philippine financial regulators and staunchly encourages saving through banks. It also strongly advocates financial literacy and financial inclusion as its corporate social responsibility program to promote its mandate of depositor protection and financial stability.

9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Much ado about COVID-19 vaccine

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

hen the novel coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China in the last week of December 2019, it was called an outbreak. When it spread to other parts of the said country, it became an epidemic. Three months later, when it was already reported to be present around the world, the United Nations health agency declared it a pandemic.

As the numbers of being infected was unprecedented and deaths surged, medical scientists around the world were in a tight race against time in finding a vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Now, that there’s a COVID-19 vaccine – in fact, nine of them already – Filipinos are divided on whether to take it or not. Should they allow themselves to be vaccinated by any of the available vaccines?

“Yes,” says Tony Lumactod, who worked at the Ateneo de Davao University.

“There is no other way except vaccination. We might be afraid now because of some fears. But eventually, when the vaccine is perfect, I believe all would be willing to submit for vaccination for us to live.”

Ann Jun, the information officer at the Philippine Commission on Women, agrees too. “Being vaccinated could help to slow or stop the transmission or mutation of the virus,” he opines. “It would give our experts and scientists ample time to study and do mitigating works for better and more effective vaccines that could fight other variants that may arise soon.”

Marivic Campeon, who is with the regional office of the Department of Agriculture, is willing to submit herself to be vaccinated as long as her doctor will approve it. “I need to consult my doctor first,” she says.

There are others who approved of being vaccinated as long as they know where the vaccine comes from being used.

“It depends where the vaccine is manufactured,” veteran journalist Inez Magbual says. “I am considering all vaccines but Sinovac,” award-winning radio broadcaster Melly Tenorio emphasizes.

Others are in the “waiting” stage yet. “Wait and see lang ko unless required sa line of work,” says Boboy Recuerdo, a print journalist. Lorna Caraquel-Brody admits she’s for it “but I won’t be in a hurry; sa middle ko sa queue.”

Of course, there are those who are against vaccination. “God has a better option – nature,” veteran journalist Herbert L. Vego opines. “Nature’s way is to strengthen our immune system.”

No human endeavour can compete immunization in combating infectious diseases and reducing mortality rates, with the exception of clean, safe drinking water. Already proven and tested, vaccination can prevent several infectious diseases, and there are new vaccines on the horizon with the potential to prevent even more.

In the fight against COVID-19, medical scientists have developed nine vaccines. Three of these vaccines were collaborative efforts of two counties: Pfiz-

er-BioNTech (US-Germany), Janssen (Belgium-US) and Clover (China-Australia).

China has also developed two more vaccines: Sinovac and Sinopharm.

Moderna and Novavax are developed by the United States. The United Kingdom is the creator of AstraZeneca-Oxford while Russia is the country behind Sputnik V. How are these vaccines being developed? “Vaccines work by mimicking an infectious agent – viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that can cause a disease,” explains the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “This ‘teaches’ our immune system to rapidly and effectively respond against it.”

Traditionally, vaccines have done this by introducing a weakened form of an infectious agent that allows the immune system to build a memory of it. “This way, our immune system can quickly recognize and fight it before it makes us ill,” UNICEF says. “That’s how some current COVID-19 vaccine candidates are being designed.”

Other potential vaccines being developed also use new approaches: what are called RNA and DNA vaccines. Instead of introducing antigens (a substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies), RNA and DNA vaccines give the body the genetic code it needs to allow the immune system to produce the antigen itself.

“The progress in vaccine development so far has been extraordinary, and it is clear that we are now assembling the tools we need to bring the acute phase of the pandemic to an end. But we cannot afford to slow our efforts given the speed with which this pandemic continues to wreak havoc,”

said Dr. Richard Hatchett, chief executive officer of Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

“The emergence of new variants of COVID-19 puts into sharp focus the need for us to be one step ahead of the virus by continuing to invest in vaccine research and development – specifically for next-generation vaccine candidates and to be ready for strain changes in existing vaccines - to ensure we have the tools to meet the needs of all populations in all countries for the long term,” he added.

CEPI is leading on the COVAX vaccine research and development portfolio.

COVAX is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

“Vaccines don’t save lives, vaccinations do,” declared Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, an American internist who serves as the liaison officer of the American Medical Association (AMA) to the

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). “We’ve got to get these vaccines into arms.”

Being vaccinated “is an opportunity of a lifetime and it can save your life,” said Dr. Fryhofer, a member of the AMA Board of Trustees and ACIP’s COVID-19 Vaccine Work Group, adding that current health protocols will still be observed despite vaccination.

“Even after we get vaccinated, we still have to wear our masks and you still have to physically distance,” she points out. “We’ve got to do what’s safe for everybody, but as soon as we get everyone vaccinated, we’ll be closer to getting back to life as normal.”

But the question is: which of the vaccines available are really safe? There are already some reports that some people have died after being vaccinated. Is it really the vaccine that caused the death or something else? The scientists are trying to figure that out.

In the meantime, should you be vaccinated, you need to get a second dose. “The idea behind

two separate doses is that the first dose ‘primes’ the immune response and the second dose acts as an amplifier, making the immune response against the virus stronger,” explains Dr. Dave O’Connor, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Such a strategy is why vaccine manufacturers often design studies to have multiple doses. This doesn’t mean that one dose can’t be effective, but it is impossible to test every combination of doses, timings, routes, and vaccine compositions at once,” he further states.

Dr. Deborah Fuller, professor of microbiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, also adds, “Administering two doses of COVID-19 vaccines increases the likelihood of achieving maximum prevention of disease and increases the percentage of people vaccinated that develop protective levels of immunity, leading to more durable immunity.”

To be vaccinated or

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said, is also helping the government’s aggressive information dissemination campaign.

The DOH and the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) have earlier launched the “Explain, Explain, Explain” campaign to relay all the updates on the Covid-19 vaccine deployment and the national inoculation plan.

The business sector is also assisting the government in convincing people to support the mass vaccination rollout, Galvez said.

“Nagawa na rin po natin ito noong during testing na

— at saka during nang nagkaroon tayo ng Ingat Angat Para Sa Lahat na naging maganda po ‘yung tinatawag nating, ‘yung improvement sa minimum health standard (We have done this already during testing and when we launched our ‘Ingat Angat Para Sa Lahat’ program, which resulted in improvements in the minimum health standards),” he said.

On the other hand, Galvez said the government would procure vaccines that are already widely used in other countries.

(PNA)

guidelines are approved by the Secretary of Health, they can release it to the public.

Asked if an allergy test would also be required for the Pfizer vaccine, which listed severe allergic reactions as a contraindication, the health official said, “As of now, there will be no allergy test because it will take time.”

Cabotaje said relying on the medical history of the patient should be sufficient.

She added that vaccinations normally do not require skin tests for allergies.

As part of the vaccine roll-out procedure, those

who will get vaccinated will also be required to stay at the immunization site for 30 minutes to an hour so they can be observed for side effects by health workers.

The country expects the arrival of its first batch of vaccine supplies next month. Up to 70 million individuals are targeted for inoculation to achieve herd immunity against the new coronavirus.

As of Tuesday, the country's confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 516,166, of which, 30,357 are active infections, 475,423 are recoveries, and 10,386 resulted in deaths.

The CBP now also links to the online business permitting system of the local government of Quezon City, Paranaque City, Ilagan City, Baler, Dipaculao, Limay, Macabebe, Paete, Santa Cruz in Marinduque, Labo, Santa Barbara in Iloilo, Mandaue City, Dumingag, Catarman, and Kabacan.

The online business permitting systems of

other LGUs are also being targeted for integration in the portal in the future. Additional features will also thereafter be developed and incorporated in the CBP. The nationwide launch of the CBP Phase 1 will be livestreamed at the official Facebook page of ARTA (facebook.com/ARTAPh) on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. (PR)

To recall, the DTI has been calling to ease the age restriction to further boost market demand and help in reviving the COVID-19battered economy.

The Trade chief said the DTI will continue with current support programs under Bayanihan

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Econ managers back Congress’ initiatives to liberalize economy

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez are supporting initiatives in the Congress to further open up the economy, whether through Charter change (Chacha) or the enactment of laws.

During the meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Amendments of the House of Representatives Tuesday, Dominguez said the government should open up the economy to its widest extent, but with exemption to land ownership.

On the other hand, Lopez said eliminating barriers that limit foreign participation will unleash the high growth potential of the country by facilitating the entry of more investments that will modernize sectors, bring in technology, generate jobs, and improve the skills of local talents.

Both officials said liberalizing the economy can be done in many ways, aside from amending the Consti-

tution.

“We must open our economy to its widest extent with the exemption of land. You can do it in several ways. I’m not qualified to advise Congress on political issues especially on the matter of Constitutional change. But if we must do what is necessary, we must do what’s necessary as soon as possible,” Dominguez said.

He said there are “low-hanging fruit legislations” that can further relax current restrictions, such as the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Public Service Acts, among others.

“With the idea that we have already of low-hanging fruit, let’s do that, but

let us not stop at that,” he added.

This was also echoed by the trade chief.

“Those that we can already start doing… Obviously, that would be the priority. But nobody can stop Congress to start meaningful reforms through these efforts that you are doing.

So we leave it to the wisdom of the Congress,” Lopez said.

He added that due to foreign ownership restrictions, the Philippines only attracts “one-half of the interested parties” looking into investment opportunities in the country.

Lopez said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has 91 investment leads or foreign investors that seriously consider the Philippines for investments.

“It’s a matter of time, maybe one year before we see the realization of these investments. Other issues they have raised that really come into play are particu-

“We are so saddened with his death. We never expected someone to harm a man of cloth,” he said.

Delfin also brushed aside insinuations that the motive of the killing

was revenge for the rape case filed by a church volunteer against Regalado in Lala town, Lanao del Norte.

He said Regalado was able to post bail after the

court found the police of “wrongful arrest.”

“I had an earnest talk with Fr. Regalado who denied raping the woman.

He openly wept before us,” Delfin said.

Delfin said because they saw the sincerity of Regalado, the diocese provided him the services of a lawyer for his defense.

(Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

frontliners are exempted from paying 25% of their income tax for taxable year 2020, subject to rules and regulations of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The coverage of the tax

exemption is limited to the salary or compensation of medical frontliners, as well as the gross receipts from exercise of profession or employment they received for taxable year 2020.

The exemption does not cover income received by medical frontliners from businesses, investments and other kinds of passive income not related to serving COVID-19 patients.

At the same time, the measure allows the Secretary of Finance to extend the filing of income tax from medical frontliners by six months so that they can file their taxes on time.

2 such as support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), job generation, improving further the compliance to health protocol as well as “COVID-proofing” of establishments for greater safety of customers to enhance consumer confidence.

not to be vaccinated, to paraphrase William Shakespeare. Vaccination is a choice. But there are instances where a person may not like it but he has to submit himself to be immunized because his work requires it.

But Filipinos should

bear in mind that COVID-19 vaccine is not the end-all of the dreaded disease. “We want to remind our people that the COVID-19 vaccine is not a magic pill. We still don’t have sufficient evidence to have that assurance that (people) won’t get infected (after being

vaccinated),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire was quoted as saying by Philippine Daily Inquirer in an online briefing.

Immunization has been a great public health success story. Nelson Mandela, winner of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, speak-

ing on vaccines, said: “The lives of millions of children have been saved, millions have the chance of a longer healthier life, a greater chance to learn, to play, to read and write, to move around freely without suffering.” – (Photos courtesy of WHO and Shutterstock)

ments policies, Dominguez said “the ban on the foreign ownership of land, however, should remain since this evokes strong emotional reactions.”

“The rest of the investment liberalization strategies should accomplish enough to enable our rapid economic recovery,” he added. (PNA)

Canada, Germany and Singapore to boost capacity. In an earnings presentation Tuesday, 3M said it has now raised production ca-

pacity of the masks to 2.5 billion units.

Shares of 3M rose 1.2 percent to $172.50 in pre-market trading.

An emotional 2020 season for the Lakers culminated with LeBron James leading the team to their first NBA championship in 10 years last October.

The team are not playing on Tuesday, and not planning a formal tribute to Bryant when they play in Philadelphia.

Lakers star James said last weekend he was still struggling to come to terms with his close friend's death.

"Man, it's a saying that says, 'Time heals all,'" James said. "And as devastating and as tragic as it was and still is to all of us involved with it, only time (will help).

And it takes time.

"Everyone has their own grieving process. Everyone understands that everyone individually is different. Everyone is going to grieve differently.

"All you can do as a friend or a loved one or anyone in our brotherhood or our familyhood that we

have here in the Lakers organization is to put an arm around someone when they need it."

The National Transportation Safety Board meanwhile is due to announce the results of its investigation into the deadly crash on February 9. Agence France-Presse

sations shall be processed and studied to create a new set of resolutions to be presented to sports leaders for action.

Over 700 participants have registered online representing national sports associations, local government units, government

agencies, schools, colleges, universities and sports-interested parties.

The first session will feature United Sports Academy (USSA) President T.J. Rosandich who will talk about Sports Success from a First World Perspective.

(PR)

given their role as ambassadors" adding that the UN General Assembly recently passed a resolution declaring sport has a role "as a contributor to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities."

The statement said that Bach had held consultation calls with the National Olympic Committees on Friday to discuss both To-

kyo and the Winter Games scheduled for Beijing in 2022.

It added that "the IOC is also continuing to consult with the World Health Organization, to make every effort towards staging safe and secure Games."

"The IOC is guided by four principles: firstly, to organize Olympic Games in a safe environment for

everyone. Secondly, vaccination priority should be given to vulnerable groups, nurses, medical doctors and everyone who is keeping our societies safe.

Thirdly, we encourage all the Olympic and Paralympic participants who are offered vaccination to accept it, also as an act of solidarity with the Japanese hosts and their fellow partici-

pants. Fourthly, vaccination will not be obligatory."

"Athletes are important role models, and those taking the vaccine can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health, but also about solidarity and consideration for the wellbeing of others in their communities," the statement concluded.

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larly restrictions to ownership,” he said.

Meanwhile, economist Bernardo Villegas expressed his support to amend economic provisions of the Constitution as this will allow the country to catch up with its neighbors.

Villegas said the international community was uninterested in the economic restrictions in the country when the 1987 Constitution was formed since the Philippines then was the “sick man of Asia”. “(T)oday the Philippines is being singled out by independent think tanks as one of the promising and emerging markets not just in the Asia Pacific but in the world for the next 10 years,” he said. “They are very enthusiastic of the growth prospect… If we do not seize the opportunities (presented) by these outside think tanks, then we (will) once again be left behind by our neighbors like in the past.”

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FIBA ACQ bubble is off

T

he Philippines will no longer host the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) due to the new coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom (UK).

"The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) regrets to inform everyone that the Philippines’ hosting of Groups A and C for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers this February is canceled due to the country’s travel ban," the local governing body for basketball said in a statement on Tuesday.

As of January 15, the Philippines has placed travel bans on South Korea, Hong Kong, and Australia, three countries that have confirmed cases of the UK variant.

South Korea is grouped with Gilas Pilipinas Men in Group A, while Hong Kong and Australia are in Group C. “We’ve constantly com-

municated with our partners from the National Task Force Against Covid-19 and they have informed us that there would be no exemptions from the current travel restrictions announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs,” SBP president Al Panlilio said.

It was a huge blow for the SBP, which according to the group "exerted a lot of effort into our hosting of the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers."

"This is why it is with great sadness that we announce it is no longer going to happen," it added.

The February window for Groups A and C can still push through as scheduled from February 17 to 23, but it may mean they need to

find a new country that can host them via a bubble.

“We are working with FIBA to look for possible

solutions to this situation,” Panlilio added.

The Philippines is not the only country that has

begged off from hosting the window as Japan also announced that it is giving up its hosting rights for the

Bryant's widow Vanessa published a letter she had received from one of her daughter's best friends which read in part: "You have probably heard this, but if I ever become a mom, I hope my daughter turns out exactly as yours did."

Vanessa Bryant added in the post: "I miss my baby girl and Kob-Kob so much, too. I will never understand why/how this tragedy could've happened to such beautiful, kind and amazing human beings. It still doesn't seem real."

Bryant's former Lakers team-mate Pau Gasol was among those who tweeted their messages of remembrance.

"I miss you, hermano... not a day goes by that you

are not present in what I do," the Spanish international wrote.

"Your spirit, your drive, your ambition, your love... continues to shine in my life and in many others. ... I hope you and Gigi are smiling down seeing how strong, sweet and amazing your girls are."

Lakers legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson simply posted a picture of himself in Lakers uniform alongside Bryant.

"Kobe will always be my Lakers brother for life," Johnson wrote.

The Lakers meanwhile posted a black and white photograph of Bryant planting an affectionate kiss on his daughter's head, with a caption: "Family is forever."

Other Los Angeles sporting franchises also paid tribute. The Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team posted a photo of the pitching mound at Dodger Stadium emblazoned with Bryant's "24" jersey number in Lakers colours.

The Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer team also posted a pitcher of Bryant and his daughter, with a caption reflecting their nicknames: "Mamba & Mambacita forever.

Bryant won five championships with the Lakers during his career before finally retiring in 2016.

Since his death, dozens of large-scale murals have appeared on walls throughout Los Angeles.

T

The FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) February window in Clark has been cancelled due to the new coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom (UK).

World remember Kobe a year after deadly crash

L

OS ANGELES -- Basketball fans gathered across Los Angeles on Tuesday to remember Kobe Bryant, one year to the day after the former NBA superstar perished in a helicopter crash with daughter Gianna and seven others.

Fans laid flowers and Los Angeles Lakers memorabilia at a makeshift memorial outside the Staples Center, the arena where Bryant became a city icon during a two-decade playing career.

Bryant, 41, his daughter and fellow passengers died on January 26 last year when the helicopter they were travelling in slammed into a hillside in Calabasas in foggy conditions.

In a post on Instagram,

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Caesar Mendoza takes a snapshot of a mural of Kobe Bryant in an alley near Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Bryant and his daughter Gianna and seven other persons died in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26, 2020. Reuters

Group B bubble.

Qatar, which will host the Group E bubble, will take over from Japan. (PNA)

IOC wants ‘safe, secure’ Olympic Games, outlines vaccine stance he Olympic rings are pictured in front of the International Olympic Committee headquarters during the coronavirus disease outbreak in Lausanne, Switzerland, January 26, 2021. Denis Balibouse, Reuters The International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday it was determined "safe and secure" Tokyo Games would go ahead and that while it urged participants to be vaccinated, that was only part of its Covid-19 "toolbox".

The statement from the IOC came on the eve of its executive board meeting on Wednesday when Tokyo will be on the agenda.

The Games were originally scheduled for last summer but were postponed in the face of the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The IOC and Japanese organizers rescheduled the Games for July 23 to August 8 this year. After the last executive board meeting, the IOC released a statement on December 12, the same day the Pfizer vaccine was approved in the United States, expressing "full commitment" to staging the Games.

Since then, the emergence of more infectious strains and the problems of global vaccination have sparked debate on the viability of the Games and the ethics of allowing participants to jump the vaccination queue.

Japan declared a state of emergency on January 7. The host country, where a quarter of the population is over 65 and 12.5 percent are over 75, reportedly plans to start mass vaccinations in May. IOC president Thomas

Bach has said there would be "neither a vaccine obligation nor a priority to athletes" for the Games.

On Monday, Denis Masseglia, president of the French Olympic Committee said that "for legal reasons" the IOC could not make vaccination obligatory even if they wanted to.

While Tuesday's statement repeated that vaccination "will not be obligatory", it also said the IOC wished "to encourage and assist their athletes, officials and stakeholders to get vaccinated in their home countries...before they go to Japan."

"This is to contribute to the safe environment of the Games, but also out of respect for the Japanese people."

The statement was careful to stress the IOC did not want athletes to receive vaccine priority.

"Vaccines are one of many tools available in the toolbox, to be used at the appropriate time and in the appropriate way," it said.

It added that other "countermeasures" included: "immigration procedures, quarantine measures, testing, personal protective equipment, contact tracing."

That array is likely to discourage athletes from travelling to Tokyo without being vaccinated.

"The IOC continues to strongly support the priority of vaccinating vulnerable groups, nurses, medical doctors and everyone who is keeping our societies safe," the statement said.

"When vaccination is made available to a broader public, the IOC calls for Olympic and Paralympic teams to be vaccinated

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Sen. Go graces opening of National Sports Summit 2021

S

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, chair of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, graced the opening ceremonies of the National Sports Summit 2021 on Wednesday.

Sports Conversations is a series of weekly conference-type online sessions hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). It will start on Jan. 27 via Zoom and shall run until May of this year.

“We are thankful to Senator Go and Chairman Nieto for their support. We know how much they value the role of sports in nation-building,” PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez said in a news release on Tuesday.

Ramirez, who will also deliver a message during the opener, expressed hope that the two lawmakers will inspire the participants “to excel also and make a difference in their respective fields”.

The sports summit is a three-phased project aimed at taking insights of different sports stakeholder and using those as foundations in crafting a sustainable and workable short- to long-term plan for Philippine sports.

All data gathered in Sports Conver-

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Sen. Bong Go is the guest of honor in the opening ceremonies of the National Sports Summit 2021 on Wednesday.

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