Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 240 | Tuesday, January 26, 2021

THERE’S MONEY IN GROWING SUPER FOOD SEAWEED HEALTH P9

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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TRIUMPH VS SCAMMER

VOL.13 I SSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

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A porter unloads pigs from Calinan District at the livestock area of Agdao Public Market in Agdao, Davao City.

The government has announced that it is planning to impose a price cap on pork amid rising food prices. Edge Davao

Guilty verdict vs Rigen founder a victory for the victims: Anti-Scam chief STORY ON PAGE 2

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VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

NEWS

President Rodrigo Duterte expresses his willingness to gamble his presidency to prove that National Policy Against Covid-19 Chief Implementer and vaccine czar, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., is a man of honor and has no links to corruption.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

TRIUMPH VS SCAMMER

Guilty verdict vs Rigen founder a victory for the victims, says Anti Scam chief

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he guilty verdict for large scale estafa against Rigen Marketing founder King Paul Bryan Auditor is a victory for scam victims according to Retired Police Major Simplicio Sagarino, Jr., head of the Davao City Anti-Scam Unit.

“Dako ni siya na kadaugan sa mga biktima kay na sentensyahan siya. Katong mga naghunahuna nga mu-engage aning investment schemes mahadlok na,” he said.

On January 22, 2021,

Presiding Judge Susana Baua of the Regional Trial Court Branch 2 in Tagum City laid down a guilty verdict against Auditor and ordered him to be imprisoned from 10 years to 14 years.

Auditor was also directed

to pay all the complainants worth P8.4 million.

Sagarino said all the complainants who approached his office can now ask for refund from Rigen Marketing.

Auditor was caught in Cebu City when a company he was building through Rigen Marketing was in turmoil.

The court also ordered the arrest of his brother Karl Dexter Auditor and partner, a certain Romen Samuel Sabina.

Sagarino has been monitoring the illegal investments such as Rigen Marketing since 2019.

He said all the complaints recorded by his office have been referred to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao Region (CIDG-11).

Sagarino reiterated the government’s warning against illegal investment schemes and called on victims to file a complaint to his office.

Other companies that have been tagged for fraudulent high yield investment schemes are: Kapa Community Ministry International, Rigen Marketing, A21 Marketing, Dreamers, Dreamzion, Diamond Essential Prod-

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PCCI-Mindanao to help MSMEs in procuring Covid-19 vaccines

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he Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Mindanao (PCCI-Mindanao) is exploring ways to help micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Region access Covid-19 vaccines.

Arturo Milan, regional governor of PCCI-Mindanao, said PCCI-Mindanao is now conducting a survey among MSMEs who are interested to buy the vaccines.

He said they will consolidate the result of the survey and coordinate and inquire from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and the Department of Health (DOH) how the MSMEs can procure the vaccines.

Milan added that they are doing this as there is a growing demand from the MSMEs to acquire the Covid-19 vaccines.

Despite easing of the restrictions, majority of MSMEs in Davao Region are still temporarily closed or are operating at decreased capacity.

Milan said helping the MSMEs in the region topped PCCI-Mindanao’s agenda this 2021.

It is also the focus of PCCI-Davao Region to promote investments in healthcare facilities, IT infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing this year. Maya Padillo

COVID-19 hampers voter registration for 2022 polls

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he COVID-19 pandemic is hampering the Commission on Elections' voter registration drive as some 3 million eligible Filipinos remain unregistered ahead of the 2022 national elections, Comelec said Monday.

Only around 1.17 million new voters have registered so far out of the estimated 4 million unregistered voters, said Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon who has proposed the extension of registration hours which currently ends at 3 p.m.

"May mungkahi po ako sa Commission en banc itong Wednesday na i-extend na 'yang registration hours na 'yan. Mag-o-overtime na po kami, kulang na po kami sa panahon, 12 months na lang para ma-reach 'yung 3 million target na 'yan. Maliban pa po 'yan sa overseas voting," she said.

(I've proposed to the Comelec en banc to extend the registration hours. We will go on overtime because we lack time to reach the 3 million target, which is besides the overseas voting.)

VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

NEWS 3

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Workers put up scaffolding inside the Grand Mosque in Marawi City on Thursday, 21 January 2021. The mosque was heavily damaged during the five-month fighting between government troops and the Maute Group and its allies in 2017. Funding of the repair work is sourced from contribution from private companies. The repair is expected to be completed by end of 2021. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

MinDA lobbies for increased budget share for Davao Region

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) continues to lobby for increased budget share for big ticket projects in Davao Region.

The major projects in Davao Region include Mindanao Railway project (MRP) Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, Davao City Bypass road, Samal Island-Davao City connector, Davao City Expressway, and the mod-

ernization of Davao International Airport (DIA) and the Sasa Port.

Romeo Montenegro, Assistant Secretary and Deputy Executive Director of MinDA, said the big ticket projects such as the MRP

require substantial funding which if not fully secured would affect implementation.

Montenegro said in partnership with Mindanao Bloc in Congress, the Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), MinDA will gather cabinet secretaries of President Rodrigo Duterte from Mindanao to discuss

projects yet to be implemented and projects that the people need through a forum dubbed “Mindanao Speaks Up”, which is slated on February 10, 2021.

“Davao Region remains an investment destination being a center of commerce and trade, connectivity advantage both air and sea, proximity to the 50 million markets of the BIMP-EAGA, the competitiveness of its

Cha-cha won’t automatically result in lifting of economic restrictions

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estrictions on foreign business ownership will not automatically be lifted should the proposed amendments to the Constitution be ratified, the chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments said Sunday.

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin said Charter change will only give the next Congresses the freedom to enact legislation that will be more responsive to economic conditions.

“It will not automatically lift the restriction, but if the circumstances so warrant, magkakaroon na ng paraan at kapangyarihan ang ating Kongreso (our Congress will have a way and power to do it). So whether to increase the foreign equity participation in the areas of national patrimony and economy, it will be debated upon by the next Congress,” Garbin said in a virtual forum.

Contrary to some critics’ claim, Garbin said there

wouldn’t be a “wholesale” amendment of the Constitution. He reiterated his assurance that lawmakers will not touch the Constitution’s political provisions.

“When I come out with the committee report, that will solely and exclusively be for economic provisions only. And when it is referred to the plenary, ang debate pa rin ay naka-sentro sa economic provisions. And when ito’y pagbotohan on third reading, ang pagbob-

otohan pa rin ay economic provisions,” he said.

[And when it is referred to the plenary, the debate will still focus on the economic provisions. And even when voting will be done on third reading, what lawmakers will still be voting on is the economic provisions.]

Garbin also noted that whatever will be approved in the committee and in the plenary remains a proposal "until it is ratified by

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cities and municipalities, and the investment-friendly policies,” he said.

He also said that MinDA has established a planning and programming mechanism that ensures effective and efficient prioritization, implementation, and project monitoring through the Joint Planning and Programming (JPP), which will lead to the harmonious implementation of the projects.

Meanwhile, MinDA and the Mindanao Affairs Committee are lobbying to prepare a feasibility study for the remaining segments of the MRP. “The DoTr is still waiting for the shortlist of three contractors from the China Government who will be engaged in designing and constructing the Tagum-DavaoDigos route,” Montenegro said.

Marble extracted from rescued Philippine eagle

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veterinarian at the Philippine Eagle Center (PEC) here removed a piece of marble embedded near the right clavicle of the male Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) rescued last January 8 in Barangay Ticulab, Maitum town in Sarangani province.

The PEC announced on Friday that veterinarian Dr. Ana Lascano and other animal keepers performed the surgery to extract the marble that may have been used as a bullet by a hunter in the past.

A T’boli farmer found the raptor, aged three to five, trapped amid thorny rattan vines after hunting a monkey in a forested area near Salagbanog Falls last January 8.

Dennis Salvador, Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) executive director, urged the Philippine National Police to classify “marble” guns as firearms and should be declared illegal.

He said a similar weapon killed three-year old Philippine eagle “Pamana” who was found dead on August

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VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Mindanao (PCCI-Mindanao) regional governor Arturo Milan discloses that the organization is exploring ways to help micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Region access the Covid-19 vaccines. Edge Davao

DA allots P80M T for ASF test kits

BOC achieves 2020 goal to fully automate frontline transactions

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) said it initially set aside P80 million for the production of locally produced test kits that can detect African swine fever (ASF) on livestock.

In a statement this weekend, the DA said the kits, called “ASFV Nanogold Biosensor” and developed

by Clarissa Yvonne Domingo of the Central Luzon State University, can identify and differentiate ASF from hog cholera and other swine-related viruses.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the kit

can be used for “biosecurity measures, profiling of farms for repopulation, and surveillance and monitoring activities, at a much faster rate right at the so-called ‘ground-zero’ and more economical.”

“We can even have these test kits on standby at the port of entries for a quick sampling of the meat prod-

ucts entering the country,” he added.

The department assured that the test kits’ results showed “high accuracy and detection rate” as they were tested in 32 commercial and 9 backyard farms in Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Nueva Ecija.

“It can detect the presence of ASF even through surface swabbing of pig barns and delivery trucks, saliva, and nasal swabs, feces, water, semen, feeds, aspirated whole blood, or blood-soaked swabs, and

even domestic flies,” the DA said.

Testing is free with the Bureau of Animal Industry while private laboratories charge P3,000 per test, according to the department.

“Results of BAI laboratory tests for priority areas can be obtained within the day, but analysis usually takes two working days,” the agency said.

The DA said the 10-sample test kit costs P3,500, with each sample priced at P350. But through pooled testing of 5 surface swabs,

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC) recorded significant strides in its priority goals for 2020, topped by the full automation of its frontline transactions and a 100-percent accomplishment rate on its target to modernize the agency’s risk management processes despite the operational challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

In a statement Sunday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III congratulated the BOC led by Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero on its achievements in 2020, especially on its efforts to employ digital tools to automate its operations, curb smuggling, and further improve its delivery of services to the public.

Guerrero said the BOC reached its 100-percent accomplishment rate on fully automating its frontline ser-

vices by allowing the online submission of documents through its Customer Care Portal System, upgrading its electronic-to-mobile (E2M) system to computerize manual processes, and accepting online payment options like PayMaya.

“The E2M upgrade is continuously being developed, but critical modules are already being deployed in various ports, online payment through PayMaya was established and online submission of documents is now integrated via the Customer Care Portal. Likewise, all deliverables for our priority program on improving our risk management system were also achieved on time,” Guerrero said in his report to Dominguez.

The BOC achieved 100-percent completion of its target to improve its risk management process-

said.

"Ang sina-suggest ni Secretary ay P270 to P300 ang price freeze natin sa baboy," he added, pointing out that the price range should be the ceiling price.

Reyes said the DA allocated an initial P400 million for the repopulation of swine in some areas following the ASF outbreak.

This week, a kilogram of pork belly at the Trabajo Market was sold at P420,

while pigue and kasim were being sold at P400 per kilo.

At the Mabini Market in Caloocan, a kilogram of pork belly was being sold for P410, while pigue and kasim were being sold for P390 per kilo.

The prices were almost the same as beef prices.

The Department of Agriculture said it had observed the surge in pork prices in the capital region.

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PH output back to pre-pandemic DA recommends P270-P300 levels by 2022, says economist per kilo pork price freeze

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he Philippines’ pre-pandemic level expansion is seen to return by 2022, an economist said, noting that the government’s 2021 spending on infrastructure, among others, is key to economic recovery.

In a virtual briefing Friday, Chidu Narayanan, Standard Chartered Bank economist for Asia, forecast domestic growth to recover to about 6.1 percent this year from a projected -8.9 percent output last year.

Narayanan forecast 2022 growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), to be about 6.5 percent.

He also projected growth in the last quarter of 2020 to be about -6.1 percent, better than the -11.5 percent in the third quarter of last year.

The GDP in the first three quarters of last year contracted by 10 percent.

Economic managers have forecast a GDP of between -8.5 percent and -9.5

percent for 2020.

Consumption is also not expected to be back to pre-pandemic levels this year due to the slack in the labor market, which has been affected by the pandemic.

Narayanan said consumption is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels once the job situation has normalized and intervention to address the rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections has

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he Department of Agriculture on Saturday recommended that the government freeze pork prices given its sharp rise due to the African swine fever (ASF). "'Yun na nga ang inirerekomenda ng DA kay Presidente [Rodrigo Duterte], tapos na po 'yung consultation, suporta na lang ng ating stakeholders ang tinitingan," DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes

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ECONOMY 5 PAL: New rules on testing, quarantine for passengers from countries with UK variant

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Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) informs the traveling public that effective January 23, 2021, passengers arriving in the Philippines from countries covered by travel restrictions shall be given RT-PCR testing upon arrival and shall be given the option to avail of a second swab test on their fifth day of quarantine. The new rules is based on the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) new protocols.

Edge Davao

he Philippine government has revised the testing and quarantine protocols for passengers - Filipino citizens and eligible non-Filipinos - arriving in the Philippines from countries where travel restrictions are in place due to new COVID-19 variants.

In a statement, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) informed the traveling public about the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) new protocols.

PAL said that effective January 23, 2021, passengers arriving in the Philippines from countries covered by travel restrictions shall be given RT-PCR testing upon arrival and shall be given the option to avail of a second swab test on their fifth day of quarantine.

It said passengers arriving in the Philippines are required to register on Case Investigation Forms depending on their traveler type and port of entry.

Passengers arriving in Cebu - Mactan Cebu International Airport or MCIAare required to register

Gov’t eyes price D freeze on pork

online not earlier than five days prior to their flight departure via the Passenger Arrival Registration Form through https://bit.ly/CEBRegForm.

Likewise, passengers arriving in Clark must download and fill out the required forms.

PAL said that for OFWs arriving in Manila, swab testing on arrival will be carried out by the government One Stop Shop, free of charge.

For non-OFWs and eligible non-Filipinos arriving in Manila, swab testing will be carried out by the PAL One Stop Shop for a fee of P4,000.

Then, passengers will proceed to their respective quarantine facilities or hotels.

“When passengers swabbed under the PAL OSS receive a negative test, they shall receive an email providing them the option to either avail of a second swab test by PAL testing partner Detoxicare Molecular and Diagnostics Laboratory on the fifth day of quarantine or to continue their quaran-

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Wage hikes may not happen any time soon, says ECOP

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he national government is eyeing to impose a price cap on pork amid rising food prices, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in a report by the Philippine News Agency on Sunday.

Nograles, who chairs the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, said the Department of Agriculture (DA) is currently studying the possibility of imposing stricter price measures in public markets.

“Tinitingnan din natin ang pag-impose ng price cap para sa presyo ng baboy.

Pinag-aaralan ito ng Department of Agriculture.

Anyway, nasa state of public

health emergency pa naman tayO,” he said.

The last time a price freeze was imposed was in November last year, following the declaration of a state of calamity in Luzon in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses.

Besides COVID-19 pandemic, Nograles admitted that the government is also facing the challenge of addressing African swine fever (ASF) which continues

to pull down pork supply in the country while jacking up its prices.

“Meron po talaga kaming challenges diyan dahil sa ASF although marami nang mga hakbang na nagawa ang Department of Agriculture even before dumating ang COVID-19,” he said.

Currently, Nograles said the DA has encouraged shipping pork from ASF-free areas in Visayas and Mindanao to areas experiencing high inflation.

“Naghahanap ng paraan na makakuha ng supply ng baboy mula sa mga areas na walang ASF at dadalhin sa mga merkado, lalo na

sa mga urban areas tulad ng Metro Manila, para po ma-stabilize natin ang presyo ng baboy,” he said.

To address soaring prices of vegetables, Nograles said that there is also a need to increase accessibility and supply by boosting the campaign to promote community gardening and urban gardening.

“For us sa Task Force Zero Hunger, ang pinaka-sustainable way for us to ensure yung supply gulay is kailangan natin mag[karoon ng] massive campaign para sa urban gardening, community gardening. ‘Yan po yung pinakamabils,” he said.

(PIA)

said activity, the auditors found no violations. The findings will be endorsed to the BPS for further evaluation and for product testing by a third party.

The PS Audit was done to evaluate the effectiveness of the management system and if it complies with PNS ISO 9001:2015. Likewise, it would look into the manufacturer’s compliance with the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) rules and regulations and the product con-

formance to the Philippine National Standard (PNS), particularly in this case, the conformity of the product to PNS 15-1:1989.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi explained that the PS audit is one of the mandates of the DTI-BPS and it is a requirement for the issuance of the manufacturer’s product license.

“This is to ensure the production and distribution of quality products for the

protection of the consumer.

And we at DTI-Davao Region are committed to do our part in making sure that consumers are constantly protected from any substandard product. We conduct regular audits across the region to assess if the manufacturers and industries here that offer products covered by the PNS are compliant,” she said.

Among these products are dry chemical portable fire extinguishers.DTI11/ DBG/jmm

DTI 11 ensures consumer protection, holds product audit

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region has continued to ensure that consumers are protected from substandard products as it conducted its first Philippine Standard (PS) audit for the year.

The team of trained personnel from the agency visited Davao Vanfire Marketing in Davao City last January 15 to check if it complies with the existing laws and guidelines. In the

espite calls from workers affected by the rising prices of basic commodities, wage increases may not happen at this time considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on companies and business enterprises as well, the president of a business group said Sunday.

Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), said that while he sympathizes with employees who are burdened by the high prices of basic goods, it may not be the best time to take up requests for wage increases.

Ortiz-Luis said that enterprises themselves are facing losses and possible closure due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Ninety percent ng ating mga enterprises ay micro [enterprises]. Kalahati doon nagsara na at 'yung iba doon, nag-iisip na magsara

o nahihirapan," he said.

"Kahit malalaking kompanya ngayon nagsasara, at ang dami, nakita ko ang mga listahan ng mga nagbebenta ng mga hotel at mga kompanya na nagbabalak magsara," he added.

Ortiz-Luis said that even before the pandemic struck, workers had been trying to call for wage increases. But it may be more difficult to provide that now as businesses are also suffering from the global health crisis, he said.

"Medyo malabo siguro makalusot 'yan dahil siyempre ang prayoridad natin ay to maintain the jobs.

Wala kang make-create na jobs ngayon except 'yung ilan-ilan, 'yung nagluluto ng pagkain, nagde-deliver, ilan lang 'yun," he added.

Ortiz-Luis also pointed out that if the government considers a policy to increase wages at this time, it may only drive away possi-

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NTC to meet with telcos next month on status of country’s internet speed

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ational Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said Sunday it would meet with telecom firms and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to ensure their plans for improvement this year would be "completed" on time.

The first bi-monthly meeting will be in the first week of February, where tel-

cos are expected to brief the NTC on the status of their network roll-outs and the problems they encountered, the NTC said in a statement.

The NTC said it would "push for front-loaded implementation of telcos’ rollout plans, particularly for the first 2 quarters of 2021."

The commission's monitoring comes after President Rodrigo Duterte last

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

On the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) lobbying for increased budget share for big ticket projects in Davao Region: Davao Region remains an investment destination being a center of commerce and trade, connectivity advantage both air and sea, proximity to the 50 million markets of the BIMP-EAGA, the competitiveness of its cities and municipalities, and the investment-friendly policies.”

Romeo Montenegro MinDA Assistant Secretary and Deputy Executive Director

EDITORIAL Why fear the Covid-19 vaccine?

The Philippine government should set its sights at laying down a comprehensive nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program despite the diverse opinions on the matter.

At this point, there is no questioning the advantage of having a peace of mind in getting the Covid-19 jabs. When w look back to the day we first knew of coronavirus, everything that we asked for is for a vaccine to be developed against the deadly unknown.

And now, this must be the answer to the prayers.

So why change the perception on vaccination?

Vaccination is not a new thing. People have had shots of different vaccines at some stage in their lives to get protection from viral infection and diseases. Vaccination come at certain ages in life and in some jurisdictions, is required for all children and adults. In some coun-

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

tries like Australia, vaccination is required for admission in schools.

A purple book or ummunization record, or whatever it is in form and substance in other countries, is required. In case children missed out on their scheduled shots, they will have to complete the same.

This brings us back to the issue on Covid-19 vaccination.

Why are some people so scared to have the shots?

It did not help that some 29 elderly died after getting their shots in Norway. It only aggravated the fears and uncertainty. But then again, those cases may be isolated and do not represent the whole regime of the science of vaccination.

Between uncertainty and protection, the issue on vaccination must be a no-brainer after all.

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SEX AFTER HEART ATTACK Yes, a person can have sex again – even after a heart attack. Such assurance comes from a doctor who is a recipient of the Outstanding Filipino Physician Award from the Department of Health.

“A person who survives a heart attack that can sex again provided he follows some precautions,” says Dr. Willie T. Ong, an internist-cardiologist, who is an active consultant in cardiology at the Manila Doctors Hospital and Makati Medical Center.

A heart attack happens when some of the heart’s blood supply is suddenly and severely reduced or cut off, causing the heart muscle to die because it is deprived of its oxygen supply.

“About two of three people who have heart attacks experience intermittent chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue a few days or weeks beforehand,” notes The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

Generally, the most recognizable symptom of a heart attack is pain in the middle of the chest that may spread to the back, jaw, or left arm.

Less often, the pain spreads to the right arm.

“During a heart attack, a person may become restless, sweaty, and anxious and may experience a sense of impending doom,” the Merck manual informs. “The lips, hands, or feet may turn slightly blue.”

A heart attack is a medical emergency. “Half of deaths due to a heart attack occur in the first 3 to 4

hours after symptoms begin,” the Merck manual points out. “The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of survival.”

Those who survive a heart attack are usually wary of having sex with his partner. But the chance of another heart attack during sex is a myth. In fact, the chance “is so low that it’s not worth worrying about,” says Dr. James E. Muller, a researcher who published a 2000 study, ‘Triggering of Cardiac Events by Sexual Activity,’ in the American Journal of Cardiology. “The absolute risk is very low and should not be a consideration for those with stable coronary disease,” he points out.

Of course, it’s normal for patients to have sex less frequently in the weeks and months after a heart attack. A patient has “no choice but to abstain (from any sexual activity), by virtue of the fact that he or she is still recovering from the illness,” says Dr. Helen Ong-Garcia, a cardiologist at the St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Generally, patients can resume sex after a heart attack if they are “able to walk a couple of flights of stairs, if they’re able to walk on a treadmill, or do moderate-intensity activity without any chest discomfort or without any severe shortness of breath,” says Dr. Randal Thomas, a preventive cardiologist and director of the Cardiovascular Health Clinic at the Mayo Clinic.

The American Heart Association says a doctor may prohibit sex among

those who survived heart attacks in the following instances: a few days after a heart attack, bothersome chest pains, and shortness of breath.

Dr. Ong advises patients with heart disease or those who survived heart attacks to follow these five tips before engaging in sexual acts: Get a medical clearance first from your doctor. After a heart attack, VOL.13 I SSUEwould 237 •usually FRIDAY, JANa cardiologist request UARY 22, 2021 a treadmill test (jogging while being monitored by electrocardiogram).

This test would determine how much physical activity, measured in metabolic equivalents (METS), a patient is allowed before the oxygen supply to the heart is hampered.

“During an orgasm, the heart rate dramatically increases from 80 beats to 114-145 beats per minute,” Dr. Ong says. “The blood pressure also jumps by 40 millimeters of mercury, so a systolic blood pressure of 130 can reach 170 during climax.”

A person will expend 5 METS while having sex with his wife, Dr. Ong informs. However, he discourages those who survived a heart attack to engage in sexual activities other than their wives. Doing so would bring the energy level to 10 METS. “The stress and excitement of having an unfamiliar partner in unfamiliar territory is equivalent to an hour of heavy cycling or rowing,” Dr. Ong says. “This explains why some people unceremoniously die in motels while ‘in action.’”

Ask the healthy partner to do

the work. “For more serious cases, the heart patient may preferably lie on his or her back and let the healthier spouse stay on top,” suggests Dr. Ong. “It’s hard to imagine a postheart attack patient performing acrobatic maneuvers in bed.”

If both partners have heart problems, Dr. Ong suggests that they practice “intimacy without sex.”

Do it in the morning. Here’s the reason why, according to Dr. Ong: “Patients usually feel stronger and healthier in the morning as compared to the wearisome hours of the evening. Older patients usually feel weaker and more tired as the day goes by. So a ‘morning special’ may be a good idea.”

Take a light meal only before sex.

Some motels advertise three-hour use of their special mirrored rooms, including a free steak and soda for only P800. You better take note.

“Gorging on food immediately before making love is not advisable because digesting food would make the blood supply preferentially go to the stomach and deprive the heart of much-needed oxygen,” warns Dr. Ong. His friendly advice: “Take your free meal after sex and not before.”

But for those who have already eaten, they must wait from one to three hours after eating a meal before engaging in sexual activities. The waiting time allows the digestion of food being taken.

Don’t forget to take your medications. This is very important.

Usually, heart patients take several pills like nitroglycerine to dilate the arteries of the heart, and other pills for high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol problems.

“Just continue taking your medications a few hours before lovemaking as we want you to be strong and protected,” Dr. Ong reminds. “Those with chest pains should have their pills handy just in case they feel something wrong. Be prepared.

Have all your pills, patches, gadgets and a glass of water ready to go.”

What about those having problems with erectile dysfunction or impotence? Can they take those erection-enhancing medications?

Although they are not highly recommended, its intake remains safe, as long as it is not taken at the same time with nitroglycerin, physicians caution.

The US Food and Drug Authority warns that the combination can send blood pressure plummeting to unsafe levels and cause dizziness, fainting, heart attack or stroke. “There have been some reports of death,” says Dr. Thomas. “Anybody who’s had a heart attack or heart surgery should definitely be cleared through their doctor before they think of using any of the medications for sexual dysfunction.”

Dr. Edgardo E. Eba, consultant of the Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Philippine Heart Center, assures, “No one dies (by engaging in sexual activity).

Just don’t go into any sexual activity without preparing yourself.”

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

WILL BIDEN BE A FRIEND TO DIGONG? “A politician divides mankind into two classes: tools and enemies.”

(Friedrich Nietzsche) Will Joseph Biden (want to) be a friend of Digong Duterte?

Lest you be mistaken, the incoming Biden administration may be taking a wait-and-see attitude as far as its relationship with the incumbent administration is concerned.

Recall that during the wee hours of the 8-year old Obama government, the newly-elected Philippine Chief Executive had a falling apart with the former president, including an exchange of sour words with Philip Goldberg, the outgoing American ambassador.

The Biden administration may not look too kindly with the manner PRRD has shabbily treated the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) at a time when the US-China relations were not that good because of trade imbalance and diplomatic irritants caused by territorial issues in the West Philippine Sea (or South China Sea).

The fact that US-based allies of the Yellow Party supported the Liber-

als in plotting in so many ways and agitating the ouster of the former Davao City mayor since Day One of his presidency may come in the way.

However, early announcements from the Palace say the Duterte regime is looking forward to establish friendly relations with the newly-installed Biden presidency.

We may be able to “decipher” what happens next with the appointment of a new US ambassador to the Philippines.

One thing is certain though.

I have heard from the political and media grapevines that the LP will be moving heaven and earth to demonize PRRD continuously until the presidential polls in 2022.

This is first of all to discredit him and take away the huge popular support he is getting from the Filipino people as per the last several surveys.

If the local political opposition, considered to be a spent force, is successful in getting the backing of the Biden administration, then the Liberals will proceed to put up a “credible” standard bearer (whoever

it is) to snatch the top position of the land, thus preventing another Duterte (Sara, as rumors persist) from inheriting her dad’s most coveted post, and or his anointed successor.

Biden’s US policy vis a viz the incumbent will most probably hinge on the latter’s “failed” anti-illegal drugs war and the “gross” human rights violations his political enemies have been harping about since PRRD launched it in the beginning of his sixyear term.

If the recent ugly dynamics of the US presidential elections are the gauge, I will entertain a not-so-pleasant and comfortable position.

And if you might have observed already, Obama, Hillary Clinton and the so-called Deep State, the mainstream media, the globalist oligarchs and elitists and the Left have all conspired to ensure Donald Trump loses the presidential contest as the latter is the last stumbling block in their desire to establish a globalist dominion.

Watch out then for a wellplanned and calculated anti-Duterte campaign in the media (print and

broadcast) as well as in the SocMed. Funding for these activities will come pouring like rain. You will begin to see the materialization of Liberal You might also want to connect the dots with the early (though abjectly premature) proposals in the House of Representatives and the Senate to grant ABS CBN a franchise renewal.

Ostensibly, a broadcast giant like ABS is a necessary adjunct in the successful implementation of a media campaign to destroy Duterte et al, including whatever he has built and achieved for the nation.

Political enemies of PRRD as well as disgruntled sectors will not leave any stone unturned since their ranks have been decimated in the 2016 and 2019 balloting where Filipinos collectively voted for candidates endorsed and supported by the Duterte bloc.

If Biden and his expert advisers on Southeast Asian affairs and the China issue handle US foreign relations with aplomb, it might do well for them not to commit the mistakes made during the Obama incumbency where, short of cutting US-Phil rela-

tions, the Dems alienated its ties with the Philippine government by continuously demonizing Duterte in the US and the Philippine media as well.

Duterte respected the VFA pact accordingly but only up to a point because he wanted to establish an independent foreign stance for the Philippines where the country has now freely established market trading relations with China, Russia and the European Union.

Come to think of it, my fears are that the political opposition will use hammer and tongs and other persuasive sales pitches in order to commit Biden to support their plots in exchange for favorable strategic military pacts with the US. Who knows if the Biden regime will even resort to a “diplomatic” persuasion for the Duterte government to allow the US to rent anew a portion of raw lands to put up a new military base similar to Subic and Clark.

We will never know what Biden will be up to.

We’ll just have to pray. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Unions urge PRRD to order price freeze, go after profiteers amid runaway prices

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he country’s largest workers’ unions the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) is urging President Duterte to order a price freeze on basic commodities and go after profiteers in the light of extraordinary increases in the prices of food and other staples upsetting workers and their families in recent weeks.

According to ALU National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno, aside from extending price freeze and hunt down hoarders and price manipulators, the workers group also urge Duterte to deploy more Diskwento Caravan and Kadiwa rolling stores to bring affordably-priced basic food commodities to communities and work sites, to link up with cooperatives, businesses, to provide wage subsidy to workers, to fast-track shipment of basic commodities from Mindanao and to ensure price list is widely published. Below is the whole copy of the draft letter sent to Duterte today.

Dear President Duterte: We write to His Excellency, for and on behalf of the Minimum Wage Earners (MWEs) and their families, for urgent action by relevant Departments of Government to put in place effective price controls on basic commodities and to provide a wage subsidy for workers for their nutritional needs.

Even weeks before the expiry of Presidential Proclamation 1081, the prices of basic commodities spiralled upwards as unscrupulous traders and middlemen and socially irresponsible

retailers tossed the proclamation aside in their rush to make profits hands over fist. Workers were left with no recourse but to rely on noodles, 3-in-1 coffee and other substitutes just to fill their stomachs.

Mr. President, after the battering of six typhoons and in the face of the continuing perils and tribulations of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the survival situation of our brother and sister MWEs and those unemployed and underemployed and their families are now at the brink. Millions of workers, since March 2020, were either on "No Work, No Pay" hold-over arrangements, or compelled to undertake job-sharing or job-rotation agreements, or to be placed on no compensation furlough as employers extended the suspension of their business operations.

Millions, in the worse case, were laid off. Truly, worker incomes took a severe battering, and what little savings they had, is long gone.

Now workers face the specter of going hungry as even the minimum daily wage of a worker in NCR of PHP 537 can hardly purchase a kilo of pork, including vegetables to meet the nutrition needs of a family

Photo by PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO of five. In our wet and dry markets and groceries, basic commodities are now becoming beyond-the-reach of workers as their diminished incomes are outpaced by the relentless rise of commodity prices.

A perusal of the price monitoring list conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of January 6, 2021 demonstrate clearly the exorbitant increase of the prices of basic commodities from their entry farmgate price to their actual retail sale price.

In the face of this onslaught, we submit this humble request and urgent plea for the following poli-

cies and issuances from His Excellency: 1) Extending PROCLAMATION 1081 (issued in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses) indefinitely to freeze prizes of basic commodities.

2) For Diskwento Caravans and more KADIWA stores to be rolled out to factory zones and depressed and low income communities of the urban poor where the majority of MWEs and their families reside.

3) For the DA,DTI,DILG,DOJ, NBI, and PNP to go after and to actively prosecute price gouging middlemen, traders and retailers and to shut down hoarders.

What they are engaged in

is economic sabotage, and Government must go after them hammer-and-tongs.

The ineptitude and lack of political will of both DA and the DTI in enforcing the Proclamation must become a thing of the past.

4) For the DOLE-DTI to initiate direct agri-producer co-op linkages with workers coops, unions, and employers to assure direct, affordable access of workers to food purchases without middlemen or traders.

Direct access of producers to MWE consumers is key to bringing down prices and crushing the food sector cartels.

For this purpose, the

Leaders Forum of Business and Workers, composed of the ECOP, PCCI, PHILEXPORT for employers and of the TUCP,FFW, and SENTRO for employees should be tapped by Government to coordinate the means and methods for bringing down the prices and shortening the time and distance for foodstuffs to reach MWE families.

5) For the DTI to prominently post physically Suggested Retail Prices(SRP) for basic staples in markets, sub-market/talipapas, groceries, and supermarkets as well as all social media sites, providing instructions on how consumer complaints

CEB offers COVID insurance add-on to boost passenger confidence COVID Protect available on all flights for as low as PHP 270

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he Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) introduces COVID Protect, its newest add-on to CEB Travelsure, to give travelers peace of mind when flying during this time. This upgrade, which will cover COVID-related hospitalization and treatments, is timely as the carrier aims to provide more passenger options as it prioritizes everyJuan’s health and safety.

With COVID Protect, guests traveling who test positive for COVID-19 will get up to PHP 1 million coverage for hospitalization and medical expenses. This upgrade to the airline’s comprehensive travel insurance plan may be availed by all passengers flying to and from

all of CEB’s domestic and international destinations for as low as PHP 270. Coverage begins on the date of departure from origin and ends two hours upon arrival back at origin, with a maximum travel duration of 30 consecutive days.

CEB Travelsure COVID Protect is underwritten by Insurance Company of

North America (a Chubb Company). Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company.

"We are very pleased to launch the CEB Travelsure COVID Protect in line with

our commitment to restart travel and tourism safely and sustainably.

With COVID Protect, guests will be able to travel more confi-

dently as they are assured of coverage, especially if they have essential travel scheduled,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience.

Passengers can easily avail of this offer when booking flights on the CEB website, while existing CEB Travelsure insured passengers can simply purchase the COVID Protect add-on up to two hours prior their flight via the ‘Manage Booking’ portal on the Cebu Pacific website.

Chubb also offers a 24/7

Emergency Assistance Hotline, while claims may be filed online.

CEB TravelSure is the airline’s comprehensive

travel insurance plan which provides extensive trip protection with coverage of costs related to having injuries, illnesses, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellations, emergency assis-

tance, and other unforeseen travel circumstances (subject to the full terms & conditions of the Group Policy). For more information, passengers may visit: https:// www.cebupacificair. com/pages/plan-trip/addons/travelsure

CEB has been rated 7/7 stars by Airline Ratings for its COVID-19 compliance as it continues to implement a multi-layered approach to safety, in accordance with global aviation standards, so everyjuan can travel safely and responsibly. These include contactless procedures, thorough cleaning and disinfection protocols for all aircraft and facilities, mandatory wearing of masks and face shields for both passengers and crew, as well as Antigen testing for CEB frontliners before duty. On top of these, jet aircraft are also equipped with hospital-grade HEPA filters with 99.99% efficacy, keeping viruses at bay.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

AGRITRENDS

THERE’S MONEY IN GROWING SUPER FOOD T

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

he Philippines – with a land area of 30 million hectares and comprises about 7,107 islands of which only 2,000 are inhabited – has 36,289 kilometers of coastlines (that is almost twice that of the United States).

It is no wonder why the country has the second highest number of seagrasses in the world. It has 18 species of sea grasses thriving along its coasts. Only Western Australia, with 30 species, has more than that total.

But what most Filipinos don’t know is that the Philippines is home to several seaweed species, of which only 893 species have been identified so far. A seaweed is not a seagrass nor it is a weed; it is actually marine algae. “(The Philippines has) 197 species in 20 families for green algae, 153 species in 10 families for brown algae, and 543 species in 52 families for red algae,” said Dr. Marco Nemesio Montaño, of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, during a seminar on Enhancing Marine and Agricultural Products through Biotechnology some years back.

Seaweeds come in several forms, shapes and colors. Of over 9,000 species of seaweeds found all over the world, red tops with 6,000 species, followed by brown (2,000 species) and finally green (1,200 species).

In the Philippines, seaweeds are economically important as a source of carrageenan, an indigestible carbohydrate (polysaccharide) extracted from edible seaweeds. It is used for food and other industrial applications.

The seaweed industry in the country started in the mid-1960s. However, the first commercial seaweed farming was introduced in Sulu in Sulu Seas in early 1970s. The Philippines is one of the few countries in the world that pioneered the farming of these plants in substantial quantities, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

This recognition placed the country in the seaweed map until 2008 when it was overtaken by Indonesia. The Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines said the country used to provide 70% of the worldwide raw material supply. Today, it is down to 40%.

The decline in production is attributed to: decreasing quality of farmed cultivars or seedstocks; unavailability of seedstocks due to typhoons, outbreak of diseases; decreasing carrying capacity of farms; non-compliance with product specifications set by the international trade for carrageenan; and lack of new products to improve competitiveness of the processing industry.

But there’s a good news.

The Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resourc-

es Research and Development (PCAARRD) has identified seaweed production as one of those industries that has a brighter future.

“Seaweed farming is recently the most productive form of livelihood among the coastal communities in the country,” PCAARRD. “It is one of the most productive and environment-friendly aquaculture systems in the Philippines.”

Of the 200,000 hectares of shallow marine waters available for seaweed production, only 60,000 hectares are being used. “About 200,000 families are employed, producing around 90,000 to 100,000 metric tons of dried Eucheuma seaweed alone.”

Locally known as guso, Eucheuma (scientific name: Kappaphycus alverezil) comes in various colors: brown, red, or green. This is the species used in the production of carrageenan.

Aside from Eucheuma, the other commercially available seaweeds in the country, mostly from natural harvests, are Gracilaria, Gelidium, Caulerpa, Sargassum, and Ulva.

Growing or farming of these species are also highly feasible in certain locations.

Seaweed is not your ordinary algae. In fact, it is considered a super food. “Seaweed draws an extraordinary wealth of minerals from the sea that can account for up to 36% of its dry mass,” the PCAARRD states. “This food is high in iodine, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, B, and C, protein, vitamin B, fiber, and alpha linoleic acid, among others.”

Seaweed is also a good source of calcium. Alaria, for instance, which is an Atlantic seaweed related to the Japanese wakame, has the most calcium, meeting 14% of the daily value in a one-half cup serving. Arame and hijiki, bot Japanese seaweeds, are also good sources of calcium, meeting 10% of the daily value in a one-half cup serving.

“Calcium is not only important for bone health but also for muscle function, nerve transmission, and hormone secretion,” explains PCAARRD, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Seaweed packs super-high amounts of calcium that is

9

seaweed

higher than broccoli, and almost as rich as legumes in terms of protein.”

Another good thing about seaweed is their fiber content, which are “mostly soluble fiber that turns into a gel, slowing down the digestive process, thus inhibiting the absorption of sugars and cholesterol.”

People living in the uplands could surely benefit from eating seaweed as it is a good source of iodine. “Iodine is one of those micronutrients that are hard to obtain in food,” the PCAARRD stresses. “Commercial table salt often adds iodine to create ‘iodized’ salt. As a good alternative, eating seaweeds can help bolster the lth without population’s thyroid and brain health without adding to much table salt.”

Other seaweed health benefits include: improved memory, clear skin, healthy vision and hearing, good dental health, healthy thyroid function, and improved immune system. Seaweed also prevent allergies and infec-

tions, lowers blood pressure, nurtures healthy heart vessels, normalizes cholesterol levels and aids in waste movement and digestion.

As stated earlier, seaweed is economically important in the production of carrageenan as it is used in several preparations as thickener, binder, emulsifier, and for its suspending and gelling properties.

Aside from eating seaweeds raw, they are also used in cosmetics, in the production of fertilizers, and for the extraction of industrial gums and chemicals. They have also been seen as a potential source of long and shortchain chemicals with medicinal and industrial uses.

In Asia, seaweed is a popular ingredient of some recipes. China’s zicai, Korea’s gim and Japan’s nori are actually sheets of dried Porphyra species used in soups or to wrap sushi. Chondrus crispus (commonly known as Irish moss or carrageenan moss) is a red alga used in producing various food additives.

“With today’s trend of consumers trying to embrace a healthy lifestyle, munching on these organically and naturally grown food will increase the demand for seaweeds that will benefit the seaweed industry and farmers,” the PCAARRD surmises.

Agriculture in itself can benefit from seaweeds. Some studies found out that when polysaccharide is reduced to tiny sizes by a safe technology process called irradiation, it can be an effective growth promoter and makes rice resistant to major pests.

Carrageenan as a growth enhancer offers an array of benefits that result in improved productivity. Used properly as prescribed, it makes the rice stem stronger thus improving rice resistance to lodging. It also promotes resistance to rice tungro virus and bacterial leaf blight therefore giving farmers increased harvest.

What is good in this seaweed additive is that it is compatible with the traditional practice on fertilizer

application, thereby allowing easy acceptance and less resistance from farmers. It also promotes sustainable agriculture since it is environment-friendly and enhances the presence of natural enemies that fight major pests in rice fields. Lastly, it promotes more efficient absorption of plant nutrients that enables improved growth.

In a field trial conducted in Bulacan by the research team using carrageenan, rice yield was significantly increased by 63.6 – 65.4%. This treatment provided higher grain weight (of 450 grams and 455 grams, respectively) compared to traditional farmers’ practice of applying nine (9) bags of fertilizer per hectare that yielded only 275 grams.

Application of six bags of fertilizer per hectare plus 200 parts per million (or 20 milliliters) of carrageenan is more or less comparable with the application of just three bags of fertilizer per hectare with the same mixture.

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saliva, or feces from the same pen or farm, the cost could be reduced to P70 per sample.

Meanwhile, Dar ordered his agency to coordinate with their Vietnamese counterparts for the clinical and

field test in the Philippines of the ASF vaccine developed by Hanoi.

As of December, the country has culled at least 400,000 pigs since the ASF outbreak started in August 2019, according to the DA.

es in 2020 by utilizing an electronic Cargo Targeting System, enhancing its cargo selectivity system and rolling out a new, user-friendly Universal Risk Management System (URMS), Guerrero said.

“Let me congratulate you for a good year despite all the difficulties we have encountered,” Dominguez told Guerrero.

“Your achievements in digitalization, in seizing smuggled goods particularly cigarettes are very good achievements and really helped us clean our cigarette business of illicit cigarettes and smuggled cigarettes,” Dominguez added.

On the customs modernization program, Guerrero said major developments were implemented in 2020 in various BOC offices in the implementation of this priority initiative, which will go into full gear this year with the BOC’s plan to operationalize its Customs Operations Center, establish a Customs Training Institute, kick off new customs systems and continuously upgrade its E2M processes.

“The BOC will be undergoing process reengineering to improve the country’s customs administration, reduce transaction costs and enhance predictability and transparency of the clearance process this year,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero said the BOC also successfully completed the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification of the sub-port of Dumaguete and the Customer Care Center-Port of Manila and the re-certification of the Port of Batangas, which means these offices met the standards on customer satisfaction, compliance with regulatory requirements, and ease of doing business (EODB).

“The BOC also received the highest award from Institute for Solidarity in Asia

(ISA) -- the Gold Trailblazer Award for the Compliance Stage of the Public Governance System,” he said.

On enhancing trade facilitation, Guerrero said the BOC improved its Advance Ruling process and Provisional and Transit Goods Declaration procedures, which resulted in a 91-percent accomplishment rate for this 2020 goal.

In 2020, he said the BOC also accomplished 90 percent of its goal to review its penalty rules, which includes a draft customs administrative order (CAO) on the Manual of Penalties that was already pre-cleared by the Department of Finance (DOF).

Also, the BOC hired 385 new employees to fill its plantilla positions and enhance the management and technical skills of its personnel through various learning, training and scholarship programs in 2020, Guerrero said.

On its goal of intensifying border protection, Guerrero said the BOC increased its number of apprehensions in 2020 through the use of modern security equipment, the establishment of the Customs Operations Center, implementation of the fuel marking program, and the training of personnel.

The BOC seized PHP9.7 billion-worth of smuggled goods from Jan. 1 to Dec. 28, 2020, of which more than half, or about PHP5.2 billion in value, were smuggled cigarettes and other tobacco products.

At an almost 100-percent accomplishment rate, the BOC enhanced its priority program on stakeholders’ engagement by improving the Customs website and conducting mostly online meetings and webinars in 2020 to familiarize clients and other concerned parties on the different customs processes, Guerrero said.

(PR)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

MARBLE... FROM3

16, 2015, only two months after it was released on June 12 in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental province.

“This (marble gun) was what killed eagle Pamana and could have killed this eagle, too,” he said.

Republic Act No. 9147 or Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act prohibits hunting of wildlife.

Enacted in 2001, the law seeks “to conserve and protect wildlife species and

their habitats to promote ecological balance and enhance biological diversity; to regulate collection and trade of wildlife; to pursue, with due regard to the national interest, the Philippine commitment to international conventions, protection of wildlife and their habitats; and to initiate or support scientific studies on the conservation of biological diversity. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

tine stay up to the 14th day,” PAL said.

“Passengers who choose to avail of the second swab test by Detoxicare will register on the email,” it said.

“They may pre-pay online or onsite. The pre-payment link is included in the e-mail,” it added.

PAL noted that OFW passengers swabbed under the government OSS will be guided accordingly by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Once the second swab test is administered on the 5th day of quarantine, passengers must continue their hotel/facility stay and await results,” the airline said.

“A passenger who tests negative on the second swab test must register via the DOH-BOQ Certificate Page to receive his/her quarantine and medical certificate.

Passengers will present the two negative test results and the certificate for clearance and check out from the hotel,” PAL said.

PAL said completion of the 14-day quarantine at home under the monitoring of one's Local Government Unit is highly encouraged.

“A passenger who tests positive on the second swab test will be provided proper guidance by the BOQ on the succeeding steps,” it said.

PAL passengers swabbed under the PAL

OSS and who are already in quarantine for a minimum of five days will receive an email providing them the option to either avail of a second swab test by PAL testing partner Detoxicare Molecular and Diagnostics Laboratory, or to continue their quarantine stay up to the 14th day.

“Effective January 23 and onwards, RT-PCR testing for passengers on their fifth day of quarantine in stringent quarantine hotels will be rolled out,” PAL said.

The Philippine government's latest directive also expanded the coverage of exemptions from current restrictions on inbound travel to the Philippines from countries with cases of the UK COVID-19 variant.

Exempted from the passenger ban on inbound travel to the Philippines are: Foreign nationals with valid visas, which include personnel of accredited international organizations, Spouse and minor children of Filipino citizens traveling with them, Persons arriving for medical and emergency cases, including their medical escorts, if any.

The said passengers are now subject to applicable testing and quarantine protocols as prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).

The Celtics used a 15-0 spree to pull ahead 96-59 on Walker's 3-pointer from the left wing that sailed through the net as he was falling to the floor with 6 1/2 min-

utes left in the third quarter.

It came a possession after Brown nailed a 3 from directly in front of Cleveland's bench. From there, both coaches gave ample playing time to their reserves.

Leonard dunked to stop the Thunder's run. GilgeousAlexander dribbled inside and scored, getting the Thunder back within six.

Oklahoma City was forced to foul in the closing seconds and Jackson made 4 of 6 free throws to close it out.

"He did a great job of just getting us the lead," Jackson said of Leonard.

"They were loading up on Kawhi and Paul. They did a great job of attacking."

The Thunder hung around in the third, cutting

their deficit to 72-67. But Leonard hit a 3-pointer and another basket, quickly restoring the Clippers' lead to double digits. They were bolstered by Jackson's 10 points, including eight in a row, after he started the second half.

"We're playing team basketball and sharing the ball," Leonard said. "We're having some breakdowns defensively, but we're staying positive."

The Thunder fell behind by 17 points in the first half

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BROWN... FROM11

CLIPPERS... FROM11

CHA-CHA... FROM3

the Filipino people and the plebiscite called for that purpose.”

Garbin’s committee is set to hold another hearing on Tuesday on the proposed Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 authored by Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco. The measure seeks to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution by inserting the phrase, “unless otherwise provided by law.”

Resource persons invited to the hearing include representatives from the academe, joint foreign chambers, as well as economists.

Meanwhile, the Senate will have its first deliberation on economic Cha-cha on Wednesday, through a joint hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Laws and the Committee on Economic Affairs.

ble investors. "'Yung mabalita lang 'yan sa ibang bayan na tayo seriously ay magtataas ng suweldo ng time na ito, baka makaka-turn off na 'yan," he said.

"Dapat 'yan hindi masyadong tinutulak ngayon 'yan lalo na kapag nakita ng mga investors sa ibang bansa na dito sa Pilipinas, salungat sa mga ginagawa ng iba, e nagtataas pa tayo ng suweldo, e baka lalo tayong mawalan ng trabaho," he added.

For now, what the government can do is to ensure that prices of basic goods are kept at the minimum to help employees affected by the pandemic, the ECOP president said.

"Dapat talaga ang mangyari ay pilitin ng gobyerno na huwag tumaas ang presyo," he said.

Reducing unemployment rate In a separate interview, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is focusing now on reducing the unemployment rate in the country.

"Sa pagpapataas ng suweldo ng mga manggagawa, right now dahil sa kinakaharap nating pandemya, kailangan natin balansehin muna. Kailangan muna natin ma-stabilize ang ating economy," he said.

"I think ang pinakaimportanteng focus dapat natin ngayon ay pataasin pa ang employment rate," he added.

Nograles said that as of October 2020, the unemployment rate in the country is at 8.7%, higher than the 4.6% recorded in October 2019.

"So ito 'yung dapat natin ma-focus, 'yung unemployment rate, na mas marami sa mga kababayan natin ang makakapaghanap at makakapagtrabaho," he said.

Food prices in Metro Manila markets are on the rise because food supply had dropped due to the series of lockdowns and successive typhoons, among other factors.

Senator Francis Pangilinan has earlier expressed concern over the continuing increase of prices of commodities in the market.

He wants the Senate to look into the rising food prices in the country to determine needed interventions to ensure people’s access to adequate and affordable food.

“Sa gitna ng isang pandemyang nag-alis ng mga hanapbuhay ng milyon-milyong mga kababayan natin, seryosong tanong: Ano ang mabibili ng 500 pesos mo?”

Pangilinan asked.

year threatened he would "close" all telecommunication providers and "expropriate" if their services won't improve by the end of that year.

The commission, citing data from the Ookla Speedtest Global Index, said the country's mobile Internet connection speed was at 22.50 megabits per second (mbps) in December versus 18.49 mbps the previous month.

The improvement raised the country’s rank to 29th from 34th among 50 Asian countries, and to 18th from 22nd out of 46 Asia Pacific

countries, the NTC said.

Globe said it has finalized partnerships with 11 tower companies, while Smart said it has agreements with 9 tower companies, it added.

Globe and Smart also increased capital expenditures to P90 billion and P92 billion, respectively, in 2021 in anticipation of DITO Telecommunity's launch in March, according to the NTC. "Both investments are the highest annually for each telco for the past six years," it said.

and rallied to close within eight three times in the second quarter. Leonard

hit a 3-pointer that sent the Clippers into halftime leading 56-45.

WAGE... FROM5

ENERGY... FROM5

EDGEDAVAO

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11

Pinay teen tennis sensation Alex Eala clinched her first pro title at 15.

Alex Eala clinches 1st pro title

F

ilipina tennis player Alex Eala won her first title in the professional ranks after ruling the ITF Rafa Nadal Academy World Tour in Spain.

The 15-year-old defeated Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2, in the final on Sunday.

Eala overcame a poor first set and dominated Re-

imers in the final two sets to take home the trophy.

Despite not having the better first serve percentage, she got things done in the shots that mattered

more.

She won 51 percent of the exchanges after converting on the first serve and 50 percent on the second serve.

Reimers struggled all

match long, only making 34 percent of wins in the first serve and 38 percent in the second.

Eala had more break points than Reimers, 12-8.

(PNA)

Rafa hails Alex in first pro title Brown drops 33 in 19 minutes as

T

ennis superstar Rafael Nadal sent out a congratulatory message to young Filipina Alex Eala for winning her first pro title at the age of 15 in the ITF Rafa Nadal Academy World Tennis Tour tournament on Sunday in Manacor, Spain.

The Pinay teen sensation roared back from a set down to stun veteran Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 , and claim her first pro title.

It was a massive

achievement for the Filipina phenom who showed great poise in beating a player 13 years her senior.

Eala also had to withstand the windy conditions at the venue that greatly affected her service, particularly in the opening set where she dropped the last three games to give Cavalle-Reimers an early advantage.

But Eala regained her footing in a dominant second set, and maintained the momentum in the third to

seize the top prize.

"Congratulations Alex Eala for this important moment in your career," Nadal said in an Instagram post.

"We are all very happy for you!"

"Keep up the good work and attitude," he also said.

Eala has been honing her craft at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca and has received tremendous support from the school throughout her campaign in the event in Manacor.

LA's 14-point win over the Thunder on Friday night.

"On a night when we weren't making shots, it was a good, tough, grind-out win for us," Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. "Kawhi had it going so we played through him a lot, especially in the second half. We had to ride him pretty hard just so we could continue to keep the lead."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 23 points against his former team, and George Hill added 22 points. Oklahoma City

has lost three in a row and five of six.

"It was a huge improvement from the first game," forward Isaiah Roby said. "We came out with a lot more fight this game."

Hill hit three straight 3-pointers for the Thunder after they trailed by 17 in the fourth. Reggie Jackson turned the ball over and Luguentz Dort fed GilgeousAlexander for a dunk that capped 11 consecutive points and cut their deficit to 102-96.

Clippers roll to 7th straight win

L

OS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat Oklahoma City 108-101 on Sunday (Monday, Manila time) for their seventh consecutive victory and second straight over the Thunder.

Serge Ibaka added 17 points. At 13-4, the Clippers are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA. Leonard's total was one off his season high to go with nine rebounds and eight assists. He had 31 points in

FCLIPPERS, P10

Celtics give Cavs reality check

B

OSTON — Jaylen Brown scored 20 of his 33 points in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics snapped their three-game losing streak Sunday night (Monday, Manila time) by cruising to a 141-103 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Kemba Walker added 21 points, Daniel Theis scored 17, Carsen Edwards had 15 and Marcus Smart had 12 for Boston, which posted a season high in points in

a half, taking a 73-51 edge into intermission. Brown played just 19 minutes.

Collin Sexton led Cleveland with 13 points, far below his team-leading average of 26.8 per game, as the Cavaliers' three-game winning streak ended.

Coming off impressive back-to-back victories over the Brooklyn Nets in which they scored 147 and 125 points, respectively, the Cavaliers were simply never in this one.

Jaylen Brown goes for a layup in the face of Jarrett Allen’s defense. AP

Boston pushed the ball out on the fast break, getting several easy looks that it converted while the Cavaliers missed 10 of their initial 13 shots.

Behind Smart's 10 points and Brown's nine, the Celtics shot 60% and pulled to a 38-21 lead after the opening quarter.

They pushed it to 41-21 on Walker's 3-pointer on the first possession of the second quarter.

FBROWN, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 240 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

MCGREGOR KO’D; FIGHT VS PACMAN OFF? Sad that the Irish UFC icon Conor McGregor hit the sack early in his much-ballyhooed return to the octagon arena last Sunday.

Much hyped by the boxing circles as the next favored foe of Manny Pacquiao, his American opponent Dustin Poirier sent him to slumber just in the second round with a two punch combination that forced the ref to wave him off and declare him the KO winner.

So, now, as I wrote before, plenty of speculations are emanating from Pacquiao’s camp that McGregor was being eyed to meet him in an April schedule.

Unfortunately, with this loss, McGregor has clearly been eliminated from the list of possible contenders.

This leaves who?

To my mind, the closest is Amir Khan if the fight is imagined to be staged in Dubai or elsewhere in the Middle East because of his affinity, having a Muslim descent in his blood.

I think - if offered – Brunei might take it. (RED Boxing International boxing executive Reynaldo Rodis, who promoted “Thrilla in Davao,” the first world heavyweight championship in Davao City, has been mulling a Pacquiao-Khan encounter in Brunei before the Sarangani senator agreed to meet Thurman.) They have the means and the resources to

finance whatever is required, prize money, venue, etc.

Brunei has facilities to stage the championship match having just hosted the Asian Games a couple of years back.

Besides, the people of Brunei and the King (himself a sportsman) would gladly relish the idea and approve.

Mikey Garcia, as reports come around, has been calling out the Pacman since two years ago. He lost in his title bid against Errol Spence, Jr., the IBF world welterweight titleholder.

Spence, to my surprise, has not called out Manny’s name ever since which is very uncharacteristic. Maybe his handlers are either scared or are on a wait-and-see if other juicy offers will come their way.

Terence Crawford, being managed by Bob Arum, seems likely out of the radar, for reasons many boxing fans can speculate on.

Khan has sent word he is ready and fit.

Garcia is anxious to redeem his name.

The other Alvarado, Danny, though a former two-time titlist, may not be in the mix although he could give Manny some headaches if given the opportunity.

But time is of the essence.

Pacquiao’s target date is April. He has not fought since

Dustin Poirier (left) tags Conor McGregor in the jaw.

July 2019 after defeating Thurman in Las Vegas.

Roach and his teammates at the Pacquiao camp can choose from the three I cited above.

The venue won’t be a problem. Las Vegas has always been open.

But if an attractive offer is being tendered by promoters in Dubai, Manny and his advis-

ers should pick Amir Khan.

If that’s not possible, there remains a strong second – Mikey Garcia. This should be a marquee mega-fight in Las

Vegas. Or it could be Spence, Jr. Unless, Manny has other plans only himself is entertaining now. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPINES!

FPANDEMIC, P10