Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 249 | Friday, February 5, 2021

WITHOUT WATER, THERE’S NO FOOD TOO

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ENVIRONMENT P9

PORK PROBE

VOL.13 I SSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

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Librado calls for probe, regulation of pork prices

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A welder attaches round bars on the metal structure, which will be used as foundation of a building, at a construction site along Chavez Street in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

NEWS

President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. prior to the start of the 51st Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

PORK PROBE Librado calls for probe, regulation of pork prices

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ouncilor Pamela Librado-Morata is calling on the Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11) to investigate and regulate the prices of pork and other meat products in Davao City.

Librado, who is set to pass the resolution calling for the probe, said the higher prices of pork were verified when her office held a dialogue with the president and other officers of the Association of Bankerohan Meat and Vegetable Vendors last January 28, 2021 wherein according to them, not only they are facing with higher prices from their suppliers of farm produce, but their stalls are also required to operate on a shorter period due to ongoing restrictions.

“The few who remain at work cannot make a signifi-

cant profit due to the shortened time and the rising prices, especially of pork.

Clearly, this situation has affected both consumers and vendors alike,” she said during her privilege speech at the City Council on February 2, 2021.

She shared that over the past few weeks, pork was sold in markets for more than P300 per kilo and chicken for almost P200 per kilo. She also mentioned that the prices for vegetables and other commodities also increased.

Librado added that the recent shift to online plat-

forms to buy goods has also taken its toll to the local market vendors.

Due to the plight of the vendors, Librado is eyeing to file a resolution to urge the national and local government to provide subsidy for the farmers, small traders and small entrepreneurs of meat products, vegetables and other basic commodities.

“Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, this new situation has forced several families to budget tighter to put food on the table. In this regard, we urge the national and local governments to provide temporary subsidies to market vendors amid the soaring prices of goods such as pork, chicken, vegetables, and other basic goods,” she said.

Librado said should this be done, the national government and the local government units (LGUs)

can buy the products of the farmers then sell them to consumers at a subsidized rate.

“This is similar to what was done during the early stages of the lockdown last year. A similar mechanism may also be implemented now to mitigate the situation,” she said.

She is referring to the Quick Response Fund of P6.37 billion that may likewise be tapped to help farmers and consumers.

“Such a response would help both producers and consumers more effectively.

However, we would caution against a price freeze to mitigate or control the effects of rising prices, as such would adversely affect local farmers and groups who are still reeling from the economic impact of the pandemic, the African swine flu, and the bird flu,” she said.

MinDA working to improve internet connectivity, speed in Mindanao

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he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has been coordinating with the Department of ICT and ICT-related organizations to improve Mindanao’s digital infrastructure to provide better internet broadband connectivity and speed across the island-region.

Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, deputy executive director of MinDA, said this is part of the continuing coordination efforts of MinDA with ICT and industry players in Mindanao

and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) to improved access and ICT connectivity.

“These include pushing for telecommunications and internet access for instance in the southernmost towns of Tawi-Tawi such as Taganak Island,” he told Edge Davao via Messenger.

MinDA is also supporting the program of the Ateneo de Davao University’s (AdDU’s) AdDU Community

FMINDA, P10

Duterte administration committed to respecting the voices of citizens

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he Duterte administration is committed to continue respecting the voices of all citizens, a Palace official said Wednesday after findings by a London-based think tank showed the Philippines ranking 55 out of 167 countries in its democracy index for 2020.

In a statement, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo pointed out that “endless criticisms from political opposition” as well as “government’s detractors” are proof that the administration respects democracy.

“The Duterte Administration is committed to continue respecting the voices of all citizens, as evidenced

by the endless criticisms from the political opposition, the left, as well as the government's detractors, who have unimpeded access to both local and international press,” he said.

Results from the 2020 democracy index of Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) showed that the Philippines went down to the 55th place from 54th in 2019 with a score of 6.56 from 2019's 6.64.

It also said the Philippines continued to be among those described as "flawed democracies" or those that "have free and fair elections, even if there are problems (such as infringements on media freedom), basic civil

FDUTERTE, P10

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

SPMC to conduct mock vaccination

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ovid-19 vaccination simulation will be held at Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and in a private hospital in the next few days.

Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said this mock vaccination activity will determine the readiness of Davao City in the upcoming roll out of the vaccines.

“That is why mag- simulation activity soon. Ang sinabi sa amin isang government hospital at isang private hospital. Isa lang naman ang ating government hospital SPMC. Hindi ko alam sa private hospital.

Titingan kung how ready we are,” she said in a phone interview.

She added that the national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) is expected to observe the said simulation to find out the readiness of the city.

Villafuerte said participants for the simulation are licensed health professionals who are undergoing online training for vaccination procedures.

Based on the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for Covid-19 Vaccines, the vaccination workforce will be comprised of diverse set of professionals and personnel, both from the public and private sector.

As more doses of vaccines become available during 2021- 2022, there will be a need to expand the pool of skilled workforce to administer vaccines and to deliver the program. The vaccination program will also require significant increases

City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, Committee of Health chairperson, expresses her appreciation to the leaders and officials of the city government of Davao after the 19th Davao City Council approved on third and final reading “An Ordinance For The Implementation of the in the number of administrative and support staff, in this regard there may be opportunities to leverage the broader public service to achieve this. To ensure that sufficient workforce is available, the national government shall engage and include other professionals such as teachers, counsellors, pharmacists, medical and allied health profes-

sionals and interns; and the private sector, as part of the vaccination workforce.

Meanwhile, the 19th City Council has approved on third and final reading “An Ordinance For The Implementation of the COVID-19 Immunization Program of Davao City” on February 2, 2021.

Villafuerte crafted the resolution to enact an ordi-

“I talked to the FR (former rebel), and I sent pictures of my daughter, and he positively identified Louvaine and told us that she was really there,” Espina told local reporters Wednesday.

Espina arrived in the city on January 23 and sought the help of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and local officials in Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.

“I was told that she [Louvaine] was starving and had a swollen knee. I am hoping that I could find her and return her home,” she said.

Recruitment timeline

Espina described her daughter as a smart student at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

In 2016, while the 16-year-old student was still in Grade 11, she said Louvaine was recruited to the NPA by members of Anakbayan.

From there, Espina said her daughter began disappearing from their house frequently. She later found out her daughter had been attending rallies organized by leftist organizations.

“That’s the time my daughter changed. I noticed that her Facebook posts were already different as

COVID-19 Immunization Program of Davao City,” which institutionalizes the immunization program to cater the specific needs of the people of Davao City. Edge Davao

nance for the implementation of the city’s Covid-19 immunization program, citing the need to institutionalize it to cater to the specific needs of the people of Davao City.

The ordinance covers all residents of Davao City and non-residents found to be within the territorial jurisdiction of the city during the effectivity of the pro-

gram.

However, the age, gender, and other requirements shall be based on the guidelines set forth by the national government through the Department of Health (DOH), Inter-Agency Task Force in the Management of Emerging Diseases (IATF), and the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF).

The ordinance also

mandates the formulation of a community-based COVID-19 immunization plan by the City Health Office (CHO) along with the DOH Center for Health Development-Davao.

The framework will have barangays and other community subsets as active partners in program execution to ensure thorough

we will prioritize the four referral hospitals here in) Metro Manila," Galvez, also the vaccine czar, said in an interview at the Laging Handa public briefing.

These referral hospitals include Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital (DJNRMH) formerly known as Tala Leprosarium in Caloocan City, and Lung Center of the Philippines and East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

"Afterwards ang gagawin po natin ang lahat ng mga hospital na may Covid referral sa different cities ng Metro Manila, Cebu City at

Davao City po ay susunod na po yun (Afterwards, we will cover all the Covid-19 referral hospitals located in different cities in Metro Manila, Cebu City and Davao City)," he said.

Galvez said the first batch of the vaccines will be coming from drugmakers Pfizer-BioNtech and AstraZeneca under the sealed agreement with the COVAX Facility.

Some 117,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines produced

by Pfizer pharmaceutical company will be the first to arrive on Feb. 20 and these will be delivered in one tranche, Galvez said.

FMOCK, P10

Ma flies to Davao to look for Inoculation to start 3 days after daughter recruited by NPA Covid-19 vaccines arrive in PH

N

ot minding the distance and the coronavirus disease pandemic, a mother from Metro Manila flew all the way to this city upon learning that her daughter who joined the communist rebel movement has been sighted in the hinterlands of Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.

Luisa Espina, the mother of Louvaine Erika, who was recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) in 2018, said she decided to personally come to the city after confirming from a former rebel that her youngest daughter has been seen wandering with a band of rebels in the two provinces.

FMA, P10

F

ilipinos under the government's priority list will be inoculated two to three days after the first batch of coronavirus vaccines arrives in the country on Feb. 20, National Policy Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said on Wednesday. "nHindi na po tayo magtatagal kunyari bigyan lang po natin 2 to 3 days at ituturok po natin kaagad yan at uunahin natin yung apat na referral hospitals natin dito sa (We will not take any longer, for an instance, we will wait two to three days only and we will immediately inject the vaccines and

FINOCULATION, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

A vendor displays fresh fish at a sidewalk stall near the“bagsakan”area for sea produce at Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

PH full economic recovery may take 4-5 yrs: Business leaders S ome business leaders warned of a slowed growth for the Philippines, saying full recovery could take four to five years if the country will not relax foreign ownership and accelerate consumption.

Calixto Chikiamco, president of the Foundation for Economic Freedom, said the country's GDP per capita may only go back to pre-pandemic levels within

4-5 years if economic reforms do not push through.

He added that regaining the lost value of the local economy may take two to three years.

The country's largest business groups want to limit amendments in the 1987 Constitution solely to economic reforms, saying the proposed charter change (Cha-cha) may distract lawmakers from other more pressing matters.

Chikiamco is pushing for easing of foreign ownership limits in firms through Chacha, likening it to Thailand and Vietnam where relaxed rules attract international investors.

July 2008 or during the global financial crisis.

The contraction follows the 0.5-percent rise in bank lending last November.

Mapa said the drop in bank lending affected the growth of domestic liquidity or M3 after this slowed to 9.5 percent last December.

“With non-performing loans on the rise and the job market in shambles, we can expect bank lending to remain in contraction for the next couple of months as both consumer and corporate demand may be subdued given our economic

outlook,” he said.

And since bank lending posted a negative print in the last month of 2020, Mapa expects sustained weakness on domestic expansion.

Similar to projections of economic managers on the possible return of the domestic economy’s pre-pandemic level expansion, Mapa forecasts this to happen in “2022 or early 2023 with capital formation impaired by floundering consumer and business sentiment.” (PNA)

More negative bank lending prints due to pandemic, says economist

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he contraction in bank lending, which posted its first after over a decade, is expected to continue in the next months due to the pandemic.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data released Wednesday, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa, in a report, said the 0.7-percent contraction in outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs) in December 2020, which excludes placements in BSP’s reverse repurchase (RRP) facility, is the first time since

"We have the most restrictive investment climate in the world because of the Constitution restriction...I think we should do an economic Cha-cha or at least pass the Public Service Act to remove transport and telecommunications from those industries where foreigners are barred from owning majority control," Chikiamco said.

For her part, Philippine Retailers Association President Rosemarie Bosch Ong

said consumption needs to be restored to drive the economy.

Consumption, which contributed 70 percent of the Philippine economy before COVID-19, and consumer confidence will come back as soon as Filipinos are vaccinated against coronavirus.

"If you compare [the economy] to 2020 numbers, I guess we will see some improvements this 2021. But if you compare it to 2019,

I guess, it's going to be a slight growth or just flat," Ong said.

The Philippine economy shrank 9.5 percent last year -- the worst contraction on record, and since World War 2 -- as impacts of COVID-19 battered businesses and put people out of jobs.

Forecasts by economists lead to a range of 3 to 5 percent growth for 2021, while the government is keeping its 6.5 to 7.5 percent economic target for this year.

The DTI started to roll out the CARES program in May 2020 to help MSMEs to recover from their losses due to lockdowns amid the pandemic and help them restart their business operations.

Under the Bayanihan 2, SB Corp. secured PHP10-billion funding to continue the roll out of the zero-interest loan program for MSMEs through CARES 2 program.

CARES 2 program expanded the loan to medium enterprises.

Under this program,

SB Corp. can provide loan amounting to PHP10,000 for businesses with minimum asset size PHP50,000; PHP20,000 loan for businesses with PHP100,000 minimum asset; PHP40,000 for those with a minimum asset of PHP200,000; PHP60,000 for those with a minimum asset of PHP300,000; PHP80,000 for those with a minimum asset of PHP400,000; and PHP100,000 for businesses with minimum asset of PHP500,000. (PNA)

SB Corp. OKs P2.3-B loan under CARES program

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he Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) financing arm, Small Business (SB) Corp., said Wednesday it has approved PHP2.27 billion worth of loans under the Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program.

These loans were applied by 21,358 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Of the said numbers, PHP2 billion of loans were already released to 19,601 loan applicants.

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ECONOMY 5

DOF chief Dominguez calls for bolder collective action against climate crisis

D

epartment of Finance (DOF) Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has called for "bolder collective action" in realizing the Philippines’ global commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, starting with the ambitious goal of banning single-use plastics, as it is among the countries most vulnerable to the adverse impact of the climate crisis.

Dominguez, who is the chairperson-designate of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), said the Philippines should “aim high” and strive to be a world leader in making a difference in the battle against the climate crisis by crafting a set of science-based, well-studied Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as part of its longterm commitment under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

“In a word, we have higher stakes in this global effort than many other nations. I want us to be a world leader in making

a difference in this battle against the climate crisis. I want us to pave the way in this area through our ambition,” he said at Wednesday's opening of the second multi-stakeholder consultative meeting on the Philippines’ NDC. “This is precisely the reason why we need to take a bolder collective action in crafting our first NDC. It is better to be late and to have ambitious and well-thought out contributions, rather than poorly constructed ones submitted on time, without a general consensus behind it,” he added.

NDCs embody the efforts by signatories to the Paris Agreement to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In 2017, the Philippines ratified the Paris Agreement, which outlines a global framework on climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance. (PR)

Globe to ramp up 4G LTE rollout in key tourist destinations this month

G

lobe Telecom is set to ramp up 4G LTE network rollout in key tourist destinations this February.

Globe said Wednesday it will upgrade more sites to 4G LTE network in Boracay, Bacolod City, Cebu City, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City.

More locations in Cebu City are also expected to be 4G LTE ready by March, it added.

“Our customers can look forward to faster, better and reliable service in these areas in the next few weeks due to our site upgrades,"

said Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for Program Delivery, Network Technical Group.

The Ayala-owned telco recently upgraded Iloilo City to a 4G LTE site.

Globe has set aside P70 billion capital budget this year for aggressive fiber rollouts nationwide, targeting 2,000 new cell towers to upgrade networks to 4G LTE and 5G. The company said it has covered 80 percent of urban Metro Manila with its 5G network, encompassing 708 sites in 17 cities.

GCash to offer global feeder funds, local stocks in Feb.

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lobe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), the operator of financial services provider GCash, has hinted at new global feeder funds to be made available on the mobile application for users who wish to invest, on top of local equities and bonds.

In a post on social media on February 2, Mynt chief executive officer Martha Sazon said the new funds will be made available to the public this February, with a minimum investment of P50 for Philippine instruments and P1,000 for global funds.

Sazon said among the funds to be made available are those managed by the ATR Asset Management Group (ATRAM): ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund which invests in equities of technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and Alphabet as of November 27, 2020 with returns of 36.52% in the past year.

ATRAM Global Consumer Trends Feeder Fund which invests in equities

based on individual consumer needs such as Amazon, Alibaba, Nintendo, and Activision Blizzard as of November 27, 2020 with returns of 78.76% as of the past year.

ATRAM Total Return Peso Bond Fund which is composed of a variety of Philippine government corporate bonds such as the Retail Treasury Bonds due August 2025, and Fixed Rate Treasury Notes due February 2026, January 2039, and July 2031, as of September 30, 2020.

Mynt in January secured fresh capital infusion from ASP Philippines LP, inching to unicorn status after increasing its valuation close to $1 billion.

GCash is operated by Mynt as part of the portfolio of 917Ventures, the corporate incubator of Globe Telecom Inc. Shares in Globe closed Wednesday at P2,002.00 apiece, down by P44.00 or 2.15% from Tuesday's finish of P2,046.00 per share.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar says the new Executive Order (EO) that imposes a price ceiling on pork and chicken products in the National Capital Region (NCR), which currently experiencing supply shortage, is likely to take effect on February 8. Edge Davao

Bank lending drops for the first time in 14 years in Dec

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hilippine bank lending fell for the first time in more than 14 years in December, reflecting weak consumer and business activity, with the trend expected to persist as coronavirus restrictions remain in place in many parts of the country.

Outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements, dropped by 0.7 percent in December from a year ago, despite a series of interest rate cuts

by the central bank to boost lending.

The decline was the first since September, 2006, preliminary data from the central bank showed, and some economists expect lending

to remain weak given subdued consumer and corporate demand.

Production loans, comprising 87.4 percent of the combined loan portfolio of universal and commercial banks, fell 0.4 percent in December from a year earlier, while consumer loans rose at a much slower pace of 4.4 percent compared with November's 7.1 percent.

Partial COVID-19 restrictions in the capital Manila were extended until the end of February to slow

a spike in infections after year-end holidays, which could delay an economic recovery.

The Philippine economy contracted 9.5 percent in 2020, the biggest slump on record.

Speaking after the release of the GDP data, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday the Philippines, which was one of Asia's fastest growing economies before the pandemic, was in a "really bad shape".

year because of expectations for an earlier economic recovery due to rollout of mass vaccination against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) and the stimulus program of the Biden administration.

It said the yield of the 10-year US treasury traded at about 10-month highs of 11.5 percent in the middle of January 2021 while the break-even rate, or the proxy for long-term inflation expectations, of the same tenor breached 2 percent for the first time since the latter part of 2018.

In the past, any swift jumps in US treasury yields resulted in sudden reversal of portfolio inflows in EMs “as capital is diverted back into lower-risk assets.”

However, this is not expected this time because capital flows to EMs “turned sharply negative in 2020, so the starting point is much

different relative to other reversal episodes.”

Citing Moody’s EM Financial Conditions Indicator (FCI), the report said economic and market sentiment on global EMs “has only just returned to historical norms following pandemic-induced stress last year.”

“Consequently, EM asset valuations do not appear overly stretched, reducing the risk of a sudden snapback in prices,” it said.

Another factor why the report considers the low probability of any sudden EM financial condition tightening vis-à-vis the recent jumps in US treasury rates is the “rising long-term yields also reflect growing market optimism around the pace of US economic recovery in the second half of 2021.”

“A stronger US economy will lift demand for EM exports and reinforce

the growth rebound taking place across most major emerging economies,” the report said.

It also noted “the increase in US treasury yields –and the repricing of US interest rate expectations– is likely to remain gradual and orderly, given that US monetary authorities will likely retain a dovish policy bias even as additional fiscal stimulus is delivered.”

“Indeed, we expect the Fed to calibrate policy gradually and transparently to minimize the risk of a sudden repricing along the maturity curve, a view reinforced by its adoption of an average inflation targeting framework last year,” it said.

The report added “alongside other central banks, the Fed will also seek to ensure sufficient dollar liquidity, which will help to minimize stress in the financial markets.” (PNA)

Moody’s discounts sudden EM financial condition tightening

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he possibility of sudden emerging market (EM) financing conditions tightening is unlikely despite the recent steady rise of long-term US treasury yields, Moody’s Investors Service said, citing the current situation is different from other reversal episodes.

In a report dated Feb. 2, the debt watcher said the likelihood of “a renewed and abrupt tightening” of EM financing conditions on the back of rising US interest rates “is low for now” because it does not expect the Federal Reserve to prematurely tighten rates even with the economic recovery.

“A combination of ultra-low US interest rate and recovering US demand will in turn support EM economic and financial sentiment,” it said.

The report said US treasury yields have steadily risen since the start of this

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

In calling on the Department of Trade and Industry 11 (DTI 11) to investigate and regulate the prices of pork and other meat products in Davao City: The few who remain at work cannot make a significant profit due to the shortened time and the rising prices, especially of pork. Clearly, this situation has affected both consumers and vendors alike.”

Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata

EDITORIAL Waan needs water The some 4,000 residents of barangay Waan in the Second Congressional District need potable water just like the rest of Davao City’s population of 1.6 million as of the 2015 cen sus count.

This is the essence of a resolution filed by veteran Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang two Tuesdays ago during a regular session of the city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), another name of the Davao City Council.

Dayanghirang, who topped several City Council derbies in his district, including the latest one in 2019, addressed his resolution to the Davao City Water District (DCWD). The resolution pleads that Waan be included in the service area of the P12.5-billion bulk water service project that the DCWD is building jointly with the Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. The sought inclcusion of Waan is just in time, since the bulk water project tapping the

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

surface of Tamugan River is slated to be completed sometime next year.

The DCWD is expected to respond favorably to theresolution of Dayanghirang who has made it his advocacy to work for the improvement of water service to the Second Congressional District, which has been admittedly deprived of good water supply for decades now.

With more reason because Waan, together with fast-growing barangay Mandug, Indangan, Cabantian, Callawa and Tigatto is site of some 50 housing subdivisions and other real estate development projects.

Dayanghirang has been ranting against the poor water service in his district for the longest time.

No wonder the resolution was favorably approved by the lawmakers unanimously.

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VOL.13 I SSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

EDGEDAVAO

LOVE IN A CUP LIFESTYLE

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

LET’S DRINK TO THAT!

“I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.” ― William Shakespeare in Othello *** It came to pass that the Queen of Death called an emergency meeting.

She wanted to assign a new prime minister, one who would be able to kill the most people.

Various kinds of evil and vice came. They competed and stated their qualifications. There were all sorts of sin, diseases, hunger, gambling, fighting, wars, pride, anger, payback and revenge. All had their say.

Finally, a very beautiful girl stood up and said, “It’s true, all these others bring times of disaster such as war and disease.

But we TOand BEfamine HONEST, I never have to have something which has a sweet tooth. But Ican kill off many people of peace totally melt forinatimes taste of and prosperity. great gelato.

“I have something,” shetheir continWith a desire to share ued.

“I have something that kills love for high-quality, locally- off people they are wealthy, when made, when premium gelato, Banker they are having a good time, Christina de Mendoza, Dr. when they areManalaysay, relaxing and and taking it easy.

Trisha F&B If you elect me prime minister, Retail General Manager andI can assure I will be the greatest Hotel you Director Crystal Joy cause of death in all countries.”

Rebucas, thought it would be Theidea Queen of Death then asked a good to bring Gelato the young girl her name.

She said, Manila to Davao. A creation by “My name is Drunkenness.”

Zarah Manikan, Gelato Manila

She won; and to this day she is still prime minister. No one has come close to unseating her.

“Do you drink?” someone asked Stephen King, the American author of contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy.

“Of course,” replied King (of The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me, and The Shining distinction), “I just said I was a writer.”

“I drink to make other people more interesting,” commented Ernest Hemingway, whose economical and understated style of writing had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction and whose life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations.

When it comes to humor, Benjamin Franklin seemed to have it all. “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria,” he wrote.

British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill shared this anecdote: “A lady came up to me one day and said ‘Sir! You are drunk,’ to which I replied, ‘‘I am drunk today madam, and tomorrow I shall be sober but you will still be ugly.’”

Edgar Allan Poe, another American writer, editor, and literary critic

the case of Toliongco vs. Anglo-Eastern Crew Mgt. (G.R. No. 231748, July 8, 2020) that sexual harassment must be recognized as a risk faced by our seafarers and which should not be merely seen as a gender issue, rather it is a power issue.

The seafarer was employed as messman.

The seafarer claimed that when he served dinner to the Chief Officer, the latter demanded that he masturbate and perform oral sex on him. He resisted and left the room.

That same night, the chief officer called for him again, and, repeated the sexual advances. On the second attempt, he also resisted and managed to escape.

He filed a complaint the following day for physical abuse and sexual abuse under alcohol intake against the Chief Officer before the Captain.

L-R: Christina de Mendoza, Crystal Joy Rebucas and Trisha Manalaysay. can taste the flavor right from Homemade, just like how your very first spoon because our lola, mama , tatay or PINOY MARINO RIGHTS gelato does doesn’t coat your tita would cook for the famimouth with excess fat.” ly,” says Crystal. “We use pure, There are many other gelato fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Ube brands in the market but Gelato We like keeping it simple with Gelato.

Manila differentiates itself with eight or less ingredients with its artisanal “We to the main the highof pandemic to support local The chiefphilosophy. officer threatened The ingredient Supreme Court under- form of sexist remarks, sexual advancare your artisan light, so we don’t overload brands and to be part of kill him upon learning of the com- scored that victims of sexual abuse es or sex-related behavior. the neighborcomplicate things.to SMEItecosystem.

It’s challenging plaint. usually take or time before reporting is a reflection of the power rehoodThe ge-seafarer was later repatriat- the proper authorities, We also do not but worth it.

We’re just home more so if they lations between individuals involved lateria. use artificial based and we don’t have mared to the Philippines. are male as society has made it hard where, in most instances, the harassflavorings or keting budget so we’re really Several months later, he filed a for male victims of sexual harassment er is an officer occupying a higher extenders. grateful for the support of famcomplaint for constructive dismissal, to come out and report. rank than the seafarer.

While and foodies They’ve sexual harassment and maltreatment “Our society has often depicted ily, friends The Court cited a separate Gelato been great at telling others with prayer for the payment of dis- women as being the weaker sex, and opinion in Garcia v. Drilon, (712 Phil Manila’s about their own favorite flavors ability benefits, damages and attor- the only victims of sexual harass- 44, 2013) which recognized the exisroots are and being so adney’s fees claiming that he is rendered ment. It is high-time that this notion tence of violence against men and the in Madicted permanently and totally disabled due is corrected. To consider women as underreporting of such incidents. nila, it isTo to to his post-traumatic stress disorder the weaker sex is discriminatory.

The Court said that “social and a caused by his unfortunate experience think that only women canproduct be victims cultural expectations on masculiniis proonboard the vessel. of sexual harassment that is discriminaty and male dominance urge men to duced the The court, however, denied the tory against men who have in suffered keep quiet about being a victim, addregion, withbeen claim for disability benefits because the same plight; men who have ing to the unique experience of male its commisthe pieces of evidence submitted are victimized by sexual predators,” the victims of domestic abuse. This leads not sufficient to convince the Court Court said. sary in General to latent depression among boys and Santos churning out that he has been rendered permaSeafarers are exposed to various Polvorones men.

In a sense, patriarchy while privfresh gelato daily using nently and totally disabled. forms of discrimination, exploitation, Gelato. all-natural locally-sourced Nevertheless, the Court ruled sexual harassment, and violence, ileging men, also victimizes them” ingredients.

“You get Ube to the “There is now more space to that since a wrongful act was com- which may partly be attributed and Strawberry in their believe that portraying only women mitted against the seafarer due to the confined space on board vessels. natural colors.

Not the as victims will not always promote sexual harassment he suffered at the The isolated nature of the ship bright pink or dark purple gender equality before the law. It hands of the chief officer , he is enti- can increase opportunities for sexucolor. sometimes aggravates the gap by conZarah Manikan tled to the income for the unexpired al harassment and violence, and can The team behind Gelato (left) and ceding that women have always been portion of the contract, moral damag- also amplify their negative conseCrystal Joy Manila Davao also have a heart dominated by men.

In doing so, it renes of P100,000,00, exemplary damag- quences.

Rebucas at the for local entrepreneurship.

“It’s Cafe ders empowered women invisible; es, and attorney’s feesGelato Manila Sexual harassment may take the very important during this time Mocha Gelato.

HQ in Laguna.

recently emerged as the winner in the recently concluded Ultimate Taste Test (UTT) Masters Edition 2020.

So what is the difference between gelato and ice cream?

“Gelato is healthier than ice cream. It melts faster because it does not have any preservatives.

The flavors in a gelato are also more balanced, each ingredient doesn’t overpower another” shared Crystal.

While being healthier, Male seafarers can be thenothsubject ing is sacrificed in of sexual harassmentterms while of working flavor and “Gelatothem is to on board thetexture. vessel entitling soft in texture and light (low in moral damages. fat), Sexual which harassment is why it melts faster” can happen Crystal “It is also denser to anyoneadded. and everyone. making more flavorful.

You in The it Supreme Court stressed

who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre, once said: “I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.”

“If you drink, don’t drive. If you drive, don’t drink,” goes an old saying.

Had Henri Paul, the Ritz Hotel security guard who drove the limousine in which Princess Diana died, taken the above advice, the England’s Rose and her companion, Dodi AlFayed as well as Paul himself would still be alive today.

Three sets of tests on the body of Paul showed he was three times over the legal drink-drive limit and had taken an antidepressant and a sedative inhibiting agitated or aggressive behavior. The drugs reportedly can impair judgement, and doctors in fact caution patients against driving or drinking when using them.

“Obviously, Mr. Paul should not have been at the wheel,” Bernard Dartevelle, a lawyer for the Al-Fayed

DENNIS R. GORECHO

family, told France 3 television.

“Drunkenness has killed more men than all of the history’s wars,” commented American military general John Joseph Pershing, who had been to several wars -- and even came to the Philippines in 1899.

American President Abraham Lincoln added: ‘Drink is a cancer in human society; eating out its vital and threatening its destruction.”

James R. Stuart deplored, “I would rather own stock in hell than in a brewery. He’ll receive the poor fellow after he’s debauched. The brewery takes aim in his innocence, debauches him and prepares him for hell.”

Oscar Wilde said on what happened when a person drinks: “After the first glass, you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally, you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world.”

Historically, people drank alcohol when they could get it: as food, in place of fetid water; as relief from the misery of life; to chase after pleasure -- at births, weddings and festivals.

Wine poured down the pagan hatch, Dionysian and Bacchanalian. Alcohol

was not only acceptable, it was esteemed and revered.

Jesus Christ used wine as a miracle by transforming it from water; at the Last Supper, imbued it with the symbol of his blood. Wine in early history was often vinegary and drunk diluted with water.

As stated earlier, drinking and driving don’t mix. In the United States, a fatal accident, involving the lives of four young people, took place upon one of the country’s highways.

The evidence that the liquor was the culprit was found in the broken whisky bottles among the debris and the mangled bodies of the four youthful victims.

The father of one of the girls was in deep anguish over the untimely death of his daughter. He threatened to kill the one who had provided the four young people with liquor, but upon going to the cupboard where he kept his supply of choice beverages, he found a note in his daughter’s handwriting: “Dad, we’re taking along some of your good liquor -- I know you won’t mind.”

“Alcohol may be man’s worst enemy, but the Bible your Thesays Gelatolove Manila Samplersinger Box. and enemy,” so said American Oscar-winning actoritFrank Sinatra. that they can

finish one pint in one sitting,” says Crystal.

The Gelato Manila comes in a variety of flavors. Their best sellers are Café Mocha, Ube, Malted Chocolate, Vanilla Chocolate Chip, Polvorones and Strawberries and Cream. There’s Pistachio as the lone premium Vegans or or, in some cases,flavor. that men as human people who cannot eat dairy can beings can also become victims”, the checkadded. out their Dark Chocolate Court Non-Dairy/Vegan option.

The Court further stressed that For the month of February, “it may be said that violence in the Gelato Manila is offering a context of intimate relationships special Sampler Box containing should not be seen and encrusted as their best gellato flavors. “We a gender issue, rather it is a power want people to try more flavors issue. Thus, when laws are not genso this February we’re rolling der-neutral, male victims of domestic out the sampler box. Each cup violence may alsoissuffer from double in the sampler handmade victimization first by their abusers with love, freshly prepared and second by the judicial by our team.” says system.

Incidentally,Crystal. focusing on women was the victims entrenches some level To order and forof heteronormativity.

It is blind to the more information, possibility that, whatever moral posiyou can message tions are taken by those who are dom@gelatomanila_ inant, in reality intimate relationships mindanao on can also happen between men. ” also IG. You can At its core, sexual orderharassment by send- is not an issue of gender an issue of ing abut message directly to the power.

Facebook/InstaAtty. Gorecho heads the seaof farers’ division gram of the accounts Sapalo Velez Christina Bundang Bulilan law (@tingdeoffices. For Trisha (@ comments, mendoza), email info@sapalovelez. or or com, ortrishmanalaysay) call 09175025808 Crystal (@talskidoo) or by 09088665786) texting 09177009973.

MALE SEAFARERS AS VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

CONTINUED OPERATIONS. Amid the pandemic, Hedcor made it its primary priority to provide electricity to households and establishments.

Hedcor generates over 900 GWh in 2020, highlights reliability performance

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ith the new normal caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the things that remained constant was the country’s need for electricity. Serving as the backbone that powers the communities’ various functions, Hedcor, the run-of-river hydro arm of AboitizPower, found a bigger responsibility in keeping the lights on.

In 2020, Hedcor recorded an Annual Generation of 956,514,413 kWh (kilowatt hours), or 956 GWh (Gigawatt hours). This is able to power around 400,000 households across the country, year-round.

Hedcor also recorded its lowest Weighted Unplanned Outage Factor (WUOF) at 0.73 percent for 2020, Hedcor’s best record in the past five years. This emphasizes the steady improvement of Hedcor’s plant reliability as it recorded the lowest number of unexpected shutdowns of its hydropower units in recent memory.

“For 2020, we really utilized the ‘Doing more with less’ mindset,” shared Rey Rafael, Assistant Vice President for Operations in Luzon.

“While we had to work with a leaner workforce in facility quarantine, we were able to work around the limitations through proper communication, maximization of digital platforms, and simplification of processes,” Rafael added.

This is in line with Hedcor’s operations and maintenance teams (O&M) opting to divide their workforce, placing teams on alternating 14-day facility quarantine, as a precautionary measure to avoid possible exposure to the coronavirus.

Beyond continuously meeting the energy needs of the community, the pandemic has not stopped Hedcor from innovating and meet-

ing global standards.

Just recently, Luzon Hydro Corp. located in Ilocos Sur, as well as the Davaobased Hedcor Sibulan, Inc. and Hedcor Tudaya, Inc. were recertified for ISO 22301:2012 Business Continuity Management System.

The aforementioned, along with Hedcor, Inc., and Hedcor Sabangan, Inc. in Mt. Province were also recertified for ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System, ISO 9001:2018 Quality Management System and ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System.

On top of this, Hedcor also took a big step towards digital operations by inaugurating its first-ever Regional Control Center in Southern Mindanao.

This control center is able to connect Hedcor’s five hydro facilities in Davao City and four hydro facilities in Davao del Sur, allowing all nine plants in Southern Mindanao to be operated remotely in a single control room.

“For 2021, the main objective is an even safer, more reliable and highly available operations,” shared Leo Lungay, Assistant Vice President for Operations in Mindanao.

“With lessons from 2020 and the previous years under our belt, we look forward to not only ‘keeping the lights on’, but to also thrive and excel in doing so amid any possible adversities,” Lungay added.

CONTINUED OPERATIONS. Amid the pandemic, Hedcor made it its primary priority to provide electricity to households and establishments. (photo above is the Manolo Fortich 2 Hydro Powerhouse in Bukidnon.)

LANDBANK launches credit facility for ‘rapid growth’ of farmers, agri-based MSMEs

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tate-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) is offering a new credit facility to support small farmers and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) engaged in the agricultural value chains of cacao, coffee, coconut, and processed fruits and nuts.

Through the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth or RAPID Growth Credit Facility, LANDBANK seeks to provide financial assistance to stimulate business growth and sustainably increase the income of small farmers, as well as provide employment opportunities to unemployed individuals in selected provinces in Region 8 and Mindanao.

The newly-launched credit facility is in support of the RAPID Growth Project implemented by the Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which aims to provide strategic business development interventions and matching grants to support agribased MSMEs engaged in the identified value chains.

LANDBANK will manage the credit facility in partnership with DTI, which will endorse beneficiaries qualified to borrow under the facility that include cooperatives, farmers' associations and organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and MSMEs. “Through the RAPID Growth Credit Facility, LANDBANK aims to strengthen each link of our priority agriculture value chains from production until distribution. Together with DTI, we hope to increase the productivity and income of farmers and

agri-based MSMEs who are crucial to the growth of these sectors,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Borrowers may avail up to ninety percent (90%) of the project cost, net of matching grant from the DTI, with a fixed interest rate of 5% per annum for the first three (3) years to finance the costs of production inputs, machinery, facility and equipment.

Eligible projects include the production of cacao, coconut, coffee and processed fruits and nuts, including the development of new plantation, replanting, rejuvenation, rehabilitation of old trees; establishment of nursery gardens; post-harvest activities such as fermentation and drying; processing or manufacturing such as roasting, grinding or milling, packaging and

storing; and trading.

Loans for production are payable based on crop cycle or gestation and payback period of the project.

Meanwhile, loans for fixed asset acquisition are payable based on project cash flow but not more than the economic useful life of fixed assets or remaining useful life for secondhand or refurbished machines.

Finally, loans for permanent working capital and working capital are payable up to three (3) years and one (1) year, respectively.

For more information about LANDBANK’s Lending Programs, interested borrowers may contact the nearest open LANDBANK Lending Center or Branch nationwide, or call LANDBANK’s customer service hotline at (02) 8-405-7000 or at PLDT Domestic Toll Free 1-800-10-405-7000.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

9

Text and photos

by HENRYLITO D. TACIO he resource that poses the biggest threat to food security isn’t land, it’s water.

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WITHOUT WATER, THERE’S NO FOOD TOO Meat production also consumes a lot of water. “Agriculture uses about 70% of the world’s available freshwater, and one-third of that is used to grow the grain fed to livestock,” the Worldwatch Institute reports.

Beef, the meat used in most fast food outlets, is by far the most water-intensive all of all meats. “The more than 15,000 liters of water used per kilogram is far more than is required by a number of staple foods, such as eggs (3,300 liters per kilogram), milk (1,000 liters), or potatoes (255 liters),” the Worldwatch Institute says.

The US Department of Commerce 1992 Census of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, published in 1994, reported that one pound of pork needs at least 1,630 gallons of water to produce but in contrast one pound of beef requires 5,214 gallons of water.

“Producing beef is much more resource-intensive than producing pork or chicken, requiring roughly three to five times as much land to generate the same amount of protein,” the Worldwatch Institute points out.

Around the world, more than 40% of wheat, rye, oats and corn production is fed to animals, along with 250 mil-

lion tons of soybeans and other oilseeds. “Feeding grain to livestock improves their fertility and growth, but it sets up a de facto competition for food between man and people,” the institute says.

Global meat consumption and consumption have increased rapidly in recent decades, with harmful effects on the environment and public health as well as on the economy, according to research done by the institute’s Nourishing the Planet project.

“Worldwide meat production has tripled over the last four decades and increased 20% in just the last 10 years,” it said. “Meanwhile, industrial countries are consuming growing amounts of meat, nearly double the quantity than in developing countries.”

A huge volume of water is also used in aquaculture or fish farming. “Fish farming is more advantageous than raising livestock. “For every kilogram of dry feed, we get one kilogram of fish meat,” said Dr. Uwe Lohmeyer of the Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Technische Zusammernarbeit (GTZ), a German Technical Cooperation. “This is far more favorable rate than in the case of say, pigs: to produce the same quantity of pork, a farmer – given the same quality of inputs – has to provide three

kilograms of feed.”

It goes without saying that water is indeed the world’s most important resource. “We’re surrounded by a hidden world of water,” pointed out Stephen Leahy, a Canadian journalist and author. “Liters and liters of it are consumed by everything we eat, and everything we use and buy.”

That’s what he calls a “water footprint.” In his book, aptly entitled Your Water Footprint, he defines it as the amount of water ‘consumed’ to make, grow or produce something. “I use the word consumed to make it clear this is water that can no longer be used for anything else,” he explained.

According to him, one of the biggest surprises (while writing the book) was learning how small direct use of water for drinking, cooking and showering is by comparison. For instance, he found out that flushing toilets is the biggest water daily use – not showers. While low-flow shower heads and toilets are great water savers, the water footprint concept can lead to even bigger reductions in water consumption.

“For example, green fuels may not be so green from a water consumption perspective,” Leahy wrote. “Biodiesel

made from soybeans has an enormous water footprint, averaging more than 11,000 liters per liter of biodiesel.

And this doesn’t include the large amounts of water needed for processing. Why so much water? Green plants aren’t ‘energy-dense,’ so it takes a lot of soy to make the fuel.”

Beef also has a big footprint, over 11,000 liters for a kilo, according to Leahy. “If a family of four served chicken instead of beef they’d reduce their water use by an astonishing 900,000 liters a year.

That’s enough to fill an Olympic size pool to a depth of two feet.”

“Water isn’t just a commodity. It is a source of life,” says Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project.

Postel believes water problems will trail climate change as a threat to the human future. “Although the two are

“Many well-informed individuals see a future of water shortages, but few have connected the dots to see that a future of water shortages will also be a future of food shortages,” said Lester R. Brown, the president of the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Policy Institute.

“Water shortages lag only climate change and population growth as a threat to the human future,” said Brown in an exclusive interview with this author. “The challenge is not to get enough water to drink, but to get enough water to produce our food. We drink, in one form or another, perhaps 4 liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires 2,000 liters of water to produce, or 500 times as much.”

A closer look at the available statistics proves him right. Agriculture is by far the biggest consumer of water around the world. In thickly-populated Asia, agriculture accounts for 86% of the total annual water withdrawal, compared with 49% in North and Central America and 38% in Europe.

“Agriculture is where future water shortages will be most acute,” wrote Michael S. Serrill in Time some years back.

Rice is a case in point.

“Water has contributed most to the growth in rice production for the past 30 years,” said the Laguna-based Inter-

national Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Irrigation-farmed rice draws heavily on the resource.

In his book, Water: The International Crisis, Robin Clark reports that an average farmer needs 5,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice. “Rice growing is a heavy consumer of water,” agrees the IRRI report, “Water: A Looming Crisis.”

The IRRI report projected that most Asian countries will have severe water problems by 2025 or four years from now. This water shortage could seriously threaten rice production in the region.

This is bad news for Filipinos who consider rice as their “deepest comfort food.”

Each day, about 31,450 metric tons of rice are being consumed by Filipinos, studies of the Department of Agriculture showed.

“The link between water and food is strong,” Brown reminded.

British author John Robbins, the man behind “Food Revolution,” has managed to document the robust connection of these two resources. To produce one pound of lettuce or one pound of tomatoes, 23 gallons of water is needed.

For one pound of potatoes, 24 gallons of water is needed; 25 gallons for one pound of wheat, 33 gallons for one pound of carrots, and 49 gallons for one pound of apples, according to Robbins.

related, water has no substitutes,” she explains. “We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.”

Water covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface and is a major force in controlling the climate by storing vast quantities of heat. About 97.5 percent of all water is found in the ocean and only the remaining 2.5 percent is considered fresh water. Unfortunately, 99.7 percent of that fresh water is unavailable, trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas.

Water is drawn in two fundamental ways: from wells, tapping underground sources of water called aquifers; or from surface flows that is, from lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs. Water is drawn in two fundamen-

tal ways: from wells, tapping underground sources of water called aquifers; or from surface flows - that is, from lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs.

“World demand for water doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is the same as it was in the Roman times,” observes Sir Crispin Tickell, former British ambassador to the United Nations and one of the organizers of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “Something has got to give.”

Again, here's a thought-provoking statement from Brown: “The most important thing we can do to cope with water scarcity is to use water more efficiently in agriculture. Beyond this, urban recycling of water, still in its early stages, will be one of the keys in dealing with fst-spreading water shortages.”

10 EDGEDAVAO DSWD-11 turns over 1.8-M A washable face masks

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

1,000 teachers from 63 BARMM villages in NorCot get 1st salary

he Department of Social Welfare and Development in Davao Region (DSWD-11) turned over 1.8 million washable face masks to the city government here on Wednesday.

In an interview, DSWD11 Director Raquel Nuñez

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told the Philippine News Agency said the priority beneficiaries are low-income families, which will receive five face masks per household.

The distribution of the face masks is a project of the Office of the President under the "Libreng Face Mask Para

sa Masa" program, which aims to advocate the use of the face mask as a primary defense against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In Davao Region, Nuñez said this city was identified to receive the face masks due to the number of Covid-19 cases.

“We have yet to identify the next province and it will be based on the assessment of the regional Inter-Agency Task Force,” she added.

The washable face masks intend to serve 360,000 low-income families identified by the city government. (PNA)

he Department of Agriculture in Region 11 (DA-11) reported Wednesday that a total of 41,831 pigs in the entire region were culled due to the African swine fever (ASF).

Dr. Armie Capuyan, DA11 ASF focal person, said 23,326 pigs were culled in Davao Occidental, 6,431 in Davao del Sur, 4,463 in

Davao City, 4,599 in Davao del Norte, 2,330 in Davao de Oro, and 682 in Davao Oriental.

“For the province of Davao Occidental, they do not have reported cases as of now and those ASF affected areas before are becoming the primary candidate for swine repopulation.

However, it is still subject

to an assessment of the DA11 technical team,” Capuyan said during a press briefing here.

Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro provinces, she said, are undergoing "disease control activities."

Capuyan said DA-11 has already distributed indemnification payments

Connectivity Empowered by Satellite Service for Mindanao (ACCESS Mindanao), which rolls satellite internet services in targeted remote areas in Mindanao.

In October last year, AdDU in partnership with other academic institutions, government agencies, and private institutions,

launched ACCESS Mindanao aiming to provide alternative solutions using satellite technology to address the problem of online connectivity, regularize access to the Internet to help improve the quality of life for the people in Mindanao.

The program also aims to establish a network of

schools, hospitals, businesses, and communities and linked them to the Internet through satellites as well as to provide connectivity to remote and isolated communities in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Maya Padillo

amounting to over PHP134 million to some 8,885 affected hog raisers in the region.

On top of the indemnification payment, DA-11 also provided the logistics needed by the local government units for disease surveillance.

“Aside from that, we also have animal dispersal activities wherein DA distributed animals like goat and chicken since there is still a risk in raising pigs in the affected area,” she said. (PNA)

immunization coverage of persons, adequate and equitable access to the vaccine, and proper post-immunization attention and monitoring.

The City Health Office (CHO), being the lead agency of the Covid-19 immunization program, is mandated by the Ordinance to train health workers for vaccine handling, storage, and administration while the Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) and community leaders shall actively assist the CHO in implementing the program.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 Electronic Immunization Registry (CEIR) shall be the official platform for master listing and registration for COVID-19 vaccination. All health facilities in the city must submit their master lists through the CEIR, which the CHO will consolidate to prevent duplication.

The ordinance also

provides an immunization card, which will reflect the date of immunization, immunization round/dose received, among other details, will be given to each person vaccinated under the ordinance.

The ordinance identifies priority eligible Group A that includes frontline health workers, indigent senior citizens, remaining senior citizens, remaining indigent population, and uniformed personnel (AFP, PNP, PCG, BFP, CAFGU).

The priority eligible Group B includes all teachers and school workers, all government workers, essential workers, socio-demographic groups (PDLs, PWDs, IPs, Filipinos living in high-density areas), eligible students (primary, secondary, tertiary, and vocational), Filipino migrant workers, and all remaining Filipino workforce as determined by DOLE, DTI, and the Civil Service Commis-

sion.

The priority eligible Group C includes all Filipino citizens not mentioned in Groups A and B. The ordinance also identifies those exempted from the immunization program declared by a medical professional to have any allergies or found to exhibit adverse reactions to vaccines; those with prevailing medical conditions and advised to refrain from immunization; those covered by contraindication clauses made by vaccine manufacturers and suppliers of the respective vaccines; those who object based on religious and cultural grounds; those exempted as provided for by other laws or statutes; those who object based on philosophical grounds, those who choose not to be immunized; and those who have availed of or plan to avail of Covid-19 immunization through other means.

Close to 42K pigs culled in Davao Region due to ASF T MINDA... FROM2

MOCK... FROM3

t least 1,178 teaching and non-teaching personnel in 63 villages of North Cotabato that joined the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) received their first salaries on Tuesday.

Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) handed over the checks to the teachers from BARMM’s Special Geographic Area (SGA) in North Cotabato during ceremonies held at the BARMM center here.

“The SGA teachers work at public elementary and secondary schools in the villages,” he told reporters here during an interview Wednesday.

The SGA is composed of 63 barangays from North

Cotabato province that opted for inclusion in BARMM during the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite in February 2019.

Of the 1,178 personnel, 1,034 were elementary teachers from the Aleosan schools district, Carmen, Kabacan, Midsayap, Pigcawayan, and Pikit; the 144 others are secondary level instructors.

Meanwhile, Iqbal said that the MBHTE is also currently working on establishing a division office and selecting personnel to oversee the schools under the SGA in North Cotabato.

“Rest assured that the plans and projects we have for other schools divisions will also be equally implemented and executed in these 63 barangays,” he said. (PNA)

Money supply growth slows in Dec. -- BSP

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oney supply continued to grow in December — albeit at a slower pace than the previous month — given the drop in bank lending during the period, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Wednesday.

Preliminary data released by the central bank showed that domestic liquidity (M3) expanded by 9.5% year-onyear to P14.207 trillion in

December, slower than the 10.5% growth in November with P13.678 trillion, but still higher than the P12.976 trillion in December 2019.

The BSP cited "tepid bank lending activity" in December as domestic claims only grew by 4.7% year-on-year in December versus 6.7% in November, with loans for production activities eased, specifically for trade, motor vehicle repairs, manufacturing, and financial activities.

liberties are respected."

The think tank’s findings also showed decreases in civil liberties at 6.47 against 7.06 in 2019 and functioning of government to now at a flat 5.00 from 5.38.

But Panelo maintained that the administration respects civil liberties and even encourages people to participate in governance.

“We will similarly continue to respect and promote the civil liberties of our people as we strive to further develop a democratic political culture and produce a government which efficiently functions to address their needs while encouraging their participation in governance,” he added.

Panelo also defended the administration’s strict

pandemic-related lockdowns, which the findings cited as a reason for the country’s deterioration in the democracy index.

“The President, with public health as his priority, opted to limit the people's mobilization as this would slow down the spread of the Covid-19 virus - which strategy was commended by the World Health Organization,” he said.

He said the lockdowns do not mean that the administration will stop pursuing measures and implementing policies designed to promote a more vibrant democracy.

“Our status is far from being classified as a hybrid or authoritarian regime as the study is primarily based on how governments have

responded to the present pandemic,” he said.

The Philippines joined the list of 115 other countries out of 167 that saw a decline in its 2020 democracy index, the EIU said.

EIU also said the global average score in 2020 was a record-low to 5.44 in 2019 to 5.37 last year, noting that democracy index in recent years have showed that democracy "has not been in robust health for some time."

The democracy index was based on the ratings for 60 indicators, which were grouped into five categories namely electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation, and political culture.

(PNA)

she was posting something that is anti-government," she said.

Espina said she tried to get along with her daughter’s ideology, hoping she could keep her.

“For the sake of keeping my daughter, I agreed and allowed her to join rallies as long as it will happen only at the PUP. But she said she already chose a path and that she won’t go to school anymore because she is now facilitating recruits into the organization,” she added.

Espina said her daughter had not been seen home since 2018.

Three years after losing her daughter, Espina said she remains optimistic about finding her daughter.

“Our lives are no longer normal. I want my child back,” she said, adding that local officials in the two provinces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have already assured help in searching for Louvaine.

Espina is a member of

the "Hands Off Our Children" group, composed of parents who accuse leftist organizations such as Anakbayan and Kabataan Party-list of facilitating their children's recruitment into the NPA. Along with the Communist Party of the Philippines, the NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

(PNA)

DUTERTE... FROM2

MA... FROM3

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VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

11

Joel Embiid had 34 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers.

Sixers make it four straight victories

C

HARLOTTE, N.C. — Joel Embiid had 34 points and 11 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Charlotte Hornets, 118-111, on Wednesday night (Thursday, Manila time) for their fourth straight win.

Tobias Harris scored 26 points and Ben Simmons

added 15 points and nine assists for the 76ers, who

stretched their winning streak against the Hornets to 14 games, tied for the longest active streak in the NBA. The Clippers have also won 14 straight against the Magic.

Gordon Hayward and LaMelo Ball each had 22 points for the Hornets, who had their three-game win

streak snapped.

Earlier in the day, Hornets coach James Borrego said on local radio that he expected his team to come out with plenty of energy knowing their history against the 76ers.

But Charlotte shot 22.7% from field in the first

allowed 147 and 136 points in its previous two games — both losses. On Wednesday, the Thunder allowed a season-low point total.

The Rockets scored a season high for points on Monday and a season low on Wednesday. Houston made a franchise record 28 3-pointers on 52 attempts on Monday, but connected on just 12 of 46 in the rematch.

Eric Gordon scored 22

points and Victor Oladipo added 19 for the Rockets, whose win streak ended at six games.

Rockets guard John Wall and Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed Wednesday's rematch. Wall, who averages 17.8 points and 5.8 assists, rested on the first half of a back-to-back with Memphis Grizzlies on tap on Thursday.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads the Thunder with

21.8 points and 6.3 assists, sat out with a left knee sprain. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said it wasn't too serious and the team was being cautious.

The Rockets made 11 3-pointers in the first quarter on Monday, tying the NBA record for a quarter.

On Wednesday, they trailed 54-43 at halftime, scoring a season low for points in a first half and making just 6 of 25 3s.

Thunder gets back at Rockets 104-87

O

KLAHOMA CITY — Kenrich Williams scored 19 points Wednesday night, and the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from a 30-point loss to Houston two days earlier and beat the Rockets, 104-87.

Darius Bazley had 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, Al Horford scored 17 points and Hamidou Diallo added 16 for the Thunder. Oklahoma City had

Kenrich Williamd had 19 points for the Thunder.

quarter and fell behind 3013.

The 76ers stretched the lead to 26 in third quarter before the Hornets started to get hot from beyond the arc and battled back to cut the deficit to seven with two minutes left. But Danny Green knocked down a

3 from the right corner and Simmons added a driving layup to keep the Hornets at bay.

Every time the 76ers needed a bucket, they went to Embiid — and more often than not he responded with mid-range jumpers or by getting to the foul line.

The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition bares 16 candidates

T

he largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), today announced the official premiere date for “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” and introduced all 16 candidates competing on the debut season of ONE’s unique take on the global hit reality TV show.

“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” will premiere across Asia on Thursday, 18 March, on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, with markets to include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

“The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” will also be available on other platforms and TV networks across Asia in March, including MediaCorp (Singapore), Abema (Japan), KompasTV (Indonesia), Amarin TV (Thailand), LINE TV (Thailand), TV5 Network (Philippines), and HTV (Vietnam).

In China, ONE has entered into a broadcast agreement with ByteDance to stream “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” on their Douyin, Xigua, and

Toutiao platforms beginning on Saturday, 20 March.

The Asian debut in March will be followed by a global launch in June 2021.

Refinery Media served as the company’s production partner. The production was helmed by Executive Producer and Refinery Media Founder Karen Seah.

With support from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), "The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition" was filmed entirely in Singapore in accordance with prevailing health and safety protocols. The series features iconic locations and brings forth passion made possible stories that mirror the country’s never-settling spirit of enterprise.

Also revealed were the show’s 16 candidates, who were selected from a field of thousands of applicants to compete for a US$250,000 job offer to work directly under ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for a year as his protege in Singapore.

The international cast of candidates come from 11 nations across the globe and represent Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and New Zealand.

12 SPORTS

BENCHMARK EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 249 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

DavNor to bare secrets to successful sports hosting

T done.

he story of Davao Del Norte has been an underrated case of how sports event hosting should be

On Thursday (Feb.4), the secret to the province's success was revealed in the latest installment of the online National Sports Summit series.

Davao Del Norte Sports and Youth Development head Giovanni Gulanes gave the talk at 1 p.m. entitled "Sports in Local Governments (A Model System)".

Gulanes shared to the attendees how "DavNor" was able to effectively host the likes of the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy as well as how the province put up a successful sports program.

“We are excited to showcase DavNor as a model.

Hopefully, it could inspire other leaders and coordinators from different LGU's (local government units) to pursue their own sports de-

velopment programs” Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez said.

Gulanes' webinar was the second of four events for this year's National Sports Summit, which got major support from no less than President Rodrigo Duterte, the Senate through youth and sports committee chairman Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, the House of Representatives through its own committee chief, Rep. John Marvin Nieto, and the Department of Health through Secretary Leonor Briones.

“We are very grateful for the strong support the sports sector has been receiving from the president and members of both houses,” Ramirez said. (PNA)

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez picked the Davao del Norte model in developing local sports. At left is PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey. Edge Davao file photo

FPANDEMIC, P10