Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 255 |Friday, February 12, 2021

MINDANAO, BANGLADESH CELEBRATE LANGUAGE DIVERSITY GAME CHANGER P7 VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

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More than 3,000 SPMC employees express consent to be vaccinated STORY ON PAGE 2

Dancers perform Lion dance inside an establishment along Sta. Ana Avenue in Davao City in this undated photo. Lion dance is a traditional dance in Chinese culture where in a group of performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

NEWS

WE WANT IT

President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with Federative Republic of Brazil Ambassador-designate to the Philippines Antonio José Maria De Souza e Silva after the latter presented his letter of credence to the President at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday nigh. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

More than 3,000 SPMC employees express consent to be vaccinated

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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n official of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) disclosed that more than 3,200 employees of SPMC expressed willingness to be vaccinated for Covid-19.

Dr. Pamela Ferrer, chairperson for the Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee of SPMC, said 60 percent of the healthworkers of SPMC expressed willingness and gave their consent to be vaccinated.

"We assume that if you registered for the Covid-19 vaccination master list, you are willing to be vaccinated.

Kasi part of registering, merong consent yun. Ang final consent for the vaccination is on the day of the vaccination,” she said in a press conference after the Covid-19 vaccination simulation exercise at SPMC on February 10, 2021.

Ferrer said SPMC employees will still have to undergo stringent screening process in ad-

ministering the vaccines.

"On the day of vaccination dun pa malalaman kung eligible sila kasi mag-screening pa man tayo ulit kung eligible sila for vacciantion on that day. Kasi baka may sakit sila on that day, hindi natin alam. Meron tayong pre-screening na gagawin for our SPMC employees on that day kung puwede talaga sila magpa-vaccine,” she said.

The frontline health workers in both national and local and private and public hospitals are among the priority groups or Priority Group “A1” listed by the

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Expansion of DIA passenger terminal set to start this year

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avao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC 11), disclosed that the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing passenger terminal building of Davao International Airport (DIA) is expected to be implemented this year by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The DIA modernization is an unsolicited project proposal by Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corporation of Dabawen-

yo businessman Dennis Uy aiming to expand the facilities of the DIA to improve the airport's operation.

“Two related projects to be implemented by CAAP in 2021 shall be attributed to the DIA modernization are the consultancy service for detailed engineering for passenger terminal building and to the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing passenger terminal building,” Uy said during the Mindanao Speaks Up Forum on Wednesday.

The project is ex-

pected to introduce new airport technologies to enhance passenger’s experience coming in and out of Davao Region.

“And all together improve Mindanao’s air connectivity to the rest of the world,” he said.

NEDA-ICC issued clearance to the unsolicited proposal to modernize DIA in December last year, which gave Chelsea the green light to commence negotiations with the DOTr on the terms of its plan to modernize DIA, which is the primary

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NEWS 3

Deputy Consul Liu Qian and Vice Consul Cao Jianwei hand over to Davao City Administrator Atty. Zuleika T. Lopez Chinese lanterns and two (2) life-size Ox statues donated by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao and Davao City Chinatown Development Council to the city government of Davao. CIO

Duterte ready to work constructively with EU

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resident Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday expressed readiness to work with the European Union (EU) for the “greater good” of the people as he accepted the credentials of newly-installed EU Ambassador to the Philippines Luc Véron.

In a speech in Malacañan Palace, Duterte emphasized the need to continue to reinforce Philippine-EU ties in face of new challenges and opportunities.

“The Philippines and the EU share a deep respect for democracy and the rule of law. This will serve as a solid foundation for robust cooperation on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and benefit. Ours is a long-standing relationship dating back to 1964,” he said.

He said he was encouraged by the launch of the sub-committee on good governance, rule of law and human rights under Manila and EU’s Partnership and Cooperation Agreement last Feb. 5, which serve as a formal platform where views and concerns on issues related to human rights will be raised and discussed.

The next Philippines-EU Sub-Committee meeting is expected to be held in the country in 2022.

“This signifies our shared resolve to implement this landmark agreement notwith-

standing the pandemic,” he said.

Duterte emphasized the need to prioritize efforts to intensify trade and investment through a free trade agreement.

He expressed his desire to partner with the EU to protect and promote all rights of all especially the human rights of migrant workers.

He said the Philippines is willing to further enhance cooperation on climate change and the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“Those most responsible for climate change must be held to account even as we work together to build our communities, resilience, and preparedness,” he said.

Duterte also thanked the EU for its support to the country’s justice sector, peace-building and development efforts in Mindanao, particularly the Bangsamoro.

“Excellency, the Philippines is ready to work constructively with the EU for the greater good of our peoples,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Véron expressed eagerness to pursue the effective implementation of its Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines in all areas.

“By developing closer political relations, we together will strengthen multilateralism and cooperation by binational and global issues. And we

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Davao biz sector aims to reboot, reset in 2021

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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Borrow Act 3, which shall further soften the impact of the economic challenges, brought by the pandemic; advocate that the utility sector shall not implement, any price increases within the year; and appeal to the city

government of Davao to lessen the impact of the business taxes, and the real property taxes last 2020 to further ease of doing business processes in the city.

She said the chamber also hopes to reactivate the momentum of subregional trade as spurred by the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines, East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) thru increased linkages between the business sectors within the sub-region.

“Following the suc-

cessful Manado-Davao Trade Cooperation Webinar, the chamber is looking forward to the resumption of trade cooperation between the two countries,” she said.

Monteverde said to recharge the business industry, workplaces must adapt new ways of doing businesses. In line with this, she said the chamber will continue to hold webinars and trainings that can help businesses scale amidst the challenges brought by the

vince the people to get inoculated.

“First, we would just like to reassure the people that there are safe and effective vaccines coming in the Philippines,” he said.

Second, Cualoping III stressed the importance of fighting fake news.

“To the information officers here, as well as the friends from the media, we will need everyone’s help to fight fake news, to dismiss disinformation,” he said.

Particularly, he referred to the disinforma-

tion regarding the safety, the brands, and the price of the vaccines to be used by the Philippines.

On the safety of the vaccines, he explained that at this point, no deaths can still be attributed to the vaccines as “it’s too early”.

On the issue of brands, he said that the government is not relying on China alone for the vaccine supply, that different countries are tapped for the supply of the vaccines.

As well, dismissing the rumors on price, he

said, “there’s no truth that the price of per dose procuring from a certain brand is 1000 times higher…no country in the world has revealed the price they bought at.”

Continuing on the communication objectives, Cualoping III said, “third, the most important, increase the willingness of people to be vaccinated.”

He cited the decreasing level of the Filipinos’ vaccination acceptance as alarming, since the country needs at least

he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., (DCCCII) is focusing its projects and programs on rebooting, recharging, recovering and resetting in 2021 to help businesses in Davao City recover from the economic downturn experienced last year.

Newly-installed DCCCII President Dr. Malou Monteverde said that in order to reboot, DCCCII will have to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic by supporting the Bayanihan Act 3 or the

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Public, private information network tapped for vaccination campaign

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hilippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary Ramon L. Cualoping III has called on the government information officers as well as the private media to help encourage people to get vaccinated.

During the roll out of the Bakunation campaign in Davao del Norte last February 4, 2021, Cualoping III laid out three communication objectives in order to con-

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PH opens 2021 with 3-million drop in total swine inventory

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Newly-installed Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCCII) president Dr. Malou Monteverde says Davao City business sector need to regain the momentum it had before the pandemic by touching base and strengthen with Davao City Sister City Agreements and its existing chamber to chamber partnership and forge new local and international linkages. Edge Davao

Group launches online portal to boost MSME resilience

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private foundation backed by some of the most prominent business leaders in the Philippines launched on Wednesday an online portal that aims to help small businesses become more resilient.

The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) said the SIKAP portal offers a variety of resources to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that will guide

them to be more resilient in crisis situations.

"SIKAP is a free onestop digital hub which offers online mentoring for MSMEs...This is to help small businesses

to bounce back from the pandemic," said PDRF president Rene Meily.

"We named this platform SIKAP because all the opportunities are there for you. But at the end of the day, it all depends on your action.

Your business success and resilience all depend on what you will do," said Limitless Lab CEO Joie Cruz.

Limitless Lab is PDRF's design for SIKAP.

Once they sign in, MSMEs will have access to articles, resources, mentorships, networking opportunities and learning events to help propel their ventures.

Cruz said they also made an effort to "gamify" the system for MSMEs, awarding them with small incentives like special badges to motivate them to improve and make their businesses more resilient.

until June 30, 2021.

Asked why one-fourth of Bayanihan 2 funds remain unused, Duterte said, "I don’t think there’s any justification for not spending it at the time when people need it, but let’s just say that we need a little more time to spend it."

Around P53 billion or almost half of the Bayanihan 2 dunds were allocated for the support of medical workers tending to COVID-19 patients.

But last week, a group of workers from 3 government hospitals protested the delay of their allowances.

"I’m in the process of communicating now with the finance section of the Department of Health," Roque said.

"We’re verifying if in fact there’s a delay, and we’re reminding them

that people have been suspended for the delay and that more people might be suspended unless it is forthcoming. But let’s give them time to answer first," he added.

BAYANIHAN 3 House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco and Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo filed last week a bill seeking a third, P420-billion stimulus package dubbed as Bayanihan 3.

Sen. Grace Poe said Wednesday she would like to know where funds would be sourced for Bayanihan 3, and how these would be spent.

The country's debt is currently at P10 trillion, with P2 trillion more set in 2022, she said.

"That’s a factor to be considered and that is a factor being considered

by Secretary Dominguez.

And that is why while we appreciative of Bayanihan 3, we’re saying, perhaps, it’s a bit premature as of yet," said Roque.

Economic managers would like to refrain from following the example of Malaysia which borrowed heavily "because we want the flexibility to have the money when we actually need it," he said.

The Philippine government has so far amassed a total of USD13.34 billion or approximately P640.96 billion in loans for its COVID-19 response, DOF data as of Dec. 15, 2020 show.

The amount of loans nearly doubled since July 1, 2020, when total government loans for COVID-19 response stood at USD7.73 billion (approximately P371.67 billion).

One-fourth of Bayanihan 2 funds yet to be spent, says Malacañang

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he government has yet to spend about a quarter of the country's second, approximately P165-billion stimulus package for the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said on Wednesday, adding that another cash injection remained "premature."

Economic managers are "not sure" if a third stimulus package is necessary because "25 percent of Bayanihan 2 still has to be spent and number 2, of course, we have trillions of pesos in stimulus package embedded already in the 2021 Budget," said Palace spokesman Harry Roque.

Bayanihan 2 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act allows the President to realign funds to address the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. He has extended the legislation's validity

he Philippines opened 2021 with a 3-million drop in the total swine inventory, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported, as the government scrambles to boost supply amid the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

Preliminary data released by the PSA showed that the total swine inventory was estimated at 9.72 million heads as of January 01, 2021 versus the 12.80 million reported the previous year. Broken down, 71.1% were raised in backyard farms while the remaining 28.9% were from commercial farms.

The top three sources of inventory were Regions VI (Western Visayas) accounting for 12.5% with 1.211 million heads; VII (Central Visayas) accounting for 12.1% or 1.176 million heads, and IVA (Calabarzon) accounting for 11.0% or 1.064 million heads.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier

blamed the storms in the last quarter of 2020 and the ASF outbreak for the decline in the supply and the recent spike in prices of agricultural goods such as pork and chicken, among others.

Latest data available from the DA's price monitoring shows prevailing prices of pork ham (kasim) at P270 per kilogram and pork belly (liempo) at P300 per kilogram as of Tuesday, February 09, following the implementation of the price cap on February 08 which mandated the ceiling at the same prices.

Prior to this, prevailing prices of kasim were at P350 per kilogram, and liempo at P380 per kilogram as of last Friday, February 05.

The government is also looking to increase the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork to 388,790 metric tons (MT) this year from the current 54,000 MT to augment local supply as the DA project a deficit of 400,000 MT.

Asia-Pacific businesses press for unified action vs. pandemic

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usiness leaders from 21 Asia-Pacific economies discussed at this week’s virtual meeting ways to unitedly tackle coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and rebuild the region’s economies, according to the APEC Business Advisory Council’s (ABAC) release issued and received here Wednesday.

"We are living through the crisis of a century, and strength comes from our determination to work together," ABAC chair Rachel Taulelei said.

"Overcoming the current adversity, whether it is by restoring public health, reopening borders, securing economic recovery, or achieving more equitable communities, demands constructive, creative, and above all, collaborative approaches," she said.

Taulelei emphasized that the need for such coordinated thinking has been brought home very vividly by the spectre of vaccine export restrictions.

"It remains true, as it has been since the start of this crisis, that we all remain vulnerable if any of us remains vulnerable," she cautioned.

Taulelei made the remarks after the first ABAC meeting of 2021 that was opened with an address from Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.

“The focus this year at ABAC is on people, place, and prosperity -- the three elements that are all essential to creating the kind of societies we want to live in," she said.

"Inclusion for all people is our North Star – so we will be working on how to ensure access for all to Covid vaccinations, essential goods and food supplies; how small businesses can operate on a level playing field; and how to empower women and indigenous populations for success," she added.

To achieve a prosperous region, especially after the body-blows of 2020, Taulelei said demands that the most fundamental of APEC goals are free and open markets.

"That means building a seamless free trade area of the Asia-Pacific and championing the World Trade Organization, including initiatives to keep supply chains functioning and trade flowing as well as the reopening of borders and resumption of travel that will revive the region’s economic growth," she said.

Taulelei said the requisite efforts to encourage economic recovery should be supported by the practice of digital economy.

"Digital tools are fundamental to resilience, sustainability, and inclu-

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ECONOMY 5

EDGEDAVAO

Feel the love and luck. Know your fortune through 2021 Lucky Forecast Panels or score Valentine gift and items at the Luck and Love Fair at the Annex Event Center in SM City Davao until February 14. Photo from SM City Davao

No backlogs on DTI’s T CARES loan evaluation

DTI suspends consolidation of Covid vaccine orders from biz

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said its financing arm, Small Business (SB) Corp., has accelerated the process to apply and approve loans under the Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) program.

In a statement Wednesday, Lopez said SB Corp. has streamlined the application processes for micro, small and medium enterprises that would like to avail the ze-

ro-interest CARES loan.

He added SB Corp. has already adopted a complete online application and evaluation process, which includes the use of electronic signature.

Upon approval, releasing of loans also shifted to digital transactions.

Lopez added DTI’s financing arm can complete loan evaluation within seven days, or even faster if the documents are complete.

“There is currently no backlog on its loan evaluation work contrary to what other reports say.

We are even promoting the program to more MSMEs applicants,” the DTI chief said.

he government will continue its efforts to safely further reopen the economy to mitigate hunger among Filipinos affected by the lockdowns due to the

coronavirus pandemic, the country’s chief economist said Wednesday.

During the Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) team's visit to San Juan City, So-

cioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said they now have to make a “better balance” between not just the health and the economy, but also between

SB Corp. president and chief executive Ma. Luna Cacanando said her office has approved 21,659 CARES applications amounting to PHP2.35 billion in loans as of Feb. 9.

Last week, SB Corp. said it approved some PHP2.27 billion worth of loans from 21,358 applicants.

About PHP2 billion in loans from 19,601 applicants were released as of

the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases and those who are suffering from other diseases or hunger.

He cited the latest

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has suspended the consolidation of orders for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine from small and medium enterprises, Secretary Ramon Lopez said Wednesday.

Lopez said there were around 10 companies that tapped DTI for the procurement of vaccines, mostly for their workers only, even as the DTI has yet to come up with the guidelines for the consolidation of vaccine orders.

He added the orders

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Converge says ‘doubled’ fiber network in 2020

NEDA pushes for gradual, C safe reopening of economy T FNEDA, P10

from the 10 SMEs are “minimal quantity” and these can be covered by the vaccine purchases of the government.

“But (the) latest from (the) vaccine committee is we suspend the consolidation since there will be more than enough government purchases and current tripartite agreements to cover vaccination of all front-liners including the economic front-liners and workers,” he told reporters in Viber message.

Big firms procured

onverge said Wednesday it "doubled" its fiber network and residential customer growth last year from 2019 as it ramped up its expansion.

The fixed-line broadband provider installed 28,300 kilometers of fiber optic cables last year, bringing its fiber network to over 55,000 km.

This fiber connection is available to 2.7 million

fiber-to-the-home ports for broadband customers nationwide, Converge said.

The company also added over 1 million residential customers last year, more than 529,000 it added in 2019.

This expanded Converge's customer base to 6.1 million homes, which is 25 percent of total households in the coun-

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On the more than 3,000 or 60 percent of the healthworkers of SPMC expressing their willingness and giving consent to be vaccinated for Covid-19: We assume that if you registered for the Covid-19 vaccination master list, you are willing to be vaccinated. Kasi part of registering, merong consent yun. Ang final consent for the vaccination is on the day of the vaccination.”

Dr. Pamela Ferrer

Chairperson, SPMC Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee

EDITORIAL Insensitivity, disrespect Senator Manny Pacquiao is a global boxing icon who will be remembered for generations to come with his exploits in the boxing ring.

His venture into politics is also exceeding expectations which had silenced the boisterous critics when he first announced he is entering public service. Hence, it is no surprise that Senator Pacquiao is being considered this early as a possible Presidential candidate.

It’s too early to tell and given the fact that he is an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, it is debatable whether he will pursue this path without considering the fact that the latter may have other plans.

What is surprising of late is actually not the fact that the eight-division world champion is on the list of Presidentiables but the recent development that he was stripped of his World Boxing Association welterweight title.

The WBA designated Pacquiao “champion in recess”

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last week and elevated their top contender, Yordenis Ugas to the “Super” or “World Champ” designation.

Part of the reason for this has been Pacquiao’s delayed ring return due to the Covid 19 pandemic. It shut the sport down for 90 days worldwide since March last year. Boxing made a return for bouts in the U.S. with either no fans or very few of them at championship bouts.

Thus, “live gate” revenue has become virtually non-existent.

So, Pacquiao and others understandably have waited and waited for that element to get better and to increase.

To strip Manny of the title is utterly insensitive of the WBA. The fact that boxing was generally in recess should have been the primary consideration of the world boxing body. Likewise, Manny has given so much for the sport to be treated with such disrespect.

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GAME CHANGER

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Mindanao, Bangladesh celebrate language diversity

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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indanaoans are one with Bangladesh in celebrating International Mother Language Day.

bserved by Bangladeshis every February 21st, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared it as a special day for the promotion of multilingualism, and cultural and linguistic diversity.

For reference, Bangladesh used to be East Pakistan while today’s Pakistan used to be West Pakistan.

When the Dominion of Pakistan was created in 1947 through the partition of India, Bangladesh became part of Pakistan. The new nation included many linguistic and ethnic groups, most of which spoke Bengali. The government of the Dominion of Pakistan ordered that Urdu would be the official language.

The government of the then Pakistan decided that Urdu would be the only state language of Pakistan, however, the Bengalis, the majority population of Pakistan whose mother tongue is Bangla, protested and demanded that both Urdu and Bangla be the official languages. He said students came out in protest in Dha-

ka on February 21, 1952 and many were killed on the street by police firing.

“We in Mindanao join Bangladesh not only in celebrating this important event but as well as in honoring the patriots who passionately fought for this. Language is the essence of our culture. It identifies who we are as a people and it builds sense of being one as a community or as a region,” said Joji Ilagan Bian, Honorary Consul Bangladesh – Mindanao.

Linguists say that people learn their first language from their mothers. The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) reiterates that continuing to study the mother tongue after childhood helps everyone to learn how to value culture and heritage.

Bian said maintaining the first language is critical to everyone’s identity and contributes to a positive self-concept.

“Bangladesh showed how important to them that their native tongue ‘Bangla’ be spoken by their own people and their difficult journey to achieve this. There

are many instances that we take our native tongue for granted because we never have to fight for it . It was spoken at the instance we were born,” she said.

She added that Mindanao is a melting pot of many native tongues because many migrants found their ‘heaven and their home’

here in Mindanao. Despite these different mother tongues the love for Davao Region and Mindanao still prevailed because of the strong community spirit and the high level of resiliency and flexibility of Mindanawans.

“In Davao Region we speak Tagalog and Bisaya

and even the Dabawenyo ethnic dialect then we have the ‘Ilonggos’ predominantly in some areas in Region 12 and the Muslim language of our Muslim brothers,” she said.

In a statement, Ambassador Asad Alam Siam of Bangladesh to the Philippines stated that every year

Bangladesh observes February 21st as ‘Shahid Dibash’ or the ‘Day of Martyrs’ with deep respect and remember the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this day in 1952 to establish their right to speak in Bangla, their mother language.

Eventually Bangla did become the official lan-

guage of Pakistan, but the sad event flared the Bengali nationalism. Under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh emerged independent through a ninemonth long liberation war.

“As we celebrate the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of the Bangladesh’s independence this year, 21st February holds more significance in 2021 because it was on this day we realized that the very essence of our culture and identity was at stake.

Bangladesh; which means ‘the country where Bangla is spoken’, perhaps, is the only country in the world is known by its language. This

reflects our passionate love for our mother tongue that represents our cultural heritage of thousands of years,” he said.

For him, language is not only a means through which people communicate, it is also a medium that carries our age-old heritage from the ancestors.

“It connects people, time, and generations. Like a river, language also has its own course: it adapts, adopts, and morphs. It too thrives or dies. In this world, every year, many languages become extinct. And with them, die the knowledge and the wisdom that they carry: the myths, the legends, the folklores, the emotions, the sounds, the symbols – the entire evolu-

tion,” he said.

On the International Mother Language Day, Siam urged everyone to celebrate all the languages of the world and pay homage to all mother tongues, equally.

"We value each one of them with its own traditions, creative wealth, wisdom, sounds, symbols and emotions. They are our common irreplaceable heritage.

As we pay our deepest respect to our language martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in 1952 for our rights to speak in Bangla. Let us all cherish our mother tongue.

And in doing so, let us remind ourselves once again, that however diverse we may look—in essence—we are all one,” Siam said.

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COMMUNITY SENSE

DSWD holds blessing ceremony of new residential care facility T agum City, Davao del Norte – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI recently held the blessing of the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN) as one of the highlights of its 70th anniversary celebration.

In attendance were DSWD XI Regional Director Raquel E. Nuñez, along with the members of the regional management committee, and Assistant Secretary Rodolfo M. Encabo of the Disaster Response Management Group who represented the officials of DSWD Central Office.

Governor Edwin I. Jubahib together with Mayor Allan L. Rellon and some members of the City Council also graced the event.

“We extend our utmost appreciation to the local government for their support to this project,” Assistant Regional Director for Operations Merlinda A. Paragamac said in her message.

The CCSN is the first and only DSWD-man-

aged facility in Mindanao that will cater to children with special needs.

“Despite the many challenges, the local government never hesitated to be one with the department in its goal of promoting the social welfare of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors,” Ms. Paragamac added.

The city government of Tagum donated more or less four thousand square meters of land to the department where the residential care facility now stands.

The CCSN, in its full operation, will have a bed capacity of 60.

Apart from the CCSN, DSWD XI is managing the Reception and Study Center for Children located in Bajada, Davao City

Water service interruption in some Matina areas February 16 to 17, 2021

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avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption from 9:00 PM of Tuesday, February 16, 2021 until 5:00 AM of Wednesday, February 17, 2021 affecting some Matina areas, particularly, Coca-Cola Village, Morales Village, and Palanca Village.

DCWD needs to temporarily shut off the water supply in the affected areas to give way to the tapping of the District Metered Area (DMA) inlet pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the Dumoy WSS DMA Project.

This project is among DCWD’s strategies to reduce non-revenue water or water loss.

On behalf of the DCWD management, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the schedule. Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes

smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

DCWD conducts flushing after service works are completed.

However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. Do not drink tap water immediately but if needed, boil water beforehand as safety precaution.

For more details on this water service interruption and other concerns pertaining to DCWD’s services and operation, the general public may visit DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov.ph) and official Facebook page ( w w w. f a c e b o o k . com/davaowater) or contact its 24/7 call center through the 24-hour hotlines 235-DCWD (3293), 0927-7988966, 09255113293, or 09084410653 or chat support in DCWD’s Facebook page or website. (John Lester Noel D. Ferolino)

DSWD Assistant Secretary Rodolfo M. Encabo and Mayor Allan L. Rellon cutting the ribbon during the ceremony for the blessing of the Center for Children with Special Needs (CCSN). that caters to abandoned, neglected, and/or surrendered children up to 6 years old; the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth, a residential facil-

ity in Mintal, Davao City which offers care and rehabilitation to children in conflict with the law; the Home for Girls and Women, a facility located

in Maa, Davao City that provides protection, care, treatment, and rehabilitation to abused and exploited girls and women; and the Home for the

Aged, a haven in Visayan Village, Tagum City for unattached, abandoned, neglected, and homeless older persons aged 60 years old and above.

lor sa kita sa atong mga kaigsoonan karon tungod sa nagmahal ang presyo sa mga palaliton labina sa pagkaon. Importante kini nga solbaron kay gikinahanglan nato ang saktong pagkaon ilabina sa panahon nga naay pandemya,"

Librado-Morata said. The resolution proposes for the local government to buy the produce of the farmers, then sell said products to consumers at a subsidized amount.

Apart from the produce of farmers, the resolution also seeks to mitigate the situation of hog raisers. It further aims to provide subsidies to local hog farmers whose livelihood were adversely affected not only by the Covid-19 pandemic but also by the outbreak of the African Swine Flu (ASF).

"Recently, nagkataas ang inflation rate sa tibuok nasud. Buot pasabot, isa ka epekto ani kay nagkaubos sab ang kapasidad sa mga tawo nga magpalit og mga produkto. Labing apektado niini ang mga mamumuo ug kasagarang mga inahan nga nagabadyet sa mga panginahanglan sa pamilya," the Councilor explained.

The resolution likewise called the attention of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate and regulate the prices of pork and other meat products.

City Council approves resolution urging gov’t subsidy to bring down prices of pork and other essential goods

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avao City— Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata, Sangguniang Panlungsod Chair of Committee on Labor and Employment Opportunities, passed today a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION URGING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUBSIDIES TO OUR LOCAL HOG FARMERS AND SMALL ENTREPRENEURS/TRADERS IN THIS TIME OF RISING PRICES OF PORK AND OTHER MEAT PRODUCTS. The said resolution, certified as urgent by Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, was immediately approved today, February 9, 2021.

In her privilege speech last session, Councilor Pamela Librado- Morata highlighted how the rising prices of pork, chicken, vegetables, and other essential goods had forced several families to budget tighter to bring food on the table. The resolution aims to alleviate the situation of both consumers and vendors amid soaring prices, particularly in the current context where

Davaoeños are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic. This is primarily to help small farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, and consumers burdened by the increase in prices.

"Nagkagamay ang ba-

9 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

LIFESTYLE

VALENTINE EXPRESSIONS

FEBRUARY is all about love, and while we may still be quarantining during this time, love and luck is still in the air, its just a matter of how you celebrate it safely and mindfully. Here are some ways of celebrating Valentines Day.

PRETTY LITTLE BAUBLES Share your love with these silver baubles and charms from Argento del Salvador (AdS).

The latest collection from AdS features heart-shaped and flower charms surrounded by various gemstones like Jade, Tiger’s Eye, Onyx, and Amazonite. You can go a bit more extravagant with Argento del Salvador’s Silver Waterfront Insular Davao Hotel’s Swee-tier High Tea set is Charm Bracelets that come in good for two and features many of the hotel’s iconic cakes three tones of silver, yellow gold Enjoy a private evening with a four-course dinner sent directly to your room at Seda Abreeza. and pastries. and rose gold.

To make a statement check the AdS Chunky Charm Bracelet.

Only a maximum of three can be produced annually because the charms are collected from areas the designer to. Eachby According to the bank help capture those emitted cover an estimated area of “greenbelt,” which acts “as Text andtravel photos chunky charm bracelet is unique report, the Philippines is carbon dioxide from going about five million hectares. a composite natural buffer TACIO “already experiencing tem- to the atmosphere. UnfortuMarine experts traced against storm surge, rise in and is HENRYLITO a stunner in its ownD. right. perature increases; sea nately, these ecosystems, to- the rapid disappearance both seawater and air temCheck out Argento del Sallevel rise; stronger storms, gether with coral reefs, con- of seagrasses to various peratures, seawater acidifihey may be 100 times fast in storing vador on Instagram to see the floods, and droughts; and tinue to degrade and, “in the destructive disturbances cation, flooding and pollucarbon dioxide than those forests ocean acidification, all of face of natural catastrophes, caused by both natural and tion.” entire collection.

HOW MANGROVES CAN HELP MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE

T

will intensify and afgrowing in the uplands, but seagrass which fect subsistence livelihoods DATE NIGHT,and DONE RIGHT BUILD SHOE CLOSET meadows mangrove forestsHER areA not as well as urban and coastal Share a loved-up evening with Valentines is not only for the given the attention they most deserve. In areas.”

Climate change that special someone at Seda young and unmarried.

Tell Dr. Robert Watson, fact, they are fast disappearing!

are at great risk of being lost man-induced influences.

The country’s manin the new few decades,” Dr. Among the natural threats groves, for instance, can Fortes warned. are typhoons, tidal waves potentially sequester 0.2 In 1918, the country’s and volcanic activity. billion metric tons of carbon mangroves were estimated Man-made causes Giving in- her or aan equivalent of cleaning custom shoe cabinet for her to cover 5,000 square kilo- clude industrialization, shoe de- collection the air from carbon emisis a sure way to her heart.

Abreeza with their Assisted Buf- your wife “I love you” with aa chairman of the Inter- meters. By 1970, they had velopment of recreational sions of 3 million cars). The “They areEnjoy at great risk you ly carbon from theshoe atmoPanel on dwindled to 2,800 square areas along the coast, dredgmangrove forests Chinese can also fet at Misto. the dishes custom-built closetgovernmental from not check out dusitD2’s of being lost and if the trend sphere and oceans. The Climate Change (IPCC), a kilometers and to 2,420 ing, and mining which led to reduce the height of big love at Misto for Php 1,280net Merlgen Euro Designs.

New Year offerings? continues at current rates, a coastal “blue carbon ecosys- United Nations body which square kilometers a decade heavy siltation in estuarine waves by 75% and substanper person on February 13 andtems” sequester Many Filipino womenbecame con- a co-recipient of later.

Café unfolds a difurther 30-40% of seagrassthese emitareas, resulted in lower pro-Madayaw tially increase biological es and unprotectin goingan the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, “All over the country, ductivity and even burialwide of array 14, 2021nearly from all 6pm to 9pm. ted carbon fesseddioxide to the owning average of Chinese signature versity. ed mangroves could be lost to the atmosphere as these explained climate change whatever coastal province seagrasses, according to a theassisted other, buffet, the seafor ayears,” specialdeyet are stored of 40 pairs of shoes. specialtiesOn in an in Planning the next 100 in the plantsWhy insothese words: ““Climate you visit, you see the same report from the Department grass beds have the potensafe wayDr.toMiguel celebrate Valentine’s many? Lifestyle dictates change the needis very simple. We plight – desolate stretch- of Environment and Natural from February 12 to 13, 5:30 plored D. Fortes, and sediment.

As a result, tial of sequestering 0.02 a marine scientist andsomeau- they help mitigate climateThere areisincreasing emissions of es of shoreline completely Resources.

Day with your special for proper dressing. a PM tobillion 8:30 PM. Guests willof carmetric tons thor of several books and change impacts. greenhouse gases and thus stripped of mangrove cover Ignored bon (cleaning the air offood carone?

Seda Abreeza presents an pair or two for every occasion. surely enjoy classic Chinese Prettytheir baublesmassive technical articles in referThe global community their concentrations in the and now totally exposed to Despite bon equivalent to that from intimate and special dinner inestablished Sandals slip-ons for casual favorites like the classic Dimsum eed journals. theor Internationatmosphere are going up. the pounding of the ocean’s importance, both manand charms emissions of 270,000 cars). of the coastal Carbon Initiative, As workthese concentrations in- waves,” a Filipino environ- groves and fromseagrasses Argento have the Part privacy of your ownecoroom.al Blue days, trainers for the gym, selection, dishes onto Theywith can added also add oxygen systems, seagrass meadows a transdisciplinary, global crease, the temperature of mentalist decries. been ignored in the past. del Salvador From February 13 to 14, you can ing shoes, party shoes and pairs the menu that are inspired by seawater aside from aeratand mangrove forests have program that coordinates the earth rises.”

“Mangroves in the Phil- “In the Philippines, never fail to scientifing it and and maintaining enjoy for formal soirees. other local internationalfavornaturala delectable capacity tofour-course seques- the International Group Examples of greenhouse ippines have long been ic understanding impress andof carbon able water temperatures. In ter andspecially store prepared enormousby of Experts gases include carbon diox- ‘ecologically disturbed’ by sequestration and potential dinner So on whyBlue not Carbon gift her a proper dishes.

This Celebratory Chinese express s amounts of so-called “blue (IGEBC). The latter has for- ide, methane, and nitrous rampant cutting for timber emissions fromone’ coastal eco- addition, they remove carSeda Abreeza’s Culinary Team, place to store her precious Feast is priced at Php 1600 net carbon” in their sediments. mulated an action agenda to oxide.

“Our lifestyle has products and massive con- systems love. is still insufficient bon dioxide from seawater.

“The Philippines has a round of sparkling footwear, properly designed by the accumulation of version of forests into aqua- to develop effective carbon per person.

“As carbon sinks,beverage, they “identify effective, efficient led to enormous are breakfast a cheap the andnext readily and politically acceptable greenhouse gases the they at- want culture the inpolicy, management, plus day. ResMerlgen. Merlgen can assist much in space for ponds,” what read Insular Davao Hotel’s Swee-tier andDusit’s signaturecoastal authenticblue available natural resource approaches to reduce the mosphere,” a fact sheet on troduction and overview of conservation incentives for carbon resources useful ervations highly encouraged. their clients in the designs of purpose, followed the by the layout High Tea, a three selection of Thai Benjarong, is set in sequestering carbon diuseful inaremitigating the atmospheric concentration climate change explained.

“State of the Mangrove coastaltierBlue Carbon,” he restaurant, For inquiries and of reservations, theirdioxide.” customized smart stortheheat cabinets, the choice the hotel’s best desserts perfectly an interesting negative impacts cli- of carbon oxide from the culinary global at“These gasesoftrap from then Summit.” wrote in a briefing paper.to offer mate change,” explained Dr. Recent studies conductthe sun, making the earth The seagrasses, thrivBlueteacarbon was fusion ac- mosphere,” simply call or text Seda Abreeza age space.

The initial design of materials. paired with brewed or coffee for the wholereminded month of Dr. Fortes, the first Filipino to ed by the United Nations warmer. Manifestations of ing between coral reefs and knowledged globally only in Fortes. “However, it has also at 0917-851-7302. consultation would tackle the “The biggest shoe closet we served alfresco.

Share it along February.

Diners will their receive the prestigious In- Environment Program and a warmer world include ris- mangroves, fare no better. 2009. “The common drivers the potential to have add carbon “needs and wants”for first, ing howmean temperatures, customized sea for a clients two with some needed catchcravings satisfied with a blend of ternational Biwako Prize International Union “In thehas Philippines, 30% to much of conversion and degradadioxide into the atmosphere for Ecology. “Once they Conservation of Nature level rise and increase 50% of seagrass has been bluefriend carbon if it curated does notChinese manage and well its cabinets withintwelve shelves ing up with tion yourofclose or ecosyscarefully are degraded or destroyed, found that, when healthy the frequency and intensity lost in the last 50 years,” tems are largely driven by coastal blue carbon ecosyseach. It can accommodate about with someone special.

Thai dishes, made with premium their blue carbon stores are mangrove forests, saltwater of extreme weather events pointed out Dr. Fortes. human activities,” Dr. Fortes tems.”

48 pairs,” said Honeylet Waterfront Insular DavaotoHoand handpicked ingredients. released as carbon dioxide marshlands and seagrasses like droughts and greater To Lim, think, the Philippines said, referring aquaculDr. Fortes believed the and contribute to global cli- are “extremely effective” at rainfall.” hasEuro the second ture, agriculture, mangrove manager of Merlgen De- highest tel’s numSwee-tier High Tea is availThis aPhilippines la carte special is available could still remate change.” storing atmospheric carbon, “Continued emission ber of seagrass species in forest exploitation, terres- verse the loss of mangroves signs.Providing a good storage able daily for the whole month from Tuesdays to Thursdays, Dr. Fortes said that the thereby mitigating climate of greenhouse gases will the world. The country is trial and marine sources and seagrasses. “An imspace is partand of a shoe’s February pollution for only Php from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM. current rates of loss of these change consequences. cause further warming homeproper to 16 of theofworld’s and 599.00, industrial and proved scientific and sociecosystems may result in “Climate change is oc- long-lasting care. changes 50 hard seagrasses; Western coastal You in all all worked to ownonlygood for twourban to share.

Formanagement. inquiForetal reservations and inquiries, understanding of the 0.15 to 1.02 billion tons of curring now and will inten- components of the climate Australia has more – with “Greenbelt” a the dream pair of shoes, so you underlying mechanisms ries and reservations, call (082) email fb.reservations@dusitcarbon dioxide released an- sify in the next few decades, system, increasing the like- 17 species.

But there is good news. that conserve coastal ecomightpervasive as well take good of said233all2881 local 8700. davao.com or call (082) 322 7000 nually. “Hence, it is imper- threatening in particular lihood of severe, Dr.care Fortes 16 to 83 According to Dr. Fortes, systems are at hand,” he ative that these blue carbon developing nations, with the and irreversible impacts seagrass species are wide- approximately a kilomeit. or (082) 322 7500. ecosystems be conserved Philippines being one of the for people and ecosystems,” ly distributed from Bolinao ter-wide strip of seagrass said. “The blue carbon focus YEARand IS mangroveOf course, even thepartnerships simplest could enhance and well-managed,” he sug- most vulnerable countries contends an IPCC report.

Bay in the north, CHINESE Palawan NEW (seaward) in improving resilience AFTERNOON ABOUT LOVE TOO vegetation runs call saying “I love you.” means of gested. in the world,” said the World Mangroves and sea- TEA and IN theTHE Cebu-Bohol-Siqui(landward) communities towards a blue “Blue carbon ecosys- Bank report, “Getting a Grip grasses jor area at the center, andthe practically all along GARDEN With Chinese New Year the Philthe world in this time of social economy in the face of clitems” on Climate Change in the Both mangrove forests Zamboanga and Davao in ippine coastline. your February beingbeds celebratedHe at almost the this distancing.

Happy safe ValenDusitBlue Hotel’scarbon signatureisauthentic Benjarong offers a fusion ofand dishes actual-Thai restaurant, Philippines.” seagrassMake meadows can the afternoons south. Seagrass considered as mate change.”

for Chinese New Year all month long.

extra sweet with Waterfront

same time as Valentines, why

tines everyone!

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

WE WANT IT... FROM2

EXPANSION... FROM2

ASIA-PACIFIC... FROM4

Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the list of priority population groups for the immunization of Covid-19 vaccines in the country.

Meanwhile, the simulation exercise was highlighted with the arrival of (dummy) vaccines at the Davao International Airport (DIA) then brought to SPMC wherein two boxes containing 5,000 doses of (dummy) Covid-19 vaccines were simulated and stored at the Metrobank Foundation Molecular Laboratory at SPMC. On the other hand, Dr. Annabelle Yumang, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH 11) all local government units (LGUs) in the Davao Region are now ready in accommodating specific storage requirements of the Covid-19 vaccines: "Mao na siya ang kasagaran nato na vaccine refrigerators up to the municipal level.

Kana atuang vaccine refriegrators nga naay temperature nga +2 to +8 ang iyahang temeprature requirement,

mu-abot gyud na siya sa kada-munisipyo kay mao naman na ang atuang vaccine refrigerator nga gihatag and it is already available sa atuang mga Rural Health Units or sa tagsa-tagsa nato ka mga munisipyo,” Yumang said.

Dr. Ashley Lopez, City Health Officer, said Davao City can now accommodate the initial deliveries of the Covid-19 Vaccines for Davao and Region 11 with the procured ultra-low freezer situated at the Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory.

The freezer has the capacity to store 35,000 vials.

"So if needed or necessary to augment to the capacity of storage with the SPMC in the region, puwede nato ipagamit because we have already the go signal from Mayor Sara. It was already assessed by the DOH and the FDA the other day and I think that will suffice for the initial Covid-19 vaccine deliveries that we have,” Lopez said.

Yumang said actual vaccines are expected to arrive in the country third or fourth week of the month.

gateway to Mindanao.

The rehabilitation aims to increase international traffic thus the proponent plans to partner with an airport operator with an international network to facilitate new route development by working with the government to develop new

routes.

The proposed developments for DIA include a parallel taxiway, reconfiguration and expansion of the passenger terminal building, land-side and air-side improvements, and introduction of new airport information technology (IT). Maya Padillo

70% of the Filipinos to be vaccinated in order for the country to go back to the “old normal preCOVID”.

According to his data, last September, 66% of Filipinos were willing to be vaccinated. In November, it lowered to 47%.

And in December, only

25% of the Filipinos have shown the willingness to be inoculated.

sion. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, can unleash even greater opportunities – but we need a trusted, interoperable enabling environment to realize that potential," she reiterated.

Taulelei said the APEC Putrajaya Vision, agreed

by APEC Leaders late last year, provided an imper-

ative to act.

"The vision calls for an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040. The road to get there will not be easy, but the business of business is solving problems – and ABAC is ready and eager for the challenge," she said. (Antara)

Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that almost one-fourth of residents in the National Capital Region (NCR) are hungry, while the figure is “much less” outside NCR. Chua, also acting director general of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), attributed the higher number of hungry people in the NCR to a more stringent quarantine status in the area.

“Thirty percent of the people still cannot go to work and 50 percent of the people cannot take public transport. That is why we are working very hard to manage the risk and see how we can balance it better so that we can gradually open up.

Because my fear is, the effect on the people, especially the poor, can be permanent, the scarring can be permanent,” he added. (PNA)

next two games to take out the fourth set.

Following his loss, Tiafoe admitted that the time violation called on him "broke the match".

"Hats off to him, but that was a terrible ending to the match, to such a high-quality match," he said.

"Could I have handled it better? Yes. That just broke me. I'm out there battling World No. 1, and like he needs any more help, you know."

Despite Tiafoe's pleas both during and after the match, American tennis legend Jim Courier laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of the 23-year-

old.

partnerships, bring more investments to Davao and boost the local economy.

Monteverde said Davao business sector needs to prepare for the great reset in order to manage the direct consequences brought by the pandemic, rebuild the economy sustainably, and to promote a more inclusive recovery.

She said DCCCII vows to continue to work with its partners under the Davao Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (DRIIC) in conducting a Business Impact Survey (BIS) in order to get the real picture of the impact of the pandemic on the business community, particularly on MSMEs to help them develop innovations and ways forward for business recovery and continuity amidst the pandemic.

“The chamber shall continue to work with its partner government and non- government institutions, peoples organizations and other entities, in supporting Davao City’s investment promotions, national governments priority projects and its “Buy Lokal” activities and support the industries that are most affected this pandemic and assist them in pivoting their business models for the reset in doing business in the new normal,” she said.

nance and human rights.

The EU with its business community is also the first foreign investor to the Philippines,” he said.

The Ambassador also cited how the EU has recently established a Strategic Partnership with Asean and is looking forward to engaging closely with the Philippines during its role as Asean coordinator for dialogue with EU starting in August.

On global warming, he said the EU is at the forefront of international efforts to fight climate change and share strategic interest with the Philippines on environment.

(PNA

There is no need to worry about loan repayments for one year. There is also no need to worry about escalating financing costs," Lopez said.

CARES program is an interest-free and collateral-free loan offered to MSMEs, cooperatives, and tourism businesses that have been in operation for one year. (PNA)

pandemic.

“It is also among the plans to host virtual and hopefully soon face-toface business matching events. This includes more events similar to the virtual Davao Agri Trade Expo Exhibit to help boost the agriculture sector,” she said.

Monteverde said DCCCII also hopes to provide an environment conducive to capacity- building, innovation and digitalization that will help the micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adapt and thrive in the new normal.

“We shall push for a digital platform for its processes, events and link Dabawenyos with enhanced e-Commerce technology through their Lazada business online platform partnership,” she said.

She said Davao business sector need to regain the momentum it had before the pandemic by touching base and strengthen with Davao City Sister City Agreements and its existing chamber to chamber partnership and forge new local and international linkages.

She cited the 2021 Davao Investment slated in June this year and the ongoing Buy Local campaign to bring together potential buyers, investors and industry experts or in-person to build

will be true to our shared pledge to a rules-based international order,” Véron said.

He said the EU is working with the Philippines to expand trade and investment, to promote maritime security, and to maintain open and safe shipping routes.

He cited how the EU and the Philippines have developed a strong economic and trade partnership.

“Since 2014, the EU has provided the Philippines with preferential trade access to the EU market based on sustainable development, principles, good gover-

Feb. 2, the DTI’s financing arm said.

“We encourage all MSMEs across the country in all regions to consider taking the step in reopening or reconfiguring your respective businesses.The features of the Bayanihan CARES loan are intended to allow entrepreneurs to restart their businesses with ample elbow room.

Carmela Gamboa as the chief for events council, Jerry Yee for technical and coaches, Prof. Robert Calo for refereeing and rules, Karl Geoffrey Chan II for development, Donald Caringal for marketing, Charo Soriano for beach volleyball, Benson Bocboc for the Volleyball

Information System, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas for medical, Rodrigo Roque for finance, Fr. Victor Calvo for legal and ethics, and Alyssa Valdez for the athletes with members Aby Marano, Den-Den Lazaro, and Johnvic de Guzman.

(PNA)

their vaccine orders through the government under a tripartite agreement with the national government and Covid-19 vaccine developer AstraZeneca.

Under the A Dose of Hope initiative led by Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey

Concepcion, the large enterprises were able to procure 19.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines --first was the 2.6 million doses orders in November 2020, followed by the 17 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine orders in January this year. (PNA)

try, it said.

“We are well on track to meeting our goal of reaching over 15 million or 55 percent of Philippine households by 2025

and ready to serve the high-speed broadband requirements of the majority of our people," Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy said.

think a lot about my life and what is the reason, like: ‘Am I playing tennis to prove stuff to other people or am I playing to have fun because I enjoy it?’ From there I just took that attitude and tried to move forward with it. It’s something that I was doing in New York. I think that I’m doing it here, too,” she said this week.

There is also a bigger picture in mind. Osaka has already won three grand slam titles, but they account for half of her six overall WTA titles.

She has marked herself

as a mental giant capable of producing her best tennis in the biggest moments, but she needs to replicate those skills everywhere.

“My career, it’s been kind of up and down a lot, and people don’t really know when I’m going to do well in a tournament or when I’m not. I think my ultimate goal is just to at least reach the quarter-finals or better at every tournament I play, and hopefully win most of them. If not, then just to give a really good performance.”

DAVAO BIZ... FROM3

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With this, he said that the government is rolling out a “massive” information and education campaign urging people to be vaccinated. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)

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"He's not even aware of the clock. He tried to talk his way out of it (but) that was silly," Courier said on Nine's coverage.

"I love Frances, you're not going to find a bigger Tiafoe fan than me, but he shouldn't have said what he said and he should have been looking at the clock.

"That is completely on him, just a lack of situational awareness."

With one American in his rear-view mirror, Djokovic will now adjust his focus onto another, with a match-up against Taylor Fritz on the horizon.

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Djokovic advances after Tiafoe’s late meltdown

A

merican star Frances Tiafoe has been left to rue a crucial lack of concentration which led to his undoing after a brilliant performance against world No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic capitalised on Frances Tiafoe’s momentary lapse in concentration in the fourth set. Getty

Liao named PH volleyball team chair

T

onyboy Liao, the architect of the last Philippine team to win the volleyball gold medal in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, has been put into task of managing the national team once again.

The decision was made following the first board meeting of the new Philippine National Volleyball Federation Inc. (PNVFI) on Wednesday at The Vault Restaurant in Taguig City.

“It’s a privilege to head the department and I know that the task is challenging but I promise to do my best,” the current commissioner of the Premier Volleyball League said.

Liao joined the board meeting through online teleconferencing as he is currently in the United States.

PNVFI president Ramon “Tats” Suzara believes Liao is a handsdown pick for the managerial role.

“Mr. Liao was a former manager of the national team for many years. He also managed two of the most successful collegiate teams, De La Salle and Ateneo,” Suzara said. “He has a vast experience in managing teams and players and is highly-versed on volleyball rules.”

For his first plan of action as national team manager, Liao said, “I

will immediately form my team and discuss the criteria of selection of the players and coaching staff.”

He also named Ormoc mayor Richard Gomez, a former multi-sport national team member which includes a stint with the men's volleyball team, as his secretary.

Liao helped build the 1993 Philippine women's volleyball team, which dethroned Thailand during the SEA Games that took place in Singapore.

That turned out to be the last time the Philippines won it all in the SEA Games volleyball event.

The women's team has missed out on a podium since it captured the bronze medal in the 2005 edition in Bacolod.

On the other hand, the men's team looks to build upon the momentum it obtained from its breakthrough silver medal finish in the 2019 SEA Games in Manila.

Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino formally inducted the first officers of the PNVFI during the board meeting.

Other appointed PNVFI officials include Ricky Palou as deputy secretary general for international affairs, Roger Banzuela as deputy secretary general for member relations,

FLIAO, P10

Tiafoe, currently ranked 64th on the men's circuit, gave Djokovic all he could handle on centre court, before the reigning champion pulled away to a 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 win.

The incident took place in the fourth set

with the match delicately placed after Djokovic claimed the all-important third in a tiebreaker.

With the scores tied at 3-3 and 30-30 on Tiafoe's serve, the American ambled around in lackadaisical fashion and docked of his first serve by chair umpire Damien Dumusois.

The decision stunned Tiafoe, who had barely gotten into his service motion by the time the serve clock expired, as he approached

Dumusois' chair to plead his case.

"We've played a whole point and we have to walk to the tunnel," he said. "(Djokovic) didn't walk through the middle of the f-----g line. Come on bro, come on man, what are you expecting from me?"

Dumusois' decision proved to be the straw that broke Tiafoe's resistance, as Djokovic broke the American, before claiming the

they think too far ahead and psyche themselves out, but before the tournament Osaka caught a glimpse of tweets describing the difficulty of her projected draw. Instead of unsettling her, it simply underlined that she had no choice but to be ready. “For me, I feel like it might have also helped in a way because I calmed my nerves because I felt like I couldn’t afford to be that nervous.”

Naomi Osaka posing for the camera: Naomi Osaka celebrates victory after winning her second round match against Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3.© Photograph: James Gourley/Shutterstock Naomi Osaka celebrates victory

after winning her second round match against Caroline Garcia 6-2, 6-3.

Osaka has arrived at a notable point in her career as she matures from a young star into an established top player. The Australian Open has played some role. A year ago in Melbourne, she lost in the fourth round in a dreadful performance against the then 15-year-old Coco Gauff. She detested that loss and the sensation of feeling like she had something to prove each time she stepped onto the court.

“There’s just a lot of stuff that happened there, surrounding that time, that it really made me

FDJOKOVIC, P10

Osaka strolls into Australian Open third round with an ace O f all the strange events to have already unfolded during this unique Australian Open, few moments have been as peculiar as the tournament’s draw ceremony. Instead of its usual glamorous presentation, the draw was live-streamed from a claustrophobic office in Melbourne Park where the draw coordinator badly mispronounced countless names and nobody could actually see the pairings.

When they were finally published, the consensus was clear: Naomi Osaka had been handed a tough, tough draw, potentially filled with a series of prominent opponents who are more than capable of beating her if she lets them.

So far, she has simply not allowed them to play. On Wednesday Osaka strolled into the third round with ease, dominating the former No 4 Caroline Garcia in a 6-2, 6-3 victory. It followed her 6-1, 6-2 first-round demolition of Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a former top 15 player who has reached the Australian Open quarterfinal for two consecutive years.

She has now dropped just seven games in her opening two matches.

Against Garcia, Osaka served faultlessly, win-

Naomi Osaka pumps her fist. ning 83% of points on her serve, crunching 10 aces in her short time on court and her first serve scaled 121mph. She also controlled the baseline, dictating with contained aggression and choosing the right moments to tear a point apart with an injection of pace from either wing. Osaka finished the match with her arm on fire, punctuating her victory with an ace. So far, she is playing nearly as well as she ever has in the opening rounds of a slam.

A clear measure of Osaka’s mental strength is that her level is a direct consequence of her opposition so far. Tennis players often refuse to look at their draws lest

FOSAKA, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

EXPLANATION

GAB urges WBA to reinstate Pacquiao as champ

T

he Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has called on the World Boxing Association (WBA) for an explanation on why Manny Pacquiao was stripped of his super welterweight belt.

GAB chairman Baham Mitra even said on Wednesday that his agency appealed with the WBA to give the championship back to Pacquiao.

“GAB is mandated by law to champion the rights of every Filipino professional boxer at all times. That is why we are appealing to WBA to reconsider its decision,” Mitra said.

Pacquiao won the WBA welterweight super title on July 21, 2019 (Philippine Time), but he has never got to defend the belt since then.

Pacquiao took the entire 2020 off in boxing mainly due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, even-

tually putting much of his focus on his senatorial job.

However, on Jan. 30, the WBA decided to strip Pacquiao of the title and upgrade the status of then regular champ Yordenis Ugas of Cuba to super champ, eventually naming Pacquiao a "champion in recess."

In a letter sent to WBA president Gilberto Mendoza, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine News Agency on Wednesday, Mitra implied that GAB has been looking at the professional boxers' health and safety especially amid the pandemic, including Pacquiao.

"One of our mandates is to look after the overall wel-

fare of our professional boxer-licensees, one of whom is Mr. Pacquiao," Mitra wrote.

He also sought clarification on the WBA Rule C. 22, which became the basis on Pacquiao's championship status, citing a clause which states: "The [WBA championships] committee may select official contenders who will fight for an interim title under Rules C.22- 24."

Mitra then sought for possibly an immediate bout between the 42-year-old Pacquiao and the 34-yearold Ugas for the title should the WBA stand by its ruling.

“We are studying the WBA rules and we want to assist our good senator who may have to fight next. Also, we want to know from our partners in the WBA what particular documentation that we must have to comply with as WBA requirements, to regain the WBA belt, in case our Pinoy boxing champ opts to,” Mitra added. (PNA)

Filipino boxing icon and Senator Manny Pacquiao was stripped of his title by the WBA due to inactivity.