Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 261 | Friday, February 19, 2021

EDGEDAVAO STABLE POWER

DAVNOR TO ENHANCE 12 TOURISM SITES IN 2021

Serving a seamless society

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VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

DLPC assures no power outages in Covid-19 mass immunization STORY ON PAGE 2

A resident takes advantage of the scorching heat of an afternoon sun to dry rice grains outside his house in Toril, Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

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VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

NEWS

National Task Force COVID-19 Response chief implementor and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. gives his assurance that the country is well-prepared and ready for the arrival of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNtech company. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

STABLE POWER DLPC assures no power outages in Covid-19 mass immunization

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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boitiz-owned Davao Light Power Company (DLPC) assured there will be no power outages during the implementation of the Covid-19 mass immunization in Davao City.

Fermin Edillon, DLPC Reputation Enhancement Department manager, told media that DLPC has stable power supply needed during the roll out of the vaccination program.

However, Edillon said there are incidents to watch out that can cause power outage during the vaccination process such as vehicle collision

with a utility pole or big trees coming into contact with power lines.

"These are beyond our control. Dapat malikayan ang mga ingon ana na panghitabo. We know na vital component ang power supply during sa vaccination process. During that time also we will closely coordinate with all government agencies para

wala ta'y interruptions anang panahona," he said.

Edillon said DLPC is closely coordinating with the City Health Office (CHO) and is still finalizing with schedules for a meeting with acting health officer Dr. Ashley Lopez.

Meanwhile, Edillon said the current power supply is enough to cover the power requirement of the entire DLPC franchise areas including Davao City.

He said the current power demand is 416 megawatt (MW) and this

is enough to cover the whole franchise areas in Davao City, Panabo City, and municipalities of Kapalong, Santo Tomas, Braulio Dujali, and Carmen in Davao del Norte.

"Our supply is enough for our power requirement here. Even if there are power interruptions rest assured that these are interruptions aiming to upgrade and improve our system.

There are also interruprions caused by road widening and during this time we need to cut the power for safety reasons," he said.

DCOTT’s revenue in 2020 down by P47M

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avao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) revenues went down by P47 million last year which the agency blamed on the Covid-19 pandemic.

DCOTT manager Aisa Usop said DCOTT generated P23 million in 2020-a stark decrease from the P70 million income generated in 2019.

DCOTT's income generation comes from the stall rental fees and regulatory fees for bus and public utility vans trips.

Usop said this is expected due to the current limited trips of buses per day, which is 200 to 300 a day compared to 700 to 800 bus trips a day prior to the pandemic and

1,200 to 1,500 bus trips a day on peak days.

"With regards to the current routes and destinations of the buses it is back to normal but the sad news is hindi pa bumalik with regards to the number of trip per day," she said during the AFPPNP Press Corps Media Briefing on Wednesday.

In terms of routes, she said buses have direct trips now to Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

"We have buses with direct trips to Samar, Leyte, Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato, General Santos City and Marbel," she said.

Usop also said that vendors inside the termi-

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

City Councilor allays fears on new COVID-19 variant in city

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Davao City councilor allayed fears on the presence of a more contagious variant in the COVID-19 virus which was reported to have afflicted three residents in Davao Region.

Councilor Joselle Villafuerte, chair of the 19th City Council Committee on Health said the COVID-19 variant could be contagious but not lethal.

She stressed that as long as the people would not remove their face masks and indulge in high-risk activities, being infected with the COVID-19 infection is remote.

Villafuerte said that while others still need to be vaccinated, a vaccinee needs to also observe health protocols like wearing of face masks

and face shields, hand washing with soap, water and alcohol and social distancing.

“We continue to adhere to the basic health protocols while many of us wait to be vaccinated,” she said.

Local authorities are still conducting contact tracing and thorough investigation on these cases.

Villafuerte also revealed that she favors the ground-consultation to push the issues like vaccination, education and information campaign.

“It is best to talk to the people directly, but with the observance of the basic health protocols.

They can ask questions which can be answered immediately. They need correct information,” Vil-

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Councilor Joselle Villafuerte, chair of the 19th City Council Committee on Health, allays fears on the presence of a more contagious variant in the COVID-19 virus which was reported to have afflicted three residents in

Davao Region. She said the COVID-19 variant could be contagious but not lethal. Edge Davao

It’s Pfizer brand for the initial Covid-19 jabs in Davao City

‘Run, Sara, Run’ tarps not violation: Comelec

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ommission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said she finds nothing wrong with tarpaulins bearing oversized letters urging presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte to run for president in 2022.

Guanzon, however, said she will revisit the Comelec rules after “Sara, Run, Sara” tarpaulins sprouted in different areas not only in Davao City but also in Metro Manila.

“Advertisements or posters of potential candidates are not violations because it is not election period.

Will revisit the rules @ COMELEC,” Guanzon said in on her Twitter.

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said although the tarpaulins promote the electoral win of a possible candidate, it will “fall short” of the legal definition of campaigning.

“Those tarpaulins do seek to promote the electoral win of Mayor (Sara) Duterte, but she herself isn’t a candidate yet. This means that

although many would consider it a form of campaigning, it would actually fall short of the legal definition of campaigning, let along premature campaigning,” Jimenez said in a message to reporters.

“Therefore, there appears to be no violation of election laws or campaign rules. Anyone, in fact, can do the same thing,” he added.

The campaign period for national positions for the May 9, 2022 polls will start from Feb. 8 to May 7, 2022.

Sara earlier thanked the individuals behind the “Run, Sara, Run”campaign that is also circulating in social media.

The presidential daughter, however, remains coy on the possibility of entering next year's presidential derby.

She said she would only run for president in 2034 if the opposition would agree to support her.

"I understand where they are coming from. I, too, am anxious where we are going as a nation.

I am always grateful that

I have their trust and confidence. I am pleading to them to please allow me to run for President in 2034, if at that time there is something I can do to help the country," she said in a television interview on Feb. 1.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo earlier said Sara has the qualities to replace her father as he pitches for the possible tandem of Sara and her father in the 2022 national elections.

“Kitang-kita ko 'yung qualities mo, Mayor Sara. Kaya regardless of whether you’re the daughter or not, ikaw ang napusuan ko (I have seen all your qualities, Mayor Sara. That’s why regardless of whether you’re the daughter [of the President] or not, I want you [to be his successor]),” Panelo said during his commentary show “Counterpoint” on Jan. 27.

On Jan. 14, Duterte said he does not want his daughter to run for president in 2022 because presidency is an unsuitable job for a woman. (PNA)

By MAYA M. PADILLO fizer is the possible brand of vaccine that will be used in the initial Covid-19 immunization to be administered to prioritized frontliners in Davao City.

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"As far as Davao City is concerned, we were informed that during the initial vaccination that will cover the frontliners, yung Pfizer vaccines ang darating," said Dr. Marjorie Culas, Assistant City Health Officer, in a press conference via Zoom on Thursday.

She said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believed that Pfizer’s vaccine may be effective to prevent, diagnose or treat Covid-19.

Culas said the Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive third or fourth week of February. 5,000 doses are allocated for Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

"If we have 5,000 doses that would equal to 2,250 frontliners that

would be enough for our SPMC workers kasi parang 3,000 yata yung kanilang workers. Sila yung priority for the first wave of the vaccine. We have to protect them kasi from time to time maraming na-infect sa kanila," she said.

Culas said it is the recommendation of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to include workers of private hospitals in case there is an excess of vaccines.

She said they have not yet receive full prescribing information of Pfizer vaccines.

"Because it comes with the vaccine kung ano yung components and precautions. Allergies will be considered depending ano yung meron doon sa vaccine," she said.

Culas also said there are no risk factors if different brands of vaccines will be used in Davao City.

"Meron tayong various brands of vaccines available walang problema as long as you follow you received the first dose of the particular brand and the second dose must be of the same brand," she said.

The city government of Davao is targeting to immunize 70 percent from the 1.9 million total population of Davao City to achieve herd immunity.

Culas said vaccination program will run two to three years.

"To achieve na ma-complete natin lahat ng targeted population matapos seguro tayo by the end of three years," she said.

pregnancy, followed by physical violence and unexpected pregnancy, with 11 percent each.

Among those who mentioned a problem, 57 percent said the government efforts to solve it were adequate, the pollster added.

The same survey found that 1 out of 4 (27 percent) adult Filipinos are presently

using or have used family planning methods in the past 6 months. Pill is the preferred method used by 14 percent.

Forty-five percent have availed of their family planning method in rural health units, 31 percent in barangay health stations, and 27 percent in pharmacies.

6 in 10 Pinoys believe teen pregnancy is women’s most important problem: SWS

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bout 6 in 10 Filipinos believe that pregnancy is the most important problem of women, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released on Wednesday.

Of 1,500 adults polled in Nov. 21 to 25 last year, 59 percent said the most important problem of women was early teenage

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DTI intensifies online mentoring program T

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region intensifies the implementation of its mentoring program in 2021 as it aims to continue what it has started four years ago.

The Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) program was launched in 2016 with the goal of guiding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to become successful in their chosen business endeavors. It consists of 10 relevant modules that are discussed with the qualified mentees through face-to-face interactions by the DTI-certified mentors. The latter are known successful entrepreneurs and experts in their respective fields.

However, the program had to adopt certain adjustments last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, instead of the usual sessions, everything was done online. The e-learning platform will still cover 10 modules, which will be

offered to select MSMEs to suit their particular needs and limitations.

DTI was able to produce 80 KMME graduates last year, during the first run of the KMME Money and Market Encounter, amid the challenges posed by the health crisis.

And this year, this shall be sustained through the KMME program (In the New Normal) concept. This integrates the modular mentorship sessions, which culminates with the Business Improvement Plan (BIP) Presentation, with the Money and Market Encounter as a way to provide the mentees all 3Ms – mentorship, money and market.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda

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Regulators get stakeholders’ inputs for IRR of FIST Act

R A trader arranges newly-delivered fruits at a sidewalk stall along Monteverde Avenue in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

Energy consumer advocate group launched

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uryente.org, a new consumer advocacy group, was formally launched Wednesday seeking for more involvement and representation of consumers in the energy industry.

The group said it is a high time to involve the consumers during this pandemic amid reports of soaring household electricity bills at the height of the lockdown.

The business community, particularly the small and medium enterprises, is seeking long term solutions from en-

ergy industry players in countering the economic strain brought by prolonged community quarantine.

“The Philippines remains to charge one of the highest electricity costs in Asia. This and the continued poor services especially during the current pandemic are affecting the ordinary Filipino’s capacity to cope.

Many are also losing their jobs,” Kuryente.org national coordinator Nic Satur Jr. said.

To give consumers a bigger voice in the ener-

gy sector, Satur said the advocacy group urged the government to allow substantial consumer representation in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) as an ex-officio observer in the commission en banc.

Satur added the group is also seeking for the development of a comprehensive roadmap for migration from coal to cleaner, more efficient, and cheaper renewable energy resources.

Kurytene.org also wants to have a public review and accounting

of universal charges, system loss, feed-in tariff allowance charge, and other subsidies as passon charges to consumers.

Lastly, the consumer advocate group pushes for the immediate lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) on retail competition and open access (RCOA) and gradual lowering of the threshold.

“We in Kuryente.org thus believe that transparency and accessibility in the energy industry will help consumers be

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egulators are now getting stakeholders' insights for the draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer (FIST) Act, which has been prepared even before the measure was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday.

In a Viber message to journalists Tuesday night, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno said “the draft IRR is already with SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) (with inputs from BSP) as the lead agency.”

“The said IRR is being circulated to the industry for comments,” he said.

Republic Act 11523, an improved version of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) Act of 2002, allows financial institutions to tap asset management companies (ASMs ) to manage, operate, collect and dispose of impaired loans.

Diokno said signing into law the FIST measure “will help keep the banking system stable despite the effects of the Covid-19 (coronavirus

disease 2019) pandemic.”

“It will ease NPL (non-performing loan) ratios of banks moving forward. FIST is expected to reduce the NPL ratio by about 0.63 to 7.0 percentage point,” he added.

Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank) chief mass market and financial inclusion executive Manuel Santiago is hopeful of invigorated lending activities among banks following the signing into law of the measure.

This, as bank lending growth remains soft despite the aggressive policy rate cuts of the BSP last year, which authorities point to financial institutions’ cautiousness amid the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Santiago said Unionbank’s lending activities remain robust.

“We looked at it as an opportunity to learn and test different strategies,” he said in a virtual briefing Wednesday.

Santiago said it was a good thing that the bank started the massive information technology (IT) upgrade years be-

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

DavNor to enhance 12 tourism sites in 2021 T

he province of Davao del Norte is set to develop and enhance 12 tourism sites this year.

Panas waterfalls in New Corella. One of the 12 tourism sites in Davao del Norte to be enhanced this year by the provincial government. (photo from New Corella Tourism Office)

PH economy seen contracting again in Q1, return to positive growth in Q2

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former member of the government's economic team said Wednesday the economy may continue to contract in the first quarter with positive growth returning only in the April to June period.

Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the country could post yearon-year gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the second quarter as the government further eases restrictions and rolls out vaccines.

Pernia added that the economy might not return to pre-pandemic levels until late 2022 partly due to the government's sluggish pandemic response.

"Second quarter we’ll start to be positive. Small positive growth rate. In terms of getting back to pre-pandemic level, sig-

uro most of the economic observers, siguro late 2022 na," Pernia told TeleRadyo.

GDP fell 9.5 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, its worst contraction since the end of World War 2.

Pernia echoed the views of his successor Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua who said the country will only see positive year-on-year growth by the second quarter of the year.

"We attended to this COVID problem late. We should have attended this as early as February like Vietnam. Tayo March na. I think the discomfort of the people is that palagi tayong late eh (We're always late). Slow talaga.

Late and slow motion.

Tingnan mo tong vaccine," Pernia added.

The former chief of the

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is also pushing for "location-specific restriction-easing" to help the economy and boost consumer spending.

The Philippines imposed one of the world's longest and strictest lockdowns in 2020 to stem the spread of COVID-19.

LOAN WOES SECONDARY The former NEDA chief also said the government should not worry about piling up loans as interest rates remain low and credit rating institutions have become lenient during the pandemic.

"Yung worry about utang is really secondary.

Ngayon mababa ang interest rate. Understanding na rin ang mga ratings agency…Yung other countries they borrowed

huge amounts pero hindi naman binabaan credit ratings nila eh," Pernia said.

(The worry about loans is secondary. Today, interest rate is low.

Ratings agencies are now more understanding. Other countries borrowed huge amounts but their credit ratings were kept.)

Business leaders earlier called on the government to ramp up spending to power the economy out of recession, saying that the country needed "a bazooka, not a pistol."

Some lawmakers have also called for an even bigger stimulus package, pushing a new P420-billion spending bill called Bayanihan 3.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas earlier kept interest rates at 2 percent, its lowest in history.

During Kapihan sa DavNor on February 10, 2021, Provincial Tourism Officer, Dr. Noel S. Daquioag, revealed that Governor Edwin I. Jubahib has placed the funding for the tourism enhancement as part of the Sustainable Tourism Development program.

“Si kuya gov naggahin gyud ug P200 million para sa development, enhancement para sa atong mga tourism sites whether it is existing or potential (Kuya Gob has allocated P200 million for the development and enhancement of our tourism sites whether existing or potential),” he said.

He listed that among the 12 sites to be enhanced this year are Balimba Hills in the Municipality of Talaingod, Panas Eco Cultural Park in the Municipality of New Corella, Tagumpay Nature Park in Tagum City, Divine Mercy Islets in the Municipality of Carmen, Kadayawan Cave in the Municipality of San Isidro and The Provincial Tree Park in the Provincial Capitol Compound.

“This is something that we need to look forward to. Kay pag abre ani, inig human sa pandemic (because when this reopens, when the pandemic has passed), I’m sure that when we travel to these destinations, makita nato ang kabag-ohan ug samot pang kanindot tungod aning atong gibuhos nga funding para sa enhancement (we will see the changes and the improvements brought by the funding we poured into the enhancement),” he said.

According to Daquioag, the tourism industry in the province ranks 4th in terms of contribution to the province’s economy.

In 2019, the tourism industry contributed around 2.4 billion to the provincial government as they hosted 2.8 million tourists, 55 percent of which belonged to Samal.

“Kung wala pa nag pandemic basig nag rank 3 na mi (If the pandemic didn’t happen, we might have ranked third already),” he said.

“Dako kaayog poten-

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MSMEs reluctant to borrow due to low confidence in economy: lending agency

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edium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) are reluctant to borrow even at concessional rates due to worries over the health of the economy amid the COVID-19 crisis, a government agency tasked to help ailing small businesses said on Wednesday.

The Small Business Corp (SB Corp) said the number of MSMEs that availed of their loans dropped by more than two-thirds from around 17,000 under Bayanihan 1 to around 5,000 under Bayanihan 2.

Azel Solano, SB Corp’s chief of media communication, said lack of confidence in the economy was the biggest factor for businesses deciding against borrowing.

"Siyempre (Of course) they want to be responsible businessmen, they do not want to take out a loan kung hindi naman sila makakabayad (if they

can’t pay),” Solano said.

Another reason for the slower lending uptake was the online processing of loan applications, which may be deterring applicants, Solano said..

“Medyo marami pa rin tayong negosyante na nahihirapan na mag-access sa internet for example, o maintindihan ang loan processing, because they will have to scan and upload their documents online."

(We still have a lot of businessmen who find it difficult to access the internet, for example, or understand the loan processing because they will have to scan and upload their documents online.)

SB Corp was given a budget of P8 billion to help MSMEs that were hit hard by the pandemic. Solano said the agency is looking to help up to 60,000 MSMEs this year.

The agency allows

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On the roll out of Pfizer brand Cpvid-19 vaccines for frontliners in the initial vaccination program: If we have 5,000 doses that would equal to 2,250 frontliners that would be enough for our SPMC workers kasi parang 3,000 yata yung kanilang workers. Sila yung priority for the first wave of the vaccine. We have to protect them kasi from time to time maraming nainfect sa kanila.”

Dr. Marjorie Culas Assistant City Health Officer

EDITORIAL

Sound mind, healthy body

Mens sana in corpore sano. The phrase means “a healthy mind in a healthy body.”

With the Covid-19 pandemic still keeping children away from face-to-face learning, Physical Education (PE) classes will also have to evolve.

Last Wednesday, the Department of Education and nutritional drink brand Milo announced its partnership to move into the pathway of online learning. As part of this agreement, Milo has come up with PE home kits for school children to do their PE classes from home.

The kits, to be distributed to public school children through the DepEd, are instructional materials in video formats where children are taught of the helpful physical exercise to keep their bodies healthy and boost their immunity especially during this pandemic.

The online program seeks to promote exercise as part of a daily habit for kids undergoing home-based learning. Called the MILO Champion Habit – P.E. at Home, the program is designed to make Physical Education (P.E.) classes accessible to schoolchildren nationwide in support of the country’s ongoing blended learning program. The online learning module is a six-minute video that shows fundamental set of exercises that will promote better physical and mental development.

DepEd believes that physical exercise is tightly correlated with mental and academic performance.

The intensified collaboration also aims to instill the

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

value of exercise among the Filipino youth by strengthening the P.E. curriculum with a specialized exercise program that will enhance the educational experience of schoolchildren studying at home. Under the partnership, the program will be shown during P.E. classes among millions of elementary students nationwide on DepEd’s multi-media platforms including DepEd TV and the DepEd Learning Commons online. The program is already available on the MILO YouTube Channel.

The program is research-based so it’s not just any ordinary commercial activation. According to the Australian Department of Local Government Sports and Cultural Industries, kids exercising regularly can improve cognitive function, which could boost their academic performance. The program is expertly developed in tandem with the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics, wherein they provided recommendations for the optimal duration, sequence and movements for kids between seven and 12 years old.

The program demonstrates four circuit exercises focused on speed, agility, strength and power, giving kids a comprehensive training for body and mind.

With online education now covering both the academic and physical activities, children at home can pursue a balanced development under the guidance of parents or responsible adults.

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VANTAGE POINTS

LIFESTYLE

GMA NETWORK’S ‘I CAN SEE YOU’ STREAMS ON NETFLIX PHILIPPINES HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

KNOWING OXFORD/ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 VACCINE

In April last year, the COVAX Initiative for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines was launched to ensure the rapid and equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines to rich and pooris countries FEBRUARY shap- alike and the vaccination of high-risk ing up to be an exciting groups. month for Kapuso viewThe WHO led the initiative ers as GMA Network’s with about 190 countries as exceptional and one-ofmembers, including the Philippines. drama The United States a-kind anthology was notSee a member, partly be‘I Can You’ premieres cause former President Donald on Netflix Philippines.

Trump did not want to work The groundbreaking with the World HealthproOrganigram, aired on GMA-7 zationwhich (WHO).

“COVAX last year, participating in September further countriesGMA are preparing resolidifies Network’s to misceive and use vaccines,” said a sion being a catalyst jointof statement issuedin bycreatWHO ing world-class programs and and United Nations Children’s reinforcing its online presence Fund (UNICEF).

“Health workersithave trained and cold as joins been the Network’s interchain systems primed.” nationally-acclaimed primetime But what’s missing, as the series ‘Descendants thethe Suneqstatement admitted,of“is Philippines’ on the popular uitable supply of vaccines.” video“Of streaming the 128platform. million vaccine doses so far, I Can Seeadministered You, which feamore four than three quarters tures mini-series producedof those vaccinations are in just by different teams, uses for 10 four countries that account a60% common visual storytelling of global GDP,” the two device the use of a camera as a United-Nations agencies pointed out. to the tales of love and witness The from statement saidpeople; that as mystery everyday of February 10, “almost 130 hence the title – I2.5 Can See You. countries, with billion peoKick-starting the drama ple, are yet to administer aansinthology on February 15 is “Love gle dose.”

On The Balcony” top-billed by Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards, Kapuso hunk Pancho Magno, and Kapuso leading Lady Jasmine Curtis-Smith. It tells the timely story of a wedding videographer, Gio (Alden), who crosses paths with a frontline nurse, Lea (Jasmine).

Uninspired and creatively drained, Gio is encouraged by his business partner and friend Val (Pancho) to search for a potential fling during quaranUntil the arrival of the Jetine. theirChristianization unfortunate suitsAfter in 1868, encounter, romance of areas north of eventually the gulf of Davao was inexistent.

Earlier, blossoms between Gio and Lea the Recollects penetrated reamidst the pandemic.

gions in the eastern seaboard of Davao, but their efforts to convert indigenous tribes and Moros to the faith were limited.

The first batch of Jesuits to set foot in Davao on October 7, 1868, was comprised of Fr. Juan Bautista, superior of the Davao mission, Fr. Domingo ARE you tooFr. busyRamon to take care of a Bove and Pamies, and Br. a lay plant butAntonio still need Gairolas, one (or a dozen) brother. the Recto take careAtofthe you?time Fret not! ollect parish priest was Fray Not every house plant requires Francisco Lenguas. extensive gardening Barely had theexpertise. group taken Even a green thumb, when you over without from the Recollects the still Jesuit missionaries decidcan setup your indoor green ed to with makefoliage theirthat firstrequires outreach haven in the island of Samal whose very little care and work. A plant is residents were instrumental also the easiest choice for a roomin providing Jose Oyanguren, mate—it doesn’t make any conqueror of Davao, themess, neededhelps information thatcleaning led to the it you with some fall air), of Datu enclave (the and it Bago’s doesn’t bother youat the mouth of Davao River. with small talk and coming home The Samal sortie was drunk. joined by the governor and Check out thisand list ofwas yourmet newby other officials a large crowd on the shore. Pogreen buddies. litely welcomed, the visitors

There are several COVID-19 vaccines now available. One of these is the Oxford/AstraZeneca, known as AZD1222. Last February 11, the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) issued interim recommendations for use of this vaccine.

The SAGE is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and its linkages with other health interventions.

Since the vaccine supplies are still limited, the SAGE recommends that priority be given to health workers at high risk of exposure and older people, including those aged 65 or older.

Others who can also take the vaccine include persons with comorbidities that have been identified as increasing the risk of severe COVID-19, Completing the cast are Deincluding obesity, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease nise Barbacena and Shyr Valand diabetes. dez.

Love On The Balcony is Although further studies directed

by LA for Madridejos. are required persons livTop billed by talented ing with HIV or auto-immune Kapuso stars Andrea Tor-immuconditions or who are nocompromised, people in res, Yasmien Kurdi, Benjamin this category who are “The part of Alves, and Paolo Contis, a group recommended for vacPromise” givesbe viewers more afcination may vaccinated reasons to believe in the power ter receiving information and of love this March 1. The story counselling.

Vaccination can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past. But individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to six months from the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection, to allow others who may need the vaccine more urgently to go first.

Vaccination can be offered to breastfeeding women if they are part of a group prioritized for vaccination. The United Nations does not recommend discontinuation of breastfeeding after vaccination.

What if the woman is still pregnant? While pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19, the SAGE admits that “very little data are available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy.”

The press statement said that pregnant women may receive the vaccine “if the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks.”

For this reason, pregnant women at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (that is, health workers) or who have comorbidities which add to their risk of severe disease, may be vaccinated “in consultation with their health care provider.”

But not all can take the vaccine. People with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine

begins with a wealthy widower named Frank (Paolo) who loses his passion for life and becomes a recluse after losing his wife Clarisse (Yasmien) from Heating up online streaming an accident. When Jude (Benja- experience on March 15 is the min), his cousin and right-hand third installment “High-Rise man in the company,FAST visits him Lovers,” which stars Kapuso BACKWARD in the lake house where he stays Premier Drama Actress Lovi at, Frank takes an interest in the Poe, actress-beauty queen Winlatter’s girlfriend Ivy (Andrea), wyn Marquez, and multian aspiring artist who is willing talented Kapuso actor Tom to do anything to take her fam- Rodriguez. It follows the story ily out of poverty. of married couple Samantha were led to the datu’s resi- house.

Also playing an exciting role and months Luis (Tom) whose dence where they disclosed the (Lovi) “Two later, on 17 in this series is Maey relationship 1868, dwindles their agenda to teach theBautista. children December theas Fathers how to reach and write, to Samal, thisthetime The Promise is directed

by Zigin- returned opposing goals in life get troduce toAfter stay.moving They lived Dulay. them to the Christian intending best of them. into

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA

should not take it. In addition, the vaccine is not recommended for persons younger than 18 years of age pending the results of further studies.

The recommended dosage is two doses given intramuscularly (0.5ml each) with an interval of 8 to 12 weeks. Additional research is still needed to understand longer-term potential protection after a single dose.

The big question: Is AZD1222 safe? While this vaccine has yet to be recommended for an Emergency Use Listing by WHO, it has undergone review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and consequently meets WHO’s criteria for SAGE consideration.

The EMA has thoroughly assessed the data on the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended granting a conditional marketing authorization for people aged 18 and above.

In addition, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, a group of experts that provides independent and authoritative guidance to the WHO on the topic of safe vaccine use, receives and assesses reports of suspected safety events of potentially international impact.

According to SAGE, the AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 63.09% against symptomatic

a new condominium unit, Samantha continues to strive for a big promotion at work while Luis, an unemployed contractor, is forced to accept a renovation job for another occupant – the mysterious and sultry Ysabel (Winwyn).

Also starring in the episode are Teresa Loyzaga and Kenthey went back to the village. neth “Tetay” Ocampo.

HighAs a result, three villages were Rise Lovers is underwrote: the helm formed.

Fr. Bernad “When the Fathers’ house of Monti Parungao. was completed and sixty Finally, set to bring mys- fam-

FIRST MASS ON SAMAL ISLAND

faith, and, on a voluntary basis, be baptized. The third plan was strongly opposed.

Not wanting to agitate the crowd further, the governor proposed that the people in the locality build a house for the priests, but the opposition only heightened. The people Pothos the ability thought thehas request as to another form of forced labor, which withstand underexposure to they sunlight opposedand in under/over the past. waWith temperature tering.

You can style a pothosrising, plant there was no other option but in varied ways too--it can dangle leave the island and return to on a basket sit on a pot Davao.

Fr.orMiguel A. nicely.

Bernad, S.J., The Evangelization It hasin air-purification properties, of the Davao Region (2004) retoo, so that just provides you great ported that there was a change green company in your room. of heart among the natives: Spiderthe plants are tought ones“But people of Samal self-propagating andin were-they’re like the younger son the Gospel parable, who good at air-cleaning.

Theyfirst refused his and father told stay prettytoinobey low light perfect him to go and work in the farm, for small apartments and first-time but later did so. So the [resiplant parents.

It also produces little dents of] Samal, after having “babies” fast, their too, andrefusal, that’s justproregistered ceeded toforcut timber for to the easy magic anyone wanting construction of indoors. the priests’ grow lots of greens Only

at first in a nipa hut, while the house was under construction.

They toured the island, undertook some kind of census (padron) and persuaded some of the people to live together in a village.

“Toward the end of February 1869, enough of the house was finished to provide two rooms, one as living quarters, another for a chapel. In the latter, on 24 February 1869, the first Mass on Samal Island was celebrated.”

With tension gone, the priests thought the residents had finally accepted their plans. But this was not so.

After the celebration of the Mass, the people left, leaving the settlement abandoned and the construction of the house unfinished. The culprit was the governor’s order requiring the residents to start payweekly lazy watering ing tribute.

It wasis required. only after Tillandsia or air plants arethe the priests had convinced people with thegood help easytotoreturn grow and make of a retired public official that house plant friends.

All they

ilies had built their huts, a solemn inauguration of Casalucan village was held. The governor, other officials, and some residents of Davao came, as well as a brass band. The multitudes gathered. High Mass was sung in the morning and a procession held in the afternoon.

The band provided music and there were fireworks. But the best parts of the feast were the slaughter of two young bulls and a free dinner for all.”

While everything seemed right, the governor committed again another gaffe after he revived the subject of paying tribute. Sarcastically, the datu offered to the governor gold and silver and asked how many persons would be covered by the quantity of minerals presented. After weighing the minerals and told how many would be covered, the datu need are moisture fromand the air and gathered the gold silver a place to--wait for it--hangout!

For and left, with the village people in tow. Once again, theletcommuoptimal growth you can them nity wasinemptied. “lounge” water for an hour once

SARS-CoV-2 infection. Longer dose intervals within the 8 to 12 weeks range, it added, are associated with greater vaccine efficacy.

Another big question: Does it work against new variants?

SAGE reportedly has reviewed all available data on the performance of the vaccine in the settings of variants of concern.

The SAGE currently recommends the use of AZD1222 vaccine according to the WHO Prioritization Roadmap, even if virus variants are present in a country. Countries should assess the risks and benefits taking into consideration their epidemiological situation.

Preliminary findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated approach for surveillance and evaluation of variants and their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. As new data become available, WHO will update recommendations accordingly. tery Right and romance is the now, there is last no substantive data available related installment “Truly.

Madly. to impact of AZD1222 on transDeadly.” headlined

by Kapuso mission or viral shedding.

Drama Trillo, ver“In King Dennis the meantime, we must satile Kapuso actress Rhian maintain and strengthen pubRamos, and Ultimate Star Jenlic health measures that work: masking, physical distancnylyn Mercado premiering ing, handwashing, on March 29. Coleenrespiratory (Jennylyn) and cough hygiene, avoiding is a professional woman crowds, and ensuringwho, good after being ridiculed online for – ventilation,” the SAGE urges. a### scandal with a married man,

moves out of the city and works in a remote resort where she meets the mysterious resident IT guy named Drew (Dennis).

Life seems to be going well for the recovering Coleen until her best friend turned enemy Abby (Rhian) shows up and her past begins to haunt her once again.

Joining the talented cast of this episode is Jhoana Marie Tan and with the special participation of Ruby Rodriguez. Truly. Madly.

Deadly is directed Although the residents latby Jorron Lee er returned toMonroy. their settlement, Catch GMA Network’s ‘I Can another blunder was committed when some members of See You’ beginning February 15 the community were asked to on Netflix Philippines. cut timber in Davao. Finding tribute and forced labor as inconsistent with the stance of the Samal people, the priests decided to leave the island and accepted the reality that their first attempt to evangelize Samal ended in failure.

To address the knotty isa week. the Their missionaries plant holders arelater very sues, decided stylish, too!to conduct house-tohouseThere’s visitssomething in areas where calmingthe people built their dwellings. about having a pot of aloe They also learned that while in your desk. They’re green in the government was helpful and wonderfully the pursuit of understated. missionaryThey engagements, the policies it adonly require attention and wateropted were keybut obstacles in the ing once a week are always fruitful conversions of Moros there for you, in case of scrapes in the island. With the state closeandworking burns. This unconditional ly as is part of the evanlove in a pot.efforts, the people gelization viewed such participation Find your new roomie in SMas a form colonization.

EspousLanangofPremier’s Plant Fest and ing this method of evangelizing bring a bit of the outdoors into people in domiciles later bore your home.

Plants and gardening fruit.

Though this was arduous essentials are availablethe in the 2nd and backbreaking, strategy succeeded.

Without Level Northwing near thecoercion, Food the expanded.

Hallconversions until the end of February.

YOUR NEXT BEST ROOMMATE COULD BE A PLANT 1 2

3

4

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Professor Nadir Arber, the Israeli inventor shows the drug against COVID-19

EXO-CD24 for the treatment of COVID-19: Preliminary results

P

rof. Nadir Arber and Dr. Shiran Shapira of Ichilov Hospital presented a briefing on the topic of the new Israeli treatment for coronavirus.

EXO-CD24 is an inno-

vative compound based on enriched CD24 exosomes, and is inhaled directly into the lungs to eradicate the cytokine storm that results from the COVID-19 virus.

Prof. Nadir Arber is an expert in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and is the Director of the Integrated Cancer Prevention Center. He is one of the hospital's most

LANDBANK records 16% hike in assets to P2.362T

D

eposits breached the P2-trillion mark which allowed state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to record a 16.1% increase in total assets of P2.362 trillion in 2020 from its 2019 level of P2.033 trillion.

LANDBANK said deposits expanded to P2.093 trillion, 17.4% higher from P1.783 trillion in 2019. This also fueled a significant 41.4% growth in investments from P694.9 billion to P982.5 billion.

“LANDBANK posted marked growth in assets and deposits in 2020—a record achievement given the widespread economic impact of the health crisis. We will build on these gains and continue along this path to better serve our priority sectors, espe-

cially small farmers and fishers, micro, small and medium enterprises and other key development players,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C. Borromeo.

Reduced economic activities brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, caused a 7% drop in net income to P17.1 billion from P18.5 billion in 2019.

Meanwhile, year-end capital increased by 13% to P168.3 billion from P149.0 billion in 2019.

The Bank’s financial ratios also remained strong despite the challenges set by the pandemic. LANDBANK posted a return on equity of 10.80%, which is well above the latest industry average. Return on assets stood at 0.78% and net interest margin at 3.16%.

Common Equity Tier 1

ratio continued its steady growth year-on-year from 12.74% to 15.17%.

With the Bank’s increased focus on supporting the country’s agriculture sector, LANDBANK’s total loan portfolio to farming and fishing industries expanded from P236.31 billion in 2019 to P237.62 billion in 2020. Of this amount, P43.98 billion benefitted small farmers and fishers, cooperatives and farmers’ associations, rural financial institutions, and other conduits.

LANDBANK has also assisted cumulatively 2.67 million farmers and fishers nationwide as of end-2020, or a 133.5-percent accomplishment rate over the full-year target of two (2) million. Of this total, 718,875 small farmers

FLANDBANK, P10

prominent doctors and researchers and was entrusted with developing the treatment.

Dr. Shiran Shapira is the Head of the Laboratory for Molecular Biology at the Center

for Cancer Diagnosis and Prevention at Ichilov Hospital. Dr. Shiran Shapira directs Prof.

Arber’s lab and has been leading research into the CD24 protein for over two decades.

The Zoom briefing was held on 17 February 2021 at 10PM PST. Investigator-initiated study Prof. Nadir Arber, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Davao Chamber to host a webinar on DICT’s Common Tower Policy

I

n line with its theme “Reboot, Recharge, Recover, Reset” for 2021, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. will host a webinar titled “Strong Connectivity, Robust Economy” on February 26, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN via Zoom to tackle updates on the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) rollout of its Common Tower Policy.

The construction of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructures (PTTI) is expected to help improve the internet access and connectivity across the country particularly in unserved and un-

derserved areas. The Common Tower Policy, which was first introduced in 2018, underwent extensive revisions because of some controversial provisions. In January 2021, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) asked telcos to submit their 2021 roll-out plans in order to determine their progress and the challenges they have encountered, especially in securing permits.

DICT Sec. Gregorio B. Honasan II has been invited to this informative webinar as the main speaker, while representatives from different telco companies will serve as panelists and will present their respective

company’s business strategies in bringing businesses to the digital platform.

The said webinar will also serve as the 2nd General Membership Meeting of the Davao Chamber. New committee chairpersons and new chamber members will also be introduced and inducted during the online event.

Registration fees for the event are Php 300 for the chamber members and Php 500 for non-members. For more inquiries, interested participants may contact the Professional Management Team through Ms. Anna Loren Gingco at 0916-338-4159 or annagingco@davaochamber.com.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

9

Saving Philippine Eagle from extinction Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

V

isitors, both foreigners and locals, who come to Davao City for the first time almost always include the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Calinan District as one of their itineraries. Some 30 kilometers northwest and about an hour’s drive from downtown Davao, the center is home of the endangered Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi).

The center is managed by the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF), the prime mover in eagle conservation, breeding, rehabilitation and education in the country. Almost three dozens of eagles can be found at the center.

“The great Philippine eagle is not only our flagship species for wildlife conservation but also the best indicator of the forest ecosystem’s health,” said Dennis Joseph I. Salvador, the PEF’s executive director.

A pair of Philippine eagles need 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of rainforests to survive, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

The Philippine eagle is second only to the Madagascar sea eagle in rarity. In size, it beats the American bald eagle; it is the world’s second largest – after the Harpy eagle of Central and South America.

The eagle was being collected in the country as early as 1703, but it was not until 1896 that it was “discovered” in Samar by the English naturalist, John Whitehead, who called it the “Great Philippine eagle.”

Before it was called Philippine eagle, it was known as monkey-eating eagle (its generic name, Pithecophaga, comes from the Greek words pithekos

or monkey, and phagein, meaning eater). However, it was found out that monkeys actually comprised an insignificant portion of its diet, which consists mainly of flying lemurs, civet cats, bats, rodents, and snakes. On May 8, 1978, through Presidential Proclamation No. 1732, the eagle was finally given its present name.

With a span of nearly seven feet and a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the Philippine eagle can gracefully swoop down on an unsuspecting “victim” and carry it off without breaking flight.

If there is such thing as forever, the Philippine eagles have proven it.

“These birds remain loyal to their mates and they bond for life,” the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) says. “Once an eagle reaches sexual maturity – at around five years for female and seven years for male – it is bound for life with its mate,” the PEF adds. “They can be seen soaring in pairs in the skies.”

During the breeding season, the eagle do aerial courtship and mate in the nest or near it. Female eagle lays only one egg every two years. Both parents alternately incubate the egg for about 60 days, although the female spends more time incubating while the male hunts.

Upon hatching, the eagle remains in the nest for about 5.5 months. Once it fledges, the eagle parents will continue to look after its young for as long as 17 to 18 months teaching the young eagle how to fly, hunt, and to survive on its own. The young eagle matures in about six years.

Studies show that the eagle’s next is approximately 80 feet above the ground (usually on tall trees) in prominent mountain peaks overlooking a river or stream to give a good view of its territory.

In the past, Philippine eagles abound in the forests of Mount Apo and other parts of Mindanao.

They can also be seen flying over in the forests of Sierra Madre in Luzon and Samar and Leyte in the Visayas.

Today, Philippine eagles inhabit those places but their number has dwindled. In fact, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has declared the Philippine eagle as “critically endangered species.”

This is the reason why the efforts of PEF should be supported by Filipinos. A private, non-profit, non-stock organization, it is dedicated to saving the endangered bird. “The Philippine eagle is the largest predator we have,” Salvador said. “By using the Philippine eagle as the focal point of conservation, we are, in the process, saving wildlife and their habitat.”

According to Salvador, PEF is committed to promote the survival of the Philippine eagle, “the biodiversity it represents, and the sustainable use of our forest resources for future generations to enjoy.”

The Philippine eagle

is found nowhere except in the country. “The Philippine eagle represents a rare product of evolutionary creation,” PEF said in its website. “Based on recent genetic studies, it has no close relatives left among the living species of eagles in the world.”

PEF came into existence in 1979 after the founders of Films and Re-

search for an Endangered Environment (FREE) left the country. FREE was established by Peace Corps volunteer Robert S. Kennedy and Vaughn and Lorenne Rundquist. When they returned to the United States, they created PEF to continue the work they have started.

Primarily a research facility, the Philippine Ea-

gle Center is nestled at the rolling foothills of Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak. Its work, however, is divided into two components: in situ and ex situ conservation. In situ is the raising of birds in its original habitat while ex situ is the method of propagating the species in captivity.

PEF has now more

FSAVING, P10

10 EDGEDAVAO DCOTT’S... FROM2 nal are not recovering yet from the impacts of the pandemic.

"This also affects the income of DCOTT dako ang pag decrease sa atong income," she said.

There are about 250 vendors renting spaces at DCOTT. City extends tax relief measures to DCOTT vendors It can be recalled that the Davao City Council has recently approved tax relief measures to the vendors of DCOTT. Sponsored by Finance Committee chair Councilor Danny Dayanghirang, the measures aim to help small vendors cope with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic by adjusting their rental payment from 50 percent to 70 percent.

“Para sa ilang mga rentals at 50 percent to 70 percent discount kay

ang frequency sa mga tao nga ga-travel gamay na lang. Almost 75 percent nawala sa ilang income,” he said in an interview.

He said the tax relief will become invalid once the state of emergency will be lifted.

Usop also cited positive impact of the pandemic as they are able to implement projects such as the rehabilitation of the north and southbound lanes and the construction of the canopy in the terminal.

"Lisod kaayo i-rehabilitate kung daghan mga bus mao karong pandemic amo gi-implement ang mga projects. Hopefully, mawala ni si Covid ug maayo na pagsakay sa atoang mga pasahero ug pagkanaog sa terminal drive kay naa na atop ug dili na sila maulanan ug mainitan," she said. Maya Padillo

tial ang atong turismo (Our tourism has such huge potential) that’s why we should all be excited,” he added.

In total, there are 27

tourism sites to be improved with the first 12 targeted for this year 2021 to be followed by the rest in the second phase in 2022. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI)

Q. Ambi said the agency recognizes the fact that local entrepreneurs need government’s help now more than ever.

“They have to be given all the help that can be made available to keep them operational.

We at DTI are really doing our best to help them get through these trying times,” Ambi said.

The KMME – Money

and Market Encounter online program is implemented in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo.

Since its launch, it has already produced a total of 546 graduates across the region.

The KMME online program 2021 will be launched later this year.

DTI11/EBR/jmm

educated about a more transparent and socially inclusive energy program,” Satur added.

The “Electrifying a Nation” study of Kuryente.org found that the country’s power sector is controlled by only a few hands.

For instance, five out of 95 companies dominated the power generation in the country. These are Aboitiz Power, AC Energy, FirstGen, Metro Pacific Investment Corp., and San Miguel Corp.

In the transmission, a foreign entity -- State Grid Corporation of China -- holds 40 percent share at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

Although the remaining 60 percent is owned

by Filipinos, it is still divided to Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., with 30 percent share at NGCP, while Calaca High Power Corp. also holds a 30-percent share.

“Historically, an industry held by only a few hands results in unfair competition, monopolization, bloated commodity prices, and ultimately, abuse of consumer rights.

Hence, it is imperative for consumers to be empowered in the power sector by way of true consumer representation and stricter consumer-driven regulation of the power sector,” Kuryente.org said in its study. (PNA)

fore the pandemic as it allowed Unionbank to immediately offer products that can be accessed online and through digital means that are “very useful” especially when

the government implemented movement restrictions to address the spread of Covid-19.

“This pandemic allowed us to roll out our products faster,” he added. (PNA)

DAVNOR... FROM5 DTI... FROM4

ENERGY... FROM4

REGULATIONS... FROM4

VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

LANDBANK... FROM8

were assisted through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) and Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) Programs jointly implemented with the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In line with the Bank’s sustained drive for financial inclusion, LANDBANK is present in all 81 provinces of the country through 411 branches, 66 branch-lite units, and 55 lending centers.

LANDBANK continues to respond to the growing demand for safe, accessible and convenient digital banking solutions under the new normal.

The Bank reported that transactions facilitated through its six major electronic channels— the LANDBANK Mobile Banking App, Link.Biz Portal, weAccess, iAccess, Electronic Modified Disbursement System (eMDS), and Remittance

System—collectively recorded a 21% increase in volume and a 36% growth in value in 2020.

The Bank recently announced that the waiver on inter-bank fund transfer fees will remain until March 31, 2021. First implemented at the height of community lockdowns and previously extended until December 2020, the waiver covers retail clients who transfer funds through LANDBANK’s online banking channels via InstaPay and PESONet. For more updates, please Follow, Like and Share the official LANDBANK Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts (@landbankofficial), Twitter (@ LBP_Official), and join our Viber community (@LANDBANK), or visit the LANDBANK website (www.landbank.com).

than three decades of experience in the development of technologies for the captive propagation of Philippine eagle. These include infrastructure design, breeding techniques, incubation and hatching procedures, and the assessment of health and nutrition requirements.

The foundation has also field operations program involving two components: field research and community-based resources management.

Research activities include habitat assessment, prey counts, monitoring of nests in the wild, verification of eagle sightings and retrieval operations.

“All these are geared towards protecting wild populations and mitigating the impacts of human activities,” Salvador explained, adding that more studies are still needed to effectively manage wild eagle populations.

PEF also has worked closely with the BMB, a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Both agencies are working in tandem on captive breeding “to promote a greater understanding of the eagles’ biology, food habits and survival.”

This collaborative effort has open opportunities for research on eagle breeding behaviors “that will substantially increase our understanding of their ecology and biology,” said the BMB in its website.

In 1988, PEF opened its facility to the public as an education center. “The eagle center is probably the biggest tool we have in educating the people,” Salvador said. “The facility enables us to bring the Philippine eagle and other wildlife closer to our people.”

According to Salvador, most of those who visit the eagle center never had the opportunity to see

the forest and the animals that live in the forest.

“The eagle center provides our visitors and guests with a small glimpse of that world, a world which they have increasingly become detached from. We make good use of this opportunity to let them know how the forest relates to their own lives – even if they live so far away from it,” Salvador said.

Christy Ullrich, in an article which appeared in National Geographic, reported that several steps are currently going in the country to save the Philippine eagle from oblivion. “Certain conservation measures are already in place to help protect the comparatively scant number of surviving eagles. Legislation has been passed to prohibit hunting and protect nests, as well as to survey the birds’ habitat, create public-awareness campaigns, and step up captive breeding.”

But the biggest threat – deforestation – continues.

“Habitat loss – due to destruction, fragmentation or degradation of habitat – is the primary threat to the survival of our wildlife,” the BMB pointed out. “When an ecosystem has been dramatically changed by human activities – such as agriculture, oil and gas exploration, commercial development or water diversion – it may no longer be able to provide the food, water, cover, and places to raise their young.

“Every day, there are fewer places left that wildlife can call home,” it added.

Filipino environmentalists are urging all Filipinos to help save the country’s bird icon from extinction. If only these birds could talk, these would be their plead: “I have watched forests disappear, rivers dry up, floods ravage the soil, droughts spawn uncon-

SAVING... FROM9

CITY... FROM3 lafuerte said She said it is the thrust of the local government to lower the number of COVID-19 cases initially by contact tracing, giving the people the correct information and eventually vaccination.

Villafuerte observed only a few people have the inkling not to be vaccinated. However, she said that after the shorttalk on vaccination, people change their minds and have themselves listed for the vaccination.

She also said that elementary schools are ideal as vaccination area

where social distancing is certain because of the management of one entry one exit system.

Villafuerte also said that the schools also have plenty of rooms where the vaccinees can rest and at the same time observe themselves after the actual vaccination.

She pointed out that the vaccination program needs to be done in an orderly fashion from registration, counselling, vaccination and monitoring of vaccinees that is why simulation exercise is important. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

Barangay health workers are the top sources of information on family planning with 46 percent, followed by television with 23 percent, said SWS. The pollster said the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) sponsored the survey.

The POPCOM recently said births among girls ages

15 years old and below has increased consistently since 2011, with 1 out of every 10 pregnancies in the Philippines recorded among teenagers.

The commission said the COVID-19 crisis "worsened" the difficulty of availing family planning services, which are "very crucial in mitigating cases of early pregnancies."

businesses with assets of P50,000 to P100,000,000 to avail of zero interest loans, requiring no collateral, with a grace period of up to 12 months, and terms of up to 4 years.

An estimated 90,000 businesses, mostly MS-

MEs remained closed as of September last year because of the pandemic.

A study published in November last year also said that 9 percent of businesses were considering permanent closure because of the pandemic.

May 2021 is almost two years waiting time.

Time is of the essence.

If Pacquiao misses out on this new May sked, how can he squeeze free time out of his duties at the senate?

I pray we can watch

our hero get into the ring, hoping it will be his swan song as he prepares for the difficult political battles ahead of him.

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

his five turnovers in the first quarter — but efficient enough on offense to emerge victorious over the team with the worst record in the league.

"You've got to do nearly everything right to come out with a victory against them," Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said.

Ricky Rubio and Jordan McLaughlin each scored 13 points for the Timberwolves, sharing time at point guard in the continued absence of D'Angelo Russell, who will miss the next four to six weeks after surgery on his left knee.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored a quiet 15 points for the Timberwolves,

who were outscored 17-5 to start the fourth quarter after a spirited effort over the first three periods. Towns didn't even get a shot in the fourth, with Edwards taking over.

"I know Ant had it going, but I'm the point guard out there and I've got to know who to get the ball to," Rubio said.

Harrell's defense on Towns had something to do with that, too, despite giving up four inches.

"I don't really believe in that smaller stuff, because at the end of the day if you believed in that, man, then the elephant would be the king of the jungle," Harrell said.

6 IN 10... FROM3

MSMES... FROM5

MIKEY... FROM12

DAVIS... FROM11

trolled fires, hundreds of my forest friends vanish forever and men leave the land because it was no longer productive. I

am witness to the earth becoming arid. I know all life will eventually suffer and die if this onslaught continues.”

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

No curse: Rafa

R

afael Nadal is adamant that he’s not been inflicted with an Australian Open curse, despite falling short again at the season-opening grand slam.

The world No.2 was made to wait for a shot at his record-breaking 21st major after his quarter-final opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas became just the second man in a grand slam to claw back a two-set deficit to beat him.

Nadal has only one trophy in Melbourne, his worst return from all the majors.

There have been retirements, mid-match injuries, upsets and heartbreaking losses during his 16 trips to the Victorian capital but the 34-year-old says that's just part of the game.

"It's difficult to know exactly why these kind of things happen," said Nadal, who had been bothered

by a back injury in the lead-up to the tournament but said it was fine against Tsitsipas.

"The only thing that I can tell you is I always prepared the proper way to be ready for here."

He did concede that being injured occasionally in December didn't help but he couldn't fathom why he hurt his back during his losing 2014 final against Stan Wawrinka when his preparation had been great.

"I don't like to say 'unlucky,' but why? I don't know," he said.

"We can't find a reason, no? Or today, this time, why I had for 20 days the back very stiff and I couldn't practise the proper way - I real-

ly don't know."

He said while quarantining could be used as an excuse for weakening his body, he just accepted that it was part of the tournament.

"I never considered myself an unlucky person at all," he said.

Meanwhile, Nadal has called on the tennis world to "think a little bit bigger" about the sport in the time of COVID. While Novak Djokovic said many players would rather sit out the season than do another quarantine like in Australia, Nadal plumped for a multi-faceted solution.

He conceded it would be tough for players to compete in bubbles during every event but believed a lot of people's livelihoods associated with the sport would suffer if the game stopped.

"We need to think a little bit bigger, no?," he said.

"Probably we need to find a way to protect the players with the rankings, to not force them to keep playing.

"We need to find solutions and we need to adapt to this very tough time that we are facing. Not only us; the world."

His latest defeat was agony for Rafael Nadal but he’s sure he’s not cursed in the Australian Open. AAP PHOTOS

Davis absence gives enhanced Lakers roster an extended test F

M

INNEAPOLIS — The Los Angeles Lakers strengthened their rotation during the abbreviated offseason, realizing that defending their NBA title amid the ongoing pandemic would require ample depth.

The absence of Anthony Davis will give their enhanced roster an extended test.

LeBron James had 30 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists and Dennis Schröder scored 24 points,

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helping the Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 112-104 on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

"We're not expecting one person to try to pick up A.D.'s productivity. Nobody's going to be able to do that. He just brings too much to the table. But we all can do more," James said.

Montrezl Harrell pitched in 17 points for the Lakers, who stopped a seven-game losing streak at Minnesota with their first win at Tar-

Marañon wishes to join Azkals

get Center since March 25, 2015. The energy and production provided by the four new players on the 2020-21 squad — Schröder and Marc Gasol with the starters and Harrell and Wes Matthews off the bench — was palpable.

"We're going to attack this stretch of games and be confident in what we have on this roster, embrace the challenge of playing without A.D. Every guy has got to step up," coach Frank Vogel said.

Lakers will have to get numbers from new acquisitions Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell.

Minnesota rookie Anthony Edwards had a career-high 28 points. The Lakers otherwise played sound defense in the first of what will be several games without Davis, the seven-time AllStar who was shelved with an injury to his Achilles tendon.

He aggravated it in a loss at Denver on Sunday that ended the Lakers' seven-game winning streak.

The Lakers were far from sharp — James had four of

FDAVIS, P10

ootball star Bienve Marañon on Wednesday said he wants to become part of the Philippine Azkals in the near future.

This, after his bid to become a Filipino citizen took a giant leap the day before when the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 8631 seeking his naturalization.

"I would like to be one of you: to be part of [the] Azkals," Marañon said.

The current United City main man then expressed his gratitude to the 206 representatives who voted yes to the passing of the said bill.

"I would like to say thanks to the House of Representatives, the Committee on Justice, and to all the congressmen, especially Manny Lopez, who helped me a lot," Marañon said.

Lopez, Manila's 1st District representative, is among the principal authors of HB 8631.

Marañon also thanked former Negros Occidental representative and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella, which he called "Filipino papa", Azkals manager Dan Palami, and Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.

Once the naturalization process gets cleared in the Senate, which is now set to intervene after receiving the congressional approval, and in the presidential office, the 34-year-old Spanish-born striker vows to be a solid contributor to the national team.

"I would like to help them along as much as I can and be part of Philippine football's development," he said. (PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 261 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Mikey, not Ryan, will Pacquiao meet?

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f I were to make heads or tails of all the press releases and news dispatches about Manny Pacquiao’s next foe, it will make me dizzy deciphering just who of those mentioned in the list is it.

First, there was Conor McGregor. Many went gaga about a possible encounter with this explosive UFC lightweight champion who three years ago gave unbeaten world welterweight kingpin Floyd Mayweather some uneasy moments before getting KO’ed.

But then the flamboyan Briton lost in a rematch with his UFC counterpart and the planned match with Pacman was cancelled.

Bud Crawford, Errol Spence, Jr, Danny Garcia and Mikey Garcia were all listed as among prospective opponents because the choice could not be narrowed down most probably because two vital issues - prize money and venue - could not be settled.

In the meantime that the 8-division world champion was lingering in his own thoughts, the WBA stripped him of his crown for obvious inactivity.

Since defeating Keith Thurman by split decision in July 2019, the Sarangani senator has not even fought a tune-up match not because of his

undoing but because of the Covid19 lockdowns world-wide.

So, he is now the WBA super welterweight belt holder in recess, whatever that means.

Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s erstwhile promoter is flip-flopping with his noncommittal statements, especially that the Fiipino boxing icon has been reported to be asking $40M as his guaranteed prize money if he were to stake his reputation against Terence “Bud” Crawford, the WBO titleholder.

But Arum seems not too willing to give Manny that much and only $10M for his ward.

In my research, Spence and Danny Garcia are out of the picture.

I gathered from a reliable source that Manny and his camp has picked Mikey Garcia (not Ryan who is Dela Hoya’s protege).

Born Miguel Angel Garcia on Dec. 15, 1987, he debuted in 2006 and subsequently captured titles in the featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and linear junior welterweight divi-

sions.

The Mexican-American is trained by his equally famous brother Roberto and fights out of Oxnard, California. His record is outstanding with 41 fights, winning 40, losing one with 30 victories by KO. Mikey lost in his challenge of the IBF welterweight belt, jumping two weight divisions from lightweight, to undefeated titlist Errol Spence, Jr in 2019. Garcia earned $3M vs Spence.

He has called out Pacquiao’s name since.

The proposed Pacquiao-Garcia setto will be staged in Dubai in May. There has been no formal announcement yet from the Pacquiao camp until the dots are connected and the signature spaces are filled up properly. Everything seems to be underwraps.

But if you see videos of Pacman in the social media already jogging and shadow boxing in his shorts even at his home in GenSan, that should tell us that something is afoot.

From July 2019 to

FMIKEY, P10