Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 16 | Thursday-Saturday, April 1-3, 2021

SAVING RAINFOREST OF THE SEA

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

ENVIRONMENT P9

FAKE RT-PCR

VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

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Authorities arrested 60 people over fake RT-PCR test result STORY ON PAGE 2

A vendor sells colorful sago, one of the important ingredients of ‘binignit,’ outside Bankerohan Public Market’s main building in Davao City on Wednesday. Binignit is a staple food of Filipinos from the Visayas and Mindanao during the Lenten season. Edge Davao

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VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay says around 60 individuals have been apprehended by Davao City authorities for presenting falsified RT-PCR test results when they arrived at the Davao

International Airport (DIA) and most of them were travelers from Manila and Cebu. Edge Davao

FAKE RT-PCR N

Commercialization of Covid-19 vaccine not allowed: Galvez

Authorities arrested 60 people over fake RT-PCR test result

By MAYA M. PADILLO round 60 people have been apprehended by authorities in Davao City for presenting falsified reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results at the Davao International Airport (DIA).

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Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said that most of them were travelers from Manila and Cebu.

Based on the data of PSSCC shared by the City Information Office (CIO) out of the 60 persons intercepted, 32 cases have been filed, 3 persons are up for inquest while 25

other arrested persons will face charges for violation of Republic Act No. 11332, also known as the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act”, for not declaring health status.

The apprehensions covered from the period of November 13, 2020 to

March 29, 2021.

“Na-file na ang kaso, wala ta’y ginapili bisan kinsa because you are putting the city at risk.

They will be facing criminal charges and possibly administrative,” Sumagaysay said.

Currently, there are four persons detained for falsification of RT-PCR test results while 23 others were released on bail.

The data also showed five uniformed personnel arrested for submitting falsified COVID-19 swab test results.

Sumagaysay added that there is also an indi-

vidual who edited his test result and when we verified it turned out that he is positive.

The Davao Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU), Airport Health Monitoring Team, as well as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), has been consistently monitoring Davao City-bound passengers, especially in verifying the authenticity of the documents presented by travelers.

On Monday, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded Davao Citybound air passengers not

her mother, MC-515, are however asymptomatic and were readily isolated at the Alternate Care Site.

The mother is a close contact of her husband, MC-507, who was symptomatic. MC-515 was already in isolation when she was rushed to the

Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center on March 21 to give birth to MC-518.

Immediately after giving birth, the mother and daughter were isolated at the Alternate Care Site in Milagrosa.

The father has already recovered last

March 28. MC-518 is 10 days old when she and her mother were declared recovered on Wednesday.

MC-518 is the youngest Covid-19 survivor in the City of Mati and perhaps the country. (CIO MATI)

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10-day old baby recovers from Covid

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C-518, the newborn infected with Covid-19, is declared as recovered by the City of Mati Incident Management Team Wednesday, March 31.

The baby was only 3 days old when she was confirmed to have Covid-19. The baby and

ational Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday said commercialization of coronavirus vaccines is strictly prohibited.

Galvez, also the country's vaccine czar, made this statement after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered him to sign any document that will allow the private sector to import Covid-19 vaccines.

In a virtual press briefing, Galvez explained that the Covid-19 vaccines with emergency use authorization (EUA) are only limited for consumption during the pandemic and should not be used for commercialization.

"The government is the one responsible for indemnity and with that, commercialization of the vaccines is strictly not allowed until the time of this pandemic," Galvez said. "They should not have a profit on this."

He clarified that Duterte’s directive is only to hasten the process of allowing the private sector to procure Covid-19 vaccines on their own through a tripartite agreement with the national government and pharmaceutical companies.

"Iyon po ang kanyang directive na dapat walang delay para at least wala pong perceived na kino-control nating 'yun ti-

natawag nating procurement (His directive was to prevent delays so that it will not be perceived that we are controlling the procurement)," Galvez said, adding that the government is not monopolizing the vaccine procurement.

Galvez said the government and the private sector have agreed to respect the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) prioritization guidelines.

He said the private sector will present their plans on vaccine deployment and the inoculation of their employees.

The private sector must adhere to the criteria set by the National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) and the Department of Health (DOH) during the inoculation of their employees, he added.

“Even iyong sa 2.6 million na darating na AstraZeneca, the private sector will present to the NITAG iyong tinatawag nating deployment ng mga vaccine (Even the 2.6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that will arrive, the private sector will present to the NITAG the so-called deployment of the vaccines),” he said.

Galvez said the government will give leeway to the private companies

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VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

A skateboarder enjoys the ride during sunset on the longest bridge in Siargao Island located in Barangay Catangnan in the municipality of General Luna on Monday (29 March 2021). MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Sara orders establishment of ILI, swab corner in all health centers

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Establishment of ASF M testing center pushed

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he local business community is pushing for establishment of African swine fever (ASF) testing center in Davao Region as it continues to wreak havoc in several countries including the Philippines.

The said center will test if hogs are infected with ASF and can also help prevent other hogs from getting infected with the disease.

Dr. Malou Monteverde, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., (DCCCII), said there is also a need to form a monitoring body that will look into the distribution, selling, and testing of pork products within the city.

Monteverde said these were discussed during the Committee Hearing on Agriculture

last March 3, 2021.

She said it was also discussed during the meeting, which was attended by Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE) chair Cherrylin Casuga, the proposed ordinance on the “Prohibition of selling or entry of pork and other pork by-products originating from ASF-infected areas.

Monteverde said

non-government organization (NGO) noted the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), apart from the military, plays a crucial role to avert the escalation of armed conflict in Maguindanao, the front’s bailiwick.

“The military and the MILF will need to show greater resolve in neutralizing the BIFF and other

extremist groups before the elections,” Alert said in a statement Monday.

“For the MILF, it will mean disregarding kinship ties in going after the BIFF, even if it leads to internal fissures,” it added.

On March 18, clashes erupted between the military and Karialan faction of the BIFF in Datu Saudi

FESTABLISHMENT, P10

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered the establishment of influenza-like illness (ILI) and swab corner in all District Health Centers as part of the city government of Davao’s effort on strengthening surveillance of ILI as well as prevention from Covid-19.

The mayor said if swabbing is not yet available in the district, there shall be a referral of ILI cases to other swab centers for mandatory Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing.

She said there will be monitoring of ILI close contacts for signs and symptoms of Covid-19 and there should be man-

datory swabbing of close contacts if they develop these.

The mayor also ordered contact tracers, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) to refer all individuals found with these symptoms for swabbing in district health centers or Sta. Ana Health Center.

All of these are covered in the Executive Order (EO) No. 18 or “An Order Providing for Heightened Surveillance and Response of Covid-19 Cases in Davao City” which aims to recalibrate strategies to prevent and control SARSCov-2 transmission in Davao City.

“Makita ninyo pababa ang atong numbers, meaning pababa ang atong cases of Covid-19.

Kung ingana ang case, dapat dili ta maghulat na mosaka sya or naa napuy mga Covid-19 cases. Ang buhaton nato kinahanglan ta mag-surveillance og influenza-like illness,”

FSARA, P10 Int’l Alert urges MILF, military to disband BIFF as polls near Minor landslide reported in Lanca

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iolence might escalate in Maguindanao province as the new Bangsamoro region gears up for its first ever elections next year if the Islamic State-aligned Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) will not be pulverized, International Alert Philippines has warned.

The peacebuilding

FINT’L, P10

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minor landslide was reported in Barangay Lanca Wednesday morning, March 31.

The barangay reported the landslide to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office around seven in the morning.

The CDRRMO immediately coordinated with the provincial and city

engineering offices for the heavy equipment to clear the road of debris.

Engr. Eduard Purisima advised the CDRRMO that the equipment in motorpol for the landslide in Brgy. Lanca are already prepared and on standby due continuous rain.

By nine in the morning, the CDRRMO however reported that the road

in Lanca is now passable to light vehicles.

CDRRMO chief Charlemagne Bagasol said that their debris clearing team will be departing anytime soon. The team is consist of 1 payloader, 1 excavator, 1 selfloading and 2 dumptrucks.

The City of Mati has been affected by incessant rainfall the past few days. (CIO MATI)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

DTI 11 strengthens women entrepreneurship initiatives

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region remains steadfast in supporting the economic empowerment of the women micro-enterprises enrolled under the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project 2.

This initiative, which is being funded by the Government of Canada, seeks to provide a timely opportunity to improve sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness of women micro-enterprises. Likewise, it aims to continue enhancing the enabling environment for the economic empowerment of women. The Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) spearheads it and implements it together with DTI, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Department of Agriculture (DA). Apart from the budget from the sponsoring country, the

Philippines shells out at least 20 percent of the total fund as well.

The GWP2 started in the region in 2019, and since then, at least 100 women entrepreneurs have already availed of its various interventions.

“The figure does not refer to the number of individuals, but the number of women-led micro-enterprises that have already accessed the project. Therefore, the number of beneficiaries could be triple of the recorded data. We would like to emphasize that regardless of the type of business entity, wheth-

FDTI, P10

JG Summit posts 27% revenue decline in 2020

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G Summit Holdings Inc said Wednesday its consolidated revenues declined by 27 percent in 2020 but it has remained resilient due to its portfolio and agile response to the COVID-19 pandemic impact.

Its core net income reached P450 million in 2020 while consolidated revenues for the full year reached P221.6 billion, 27 percent lower than the previous year, JG Summit said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Banking and office segments, robust food sales and higher dividends from telco investments "tempered" the negative impact of COVID-19 on overall operating results, it said.

Cebu Pacific, its air transport business, "was severely impacted" by flight restrictions, while its petrochemical unit saw lower sales, JG Summit said.

Cebu Pacific on Tuesday said it posted P22.2 billion in net loss last year.

Earnings in other core investments also declined year-on-year.

Expansions in its food and banking units also provided some buf-

fer to offset profit declines in other businesses, it said.

"Coming from a very strong 2019, COVID-19 has clearly disrupted the business which dented our 2020 operating and financial results. Nonetheless, our diversified portfolio of market-leading businesses coupled with the strength of our balance sheet helped us navigate the situation," JG Summit President and CEO Lance Gokongwei said.

Gokongwei said the pandemic accelerated their multi-year transformation program. The company will continue to invest in "necessary assets and capabilities" to sustain the business, he said.

Moving forward, JG Summit will provide the "best value" for customers even with COVID-19 still in the picture, while exercising prudence in liquidity and cost management to ensure business sustainability, he said.

Universal Robina Corp, Robinsons Land Corp, Cebu Air, JG Summit Petrochemicals Group and Robinsons Bank are part of the JG Summit portfolio.

A rider ignores the possibility of meeting a road accident as he traverses along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City carrying a large item on his motorcycle on Wednesday. Edge Davao

SRA amends sugar allocation for ‘21 to ensure stable supply The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has revised its sugar allocation for the year to ensure a stable supply of the commodity.

In its order released on Monday, the SRA said the initial projection of national sugar production of 2.19 million metric tons (MT) has dropped to 2.10 million MT due to the prolonged La Niña weather phenomenon that has affected sugar-producing provinces, especially in Negros Occidental particularly in Silay, F.B Magalona, Victoria, Manapla, and Cadiz.

La Niña is a phenomenon that describes cooler than normal ocean surface temperatures in the Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean, regions close to the equator off the west coast of South America. In some parts of the world, La Niña causes increased rainfall, while in other regions, it causes extreme dry conditions.

"La Niña was more severe than initially expected that it brought heavy rains in all sugar-producing regions even flooding in several sugarcane fields," it said.

SRA said the weather phenomenon has low-

ered the sugar content in cane -- from 1.87 LKg/ TC (50-kilo bag per ton cane) to 1.71 LKg/TC. The Philippines’ sugar crop year starts in September and ends in August of the following year.

Each start of the crop year, SRA is mandated to regulate the local sugar industry, deciding how much of the country’s expected sugar production will be for domestic consumption and how much will be exported to the world market to balance the prices.

For this crop year, SRA decided that 7 percent or

153,000 MT of the country’s Class "A" sugar output will be exported to the United States, while the remaining 93 percent or 1.97 million MT will be for Class "B" or domestic sugar.

However, due to the drop in sugar production, SRA has decided to increase to 100 percent the Class "B" sugar and scrap the US allocation.

SRA said the order takes effect immediately covering sugar production of the week ending on April 4, 2021 and subsequent week ending of the crop year 2020-2021.

(PNA)

he coronavirus pandemic has been affecting economies worldwide for one year now and the Philippines is no exemption.

Still, the employment rate in the country was at 91.2 percent in February 2021, according to the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report.

“Equivalently, there were 43.2 million Filipinos who had job or business out of the 47.3 million Filipinos who were

in the labor force. In January 2021 and October 2020, the data was 91.3 percent," National Statistician and Civil Registrar General Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

The unemployment rate slightly increased to 8.8 percent in February, compared to 8.7 percent in January.

The highest unemployment rate since the pandemic was declared in March last year was 17.6

percent in April 2020.

The number of unemployed Filipinos 15 years old and over also increased to 4.2 million in February 2021, about 234,000 higher than the reported 4 million in January 2021.

The PSA report also showed that of the employed persons in February, there were 7.9 million categorized as underemployed, or those who expressed their desires to have additional hours of

work in their present jobs or to have additional jobs or to have new jobs with longer hours of work.

This was higher than the reported 6.6 million underemployed Filipinos in January 2021.

In terms of proportion, the underemployment rate in February 2021 was estimated at 18.2 percent, higher than in January 2021 (16 percent), October 2020 (14.4 percent), and July 2020 (17.3 percent).

Pandemic effect on economy continues but Pinoys coping

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ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

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EU lauds MinDA programs for Mindanao Island dev’t T

he European Union Delegation to the Philippines has lauded and pledged its support to the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) programs on Productivity, Poverty, Peace and Economic Recovery (PPPE).

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Secretary Emmanuel Piñol nares that the European Union Delegation to the Philippines led by the new Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, Luc Veron, expressed keen interest in MinDA’s interventions in the Bangsamoro Re-

gion. , Ambassador Veron has also lauded and pledged EU’s support to the Mindanao Development Authority’s (MinDA) programs on Productivity, Poverty, Peace and Economic Recovery (PPPE). Edge Davao

During a virtual conference on Monday (March 29), the new Ambassador of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, Luc Veron, described MinDA's programs on PPPE as the Four Pillars of Mindanao's development, which is "strategic and focused."

He said the focus of MinDA's interventions and programs is consistent with the thrust and direction of the EU Delegation's development assistance to the country, especially in Mindanao.

“Ambassador Veron, who was joined during the virtual conference

by Xavier Canton and Christoph Wagner, expressed keen interest in MinDA's interventions in the Bangsamoro Region.

MinDA Undersecretary Janet Lopoz and Asst. Sec. Romeo Montenegro who joined the MinDA pan-

el in the virtual meeting also briefed Ambassador Veron on the progress of the EU-funded projects in Mindanao, especially the Renewable Energy for Tawitawi Seaweeds production which is being implemented by UNIDO,” Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.

He added that Ambassador Veron also pledged to fast-track the implementation of the MINPAD RISE Program which is being funded by the EU and will be implemented in coordination with MinDA. Among the projects proposed by MinDA to be included in the MINPAD RISE Program are the Mindanao Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Program, which aims to establish Fish Centers equipped with post-harvest facilities

MA Network, Inc. (GMA) is providing free COVID-19 vaccines for its employees and talents.

In the spirit of Serbisyong Totoo especially when it comes to the health and safety of its workforce, the Kapuso Network announced on Tuesday, March 30, that it is purchasing doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines.

This is also in line with the government’s vaccination program and its efforts to fight the pandemic in the country.

The Network’s vaccination program covers regular and probationary employees, project employees, and exclusive talents on a voluntary basis. Additional details on the program will be announced by the company internally.

Sarangani’s tourism industry starts recovery amid pandemic G

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GMA Network to provide free vaccines for its workforce

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arangani province’s tourism industry has reportedly started to recover after a “down year” in 2020 that saw its prime beach resorts and other tourist destinations closing down for extended periods due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

April Marjorie Rudes, provincial tourism officer of Sarangani, said Tuesday the tourist arrivals in the area are increasing, with most of the travel restrictions in the province and other parts of Region 12 (Soccksargen) lifted.

Since January, she said they recorded nearly 100,000 tourists who spent at least a day in various tourism sites and establishments in the province.

Such figure is still way below the 1.1 million same-day visitors recorded in the province in 2019 or before

the onset of the pandemic but she said it offers hope for the local tourism industry to further recover.

“The tourist arrivals mainly increased when we opened the province to visitors from outside of Soccsksargen,” Rudes said in a phone interview.

She said the popular white-sand beaches of Barangay Gumasa in Glan town, Sarangani province recorded the most number of visitors despite only opening to those from outside Region 12 early this month.

Dubbed the “Boracay of the South,” the over two dozen beach resorts in the area started to reopen in the last quarter of 2020 but were only limited to residents within Region 12 until February.

Aside from Glan, Rudes said they also monitored an increase in visitors to new attractions in Alabel

town, among them the Tugal Falls in Barangay Pag-asa, as well as the other beaches, especially the Tuka marine park in Kiamba.

She assured that they are closely monitoring the compliance of all tourism establishments in the province to the Covid-19 protocols to prevent a possible surge of the disease.

Since the province, like the rest of Soccsksargen, is still under modified general community quarantine, resorts and tourism sites are only allowed to accept guests at 50-percent capacity.

She said all tourism establishments are mandated to implement the minimum health standards like the wearing of face masks and face shields, and the observance of safe physical distancing for all visitors and their workers.

In Glan, she said the

municipal government has required all visitors to register with their quick response or QR-coded digital contact-tracing application, dubbed DVY Cares.

Tourists are not allowed to enter the area without a prior and confirmed booking with any of the local resorts, she said.

“Beach hopping is also prohibited in Glan as an additional precaution,” she said.

Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon has continued to remind residents as well as visitors to remain cautious and vigilant due to the continuing community transmission of Covid-19 in the region.

He expressed hopes that the situation in the area will eventually normalize with the continuing rollout of the national government’s vaccination program against Covid-19.

(PNA)

Inflation likely to settle within 4.2 to 5% range in March: BSP

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nflation for the month of March likely settled within the 4.2 percent to 5 percent range, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

Downward adjustments in Meralco rates, lower prices of key food items and the price cap on meat products are "the main sources of downside price pressures" for the month, the BSP said in a statement.

However, these factors can be offset by higher oil prices and peso depreciation, it said.

Inflation rose to 4.7 percent in February as

prices of meat products continued to spike due to supply shortage.

"Moving forward, the BSP will continue to monitor evolving economic and financial conditions to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with the BSP’s price stability mandate," the central bank said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier said inflation could remain elevated in the next few months and would probably breach the upper end of the government target of 2 to 4 percent.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

On travelers who will present fake negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) result at the Davao International Airport (DIA):

Unsay mahitabo karon kung masakpan ka sa airport nga peke ang imong RT-PCR result or invalid ang RT-PCR result?

Mag-testing ug usab ug ikaw na mugasto sa imohang testing.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL

Burdensome

We all receive so many information on procedures as well as requirements to facilitate Covid-19 vaccination. Hence, it is common to find some clash of information as well as spread of misinformation regarding the important steps towards the process.

While people await for their turn to get inoculated, it is important to clear up the muddle.

The latest involves the requirement of a PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) to register for and to receive a Covid-19 vaccine.

Reacting to the report, Department of Health (DOH) quickly made an advisory on Tuesday clarifying once and for all that a PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) is not a requirement to register for and to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. Earlier, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) made an announcement that a PIN is required for Covid-19 vaccination.

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Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

DOH made the firefighting after people began to feel the ‘discomforts’ of vaccination.

To clarify the point, the PIN is required only when claiming benefits in cases of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) according to the Health Department.

The reason being, the government wants to ensure coverage of Filipinos who are not yet registered with PhilHealth in cases of AEFI that need hospitalization.

In that case, the government will set up registration booths at official vaccination sites to facilitate onsite PhilHealth registration. That was what was said.

Whatever prompted PhilHealth to make the wrong announcement is beyond the issue now. All that matters is for people to get the right information and to proceed without having to worry about too many requirements for vaccination.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THE DAY CHRIST DIED FOR US JESUS Christ, the central figure of Christianity, was born in Bethlehem in Judea. The chronology of the Christian era is reckoned from a 6th-century dating of the year of his birth, which is now recognized as being from four to eight years in error. Christians traditionally regard Jesus as “the incarnate Son of God,” and as having been divinely conceived by Mary, the wife of Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth.

The name Jesus is derived from a Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Joshua, or in full Yehoshuah (Jehovah is deliverance).

The title Christ is derived from the Greek christos, a translation of the Hebrew mashiakh (anointed one), or Messiah. “Christ” was used by Jesus’ early followers, who regarded him as the promised deliverer of Israel and later was made part of Jesus’ proper name by the church, which regards him as the redeemer of all humanity.

At the age of 33, his ministry in this world ended. He died for our sins – for all of us. First Peter 3:18 pointed this out: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just of the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” By the way, here’s how Great People of the Bible and How They Lived chronicled Christ’s last day on earth: “At about 9 a.m., a small procession left the Antonia and slowly made its way to Golgotha (“place of the skull”), a hill outside the walls of Jerusalem where prisoners were executed. It was so named because its contour resembled a human

skull. Jesus was accompanied by two other prisoners, a centurion and a few Roman soldiers.

“When they reached Golgotha, the soldiers stripped off the men and divided them among themselves as the crosses were assembled. Jesus suffered in silence as the soldiers nailed his wrists to the crosspiece with large iron spikes and drove another spike through both ankles. As they lifted his cross upright, his weight was supported by a peg jutting out from the cross between his legs. The soldiers placed a sign on the cross, proclaiming, ‘This is Jesus the King of the Jews.’

It was a slow and painful death. Dr. Alexander Metherell -- a consultant to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health of Bethesda, Maryland - interview by Lee Strobel for his book, “The Case for Christ,” explained how Christ died: “Once a person is hanging in the vertical position, crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation. The reason is that the stresses on the muscles and diaphragm put the chest into the inhaled position; basically, in order to exhale, the individual must push up on his feet so the tension on the muscles would be eased for a moment. In doing so, the nail would tear through the foot, eventually locking up against the tarsal bones.

“After managing to exhale, the person would then be able to relax down and take another breath in.

Again, he’d have to push himself up to exhale, scraping his bloodied back against the coarse wood of the cross. This would go on and on until complete exhaustion would take over, and the person wouldn’t be able to push up and breathe anymore.

“As the person slows down his breathing, he goes into what is called respiratory acidosis - the carbon dioxide in the blood is dissolved as carbonic acid, causing the acidity of the blood to increase.

This eventually leads to an irregular heartbeat. In fact, with his heart beating erratically, Jesus would have known that he was at the moment of death.... Jesus died of cardiac arrest.”

But before he died, Christ delivered what is now known as His seven last words. His first cross utterance: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This was closely followed by: “Verily, I say to you, today shall you be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

At the crucial moment of His life, some family members and friends paid a visit to Him. When He saw them, he told Mary (His mother), “Woman, behold your Son” and then turning to his disciple John, he urged to take care of her and said, “Behold your mother.”

Read John 19:26,27 for further details.

Here are the four remaining last words He uttered: “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

(Matthew 27:46); “I thirst” (John

19:28); “It is finished” (John 19:30); and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). After saying all these, he perished.

“Later that afternoon,” notes The Great People book, “one of Jesus’ wealthy Jerusalem followers, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pontius Pilate and asked him for Jesus’ body, so that he might give him a proper burial. After making sure that Jesus was in fact dead, Pilate agreed to let Joseph take the body. The kind man removed Jesus’ corpse from the cross and prepared it for burial.” John 19:39-42 relates that Joseph was assisted by Nicodemus.

“Joseph bound the body from head to foot in clean, white linen strips, sprinkling fragrant species between the layers. When he had finished, Joseph carried Jesus’ body into his garden, where there was a tomb that had been hewn out of a large rock. Inside near the rear of the tomb was a couch, also of stone, and Joseph gently placed the corpse upon it. Then he rolled a heavy stone across the entrance and returned to his home.”

“The death of Christ has a prominent place in the New Testament of the Bible. The last three days of our Lord’s earthly life occupy about one-fifth of the narratives in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John),” writes Henry Thiessen in Lectures in Systematic Theology. “If all the three and a half years of His public ministry had been written out as fully as the last three days, we would have a ‘Life of

Christ’ of some 8,400 pages!”

One Bible scholar commented that the death of Christ is mentioned directly in the New Testament more than 175 times. Since there are 7,959 verses in the New Testament, this would mean that one out of every 53 verses refers to this theme.

More than that, the death of Christ is the essential thing in Christianity.

Writes Thiessen: “Other religions base their claim to recognition on the teaching of their founders; Christianity is distinguished from all of them by the importance it assigns to the death of its Founder. Take away the death of Christ as interpreted by the Scriptures, and you reduce Christianity to the level of the ethnic religions.

“Though we would still have a higher system of ethics, were we to take away the cross of Christ, we would have no more salvation than these other religions. Napoleon said when banished to St. Helena, that Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and he found mighty kingdoms on force, but that Jesus Christ had founded His own love. This is true, if we mean love expressed in His substitutionary death.”

In his book, Jesus Christ Our Lord, Dr. John Walvoord agrees: “Christ in His death fully satisfied the demands of a righteous God for judgment upon sinners and, as their infinite sacrifice, provided a ground not only for the believer’s forgiveness, but for his justification and sanctification.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ICONIC DAVAO BUS COMPANY During American period, long-distance travel by land using public transport was almost exclusively done by autobus. Given the absence of ‘roll on, roll off’ maritime transport in crossing islands, buses were limited to ply routes within contiguous territories or as stipulated in their franchises. Davao was not spared from this restriction.

Before it was chartered, Davao was the only city in the archipelago without animal-drawn vehicles.

Public utility vehicles were in four wheels, and there were no horsedrawn rigs, such as the tartanilla (carriage) or the calesa (calash), to speak of.

Actually, Davao was then home to Davao Autobus Co. Inc. (Dabusco), one of the pioneering transport firms in Mindanao founded in 1931; the firm was fully owned by Filipinos. For some reason, after only a year of operation and with fourteen buses in its fleet, a new management took over. As a result, new buses, the oldest being two years old only, were imported.

Riding a Dabusco unit was always associated with safety and comfort, given that all its buses were in A-1 condition, and its fleet regarded as the most modern in Mindanao, even comparable to the neatness of the Manila Railroad Company fleet in Manila.

Better still, Dabusco’s drivers and conductors, according to a story that appeared in a national publication, were “always neat, courteous and helpful... [and the drivers] are noted for the care they take in the safety of the passengers.”

Promptness was an indispensable aspect of the company’s services. Two of the men credited for making the autobus firm a cut above all other similar outfits were Norman W. Ramsay, the resident manager, and Cipriano de los Reyes, its president and general manager.

By 1936, Dabusco, under case No. 45372, filed an application with the Public Services Commission to extend its operation to Davao Penal Colony and Lapanday. Pursuant to Act No.

3108, the commission heard the application on March 27, 1936. Earlier, it also applied for an increase in equipment with the same agency, but the authority granted to it was ordered withdrawn after it failed to submit copes of certificates of registration.

The use of public utility autobuses as passenger transport in Davao region was attributed to various reasons. The Tribune, in its April 29, 1939, article titled ‘Motor Transportation Widely Used in Davao City’, described in detail the suitability of fielding buses in the region: “The use of PU automobiles in the city for passenger transportation is the result of several conditions. In the first place, the city has a vast area. It is an agricultural city dotted with more than fifty hemp plantations employing several hundreds of laborers. These plantations have built private roads as feeders to government roads. Being third class, these roads are not fit for heavy traffic and for this reason,

plantation laborers prefer fast, convenient and light automobiles.”

This impressive management style, moreover, would be replicated from year to year. By 1939, Dabusco was already operating fifty modern buses, serving all parts of the city and the province. The services it offered were greatly admired and its units were getting the best attention. As its fleet expanded, it opened new terminals at Hospital Avenue and Bankerohan, within the city proper. Another station was built at Talomo on the south, and another one was erected at Tibungco in the north. The bus company’s efficiency was featured glowingly in the same report: “The public has admired the efficiency of the service of ‘Dabusco.’ It maintains its own shop and garage which are equipped with modern conveniences for servicing its buses. Well-trained mechanics periodically inspect the buses. Each bus is inspected immediately after its return from a trip and drivers are requested to report the defects noted.

This accounts for the keeping up of time schedules and the avoidance of accidents result in from engine troubles.

“The company gives good attention to its employees. The drivers, conductors and mechanics are well paid. Every Christmas, they are given bonuses. They are also given their regular wages while undergoing medical treatment.

“One of the recent innovations introduced by the company is the building of shade or waiting stations in strategic places of the city.”

Official records for the years 1936, 1937 and 1938 showed that Davao region was slowly racking up its transport population of automobiles, trucks, and motorcycles.

For 1936, the registry showed 628 automobiles, 320 trucks, and five motorcycles. The following year, a slight numerical appreciation was noted: automobile, 640; trucks, 366; and motorcycles, five. By 1938, the transport inventory remained on the rise: automobiles, 654; trucks, 359, and motorcycles, 14.

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EDGEDAVAO

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LIFESTYLE

DUSIT DAVAO X KAAYO

A COLLABORATION OF COLORS, CULTURE, COMPASSION

If there is one thing to be said, pandemics not only target the lifestyle we enjoyed before the pandemic, but they can affect the very fabric of tribal cultures. Many past pandemics were responsible for the disappearance of many indigenous peoples and along with them, their traditions and culture.

At a time where everyone faces difficulties and challenges, Kaayo Modern Mindanao, founded by the motherdaughter tandem of Mary Ann “Baby” Montemayor and Margarita Nograles, together with Dusit Davao, keep the flame of traditional weaving skills and culture alive with a fashion exhibit dubbed as “Colors, Culture, Compassion.”

“More than the opportunity to reach out to more people and introduce the best of artisanship in Mindanao, it is more of a tribute to our tribes who has provided us with the abundance of culture and colors out of their imaginative skills,” said Ms. Baby Montemayor. Kaayo has since been working with the indigenous tribes of Mindanao in their unique fusion of

traditional and contemporary designs. These include the T’boli tribe of South Cotabato, B’laan, Tagkaolo, and Bagobo Tagabawa tribes of Davao del Sur, Mandaya tribe of Davao Oriental, and the Ata Manobo tribe of Davao del Norte.

For the summer season, Dusit Davao partners with Kaayo to showcase the colors of Mindanao, ensuring that the theme promotes a meaningful advocacy of sustaining the skills of indigenous artists alive. Dusit Davao Hotel Manager Christoph Kuch shares, “It warms our hearts that we are partnering with Kaayo. We

Ms. Baby Montemayor with Nang Elena and Lara of the T_boli tribe of Lake Sebu.

Intricate Kaayo designs on display at Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation.

have known their brand and mission ever since it started, and we look forward for our guests to see their pieces and know the heartwarming stories behind them.”

There are two installations for this themed exhibit. One at the Dusit Thani Residence Davao, and the other at the Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort. A variety of pieces from traditional tops and skirts to modern-day dresses and accents are available, the exhibit expresses a well-curated display of designs that speaks of the rich culture of Mindanao at first glance.

The Kaayo X Dusit Davao exhibits run from March through

April, and will shift on to a new line of pieces this coming May.

Nang Elena and Lara to perform live weaving at Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation for the first week of April.

Guests may check and purchase these items on site as well.

Dusit Davao Hotel Manager Christoph Kuch, Baby Montemayor, and Dusit Davao Director of Sales and Marketing Lannie Merilo on the Kaayo fashion exhibit.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

Saving rainforest of the sea

ENVIRONMENT

9

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

D

arrell Blatchley was still sleepy but already awake as he had to dive into the waters near the Pearl Farm Beach Resort where he stayed for the night. He was excited; after all, he had been raring to see what others had been telling him.

“If you ever get the chance to dive, do it here; you will see what the best of the Davao Gulf has to offer,” says Blatchley, an American who has been living in Davao City almost half of his life. “Fishing is strictly prohibited so the fish are plentiful and big. The fish are not afraid of you so they come in close as if they want to say hi!”

Among those that he saw while diving were the parrot fish, trigger fish, barracuda, and the poisonous but impressive lionfish.

While the Samal reef gardens display colorful underwater vistas with its treasure of tropical marine life (which is why it is called the Island Garden City of Samal) , some of the corals are not in good shape.

A survey conducted in the early 1990s yet by the Regional Fishermen’s Training Center in Panabo City at Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf had shown that most of the shallow or inshore coral reefs “were totally damaged because they are exposed to greater pressure.”

But destruction of coral reefs is rampant not only in Davao Gulf but in other parts of the country as well. In the late 1970s, the East-West Center in Hawaii sounded the alarm. At that time, the study disclosed that more than half of the reefs were “in advanced state of destruction.” Only about 25% of live coral covers were in “good condition,” while only 5% were in “excellent condition.”

Nothing much has changed since then. In fact, 30% of the country’s

coral reefs are reportedly dead while 39% are dying. Reef Check, an international organization assessing the health of reefs in 82 countries, identified the coral reefs which are in “excellent condition” are the Tubbataha Reef Marine Park in Palawan, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Apo Reef in Puerto Galera, Mindoro, and Verde Island Passage off Batangas.

“Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines,” commented Don E. McAllister, who once studied the cost of coral reef destruction in the country.

On land, the ecosystem that supports the greatest number of plant and animal species is the rainforest. In the sea, it’s the coral reef.

The corals most people have seen are actually the dried and bleached skeletons of soft-bodied animals that live in the warm, sunlit waters of tropical seas and look more like plants and rocks than animals.

The main part of the real coral is the polyp – the extraordinary flower-like animal with a tube-like body and finger-like tentacles. “Coral polyps get nutrition in two ways,” explains Lindsay Bennett, author of globetrotter island guide, Philippines. “They catch their food by means of stinging tentacles that paralyze any suitable prey – microscopic creatures called zooplankton – and also engage in a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae that live within the polyp structure.”

Science says coral pol-

yps reproduce in two ways: asexually (by the division of existing individual poly p s ) a n d asexually (by c o m bining egg and s p e r m from two different polyps). “This results in a free-swimming polyp that will be carried by ocean currents to find a new colony and commence a new reef,” Bennet writes.

Most of the coral reefs are found in the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

The richest reefs are located in the so-called “coral triangle,” which spans eastern Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.

Covering an area that is equivalent to half of the entire United States, it is considered “the epicenter for marine biodiversity.”

About 600 of the 700 or so corals known to man have been discovered in this region touted to be as “the Amazon of the Sea.” In the Philippines alone, more than 400 coral reefs are found.

There are three major types of coral reefs, according to Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

These are fringing type (those found on the edges of islands and which constitutes 30% of the country’s coral reefs); the barrier type (best exemplified by the Dajanon Reef of Central Visayas); and the atoll (of which the Tubbataha and Cagayan Reef in the Sulu Sea are ideal examples).

Be-

cause of their structure, coral reefs serve as shelter to fishes and shellfishes.

A single reef can support as many as 3,000 species of marine life.

As fishing grounds, they are thought to be 10 to 100 times as productive per unit area as the open sea.

About 80-90 per cent of the incomes of small island communities come from fisheries.

“Coral reef fish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” Dr. Alcala said.

“Despite considerable improvements in coral reef management, the country’s coral reefs remain under threat,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, former director of the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau.

“This means that fish and other marine life cannot be as productive as they were before,” said the International Marinelife Alliance (IMA) – Philippines. “Moreover, this will have a domino effect: fishermen will have fewer catches and lower income and there will be less fish and marine products for everyone.”

IMA identified the following as the primary culprits why coral reefs in this part of the world

are on the brink of extinction: Siltation: This is one of the major problems coral reefs are facing.

Siltation is the settling of silt or sediment from dirty water. It is caused by soil erosion which is the result of deforestation in the

uplands.

D e structive fishing: For almost three decades now, destructive fishing has been practiced by fishermen. Destructive fishing impairs the ability of coral reefs to produce fish and marine life. Moreover, the use of sodium cyanide and dynamite fishing in catching aquarium fish or live fish can damage coral reefs.

Pollution: Garbage and outflows from canals, ditches and pipes dirty the ocean water.

These prevent the sunlight from reaching underwater depths. Like plants, coral reefs need sunlight in order to stay productive and healthy.

But the Filipinos themselves are the primary culprit. “Life in the Philippines is never far from the sea,” wrote Joan Castro and Leona D’Agnes in a report. “Every Filipino lives within 45 miles of the coast, and every day, more than 4,500 new residents are

born.”

The Philippines is now home to more than 100 million people. “Human activities are the major cause of coral reef degradation,” said a document that was released during the International Coral Reef Initiative held in Dumaguete City.

T h e pressure o f

hum a n populations can be attested by visiting fishing barangays near a reef area.

There are just too many fishermen and they overfish the reefs. Even if they use non-destructive fishing gears, they still stress the coral reef ecosystem.

Dr. Robert Ginsburg, a specialist on coral reefs working with the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, also said human beings have a lot to do with the rapid destruction of reefs. “In areas where people are using the reefs or where there is a large population, there are significant declines in coral reefs,” he said.

The environment department urges every Filipinos to help save the country’s remaining coral reefs. “We must act now to save our remaining coral reefs, before it’s too late,” the DENR said in a statement published in its website. -- (Photos

by Gregory C. Ira)

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EDGEDAVAO

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to falsify their documents or else they will undergo inquest proceedings.

“Automatic, pag-fake imong gi-present, dili na mi maminaw sa explanation, i-hold kana deresto and bayran nimo imong testing, hulaton ang test result nimo. Kung negative ka, deresto na sa in-

quest. Kung positive ka, deresto na ka dan-on sa facility, filing of case will follow,” she said.

This is in line with the re-imposition of the City Ordinance No. 0477-21 requiring individuals to submit a negative RT-PCR test result prior to entry in Davao City via DIA.

to import and purchase Covid-19 vaccines and will provide them with easier access and clearance to the Bureau of Customs.

"It will be tax-free and custom-free so that it will

have easy clearing from customs," he said.

The official earlier cited the significant role of the private sector in the acquisition of safe and effective anti-Covid vaccines. (PNA)

imposing penalty from P5,000 to P10,000 was also recommended for the violators of the proposed ordinance, which is up for second reading at the City Council of Davao.

Meanwhile, the Hog Farmers Association of Davao Region Inc., (HogFADI) is also pushing for the approval of the said ordinance.

“Example, we still see a lot of imported meat coming from infected countries, pumapasok at naka-display. The depart-

ment issued penalties on infected meat for local producers but I don’t see any penalties or smugglers that’s been arrested even before when in fact there are already regulations prohibiting the importations of meat from infected countries,” said Eduard So, president of HogFADI. So said the group is hopeful for Davao City to become a model city in prohibiting the entry of meat products from ASF infected countries. Maya Padillo

Ampatuan town and the Dawlah Islamiya–Turaife Group.

Data from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao–Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (BARMM–READi) showed that at least 9,347 families or 46,735 individuals were displaced from the towns of Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Shariff Aguak, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay and Mamasapano.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6th Infantry Division chief, said troops clashed with the members of the BIFF–Karialan faction and the Dawlah Islamiyah– Turaife Group, leaving 14 enemies dead after four days of fighting.

Uy ordered the troops to intensify the military operations to neutralize the extremist groups.

“We also offer them a peaceful means of laying down their firearms, return to the folds of the law, and live a peaceful life with their families,” he said in a statement.

Interior and Local Government Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the BARMM government and the military have been relentlessly exerting efforts to flush out the BIFF, with the help of the MILF. “We are saddened by the resumption of hos-

tilities triggered by the ISIS-inspired group’s movement in the ‘SPMS box’. The MILF forces, in coordination with AFP, is now engaging this ISIS-inspired groups,” Sinarimbo said.

The “SPMS box” is collective name for the four municipalities of Shariff Aguak, Pagatin (now Datu Saudi Ampatuan), Mamasapano and Datu Salibo, which are strongholds of the BIFF. International Alert said the firefight that began March 18 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town was the latest episode involving the military and the BIFF, as monitored by the NGO since January through its Critical Events Monitoring System that receives on-the-ground reports from local contacts.

Francisco Lara Jr., senior peace and conflict adviser of International Alert Philippines, said the clashes involving the BIFF–Karialan faction could be part of a gradual yet deliberate escalation of violence that might lead to a major political battle before or during the 2022 elections.

The first Bangsamoro parliamentary election is slated for 2022 along with the national election.

Several election watchdogs have proposed

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VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

the mayor said.

Under Section 4 of the EO, children and adults with ILI symptoms shall undergo RT-PCR testing and be required to undergo mandatory home quarantine while waiting for the test result.

The individuals with the symptoms and have tested negative in the RT-PCR can only be released from home quarantine once they become asymptomatic, except if they need to work or do business.

Under the surveillance in offices and establishments, Mayor Sara wants the regular schedule of surveillance swabbing in high-risk areas without implementing the mandatory home quarantine after swabbing. This shall apply but not limited to the following: business and commercial establishments (i.e. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), banks, restaurants, etc.); public places (i.e. wet markets, supermarkets, stores, etc.); government

offices; private offices and agencies; closed facilities including the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bahay Pag-asa, Home for the Aged, orphanage; and other barangays and areas deemed high risk by the City Health Office (CHO).

The mayor also ordered offices and establishments to establish a "work from home system" arrangement so that employees who tested positive can continue to work online while in the facility.

She said Covid-19 positive patients are isolated so that transmission in the community is stopped.

“Mas maayo na ang atoang mga resident nalang ang mag self-monitor for their symptoms.

I-remember lang nila na wala may kinahanglan kahadlokan, because kung naa kay Covid-19 naa ta'y mga facility,” she said.

er sole proprietorship, cooperative, or association, we just count one women-led business as one beneficiary,” DTI 11 Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi shared.

Ambi further explained that unlike the other DTI programs and projects, the GWP2 project focuses on the intended beneficiaries alone, unlike the Negosyo Centers wherein DTI encourages the participation of more people. Also, there is no limit to what they can avail of from the project’s menu of services.

“As long as they want to access any of the services or interventions that the GWP2 project offers, we will always be willing to provide them with what they need.

As of December 2020, DTI 11 achieved 100 percent project reach despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. These women-led enterprises come from different industries or sectors, including cacao, coffee, processed fruits and nuts, and wearables and homestyle, which are some of DTI’s priorities.

Since 2019, the beneficiaries have already received numerous customized interventions from the project, such as skills trainings and seminars, sponsorship in trade fairs, and technical assistance in product packaging and labeling, and the most recent ones are the online seminars on product assessment and development, smartphone photography, digital marketing, and environmental management practices.

“For this year, DTI 11 will continue to engage these women-led micro-enterprises by rolling out capacity building trainings online, conducting trade promotion initiatives, and facilitating product clinic sessions, among others. We know that the health crisis has put a toll on them; that is why, we want to help them in whatever way we can. We do not want to see them closing their businesses,” Ambi said.

The GREAT Women Project will run until December 2021. DTI11

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to desynchronize the parliamentary and national elections. Another wants to delay the parliamentary election by extending the life of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the interim administrator of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) that is led by MILF members and their nominees, by three years.

“Reports from our

early response network reveal how some local politicians are orchestrating violent incidents in Datu Saudi Ampatuan and nearby towns to depict the BTA as ineffective in improving the security in this conflict-ridden area and hence weaken the legitimacy and authority of the Bangsamoro transition government,” Lara said. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

Water service interruption in some areas served by Tugbok WSS April 6 to 7, 2021

D

avao City Water District advises of a water service interruption from 8:00 PM of Tuesday, April 6, 2021 until 4:00 AM of Wednesday, April 7, 2021 affecting some areas served

by Tugbok Water Supply System (WSS).

Specific affected areas are Cassandra Crossing, Sitio Basak, Nanay Maria Subd., Panacan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, BPI Main Office, BPI Housing, Sitio Sinalikway, Philippine Coconut Authority, Sitio Saka, Kopai Village, Purok Bayanihan (BAGASA) Bago Gallera Settlers Assn. Inc., Bago Oshiro, and Bago Saka.

DCWD needs to temporarily shut off the water supply in the affected areas to give way to the tapping of a District Metered Area (DMA) auxiliary pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the Tugbok WSS DMA Project. This project is among DCWD’s non-revenue water or water loss reduction strategies.

The would-be affected areas are currently experiencing prolonged intermittent water supply.

The completion of the DMA will also help DCWD in its ongoing evaluation and monitoring activities to detect the possible cause of the prolonged intermittent water supply and provide the appropriate interven-

tion to improve the water supply situation in the affected areas.

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.

The general public may visit DCWD website (www.davao-water. gov.ph) and Facebook page (www.facebook. com/officialDCWD) and telephone voicemail 235-3293 for the latest water service updates.

For queries, customers may also call DCWD’s 24-hour Water Patrol Emergency Hotlines 2446767, 0927-798-8966, 0925-511-3293, and 0908-441-0653 or send a message to www.facebook.com/officialDCWD. (Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

like ice-making machines in at least 26 fishing communities of Mindanao and the Mindanao Corn Grains Silo Storage System, which will be established in at least six major corn production areas of Mindanao to ensure sustainable grains supply to support the poultry and livestock industry.

Also, the Strategic Area Development Approach, which identifies

key production areas will be provided support akin to Bukidnon's IMTASULA vegetable production area; and the Cattle Industry Development Program that aims to boost cattle production in Mindanao, especially in the Bangsamoro Region to address poverty in the rural areas and boost the country's food sufficiency program.

advantage with his wrestling. He also has fantastic footwork and knows how to put himself in the best spots. He’s so technical with that aspect.

Even though he may be small for the division, he moves very well and has great cage control,” said Sangiao.

“Demetrious can score takedowns anywhere in the Circle. If he can’t get one against the fence, he’ll take it to the center. He reads his opponents and then controls them on the ground. Moraes is a great grappler, but so is Demetrious. That’s what makes this fight compelling.”

“Who’s going to initiate a ground battle first?

This may come down to

the striking. If so, who’s the better striker? We’ll find out. I just don’t see how Moraes can get past Demetrious’ advantages. I don’t know if he can stop him from doing what he wants,” Sangiao concluded.

The “ONE on TNT” series will air every Wednesday from April 7 for four weeks. Each week will include a preliminary card digitally streamed exclusively on the Bleacher Report App and B/R Live from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, followed by three main card fights televised exclusively on TNT in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET. It will be available in Asia via the usual channels.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 15 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2021

Rozier stars as Hornets topple down Wizards

11

W

ASHINGTON — Terry Rozier scored 27 points, Gordon Hayward had 26 points and a season-high 11 rebounds and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Washington Wizards, 114-104, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Charlotte has won four of five after losing Rookie of the Year favorite La Melo Ball to a fractured right wrist.

Washington (17-29) played without NBA leading scorer Bradley Beal for the second straight game due to a bruised right hip. Rui Hachimura tied his career high with 30 points for the Wizards. Russell Westbrook had his 17th triple-double of the season and his third straight with 22 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds. Robin Lopez had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hornets, who improved to 24-22, went on a 16-2 run to take a 50-39 lead midway in the second quarter. While Washington got within 98-95 with 4:12 to play, Charlotte pulled away to secure the win.

Devonte' Graham scored 17 points and Cody Zeller had 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Hornets.

TIP-INS Hornets: Rozier was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for his play from March 22-28. "To be recognized in this league, you've got to win in this league," coach James Borrego said. … F Malik Monk missed his second game with a sore right foot.

Terry Rozier scored 27 points to lead the Hornets.

Breaking down JohnsonMoraes world title bout

T Westbrook had 35 points, 14 rebounds and 21 assists to lead Washington to a win on Tuesday.

Triple-doubles grow 47% more over last season

I

T’S the 3-point era in the NBA. The massive-salary era. The LeBron James era.

It's also the triple-double era.

If it seems like triple-doubles are happening more often than ever, that's because they are — by a huge margin. On average, the NBA has seen someone put up at least 10 of this, 10 of that and 10 of those in one out of every seven games this season.

The rate of them happening is up 47% over last season, plus represents a staggering increase of nearly 700% over how often they occurred just nine years ago — when there were 18 in the entire 201112 season.

They happen with amazing regularity now.

That doesn't mean everyone is enthralled.

"I get it. They're nice, round numbers and people get into those things in sports," New Orleans coach Stan Van Gundy said. "But I've never really been one who thought a whole lot of the whole triple-double thing."

He's right. Some of them don't seem to have much of an impact on the game.

Then there's what Russell Westbrook — the triple-double king — did Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Westbrook had 35 points, 14 rebounds and 21 assists to lead Washington to a win. It was only the third time someone had that many points and that many assists in an NBA game; throw in the rebounds, and Westbrook's night was unprecedented.

"He does things I've never seen and I've been

in this league for 30 years," Washington coach Scott Brooks said. "He's a winner."

If people are bored by the triple-double, it might be Westbrook's fault. He's been making them seem like nightly happenings for years.

The reasons for the rise leaguewide in triple-doubles are many, but two of them are clear: the "freedom of movement" emphasis in officiating favors the offensive player, so that means more points and more assists. So, too, does the increase pace of play, which also leads to more rebound opportunities.

There are about eight more possessions and eight more shot attempts per team as compared to nine years ago, and every possession leads to a statistic of some sort.

he “ONE on TNT” event series kicks off next Wednesday, April 7 (April 8 SGT) with ONE on TNT I. In the main event, ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix, 12-time UFC World Champion Demetrious Johnson can further establish his legacy as the greatest mixed martial artist in history if he defeats reigning six-time ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.

One man who’s excited to watch the action unfold is Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao. Two of Sangiao’s wards, Geje Eustaquio and Danny Kingad, have taken on Moraes multiple times in the past, with Kingad facing Johnson in late 2019.

“The Demetrious

Johnson versus Adriano Moraes fight is a very interesting fight. I’m excited to watch what happens,” Sangiao told ONE Championship in a recent interview.

“We’ve had several fights against Moraes since the start of ONE Championship, so we know what he brings to the table. We’ve seen how he has developed into a tremendous fighter, all of the mistakes he made as well as all of the improvements. He’s a great athlete and champion, very technical and calculated.”

“At the same time, we’ve had one fight with DJ and got to experience that with Danny [Kingad].

He’s an incredible martial artist and one of the best in the world. Also a very technical fighter. DJ is

amazing in every category. He’s a complete fighter, which is what makes him great. This fight is going to be a technical spectacle,” Sangiao added.

Johnson joined ONE Championship in March of 2019, in a first-of-its-kind trade that sent former ONE Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren to the UFC. Since then, Johnson has put together three impressive victories, winning an eight-man flyweight tournament in the process, and earning his shot at ONE Championship gold.

Sangiao doesn’t see how Moraes can overcome Johnson’s strengths, and is picking the American to win the fight.

“For me, I think Demetrious has a huge

FBREAKING, P10

12-time UFC World Champion Demetrious Johnson can further establish his legacy as the greatest mixed martial artist in history if he defeats reigning six-time ONE Flyweight World Champion Adriano Moraes.

12 SPORTS SPORTS

DUBAI FIGHT?

VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 16 • THURSDAY-SATURDAY, APRIL 1-3, 2021

Pacquiao in talks with Crawford for June fight

C

ould Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao be heading for a fight in Dubai this June?

It's still early to tell with the pandemic hitting most of Manila anew but the fighting Senator is in talks with unbeaten American Terence Crawford for a June encounter, according to a report from The Athletic.

Citing unnamed sources, Mike Coppinger of The Athletic reported that the fight is being eyed for June 5 in Abu Dhabi.

Top Rank has apparently informed ESPN and its pay-perview distributor, In Demand, "to hold June 5 for the potential fight."

Pacquiao, 42, has not fought since a July 2019 victory over American boxer Keith Thurman.

He won the "super" version of the WBA welterweight championship with that victory, but the organization in January declared him a "champion in recess" due to inactivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic kept Pacquiao from returning to the ring in 2020. A planned mega-bout against mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor

was scuppered after the Irishman lost to Dustin Poirier in January.

The 33-year-old Crawford, meanwhile, last fought in November when he stopped Kell Brook to defend his WBO belt. The American improved his record to 37-0 with 28 knockouts.

Coppinger wrote that if the fight pushes through, it would be "huge" for Crawford as Pacquiao would be his toughest opponent so far.

"Crawford… has been dogged by criticism over his lack of quality opposition. Crawford is 33 and his biggest win came against Viktor Postol in 2016, a good but not great boxer," he noted.

On the other hand, Crawford will be Pacquiao's most difficult challenge since he fought Floyd Mayweather in May 2015, Coppinger also wrote.

In January, Pacquiao said that Crawford was one of his potential opponents, although he also named Mikey Garcia and Errol Spence as candidates to land a fight against him.