Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 4 |Thursday, March 18, 2021

CHUKOY GOES TO THE PBA!

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CARRIER’S CALL

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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Resumption of international flights from DIA will depend on airline companies: Mayor Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

Market goers purchase tuna at the wet section of Bankerohan Public Market on Wednesday.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has recently issued Executive Order No. 12 allowing public wet markets in Davao City to open Monday to Sunday from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

CARRIER’S CALL Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the turn-over of four vehicles donated by the city government of Davao in partnership with the World Bank and Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project – In-

vestment in Rural Enterprise and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (PRDP-IREAP) to the Davao City Agriculture Cooperatives at the Davao Food Terminal, Dumoy on Tuesday. CIO

Resumption of international flights from DIA will depend on airline companies: Mayor Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday said the resumption of international flights from the Davao International Airport (DIA) will depend on the decision of airline companies.

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“With regards to the international flights, it is the decision of the airlines if they will open balik dinha sa DIA,” the mayor said.

The mayor issued the statement as respond to the clamor of OFWs on reopening international

flights from DIA. “Dili under sa control sa LGU ang pagbuhat ug flights under sa airlines na.

Kung tan-aw sa airlines angay na nga ablihan nila usab ang ilahang mga flights, then igo lang magsabot ug schedule ang airline ug ang

airport,” she explained.

In October last year, Mayor Sara announced that direct international flights to and from DIA were already allowed, this six months after she ordered the suspension of all domestic and international flights in March of the same year as to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Affected airlines and the flights were: SilkAir’s Davao-Singapore-Davao routes, Xiamen Air’s Davao-Quanzhou (Jinjiang)-Davao flights, Cathay

Dragon’s Davao-Hongkong-Davao, Cebu Pacific’s Davao-Singapore-Davao, Garuda Indonesia’s Davao-Manado-Davao, and Qatar Airways’ Davao-Qatar-Davao.

In terms of domestic flights, currently, there are a total of 45 flights in a week from Davao City: 29 flights to Manila, 10 to Cebu City, two to Clark, two to Zamboanga City, one to Iloilo City, and one to Tagbilaran City.

The DIA was reopened on June 8, 2020 for domestic flights.

CPDO proposes to increase city’s green space requirement to 15%

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he Davao City Planning and Development Office (DCPDO) is heading towards more green space initiatives to make air cleaner and healthier for Dabawenyos.

DCPDO head Ivan Chin Cortez said his office is proposing a number of measures particularly increasing green space

requirement from 10 percent to 15 percent to further enhance the city’s environment.

"In our proposal for the land used plan, himoon nato ang 10 percent to 15 percent ang mahitabo ang sellable area na mabilin is 55 percent for the developets para ang atoang mga subdivisions dili igang kaayo

because there are subdivisions na naa'y punuan," he said.

He said this is intended for the incoming developers in Davao City.

"Ang sa atong city kung naa ta'y excess funds for the government and naka-allocate for greening puwede ra ta makapalit ug yuta from those areas, " Cortez add-

ed.

This is part of the Local Climate Change Action Plan 2019-2023 of Davao City, which was approved through Ordinance No. 0475-21 series of 2021 or also known as "An Ordinance Approving and Adopting the 2019-2023 Local Climate Change Action Plan of the

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P1-B infra projects up for 63 NoCot villages under BARMM

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ll the 63 villages in North Cotabato that opted to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have started receiving infrastructure projects from the regional government, officials said Tuesday.

“A 63-kilometer road network will serve as an economic generator that will see farmers of these villages bringing their goods to the market faster and cost-efficient than before,” Minister Naguib Sinarimbo of BARMM’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) said in a phone

interview on Tuesday.

On Monday afternoon, BARMM officials led by Sinarimbo met with North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco along with BARMM-North Cotabato Special Geographic Area coordinator Kellie Antao for the groundbreaking ceremony of the road project and the construction of two-story barangay halls for the villages of Lower Pangangakalan, Lower Baguer, and Datu Binasing in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.

BARMM's Ministry of Public Works chief Eduard Guerra said a one-kilometer

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CAO conducts oyster production training with Muslim youth

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he Concerned Bangsamoro Youth Development of Davao Oriental, in partnership with City Agriculture Office (CAO) and DaCARS Mati, conducted the Oyster Mushroom Production Training last March 12-15 at the CBYDO Capacity Building Training Center, BGR, Brgy.

Dahican.

This training included lecture on the Islamic perspective of Agriculture with Alim Mohammad Bin Mohd Tayib S. Pagayawan.

The CAO spearheaded the training with trainers – Norossalam Cambing and Arnel Gerodiaz; Romel Avance as the focal person for the mushroom production; Eleanor Sambas, City Agriculturist.

The materials, such as rice bran, PP bag, PVC neck, brown sugar, agri lim, and grain spawn, were donated

by DaCARS thru Enya Celoso of DaCARS Mati.

After a month, the produced oysters will be as-

FCAO, P7

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

NEWS 3

Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, OMI, DD, lays his hands on newly ordained deacons at the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Davao City on Tuesday (16 March 2021). The five deacons were from different parts of Visayas and Mindanao.

MindaNews photo

Curfew, liquor ban will not be lifted yet in Davao City

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urfew and liquor ban will not be lifted soon even after the city government of Davao eased the implementation of some coronavirus disease (COVID-19) quarantine protocols.

Mayor Sara Duterte, during her live program over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Monday, said that further easing the quarantine protocols such as removing the ban on alcoholic beverages and 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew would encourage social gathering where the highly contagious disease could spread.

“We will not [lift] liquor ban and curfew because

based on our experience before when we removed that during MGCQ (Modified General Community Quarantine), it encouraged people to gather,” she said.

Duterte added the cases are expected to surge when people move around without strictly observing the minimum health protocols.

The curfew and liquor ban, reimplemented to “prevent the exposure of individuals to the COVID-19 virus by reason of their unbridled drinking sessions,” are in effect until March 31.

The city was placed

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Dar orders probe into alleged P6-B ‘tongpats’ scheme

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epartment of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar has ordered a probe into a syndicate that is allegedly involved in a money-making scheme within the department.

Dar made the directive after Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday pushed for Senate inquiry into a syndicate that stands to gain billions of pesos in “tong-pats” (kickback) from the DA’s recommendation to lower tariff rates on - and to increase the minimum access volume (MAV) of - imported pork products due to the severe impact of African swine

fever (ASF) on the swine industry.

Lacson, citing information from a “highly placed source”, disclosed during Monday’s plenary session that certain DA officials are getting PHP5 to PHP7 per kilogram of imported pork.

Jane Bacayo, executive director of DA-minimum access volume (DA-MAV) Secretariat, said the issuance of MAV allocation is above-board.

“The allocations of existing MAV licensees are those they have been using even before the administration of Sec. Dar,

FDAR, P7

Ordinance regulating quarrying proposed E

By MAYA M. PADILLO nvironmentalist group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) is lobbying for the passage of an ordinance focused on quarrying regulations, specifically regulating the environmental impacts brought about by quarrying along rivers of Davao City.

In 2019, IDIS conducted a study on assessing the environmental impacts of sand and gravel quarrying in rivers in Davao City namely Davao River and Lasang River.

Based on the study impacts such as riverbank

disturbance, erosion and siltation, waste pollution, noise and dust pollution were commonly observed.

IDIS Environmental Research Specialist Lemuel Manalo said as per recommendations, IDIS

continues to call for the conduct resource and threshold assessments for Davao River, Lasang River and other rivers to provide rational and scientific bases to whether approve or deny quarry applications.

In an interview with Chinkee Pelino-Golle, former executive director of IDIS, in 2019 the study involved 29 out of 80 quarry operators, covering six sites were selected from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office’s (CENRO’s) official list of

approved quarry operations in the city as of January 2019. These were selected after mapping out all permitted operators vis-a-vis Davao City’s conservation zones through Geographic Information System (GIS).

She said the study also identified sites namely Davao River in Barangay Malamba, Marilog; Davao River in Brgy. Dalagdag, Calinan District; Lasang River in Paquibato, Bayabas Creek in Toril, and Matina River in Talomo-Tugbok District

use authorization (EUA) in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), and the Philippines.

The government expects the vaccines to be delivered by the third and fourth quarters this year.

"Naging maganda ang resulta ng pagbyahe natin sa India nung isang linggo (Our travel to India last week produced positive results)," Galvez said during the Laging

Handa press briefing.

The country is likewise slated to receive 1.4 million doses of Sinovac's CoronaVac within this month.

Through the COVAX Facility, the World Health Organization (WHO) is also scheduled to deliver the second tranche of AstraZeneca vaccines by late March or early April, Galvez added.

Galvez likewise reported that about

216,794 medical front-liners and other healthcare workers have been vaccinated as of 11 a.m. on March 16.

As of 15 March, a total of 929 vaccination sites are conducting inoculations in 17 regions.

"We want to emphasize that the initial vaccine rollout is only for medical front-liners belonging to the A1 priority list of the Department

FORDINANCE, P6

PH secures 30M doses of Novavax vaccines

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he Philippines has signed a supply agreement with the Serum Institute of India for the acquisition of 30 million doses of Novavax vaccine, National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. announced on Tuesday.

The vaccine czar said they are just waiting for the approval of the Serum Institute's application for emergency

FPH, P7

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Congress can fund youth agri training: Agri dept W

ith the great effect of the earthquake catastrophe and the pandemic to the economy of Matanao town, the local government here has dwelled on improving its tourism industry.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar orders a probe into a syndicate that is allegedly involved in a money-making scheme within the department. Edge Davao

PH thanks multilateral development partners for add’l vaccine loans

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has thanked the Philippines’ multilateral partner-institutions for extending a total of USD1.2 billion in fresh loans to the government to help fund the country’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination program and its other pandemic response measures.

Dominguez said these loans provided by the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment

Bank (AIIB) will secure the funding needed to procure Covid-19 vaccines and keep on track the government's target to inoculate at least 70 million Filipinos or 100 percent of the country's adult population.

“We thank our multilateral development partners--the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank-- for stepping up their support for the Philippines’ Covid-19 response measures, particularly our ongoing efforts

to secure these life-saving doses for our people and fast-track our vaccination rollout," he said.

Dominguez said the prompt and substantial financing extended by the multilateral partners is crucial to the accomplishment of the Duterte administration's target to inoculate at least 70 million Filipinos, or 100 percent of the adult population, “hopefully within this year so that we can safely open wide our economy and return it to its pre-pandemic path of high and inclusive

growth”.

He said though that even if the government has secured sufficient funds for its vaccine procurement, the pace of the rollout will depend on how fast suppliers can deliver the ordered doses for the country.

The WB said on March 12 (Manila time) it has approved USD500 million in additional funding to support the Philippine government’s program to purchase and distribute Covid-19 vaccines, strengthen the country’s

he Philippines will be getting a share in the United Kingdom’s Cross-Government Prosperity Fund, which will be an “invaluable tool” that would help the country post a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Finance (DOF) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DOF said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, on behalf of the Philippine government, and British Ambassador Daniel Pruce, on behalf of the UK government,

signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 15 for the Philippines’ participation in the UK Cross-Government Prosperity Fund for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Reform Programme and the ASEAN Low Carbon Energy Programme.

The fund, worth a total of £19 million or approximately P1.3 billion, will be shared among six ASEAN countries, namely the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and

Vietnam, “to develop their respective capital markets; encourage improvement in their accounting standards; and expand the use of FinTech or financial technology.”

“Our share from the Prosperity Fund will be an invaluable tool in helping us recover strongly from the pandemic and thrive in the emerging New Economy. Overall, the fund will support the realization of President Duterte’s development goals of inclusive growth and

prosperity for the Filipino people,” said Dominguez.

“As the lead agency for the implementation of the MOU covering the Philippines’ initiatives under the Prosperity Fund, the DOF commits to a productive collaboration with its partner-agencies to complete the programs by March 31, 2022,” he added.

The Finance chief assured the British government that the Prosperity Fund will be used

FPH THANKS, PB1

PH gets share in £19-M UK Prosperity Fund, says DOF

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FPH GETS, PB1

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is encouraging the youth to learn more about farming or fisheries and upgrade their knowledge by requesting their congressmen for related trainings.

As Congress is preparing the third version of Bayanihan Law, the timing is just right to make such requests, said Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Vivencio Mamaril in a virtual briefer.

“They should write to their congressmen so there will be another training or internship program based on their interests,” he said.

Mamaril made the suggestion after the DA announced that 808 youths qualified for their Mentoring and Attracting Youth in

Agribusiness (MAYA) program.

DA said they prioritized applicants with degrees related to agriculture.

“This MAYA program was requested by the DA from Congress so we can entice the youth towards farming,” Mamaril said.

Interested individuals may also check on available courses and trainings being offered by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) to make their quarantine period useful.

MAYA will be conducted through experiential learning, or a learner-centric methodology, that will enable interns, who will receive a monthly allowance of PHP20,000, to put into

FCONGRESS, PB1

BDO sees GDP at 6% in 2021 amid pandemic

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anco de Oro (BDO) has revised slightly downward its economic growth forecast for this year amid the risk of rising coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

BDO Unibank Inc. first vice president and chief strategist Jonathan Ravelas said Tuesday it is looking at a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of at least 6 percent for the Philippines at end2021 from an initial forecast of 6.6 percent.

“Prior to the start of 2021, we were looking at 6.6-percent growth in the economy primarily driven (by the fact) that we could have reopened early, as early as around this time, at the end of 2020. However, it seems that it (reopening) will most likely be pushed so basically we will probably see at least 6 percent growth,” Ravelas said in a virtual forum organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines.

He said a contraction in GDP is still expected in the first quarter of the year.

The country has been logging more than 5,000 Covid-19 cases in the past few days.

Ravelas added the challenge in flattening the curve would cause uneven economic recovery.

On the other hand, the vaccination program and the impact of the stimulus program of the Biden administration in the United States would appear to be the “green shoots” in the economy, Ravelas said.

“We will probably gain more traction towards the second half of this year,” he said, adding that inoculating more Filipinos will drive better confidence in the market.

Ravelas said a “timed fiscal response” will also help in restarting economic activities.

“Once we’re out of a lockdown, that’s the time probably (the) government should initiate a small amount of money to restart the economy.

Doing it now will be useless because we are still in a lockdown,” he said.

Moreover, Ravelas said the local currency will remain depreciated due to imports recovery.

He added the central bank is also expected to maintain its rates amid difficult inflation this year. (PNA)

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY A2

Workers on their bicycles rush to go home before the peak hours along MacArthur highway in Matina, Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

Aboitiz Group hikes capex to P48-billion this year

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boitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., together with its partners, has allotted PHP48 billion in capital expenditure (capex) for this year, 69 percent higher than the PHP29 billion spent in 2020, a year that saw unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The company, which supplies close to 20 percent of the country’s population through its critical businesses in power, banking and financial services, food, land, and infrastructure, including cement manufacturing, said it will continue to rise above the challenge and deliver on its commitments.

"We continue to invest in our country to support economic recovery and growth, as millions of Filipinos are relying on us -- families and communities. Our team members take this responsibility to heart.

We simply cannot fail.

Over the next 10 years, we commit to investing

in capacities to advance business and communities in the nine Asia Pacific countries where we operate,” Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz said in a statement Tuesday.

Majority of the budget or PHP23 billion was earmarked for its power strategic business unit (SBU) Aboitiz Power Corp. for the completion of GNPower Dinginin, as well as the battery energy storage projects.

The 1,336-megawatt (MW) GNPower Dinginin baseload power plant is currently being constructed in Mariveles, Bataan.

AboitizPower is also

adding to its portfolio battery energy storage system projects that will help ensure grid stability through sufficient ancillary services, starting with the installation of a 49-MW facility of business unit Therma Marine, Inc. in Maco, Davao de Oro. Meanwhile, Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) has set aside PHP13 billion to fund its various projects including its common towers project and for the construction of Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc.’s (Apo Agua) bulk water supply project with Davao City Water District (DCWD) and other water projects.

About PHP2 billion will be earmarked for Republic Cement and Building Materials, Inc. Its Food Group has allocated PHP4 billion mainly for feedmill expansion.

For 2021, two feed facilities in China, one fish feed line in Malaysia, and three meat distribution

FABOITIZ, PB1

All-digital ING PH to offer loans, says still no fees for fund transfers

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NG Philippines will offer loans using its all-digital banking app before the end of the year to make banking even simpler and more accessible, its country manager Hans Sicat said.

The loan feature on the ING Philippines banking app will be added to its current features which are ING Save and ING Pay. "The next module is the ability to borrow from the bank…It’s simply another feature that we think is exciting," Sicat said.

ING Philippines said there are over 2 million downloads and almost 1 million sign-ups on the app.

DEMYSTIFYING BANKING When asked what makes the ING app different compared to other

digital players in the financial sector Sicat said their goal is to make digital banking easier and cheaper.

Its ING Save account offers 4 percent interest for deposits for new clients. Older users still receive above-standard interest rate for deposits at 2.5 percent, he said.

There are also no fees for fund transfers using the app, Sicat said, adding that "our proposition is that we will make money in a different way."

Several banks and mobile wallets have imposed fees when using PESONet and InstaPay. Based on the latest Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas tally, only 3 institutions, namely ING Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines and RCBC Diskartech, will waive fees for Instapay until

December 31.

The ING Pay feature, launched in November 2020, allows users to pay merchants and transfer funds directly using InstaPay. Users also have virtual and physical ATM cards.

"As more and more people try digital apps, whether it’s because of the pandemic or whether its easier and maybe cheaper, in one sense you don’t have to pay fees or get charged when you transfer money, then I think more people will discover that our proposition meets all of those requirements," Sicat said.

"We try to make it, to demystify using a bank... we are truly the first institution in the Philippines, in this industry that took away the fees that many banks require,

FALL, PB1

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

On the clamor of OFWs for the reopening international flights from the Davao International Airport: Dili under sa control sa LGU ang pagbuhat ug flights under sa airlines na. Kung tan-aw sa airlines angay na nga ablihan nila usab ang ilahang mga flights, then igo lang magsabot ug schedule ang airline ug ang airport.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL

Pandemic fatigue

Call it pandemic fatigue. It’s that feeling of despair being in the situation people are not used to, and it has been a major cause of suicide deaths in the Philippines.

A recent data obtained from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the number of deaths due to selfharm increased by about a quarter in 2020, making suicide the 27th leading cause of death in the Philippines.

Tragic indeed. And to come at the time of the pandemic, the heartbreaking deaths should toll massively on families going through the hard times.

Based on the PSA data, deaths due to suicide spiked to 3,529 last year, which is 25.7 percent higher compared to the 2,808 deaths due to self-harm in 2019. The study covered deaths reported in the Philippines from January to December 2020, but has yet to account for Filipinos who died abroad.

Experts have earlier pronounced that pandemic fatigue is affecting more Filipinos, endangering the general public’s mental health. The basis for the pronouncement of mental health crisis alert is evidenced by the reported increase of calls to helplines, fully-booked consultation schedules, and

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

rise in activities that sought to combat stress.

In advanced countries, mental health was put as priority concern during the pandemic. the anticipation led to the preparation of early solutions to address the crisis and it helped wonders in containing the mental health concerns.

It is vastly different for the Philippines which is dealing with an essentially new issue. According to psychologist Randy Dellosa, Filipinos have grown “sick and tired of trying to consider as a ‘new normal’ what in reality is an obvious ‘abnormal.’’

Estimates also showed some 3.6 million Filipinos suffered from mental health problems, but getting accurate numbers remained a challenge as access to healthcare professionals became more difficult during the pandemic.

Making matters worse is the fact that people lost jobs and livelihood during the pandemic as a result of business closures. This resulted to despair as over 420,000 Filipinos lost their jobs in 2020 as an offshoot of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the rollout of vaccination across the country, hope is high that this will finnally put an end to the pandemic fatigue.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 5th Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte

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EDGEDAVAO

On Official Business

ORDINANCE NO. 0477-21 Series of 2021 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY TESTING PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO DAVAO CITY VIA THE DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY TESTING PRIOR TO ENTRY INTO DAVAO CITY VIA THE DAVAO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.” SECTION 2. COVERAGE – This Ordinance covers all persons coming into Davao City, wherein RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Results or any other health verification documents that may be needed to confirm the status of a person’s health before entry into Davao City via the Davao City International Airport.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS – The following terms, as used in this Ordinance, shall mean: 1. RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result – shall refer to Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result issued by valid and licensed testing centers within seventy-two (72) hours of administering the test, upon arrival at Davao City port of entry and presented to Davao City officials and/or authorities; 2. Invalid RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result – shall refer to the Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test result that does not comply with the 72 hour time table requirement; 3. Officials and/or Authorities – shall refer to individuals authorized by the City Government to examine, inspect and scrutinize the RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result.

SECTION 4. MANDATORY TESTING – Persons entering Davao City via the Davao International Airport are mandated to present their RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result to Davao City officials and/or authorities, along with a valid government issued identification card.

Any person who, upon entering Davao City, does not present a negative RTPCR COVID-19 Test Result or presents an invalid RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result shall be required to undergo a RT-PCR COVID-19 Test at the place of entry and shall be required to remain at a government sanctioned quarantine facility until the release and/or issuance of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result.

Those who present a false or tampered RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Result shall be required to undergo a RT-PCR COVID-19 Test at the place of entry and shall be required to remain at a government sanctioned quarantine facility until the issuance of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result and their release into the custody of the proper law enforcement agency.

Those who shall leave the designated waiting area or quarantine facility without proper authorization shall be penalized under the succeeding section and shall be returned to the quarantine facility or waiting area until the issuance of a negative RT-PCR result and release into the custody of the proper law enforcement agency.

SECTION 5. PROHIBITED ACTS – The following offenses are prohibited acts under this Ordinance, without prejudice to the filing of other criminal, civil or administrative liabilities:

a. REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH MANDATORY TESTING. Any person who shall refuse to comply with the mandatory testing shall be placed under quarantine and shall be required to return to the place of origin at their own expense. The City Government of Davao shall not be liable for the expenses of any person who does not wish to comply with the mandatory testing. b. LEAVING THE DESIGNATED WAITING AREA OR QUARANTINE FACILITY WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION. Any person who shall leave the designated waiting area or quarantine facility and enter Davao City, prior to validation of the negative RT-PCR result, or without the direction of the person authorized to discharge cleared passengers, shall be penalized with an administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000). c. ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN COMMITTING PROHIBITED ACTS IN THIS ORDINANCE. Any person who shall knowingly assist any individual in committing the prohibited acts in this Ordinance shall be penalized with an administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000).

SECTION 6. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT/CITATION TICKET – An ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT, otherwise known as a CITATION TICKET, shall be issued to violators of this Ordinance. The citation ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the provisions of the succeeding section, “No Contest Provision”.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and such other appropriate enforcers as may be commissioned by the City Mayor shall have the power to apprehend violators of this Ordinance and issue citation tickets.

The City Mayor may deputize Barangay Officials or representatives of the private sector, non-government organizations and government organizations in the strict implementation of this Ordinance, as the need arises.

SECTION 7. NO-CONTEST PROVISION – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance who does not wish to contest the same and is willing to pay voluntarily within three (3) days the fine imposed under this ordinance prior to the filing of a complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor shall be allowed to do so, and shall pay the corresponding administrative fine as cited in Section 4 at the Office of the City Treasurer. Availment of the no-contest provision shall exempt a person from criminal liability under this ordinance.

The City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall provide for the procedure for the availment of the “No-Contest Provision” and establish a case inventory and recording system of all violators of this Ordinance.

All proceeds from the payment of the herein imposed fine shall be apportioned as follows:

1. Sixty percent (60%) of the amount collected per apprehension shall accrue to the apprehending barangay; and

2. Forty percent (40%) shall accrue to the General Fund of the City.

The share of the barangay shall be remitted directly to the barangay, without need of any further action, on a monthly basis within ten (10) days of the following month. Said amount shall be utilized for COVID-19 response and for other matters incidental thereto.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, resolutions, rules or regulations, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication, and shall remain in full force and effect until the declaration of the existence of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is retracted by the World Health Organization, or when the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 in the country is lifted.

ENACTED, on the 2nd day of February, 2021 by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/johanna

MAR 02 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

An Ordinance providing for Mandatory Testing prior to entry into Davao City via the Davao International Airport

6

EDGEDAVAO Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

19th City Council 3rd Regular Session Series of 2021 PRESENT: Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Nilo D. Abellera Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Councilor Alberto T. Ungab Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Durterte - Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar

On Official Business

ORDINANCE NO. 0466-21 Series of 2021

AN ORDINANCE PENALIZING PERSONS USING OR PRODUCING FALSIFIED OR TAMPERED COVID-19 MEDICAL TEST RESULTS OR OTHER HEALTH VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS IN THE CITY OF DAVAO Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. COVERAGE. This Ordinance covers all forms of COVID-19 Medical Test Results or any health verification documents issued by valid and licensed testing centers that may be needed to confirm the status of a person’s health.

SECTION 2. DEFINITION OF TERMS. The following terms, as used in this Ordinance, shall mean: 1. COVID-19 Medical Test Result and other health verification documents- any test administered to confirm that a person is negative of the COVID-19 virus such as, but not limited to, RT-PCR tests, rapid antigen test, other serologic tests, or any other similar tests that may be devised in the future; 2. Valid and Licensed Testing Centers – are testing centers, hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and other establishments which have been granted a license by the Department of Health, to test persons for COVID-19 and have been authorized to issue documents verifying the results of the same; 3. False Result – a. a document procured by a person which alleges that a person has tested negative of the COVID-19 virus, but was not in fact actually tested, or when tested was actually found to be positive of the virus, but through machinations has obtained a document indicating the contrary; b. a document purporting to be a result obtained from a valid and licensed COVID-19 testing center, but in fact is not; 4. Tampered Resulta. a document obtained from a valid and licensed COVID-19 testing center, but was altered or modified after the fact in order to reflect a negative result; b. a document obtained from a valid and licensed COVID-19 testing center, but details contained therein, such as important dates, names, contact details, addresses, were changed to misrepresent the facts surrounding its issuance; SECTION 3. PROHIBITED ACTS. – The following offenses are prohibited acts under this Ordinance; a. USE OF FALSE RESULTS. Any person who shall use a falsified result shall be penalized with an administrative fee of P5,000; b. USE OF TAMPERED RESULTS. Any person who shall use a tampered result shall be penalized with an administrative fee of P5,000; c. PRODUCTION OR ISSUANCE OF FALSE OR TAMPERED RESULT. Any person or establishment who shall fabricate or produce any false or tampered result, or shall present themselves as testing centers, without the proper authority given by the Department of Health, shall be penalized with an administrative fee of P5,000; SECTION 4. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, Resolutions, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of the Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication, and shall remain in full force and effect until the declaration of the existence of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is retracted by the World Health Organization, or when the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 in the country is lifted.

ENACTED, on the 19th day of January 2021, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

ATTESTED:

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/bern

FEB 19 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

An Ordinance Penalizing Persons Using or Producing Falsified or Tampered Covid-19 Medical Test Results or Other Health Verification Documents in the City of Davao

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City of Davao as endorsed

by Davao City Planning and Development Office."

The goal of this fiveyear plan is to pursue and secure the city’s development gains and sustainability efforts/ initiatives by building disaster resilient, climate change adaptive communities. Furthermore, the plan is anchored in seven thematic areas, namely food security, water sufficiency, sustainable energy, human security, ecological stability, climate-smart Industries, and knowledge capacity

and development.

"We have painstakingly computed where the carbon emissions are coming from, and how through policy directions we can reduce our footprint without halting our journey towards developmen," he said.

He addes that as a result of the LCCAP and the Climate Disaster Risk Assessment and together with all the stakeholders, DCPDO will limit entry of highly pollutive and hazardous industries to the city.

"As much as we will

protect our remaining forest from encroachment, we will also move forward to more green space initiatives in our urban areas," Cortez said.

Cortez said part of the initiatives also is to declare areas which are non-buildable to serve as urban ecological enhancement subzone as well as pursue more greening initiatives such as reforestation and mangrove area restoration.

The said ordinance was approved by the 19th City Council last February 2, 2021. Maya Padillo

where there are presence of quarry operations.

In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on March 4, 2021, Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, said disclosed that the city has received applications for quarry operation, this despite more than 100 quarry permits were already approved.

Sunga-Acosta, who is also the city council committee chairperson on peace and public safety, urged city councilors to suspend all the new applicants and renewal of permits for quarry op-

erations and only allow to operate those permits that were already approved.

She said suspension of approval of permit must be until the study on the sustainability of Davao River resources, which was conducted by CENRO, is already available.

She added that the study is expected to be released by September this year.

Meanwhile, IDIS is also recommending on improving monitoring systems and community-based enforcement

such as "Bantay Sapa".

On the other hand, March 14 is International Day of Action for Rivers dedicated to save, celebrate and make people aware about the source of water.

“Solidarity is important and people must be committed to river management, across borders, if rivers have to be protected and used for economic purposes.

Communities dependent on the rivers for their livelihood, globally, must come together to tell decision makers that rivers matter,” Manalo said.

under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from April 4 to May 15, general community quarantine (GCQ) from May 16 until June 30, and modified GCQ from July 1 to November 19.

It reverted to GCQ on November 20, 2020, after the city saw an alarming increase in new cases.

Based on Executive Order 12 issued on Monday, the City Government of Davao temporarily suspended the implementation of food and medicine (FM) passes effective Monday or four months after the local government ordered its reimposition amid (COVID-19).

Duterte said the public only need their Safe Davao

QR (DQR) codes upon entry to business establishments to access essential goods and services It also permits public markets to operate daily from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The order also requires random testing of land, sea, and air travelers, aside from requiring them to pass the symptom screening test upon arrival and to have their DQR codes scanned.

It added that travelers exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 shall be held for testing in the facility operated by the City Government, it added.

It said the conduct of random testing will be handled by the Health group of the Response Cluster of

the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force.

As of March 15, the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao Region reported 21 new cases, bringing the total cases to 20,666, with 877 active, 18,906 recoveries, and 883 deaths in the region.

Out of the total, Davao City, which reported the highest COVID-19 cases in Mindanao, tallied 13,395 cases, with 412 active, 12,331 recoveries, and 652 deaths. Davao de Oro reported 1,229 cases, Davao del Norte with 3,156, Davao del Sur with 1,387, Davao Occidental with 220, and Davao Oriental with 1,279.

(Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

road worth PHP16-million will be constructed for each barangay.

“This year’s budget for infra projects in the 63 barangays is worth PHP1 billion,” Guerra said.

Sinarimbo said each two-story village hall costs PHP3.5 million.

“The barangay halls will hopefully improve governance as people will have access to their barangay leaders and the services that the barangays ought to deliver to their people,” Sinarimbo said, adding the projects are expected to be completed by December this year.

Sinarimbo said the BARMM, through the MILG, will group the 63 villages into five to seven municipalities and form another province for the region.

“We have to ensure that we will provide better services for our people, especially those on the far-flung communities,” Sinarimbo said, adding that this year his office has already commenced the construction of infrastructure projects like executive halls, public markets, and legislative buildings in various parts of the region.

For her part, North Cotabato Governor Catamco

lauded the BARMM government for "prioritizing the needs of its people," especially the 63 barangays that opted to be included in the fledgling Bangsamoro territory.

“Truly, the newly established government is the best example of good governance,” Catamco said in a statement Tuesday. “I am convinced of the sincerity of the Bangsamoro government. That is why I am supporting calls to extend the transition period of BARMM so projects like these will continue unhampered." (PNA)

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VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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CHUKOY... FROM8

sessed by the trainers before it becomes an income generating product of the group. In the long run, the production will be used as halal mushroom noodles.

The whole event was supported by Hon. Eric Rabat, Committee Chair on Agriculture, and Mayor Michelle Rabat. (CIO MATI)

in accordance with the existing MAV guidelines,” Bacayo said in a statement on Tuesday.

Under the MAV guidelines, she said licensees who can utilize 70 percent of their allocation for the previous MAV Year will retain their MAV allocation.

“Thus, MAV licensees will always try their best to utilize 70 percent of their allocation so that they will retain their existing allocation for the succeeding year,” she said. “Issuance of MAV import clearance to MAV licensees is ministerial or non-discretionary on the part of the MAV Secretariat.”

She added that MAV allocations and licenses are strictly non-transferable.

“These policies are strictly adhered to and observed under the leadership of Sec. William Dar,” she said.

In a virtual presser on Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Dar continues to enjoy President Ro-

drigo Duterte’s trust and confidence.

Roque made this reaction amid calls for Dar’s resignation mounted following the surge in prices of pork products and his alleged slow response to the ASF outbreak.

“Sa pagre-resign, may tiwala pa rin po ang ating Presidente kay Secretary Dar. Sa lahat po ng mga member ng Cabinet (On calls for resignation, the President still trusts Secretary Dar. All Cabinet members), we continue to work or remain in our duties for as long as the President has full trust and confidence in us,” Roque said.

Calls for Dar’s resignation mounted following the surge in prices of pork products and his alleged slow response to the ASF outbreak.

Dar earlier said it is “unfair” to ask him to quit his post, saying his agency has already implemented several measures to address the rising prices of pork products. (PNA)

DAR... FROM3

7

Presbitero, who was selected by the NLEX Warriors in the PBA. I first saw Chukoy playing for the Ateneo de Davao High School in the Gaisano Cup with his dad Dr.Bong Presbitero of the Davao City Health Office, who made a big impression on me.

He was serving Davao City athletes in Koronadal, South Cotabato during our sports coverage of the Palaro ng Bayan years ago.

Dr.Presbitero would sleep in his “duyan” so that athletes or any members of the sports delegation can easily wake him up for any medical attention. “Lahi sad ning Doctora ni da”, I told myself.

Dr.Presbitero, a doctor who prefers to serve those who are underserved and goes to the far-flung barangays, would do his best to

make sure he is there to cheer for his children, who are actually basketball players, each time they see action in school-based leagues.

I would usually sit beside him and watch the games. And when I have my camera with me, I would take some photos. That has been our weekend routine.

Years later, Chukoy played for college squads, the last time was with San Beda College, then he gets a spot with the Bataan Risers in the MPBL, then came this damn pandemic that stopped all the leagues.

Then I saw Dr.Presbitero’s post on FB. Chukoy was selected

by NLEX in the PBA! Hahahaha, na PBA na gyud!

This is the ultimate achievement of any basketball player, to become a professional player in

the Philippine Basketball Association. Naa pa bay lain?

You see, once you start playing for the PBA, this is where the real money is. And our every wish for those getting into the PBA, is for him properly manage his income well and to take care of himself well because you cannot play forever in the PBA because it is just so competitive. This is the professional league my friends, dili na ni Gaisano Cup or Duterte Basketball League or PRISAA or DACS. I salute all parents for supporting their children get into sport and thankful to all organizers for keeping all those leagues afloat for the sake of young and would be PBA players like Chukoy Presbitero.

I am very happy.

The basketball com-

munity in Davao are happy about this news.

We wish you all the best Chukoy.

Hopefully, you’ll find a good and loving wife, eventually that is going to happen kay mo sikat naman ka, ma kwartahan pa gyud, and don’t forget to ask our shoe sizes, me, Engineer Totoy Chavez and of course, you already know your dad’s shoe size, LoL. Or at best, set aside a pile of money for your dad, so that once we see each other again, we’ll have a beer fund until we reach age 100.

Kidding aside, my congratulations to all players selected to play in the PBA. I hope you remain healthy and strong, your contracts get renewed and you’ll be able to set aside money for the rainy days.

Welcome to the Millionaire’s Club!

of Health," he said in Filipino.

The government is strictly observing its schedule and system in the vaccination of the healthcare workers.

"It must be well-calibrated and done by batches," he said. "There

is a need to observe this schedule to protect the integrity of the healthcare system."

Once the inoculation of the health workers is completed by the first or second week of April, Galvez said it will immediately be followed by

the senior citizens.

The NTF reported about 96 percent of available doses in the country have already been distributed, reaching the northernmost and southernmost island provinces.

The government as-

sured the vaccination rollout for the general public will immediately be implemented, once the bulk of government-procured vaccines intended for the next priority groups arrived.

(PNA)

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EDGEDAVAO

CONGRESS... FROMA1 immediate use the knowledge and skills that they have learned.

DA said the six-month internship MAYA program aims to transform young Filipinos into agripreneurs or technocrats.

The program came into fruition after DA Secretary William Dar’s vision to entice the younger generation to engage in agriculture through agribusiness.

“This is the way forward to

unlock the potential of Philippine agriculture,” he said.

“Our personnel staff in agriculture are already aging, and thus we need to put up this MAYA program for two purposes. First, they will have to be exposed to the field of agriculture and agribusiness and second, to actual farm situations and agribusiness operations,” he said. (PNA)

health systems, and overcome the impact of the pandemic especially on the poor and the most vulnerable.

On the same day, the ADB announced that the Philippines became the first recipient of financing support under its Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) with the approval of a USD400 million loan that will help the country purchase safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines.

The ADB loan is for the Second Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit Covid-19 (HEAL 2) project that aims to assist the Department of Health (DOH) in procuring and ensuring delivery to the country of vaccines certified by the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX) and bilateral vaccine suppliers that meet APVAX eligibility criteria.

The ADB project will be supported by USD300 million in co-financing from the AIIB. According to the ADB, its loan, along with the co-financing extended by the AIIB, will fund the procurement of up to 110 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for as many as 50 million Filipinos.

Under the HEAL 2 loan agreement, ADB will pay vaccine suppliers directly.

On top of the new HEAL 2 loan, the ADB had earlier provided a total of USD1.74 billion in loans and grants to the Philippines to support its Covid-19 response measures.

According to the WB statement, the USD500-million loan will supplement the Philippines’ ongoing Covid-19 Emergency Response Project, to which the bank earlier extended a USD100-million loan.

On top of these loans from multilateral institutions, the Philippines has also contributed USD84 million to the COVAX Facility to secure 40 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.

These loans from the three multilateral lenders and the Philippines’ share in the COVAX facility form part of the government’s three-pronged strategy on vaccine procurement.

Dominguez said that besides a multilateral approach, the government is also pursuing partnerships with the private sector; and working with the local government units (LGUs) to acquire safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines for the people.

Around 40 million of the Philippine population who are 18 years old and below cannot be vaccinated, leaving around 70 million adults covered by the Duterte administration’s Covid-19 vaccination program.

Dominguez said the Philippines is negotiating to secure vaccine doses for 92 million individuals, or more than 100 percent of the country’s adult population, to account for any possible delay in deliveries or slippages. (PR)

with “efficiency, transparency, and prudence.”

For his part, Pruce said, "For myself, for the Embassy, for the British Government, it's an honor to be able to work with our partners here in the Philippines towards sustainable growth and working on a development plan which is helping accelerate key initiatives in the financial sector, which forms such an important role in achieving an inclusive and green economic recovery, especially as we emerge in the coming months from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic."

The Philippines’ share in British prosperity fund will also assist the country in implementing programs that aim to increase the country’s energy efficiency and the adoption of low carbon energy through the use of green finance, according to the DOF. “Strengthening the domestic capital markets will not only help reduce the cost of

doing business and broaden financial inclusion among Filipinos, but will also provide the Philippines a solid foundation for international companies to invest and operate in the Philippines,” said Dominguez.

“The increased foreign businesses here, in turn, would mean more funds to support higher levels of longterm investments and sustainable quality job creation,” he added.

The British-led fund will also assist the Philippines’ financial institutions in adhering to international accounting standards, which will strengthen the transparency, accountability, and efficiency of its financial sector, the DOF noted.

It added that another project covered by the Fund is the establishment of an industry FinTech “sandbox” or a regulatory environment to encourage Filipino startups to come up with innovative financial products and co-create solu-

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Amihan-SOS releases 150 pawikan hatchlings anew

A

mihan sa Dahican- Save Our Seas project released a total of 80 new pawikan hatchlings at the shore of Dahican beach Monday afternoon with at least 70 more hatchlings released in the next morning of March 16.

Approximately 150 hatchlings were released to the sea this week. Most of it are Olive Ridley turtles which are the common nesters in

the Philippines along with the Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles.

According to Winston Plaza, AmihanSOS prime mover, there is no assurance of its survival out in the ocean due to its natural predators like big fishes and other factors such as pollution.

A foreign national was exhilarated upon watching the hatchlings for the first time travel towards

the ocean from their nesting place.

Locals and tourist alike are encouraged to come and witness this event done every 5:00 am in the morning and 5:00 pm in the afternoon whenever there are new hatchlings.

Dahican has the distinction of having the most released pawikan hatchlings in the past three years that reached a total of 105,000.

When visiting Da-

hican, Amihan-SOS requests visitors to be responsible with their wastes especially disposable masks in order to help protect the marine wild life.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to join the Dahican coastal clean-ups done during Saturday and Sunday mornings along with the Philippine Red Cross, visiting schools, and other local volunteers.

(CIO MATI)

spokesperson Harry Roque issued the remark after the Supreme Court decided to dismiss the petitionschallenging President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the Philippines from the ICC. “The latest High Court ruling, which is

decided on mootness, acknowledges that the President is indeed the chief architect of this country’s foreign policy,” Roque said in a statement.

“Having said this, we call on the ICC not to waste time and resources on investi-

gations that will not prosper as we do not recognize ICC jurisdiction over the Philippines,” he added.

According to the SC Public Information Office, the justices voted unanimously to junk the petitions for being moot.

Palace tells ICC to not waste time on inquiries ‘that will not prosper’

T

he International Criminal Court (ICC) should not waste time and resources on investigations that will not prosper as its jurisdiction over the Philippines was not recognized, Malacañang said Tuesday evening.

Presidential

LEBRON... FROMB2

with a right calf injury likely to sideline him until April.

TIP-INS Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half. ... Jordan McLaughlin missed his fourth straight game under the NBA's health

and safety protocols. ... Former Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell is expected to rejoin the team this week. He had arthroscopic knee surgery a month ago.

Lakers: Gasol missed his fifth straight game under the NBA's health and safety pro-

tocols. He hasn't played since February. ... Alex Caruso missed his second straight game in the NBA's concussion protocol. He worked out on the court before the game. ... Jared Dudley is out indefinitely with a torn right knee ligament.

channels in the Philippines are slated for completion to support the group’s growth initiatives.

Aboitiz Land, Inc. (AboitizLand) has earmarked PHP3.1 billion for its land banking activities and completion of its residential projects.

AboitizLand is currently

working on Seafront Residences and The Villages at Lipa in Batangas, Ajoya Capas in Tarlac, Ajoya Pampanga in Pampanga and Ajoya Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija.

Union Bank of the Philippines, meanwhile, will sustain its investment efforts in its digital and branch transforma-

tion endeavors.

The bank allotted more than PHP2 billion in capex in 2021 primarily intended for continued enhancements on digital touch points, as well as constructing an innovation hub, to support customer needs during Covid-19. (PR)

ABOITIZ... FROMA2

tions to society's most pressing issues.

“Doing this would support the government’s goal of creating globally competitive industries and building more technology-empowered and Filipino-made companies,” Dominguez said.

Meanwhile, under the ASEAN Low Carbon Energy Programme, £15 million or about P1 billion will be shared among the Philippines and the five other ASEAN country-recipients for projects that will help support inclusive growth and poverty reduction through green finance and energy efficiency projects.

As the chairman-designate of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), Dominguez said the Low Carbon Energy Programme is in sync with the Duterte administration's proactive efforts to adopt climate-resilient and adaptation strategies to ensure our country’s sustainable growth over the long term.

ALL... FROMA2 in terms of using an app or even moving money around," he added.

The app is able to offer high interest rates and waive fees since it doesn't have to pay for costs involved in running a brick-and-mortar bank, Sicat said.

"We are now able to give better value to the end consumer, because we don’t have to pay for all this operating cost," said.

As the former CEO of the Philippine Stock Exchange, Sicat said running a digital bank is a learning journey. He said he signed up for online courses during the pandemic and has been watching YouTube lectures to keep up with the changing times.

The launch of the Philippine National ID system (PhilSys) will help the unbanked ac-

cess services, Sicat said, as the digital shift is unlikely to slow down in the coming years.

"The move to digital interactions will continue, maybe the pandemic just accelerated it for us here in the Philippines," Sicat said.

"To me it's maybe a confirmation that, especially if the younger population grows up the demographic chain, the digital interactions will continue," he added.

The national ID system will provide every Filipino with a government ID which can be used to sign up in banks for its KYC (know-your-customer) verification process.

Several other platforms such as GCash, PayMaya, CIMB and even traditional banks are offering digital banking services to Filipinos.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

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LeBron James had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in his 99th career triple-double.

LeBron posts 99th career tripledouble as Lakers rip Timberwolves Butler posts 28 and 12 as Heat rip Cavs

M

IAMI — The Miami Heat got another win, and for a change it came relatively easily.

Jimmy Butler had 28 points and 12 rebounds, Bam Adebayo returned from a knee issue and finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists, and the Heat eased past the Cleveland Cavaliers 113-98 on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Kelly Olynyk scored 17 points, Tyler Herro had 15 and Duncan Robinson added 14 for Miami, which won for the 11th time in its last 12 games. But this win wa s unlike m o s t others for the Heat

Kelly Olynyk scored 17 points for the Heat.

this season, in that it was only the third in which Miami held a double-digit lead for the entire fourth quarter.

"It was a little bit up and down, our game," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

"There was some sloppiness to it, some miscues defensively. But overall, we made enough plays to come out with the win."

Collin Sexton scored 21 for Cleveland, which got 16 points and eight rebounds from JaVale McGee in 21 minutes on 8-for-10 shooting. It's been an up-and-down, mostly down, time of late for the Cavaliers — who lost 10 consecutive games, then won four in a row, and have gone 0-4 since.

"We need to continue to improve as a team, but the baseline is there," Cleveland coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "We are together. We are willing to compete.

We take bumps and adversity together and we continue to fight."

Larry Nance Jr. scored 14, Darius Garland had 11 and Isaac Okoro added 10 for the Cavaliers, who were held below 100 points for the NBA-leading 17th time this season. The Cavs were just 10 for 35 from 3-point range, 2 for 18 in the first half.

"You can play really good defense, you can find the extra man, you can do all the stuff you're supposed to do," Nance said. "If we're getting good looks and not making them, that's an issue in itself. We're generating solid looks. Just got to start knocking them down, really."

L

OS ANGELES — LeBron James had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists in his 99th career triple-double, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 137-121 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Montrezl Harrell scored 25 points as the defending NBA champions picked up their third straight victory on the second night of a back-toback set. Dennis Schröder had 16 points and seven assists, while Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker scored 16 points apiece and excelled in the second half as the Lakers

pulled away from NBAworst Minnesota.

James got his fifth triple-double of the season midway through the fourth quarter. Only four players in NBA history have recorded 100 triple-doubles, and they include Lakers assistant coach Jason Kidd (107).

Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards

scored 29 points apiece for the Timberwolves, who had won two of their last three games for the first time since December.

Minnesota made 52% of its shots against one of the NBA's best defensive teams, but allowed eight Lakers to score at least eight points apiece.

The undersized Harrell had another strong game in the paint as the Lakers kept winning without starting big men Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol. Davis missed his 12th straight game

FLEBRON, PB1

PBA looking to amend PH Cup ‘semi-bubble’

T

he Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is planning to make some adjustments to its upcoming season due to the rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

The league is planning to hold the games of the season opener Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said Tuesday he has been in constant communication with Antipolo's local government to discuss the setup of what would be a closed-circuit tournament or a "semi-bubble".

In the semi-bubble, the players and team officials are to strictly follow a home-arena-home travel format.

League officials earlier said they were supposed to hold the Philippine Cup semi-bubble at an arena in Metro Manila.

However, with the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, they opted to have it instead at the Ynares Center, which is in an area under the most lenient modified general community quarantine.

The setup will still need to be approved by the Games and Amusements

Board (GAB), the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Department of Health.

The GAB has long been insisting to hold professional sports matches inside a full bubble.

Meanwhile, Marcial also said the season opener might be pushed back for a few more days as the league awaits approval for the teams to finally play scrimmages.

The plan is to begin the PBA season on April 18.

This means the recently drafted rookies have an extra week to get along with their new teammates and coaches. (PNA)

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 VOL.14 ISSUE 4 • THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

Chukoy goes to the PBA!

E

ach time national coach Jose “Joe” Lipa Jr. visits Davao, he gets a warm welcome from basketball regional director Regino “Boy” Cua. Over dinners or lunches through those years, the two revered leaders of the basketball community would talk for hours on how they can improve the management of the sport that they so love.

Coach Joe Lipa was coming in and out of Davao for his basketball project sponsored by Shell and the ever-supportive Boy Cua was always around to support him.

Coach Joe, one night, shared his story how we would become emotional each time he sees one of his players gets drafted and selected by a team in the Philippine Basketball Association.

You see, each time

you see a basketball player seeing action in the leagues sanctioned by regional director Boy Cua, that player has always a dream of becoming one day in the professional league, the PBA. So, he does his best while playing for his local teams in Davao with the hope that someday, he gets discovered.

That is why I am very grateful to the organizers all those years for continually supporting basketball. Why? Naa gyuy usa diha nga mamahimong PBA player.

Nahitabo gyud, dili pa lamang dugay.

I am referring to Chukoy

FCHUKOY, P7

PBA legend Robert Jaworski leads the latest enshrinees to the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.