Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 12 | Saturday, March 27, 2021

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

IT’S WOMEN AT WORK AT SM NOT OVER f

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VOL.14 ISSUE 12 • SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

Sara extends liquor ban, curfew hours until May 31

LIFESTYLE

LAST JANUARY, SM Investments Corporation was one of 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg GenderEquality Index (GEI).

This was the secondtime SM was cited in the said index, which measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

STORY ON PAGE 2

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, we are featuring amazing women across different SM companies. Working quietly behind the scenes, their roles in the organization are diverse, as are their challenges and experiences on a day-to-day basis.

Here, they share with us what keeps them inspired; as well as their management styles, their tips for other women at work, and their thoughts on women empowerment.

FELANIE L. LIM Vice President, Merchandising The SM Store As Vice President of Merchandising, Felanie and her team facilitate the Shoes and Bags department’s regular buying process - forecasting inventory, reading the demands and trends, and fulfilling them when appropriate. She has been with the company for 23 years, and feels honored and privileged to be part of the team working on the category that started it all for SM – shoes.

• Her management style. “I lead and manage my team based on how I want to be led and managed. My approach is democratic in nature, and make it a point to consult and collaborate with my team because their thoughts and viewpoints are important to the achievement of our goal.”

“Being in the shoes team also allowed me to work with Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. and I always looked forward to our men-

• Tips for women at work.

“Work hard and be the kind of woman that adds value to people around you. Work hard with elegance and grace.”

• What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It’s about recognizing the achievements of women around the world and raising awareness about Gender equality.”

DIANA R. DIONISIO Vice President – China Projects SM Prime A pioneer in SM’s China projects, Diana joined the company 21 years ago. Today, as Vice President, she is responsible for managing its Finance and Treasury functions, and also supervises other departments such as Business Development, IT, Systems, and Legal.

new ideas and better solutions from different stakeholders.

Our warmth and personal touch also fosters better working relationships and this in turn provides for better efficiency and productivity.”

“With my department spanning two countries, cultural and legal differences are inevitable. As such, I have to explain and convince both sides to adapt and work around those differences.”

• Tips for women at work: “Always think that women, just like men, are human beings created equal by God. Your gender is not an obstacle for you to reach higher and better goals in life if you desire.”

• What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It’s a day to recognize and honor the achievements and contri-

Clockwise from top: Diana Dionisio, Agnes Pacis, and Felanie Lim.

Vice President and GM – SMX with a particular staff member.”

Convention Centers “I apply the principle of the SM Hotels and Conventions 5 Love Languages at work by Agnes has been with SMX understanding what “language” Hotels and Conventions for six a member of the team will years after spending a good two understand best and adjust my decades working in internation- leadership style accordingly.” al hotel chains like Shangri-La, “The natural ability of a woman Sheraton, and Hyatt located in to nurture and emotionally con conduct drilling works for countries like Thailand, Indo- Workers nect to her team members has the Davao City Coastal Road pronesia, Fiji, Australia and Myan-ject’s foundation surely helped in building the in Bucana, Davao mar. As the Vice President and City kind of team we have now.” on Friday.

The P26-billion GM of SMX Convention Cen- coastal road project is targeted to Edge Davao ters, she handles all 6 existing be completed • Tipsthis foryear. women at work. “Be properties of SMX nationwide intentional in all that you do, overseeing the operations and be your authentic self, play to profitability of all SMX Conven- your strengths and don’t take it

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 12 • SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

IT’S NOT OVER Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla says the simulation exercise or bomb drill on terrorist attacks in a selected public market and bus terminal within Davao City was successful. The simulation exercise aims to

encourage more Dabawenyos to embrace the ‘culture of security’ and develop long-term security awareness and cooperation. Edge Davao

Sara extends liquor ban, curfew hours until May 31 T

City to establish driving school for HPBS drivers

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has extended the liquor ban and curfew hours until May 31, 2021.

Mayor Sara signed on March 24, 2021 the Executive Order (E.O.) 12-A or “An Order Providing For Updated COVID-19 Protocols in Davao City,” which sets new provisions on COVID-19 protocols, which will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday (March 26) that includes the extension of the curfew hours from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. every day and liquor ban until May 31, 2021.

The mayor already made pronouncement on Monday that there will be no lifting of liquor ban and curfew on March 31, 2021 as these two orders will still be re-imposed if there is a possible sec-

ond wave of Covid-19 cases in Davao City.

“Dili pa ma-lift ang liquor ban and curfew because we are still waiting for the second wave and if duna’y possible na second wave na muabot, ibalik gihapon nato na ang atong liquor ban and curfew. So, i-derecho na lang nato na siya sa pagkakaron para dili siya mag-create ug confusion sa mga tao,” she said.

Last month, Mayor Sara has extended the 24-hour liquor ban and curfew in the city until March 31, 2021 under Executive Order (E.O.) No. 5, Series of 2021.

The city re-imposed the 24-hour liquor ban

in the city to prevent the exposure of individuals to Covid-19 through unbridled drinking sessions while the curfew was re-imposed to avert the spike of cases during the holiday season, to support the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) in its anti-criminality efforts, and to intensify terrorism surveillance and anti-illegal drugs operations in the coastal areas.

The mayor said it is necessary to extend the said orders to regulate some activities that can contribute to local transmission in the city.

Meanwhile, Davao City Health Office acting head Dr. Ashley Lopez urged Dabawenyos to continue cooperating and supporting the government’s cam-

paign against the coronavirus disease.

“We are not yet safe, with or without the vaccine. That’s why we cannot be complacent, so ipadayon nato ang atong pag-cooperate ug pag-patronize on what is being advocated for by our government, particularly on surveillance, ” Lopez said, during the ‘COVID-19 Alert’ program on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

He reminded Dabawenyos to always observed with the city’s Covid-19 regulations by observing the minimum public health protocols like wearing of face mask and face shield, social distancing, and frequent handwashing using water and soap to fight against the deadly virus.

he city government of Davao will be establishing a driving school for drivers of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).

City Planning and Development Office head Ivan Chin Cortez said the city is now looking for a property for the said driving school.

“The school is for the drivers. Lahi na biya ni nga bus and we need a steady supply of skilled drivers for the multiple shifts,” he said.

There are four types of buses for HBPS that require a certain level of certification for a driver to be allowed to take and service bus routes.

“When the study (HPBS) was conducted, supply of required skills for bus drivers was lacking, which is not enough to service the entire bus system,” he said.

The city government of Davao has identified candidate sites to be used as the central, mid-east bus terminals for HPBS namely Bunawan (depot with terminal), Sto. Nino

(depot only), Sasa Port (depot only), Toril (depot with terminal), Calinan (depot with terminal and driving school), and Buhangin (depot only) as areas for the depot.

Three locations will have terminals for the inter-provincial buses to interchange with the city buses “At least two options per site, per need so that we have a spare site if option 1 is unwilling. The idea is once the commuters reached the provincial terminals they will switch buses of HPBS. We will need a lot of bus stops all throughout the bus network system,” he added.

Cortez said timelines for the completion and implementation are dependent on the land acquisition wherein the designs of the depot can only be finalized.

“If sites are finalized we have to meet the land owners who are not willing to sell also. Our target for land purchase is 2021,” he said.

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

A sea turtle mascot is being paraded around town in Santa Monica, Siargao Island on Thursday (25 March 2021) to intensify the municipal government’s campaign on the conservation and protection of sea turtles and other marine

lives. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

Davao Chamber in talks with South African Embassy on trade initiative

By MAYA M. PADILLO

T

he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., (DCCCII) and the South African Embassy in the Philippines are pushing for more trade initiatives this year.

DCCCII President Dr. Malou Monteverde said during a virtual meeting with South African Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Bartinah Ntombizodwa Radebe-Netshitenzhe on March 17, 2021, establishing for a bilateral relation between South Af-

rica and Davao City was discussed.

“From their end and from our end, it’s going to be more of agricultural products going there (South Africa). That is more of how it is going to be,” Monteverde said during the 3rd General Membership Meeting of

DCCCII on Friday.

Monteverde added that with this partnership a sisterhood agreement with a South African city together with Davao City may be established.

“South Africa has been here for the past 10 years already and they have a lot of infra projects that they would want to connect with us.

They would want to invest here also and South Africa is not the South Africa that we envisioned,

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30 ex-drug pushers in DavOr graduate from Project Tulay

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wenty-nine Persons Trading Illegal Drugs (PTIDs) from the Municipality of Cateel and one from the Municipality of Boston have completed the first phase of the recovery program, Project Tulay, on March 19, 2021.

Certificates, special awards, gift packs, and tents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development

(DSWD) were turned over to the first-batch of graduates during the completion ceremony at the Balay Silangan, Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marundan, Mati City.

“I am thankful for this opportunity and to the government who helped us and treat us like family and believed that we are capable of recovering from addiction so we can

be a good example and be a ‘godfather’ for our community and for the sake of our family,” one of the clients named Cyril said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JJV Behavioral Management Center represented by Executive Assistant, Mrs. Evelyn Ruth L. Valderrama, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to “continue building a

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Sara invites BIMP-EAGA-Japan to explore Mindanao, Davao

M

ayor Sara Z. Duterte has invited Japanese investors to have a closer look at this city and the entire Mindanao as possible investment destinations.

In a video message during the Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA)-Japan Investment Seminar on Thursday, the mayor said: "We

would like to invite the BIMP-EAGA Japan business community to take a closer look at Davao City and Mindanao as a rising investment destination in Southeast Asia and the BIMP-EAGA region.”

The mayor said the seminar was a good platform to bring Davao City and Mindanao to the world, especially at a time when the government is working towards

social and economic recovery from the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“We would like to invite you to experience the things that we can offer and to work with us towards progress and development,” she said.

She said Mindanao holds a vast potential for economic growth, with the island's cities and

total vaccinees while St. Camillus Hospital has the total of 114 vaccinees.

The inoculation started last March 10, two days after 600 vials of SINOVAC vaccines arrived. The vaccination continued on March 18 to March 25 after the AstraZeneca vaccines arrived on March 12 and March 21.

The data for the Mati IMT vaccination are as follows: • March 10- 20 vaccinees

• March 11- 20 vaccinees • March 18- 89 vaccinees • March 19- 88 vaccinees • March 22- 100 vaccinees • March 23- 210 vaccinees • March 24- 220 vaccinees • March 25- 90 vaccinees Of the 24,000 Category A priority population target, the city has so far

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1,536 vaccinees in Mati as of Mar. 25

A

total of 1,536 health frontliners from Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, St. Camillus Hospital, and Mati IMT were successfully vaccinated as of March 25.

Of the total, 54% are from the City Health Office- Mati City, ACS Milagrosa, and Mati City BHW’s.

40 vaccinees were inoculated with SINOVAC, while 797 vaccinees with AstraZeneca. From the DOPMC, 585 were the

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 12 • SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

Struggling banana industry seeks lower gov’t fees, fewer restrictions

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he Pilipino Banana Growers and Entrepreneurs Association (PBGEA) is calling for fewer government fees and more supportive ordinances to pump up the troubled industry.

PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an interview on Thursday that it would also help to have simpler procedures for the compliance of stakeholders.

Specifically, Antig cited the possible reduction in lodgment fees with the Bureau of Customs, as well as the "suspension of wharfage fees until the situation gets better".

Considering the logistics problems that surfaced during the pandemic, he said local government units (LGUs) should also slash or retract some of their additional protocols on banana growers and en-

trepreneurs.

"The LGUs (should) refrain from coming up with ordinances that encroach on the right to contract freely," Antig said.

In a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report released on March 12, fresh bananas recorded the worst dip among the top 10 major commodity groups in terms of the value of exports at -46.9 percent as of January 2021.

Manufactured goods followed at -12.8 percent; machinery and transport equipment, -11.9 percent; and coconut oil, -11.7 percent.

"The industry is sur-

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BSP hikes average inflation projections for 2021-2022

T

he average inflation for this year is now projected to exceed the government’s 2-4 percent target band due to supply-side pressures while the 2022 forecast was hiked on expected recovery of the global economy.

In a briefing via the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Facebook page Thursday, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the latest 2021 rate of price increases projection is 4.2 percent while the 2022 projection is 2.8 percent.

These were at 4 percent and 2.7 percent for 2021 and 2022, respectively, during the rate-setting meeting of the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) last Feb. 11.

Dakila cited two factors as the primary reasons for the projection adjustments.

One of these is the further acceleration of the February 2021 inflation rate to 4.7 percent from month-ago’s 4.2 percent due to the impact of the African swine fever and the higher prices of oil in the international market.

He, however, maintained these factors are transitory.

“And so we are actually seeing that (the) inflation path will decelerate below the midpoint of the target range towards the fourth quarter of this year

and continuing on (the) first quarter of next year before settling close to the mid-point by the second half of next year,” he added.

The second factor for the upward adjustment in the BSP’s average inflation forecasts for this and next year is the outlook for international oil prices.

“As we know, the rollout of the vaccines globally has led to an improved outlook for global performance,” he said of the projection of higher oil prices.

Last February, the MB-approved 2021 average price of Dubai crude oil was USD54.65 per barrel but this has been changed to USD61.37 per barrel.

For 2022, the previous forecast is USD51.90 per barrel but this is now at USD57.79 per barrel.

“As the global economy recovers, the oil prices will also recover and this has an impact on inflation,” Dakila said.

He said central bank officials expect inflation to stay above the upper end of the target band until the third quarter of the year but is not expected to hit 5 percent.

Dakila said they continue to monitor for any second-round effects, or if there would be petitions for electricity or fare hikes. (PNA)

Pilipino Banana Growers and Entrepreneurs Association (PBGEA) executive director Stephen Antig says the group is calling for fewer government fees and more supportive ordinances to help the troubled industry. Edge Davao

DOST to open AMCen to public next month

T

he Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will officially open the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) to the public in April, Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said on Thursday.

Located at the DOST's compound in Bicutan, Taguig City, AMCen houses cutting-edge 3D printing technologies capable of printing plastics, clays and cement, highly-resolved polymers and ceramics, and metals.

"In this time of the pandemic, additive manufacturing played a great role in providing 3D printed devices to fill in

the shortage of medical devices and personal protective equipment such as face shields, face masks, and valves," de la Peña said at the AMCen-Materials Development stakeholders’ forum on Thursday.

Additive manufacturing (AM), he said, allows the creation of lighter and more complex details that are either too difficult or very expensive to produce using traditional molds and machining.

"I am enjoining the manufacturing industry to adopt advanced manufacturing and make use of the 3D printers, services, and facilities of ITDI (In-

dustrial Development Technology Institute).

Additive manufacturing is a great alternative to companies dedicated to manufacturing goods on demand."

AM is one of DOST’s priority programs. About PHP330 million was allocated for the Rapid and Advanced Prototyping for Product Innovation and Development using Additive Manufacturing Technologies (RAPPID-ADMATEC), one of the component projects under AMCen. The RAPPID-ADMATEC team has networked with various industries that have addi-

tive manufacturing-related business operations.

It has also established partnerships with the academe, start-ups, regional innovation centers were established, de la Peña said.

Advantages The DOST chief also pointed out the advantages of AM. Often referred to as 3D printing, the AM requires less hard tooling and assembly and offers greater customization or bespoke manufacturing at a shorter time to market as compared to traditional production methods or subtractive manufacturing, he said. (PNA)

epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said its investments promotion agency is in discussion with six companies for the local production of vaccines.

“The Board of Investments (BOI) is talking to about six local companies on their plans for local vaccine manufacturing.

We are doing this so we don’t depend on imports for the vaccine in the future,” he said in a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte broadcasted late Wednesday evening.

Lopez, who is also the BOI chair, has yet to name the local companies eyeing to manufacture the

vaccine.

Earlier, Filipino pharmaceutical firm Glovax Biotech said it is in talks with the BOI to produce the EuCorVac-19 in the country with its Korean partner.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said Serum Institute of India also aims Philippine production of its Covid-19 vaccine.

Lopez said the BOI has been inviting investors to locate in the country to generate more local jobs and help the economy recover.

The BOI is also pushing for product localization and align to its “Buy Local Go Lokal” campaign.

“We have to buy lo-

cal. This is what we are pushing for. Because if we buy local, we can quickly revive the economy by re-stimulating the economy,” he said.

For instance, the country is now producing 3.2 million pieces of coverall personal protective equipment from zero at the onset of the pandemic.

From one manufacturer of medical grade face mask before, several investments in face mask manufacturing made the country capable of producing 56 million pieces per month of N88 face masks and 2.4 million pieces of N95 masks per month, Lopez added.

The country now also produces one of the raw materials of face masks, the meltblown or mask filter, from zero local capacity pre-pandemic.

“Investment registration continues to rise despite this pandemic,” Lopez said.

Last year, the BOI still hit the second highest investment approval in its history amid the global health and economic crisis.

BOI-approved investments in 2020 reached PHP1.02 trillion from PHP1.14 trillion in 2019.

For the first quarter of 2021, project registration with the BOI jumped by 64.65 percent to PHP137 billion, Lopez said. (PNA)

PH in talks with 6 firms for local vax production

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

5

A Puregold supermarket outlet in Lanang, Davao City. Puregold Price Club Inc., operator of the supermarket chain, reported an unaudited consolidated net income of P8.05 billion for 2020, up 18.9 percent compared to P6.77 billion booked 2019. Edge Davao

Rich-poor income gap could widen further in PH after pandemic -ADBI

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oor Filipinos are more vulnerable to income decline than the rich due to the COVID-19 pandemic-induced economic fallout, reflecting a wider income disparity between the lower and higher income classes in the country, according to Tokyo-based think tank Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).

In its working paper titled “Impact of COVID-19 on Households in ASEAN Countries and their Implication for Human Capital Development,” the ADBI surveyed 1,000 household heads in the Philippines, of which 520 are from urban and 480 are from rural areas.

Across the region, the think tank surveyed

8,078 respondents, 3,447 of which are from urban and 4,631 from rural areas.

The ADBI conducted its survey through telephone interviews, lasting about 12 to 15 minutes.

Results of the survey found that the poorest groups in the Philippines more likely faced financial difficulties than the

richest groups by about a difference of 40 percentage points.

“This may be due to the fact that some households suffered from income decline, but they also had to increase their expenditure,” the ADBI said.

“In the Philippines, households in the lower-income classes are

more likely to have income declines than those in the upper-income classes. This implies that the income inequality may be widened after the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines,” the think tank said.

The ADBI survey also found that 84% of Filipino households reported declining incomes.

ciaries consisting of local workers and overseas workers who have returned to the country.

He said the unclaimed cash aid is from the funds under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1) and Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

The financial aid is under the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP), Abot Kamay Ang Pagtulong (AKAP) Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating

Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.

Under Bayanihan 1, the unclaimed cash assistance amounting to PHP23,230,620 is allotted for 3,798 beneficiaries.

The breakdown is as follows -- CAMP, PHP4.25 million for 850 workers; AKAP, PHP14.1 million for 1,410 workers and TUPAD, PHP4,880,620 for 1,538 workers. (PNA) Meanwhile, the unclaimed financial aid from

DBP breaches trillion-peso Over P300-M cash aid for asset mark; loans rise 19% 50K workers still unclaimed

S

tate-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) joined the elite ranks of trillion-peso banks in the country, as its total assets reached PHP1.04 trillion at end-2020, up by a whopping 37 percent from the PHP761.24 billion recorded the previous year, a top official said.

In a statement Thursday, DBP president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Herbosa said higher total assets was

buoyed largely by the hefty increases in deposits which grew by 47.6 percent to PHP817.9 billion from PHP554.18 billion in 2019, and the 26-percent hike in investments to PHP260.1 billion from PHP206.57 billion the previous year.

“DBP’s latest milestone manifests the public’s continued confidence in DBP as a strong, stable and reliable financial institution,” Herbosa said.

“We are emboldened by the fact that the bank was

able to achieve this feat two years earlier than our projected timeline and despite the constraints of the prevailing public health crisis.”

DBP is the sixth-largest bank in the country in terms of assets and has been designated as the country’s Infrastructure Bank by the national government. It has a network of 129 full-service branch offices, including 11 branch lite units situated mostly in underserved

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O

ver PHP300 million in cash benefits have yet to be claimed by around 50,000 workers affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday.

Citing latest data, DOLE Information and Publication Service (IPS) director Rolly Francia said a total of PHP302,800,844 in cash assistance are still waiting to be claimed by a total of 49,598 benefi-

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 12 • SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

On the importance of nature conservation in combatting climate change, biodiversity loss, and health risks: As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage, let us recognize the inevitable truth that the state of our planet and our health and well-being are inherently related.

We should persist against harmful human activities and shift towards environment-friendly lifestyle choices.”

Secretary Roy A. Cimatu

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

EDITORIAL

Earth Hour

It’s another year to celebrate Earth Hour, second under the pandemic.

Earth Hour’s past two years including this one may well be said as very significant as people across the world have restructured their lifestyle. Under the restrictions of the pandemic, energy consumption lessened and so are carbon footprint and emissions as many factories and industries shut down. People also learned to commute on bicycles and that’s a natural progress towards the essential messages of the Earth Hour celebration.

This year, the aim of the proponents of Earth Hour is to encourage people to switch to renewable energy and switch rides from fuel to electric.

This Earth Hour, the goal is encouraging people everywhere to make the #SwitchforNature to support Australia’s switch to a renewables-based economy.

The government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is once again calling on all Filipinos to participate in the global Earth Hour

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

movement on March 27 in support of the agency’s efforts to mitigate the increasing effects of climate change.

The worldwide event will be observed in the Philippines from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Computers, television sets, air conditioning units and non-essential lights may be switched off to express a shared concern for the environment. More importantly, beyond this symbolic action, Filipinos should reduce electrical consumption to lessen carbon footprint and emissions generated by carbon dioxide and fossil fuel, which are major causes of climate change.

For that matter, DENR is encouraging everyone to make the shift to renewable sources of energy such as solar technology and use of light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs, which draw less power compared to incandescent and fluorescent lights.

The observance of Earth Hour all boils down to what is called environmental responsibility which is critical and must be sustained.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 12 • SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021

AGRITRENDS

7

Siganids can now be raised commercially

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he fish is called malaga in the northern part of Luzon, where it is very popular. But in Mindanao, it is known as kitong or kitang. Cebuanos call it danggit. In some areas, it is called as kikyero or samaral. And they come in several species.

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Siganid or rabbitfish, as it is widely known, is becoming one of the favorite fish of Filipinos as it is very tasty (described by one scribe as “a slight, barely delectable sweetness”). You can have it broiled, sinigang (stew characterized by its sour and savory taste) or paksiw (cooked and simmered in vinegar).

According to R. Jamil Jonna, of the Animal Diversity Organization, the fish got its name from its peaceful temperament, rounded blunt snout, and rabbit-like appearance of the jaws. The fish “are important reef herbivores that browse individually or in schools over the reef or feed on plankton within the water column.”

Siganids are widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to Polynesia, southern Japan to northern Australia and in Eastern Mediterranean. One species, Siganus rivulatus, has been able to penetrate from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean, which the fish has now become common.

They naturally occur in

the wild where they inhabit mangroves, seagrass beds and reef flats, says Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology and former executive director of Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development.

In the past, siganids were harvested only from the wild in the open seas.

But today, thanks to science, they can be raised in brackishwater ponds, pens and cages as well as in sea pens and cages.

“Of the 26 species of siganids in the country, the two most commonly cultured are the Siganus guttatus (spotted variety) and Siganus vermiculatus (striped variety),” Dr. Guerrero says.

In the wild, the two species occur most of the time. Although the spotted variety is heavier, the striped variety grows faster.

But in terms of meat quality and taste, the former is supposed to be better and tastier.

“Siganid culture in the Philippines is not widely practiced, except in some

brackishwater government farm areas and in a number of experimental farms,” the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reported some years back.

The FAO paper carried this information: “Net cage culture is not yet a well-established or developed culture technique. A floating net cage farm consists of a number of interlocked cages suspended in a bamboo and/or wooden frame. The frame is either kept afloat by a bamboo raft or styrofoam floats, and held in place by heavy anchors. The net cages are of different sizes, with netting of different mesh sizes.

“Hapa cages are made of fine mesh net and are used to rear fry to the fingerling size.

Nursery cages are used to culture fingerlings to 15-20 centimeters, while in the grow-out cages the fish attain the marketable size. The siganids are fed with algae (lumot) usually once a day daily at 15% of the body weight.”

If siganid can be compared to livestock, the goat is most likely its counterpart. “Of all fish, siganid is just like a goat, just leave it there and it grows. So, even scientists from developed countries are now focused on siganid as an aquaculture species,” Dr. Westly R. Rosario, chief of the Dagupan-based National Integrated Fisheries and Technology Development Center (NIFTDC), told Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

Dr. Rosario is the leader behind the perfection of milkfish culture and creation of marine-tolerant strains of tilapia. Today, he and his team are credited for developing a hybrid siganid.

But that’s going ahead of the story. In the website thefishsite.com, Dr. Rosario said the Philippines “is the top producer of wildcaught and cultured rabbitfish, with annual landings of around 30,000 tons.

“The demand for export within Southeast Asia and other markets like Hawaii is very high,” he went on.

“However, few Filipinos are raising rabbitfish due to the low supply of fingerlings and un-disseminated technology. Their popularity as food fish is leading to the decline of their numbers in the wild.”

Actually, Dr. Rosario and his team worked closely on the life cycle of siganid in captivity for about a decade.

In 2011, they were able to crossbreed the two most popular siganid species to come up with a more superior breed.

In a news report, PDI's Gabriel Cardinoza said the researchers “first mated a female striped malaga with a male spotted malaga. Then they reversed the combination, this time with a female spotted malaga and male striped malaga.”

The successful cross-breeding – first time two species were crossbred in captivity – was as conceptualized because of the new policy of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to develop other kinds of fish to complement bangus (milkfish), whose production has now become costlier due to the soaring prices of feeds.

“Siganids are herbivores (feeding on plants like filamentous algae) and omnivores (feeding on supplemental feeds and formulated diets),” says Dr. Guerrero. “They are valued over milkfish and tilapia in our local markets and have good export potential.”

Despite these desirable qualities, siganids only contribute less than one percent of the country’s total farmed fish production, Dr. Guerrero reports.

Most of those cultured siganids come from Luzon and Mindanao, particularly Davao and Caraga regions.

The FHI is at the forefront of supplying fish fingerlings (bangus, lapu-lapu

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EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

WOMEN AT WORK AT SM

LAST JANUARY, SM Investments Corporation was one of 380 companies across 11 sectors included in the 2021 Bloomberg GenderEquality Index (GEI).

This was the secondtime SM was cited in the said index, which measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, sexual harassment policies, and pro-women brand.

In celebration of International Women’s Month this March, we are featuring amazing women across different SM companies. Working quietly behind the scenes, their roles in the organization are diverse, as are their challenges and experiences on a day-to-day basis.

Here, they share with us what keeps them inspired; as well as their management styles, their tips for other women at work, and their thoughts on women empowerment.

FELANIE L. LIM Vice President, Merchandising The SM Store As Vice President of Merchandising, Felanie and her team facilitate the Shoes and Bags department’s regular buying process - forecasting inventory, reading the demands and trends, and fulfilling them when appropriate. She has been with the company for 23 years, and feels honored and privileged to be part of the team working on the category that started it all for SM – shoes.

• Her management style. “I lead and manage my team based on how I want to be led and managed. My approach is democratic in nature, and make it a point to consult and collaborate with my team because their thoughts and viewpoints are important to the achievement of our goal.”

“Being in the shoes team also allowed me to work with Mr. Henry Sy, Sr. and I always looked forward to our mentoring session every Saturday in his Makati office. Tatang taught me to value my work and think of it as my own.

“Success is not just good luck,” he would share with us. “It’s a combination of hard work, good credit standing, the right opportunity, readiness, and timing.”

• Tips for women at work.

“Work hard and be the kind of woman that adds value to people around you. Work hard with elegance and grace.”

• What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It’s about recognizing the achievements of women around the world and raising awareness about Gender equality.”

DIANA R. DIONISIO Vice President – China Projects SM Prime A pioneer in SM’s China projects, Diana joined the company 21 years ago. Today, as Vice President, she is responsible for managing its Finance and Treasury functions, and also supervises other departments such as Business Development, IT, Systems, and Legal.

SM currently has seven operating malls in China, and two more under construction.

• Her management style: “Women have an eye for detail and this is crucial in my line of work. We also have a more collaborative approach with our colleagues and this encourages

new ideas and better solutions from different stakeholders.

Our warmth and personal touch also fosters better working relationships and this in turn provides for better efficiency and productivity.”

“With my department spanning two countries, cultural and legal differences are inevitable. As such, I have to explain and convince both sides to adapt and work around those differences.”

• Tips for women at work: “Always think that women, just like men, are human beings created equal by God. Your gender is not an obstacle for you to reach higher and better goals in life if you desire.”

• What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“It’s a day to recognize and honor the achievements and contributions of women, not only in the family, but as leaders in the industry, society and country as a whole. Being a woman is not an issue both in the Philippines and China, as both countries have women assuming leadership roles.”

MARIA AGNES C. PACIS

Clockwise from top: Diana Dionisio, Agnes Pacis, and Felanie Lim.

Vice President and GM – SMX Convention Centers SM Hotels and Conventions Agnes has been with SMX Hotels and Conventions for six years after spending a good two decades working in international hotel chains like Shangri-La, Sheraton, and Hyatt located in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Fiji, Australia and Myanmar. As the Vice President and GM of SMX Convention Centers, she handles all 6 existing properties of SMX nationwide overseeing the operations and profitability of all SMX Convention Centers.

with a particular staff member.”

“I apply the principle of the 5 Love Languages at work by understanding what “language” a member of the team will understand best and adjust my leadership style accordingly.”

“The natural ability of a woman to nurture and emotionally connect to her team members has surely helped in building the kind of team we have now.”

• Her management style. “I have a collaborative and highly communicative leadership style.

I believe strongly that there is nothing that proper communication can’t fix. I do not like micro-managing but I adjust my style to what I believe will work

• What does International Women’s Day mean to you? “It is a day of recognizing the contribution of women of all creeds and races to the society globally.

It is a day to celebrate a woman’s worth in affirmation of gender equality / parity.”

• Tips for women at work. “Be intentional in all that you do, be your authentic self, play to your strengths and don’t take it personally!”

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

9

Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement Program Senior Peace Mission Leader Bernadette Fernandez (left) receives the Smart LTE Pocket WiFi units and load cards donation from PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos (right).

PLDT-Smart Found’n, Smart support digital peace education advocacy program for Marawi kids

I

t has been more than three years since the tragic incident in Marawi, but the trauma it brought to the children and youth of Marawi still lingers. Three years later, the children and their families continue to live in harsh conditions in temporary shelters and in the homes of other family members.

PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) together with Smart Communications recently partnered with the Ten Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) Foundation to strengthen the digital peace education for the youth of Marawi. To power the education campaign, PSF provided Smart LTE Pocket WiFi with load cards to the Teach Peace, Build Peace Movement (TPBPM) for the use of the youth beneficiaries in Marawi City.

TOWNS Awardee for Education Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman is the Founding Chief Peace Mission Keeper of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement (TPBPM), a non-government organization with a mission to make Every Filipino Child and Youth a Peace Hero. Sumndad-Usman is also one of the Dig-

ital Peace Education Project leaders.

“The Digital Peace Education Project’s goal is to cultivate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values of the youth on how to have peace with themselves, peace with others, and peace with the natural environment by integrating Peace Education and Psychosocial Care, which is innate in the learning process of Peace Education. The learning process utilized in peace education is holistic and it addresses the cognitive, affective and active dimensions of the learner, which are important to the social and emotional growth of a child,” Sumndad-Usman said.

According to Sumndad-Usman, the project aims to provide supplemental digital lessons and exercises on peacebuilding and personal well-being in online peace education classes that the students can access on weekends using tablets donated by the TOWNS Foundation.

The Digital Peace Education Project also integrates social and emotional learning processes that can help nurture a child’s inner peace and social

skills.

“Through our partnership with the PLDT-Smart Foundation, children can have online peace education classes that will be conducted by Teach Peace Build Peace Movement using developed digital modules from Peace Hero Kids TV to supplement formal learning by empowering the children with peacebuilding attitudes and skills as well as exercises for their mental and emotional health, especially at this time of pandemic. It is this partnership’s commitment to help bring peace education and emotional and mental support to the children of Marawi,” Sumndad-Usman said.

"We are happy to be in partnership with PLDTSmart Foundation for this Peace education project in Marawi. The conflict in that part of our country has dealt not only physical damage but painful scars on the young lives of children caught in the middle.

It is the hope of TOWNS that the Peace education program will strengthen their concepts of the true meaning of peace in their young lives,” said Digital Peace Education Project

Chair Cecilia Lazaro.

“The devastating impact of the Marawi siege has brought so much loss and grief for the people of Marawi City. But the people’s strength and resilience are far greater than the tragedy that unfolded before them. In PLDTSmart Foundation, it is with great optimism that our support may bring hope to the children and youth of Marawi as the people continue to rebuild their homes and dream of a better tomorrow,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos.

“We also acknowledge the work of TOWNS, especially as we celebrate Women’s Month.”

For Sumndad-Usman, peace education is the key to transform children to become peace heroes and lead a peace movement in their schools and communities. After the pilot campaign, the TOWNS Foundation and the TPBPM plan to conduct more online peace education lessons to children while developing more digital learning resources to influence others to choose, live and lead the path of a culture of peace.

Mati is MMK regional winner, wins P2M

T

he City of Mati LGU was declared the regional winner of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (DA-Bfar) 2020 Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan Search for Outstanding Coastal Community.

In an awarding ceremony Friday, March 26, the City of Mati received P2 million cheque plus plaque of recognition from DA-Bfar.

No less than Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat received the award held at the Honey’s Convention Hall in Mati City with officials from DA, BFAR and other LGUs attending.

According to Mayor Michelle Rabat, the winning prize will be used for the continuing mangrove protection in Guang-Guang Mangrove Park and for additional budget for the fisherfolks in Mati.

"May award man o

wala, we will still protect our environment because the City of Mati would not be where we are now without these abundant marine resources," Mayor Michelle said.

Municipality of San Isidro Mayor Justina Yu also received P1M cheque plus plaque of recognition for winning the 2nd place while the Garden City of Samal received P500K and plaque of recognition for winning 3rd place.

Tagum City and Municipality of Lupon also received plaque of recognition for winning 4th and 5th place, respectively.

Other officials who attended the event were BFAR Regional Director Raul Millana, Davao Oriental Vice Governor Niño Uy, City of Mati Council Committee Chair on Agriculture Eric Rabat, and Mati City Local Government Operations Officer

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He added that the acquisition of sites for the depots, terminals, and bus stops is spearheaded by the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

The construction of the bus terminals will be funded from a P650-million city government allocation. Maya Padillo

it’s a very progressive country also and we are not just talking about the South Africa that we know of also known now as the South African variant. It’s more than that,” she said.

Monteverde said there is a possible trade relations between two countries, Philippines and South Africa, as it has put up an embassy in

Manila for trade relations and economic activity.

“They are looking for the possibilities of having exchanges especially with our agriculture sector. They really like our agricultural products, so they look forward to our products as part of the export possibilities or opportunities. But we are still looking into the logistics sector,” she said.

covered 6.4% of its target.

City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat vows to vaccinate 100% of the total population of the city estimated at 141,000.

Mayor Michelle said

that with the national government covering 70% of the population, the city’s P20 million allocation for the purchase of additional vaccines could well cover the remaining 30% of the population. (CIO MATI)

viving though it has a lot of problems," he added.

PSA data also showed that the value of banana exports in January fell by 47 percent to USD84.659 million from USD159.454 million in 2020.

"Planting bananas is still okay but the size should be economical and you should have a ready market," Antig said.

Most banana plantations are located in Mindanao, with the Davao region accounting for 39 percent of the country’s total banana production, followed by Northern Mindanao and Soccsksargen with 19 percent and 12 percent, respectively, according to PSA data.

In a recent virtual briefer of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Director for High-Value Crops Program U-Nicholls Manalo said there is a stimulus fund to revive the banana sector.

He attributed the de-

cline in produce to the spread of Fusarium wilt, widely known as the Panama disease, a soil-borne fungal disease that initially attacks the roots of banana plants.

The disease turns the leaves of banana plants from green to yellow before eventually wilting.

Areas infected with the Panama disease may have already doubled to 30,000 hectares from the 15,000 hectares identified by the DA in 2015, data showed.

Small banana plantations account for almost half of more than 88,000 hectares planted with the Cavendish variety, Manalo said.

"Hindi lang naman ang merkado ng Pilipinas ang naapektuhan kung hindi ang buong mundo (It's not only the Philippine market that has been affected but other nations too)," he said.

(PNA)

the Bayanihan 2 amounts to PHP279,570,223 with a total of 45,800 recipients.

This consists of TUPAD with PHP76,905,304 for 15,572 beneficiaries; AKAP with PHP95,110,000 for 9,511 beneficiaries; CAMP with PHP90,635,000 for 18,127 beneficiaries; CAMP (Tourism sector) with PHP15,429,920 for 2,292 beneficiaries and CAMP (Education sector) with PHP1.490 million for 298 beneficiaries.

Francia urged all those who applied for the as-

sistance and have not received their cash aid to coordinate with DOLE’s field offices or remittance centers in their areas.

CAMP program is a one-time PHP5,000 cash aid provided by the government to affected workers in private establishments.

Under AKAP, Filipino workers on site or those that have been repatriated back to the country due to the pandemic are given a one-time financial aid amounting to PHP10,000 (UDS200).

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municipalities becoming a fertile ground for business and economic growth.

“Today’s Mindanao is a strategic location for business establishment and expansion. There are a lot of things to discover about Mindanao,” she said.

She also cited that Mindanao Island is highly accessible for domestic and international travel as it offers a pool of talents and manpower.

“They have skills that match your business needs as well as growing infrastructure and use of modern technologies that can help propel your business towards growth,” she said.

Meanwhile, Yoshiaki Miwa, Consul General of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao, said the investment seminar is to benefit both the Japanese

and Filipino companies and to restart the economy.

“Through the series of BIMP-EAGA-Japan investment seminars, we would like to promote the relationship. We believe that the potential of investment and tourism within the BIMP-EAGA area is high since their economy’s complement each other by enhancing connectivity not only in the context of the sea and air transport but also in terms of technology and people to people exchange where potential is even higher,” Miwa said.

He said Japan has been pouring in billions-worth of Mindanao development assistance, especially in support of the peace process, reflecting the solid ties between the two countries.

(PNA)

and far-flung areas of the country.

Herbosa said total loans to borrowers as of Dec. 31, 2020 reached PHP423.32 billion, up 19 percent from the PHP356.75 billion outstanding principal balance (OPB) as of December 2019, with the majority of the credit assistance channeled to critical sectors and industries that were severely affected by the current economic downturn.

He said the bulk of the loan OPB as of December 2020 went to infrastructure and logistics which accounted for nearly 53.4 percent or PHP225.9 billion; followed by loans to social services and community development, PHP78.9 billion; environmental projects, PHP44.8

billion; and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), PHP32.8 billion.

“We remain committed to the collective and purposive efforts of the national government to bolster resiliency and carve a steady path to recovery and growth especially of our traditional customer segments,” Herbosa said.

DBP executive vice president for corporate services and concurrent head of operations Marietta Fondevilla said DBP’s net income for year-end 2020 decreased by 30.4 percent to PHP3.9 billion from PHP5.60 billion in 2019 due to higher loan loss provisioning and increase in operating expenses.

Joseph Porgatorio.

The Search for MMK aims to recognize outstanding initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities or cities to sustainable fisheries management.

Strict implementation

of the minimum health standards was observed all throughout the event.

Meanwhile, the City of Mati will automatically vie for the national level competition of MMK this year.(CIO MATI)

line, sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Chicago Bulls were the leading contender for his services but a deal could not be reached. However the Pelicans sent JJ Redick and Nicolo Melli to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu and a 2021 second-round pick.

RONDO TO CLIPPERS Rajon Rondo was in hot demand considering several contenders need veteran leadership at the point guard position. The

LA Clippers traded for the 35-year-old in exchange for Lou Williams and two future second-round picks.

BULLS TRADE FOR VUCEVIC All-Star forward Nikola Vucevic is being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday.

Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to the Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selec-

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heart of change for building a good path, gain courage and inspiration from the family in order to fight off struggles and temptations to come.”

Project Tulay Head Argel Joseph S. Aventura expressed joy in seeing the real-life transformations brought by the program.

Acknowledging the clients, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Action Officer and Provincial Administrator Art Benjie C. Bulaong said that the PTIDs are considered as the extended family of the Balay Silangan who “bravely admitted their offenses and undergone the process for a better state of life that is free from the influence of drugs.”

On March 29, 2021, the PTIDs from the municipality of Baganga are expected to be the next batch of graduates.

Project Tulay is a 12day in-house clinical intervention designed to give safe space for the PTIDs while providing essential clinical interventions such as psychoeducation, group therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-be-

havior therapy at Bagong Bahay Para sa Bagong Buhay: A Balay Silangan Reformation and Outreach Drop-in Center.

It is followed by a 1-month Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) and 6-month Aftercare Program.

The program is done through the collaboration of Local Government Units (LGUs), partner institution JJVBMC and partner agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned agencies.

On February 01, 2021, personalities from the different partner agencies of Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Davao Oriental gathered in Balay Silangan Conference Room, Sitio Magay, Don Martin Marundan, the City of Mati to discuss the Community Drug Rehabilitation Program and its implementation. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIAXI and Mark Alvite/PIO Davao Oriental)

and seabass, to name a few) in the Philippines. In 1996, FHI started operations as part of the business integration program of the company’s agribusiness unit. Its hatchery is located in Lun Masla, Malapatan in Sarangani Province.

FHI is one of the country’s few hatcheries which produce siganid fingerlings of Siganus guttatus whole year round. “We produce 500,000 pieces per month,” says Rene B. Bocaya, FHI’s assistant vice-president for

sales, “and distribute them to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.”

The price of fingerling is P5/inch when picked up in Sarangani.

According to him, siganid is being polycultured with bangus in cages, fishpens and ponds. “Many cage operators, however, are doing monoculture because of the fish’s premium price in the market at P350 per kilo.”

The demand for export is very high, he adds. – (Photos courtesy of FHI and Danilo R. Rumpon)

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tions, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.

The deal would appear to be the start of a rebuild for the Magic, with Vucevic unquestionably the team's best player for the past several seasons. The twotime All-Star is averaging a career-best 24.5 points this season and 11.8 rebounds.

He also has two full seasons left after this one on his contract, a fouryear, $100 million deal signed in 2019. Vucevic is in his 10th NBA season, the last nine of which have been with the Magic.

NUGGETS SNARE MCGEE The Denver Nuggets are bringing back center JaVale McGee in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.

The Nuggets will send power forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein to the Cavaliers along with a protected second-round pick in 2023 and another second-rounder in '27. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal had not been announced.

It's the second time the Nuggets have acquired McGee in a trade-deadline deal. They also picked him up from the Washington Wizards as part of a threeteam exchange in 2012.

The 33-year-old McGee averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game for the Cavs this season. In Denver, McGee will be a backup to All-Star big man Nikola Jokic, who's inserted himself into the MVP conversation by averaging almost a triple-double (27 points, 11.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists).

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11

Olympic torch relay begins in Fukushima

T

he torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games started on Thursday in Japan’s northeastern prefecture of Fukushima.

The opening ceremony was held at the J-Village football training center but without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Japanese women's football team members, who bagged the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, were the premier torchbearers, with Japanese defender Azusa Iwashimizu taking the torch first.

"The flame kept burning quietly but powerfully, even as the world faced difficult times over the past year," organizing committee chief Seiko Hashimoto said.

"The flame will embark on a 121-day

journey and will carry the hopes of the Japanese people and wishes for peace from people around the world," she added.

After a four-month journey across 47 Japanese prefectures, the torch’s final destination will be the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 23, when Tokyo 2020's opening ceremony will be held.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the 2020 games to be postponed for a year. The multi-sport event is now scheduled from July 23 until Aug. 8, without overseas spectators.

(Anadolu)

A

the Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selections, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was still pending NBA approval.

The deal would ap-

OLYMPIC TORCH. Olympic Torchbearer Hiroguchi Takao receives the flame in Iwaki City on day-1 during the Olympic Flame torch relay in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan on March 25, 2021. Following the postpone of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to 2021 from July 21st to August 2nd

due to the pandemic of the Covid-19, the Olympic torch will traverse all 47 Prefectures across Japan over 121 days from the J-Village National Training Centre in Fukushima Prefecture until Arriving at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on July 23. (David Mareuil - Anadolu Agency)

Vucevic traded to Bulls as Magic start rebuild Heat lands Oladipo as trade deadline ends ll-Star forward Nikola Vucevic is being traded from the Orlando Magic to the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the deal said Thursday (Friday, Manila time).

Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to

pear to be the start of a rebuild for the Magic, with Vucevic unquestionably the team's best player for the past several seasons. The twotime All-Star is averaging a career-best 24.5 points this season and 11.8 rebounds.

He also has two full seasons left after this one on his contract, a four-year, $100 million deal signed in 2019.

Vucevic is in his 10th NBA season, the last nine of which have been with the Magic.

Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu are going to the Bulls in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr. and two future first-round selections.

The NBA trade deadline is officially closed with some big names being shifted around the league, while others have been forced to stay put.

Check out the latest deals below.

ROCKETS MOVE OLADIPO After being part of the trade deal that saw James Harden leave the Rockets for Brooklyn, Victor Oladipo is on the move again.

The Rockets almost lost the two-time All Star for nothing until the Miami Heat made a deal for what can only be described as a fire sale.

Oladipo was set to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season and the Rockets were facing the prospect of losing him for nothing. Now the Rockets will receive Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk, and a draft swap for the star, according to The Athletic.

The 28-year-old has averaged 20.8 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season.

SIXERS SECURE BACKUP POINT GUARD While the 76ers didn't get their man in Kyle Lowry from the Raptors, Phily have added some backcourt depth with the acquisition of George Hill in

a three-team trade.

ESPN reports Hill will move from Oklahoma City to Philadelphia as part of the deal in exchange for Tony Bradley and second-round picks (2025 and 2026). The 76ers will also get Iggy Brazdeikis from the New York Knicks, while Terrance Ferguson will move from Oklahoma City to New York, while Austin Rivers goes to the Thunder.

LOWRY STAYING PUT Kyle Lowry was tipped to be one of the bigger name players to be on the move but it sppears the Raptors didn't receive the type of value they were hopeful for according to ESPN. Raptors will stay with the Raptors for the remainder of the season but could be on the move after this season because he's an unrestricted free agent. Meantime the Raptors made the first move of the day when they sent Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood.

PELICANS KEEPING BALL The New Orleans Pelicans have indicated that Lonzo Ball will not be traded ahead of the dead-

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12 SPORTS

PBA DREAM EDGEDAVAO

Alvin Pasaol (middle) formally signs with Meralco in the PBA for two years.

Escandor congratulates Pasaol after signing with Meralco

S

amahang Basketball ng Pilipinas regional head and Presidential Adviser on Sports Glenn Escandor congratulated Dabawenyo cager Alvin Pasaol after the latter formally became a Meralco Bolt.

The sweet-shooting Pasaol, a product of Holy Child Academy, agreed to a two-year deal with the Bolts on Thursday.

"I'm happy for him. I wish him luck and a long tenure in the PBA," said Escandor who also wished for another Dabawenyo Jomari Presbitero to land a contrat with NLEX which drafted him in the fourth round.

Pasaol, a 6-foot-2 super scorer from University of the East came to terms with the Bolts, who picked him ninth overall in the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft.

Pasaol is seen as a huge boost to the offense of Meralco, joining Allein Maliksi and Bong Quinto in the team's wing rotation.

It's a much-needed shot in the arm for the Bolts, who ranked second-worst in offense after they scored only 88.4 points in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup in Clark.

Pasaol, 25, is the Philippines' no. 2-ranked 3x3 player and will

suit up for Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 Men's in the Fiba 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Graz, Austria in May together with Terrafirma's Joshua Munzon and San Miguel's CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa.

The burly Davaoeno bruiser was a two-time UAAP Mythical Team member for the Red Warriors, before thriving in the amateur ranks with Petron-Letran and Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-League, and eventually in Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) with Bataan Risers and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines.

His last stint with Zamboanga saw him net 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists to boost his stock in the last draft exercise.

Together with his agent Marvin Espiritu of Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management, Pasaol signed his rookie contract with Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo.

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