Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 31| Wednesday, April 21, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

MAKING A MARK

Serving a seamless society

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

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SPORTS P12 edgedavao@gmail.com

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ANTICIPATION

An elderly receives anti-influenza vaccine at a barangay health center in Davao City in this undated photo. More than 90,000 senior citizens in Davao City are now on the master list of the city government to receive the anti-Covid-19 shots that will start after the vaccination of medical front-line workers. Edge Davao

City augments isolation beds for possible Covid-19 surge STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in

Malacañang Park, Manila on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ANTICIPATION T

City gov’t assists 725 Covid-19 cremations

City augments isolation beds for possible Covid-19 surge

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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on’t look now but the city government of Davao is preparing for the possible surge of confirmed Covid-19 cases.

In anticipation, the city is augmenting 891 isolation beds to its Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs).

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said currently the city’s TTMFs can accommodate 1,993 beds and 429

beds are currently occupied.

“Pag-abot aning 891, muabot na sa 2,884 … approximately ingon ana because ang plano nato, once ma-available ang 800 plus beds, ang ubang private na donated or gipahuram sa

mga private offices or organizations na TTMFs, duna tay plano nga iuli sa ilaha,” the mayor said during Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) Special Hours program on Monday.

The mayor also said the city will only use government facilities for TTMFs in the meantime so as not to incur any more costs for repairs of private-owned facilities.

“Sagol-sagol man na

Brgy. health frontliners get vaccinated in Mati

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fter completing the vaccination of health frontliners in hospitals, alternate care site, and temporary treatment and monitoring facilities in the city, frontliners in the barangays have started receiving their dose.

The City of Mati received another 420 dose of SINOVAC vaccines last week, April 14. The inoculation started last April 19 and will continue until April

23.

A total of 120 vaccinees received their first dose Monday. The latest vaccinees are composed of pharmacists and Barangay Health Response Team or BHERT’s composed of the barangay health workers or BHW’s, barangay peacekeeping action team or BPAT’s, and barangay kagawads.

As of April 19, the first batch of vaccinees com-

posed of 40 people received their second dose and additional 1,117 frontliners received their first dose.

Overall, there are 360 SINOVAC vaccinees, while there are 797 AstraZeneca vaccinees out of the 24,000 targeted vaccinees in the Category A1. This figure excludes the frontliners from DOPMC and St. Camillus as they are not under the Mati Incident Management Team. (CIO MATI)

atong TTMFs. Dli lang sya schools, naay dorm sa government, naay container vans na gi-donate sa atoa,” she said.

Currently, the city has 12 functional TTMFs or isolation facilities intended for confirmed COVID-19 positive cases.

Meanwhile, half of the tent city at the Davao International Airport (DIA) functions as TTMF while

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he city government of Davao has assisted 725 cremations after a year since it established cremation referral system for Covid-19 related deaths.

“We started April of last year and one year after we have assisted a cremation of 725 cadavers. Kani nagsagol ni nga Covid-19 suspects and Covid-19 confirmed cases,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Mayor Sara explained that the number of cadavers is relatively few because the other Covid-19 suspected deaths were referred for cremation.

“Kung musugot ang family by the physician na nag-declare sa iyahang death,” she said.

Cremation is one of the components of the city government's Covid-19 response. Based on the guidelines of the Depart-

ment of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist, the cadavers of patients that died due to the deadly virus has to be cremated or buried within 12 hours.

The city has recently opened the Davao City crematorium at the Wireless Cemetery for Covid-19 related deaths giving relief to the handling of the bulk of referrals for the cremation of patients who died due to Covid-19.

The facility can cater four cadavers per day and the charges for cremation services will be free.

It can be recalled that Mayor Sara made pronouncement that the private crematoria currently utilized for the cremation referral system of the city will still be utilized if the city’s crematorium cannot

legislation of a National Commission on Emerging Risks would greatly help the leaders of the country, especially the President, in their decision-making and in crafting measures to protect the citizens of the country, including the agriculture

and fisheries sector.

“Earlier today, a newsman asked me through SMS what are my deeper thoughts on the proposed "Super Scientific Body" that would monitor and act on emerging risks and diseases

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Proposed NCERD should be a stand-alone body: Piñol

S

ecretary Emmanuel Piñol said the proposed National Commission on Emerging Risks and Diseases should be a stand-alone body free from bureaucratic restrictions and political meddling.

Earlier, he said that the

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VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

A woman leaves with food packs from the Matina Community Pantry established along Quimpo Boulevard in front of SM Ecoland in Davao City on Monday, 19 April 2021. Malu Abella and Nelia Partoza organized the community pantry inspired by Ana Patricia Non of Maginhawa, Quezon City in response to the economic crisis

brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers prepared 300 food packs along with some other items the beneficiaries can pick from and bring home. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO C. BUENO

Vacc registration via A Safe Davao QR mulled

Korean found dead in GenSan

she still expects the number to increase as the registration is still ongoing.

Villafuerte said the master listing is being done by the offices of the City Health Office (CHO), through the District Health Offices and the Office of the Senior Citizen (OSCA) under the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

The city is targeting to vaccinate 120,000 Dabawenyos under the Priority Group A2 or the senior citizens.

Villafuerte said as to the venue for vaccination the cluster has initially planned

to immunize the senior citizens (60 to 65 years old) at the district health offices.

She said for senior citizens who are over 70 years old, the vaccine cluster is still finalizing a strategy for vaccination.

Currently, the city has two methods of registration: the manual listing or where the residents go directly to their District Health Offices and fill out the registration form; and through the Covid-19 vaccination hotlines 0961 073 4965 for Smart users and 0927 022 9087 for Globe users.

foreign national arrested in an anti-drug operation five years ago was found dead inside a vehicle in a farming village here Monday morning.

Lt. Rodel Ventura, deputy chief of city police station 3, identified the victim as businessman Hyun Seong-hong, reportedly of Korean descent and had long been residing in this city.

Hyun was found dead by residents around 7:20 inside a white Suzuki sedan with license plate NAO 1882 parked at a portion of Purok Masagana in Barangay Baluan.

The site, which is beside a grassy field planted with coconuts, is about a kilometer away from the main highway and 30 meters from the boundary of Barangay Lagao.

The victim, a resident of Barangay Labangal, was slumped at the rear passenger seat with two gunshot wounds.

Amid criticism over his supposed silence on Chinese vessels in the contested sea, Duterte said he would not allow China to dig for oil and other resources there.

“I will send my gray ships there to state a claim. ‘Yan masiguro ninyo. Pag kinuha na yung oil, kung anong mganickel diyan, mga precious stones (That you can be sure of. If you start digging for oil, nickel there, precious stones). That would be the

time because that is the time that we should act on it,” he added.

He said should China start drilling for oil, the Philippines would also start doing the same.

“Pag mag-umpisa na sila mag drill ng oil diyan, sabihin ko talaga sa China (If they start drilling for oil there, I’ll tell China), ‘Is that part of our agreement? Because if it is not part of our agreement, I’m going to also drill my oil

there. If you own it, I own it,” he said.

Recalling a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2017, Duterte said Xi himself vowed that China will not extract oil from the disputed sea.

“Noon ko pa sinabi ‘yan, yung pagkatapos nung nag-usap kami ni President Xi Jinping na sinabi ko na I will get my oil also. Sabi niya (I said that a long time ago, after I spoke with President Xi

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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system is now being developed allowing Dabawenyos to register for Covid-19 vaccination via the Safe Davao QR app.

“Gina-develop na siya karon sa atoang service providers na puwede ra sa DQR mag-sign up for vaccination,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The integration of the vaccination registration to the Safe Davao QR, which will be piloted soon, is expected to be more convenient for Dabawenyos than going to their respective

district health centers to register.

Meanwhile, a total of 93,468 senior citizens are now on the master list of the city government of Davao to receive the anti-Covid shots that will start after the vaccination of medical frontline workers.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, the Head of the Vaccination Cluster of Davao City, said

Ventura said police investigators found inside the vehicle a spent shell of a caliber .45 pistol and a plastic bottle containing gasoline.

“It appeared that the suspects tried to burn the vehicle based on the marks found on the driver’s seat,” he told reporters, adding that Hyun was involved with a construction firm that is bidding on some local projects.

An initial spot report released by the police station described the victim as a Korean national. The city police’s Criminal Investigation Branch said it is verifying information that the victim holds an American passport.

Maj. Yol Hilado, chief of city police station number 3, said Hyun appeared to be also involved in a lending business based on the documents recovered inside the vehicle.

“That is among the an-

FKOREAN, P10

I’ll send my gray ships if you drill for oil, PRRD tells China

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espite his desire to remain friends with China, President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he will send “gray ships” to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) should China start drilling for oil in the disputed territory.

In a pre-recorded public address, Duterte said he will state the Philippines’ territorial claim by sending navy ships in the disputed waters.

“I am addressing myself to the Chinese government,

we want to remain friends, we want to share whatever it is. Sinabi ko naman sa inyo sa (I told you) Chinese government, I’m not so much interested now in fishing. I don’t think there’s enough fish really to quarrel about. But when we start to mine, when we start to get whatever it is in the bowels of the China sea sa ating oil, diyan na ako (in our oil, that’s when I will act).

Then by that time I will send my ships there,” he said.

Jinping, I said I will get my oil also. He said), ‘Please don’t, we just leave it that way in the meantime’,” he added.

He said his Cabinet members were there to serve as “living witnesses” that he did something to assert the country’s claim over the WPS. Stay put in the event of a standoff Meanwhile, he also blamed the previous administration for allowing China

FI’LL SEND, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

Duterte willing to recall EO reducing pork tariffs P

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he is willing to withdraw his executive order reducing pork tariffs as soon as there is an improvement in the country’s domestic supply.

President Rodrigo Duterte says he is willing to withdraw his executive order reducing pork tariffs as soon as there is an improvement in the country’s domestic supply. The President says that he understood the sentiments of senators calling to revoke his executive order. Edge Davao

In a pre-recorded meeting with Cabinet officials, Duterte said that he understood the sentiments of senators calling to revoke his executive order.

“I can understand from where the senators come from. There is also the domestic supply which they intend to protect and they are vehement about it because I think that – I think that they think that they are right,” he said.

He acknowledged that it was natural for senators to protect the local hog industry, but noted that his economic managers were in favor of Executive Order (EO) No. 128 to stabilize the prices of pork products.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, in the same meeting, reiterated support for lower pork tariffs, emphasizing the need

to address the deficiency in supply while bringing down the country’s inflation rate.

“We are in a Covid crisis right now. We can’t afford that people will have an income problem and a price problem,” Chua said.

Duterte, meanwhile, assured senators that the EO is temporary and could be lifted once prices of pork go down.

“Kung medyo malakas na ‘yong domestic market (Once the domestic market gets stronger) and there is a movement, madali lang naman eh (that’s easy) we can always withdraw the EO that I signed. just a temporary measure really to bring down the prices, but the senators see it in a different light,” he said.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque

ecretary Carlos Dominguez III underscored on Monday the firm resolve of the Department of Finance (DOF) to keep the country’s strong fiscal position and ensure ample financial resources in the protracted battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the parallel efforts to reinvigorate the economy.

Speaking on the occasion of the DOF’s 124th anniversary, Dominguez thanked the men and women of the department for doing their part in the “extremely difficult” task of getting congressional approval for the needed measures under the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), which has helped “accelerate poverty reduction and attain the President's promise of genuine change”.

Dominguez said it is through their hard work and dedication that successfully helped in the passage of the tax reform package.

“But our work is not yet over. We all know the most difficult part of any reform is implementation. And I urge all of you to work hard to ensure that the laws we have shepherded are fully implemented and irreversible. In addition, we must

continue to push for the passage of the remaining tax reform packages,” he said during the virtual anniversary celebration.

Dominguez said with the DOF’s bigger task of putting in place the necessary measures to help the nation recover from the pandemic, he expects “continuous innovation and excellence from this agency that has proven time and again its ability to bring about positive change.”

“I am confident that together, we will accomplish the goals we set out for ourselves. Our associates at the DOF, from the highly technical teams to those who provide indispensable support, demonstrated admirable grit and dedication during the past months of great challenge. You have all earned my gratitude and my faith,” he said. “We started strong. We will end stronger than ever.”

Dominguez cited a few of the DOF’s notable accomplishments last year, among them, the hard work of engaging with the Congress in crafting fiscally responsible economic stimulus packages; its lead role in implementing the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) pro-

PH remains ideal investment S destination for Chinese biz T

FPALAY, P10

DOF resolve to sustain ample fiscal resources against pandemic cited

he Philippines remains an ideal investment destination as investors and businesses continue to look at the country to grow their businesses despite the pandemic.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary and Board of Investments (BOI) Managing Head Ceferino Rodolfo made this statement before the members and officers of the Chinese Enterprises Philippines Association (CEPA) during a briefing last week with the group on the latest business environment policies in the country, including the recently-enacted Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. “Our country remains competitive not only in terms of attracting foreign investments but also in cementing its business-friendly positions,” Rodolfo said. “Our economy positively responds to the easing of restrictions.”

He said the government is strongly optimistic of a post-pandemic recovery as the fundamental structure and strength of our economy

remains intact.

Rodolfo cited the latest employment data from October 2020 to January 2021 which showed that around 1.4 million jobs were already restored following the lockdowns.

The Production Manufacturers’ Index (PMI) remained steady at over 50 percent as of March since the start of the year as inflation slowed down in March to 4.5 percent and the country expects an inflationary downtrend in the coming months.

“We even reached the second-highest level of approved investments in 2020 (in the agency’s history) despite the pandemic with over PHP1 trillion. For 2021, we hit PHP138 billion as of March, a 66-percent improvement from PHP83 billion in the same period last year,” he said. “This year, we got off to a strong start as Central Bank figures show a 41.5-percent jump in foreign direct investments (FDI) inflows with US$961 million in January compared to just US$679 million in the same month in 2020,” Rodolfo said.

Rodolfo said the CREATE law can help Chinese investors as it “provides the government with the flexibility to grant fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for high-value strategic investments including the longer period for enjoying income tax holiday (ITH) and tax subsidies for key cost items.”

He cited the case of Shenzhen Grandsun Electronics Co. Ltd., a sub-contractor of a European company with plans to expand its operation in the country in one of the economic zones in Batangas City.

“Under CREATE, the firm can get four years of ITH and even up to six to seven years because of the level of technology/location. It will be followed by 10 years of either enhanced deduction (ED) or special corporate income tax (CIT) of 5 percent on gross income earned. Its component suppliers that will establish operations here are also entitled to the same incentives. It will be the choice of companies to go for either ED or the special CIT,” he added.

Rodolfo also bared that the BOI now allows the use of second-hand equipment as long it is modern and up to date in terms of technology.

“It can be registered for qualified projects. This is specially targeted for companies that are exploring relocation of production facilities to secure a more efficient, more resilient, and more stable supply chain,” he added.

Rodolfo said companies that are engaged in research and development, high-tech manufacturing, and the generation of new knowledge could even avail of longer incentives under CREATE as “the new law addresses the impact of the trade war between the US and China. This is attractive for companies that are looking to diversify their location or for complementary business locations as the CIT will be reduced from 30 to 25 percent for large firms. This will open up cash flows to support the efforts of businesses to rebuild during this pandemic and allows the country’s recovery and boost our long-term growth.”

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VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

5

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announces the cancellation of Manila-Hong Kong flights Due to restrictions imposed by the Hong Kong government. Edge Davao

DTI-DavOr reaches out to far-flung barangays, benefits 120 MSMEs

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ith its commitment to serve more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has brought its services to several far-flung barangays in the province.

One of DTI’s breakthrough goals for MSME development is the conduct of Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (NSB) caravan in the underserved barangays in the 4th, 5th, or 6th class municipalities, or in the geographically isolated and disadvan-

taged areas (GIDAS) in Davao Oriental. These NSB caravans are designed to capacitate those in the hinterlands by bringing to the target beneficiaries the agency’s package of business development assistance. As such, seminars and training activities are giv-

en to them to improve their business operation or start a new livelihood to help their respective families further.

As of March 2021, four NSB Caravans have already been conducted in the province, bringing the department’s business development services closer to the people through partnerships with the barangay local government units (LGUs). These included various seminars and trainings, such as the following: Entrepreneurial

FDTI-DAVOR, P10

DA pushes for calibrated arrival of pork imports

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said there will be a “calibrated” arrival of pork imports in the country as the executive order which reduces pork tariffs takes effect.

During a House committee hearing, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Executive Order (EO) 128 which reduces the tariff on pork importation is already in effect with import clearances already being issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

“We would like to assure that calibrated arrival of said

imports will be properly managed and hoping that, yes, our ultimate goal is really that the imports will lower the prices of pork in the market,” Dar said.

Dar said the DA would also study the imposition of price ceiling on imported pork products.

EO 128, issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on April 7, reduced the tariff rate on pork imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) to 5 percent for the first three months upon the effectivity of the order and to

10 percent for the next nine months from the current rate of 30 percent.

Under EO 128, pork imports outside MAV were also reduced with a lower tariff of 15 percent for the first three months and 20 percent for the succeeding nine months from the current rate of 40 percent.

To protect local hog raisers from bankruptcy, the Senate Committee of the Whole on April 15 adopted the resolution asking Duterte to revoke EO 128.

P950-million banana investment in BARMM eyed to help revive industry

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he Regional Board of Investments of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RBOI-BARMM) has approved the registration of Al Muzafar Agriventure Inc. (AMAVI) that would pour in PHP950 million worth of investments in the region’s banana industry.

The firm, also known

as the Amavi Sweet Banana (ASB), plans to establish Cavendish banana plantations in a combined 1,000 hectares of arable lands in Datu Abdullah Sangki town and other municipalities in the province.

“The investment is expected to generate an annual production of two million to 3.3 million boxes of Cavendish bananas for export to

Japan, China, and the Middle East,” RBOI-BARMM chairperson Ishak Mastura, said in a statement Monday.

“The investment project is also expected to generate 1,190 jobs for the locals,” Mastura added.

He said the AMAVI-ASB is a 100 percent Filipino-owned corporation with most of its investors from the BARMM.

least two but not more than 15 incorporators who may either be natural persons, partnerships, associations or corporations.

SEC chairperson Emilio Aquino said eSPARC “brings us another step closer to our vision of a unified system” that can seamlessly handle the company registration process from end to end.

“As we proceed further with the commission’s digital transformation, we also have to ensure that our stakehold-

ers may adapt well and be able to fully take advantage of our ongoing initiatives, which are after all aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the country for them.”

The new company registration system, which can be accessed at https://secwebapps.sec.gov.ph/application, replaced the interim registration system, which was previously used for the registration of OPCs and corporations with two to four incorporators, as

SEC launches eSPARC for faster, easier registration of companies

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched the Electronic Simplified Processing of Application for Registration of Company (eSPARC) to facilitate faster and easier registration of corporations in the country Starting April 19, the commission will accept and process under eSPARC all applications for registration of one person corporations (OPCs) and both stock and nonstock domestic corporations with at

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

In preparing for the possible surge of confirmed Covid-19 cases with additional 891 isolation beds to its Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs):

Pag-abot aning 891, muabot na sa 2,884... approximately ingon ana because ang plano nato, once ma-available ang 800 plus beds, ang ubang private na donated or gipahuram sa mga private offices or organizations na TTMFs, duna tay plano nga iuli sa ilaha.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL

A city hospital

If plans do not miscarry, Davao City will have its own hospital in 18 months.

According to City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte, a medical practitioner who heads the City Council committee on health, the facility will be a 100-bed affair to be located in a 3.28-hectare lot inside the University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UP-Min) campus in Mintal, Tugbok District.

The City Council, spearheaded by Dr. Villafuerte, is now finalizing the ordinance establishing the Level-3 hospital, whose groundbreaking will hopefully be done within the year.

She said construction of the hospital will cost P300 million to come from the Health Facility Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

This project has the support of Mayor Sara Z. DuterteCarpio.

The proposed ordinance will be presented before the City Council for second reading.

This is ambitious and unprecedented. This is the first time that the city government will attempt to open its own

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LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Correspondent Consultant Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising SpecialistGeneral Manager Finance JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

hospital.

This is a tertiary hospital capable of performing subspecialty surgery, Dr. Villafuerte said, adding that it will have an OB-GYN department and internal medicine department, a fully functional laboratory and can qualify as a training hospital.

Whether the city government will be sole owner and operator of the hospital has not been clarified.

It will serve as a hospital for constituents of the Davao City government and a training center for the UP-Mindanao medical school.

As proposed in the ordinance, the board of management will be composed of the city mayor as chairperson, the UPMin Chancellor as vice chairperson, and representatives of the Philippine General Hospital, Department of Health and chancellor of UP-Manila as members.

As one can see, a lot of things need to be clarified as to the ownership and operator of the proposed hospital.

It is a great project just the same, considering that it will answer the dire need for a medical facility now and in the future.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

A SEAFARER’S LEGAL BATTLE FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS DUE TO KNEE, LEG OR FOOT INJURIES Seafarers work in a hostile environment and no matter how many precautionary measures are taken, accidents are bound to happen resulting to injuries ranging from minor to the most gruesome types; some even leading to fatalities.

A knee, leg or foot injury can affect a seafarer’s life physically, financially and emotionally.

These types of injuries are very painful as a seafarer may not be able to walk without assistance for many months while undergoing extensive physical therapy to help him recover to his pre-injury state.

Losing the use of one’s lower extremities can mean losing any ability to financially support oneself and his family since the injury can also prevent a seafarer from returning to work.

Seafarers can be injured while performing of daily work functions in a moving ship, due to slipping and falling down on deck, ladders, gangways and stairs, tripping over a hose or rope, getting caught in machines and equipment malfunctions.

A seafarer must present evidence or report that he suffered the injury while working on board the vessel during the term of his contract. This is to give the company the basis for evaluating whether the personal injury in question can be recognized as an occupational injury or disease.

The Philippine Law Dictionary defines “accident” as that which happens by chance or fortuitously, without intention and design, and which is unexpected, unusual and unforeseen.

Under the POEA–contract, the employer is liable for a seafarer’s disability, resulting from a work– connected injury or illness, only after the degree of disability has been established by the company– designated physician within the 120/240 day period.

The seafarer may be declared fit to work or disabled either partially (Grade 2 to 14) or total permanent (Grade 1).

There are only three situations where the company doctor will issue a Grade 1 assessment under the POEA contract: (a) paralysis of both lower extremities

(b) loss of both feet at ankle joint or above and (c) failure of fracture of both hips to unite.

The lowest assessment, or Grade 14, will be given to loss of a toe other than the big one and scar the size of a palm or larger left on an extremity.

One contentious issue in disability cases is the grading system assessment under the POEA contract which is not really reflective of the benefits that should be given to the seafarer.

There are medical conditions that are classified as partial disability (between Grade 2 to 14) but in essence should have been considered as total permanent (Grade 1).

The list includes paralysis of one lower extremity (Grade 3); loss of ten (10) digits of both feet (Grade 5); loss of one foot at ankle joint or above (Grade 6); total loss of a leg or amputation at or above the knee (Grade 3); failure of fracture of a hip to unite ( Grade 3); complete immobility of a knee joint in full extension (Grade 10) or in strong flexion ( Grade 7); complete immobility of a hip joint in flexion of the thigh (Grade 5 ) or

in full extension of the thigh (Grade 9).

Employers will never hire a seafarer who have suffered from these medical conditions due to mobility issues.

Fit-To Work certifications are even given to seafarers who are still not cured or in essence can no longer be employed.

The findings cannot be taken as “gospel truth” due to the proliferation of obviously biased company doctors. (Wallem vs. NLRC 318 SCRA 623) From the business point of view, it will be risky for the employers to let the seafarer be re-employed since the harsh working environment might only aggravate his fragile condition and in the end expose the company to more serious insurance liabilities.

Disability is intimately related to one’s earning capacity.

The test to determine its gravity is the impairment or loss of one’s capacity to earn and not its mere medical significance. In disability compensation, it is not the injury per se which is compensated but the incapacity to work. (Seagull

Maritime Corp., vs. Jaycee Dee, 520 SCRA 109).

The Supreme Court consistently ruled that “disability need not render the seafarer absolutely helpless or feeble to be compensable; it means disablement of an employee to earn wages in the same kind of work, or work of similar nature that he was trained for or accustomed to perform, or any kind of work which a person of his mentality and attainment could do.” (Valenzona vs. Fair Shipping Corp., 659 SCRA 642) In the case of Alpha Ship Mgt. vs. Calo (G.R. No. 192034 January 13, 2014), the Supreme Court notes that while the seafarer was given an Impediment Grade 10 by his physician, he was nevertheless deemed unfit to work as seafarer in any capacity and not expected to land gainful employment given his medical background.

Atty. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786)

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SUCCESSFUL DROPOUTS THEY became world-famous, acquired untold wealth and power, and collected various awards. But the fact is they never finished formal schooling. As it turned out, dropping out has become an asset rather than a liability.

Take the case of the wellknown celebrities who never finished grade school, the secondary course, and college education. The Book of Lists – the very first of a series! – authored

by David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace cites at least fifteen noted people who never finished grade school.

And yet, they became famous philanthropists, actors, directors, writers, inventors, artists – and yes, politicians!

The list, not meant to encourage dropping out, is led by Andrew Carnegie, an American steel magnate and philanthropist. In an essay, The Gospel of Wealth, he formulated his belief that the duty of the rich is to distribute their surplus wealth, and in 1900 he began to set up the vast number of charitable and educational institutions for which he is remembered.

He is closely trailed by William “Buffalo Bill” Cody, American scout and showman. Then

by Noel Coward, British actor, playwright, composer and famous for his witty comedies of

manners such as Private Lives and Blithe Spirit; Samuel Gompers, American labor leader who founded the American Federation of Labor; Maxim Gorkey, actually a pen name of Russian writer Aleksey Maksimovich Peshkov; Claudet Monet, French painter, leading exponent of impressionism, a term coined after his picture Impression, Sunrise; Sean O’Casey, Irish playwright whose sardonic dramas depict the effects of poverty and war on the Irish; Alfred E. Smith, American politician who was elected governor of New York four times; John Philip Sousa, American bandleader and composer who is best remembered today for his military marches, including “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Washington Post”; and Sir Henry M. Stanley, British explorer, soldier and journalist.

Also included in the list are Charles Chaplin, British film actor and director and great comedian of the silent cinema; American dancer Isadora Duncan, who created and received more shocks in her life than the San Andreas Fault and made a legend out of her gargantuan appetites and illusions; Thomas Alva Edison, a famous insomniac who would take a catnap of 30 minutes to an hour after a particularly strenuous

period of work; and Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens in real life), American author of Huckleberry Finn and The Prince and the Pauper, among many others.

The book also includes a formidable list of 20 famous high-school or secondary-school dropouts. It is led by Al Pacino, the celebrated Italian-American actor who received several Academy Award nominations before getting a Best Actor Oscar for his tour de force performance in Scent of a Woman.

The rest of the incredible list of celebrity dropouts are singer and comedienne Cher (also an Oscar winner for her performance in Moonstruck); Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science; American automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, who produced his first automobile in 1896; American composer George Gershwin, who wrote those highly regarded orchestral pieces like Rhapsody in Blue, Piano Concerto, and An American in Paris; German fuhrer Adolf Hitler; American entertainer Dean Martin; cartoonist Bill Maudlin; poet Rod McKuen; painter Amedeo Modigliani; humorist Will Rogers; Prime Minister Marshal Tito; writers William Saroyan and Jack London; and aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright. D.W.

Griffith, American motion-picture pioneer, is also included in the list.

In addition, four American presidents, four authors, a playwright and critic, a composer, an oil magnate, and an aviator lead the list of 20 famous people who never attended college.

The four American presidents singled out as confirmed college dropouts were (in alphabetical order) Grover Cleveland, remembered for his unswerving honesty in government; Abraham Lincoln who, while leading the North in the Civil War, preserved the Union, which he saw as a bastion of democratic government; Harry S Truman, who became president after Franklin D. Roosevelt died during his term; and George Washington, the first and only president who never lived in Washington, D.C. (as it was named after him).

The four noted authors also confirmed as college dropouts were Virginia Woolf, the woman behind Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, and The Waves; Ernest Hemingway, who received a Pulitzer Prize in 1953 for his novel The Old Man and the Sea and won a Nobel Prize for Literature the following year; Rudyard Kipling, the first English winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature (1907); and Joseph Conrad, the Polish-born English novelist who

is best known for his studies of individuals.

The other well-known personalities listed in the same category are statesman Joseph Chamberlain, composer Aaron Copland, poet Hart Crane, socialist leader Eugene Debs, aviator Amelia Earhart, painter and author Kahlil Gibran, editor and journalist H.L. Mencken, oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, lecturer and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt, and British playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw. We forgot to include French painter Paul Gauguin and British poet Dylan Thomas.

The Philippine counterparts are also formidable; but the fact is, most of them would rather forget that they dropped out of school. After all, they enjoy stable jobs, they are talked about, they call the shots (so to speak), they grace countless seminar and college convocations, they act, they direct, they hold key positions in the government but they all have one thing in common: they didn’t finish schooling because of early success for other reasons equally compelling.

Among the famous Filipino school dropouts are National Artist Nick Joaquin and film director Lino Brocka. Both are also recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

8

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

EDGEDAVAO LIFESTYLE

T

hey say disasters and calamities unleash the compassion, kindness, and generosity in each and every one of us.

Everyone has the power to positively impact the lives of others by extending a helping hand to people who are helpless and hungry brought about by the wrath of nature specially during this time of pandemic.

Possessing an "I can help" mindset and attitude, Dabawenyos Voniele Fornillos Layese and Eric Dive Lao, owners of Vonric Event Services Davao, and their team banded together and took it upon themselves to make use of what they have to help the victims of Tropical Storm Auring (Dujuan) in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur last February 20, 2021.

A report of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga field office indicated a total of 3,858 families or 14,233 individuals from various areas in the region had been affected by Auring.

Despite the imposed limitations due to Covid-19, the group was determined to visit the area to give as much help as they could.

Upon arrival in the area, the team felt a pinch in their hearts seeing some damaged houses and some structures submerged in floodwater spawned by the heavy rain.

In coordination with the office of Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, the group posthaste distributed 500

KINDNESS AMID THE

PANDEMIC

packs of relief goods, rice, canned goods, biscuits, noodles and bottled water just to give the victims a little comfort.

“We came in the area on our own and without sponsor. It feels good to help the residents affected by the storm,” Layese said.

The relief operation was not just a spur of the moment decision, but underwent

preparations as main event for Vonric's 5th anniversary on Feb. 20.

As a way of giving back to the people’s patronage that spelled success for the business, the team along with Rowell Divina, popularly known as “Ang Pambansang Uga”, vlogger of Vonric, provided relief goods to help the victims cope with the tide of disaster.

"It is very rewarding knowing that in our own little way, we were able to help those in dire need,” he said.

According to Layese, his heart is close to those who are struggling in life because he too has experienced hardships early on.

He worked as a security guard for almost a year and saved his salary to continue his study at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) where he took up Bachelor of Arts major in Masscommunications.

He was a working student doing clown hosting for more than four years at Bonjee events and parties.

Layese was also employed as a call center agent for two years wherein he was awarded by the company as one of its top performers for achieving high monthly sales.

“I just go with the flow in life. We know nothing is permanent. I don’t stress myself too much because no matter how bad the situation is, I know it will change for the better,” he said.

Layese saved his money to start his own business. After meeting Lao, they established Vonric Event Services Davao on February 20, 2016.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

HEALTH

9

The hazards of swimming Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Suddenly, three consecutive big waves hit the kids.

Jane was carried away into the deeper part and before she knew it, she was already gasping and drinking a lot of water. The other kids could not help her since they, too, didn’t know how to swim. It was just a matter of a minute and Jane went down to the water. It was at this moment that Aida, a neighbor who was also on the beach, came and immediately rescued Jane.

But it seemed it was already late. Jane was already pale and was not moving anymore.

“Will somebody help us,” Aida shouted.

Everyone who heard the shout came running. “What happened?”

Charlene inquired and when she saw it was her daughter she was shocked.

Fortunately, Ferdinand, Aida’s son, and his friend, Renato, were around.

Both had attended a first aid workshop a couple of weeks ago conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross. Sensing that Jane was no longer breathing, the two immediately did mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. First, it was Fer-

dinand who breathed into Jane’s mouth. Afterwards, Renato took over. Three minutes later, Jane vomited some water and started breathing again.

Charlene was crying and smiling when she saw her daughter had been brought back to life. They immediately brought her to the hospital. “Thank you very much,” she told Ferdinand and Renato. “You have saved the life of my daughter just on time.”

More often than not, people generally call the emergency hotline: 911.

But “ambulances take too long to get to places where they are needed most because of horrendous traffic and other conditions they have to get through,” says Dr. Siang Hiong Goh, head of emergency medicine at the Changi General Hospital in Singapore.

In most parts of Asia, including the Philippines, the response time for emergency ambulance calls is between 10-20 minutes.

That’s beyond the six-minute mark. Experts estimate that once the heart stops, there is a crucial window of four to six minutes to restore circulation.

“The universal final step to dying is when the heart stops to beat or pump so that circulation of blood and distribution of oxygen to every part of the body cease,” explains Dr. Roberto A. Raymundo, the chairman of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of the Philippine Heart Association. “Our cells in the body cannot survive without oxygen. Brain cells, in particular, begin to die in 4 to 6 minutes in the absence of oxygen supply.”

So, when a rescuer breathes air into the victim's lungs, oxygen is provided into the blood.

Or when a rescuer compresses on the chest, the oxygen-carrying blood is moved or circulated through the body of the victim.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR is considered the cornerstone of emergency medicine. “When done properly, CPR can help preserve the brain and heart functions until the actual cause of the arrest can be addressed,” says Dr. Raymundo.

There are lots of reasons why someone’s

I

T’S was a warm Sunday morning and most of the families were out in Coaco Beach in Davao City. Five-year-old Jane was swimming along with other kids along the seashore.

No adults were looking for them. Jane’s mother, Charlene, was busy preparing their food for lunch while the father, Jonathan, was buying soft drinks in the nearby store. breathing or heartbeat might stop – heart attack, stroke, drowning, electrocution, vehicular accidents, overdose and many others.

According to Dr. Raymundo, many untimely deaths can be prevented if only bystanders know and can do CPR until the emergency response team in ambulances arrives. A warning though: If you are not trained in CPR, do not attempt to resuscitate.

Experts share the following instructions you need to do in case of an emergency.

Take note, however, that these are for use on unresponsive victims age 8 and older.

1. Have someone call 911 or the number for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in your area.

2. With the victim lying face-up, tilt the head back by lifting the chin up with one hand, pushing down on the forehead with the other hand, to open the airway.

3. Look, listen and feel for signs of normal breathing (chest rising and falling, breath on your face or ear) for about five seconds.

4. If the victim is not breathing, pinch the nostrils shut and give two

slow full mouth-to-mouth breaths, making sure a good seal is formed and making sure you see the chest rise.

5. Check for normal breathing, moving and coughing – signs of circulation.

6. If the victim begins regular breathing and regains consciousness, monitor until help comes. If he is breathing but unconscious, turn him onto his side and monitor until help arrives.

7. If the victim is still not breathing, moving or coughing within 5 to 10 seconds, give 15 chest compressions at a steady rhythm of about 2 per second: Place the heel of one hand with the other atop it at the center of the breastbone directly between the nipples. Lock your elbows and align your shoulders directly above your hands.

Push down just enough to move the breastbone about one and a half to two inches.

8.

Repeat rescue breaths and chest compressions. After four cycles, check for signs of breathing and circulation.

9. Until circulation and breathing return or help

arrives, continue compressions and rescue breaths at a ratio of 15 to 2. Check for signs of circulation and breathing every few minutes.

Drowning Death by drowning is one of the most common causes among accidental deaths. Drowning doesn’t just happen in the beaches and rivers. You can drown in a wading pool – or even in a bathtub.

“A cry, a splash by the arms and legs, and a period of immersion when the drowning victim disappears from sight are all the signs that a person in the water may be drowning,” says Dr. Stephen J. Rosenberg, an American neurologist and expert in geriatric emergencies.

A word of advice: Never let a drowning person grab onto you in deep water.

There’s a possibility that you will go under as well.

So, if you’re out of shape, don’t even attempt to save a drowning person. Call for help instead.

“Rescue is only half the job,” says Dr. Rosenberg.

“Reviving someone who

FDON’T, P10

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the other half is meant for checkpoints.

On the other hand, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is currently the city’s sole Covid-19 referral hospital catering to mild, moderate, severe, and critical Covid-19

cases-this after the different private hospitals decided and agreed during a meeting that they will no longer accept Covid-19 patients and that all Covid patients will be referred to the SPMC due to the continuing downtrend of cases.

gles that our investigators are looking into,” Hilado said in an interview.

Records showed that Hyun was arrested in January 2016 inside a local hotel by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 12 for possession of illegal drugs.

Recovered during the operation were suspected shabu worth around PHP75,000 and various drug paraphernalia.

Hyun was reportedly married to a Filipina who owns a restaurant here.

(PNA)

accommodate the bulk of referrals.

The mayor said if crematorium cannot handle the bulk of referrals for cadaver cremation, then the private crematorium will

be utilized. She also said to ensure that there will still be a crematorium that will operate, it will be operated on the days that the private crematorium will not.

Maya Padillo

hardships experienced by the country, especially in the handling and management of the COVID-19 pandemic and African Swine fever (ASF).

He added that it has shown the functional deficiency of a bureaucracy in handling crisis situations since most of those in the critical agencies and bureaus of government are political appointees, problems on emerging threats and diseases are not be fully appreciated.

“Besides, the bureaucracy by its very nature moves so slow and it could not possibly catch up with a fast mutating and spreading viruses like the COVID 19 or the ASF. This was what exactly happened with our handling of COVID 19 where the initial data and information provided failed to emphasize the gravity of the threat,” he added.

Piñol further said that the Commission should focus on researches and studies to address the problems like the development of vaccines using local viral strains and remedies for diseases.

“This is a very serious matter which we should really work on, or else, with the countless emerging threats faced by the world now, our country would never be able to get out of the rut,” he said.

gram, and its strong advocacy of infusing additional capital in government financial institutions (GFIs) to broaden lending to pandemic-hit enterprises.

The DOF also worked hard to raise revenues for the national effort to defeat the pandemic, seek international funding to reinforce the healthcare system, purchase the needed medical equipment and vaccines, as well as fund the government’s economic recovery program, Dominguez said.

“The essential role we

played benefited from the fiscal discipline we maintained and the reform measures we won over the last five years of this administration,” he said. “We entered 2020 with a strong fiscal position and a manageable debt profile. We had won the highest credit ratings ever. Our series of tax reforms provided the country a reliable revenue flow.

Our record of fiscal discipline eased access to urgent financing as we battled the pandemic.”

Mind-Setting Seminar cum Negosyo Center Services Orientation Retail Business Management and Financial Literacy Seminars Abaca Production Technology Seminar Training on Fried Empanada, Taro Chips and Banana Chips Making Training on Coco Sugar and Coco Oil Processing Training on Ube Pu-

to-Cheese Making Training on Ampalaya Pickles Processing Training on Meat Processing These have benefitted 120 MSMEs, wherein 50 were from Barangay Mahayag in Banaybanay; 20 from Barangay Carmen in Boston; another 20 from Barangay DMM in Lupon; and 30 from Barangay San Jose, also in Boston. DTIDO

well as the Company Registration System (CRS) for domestic and foreign-owned corporations with at least five incorporators.

With the launch of eSPARC, only applications for the registration of partnerships and foreign corporations will be accepted and processed in the CRS. Applications submitted through the CRS prior to April 19 will still be processed by the system, unless applicants are instructed to resubmit their applications through eSPARC. On eSPARC, applicants or their duly appointed representatives may submit their proposed company names, input their company information, and upload the documentary requirements for review by

the commission. The system also features a real-time inquiry facility on the status of applications.

The new system has been integrated with the SEC cashiering system and the commission’s online payment portal to provide a faster, seamless, and convenient means to pay registration fees. eSPARC is also linked to the Central Business Portal, the national government’s centralized platform that allows the public to access registration forms, fill out the information, and submit requirements needed for business registration and related transactions.

It is the latest initiative in the digital transformation program of the SEC.

it up but) what at cost to us?

'Yan talaga ang problema (That’s really the problem).

But we can retake it only by force. There is no way that we can get back the Philippine Sea without any bloodshed,” he added.

If military officials no longer support his decisions concerning the WPS, Duterte said he is willing to step down.

“If I cannot have the cooperation of the Armed Forces, then there’s no point in working for this government,” he said.

Rumors that a group of retired and active military officers have withdrawn support for Duterte over his silence on Chinese vessels in the WPS have circulated over social media.

Defense Secretary Deflin Lorenzana dismissed them as “irresponsible propaganda” while Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Cirilito Sobejana urged the public to spare his agency from partisan politics.

‘Tell me what to do’ Duterte dared retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio to provide solutions to the sea dispute that are not being undertaken by government.

“Sige, tell me what to do except yung papel papel ninyo (just papers). Just to create a well, whatever it is. Maraming daldal, wala ka naman talagang magawa (You talk too much but haven’t done anything),” he said.

He mocked Carpio for being a “dreamer”, insisting that it was impossible for China to accept the arbitral ruling that invalidates their nine-dash line claim over the contested waters.

“I'd ask you a question, if the United Nations would ask China to surrender because of the award given to us,ibibigay ba ng China 'yan? Andun yung problema (China would give it to us? That’s the problem).

Can the United Nations compel China? And do you think China will just give it freely because of the United Nations demand?” he said. “I'll give you 100 years, you can never get something there miski isang basong tubig sa China ngayon (even one glass of water from China now).”

He reminded Carpio that China started the “construction occupation” during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. “The construction occupation of WPS was completed by the singular act of China not retreating,” Duterte said, referring to the Scarborough Shoal standoff in 2012. (PNA)

ate Committee of the Whole adopted a resolution asking Duterte to revoke EO 128 that reduces the tariff on pork importation over concerns that lower tariffs might kill the local hog industry.

Under EO 128, the tariff rate on pork imports within the minimum access volume (MAV) was reduced from the current rate of 30 percent to 5 percent for the first three months and to 10 percent for the next nine months. It will return to 30 percent tariff rate after 12 months. (PNA)

which could affect the Filipino people, as well as our plant and animal industry. It should be the ultimate advisory authority for the President and should be properly funded to conduct scientific researches and studies, especially on the development of vaccines and medicines,” he said.

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chief further added that the operation of the Commission should not be dragged down by the bureaucratic processes, including stringent procurement and auditing procedures.

“It must be realized that viruses do not observe office hours, holidays, or weekends and attempting to control these using conventional governmental processes will end up in failure and disaster,” he said.

He also emphasized that the key operating words are Science-Based, Independent, Well-Funded, and Ultimate Authority formulating policies to address the emerging threats.

“We have so many brilliant scientists waiting in the wings for government to call them to perform a patriotic act,” Piñol further said.

Scientific body vs. bureaucracy In a previous statement, Piñol cited the absence of a scientific body as the cause of gargantuan problems and

to take control of the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.

He said that if a standoff between the Philippines and China were to happen again, he would make sure to order the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to “stay put” and not withdraw its vessels as his predecessor did.

“In a situation like that, if repeated in my administration, I think there is going to be a… talagang hindi ako aalis. Kung may barko ako diyan ngayon, yung coast guard ko nandiyan, hindi din ako mag-alis (I won’t leave. If there is a ship there now, the coast guard is there, I will not leave),” he said.

During the talk to the people, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana informed the President that the PCG ships conduct regular patrol to protect the Filipino fishermen in the WPS. “Mr. President, wala naman balakid sa pagpunta natin doon, kahit nga yun Navy ships natin doon sa Pagasa Island, nagpapatrol din. (there is no hindrance in going there, even our Navy ships are also conducting patrol in the Pagasa Island). Our ships can regularly go there,” Lorenzana told Duterte China seized control of the Scarborough Shoal in a controversial standoff wherein China blocked the access of Filipino fishermen in the area in 2012 prompting Manila to bring the case before the international arbitration.

On July 12, 2016, the Philippines won the arbitration case it lodged against China after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, Netherlands invalidated Beijing's nine-dash line claim over the contested waters.

China refused to acknowledge the arbitral ruling.

Duterte has opted to pursue a bilateral approach to address the maritime row with China since he assumed office in 2016.

'Only by force’ He admitted that there is no way that the country can reclaim the WPS without any bloodshed.

“The issue of the West Philippine Sea remains to be a question forever until such time that you know, we can take it back. Ang akin ‘yan is walang iba, giyera lang (For me, the only way is by war),” he said.

Duterte warned that promoting a war against China would have serious consequences.

“If we promote a war against China and America, medyo siguro madalian, pero (we might be able to speed

said Duterte respects the power of Congress to withdraw or terminate his EO through a joint resolution.

"Nakikinig naman po ang Presidente. At alam naman po ng Presidente na sa ating Saligang Batas ang talagang mayroong primary jurisdiction pagdating sa taripa ay ang Kongreso (The President listens. And the President knows that the Constitution states that the Congress has primary jurisdiction when it comes to tariff rates),” Roque said in a virtual press briefing.

On Thursday, the Sen-

has drowned or swallowed water is the other half, and it’s equally important when it comes to saving a life.”

Here’s what you need to do to revive someone who has drowned: 1. Call EMS. 2. Turn the victim’s head to the side, allowing any water to drain from the person’s mouth and nose.

3. Begin CPR on land.

Strongly breathe four times into the mouth of the victim as you pinch the nose.

This helps air get past any water that is clogging the breathing passageways and the lungs.

4. After four breaths, put your ear near the mouth and watch the chest for any breathing movement. Check the pulse for signs of life. Repeat the cycle.

5. Once the victim has regained consciousness and breathing again, keep him still and quiet while waiting for the medical help to arrive.

Prevention tips Recent studies have shown that children drown in pools, spas, buckets, toilets and bathtubs. A child can drown in as little as two inches of water and in less time than it takes to answer the telephone.

Here are some drowning prevention tips: · There is no substitute for adequate supervision. Children need to be watched. Never leave children unattended in or around pools or spas - not even for a second. · Access to the pool or spa area should be limited by locked doors, windows and self-closing, self-latching gates on fences surrounding the pool. Latches should be above the reach of children. · Do not allow children to play in pool areas. Keep toys out of the area. · Keep rescue equipment such as a long handled hook and a ring buoy with a rope hanging near the pool. · Always keep chairs, tables, or toys away from the pool or spa fence to keep children from using them to climb over. · Do not allow anyone of any age to swim alone. Drowning happens to adults too. When you are entertaining a group of children or adults, have a designated pool watcher who is responsible for keeping track of everyone.

Examples of safe water behavior by adults are important for young children.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

Ancajas gets B hero’s welcome

11

International Boxing Federation super-flyweight title holder Jerwin Ancajas arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where he was welcomed by flag-waving military personnel.

Vucevic leads Bulls over Celtics 102-96

D

abawenyo world champion Jerwin Ancajas arrived to a hero’s welcome on Tuesday, more than a week since retaining his crown against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez via unanimous decision in Connecticut..

The reigning International Boxing Federation super-flyweight title holder arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport,

where he was welcomed by flag-waving military personnel.

Ruth Ancajas, wife of the boxing champion, posted

a photo of Jerwin on social media and reported by Spin.

PH. Ancajas is a reservist with the Philippine Navy.

The 29-year-old pride of Panabo, Davao Del Norte returned home after seven months of stay in the US awaiting his long-delayed title match against the 25-year-old Rodriguez.

He arrived with train-

er Joven Jimenez, sparring partner Jonas Sultan, and Olympic-bound Eumir Felix Marcial.

Ancajas left the US three days after receiving his second vaccine dosage for COVID-19.

Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions President Sean Gibbons is hoping to have Ancajas return to the ring

by September.

OSTON — The Bulls have a difficult road to travel if they want to secure a spot in the playoffs.

But they feel like replicating their defensive effort from the past two games might be the thing that helps them get there.

Nikola Vucevic had 29 points and nine rebounds, and the Chicago held off the Boston Celtics, 102-96, on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Coby White added 19 points and seven assists to help the Bulls snap Boston's season-high six-game winning streak. Chicago has won its last two since

Steph on fire as Warriors score big win at 76ers

P

Steph Curry hit 10 3-pointers and scored 49 points to extend his sizzling stretch, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 107-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

a five-game skid to nudge in front of Toronto for 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. Both wins have come without guard Zach LaVine, who remained in the health and safety protocols for the third straight game.

"We're in a fight for our lives," said Bulls guard Garrett Temple. "Every detail, every play matters. Guys are playing really hard, and I like that."

What coach Billy Donovan liked best is how his team is competing on the defensive end, holding each of its last two opponents under 100 points.

HILADELPHIA — Stephen Curry stripped off his No. 30 jersey and handed stuffed duffle bags full of memorabilia to a Delaware state trooper who stopped in full uniform to shoot hoops on the playground with neighborhood kids.

"That's Curry! That's Curry!" one kid yelled after Joshua Morris shot a long 3.

Curry put on a 3-point spectacle in Philly worthy of the trooper's own effort.

Curry hit 10 3-pointers and scored 49 points to extend his sizzling stretch, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 107-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Morris later gifted the kid on the video — he called him his "hype man" — a pair of Curry's basketball sneakers.

The video caught Curry's attention and he invited Morris and guests to the game. Curry posed for pictures after the game and walked back to the locker room without a shirt.

"He's an amazing story ... with the little kid that was hyping him up," Curry said.

"I had to show him some love. The love he showed the young man and just the foundation of impact that he shared. It's pretty impressive."

Curry wasn't so bad himself.

Curry's 3 that tied the game at 86-all gave him 11 straight games with 30 or more points, topping Kobe Bryant for the most by any player 33 or older. Curry, who turned 33 last month, also has the longest 30-point game streak by a Warriors player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 31 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021

MAKING A MARK Huelgas, Ochoa guest in Summit

First ever Filipino world jiu-jitsu champion Meggie Ochoa.

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wo of the country’s world-class athletes Nikko Bryan Huelgas and Meggie Ochoa will team up for the 2021 National Sports Summit as they share how they used their popularity to make a mark in society.

"Making a Mark Through Sports” is session 10 of the NSS to be held this Wednesday, April 21.

Huelgas, a two-time gold medalist in the men’s individual triathlon event of the Southeast Asian Games in 2015 and 2017 will take the first part of the online lecture forum to share his journey in sports, career, and life.

This year, Huelgas also received a military merit medal from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for standing at the frontlines as enlisted personnel during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He will also discuss their programs and plans as the current chairman of the Athlete’s Commission of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Ochoa will take the second half of the session as the first-ever Filipino world jiu-jitsu champion in 2018 and at the same time the Director for Social Responsibility of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF).

Ochoa has a long list of accolades bagging the gold medals in the IBJJF World Championship 2018, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-jitsu World Tour London 2018, Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games 2017 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, among others.

She is the ambassadress of child’s rights-based organization Plan International Philippines and founded the Fight to Protect Movement in 2018, which focused on addressing child sexual violence through sports-related efforts.

“We are excited to bring in the session our champion athletes Nikko Huelgas and Meggie Ochoa. Their sports excellence and achievements really made a big impact in the country. We hope that our participants will get inspiration from their stories and eventually they would also make a change in their respective fields.” said PSC chief of staff and NSS project director Marc Edward Velasco.

Almost 800 confirmed participants nationwide are expected to join the online conference via Zoom which will start at 1 p.m.