Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 86 | Thursday, June 24, 2021

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Sara shrugs off OCTA’s recommendation placing Davao City back to ECQ

STORY ON PAGE 2

Women belonging to an Indigenous People (IP) group sort out curtains they collected from an establishment selling “ukay-ukay” along Lizada Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

IRRELEVANT A boy bathes his horse on a hot summer day in Butig, Lanao del Sur on Sunday (20 June 2021). MindaNews photo by RIZ P. SUNIO

Sara shrugs off OCTA’s recommendation placing Davao City back to ECQ

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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“Wala ta’y discussion ana sa level sa local government of Davao. We should remember that OCTA Research is not a member of a government research center so ang ginasunod nato sa discussions on the community quarantine is the Inter-Agency Task

Force (IATF). Kung unsa ang i-recommend nga community quarantine sa atoang syudad ginasunod nato ang IATF,” Mayor Sara explained in a live broadcast interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

Octa Research, a polling,

research and consulting firm in the Philippines, has identified Davao City among cities in Mindanao as area of concern due to the continuing surge of Covid-19 cases. Octa was reported on June 8, 2021, pronouncing that Davao City has a 54 percent rise in infections over the past week or from 134 cases to 205 cases for the period of May 31 to June 6.

The other Mindanao cities include Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Koronadal and Cotabato.

Mayor Sara added that

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can no longer bear calling one by one those who registered for vaccination.

“Before they gave priority to their first 500 registrants from their district before they accommodated the walkins,” she said.

Villafuerte also observed that the SafeDQR system of registration does not have the capability to inform the public as to when their vaccinations would be.

She said the one creating the system assured

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio shrugged off OCTA Research’s recent recommendation placing Davao City under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the continuing surge of Covid-19 cases.

the IATF considers a lot of factors before deciding on an area’s community quarantine status. On the part of Davao City, she said the city will just wait for the IATF recommendation of whether or not to extend the MECQ status beyond June 30 or elevate it to ECQ. She said that the city relies on the expertise of IATF and the Department of Health (DOH) with regards to the assessment on the Covid-19 situation based on numbers of cases and hospital bed use.

a solution to the problem but to no avail.

Villafuerte said the Philippine Long Distance Company has offered to help them on the text blasts to inform the vaccinees of their schedule.

FIRRELEVANT, P10

More issues on vax registration than actual vaccination, says Villafuerte he Local Vaccine Czar admitted there are more issues on the registration than the actual vaccination.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, Head of the Vaccination Program said the District Health Offices

FMORE, P10

DDO bars entry of 190 persons in Monkayo

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ince the start of the implementation of the uniform guidelines on the regional border control, authorities in Davao de Oro has barred the entry of 190 persons at the checkpoint in Barangay Pasian, Monkayo from June 8 to 21, 2021.

Police Captain Marion Sibayan, 3rd platoon leader of the 1st DDO Provincial Mobile Force Company, revealed that the reason for the denial is mostly due to lack of RT-PCR test results.

“Aside from RT-PCR, ang uban kay non-essential ang lakaw; ug ang uban wala makapakita og documents, proof, or justification nga essential ilang lakaw,”

PCpt. Sibayan said. (Aside from RT-PCR, the other (reason) is that their travel is considered non-essential; while other persons did not have documents, proof, or justification that their travel is essential.)

The uniform guidelines on the regional border control is in accordance with Joint Regional InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases XI and Regional Task Force Against COVID-19 (RIATF-RTF) Resolution No. 01, series of 2021.

Among others, the resolution sets forth the

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DavNor cities enforce COVID-19 policies

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agum City and Panabo City are making efforts to enforce the policies amidst the province’s General Community Quarantine (GCQ) status.

In Tagum, the City Economic Enterprises Office leads the inspection of frontline services and establishments to make sure that the health protocols are implemented.

Through their operation called “OPLAN DAKOP”, health protocol violators in the Economic Enterprises such as the Public Market, Terminal, Livestock and Trade Center are issued with a citation ticket.

Those issued with the ticket will have to pay P540 to the City Treasurer’s Office within 7 days or face a legal case filed against them.

Among the most common violations found is the failure to wear or improper wearing of facemasks.

Similarly, in Panabo City, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Inspection Team targets the Panabo Public Premium Market, 3’F Marketing, and other establishments.

As well, the IATF Inspection Team constantly warns tricycle and motor

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

NEWS

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Department of Education 11 (DepEd-11) spokesperson Jenielito Atillo talks about the planned resumption of face-to-face classes, an idea that President Rodrigo Duterte shrugged off. Edge Davao

Proposed ordinance on mandatory RTPCR testing passed on second reading No discussion on recalling FM Pass in Davao City: CHO

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n official of the City Health Office (CHO) disclosed that there are no talks of reimplementing the Food and Medicine (FM) pass amid the continuing surge of Covid-19 in Davao City.

“We have not talk about recalling the FM pass because we already have the DQR. I think that would be sufficient enough to monitor the movement of people in Davao City,” said Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of ity Health Office, during the Covid-19 Alert program via Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday.

Lopez also reacted to the apprehensions of placing Davao City under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) after June 30, 2021.

It can be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status for Davao City until June 30.

“Dili ta makahisgot ana kay this is an affair of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). The least we could do is to make recommendation on the Covid Task Force then we

will send a letter to Region IATF (RIATF) for evaluation and ultimately sa IATF to make the recommendation.

It is just the IATF to decide or to grant the request of the LGU,” he said.

Lopez reiterated it is the IATF that will decide on quarantine classifications based on the data or status being provided by the local government units (LGUs).

“Mu-depende ni sa atong status, report, risk assessment kung kinahanglan ba gyud i-ECQ. Pero as much as possible we don’t like to escalate at another level because dako kaayo ning perwisyo labi na sa atoang business sector. Imagine if you put to ECQ tanan businesses will be shutdown. All major acivities right now like travel, tourism, totally or eventually ma- shut down ug unsa lang makagawas sa ECQ, essentials lang gyud,” he said.

Lopez said to be placed under ECQ is a huge responsibility that will affect not only by the city government of Davao but Dabawenyos as well.

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he City Council has approved on the second reading the proposed ordinance requiring the mandatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing and penalizing close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 positive cases for refusal to undergo testing.

Proposed by Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta, who is also the committee chair on peace and public safety, the proposal entitled “An Ordinance Providing For Mandatory Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing of All F1, F2, and

F3 Contacts of An RT-PCR Confirmed Positive Case of Covid-19 In Davao City” underwent lengthy discussion during the city council session on Wednesday.

The proposed ordinance covers all persons identified as

F0 (person positive for Covid-19), F1 (first generation contacts of a Covid-19 confirmed positive), F2 (close contacts of F1), and F3 (close contacts of F2) in Davao City.

In Acosta’s committee report, she stated that based on the discussion made during the Davao City Task Force on Covid-19 where it is observed that the contact tracing team faces difficulty of getting information from persons who are found positive of Covid-19 and this is the reason why the task force passed a resolution

requesting the city council to craft an ordinance penalizing persons who refuse to follow the mandatory swab testing and those identified close contact individuals who do not provide accurate and complete information when contact traced.

Dr. Ashley Lopez, acting head of the City Health Office (CHO), explained to the councilors the need to legalize the proposed ordinance as there are a lot of Dabawenyos who are possible contacts of a Covid-19 confirmed positive who missed

and A.4 are not identified as “variants of concern because current data are insufficient to determine whether the variant will require more appropriate and specific health action”.

In her letter, Yumang identified the variants of concern as the following: 1. Alpha variant with Pango lineage B.1.1.7 2. Beta with lineage

B.1.351 3. Gamma with lineage P.1 also known as the Brazilian variant 4. Delta with lineage B.1.617.2 While variant Theta with lineage P.3 is identified as variant of interest.

The Mati Incident Management Team earlier raised concern on the result of the Philippine Genome

Center’s testing on Davao Oriental samples released on June 17, 2021.

A total of 991 samples were submitted by three Covid testing facilities to the PGC for genome sequencing.

The result showed that samples from Davao Oriental have nine B.1.1.28.

One has the B.1 variant, another one has B.1.78,

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DOH-11 clarifies genome sequencing result in nine samples from DavOr

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he Department of Health 11 has denied reports that a more virulent variant of Covid-19 has already reached the province of Davao Oriental.

In a letter to Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang dated June 22, DOH 11 regional director Annabelle Yumang clarified that identified Covid variants B.1, B.1.78,

FCLARIFIES, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

The benefits of the temporary reduction in tariffs and increase in the minimum access volume for pork, which were implemented by the government in mid-May, are expected to be felt this month, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Edge Davao

Livestock sector recovery eyed to pull agri growth up F

Globe targets 40,000 housing beneficiaries thru NHA tie-up

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ture, ang ganda na ng pag-angat ng sector ng agrikultura (If we can finally get an ASF vaccine, this and the contribution of the livestock sector which can get up to 23 percent to the gross value added in agriculture, we will achieve the growth we are aiming for in agriculture),” he said.

In a slide presented during his briefer, Dar noted that the economic performance of three main sectors in the Philippines -- Industry, Service, and Agriculture -have all incurred a dip in their figure but agriculture has the

least negative growth with only -1.2 percent.

Dar said compared to industry and services sectors which gained -4.7 percent and -4.4 percent, respectively, agriculture is still projecting “almost in the neutral growth”.

“Lahat ng sub-sectors in agriculture ay tumaas, it was pulled down by the Livestock sub-sector (All sub-sectors in agriculture increased but it was pulled down by the livestock sub-sector),” he said.

For the first quarter of 2021, agriculture subsectors recorded the following: rice (8.6 percent), corn (6.4 percent), coffee (12.3 percent), cacao (11.4 percent), pineapple (5.3 percent), mango (4.1 percent), and livestock (-23.2

percent).

Progress has been in sight for the recovery of the hog industry as earlier reports said Batangas Province was already declared ASF free.

Dar said once the areas are free of ASF, authorities shall develop to issue a certification which means they can now go to the banks and borrow money for the intended recovery.

The ASF vaccine trials started on April 2021 with 10 commercial swine farms participating. The Bureau of Animal Industry said the trials will be for 84 days in line with the current protocols set by the government technical working group and vaccine manufacturer Zoetis Philippines, Inc.

pines with high potential for offshore wind development, establish short and longterm offshore wind targets, formulate strategies to successfully integrate offshore wind in the government’s renewable energy (RE) portfolio, and put forth recommendations on policies that are necessary to foster a conducive business environment for offshore wind investors,” it said.

The DOE added the BVG Associates was commissioned to explore the techni-

cal, economic, environmental, social, employment, and financing aspects of putting up an offshore wind market in the country.

During the launch of the project on June 21, WBG Offshore Wind Development Program co-lead Mark Leybourne said the Philippines has over 170 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind potential.

DOE Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the roadmap will help the country to develop and utilize wind energy.

“This project is another

key milestone for the energy sector, as we continue to deepen our ability to harness the country’s vast RE resources,” Cusi said.

He added broadening the offshore wind prospects will help to accelerate the country’s goal of achieving 35-percent share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030.

The DOE also said it awarded five wind energy service contracts with a combined potential capacity of 5 GW from offshore wind.

griculture Secretary William Dar is eyeing a bounce-back in agriculture growth once the livestock sector gains full recovery.

In a virtual briefer on Tuesday, Dar mentioned several highlights of the administration despite what he calls the “perfect storm” with the consecutive strong typhoons ravishing the farmlands, the eruption of Taal Volcano damaging agricultural resources, and restricted mobility due to pandemic protocols.

“In totality, pag mayroon na tayong lunas sa African swine fever (ASF), at idagdag mo na ang contribution of livestock and poultry which is more than 23 percent to the gross value added in agricul-

DOE launches offshore wind roadmap project

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he Department of Energy (DOE) announced Tuesday it partnered with the World Bank Group to craft a roadmap to harness the country’s offshore wind energy as a potential source of clean power.

In a statement, the DOE said the World Bank Group’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) will be funding the Philippine offshore wind roadmap project.

“The project aims to identify areas in the Philip-

ilipinos’ digital life changed drastically with the constant need for connectivity. Distance learning and work-fromhome arrangements continuously challenge the underprivileged families struggling to cope with digitalization.

Driven to address this need, Globe entered into a partnership with the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to deploy “KonekTayo WiFi” in over 100 NHA resettlement sites nationwide. Within the year, the KonekTayo Wifi will benefit about 40,000 hous-

ing beneficiaries.

The move is part of Globe’s commitment to bring affordable internet solutions to every Filipino. Internet connectivity has become a necessity in the country due to the accelerated digital adoption brought about by the pandemic.

KonekTayo WiFi is a fast and secure community WiFi service that provides households with an affordable internet connection without the need for a modem, a postpaid subscription, or mobile data. Instead, residents can simply connect to the service and choose from various prepaid data packs that suit their budget.

BSP rates seen to rise by 75 bps by next year

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angko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates are expected to rise by 75 basis points in 2022, with the first hike seen in the first quarter.

HSBC Private Banking and Wealth Management managing director Fan Cheuk Wan said they also continue to forecast a 6.3-percent growth for the Philippine economy this year and 6.5 percent in 2022 in line with the projected recovery of Asian economies.

“That’s why, we factor in the interest rate hike given the sustained cyclical recovery,” she said in a virtual briefing on Tues-

day.

To date, the central bank’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) rate is at record-low of 2 percent.

BSP’s key rates have been slashed by a total of 200 basis points last year as part of the central bank’s contribution to help buoy the domestic economy from the impact of the virus-induced pandemic.

Its overnight lending rate is currently at 2.5 percent and the overnight deposit rate at 1.5 percent.

Economic managers are confident of a recovery of the domestic economy this year, with the target set between 6-7 percent.

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ECONOMY

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Davao Tourism Association (DATA) president Renato Gatchalian says it is the responsibility of the business owners to inform and educate their workers on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines. Edge Davao

Biz owners should educate their workers on vaccination -- DATA CREATE law attracts interest of US investors

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nterests of American investors became robust after the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) was passed into law this year, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.

During the virtual Philippines-United States Business Dialogue “Cooperation for Post-Pandemic Recovery” Tuesday, Rodolfo said the CREATE law is one of the most-awaited reform efforts of the business sector from the government.

He said that in the past months, the Board of Investments (BOI) has received interest from US investors in the sectors of infrastructure, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing.

“It took us two years (to pass the CREATE), but it’s all worth the wait,” said Rodolfo, who is also the managing head of the BOI.

The CREATE law lowers corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent, while providing performance-based, targeted, and time-bound fiscal incentives to investors.

Rodolfo added the second package of the comprehensive tax reform program can attract more investments from the US as the US government pivots to a more resilient supply chain by adding manufacturing bases in other parts of the world.

He said the Philippines can be an alternative or complementary manufacturing base for US factories in Asia.

In the same event, US Department of Commerce Acting Undersecretary and International Trade Department Deputy Undersecretary Diane Farrell said building a resilient supply chain is one of the areas where the two countries can boost cooperation.

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he president of the Davao Tourism Association, Renato Gatchalian said that it is the responsibility of the business owners to inform and educate their workers on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines.

“It is now our role as businessmen to let them understand na because of the situation they have to cooperate, they just have to resurrender themselves to this weapon, kasi hindi natin alam etong gyera na hindi natin nakikita ang kalaban kelangan natin ng weapon at ang bakuna ay isang sandata. (we do not

know this war, which we do not see the enemy, we need this weapon and the vaccine is the weapon).

Gatchalian’s DATA is partnering with the City Government of Davao to inoculate around 5,000 to 7,000 tourism workers in the city with COVID-19 vaccines.

DATA is an association of tourism and tourism-re-

lated, allied establishments operating in the city.

Gatchalian a popular local restaurateur known for his coffee shops and themed restaurants said many of tourism-related businesses including restaurants and other dining establishments were gravely affected by the pandemic. He sees the vaccine as a way of recovery.

He describes the changes in quarantine status as an onoff switch which is hard for a businessman to plan.

“But as businessmen we look for a better future and we are very hopeful with the arrival of the vaccine, it

will help us restart slowly but surely” Gatchalian said.

One of the problems they will be encountering is vaccine hesitancy among the tourism workers.

“Ang challenge pa rin natin ngayon is convincing the workers in our sector to be vaccinated, it is a challenge because not everyone has the same thinking,” Gatchalian said.

He said currently they are prepping up for the start of the vaccines among their activities is an information campaign to convince the tourism sector to be open about vaccines.

cit narrowed as revenue collection increased even as expenditures grew, the agency added.

Tax revenues surged 69.26 percent to P256.4 billion in May, while nontax revenues grew 260.4 percent to P22.2 billion.

Large parts of the Philippines were still under the strictest level of lockdown in May last year, which shuttered business and

government offices considered non-essential.

Expenditures last month meanwhile also surged 29 percent to P456.7 billion mainly due to disbursement to infrastructure projects, education and health programs, releases to the PhilHealth for the health insurance premiums of senior citizens, and to local government units for the Baran-

gay Development Program.

Total expenditures from January to May reached P1.8 trillion, up 8.8 percent from the same period last year.

The Philippines has been borrowing heavily to finance its COVID-19 response and its ambitious infrastructure program.

The country’s debt stood at P10.99 trillion at the end of April.

PH’s budget deficit hits P566.2B in May

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he Philippines booked a P200.3-billion budget deficit for May, bringing the cumulative deficit for the year to P566.2 billion, the Bureau of Treasury said on Tuesday.

The deficit last month was marginally smaller than the P202.1 billion shortfall incurred in the same month last year, Treasury said. The defi-

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

On the recommendation of a private entity OCTA Research to place Davao City back to ECQ status: It does not matter kung unsa ang akoang personal opinion or personal assessment sa ingon ana because we rely the expert nga naa sa IATF and of course sa DOH kung unsa ang ilahang assessment sa situation based on the numbers that we see, the daily new cases not just the active cases but also kanang positivity rate, hospital bed use. Daghan na sila ug ginatanaw and that is what they include in their assessment.”

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

EDITORIAL Dabawenyo pride Six years ago, Edge Davao ran a feature of an intriguing athlete named Ernie Gawilan.

It was this paper that first ran a full narrative of the future Paralympic swimmer and the first Filipino to win a gold medal in the Asian Para Games. Ernie trusted us with his very private life so that physical disability will have a face not only in the sporting community but in the society in general.

Ernie wanted to send the message across that it is okay to be physically-challenged and that one can transcend beyond the notion of persons with disability (PWD) as being a burden.

He survived a abortion attempt by his impoverished mother and was born with underdeveloped extremities. At a young age, he was orphaned and was picked up by a good Samaritan and brought to a monastery where he grew up. In the shores of Samal Island where he grew up, Ernie found the waters as his way of concealing his defects. Little did he know, he was a natural to the waters and swimming

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Ernie’s story was very inspiring that it earned as finalist to a media awards competition sponsored by a telecommunications company. Although his story did not win the top prize, Ernie went on to win medals after medals in the international competitions.

He also earned a contract with Toyota as its endorser.

On Sunday, Ernie only had to take a dip in the competition pool in Germany to officially earn a spot to this year’s Paralympic Games.

Ernie wasn’t satisfied with just taking a splash. He swam to a bronze medal.

Ernie will be seeing action in his second Paralympic Games and hopes to better his performance in the 2016 edition in Rio. He will once again carry the flag of the country in the Paralympics but more significantly, he will be the source of pride of the Dabawenyo people whom he has inspired.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent 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 SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

would be his ticket to fame and better life.

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)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

HEALTH BENEFITS OF BUKO WATER In one hour of sustained physical exercise, the body can lose up to three quarts of water through perspiration. In that water are small amounts of “electrolyte” minerals – mainly sodium but also potassium – and carbohydrates (sugars), whose loss leads to fatigue.

For most of human history, the remedy to fluid loss was simple: drink water. But since the 1960s, sporting enthusiasts have an alternative - the “isotonic drink,” containing not only water but electrolytes and other minerals, plus vitamins, complex polymer carbohydrates and amino acids.

In the United States, one of the sports drinks that is fast becoming popular is the water from coconut trees. One US health magazine hails coco water as “America’s healthiest beverage” for providing enhanced hydration, essential nutrition and all five essential electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium).

When compared with a popular sports drink per 100 milligrams, coco water has more potassium (294 milligrams versus 11.7 milligrams), less sodium (25 milligrams versus 41 milligrams), more chloride (118 milligrams versus 39 milligrams), more magnesium (10 milligrams versus 7 milligrams), and less sugars (five milligrams versus six milligrams).

Coconut is grown in almost all tropical countries.

The Philippines, for instance, has around 340 million coconut trees planted on 3.4 million hectares.

As more countries will be joining the world’s US$1,000 million market for “sports beverages” particularly coco water, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization has taken out a patent on a new process that would allow manufacturers to bottle coco water that is biologically pure, very tasty and full of the salts, sugars and vitamins demanded by both sweating urban joggers and serious athletes.

The process was invented by Morton Satin, Chief of AG’s Agricultural Industries and Post-harvest Management Service, whose previous food inventions include high-fiber white bread and wheatless bread.

“Fresh coconut water is already highly valued in tropical countries,” Satin said. “A young coconut between six and nine months contains about 750 milliliters of water - really, its juice that eventually becomes the flesh.”

Satin regards coco water as “a natural isotonic beverage” that has “the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood.” “It’s the fluid of life, so to speak,” he pointed out.

American nutritionist Jon-

ny Bowden, author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, considers coco water to be a “perfectly good option” for people who want to stay hydrated.

“It’s high in heart-healthy potassium, with most brands providing about 700 milligrams in an 11-ounce serving – that’s lots more than you get in a banana,” he wrote. “It also has only about 60 calories per 11-ounce serving.”

Diabetics can also benefit from drinking coconut water.

The Philippine Coconut Authority informs: “Potassium content of water is remarkably high at all nut ages. Together with sodium and phosphorus, potassium content also tends to increase with the ages of the coconut to peak at nine months. This characteristic of coconut water makes it a very good drinking water for diabetics. Diabetics waking from a coma recover quickly after drinking coconut water.”

There’s more to coco water than all these. Bruce Fife, considered the world’s leading expert on coconut and health, shared this anecdote in his book, Coconut Water for Health and Healing, on how coco water helped in treating cataract: “We discovered this by accident while on a cruise ship (years ago). A few of us were on an island day trip and wanted to get off the beaten tourist’s path so we hired a bus and

driver to take us to the opposite side of the island (only 10 of us on that big bus). A man and his wife were taking the cruise as a sort of last hoorah before her scheduled cataract surgery, we later found out.

“Anyway, there was a beautiful beach with coconuts laying everywhere and we got thirsty, but there was no drinking water. So we decided to open up some coconut to quench our dry throats. We found a local with a big machete and through sign language we convinced him to open coconuts for us. The woman with the cataracts got splashed in one eye by the coconut juice, and it burned a bit.

“We were all digging through everything we had for something to relieve her eye ‘injury.’ All we came up with was one moist washcloth. Her husband wiped her eye and placed the washcloth over it.

About 10 minutes later she announced we should head back to the ship. We did.

“The next morning at breakfast she said that her eye was much better and that she could see very well. We examined her eye closely and could not see any signs of the cataract, which was quite obvious the day before. She said she wished she had gotten splashed in both eyes. Then the idea dawned on us to ‘splash’ her other eye.

“We did that very day as

soon as we got ashore and also repeated the other eye too.

This time we were prepared.

We went to the local market, grabbed a coconut, opened it, and strained it through a washcloth into a plastic cup, dribbled the juice into both eyes, placed a warm washcloth over both eyes, waited 10 minutes, and the rest is history.”

No more cataracts and there was no surgery done.

“Coconut water contains antioxidants as well as magnesium, potassium and other minerals and enzymes which may un-denature or relax the lens proteins, allowing them to realign and become transparent again,” Fife wrote.

“Coconut water may be an ideal eyewash or eye drop solution. If it can heal the damage caused by cataract, it may have other beneficial effects on eye health as well.

Using it regularly may be an excellent way to prevent cataract, glaucoma, and perhaps other eye problems,” the author concludes.

Meanwhile, Satin sees coconut water as a natural contender in the sports drink market. “Just think of it,” he said.

“What could be better than a natural beverage product with the delicate aroma, taste, drinking characteristics and nutritional value of pure, fresh, tender coconut water, plus all the functional characteristics required of a sports drink?”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ERNEST H. OESCH, PLANTATION MANAGER The name Ernest H. Oesch, though associated with Davao’s plantation industry as former manager of Mindanao Estates Company of Padada, Davao del Sur, is indelibly linked to the region’s archaeological and philatelic (stamp collection) history. Prior to his 13-year Davao stint, Oesch was superintendent of Central Luzon Agricultural School (CLAS), now Central Luzon State University, from 1923 to 1925, and two years later resigned to move to Mindanao.

Mindanao Estates Company was principally owned, as of 1926, by Paul Gulick, a lumberjack from Baguio and Laguna; M. L. Miller, Cebu manager of International Banking Corp.; David Walstrom, paying teller in the same Cebu bank; Maj. H. F. Cameron, a military officer detailed in Philadelphia, U.S.A.; and P. C. Round, former land court judge and private lawyer.

Oesch, of Germanic origin,

arrived in the Philippines as a teacher of agriculture under the Bureau of Education but was later invited to Fiji, a country in the South Pacific where he introduced the educational system adopted at CLAS. Oesch’s prewar porcelain collection was the most valuable in Davao, the bulk of which were Davao artifacts, mostly broken and assembled from several sites. A few whole pieces retrieved, including sherds and broken porcelains, came from burial sites near the foot of Mt. Piapi and Padada River, and an ancient graveyard not too far away from the watercourse.

As of April 23, 1940, the Oesch collection already consisted of over four hundred pieces of small Ming pieces, 12 to 15 Sung articles, mostly large and small celadon jars, a few Ming overglazed polychrome wares, and Sawankhalok wares.

Its destruction, brought about

by war, was called by Henry Otley Beyer, father of Philippine archaeology, as “a real loss to Philippine ceramic history.”

As a philatelist, Oesch’s earliest stamp cover bearing his name was from New Zealand, dated March 19, 1926 and sent to an earlier address at Isla de Sao Miguel, Tabaco, Albay, while the latest, dispatched to the United States, was dated March 8, 1941, days before he died. Many of his stamped letters were addressed to Australia, explaining his wife was from that continent.

To his credit, Oesch published in 1931 a philatelic paper for The American Chamber of Commerce Journal, explaining Philippine history from 1281 to 1898. In it he described the stamps and overprints issued since 1854, including catalogues and stamp prices and the brief history of Philippine aerophilately.

Oesch’s unintentional con-

tribution to Australian philately is well recognized, one of which was a registered letter that carried seven postal markings, sent via Manila to Caulfield South, Victoria, a federated state in southeastern Australia, and dated December 14, 1931.

At the time, the post office in southern Davao was at Santa Cruz town. The response to the letter took twenty-six days to reach him from the time it was mailed from Australia.

Another letter cover sent

by Oesch was addressed to A.L.V. Jenkins of Tooraweenah, in the central west of New South Wales, Australia. It was registered on November 3, 1931 at Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and reached Manila postal office seven days later.

Oesch extensively used stamps as letter covers and as part of his philatelic avocation. Some of the correspondences he received came from New Zealand, Samoa, Russia,

and USA. The Australian Postal History and Social Philately identified one of his letters, which was addressed to Dr. W.I. Mitchell, a well-known California philatelist. He also used booklet panes to suggest that, indeed, he was into philately.

For instance, the letter postmarked December 1, 1930 carried “a booklet pane of the 2c Rizal green on the 4c carmine McKinley, was sent to the Sydney suburb of Willoughby, the front having a manuscript reception of December 22, 1930.”

An associate member of the American Chamber of Commerce since September 1921, Oesch died in Manila in March 1941, age 52, due to brain tumor, after being taken to a hospital for surgical care. He left behind an Australian wife he met in Fiji, a daughter and two sons. His funeral services were held at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. John.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

WELL-LOVED COMEDIAN-ACTRESS POKWANG JOINS THE KAPUSO FAMILY GMA Network is delighted to announce that well-loved comedian and award-winning actress Pokwang is now a certified Kapuso after signing a contract last Friday, June 18.

Present in the virtual ceremony were Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, Senior Vice President for GMA Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, First Vice President for Drama Redgie A. Magno, First Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling De Jesus-Bogedon, First Vice President and Head of GMA Regional TV and Synergy Oliver B. Amoroso, Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angel Javier Cruz, Vice President for Comedy, Infotainment, Game & Reality Productions Janine P. Nacar, Senior Assistant Vice President for Drama CherylChing Sy, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Assistant Vice President for Comedy, Infotainment, Game & Reality Production Bang U. Arespachochaga, GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer, Senior Program Man-

ager Enri Calaycay, and GMA Artist Center Senior Talent Manager Daryl Zamora.

Pokwang is known for her versatility on screen as seen on various TV programs and movies she starred in throughout the years. Her decision to become a Kapuso was driven by her passion to showcase her many talents and to grow more in the industry.

“Marami pa akong gustong gawin as an artista, as a host, marami pa akong gustong i-share na experience ko sa pamamagitan ng mga pro-

grama para sa mga manonood.

Gusto kong ituloy-tuloy kung ano pa ang gusto kong gawin bilang artista. Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kasi siyempre nagbukas ng pintuan sa akin ang GMA.” On top of her list of Kapuso artists she dreams to work with one day are Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Alden Richards, Barbie Forteza, Ai Ai delas Alas, Maine Mendoza and Dennis Trillo.

As she begins this new chapter in her showbiz career, the Filipino audience can expect

no less from Pokwang, “Mas lively, mas masaya, para akong isang apoy na pansamantalang pinigil pero ngayon pasabog na, masaya, magaan lang, mas maibibigay ko ang comedic side ko. Dito sa GMA, nakikita kong back ako sa kung saan ako nalilinya talaga, which is comedy.

Masaya lang talaga!”

Mr. Yalong is proud that more and more highly-talented comedians are joining the Kapuso family, “GMA is the home of the best female comedians. In addition to Pokwang, we have Ai Ai delas Alas and Eugene Domingo. Now we have Pokwang in our line-up, I suppose we expect a lot of comedy shows that might come up, who knows, we can have the three in one possible sitcom, nobody can beat now GMA as far as comedy is concerned, we have the good writers, the creative people behind it, and you have the people in front of the camera. What else can you ask for?”

Meanwhile, Rasonable expressed her excitement for what’s ahead of Pokwang’s career, “She’s going to be part of Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento and we’re so excited about that. We were in the storycon with Bitoy and Manilyn, doon pa lang, talagang ang dami niyang pasabog. Napapatawa niya talaga si Bitoy, alam

HOW TO MAKE YOGA A LIFESTYLE

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY is celebrated on June 21 across the world. It was observed for the first time in 2015. The United Nations General Assembly proposed on December 11 with the intention to raise awareness worldwide about the importance and impact of yoga on the health of people.

Beyond postures that create physical wellness, yoga restores the very core of our humanity: it reminds us that we are never apart and alone, but deeply connected with each other and the world around us.

It is never too late to make yoga a part of your lifestyle.

Staying safe at home, you can start with an asana practice and doing the following: Have a tech-free hour.

Schedule one hour to turn off your phone and

1

computer and see how it feels to be “disconnected.” Tap into your sense of creativity

or go outside and listen to the sounds of nature. Reconnect with the real world.

2

Clear your space. Yoga teaches us to remove the mental clutter and get

namin it’s going to be a great show. There’s another side of Pokwang and that is she’s a very good dramatic actress, we all know that. That’s something we also want to explore with her, with Magpakailanman, and later on, sa soap opera. Expect a lot from her, of course.”

Santiago-Lara shared her delight in welcoming Pokwang to GMA’s roster of stars, “I just want to say a big warm welcome to Pokwang, we are so happy na kasama ka sa Artist Center family, sa Kapuso family. Matagal na kaming nag-uusap and I’m just so happy na natuloy na finally, marami po tayong mga magagandang projects na naka-line up para sa kaniya and we’re so happy kasi maganda rin ang welcome sa kaniya ng mga taga-Artist Center, ng mga co-stars, mga producers, we’re very thankful to everyone and also to Pokwang for choosing to be with us.”

Currently, Pokwang is gearing up for her role in Pepito Manaloto: Ang Unang Kuwento and will be guesting in various GMA programs including The Boobay and Tekla Show, All-Out Sundays, Sarap ‘Di Ba, among others.

Learn more about your favorite Kapuso shows and artists by visiting www.GMANetwork. com.

down to the core of our being.

Achieving this can be done by making physical space around us by letting go of the things that we no longer love or use. In letting go of objects, we create space for the soul to be free and comfortable.

Write a list of gratitude.

Times are tough but there is still so much light within and all around us. Take some time to think about the ways in which you are blessed. Write those things down and let the feeling of gratitude seep through every cell in your body. By focusing on the good, we invite more positivity into our lives.

Find your peace and make yoga a habit for the everyday. Props and fitness essentials like mats and towels inspire your yoga practice, too! Order yours from home using The SM Store’s Call to Deliver #143SM or contact SM’s Instashopper partners via @smlanangpremier or @ smcitydavao in Facebook. (photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels)

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9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTS:

THE SAFER CHOICE? I

Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

t’s a fact: smoking is bad for your health. For one, a person who smokes is more likely to get heart disease.

Roughly one out of 5 deaths from heart disease, according to studies, is directly related to smoking.

“People who smoke are two to four times more likely to get heart disease,” states the website, webMD.com.

“The risk is even greater for women who smoke and also take birth controls.”

Smoking is bad for your heart due to the nicotine which tobacco contains.

Nicotine in smoke reduces how much oxygen your heart gets, raises your blood pressure, speeds up your heart rate, makes blood clots more likely (which can lead to heart attacks or strokes), and harms the insides of your blood vessels, including those in your heart.

Stop smoking This is the reason why heart specialists always recommend to heart patients to quit smoking. “Doctors like me have persuaded, motivated, even threatened patients to make them stop smoking,” says Dr. Rafael R. Castillo, an internist and cardiologist at the Manila Doctors Hospital. “We’re only successful in around three out of 10 cases.”

When it comes to recalcitrant smokers, some heart specialists even “reach exasperation point” that they advise them to see another physician if they’re not able to quit smoking in six months.

“Occasionally, a few eventually succeed in quitting smoking, and we welcome them back,” says Dr.

Castillo, who is past president of Philippine Heart Association and Philippine College of Cardiology. “A few who have already licked the vice slide back and voluntarily go somewhere else for a follow-up. Some just maintain the initial drugs they’re given, and simply stop seeing a specialist for their heart issues.”

According to Dr. Castillo, it was their “standard policy in our practice” until the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hit the country last year. “We realized we might have been too harsh on our recalcitrant smoker-patients,” he admits.

Pandemic Smoking and COVID-19 definitely make a killer team. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that compared to non-smokers, “smokers are 2.4 times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit, need mechanical ventilation or die.”

In a study done outside of Wuhan, China, it was found that “smokers accounted for 8% of the total cases but 12% of severe cases.”

Building on data from China and Italy, documenting risk factors for severe disease progression with COVID-19, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted in

its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: “(P)atients with underlying health conditions and risk factors, including, but not limited to… smoking, might be at higher risk for severe disease or death from COVID-19.”

“COVID-19 was really tragic news for those who continued smoking,” says Dr. Castillo, who writes a regular weekly column for Philippine Daily Inquirer. “It always pained us to hear of a former patient whom we’ve ‘expelled’ from the clinic being hospitalized for severe COVID-19 or succumbing to it. Some of them get admitted to the intensive care unit or die, either because of complications in the lungs or cardiovascular complications like heart attack, heart failure and stroke, which may all be COVID-related also.”

Alternative Since last year, heart specialists eased up their strict policy on smokers. “Rather than ‘expel’ them as we used to do, we’re now trying all other options that can at least reduce their risk,” Dr. Castillo says. “We’re trying to look for the best middle ground, hoping that, eventually, we could push them up to the real safe, high ground of completely not smoking.”

Between two evils, choose the lesser one.

That’s what heated tobacco products (HTPs) are all about. Based on preliminary less harmful effects of HTPs, “we’re allowing our smoker-patients to shift to this alternative, but always reminding them that quitting smoking is the ultimate goal.

“We don’t know yet if

these less harmful effects of HTPs could really translate to long-term beneficial outcomes. It’s a middle ground that appears to be relatively safer than traditional smoking,” Dr. Castillo contends.

HTPs 101 Sometimes marketed as “heat-not-burn” products, HTPs come in many forms, CDC reports. Some HTPs use electronic heating elements. There are those specially-designed sticks, plugs, or capsules containing tobacco. Others work by heating liquids that create an emission that then passes through a tobacco plug to absorb flavor and nicotine from the tobacco.

Some HTPs have a similar size and shape as regular cigarettes and have a carbon tip wrapped in glass fibers that the user heats with a lighter or match.

HTPs are not the same as electronic cigarettes.

HTPs heat actually tobacco leaves. In comparison,

e-cigarettes heat liquids that typically contain nicotine derived from tobacco, as well as flavorings and other ingredients.

Insufficient data “Based on some studies, the amount of toxic substances a smoker gets is up to 95% less, compared to traditional tobacco smoking,” Dr. Castillo reports. The CDC reports that the emissions created from HTPs “generally contain lower levels of harmful ingredients than smoke from regular cigarettes.”

“There are also shortterm studies showing that it leads to a reduction in the substances released by the body that cause inflammation, compared to traditional smoking,” Dr. Castillo continues. “Any form of inflammation in the body, no matter how little, is always bad news, as it slowly causes damage to the vital organs such as the heart, brain and kidneys.”

In its website, the CDC reports of studies done on second-hand emissions from HTPs which suggest that the products expose both users and bystanders to some of the same chemicals found in cigarette smoke, “although at lower levels than cigarette smoke.”

In an article published in The Conversation, authors Nham Tran and Fiona Deutsch wrote: “Heat not

burn products do release fewer toxins and at a lower concentration than normal cigarettes because there’s no burning, or combustion, which would otherwise release toxins.”

They also noted: “Looking to the longer term, the fact that heat-not-burn products release fewer toxins than normal cigarettes may have some benefits over a life history of smoking.”

But all these studies (some of which were funded by tobacco companies) are still “insufficient” to merit recommendation. As the World Health Organization (WHO) puts it: “There is no available evidence to conclude whether HTP use is associated with any long-term clinical outcome – positive or negative – from exposure to the mainstream or second-hand emission.”

But in 2019, the United Nations health agency said that “the available evidence demonstrates that exposure to harmful and potentially harmful chemicals from these products (HTPs) may be lower relative to cigarettes.”

“With current data, it does look relatively clear that HTPs are less harmful than traditional smoking, but are still more harmful than not smoking,” Dr. Castillo says, adding that “it’s

FHEATED, P10

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

Hong Kong’s Filipino tales told in new anthology

H

ong Kong has provided a platform for Filipinos to tell their ‘global’ story, thanks to a book on Filipino migrants that’s set to be launched this month.

Story portraits of Filipino domestic workers, musicians, IT professionals and other migrant workers fill up the pages of Diaspora Journey: Stories of Philippine Migration to Hong Kong.

Published by the Filipino-run nonprofit WIMLER Foundation Hong Kong, Ltd. Diaspora Journey puts together tales from 32 Filipinos that provide a panoramic view of the overseas Filipino in the Crown Colony. The tales and some poetry cover both the successes and the struggles of migrant work in this

Asian financial center.

“One can only be inspired by how they (overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong) have squarely faced the challenges of being in diaspora and survive with their dignity intact,” writes Redemptorist Priest Karl Gaspar, CSsR in an overview of the book.

Migrant advocate Leila Rispens-Noel, marketing professional Heda Bayron, and Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs Felma Joy Tadios-Arenas and Cindy Wong co-edited the anthology.

The book’s release comes at a time that Filipinos, especially domestic workers, try to cope with the stresses of migrant work beside the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRRELEVANT... FROMP2

minimumhealthstandards, more people going out of their residences, and the emergence of highly infectiousCovid-19variant.

“Sa madunggan lang nako sa mga panghitabo sa uban lugar it could be the Delta variant, but that is not confirmed yet plus thenumberofpeoplenga nagagawas, kung daghan manggawas,daghangyud matakdanplusinfectionsna mahitabosasulodsabalay because sa sulod sa balay, The mayor identified walamangyudta’ymask, factors for the continuing walay distancing and we surgeinCovid-19casesin don’t practice minimum thecitythatincludefailure healthstandardssasulodsa ofDabawenyostoobserve balay,” she said.

“It does not matter kung unsa ang akoang personal opinion or personal assessment sa ingon ana because we rely the expert nga naa sa IATF and of course sa DOH kung unsa ang ilahang assessment sa situation based on the numbers that we see, the daily new cases not just the active cases but also kanang positivity rate, hospital bed use. Daghan na sila ug ginatan-aw and that is what they include in their assessment,” she said.

MORE... FROMP2

She called for understanding from the public.

Villafuerte bared that all vaccination sites in the city administer Pfizer Biontech vaccines, a COVAX facility under the World Health Organization.

She said these vaccines are currently given to medical frontliners A1, senior citizens A2, and persons with comorbidities A3.

Villafuerte said that since June 18, 27,000 have been vaccinated or ten % of the population before reaching herd immunity.

She hoped that by October-November 2021 the herd immunity will be reached.

Villafuerte bared that currently seventeen vaccination sites and six hospitals or 23 vaccination sites handle the vaccination roll out.

She said every vaccination site does not lower its vaccinees at 500 per day.

Villafuerte stressed that the NO WALK-IN POLICY is implemented in these sites.

She also observed that they also implement the minimum public health standard all the time at the vaccination sites.

Villafuerte said those administered with Sinovac were those receiving the second dose, while the Sinovac which will be used for the A4 category.

She surmised no instruction yet from the higher ups as to when Astra Zeneca vaccines will arrive since second dose of Astra Zeneca vaccines will be in August, 2021.

Villafuerte explained if ever there will be an excess of the Pfizer Biontech vaccines, it will be given to the less privileged sector of the society or the A5 or indigent population.

She disclosed that it is an instruction from the COVAX of the World Health Organization for indigents and 4ps beneficiaries’ Villafuerte said that next week, the A4 category will commence vaccination when the vaccines are available. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

drivers to install barriers to avoid physical contact with the passengers.

“We really need to follow the physical distancing, wearing of facemask and face shield specially when we are in public places,”Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Team Leader Alvin Ybañez says.

Although Panabo City remains strict on the establishments’ implementation of the health protocols, City Mayor Jose Relampagos has recently issued Executive Order No. 38 series of 2021, allowing operational capacity of restaurants and food establishments under the current GCQ.

DAVNOR... FROMP2

Diaspora Journey’s release comes two decades after the release of the muchacclaimed migrant movie Anak, the engaging tale of the Filipina domestic worker in Hong Kong starring Lipa City Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto.

Some over-370,000 Filipinos in Hong Kong SAR even sent more cash remittances to the Philippines despite the pandemic. Around US$821.16 million in remittances from land- and sea-based workers were tabbed as coming from Hong Kong in 2020.

The 2020 amount is higher than the US$801.749 million that Filipinos in Hong Kong sent in 2019, says data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

DDO... FROMP2

WIMLER is a nonprofit that does developmental programs for Filipino workers in Hong Kong and for disadvantaged sectors in rural Philippines. WIMLER has registered offices both in Hong Kong and in the Philippines.

guidelines on who are allowed entry in the region, which includes those considered as Authorized Persons outside Residence or APORs like health workers and government officials on official travel; returning residents with negative RT-PCR test results; nonresident with proof of their essential travel in the region; nonresident-tourist with booking confirmation,

negative RT-PCR test result, and StaySafe.ph application; and passing through travelers.

The police captain also recalled an incident when all of the 12 passengers in a bus coming from Manila were denied entry. He disclosed that the passengers are from Manila, Leyte, and Samar, and were advised to go back to where they came from.

(PIA11, Michael Uy)

something that the medical community, legislators and regulators should discuss.

After all, the lives of our 16 million Filipino smokers may hinge on the options we offer them if they really cannot quit smoking.”

Dr. Castillo, who doesn’t smoke, points out: “Less harmful alternatives to traditional smoking like HTPs seem to be a pragmatic middle ground. Our previous attitude was to give them up and allow them to suffer from the unhealthy state they’ve chosen. But with the smoker-patients we’ve lost to COVID-19 in the past 14 months, our attitude has somewhat changed.”

IQOS First launched in 2014, HTPs are now available in some parts of the world, including the Philippines.

HTPs were made available right after the approval of the bill regulating the manufacture, sale, and distribution of vaping products and other electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems.

Total sales for HTPs in 2016 were reportedly US$2.1 billion and they are expected to reach US$17.9 billion by 2021, according to the WHO. Only a few HTPs have been marketed so far. The most famous among them is IQOS – which pundits say is an acronym for “I quit original smoking” – which is being sold in the country

by PMIFTC, a joint venture company of Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc. (PMPMI) and Fortune Tobacco Corporation. It is sold strictly to anyone who is 21 years or older.

Dr. Castillo recommends that HTPs should only be

used by recalcitrant smokers or those who can’t quit smoking. But some researchers have found that IQOS may appeal to youth and young adults because of the marketing strategies that depict the product as “sophisticated, high-tech and aspirational” and “sleek, exclusive items akin to iPhones.”

Youth and non-smokers Dr. Castillo is very much aware of that. “The downside of HTPs is that the youth and non-smokers might be ‘seduced’ into trying them,” he says. “This is where legislation and regulation come in.”

According to him, “a strict but balanced regulation is important, but it should not be more restrictive than regulation for cigarettes. There must be control measures to prohibit sales of HTPs to non-smokers and the youth, but current smokers must be given the free choice to shift to it, if they wish to, and especially those with the guidance of their physician.”

Dr. Castillo also doesn’t recommend using HTPs in public places. “Though HTPs are supposed to be smoke-free, we don’t think they should be allowed in public,” he says. “The harmful particulate pollution they cause is relatively less, but the potential harm to second-hand smokers is still there.”

Remember, there is no safe level of tobacco use. As Howard Dean puts it: “I’m just deeply disappointed that once again we may have to settle for the lesser of two evils.”– (Photos courtesy of Philip Morris Ltd and Wikipedia)

HEATED... FROMP9

PROPOSED... FROMP3

testing.

“Based on our records marami tayong na mimiss out na mga possible contacts from F1 down to F3 who have missed testing.

If in this case, baka ito pa nga ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nag si-surge because missing out even one case that would capable of transmitting further.

So if we are not going to maximize our efforts for contact tracing then we will not be able to control the transmission of Covid-19 in Davao City,” Lopez said.

On her end, Davao City COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser also explained to the councilors that the more the contacts detected the more chances for the city to prevent massive spread of infection among Dabawenyos.

“We adhere to the protocol of the Department of Health’s mandatory Prevent-Detect-IsolateTreat-Reintegrate (PDITR) and the reason why we do diagnostic and surveillance testing and screening testing because we wanted to detect more and the more we detect the more we seek individuals and the more we seek individuals that is one way to prevent massive spread of infection lurking around our city,” Schlosser said.

Section 8 of the proposed ordinance stated that F0, F1, F2, and F3 contacts willfully refused to undergo mandatory RT-

PCR testing under being notified shall be penalized accordingly while FO who shall willfully refuse to undergo mandatory isolation after being duly notified shall be penalized with a penalty of P5,000.

Section 10 stated that any person cited for violation of the said ordinance who does not wish to contest the same and is willing to pay voluntarily within three days the penalty imposed under the ordinance prior to the filing of a complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor shall be allowed to do so and shall pay the corresponding penalty as cited in the Section 8 at the City Treasurer’s Office.

Currently, the biggest and reliable testing center in Davao City is the Metrobank Molecular Laboratory located at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) that has the capacity to test 1,000 specimens per day. There is also the testing center at the Davao International Airport (DIA) which is also governmentowned and will cater the returning OFWs and nonOFWs with questionable RT-PCR test.

Opening very soon is the Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory.

“We have also private counterparts like Davao Doctor’s Hospital, Vital Lab, Safeguard and the biggest is the One World Diagnostic,” Lopez said.

“If this happens the LGU will be obliged to provide the needs including the food to the constituents.

Dako kaayo ning kargo ug responsbilidad nga himoon sa isa ka LGU once under ECQ. That is why if possible we do away to another escalation as it is not only the city government that will be affected but the people as well. We do not like that to happen,” he said.

Lopez reminded Dabawenyos to always follow the minimum health standard protocols such

as wearing of mask and face shield and avoid mass gathering to contain the spread of the virus.

“Aside from your social responsibility, please do your personal responsibility, kana lang s a pagsuot sa face mask, face shield, pagpatuman sa liquor ban ug social gathering, kay daghan gihapon ta reports nga nagasupak sa atoang social gathering, party doon, nagainum, pina sikreto na mga tapok-tapok.

We need the cooperation of everybody,” he said. By Maya

and one more has the A.4 variant while 69 are still pending.

The P.1 variant or the Brazilian variant is a branch off the B.1.128 lineage.

Mati IMT commander Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr earlier said that though the presence of the more virulent Brazilian variant has not yet been confirmed, he suspects that new variants of Covid-19 could be the reason why there is a surge on the number of cases this month as well as an increase on the number of fatalities resulting to surge in hospitals and health facilities.

“Mabilis ang spread and more are exhibiting severe symptoms. These are traits of new variants.

Public has the right to be warned so they can protect themselves. Masks and avoidance of crowds are effective in protecting

them against COVID 19 and its variants,” Dr. Catbagan earlier said.

Clustering in hospitals , health facilities, work places and family gatherings have been observed.

Surge Capacity Management has been activated by the City 3 weeks ago, starting with the expansion of surge facilities and testing capacity;supported by advocacy on strict adherence to health protocols and strengthening the vaccination campaign.

The DOH 11 however said that stories like the one released by the Mati City Information Office could cause undue panic to the public.

So far, the public has not panicked from the story. There is however more compliance of the health protocols and some are now signing up for vaccination.(CIO MATI)

DISCUSSION... FROMP3

M. Padillo

CLARIFIES... FROMP3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

SPORTS 11

Phoenix center Deandre Ayton jammed an alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left for the Suns win in Game 2.

SEAG Federation to meet anew

T

he Philippines’ Southeast Asian (SEA) Games team chef de mission Mon Fernandez bared on Tuesday night the SEA Games Federation is set to convene anew regarding the state of the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi amid the pandemic.

“The SEAG Federation will be meeting on the 24th,” Fernandez said during the Banana Kick podcast.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) situation in Vietnam has put the holding of the SEA Games in jeopardy with cases rising at a record pace, although not as dreaded as in some other countries.

As of June 21, Vietnam’s seven-day average of new Covid-19 cases was at 378 after the confirmation of 272 more infections.

One of the top models for handling the pandemic during its early days last year, Vietnam’s recovery

rate plummeted to 40.3 percent (5,453 out of 13,530 total cases) mainly due to the ongoing spike and its interestingly slow vaccination drive.

Fernandez, currently a commissioner in the Philippine Sports Commission, said everything is bleak at the moment.

“We’ll never know yet.

We really just have to wait (for) the decision (of the) SEAG Federation on the 24th,” he added.

Earlier this month, the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC) proposed to the SEAG Federation the postponement of the SEA Games to July next year.

However, eight other national Olympic committees, including the Philippines, rejected the proposal mainly due to the athletes’ preparation.

The VOC might again propose the postponement during Thursday’s meeting.

(PNA)

Ayton buzzer-beating slam play lifts Suns over Clippers

P

HOENIX — Deandre Ayton jammed an alley-oop pass from Jae Crowder with 0.7 seconds left, giving the Phoenix Suns a thrilling 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time) in Game Two of the Western Conference finals.

The Suns were down one with 0.9 seconds left when Crowder lofted a high pass on an out-of-bounds play on the baseline. A soaring Ayton came down the lane and stuffed it through the net over L.A.’s Ivica Zubac as the crowd roared in disbelief at Phoenix Suns Arena.

The referees spent about a minute reviewing the play before ruling the basket was

good. The Clippers couldn’t get a shot off in the final 0.7 seconds.

Enjoy the Playoffs with superstar-level streaming & get NBA League Pass at a special price! Try now > The Suns now have a 2-0 lead in the series heading to Los Angeles for Game Three on Thursday night. The Clippers will be fighting from a 2-0 deficit for the third time in these playoffs after

when Mikal Bridges missed a corner 3-pointer and the ball was deflected out of bounds.

Instead, it set up Crowder’s heave to Ayton, who was dominant in the paint all night.

The Suns have won nine straight in the playoffs, which is a franchise record.

The Suns were led by Cameron Payne, who was brilliant while subbing for All-Star Chris Paul. He finished with a career-high 29 points. Ayton had 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Booker added 20 points.

Payne repeatedly carved through the Clippers defense, making tough buckets at the rim with pretty left-handed finishes. He made what looked like a crucial layup with about 90 seconds left, finishing high off the glass to give the Suns a 100-95 lead.

Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio, and Carlo Paalam, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, rower Cris Nievarez, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, and weightlifter Elreen Ando.

Jayson Valdez of shooting recently obtained a spot in the Olympics through a quota system being implemented by the international federation.

The 43-year-old Pagunsan, who ended a long drought in the Japan Tour by

winning the 2021 Mizuno Open, will be a longshot in a field that includes recently-crowned US Open champion Jon Rahm and Masters titlist Hideki Matsuyama.

Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan, meanwhile, will also formally clinch the Tokyo berth when it releases the final OGR rankings on June 29.

Saso, who captured a historic victory in the US Women’s Open, is currently ranked No. 9 in the OGR while Pagdanganan is at No. 42

Pagunsan clinches golf spot in Tokyo Olympics

T Juvic Pagunsan became the 13th Filipino athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

rallying to beat the Mavericks and Jazz in the first two rounds.

The Crowder-to-Ayton connection negated a Clippers rally that was led by Paul George, who had 26 points.

George made a layup with 31 seconds left to give the Clippers a 101-100 lead for their first advantage since early in the third quarter. Suns guard Devin Booker responded with a jumper of his own with 27 seconds left.

George calmly took the ball on the next possession and drilled a long two-pointer for a 103-102 lead.

But there was a lot more action left.

George missed two free throws with 8.2 seconds remaining and the Suns had a chance to win, but it looked as if it wouldn’t happen

op Filipino pro Juvic Pagunsan has officially punched a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics following the release of the Olympic Golf Ranking (OGR) on Monday night.

Pagunsan finished at No. 49 in the OGR to become the 13th Filipino athlete to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics by being inside the top 60 of the qualification procedure.

Pagunsan, a regular in the Japan Tour, joined 2016 weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 86 • THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021

CHAMPIONS STREAK

PSC Zumbarangay to help Pinoys get moving

Newly-crowned French Open girls doubles champion Alex Eala with partner.

W

ow! Can’t believe this!

Haven’t you noticed? A winning streak of Filipino athletes has almost caught the eyes of the sporting world in various events and competition.

Nonito “The Flash” Donaire woke up Pinoy boxing fans from their slumber when he knocked out Frenchman Ouibali to wrest the latter’s WBC bantamweight title and became the oldest champion at 38 years.

Donaire’s heartbreaking loss to Japanese IBF bantam king two last past made his triumph even more memorable as it proved to the boxing circle that age is just a number.

Latest boxing reports say that Donaire has agreed to fight countryman and WBO king John Riel Casimero in a unification match slated three months from now.

Yuko Saso, the Pinay golfer who rocked the LPGA ranks two weeks ago followed Nonito’s winning pattern with an unbelievable scintillating capture of the 2021 US Women’s Open.

As the first and only Filipino to register the amazing, kinda “wonder woman” feat, Saso’s remarkable form will go down in golfing history and stay there for a long time.

There’s aspiring Tokyo Olympics qualifier EJ Obiena who bested several of his potential rivals in another pole vault contest in Germany nearly a month or so ago. This is noteworthy as Obiena is considered a dark horse in this not so popular event in athletics.

And just yesterday as this was be-

ing sent to the press, Fil-Am super GM Wesley So soundly thrashed Russian super GM Ian Nepomniatchi to stash away the money and the trophy in the Paris Rapid and Blitz leg of the 2021 Grand Chess Tour.

Wesley, the two-time US Open and first Fischer Random Chess World Champion romped off with the Paris leg in grand sterling fashion, scoring 24 1/2 pts., three points ahead of his closest pursuer, Nepomniatchi.

Not incidentally, Nepomniatchi who topped the Candidates Matches last May, will challenge for the FIDE World Championship against reigning defending title holder Magnus Carlsen of Norway in November this year.

These developments augur positively well for Pinoy athletes who are peaking up in their physical and mental preparations for the Tokyo Summer Games in July.

In fact, Weightlifting president Monico Puentevella has boldly predicted that his ward, RIO Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, is a cinch to win, at least, a bronze medal in her weight class..

My own fearless forecast? It could be that 2021 is the season for the Philippines to string the elusive first Olympic gold. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!