Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 111 | Friday, July 23, 2021

RESTORING CORAL REEFS IN MARINDUQUE ENVIRONMENT P9 VOL.14 ISSUE 111 • FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021

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RAILWAY DELAY Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of MRP project awaits shortlist of bidders from Chinese gov’t

STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte says he is fine after he was tested positive for Covid-19, which was disclosed

by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 111 • FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021

A worker unloads oxygen tanks outside a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday as local health officials warn of a possible outbreak of the highly infectious Delta variant of COVID-19. MindaNews photo Photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

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NorCot village officials surrender arms to army

Tagum-Davao-Digos segment of MRP project awaits shortlist of bidders from Chinese gov’t

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ooks like it will take more time before the trains between the cities of Davao and Tagum in Davao del Norte will start running.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is still awaiting the shortlist of bidders for the Design and Build Contractor that will be provided by the Chinese government for the construction of the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).

The Design and Build Contractor will provide official development assistance (ODA) to partly

fund the P82.9-billion first phase, which is the Tagum-Davao-Digos (TDD) segment.

“The Mindanao Railway Project ay tuloy. Ito ang isang proyekto that will be pushed through. At present we are just waiting for the shortlist of bidders for the Design and Build Contractor to be provided by the Chinese government. Ang proseso ay magbibigay ng listahan

ang China na tatlo at yun ay magkakaroon ng bidding amongst themselves,” said DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade in a virtual press conference.

Tugade said as soon as DoTr receives the shortlist of bidders, procurement and construction of MRP will follow.

“Pagkatapos ng shortlist na ito ay uusad at uumpisahan na ang procurement at construction at sana ay maumpisahan na bago magtapos ang taon na ito,” he said.

Tugade also said DoTr is in the process of finishing the procurement for the project management consultant and is expecting that the contract will be awarded next month.

“Karagdagan diyan ay tinatapos namin yung procurement ng project management consultant at inaasahan namin na magkakaroon na ng award nito sa dadating na buwan,” he said.

Tugade said geotagging and other activities in line to the right of way (ROW)

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For the first time in Israel Miss Universe competion will take place this December

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srael Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov “I fully hope that in December we will be celebrating not only the new Miss Universe here in Israel, but most importantly, the end of the world pandemic.”

The global MISS UNIVERSE® beauty pageant will be held for the first time in its history in Israel. The city of Eilat was chosen to be the host city of the competition, which will

mark its 70th anniversary this year.

Israeli producer Tali Eshkoli and Los Angelesbased producer Assaf Blecher are responsible for bringing the Miss Universe pageant to Israel, which will be run by the Miss Universe organization in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and the Eilat Municipality. From the end of November, competition contestants will arrive in

Israel for three weeks of TV events, broadcast live around the world. These include the semi-final and final events, the national costume show, and other gala events such as the redcarpet event, events in the community, charity events and more. The 70th Miss Universe Competition will once again be hosted by legendary entertainer Steve Harvey.

Delegations from about

100 countries are expected to attend the pageant in Israel, including more than 1,200 members of official delegations, hundreds of journalists and TV crews, thousands of pageant enthusiasts and tourists, more than 100 American celebrities, including top-tier artists and world-famous judges. Every year, the event is widely covered in the media and it will add Israel

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he military’s disarmament drive in the province continues to gain momentum as five local officials here turned over on Wednesday afternoon high-powered war materiel, including a homemade sniper rifle.

Pikit Mayor Sumulong Sultan led the five village chairpersons in turning over the unlicensed firearms collected from unauthorized persons to Brig. General Roberto Capulong, the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade (Bde) commander, during surrender rites at the Pikit town hall.

The surrendered firearms included one M14, one M79 grenade launcher, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, and one 60mm mortar tube.

“The absence of loose

firearms in our municipality is tantamount to a lesser crime occurrence in the town of Pikit,” Sultan told reporters in an interview here Thursday.

In a separate interview, Capulong said the act demonstrated by the village officials is a clear manifestation of the support of the communities to the military’s disarmament campaign.

“We at the 602Bde only serves as a bridge leading to peace and development in the province,” Capulong said.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax R. Uy, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID) has expressed elation on the gesture of the Pikit local officials.

“This is an effort that we, in the military can’t do alone.

We need the initiative of the people and our government

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Office of Pulong distributes food packs, cash aid to Matina Aplaya fire victims

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he office of the First Congressional District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte extended on Wednesday afternoon, July 21, cash assistance and food packs to the fire victims at Punta Dumalag in Barangay Matina Aplaya, this city.

Rep. Duterte’s office gave cash assistance and a 10-kilogram sack of rice with canned goods to each of the 141 house owners, eight sharers, 16 renters, and one boarder in Barangay Matina Aplaya that were affected by a fire incident on July 17.

According to the final

validation of the Davao City government, there are 34 affected families who were evacuated earlier in Matina Aplaya 75-A, 57 families at Alpha San Lorenzo, 37 families at Shanghai Gym, and 13 families at Dumalag 3 Gym. More than 100 houses were either gutted down or damaged by a fire, which began about 5 p.m. on July 17, Saturday afternoon, at Punta Dumalag 2. Also caught in the fire was the Diego Silang Elementary School at Punta Dumalag 1.

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EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

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City Transport and Traffic Management Office head Dionisio Abude Jr. says the Davao City government will be rolling out a mobile anti-Covid vaccination for public transport drivers that include jeepneys and tricycle drivers who have not been vaccinated at the Agro Compound due to their distance from the downtown area. The rollout of the mobile vaccination for the drivers will be done in Calinan, Toril, and Bunawan areas. Edge Davao

Punta Dumalag fire victims get aid from Sen. Bong Go

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total of 161 families, whose properties were devastated by a recent fire incident at Punta Dumalag 2 in Barangay Matina Aplaya, Davao City, received assistance from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. The fire, which happened afternoon of July 17, 2021, razed more than 100 houses, killed one resident, and destroyed Diego Silang Elementary School.

The team of Go distributed meals, financial assistance, food packs, vitamins, masks, face shields, and other forms of aid to the fire victims through relief efforts conducted at three separate evacuation centers, specifically in Alpha Executive Homes, Shanghai and barangay covered courts where the victims are currently temporarily taking shelter, on July 20, 2021.

They also provided se-

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resident Rodrigo Duterte need not seek immunity from lawsuits since he did not commit any wrongdoing, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

“Wala po (There is none),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference when quizzed if Duterte did something wrong to seek immunity from lawsuits.

Roque said Duterte had merely raised the “fact” that a president and a vice president can gain

lect recipients new pairs of shoes while others were given bicycles. Some beneficiaries received computer tablets for their children’s educational use.

Go also visited the area ravaged by fire and personally comfort and provide aid to the families affected.

“Pinangako ko noon na pupuntahan ko kayo saan man kayong sulok ng Pilipinas para makapagbigay ng tulong sa inyong mga problema at makapag-iwan ng kaunting ngiti sa panahon ng inyong pagdadalamhati. Nakikita ko ngayon ang mga ngiti niyo kahit nasunugan at nasa pandemya tayo. Naririnig ko ang mga tawa niyo at kahit panandalian man lang ay nawala ang mga problema niyo,” Go said in his message.

Go also commended various local officials for their continuing efforts to

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immunity from suits.

He added that Duterte’s recent statement was even similar to the previous remarks of his critics, including Senator Leila de Lima and election lawyer Romulo “Romy” Macalintal.

“Statement of fact lang po iyan na ironically suportado noong kanyang mga arch critics, gaya ni Leila de Lima at saka ni Atty. Romy Macalintal na tumakbo nga po sa Partidong Liberal (That is just a statement of fact that

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No Delta variant cases in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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the country, particularly Cagayan de Oro City.

The said variant has been considered as the fastest variant among other variants by the World Health Organization (WHO). The delta variant was first reported in India.

Schlosser said the city is intensifying its security measures in terms of prevention, detection,

isolation, and reintegration to thwart the possible transmission of this new Covid-19 variant in the city.

“Naa gyud ta’y mga lakang para dili makasulod sa atoa ang Delta variant pero even before the Delta variant, ginapa-higpitan man nato ang atoang mga borders,” she said.

Among these measures is strengthening the safety protocols in the city’s entry points especially for inbound travels via land, sea, and air.

The city government requires those travelers who will be entering the city to submit negative RT-PCR results valid for 72 hours to

ensure that they are not carriers of the virus.

The city government also continue to empower the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT), especially in monitoring new people in their community, and ensuring that they are strictly following the 14-day quarantine.

“We continue to make sure nga ma-implement nato ang mga Executive Order nga gipagawas sa atong Mayor ang Executive Order 18 ug Executive Order 20A. Mao ning mga expanded contract tracing, mao pod ning massive surveillance swabbing,” Schlosser said.

retary Carlito Galvez Jr. and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III. Retuya said that the “common index case” of the four Delta variant cases resides and works in Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon but came to Cagayan de Oro on June 18 to celebrate his birthday with his family.

His wife and three children, along with two extended family members, are residing in an apartment somewhere in Barangay Carmen because the wife works in

the city.

Retuya said the index case, a 39-year-old male, already had complaints about his health at that time but ignored the symptoms while celebrating his birthday. He stayed with his family for two more days before going back to Bukidnon.

In the household who celebrated his birthday with him were six family members: his 35-yearold wife, 14-year-old son, 12-year-old daughter, fiveyear-old son, 62-year-old

mother-in-law, and the latter’s 61-year-old sister.

Upon arriving in Bukidnon, the index case initially underwent rapid antigen test and was found to be reactive, Retuya said. While under isolation, he was swabbed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, and the positive result came out the next day.

His family, meanwhile, started having symptoms in the next few days.

avao City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser revealed on Wednesday that the city government of Davao has not recorded any case of the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19.

“For Davao City, we have not been notified.

Wala ta na-notify nga naa tay Delta variant,” said Schlosser.

Schlosser confirmed this during the COVID-19 Alert program of the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) to allay fears of the public following reports of positive cases of the new variant in some parts of

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our of the five COVID-19 Delta variant cases in Cagayan de Oro could be traced to a birthday party on June 18, according to Dr. Joselito Retuya, chief epidemiologist at the City Health Office.

Retuya first made the announcement during the city government’s daily press conferences last Monday, wherein he said he presented the information to the visiting members of the National Inter-Agency Task Force, which included Sec-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez listens as President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters during a meeting at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila in this undated photo. Lopez is pushing for more budget and support to boost the country’s product testing capability in a bid to promote consumer protection and investments in various manufacturing sectors. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

DTI pushes for more budget for product-testing facilities

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operations using modern technologies that will guarantee high-quality products at all times,” Lopez said.

DTI along with the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute (PISI) and Ceramic Manufacturers Association Inc. (CMAI) inaugurated testing facilities for steel

and ceramic tile products at the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) Testing Laboratory in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

“For this year, BPS is prioritizing the establishment of more testing facilities for construction materials in line with the “Build, Build, Build” program and ensuing countryside development,” Lopez shared.

These include other construction products like cement, hollow blocks, and flat glass.

Lopez also said boosting the country’s product-testing capability can also help support the coun-

try’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by making them more competitive.

“By conducting product testing as per the relevant Philippine National Standards (or PNS), the BPSTL can assist our MSMEs in developing products whose qualities are on par with the world. Our dream is to make Philippine products synonymous to quality— part of our Philippine quality infrastructure objectives,” he explained.

Several lawmakers expressed their support for expanding the country’s testing capabilities.

bought Astra vaccines will start implementing their vaccination program for their employees. Pabilisan ito. We have to go faster than Delta coming in,” said Concepcion.

Concepcion said companies should focus on vaccinating 80 percent of employees in a specific building so that they can be allowed to increase their operating capacity.

“If a building is able to achieve a minimum of 80 percent vaccinated employees or even the tenants, then dapat pumayag na sila na itaas yung capacity from 50 percent to 80 percent,” he said.

Last week, a total of 1.15 million doses of AstraZeneca for the private sector arrived In the country. Another batch of 1.15 million doses from AstraZeneca is expect-

ed to arrive in August.

“We want to start creating more mobility. Yung economy natin, it’s being challenged right now and to create a better business climate you have to get people out from their home to the office. You will have consumption moving up, that is important. But the condition to all of these is we have to vaccinate no less than 80

he Department of Trade and Industry is pushing for more budget and support to boost the country’s product testing capability in a bid to promote consumer protection and investments in various manufacturing sectors.

DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Wednesday that with greater testing capabilities, the country should be able to minimize substandard products in the market.

“This should likewise encourage more investments in more competitive and smart manufacturing

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residential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion on Wednesday said a micro-herd immunity approach in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout for the private sector would ensure protection for employees amid the threat of the more highly transmissible Delta variant.

“Starting this weekend, these 500 companies that

Smart partners with PayMaya for ‘seamless payments’ on telco’s app

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mart and PayMaya have partnered to make payments for load and promos more seamless through the telco’s Gigalife app, the sister companies said on Wednesday.

Smart said its GigaLife app, which lets subscribers buy load, pay their phone bills and check on the telco’s promos, is now better integrated with Paymaya through the app’s GigaPay feature.

PayMaya, which is a unit

of PLDT’s fintech subsidiary Voyager Innovations, said its e-wallet services can now be used to buy promos, top up load on the GigaLife app.

Postpaid subscribers meanwhile can settle their bills using PayMaya without leaving the GigaLIfe app.

“With GigaPay and PayMaya we are ensuring that Smart’s customers can now enjoy the digital life seamlessly, enabling them with a built-in, trusted

percent,” he said.

Vaccinating more employees is important because it’s building a strong wall of defense against COVID-19.

“That’s why we have to try to achieve population protection which is 50 percent hopefully by August, September in NCR Plus hindi sa buong bansa, hindi kaya and hopefully herd immuni-

ty,” he said.

He also encouraged unvaccinated people to get inoculated to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We should try to encourage them to take the vaccine. We are in a very serious situation. Delta is such a virulent variant that can affect the lives of people and more so another major lockdown,” he said.

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ECONOMY 5

A large container crane of the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT), Mindanao’s main export gateway for banana products, towers over the area of the Port of Panabo in Davao del Norte. The Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have agreed to suspend the implementation of the imposed 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on certain exporter transactions. Edge Davao

Three startups get P2.5-million funding each from 917Ventures

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t least three startups received PHP2.5 million each as initial funding from venture builder 917Ventures, it announced on Wednesday.

KodeGo, Fanlife, and BentaTV were chosen to put their businesses to reality as an IT (information technology) training program, an online community platform for Korean culture fans, and a digital platform for non tech-savvy sellers, respectively.

“We are happy to find ideas that are aligned with our vision of improving the digital lifestyle of Filipinos and helping solve social issues through technology.

These ventures are already getting ready to spin off into a company so we are here to provide them with the support they need,” said 917Ventures managing director Vince Yamat, in a statement.

Both Fanlife and KodeGo joined 917Ventures’ three-

month Velocity Bootcamp last year. The program aims to help external talents and bring their ideas into the 917Ventures which would help them create their businesses.

On the other hand, BentaTV was part of the 917Ventures’ Venture Builder program. The startup will provide an online platform for merchants who are not techie, to make live-selling easier for them.

“Many online selling platforms are already competing in the Philippine market, but we saw the lack of focus on the sellers. With the pandemic restricting faceto-face transactions, many merchants are taking the online-selling route, mainly live selling, to showcase their products. We envisioned BentaTV to make it smoother for these sellers to make the transition,” Gio Tantoco, BentaTV venture builder, said.

DOF chief sees ‘pretty good’ Q2 GDP growth

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he five coffee farmers from this province, who won big in the prestigious Philippine Coffee Quality Competition (PCQC) 2021 under the Best Philippine-Origin Arabica Coffee Category, have expressed their gratitude to the government after the success they reaped recently.

Improvement in the employment situation is expected to make the country’s second-quarter economic growth “pretty good”, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said.

In an interview over Bloomberg TV on Wednesday, Dominguez declined to give specific figures, saying he is “not big on predictions” but cited the drop in unemployment and underem-

ployment last May. “The fact that we’ve created about two and a half million new jobs over the last year seems to be good signs for us,” he said.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data show that the labor force participation rate last May improved to 64.6 percent from the previous month’s 63.2 percent.

Employment rate increased to 92.3 percent in

the briefing to Wednesday out of deference to the Secretary, whose decision was to suspend the regulation first pending corrective legislation,” Salceda said.

RR No. 9-2021 was issued pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act (RA) No. 10963 or the Tax Reform and Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), which provide that certain transactions previously considered zero-rated shall be subject to 12 percent VAT.

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DOF to withdraw regulation imposing 12% VAT on exporter inputs: Salceda

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he Department of Finance (DOF) and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) have agreed to suspend the implementation of Revenue Regulation (RR) 9-2021, which imposed 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on certain exporter transactions that were previously taxed at 0 percent, a House leader announced.

The suspension of the BIR regulation comes after a briefing facilitated by the House Ways and Means

Committee on Wednesday with concerned government agencies and stakeholders.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda, committee chair, expressed gratitude to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for this decision as it will help the country’s export industry “get the breather it needs” to recover.

“The DOF and the BIR held talks with me over the weekend. We were supposed to have a hearing on Monday, but we deferred

trong demand for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF) continues to push the facility’s rates down.

Data released by the central bank on Wednesday showed that the average rate of the seven-day facility slipped to 1.6992 percent and the 14-day facility to 1.7654 percent.

These were at 1.7097 percent for the shorter-ten-

May from last April’s 91.3 percent, while the underemployment rate declined to 12.3 percent from 17.2 percent.

Unemployment rate thus went down to 7.7 percent from 8.7 percent.

Authorities have attributed the increase in employment rate to the continued re-opening of the economy which allows more workers to land a job.

The second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) report is scheduled to be released on August 10.

In the first three months of 2021, the country’s GDP posted a contraction of 4.2 percent, better than the -8.3 percent in the previous quarter.

Economic managers’

growth target for this year ranges between 6 percent to 7 percent, while it is 7 percent to 9 percent for next year and 6 percent to 7 percent for 2023-2024.

With the pandemic still expected to linger, Dominguez said it is important to continue to remain “fiscally responsible.”

“We want to make sure that we have enough resources to tackle any problems in the future, such as surges in the pandemic. We also want to make sure that we have enough money to protect our citizens and that is providing them with enough vaccines,” he said.

Dominguez said the government’s USD3-trillion borrowing program for

or TDF and 1.7817 percent for the two-week TDF during the auction last July 14.

The BSP kept the offering for the one-week facility at PHP160 billion but tenders remained higher at PHP230.57 billion. The auction committee made a full award.

Bid coverage ratio for this tenor stood at 1.4411, higher than the 1.3498 last week when the bids

amounted to PHP215.972 billion. The committee has made full awards of its offer.

Offer volume for the two-week facility was increased to PHP400 billion from the previous week’s PHP390 billion.

Tenders amounted to PHP511.241 billion, which made the auction committee fully award this tenor.

Bid coverage ratio declined to 1.2781, lower

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DAVAO 6 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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In confirming that the city government of Davao has not recorded any case of the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19:

For Davao City, we have not been notified. Wala ta na-notify nga naa tay Delta variant.”

Dr. Michelle Schlosser

Focal person of the Task Force Covid-19

EDITORIAL Corruption doesn’t sleep Manny Pacquiao is a thousand miles away from the Philippines and perhaps detached from thinking of Philippine concerns. That’s because he is in deep training for his important fight against a young up and coming welterweight champion Errol Spence.

If you are Manny and still fighting at age 42, you can’t be out of focus as you prepare for a fight against a dangerous foe. Not to mention one that’s skillful, fast, strong and much younger.

That’s why when Manny said he will spill the beans of his corruption expose when he gets home after the fight, it means he is not into it at the moment. Boxing is his priority now. So between now and August 22 (PH Time), nothing will take Manny’s mind out from boxing. His lawmaking duties will have to wait. And to say it bluntly, the rest of his countrymen as well would have to wait.

Manny planted seeds of corruption in the minds of many

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That’s what makes it puzzling. Manny said there is massive corruption, but can afford to waste time before he will reveal what he knows. In essence, that’s also delaying the solution to the problem if indeed his claims of massive corruption is well founded.

What’s more pressing for Manny now? Is it Spence? Or money spent on corrupt activities?

What Manny knows, could help solve the problem, if indeed there is truth to any particular transaction he is referring to.

The right thing to do is to know one’s priorities and get on to it.

No need to wait for one’s homecoming. it.

Corruption doesn’t sleep. So should one advocating to end 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

before he left for the US. Many are awaiting what his explosive expose is. Corruption is both serious and urgent. To stop it, you don’t sleep on it.

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!

LONELINESS IS A HEALTH HAZARD In “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,” author Haruki Murakami penned these words: “But even so, every now and then I would feel a violent stab of loneliness. The very water I drink, the very air I breathe, would feel like long, sharp needles. The pages of a book in my hands would take on the threatening metallic gleam of razor blades.

I could hear the roots of loneliness creeping through me when the world was hushed at four o’clock in the morning.”

Another author, John O’Donohue, wrote in “Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom,” this statement: “There is solitude of suffering, when you go through darkness that is lonely, intense, and terrible words become powerless to express your pain; what others hear from your words is so distant and different from what you are actually suffering.”

Breathes there a man with a soul so dead so never experience loneliness. May Sarton describes loneliness as “the poverty of self.”

Charles Bukowski, in “Love Is a Dog from Hell,” wrote: “There is loneliness in this world so great that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock.”

Loneliness is not good for your health. As award-winning actress Audrey Hepburn once pointed out: “When you have nobody you can make a cup of tea

for, when nobody needs you, that’s when I think life is over.”

If too much love can kill you, so goes a line of a song, so is loneliness. In fact, a recent study compared loneliness to that of obesity.

“The research, presented at the American Psychological Association, proved that loneliness and isolation have now been considered as a public health concern as they have caused a number of premature deaths in 300,000 participants of 148 studies,” the article said.

For the uninformed, loneliness in the said study pertains not only in the state of being single but also social isolation and living alone. Virginia Woolf, in “The Waves,” gave us some insight: “Alone, I often fall down into nothingness. I must push my foot stealthily lest I should fall off the edge of the world into nothingness. I have to bang my head against some hard door to call myself back to the body.”

According to the study, those who had greater social connections were recorded to have 50% reduced risk of dying, while death caused by obesity only at 30%.

About 70 studies were done; some 3.4 million people in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia participated in the study. Results echoed the same findings.

Obesity, by the way, means

having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much.

The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water.

Both terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or her height.

Now, going back to the study of loneliness. Principal author Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad of Brigham Young University said “self-reported feelings of loneliness (subjective) and the state of being socially isolated (objective) are potentially damaging.”

“People who say they are alone but feel happy are at increased risk of death, as are those who have many social connections but they say they are lonely,” Dr. Holt-Lunstad was quoted as saying.

The report said that social media, technology, and even housing arrangements are the culprits of the increasing rates of loneliness among adolescents and the elderly.

“While most feel more ‘connected’ through social media platforms, these, however, are depriving humans of creating substantive and quality relationships due to the lack of physical and meaningful interactions,” the report said.

Among the elderly, hous-

ing arrangements play a big role in loneliness. “Their loneliness might be triggered by the death of a spouse, children moving away, loss of network, fear of becoming a burden, fear of going out, and illness (examples: cancer and Alzheimer’s disease),” the report said.

The report ended with this statement: “Theories suggest that these findings might be linked with how depression and anxiety are both causes of premature deaths, as loneliness and isolation are two of the symptoms that catalyzes mental illnesses.”

How do you fight loneliness?

There was this story of 41-yearold Marc Austin, who has a heart condition which contributed to feelings of loneliness and low self-confidence. He had a heart attack in 2010 that left him with heart failure. Today, he is using a pacemaker to correct an abnormal heart rhythm.

“I was only 37,” he told “Heart Matter Magazine,” “and the fittest I’d ever been, so it came as a huge shock. I did feel isolated because of my heart problems, especially being so young. I was living on my own and I didn’t know anyone else my age with a heart condition.”

Marc joined a fundraising group because he thought it was a support group. “I soon realized it wasn’t, but they were all so friendly I thought I might as well stay,” he

was quoted as saying. “It feels like a way of putting a positive spin on what I have been through and giving something back.”

Don’t be lonely throughout your life. Get out and find someone you can help, love, or talk with. Again, here’s a thought from Murakami: “I’m tired of living unable to love anyone. I don’t have a single friend – not one. And, worst of all, I can’t even love myself. Why is that? Why can’t I love myself?

It’s because I can’t love anyone else. A person learns how to love himself through the simple acts of loving and being loved by someone else. Do you understand what I am saying? A person who is incapable of loving another cannot properly love himself.”

Remember, the opposite of loneliness is happiness. Try to be happy and beat loneliness.

Elizabeth Gilbert, in “Eat, Pray, Love,” advised: “Happiness is the consequence of personal effort.

You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ISAIAS V. SILVESTRE JR., REBEL NEMESIS Until Dec. 20, 2017, the last time the coveted Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Medal of Valor, the equivalent of the U.S. Medal of Honor, was awarded only to forty-one (41) recipients, eighteen (18) of them were posthumously bestowed.

Interestingly, one of the honorees, Master Sergeant Isaias V. Silvestre Jr., of the Philippine Constabulary (PC), earned the accolade, the highest Philippine military honor for exceptional bravery in combat, while fighting insurgents at Lupon, Davao Oriental in 1985.

A member of the 433rd PC Company, Sgt. Silvestre was during this time assigned as non-commissioned officer officer-in-charge (NCO-OIC) at Calapagan Patrol Base, which had eleven (11) soldiers under him, when around 170 armed New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, attacked the base on May 14, 1985.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos, guest of honor of the Aug. 8, 1985 joint celebration of the PC and the Integrated Na-

tional Police (INP), recalled the extraordinary feat he displayed, saying: Ignoring the wounds, he suffered during a prolonged siege on their patrol base in which he was the highest-ranking officer… he encouraged his men to keep on fighting until this rebel force of 170 was forced to withdraw, leaving behind quite a number of them dead and wounded. When the dust of battle cleared over their base, 21 rebels were dead, a number of them, including the dreaded Commander Mortar, shot down by [Sgt.] Silvestre himself. The casualties in the government side: 2 killed and 11 wounded.

After the battle, the NPA offered a P60,000 bounty for Sgt. Silvestre’s head. Earlier, for similar exploits against the secessionists, he was tagged by the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) with a reward of P150,000 for his capture or assassination. During the PC-INP event, he told his audience: “The subversives may get

me in the end, but they still have to face all my other comrades, hundreds of thousands more, not only soldiers but civilian home defenders who have vowed never to run away from them.”

For his feat, on April 24, 1987, he was presented the Medal of Valor, by order of President Corazon C. Aquino, pursuant to Armed Forces of the Philippines Regulations G 131-052.

In part, the citation recalls the bloody event: “It was near daybreak when heavily armed subversive terrorists, some carrying mortars and M-79 grenade launchers, stealthily surrounded the patrol base and upon reaching vantage positions simultaneously fired their weapons at the surprised troopers killing two sentinels on post during the initial burst of gunfire.

“Undaunted by the numerical and firepower superiority of the enemy, Master Sergeant Silvestre immediately deployed his handful of men, directing them to defend the base at all

costs and ordering his radio operator to inform the Company Headquarters about the situation. As mortal shells and M-79 missiles rained on the base, accompanied by uninterrupted firing of the terrorists, 12 members of the base including Master Sergeant Silvestre were wounded.

Disregarding multiple shrapnel wounds in his back and bullets blazing from all directions, he courageously crawled from foxhole ton foxhole, firing his M-16 rifle towards the enemy and shouting encouraging words to his men, urging them to fight decisively the terrorists who were gradually advancing and threatening to overrun the base.

Although outnumbered 8 to 1, the beleaguered troops fought with intense ferocity, while their leader, with his exceptional marksmanship, fatally shot one by one the other terrorists as they crawled towards the patrol base. Although wounded, he accounted for six terrorists including Command-

er Mortar, the leader of the terrorists whom he shot in the forehead at the time when the subversive terrorist leader was calling on the troopers through a megaphone to surrender.

Again, he fell another terrorist who attempted to use the megaphone.

With their leader dead, the enemy became demoralized.

Fighting continued for another hour until the enemy finally withdrew through the nearby forested area, dragging some of their killed and wounded comrades. When the smoke of battle cleared, 21 dead terrorists, two M-79s, two BARs, six M-16 rifles, ten U.S. Garand rifles, one megaphone, assorted empty magazines and subversive documents were recovered around the base perimeter. Thirty-five other terrorists were confirmed later to have died during the fierce encounter.” (Paragraphing mine) The citation also cited his exceptional gallantry in combat as “in keeping with the best traditions of Filipino soldiery.”

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

LIFESTYLE

CEBUANA LHUILLIER NABS 2021 INT’L SERVICE EXCELLENCE HONORS CEBUANA LHUILLIER was named as one of the winners of the recentlyconcluded 2021 International Service Excellence Awards organized by the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA).

CSIA cited the company’s push in digitalizing its customer response, paving the way for faster communication between the three-decade-old company and its millions of loyal clients.

The company bagged the Customer-focused Innovations nod due to its development of creative and inventive means of engagement and product usage, with the following milestones considered as game changers in its industry: CEB, Cebuana Lhuillier’s very own Intelligent Virtual Assistant; Cebuanafrom-Home, an online platform which provides clients with a 360-degree access to Cebuana Lhuillier’s suite of services, and the eCebuana App, among others. Cebuana Lhuillier’s commitment to further improving client experience and engagement through technological innovations also impressed the judges.

“This recognition is a huge honor for us here at Cebuana Lhuillier, especially for our Customer Service team. As we see a continuous push for more product and service innovations to answer our clients’ changing needs, we also remain committed to improving how serve them—with emphasis

nowadays on faster, more efficient, and more convenient service delivery,” shared Jean Henri Lhuillier, President & CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

“Our step towards digitalization is our response to this. By coming up with innovative digital solutions and making them available to every Ka-Cebuana, we provide them with options to better enjoy and appreciate our services, whether online or offline. More than just solutions, these innovations highlight how for Cebuana Lhuillier, our clients remain the heart of our organization,” he adds.

Marissa Ancog, Cebuana Lhuillier First Vice President and Group Head for Planning and Quality Management, emphasized the importance of finding solutions that best serve the clients’ needs. “Making our clients happy has always been the core of what we do. As our clients’ needs evolve through time, the same goes with the level of service we provide— whether online, through our Customer Care hotline, or our branches. Aside from finding the best solutions through technology to help our KaCebuanas, we also make sure

Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier receives this year’s International Service Excellence trophy, in recognition of the company’s commitment to gamechanging innovations in customer service. that our frontliners are ready, well-trained, and well-informed at all times.”

Cebuana Lhuillier’s foray into digitalization of its products and services including client engagement started more than two years ago, in a move that signified the pivot of the thirty-year-old brand to a Fintech company. Ultimately, the innovations including the continued improvement of systems used in branches, access to services through mobile apps, easier communication to clients through the use of social media and bots, an upgraded

and improved customer service hotline, have benefited customers who were able to experience a faster, more convenient level of service.

This also allowed the company to pivot and adjust faster to the needs of its clients with the implementation of a strict lockdown in the Philippines in 2020, following the spread of the COVID-19. Through the programs and applications put in place, clients were still able to have safe and efficient access to micro-financial solutions, especially during the most challenging period of last year when majority of banks and financial institutions were closed.

The International Service Excellence Awards serve as the global benchmark for innovative and noteworthy customer service, recognizing brands and individuals worldwide for their exceptional work. This year, Cebuana Lhuillier had the distinction of being the only Philippine-based brand awarded this merit. The company is a consistent awardee from the award-giving body, notching the following wins under its belt in the last three years: 2020 International Service Excellence Award Customer-Focused Innovations Category, 2019 International Service Excellence Award – Large Business Category, and 2018 International Service Excellence Award – Best of the Best Category. The awards are managed by CSIA, as assigned by the International Council of Customer Service Organizations (ICCSO).

SMALL LAUDE’S WORLD IS ON DISPLAY IN NEW METRO CHANNEL SHOW TAKE A STEP into YouTube sensation Small Laude’s fabulous world in her very first TV show on cable. This funny and exuberant socialite-turnedinfluencer will showcase her unique take on living large which starts with a great sense of humor. Watch out for “It’s A Small World” which will premiere this August on Metro Channel.

Manila’s beloved entrepreneur and homemaker, Small has been taking her loyal followers along on her adventures online via her Instagram account and YouTube channel. With her irrepressible zest for life, along with her eye for beauty and fashion, she fits right at home on the Kapamilya

lifestyle channel.

Her new program spans four specials, each allowing the beautiful and lively Small to

showcase her personal take on enjoying the finer things in life.

“It’s A Small World’s” pilot episode has her taking viewers

on a tour of her sanctuary—a six-storey resort-like mansion designed by Ed Calma, featuring several gorgeous gardens, two scenic elevators, well-curated art and furnishings, a robust gym, and even a pink salon.

Other episodes spotlight Small’s friends and loved ones.

She welcomes Korina Sanchez into her home to indulge in her favorite Italian treats for a special outdoor meal. Korina, in turn, personally prepares a beautiful salad using fresh produce that they both pick from Small’s amazing rooftop garden. The new Metro Channel host also puts together a special family dinner for her birthday, bringing viewers along on the preparations.

Tune into the show to witness aspects of Small’s life that are familiar to her online audience such as her Minor Closet, which houses a not-so-minor collection of designer bags and shoes. Along the way, she exhibits her openness to learning new things as well.

Open your eyes to the finer things in life in “It’s A Small World,” premiering on August 1 (Sunday) at 8:30 PM on Metro Channel, available on SKYcable channel 52 (SD) and channel 174 (HD), Cignal channel 69, and GSAT channel 70. For more details, like Metro Channel on Facebook (www.facebook.com/metrochannelph) and follow it on Instagram and Twitter (@metrochannelph).

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M

arinduque is an island province located in Southwestern Tagalog Region or Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).

Some parts of the Verde Island Passage, the center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity and a protected marine area, are within the Marinduque’s provincial waters.

In 2018, the regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) initiated the assessment of coral reef areas in Marinduque through the adoption of the automated rapid reef assessment system (ARRAS) that successfully generated a comprehensive report and maps of the coral reef and seagrasses. ARRAS is a program for coral reef monitoring developed by the University of the Philippines-Diliman and funded by the DOST. About 10 coral sites along the main coastline and along the Tres Reyes Islands were surveyed.

Of the sites assessed for coral cover, 4 were in “fair condition” (25-49% hard coral cover) and 6 were in “poor condition” (0-24% hard coral cover).

“Hard corals provide the reef structure that provides habitat to the rest of the organisms on the reef,” the study said.

To rejuvenate marine life in the waters off the province, a coral restoration project was launched by DOST in collaboration with the provincial government office, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), local government units (LGUs), and local fishermen groups.

Together, they have deployed coral transplantation technology off the coast of Buenavista and in Torrijos in what was described as “the first large-scale restoration effort” of the Mimaropa

region.

The technology being employed was the one developed by the University of San Carlos (USC) under the Filipinnovation on Coral Reef Restoration Program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

Started in 2012, the Filipinnovation-initiated program seeks to roll out coral transplantation using asexually reproduced corals to improve productivity of coral resources for sustainable fisheries.

DOST, in a news release, explained that corals asexual reproduction technology for reef restoration involves the collected of dislodged live coral fragments or “corals of opportunity” (COPs) and attaching them to coral nursery unit (CNUs) for quick recovery and regeneration to increase survival rates upon transplantation in degraded coral reef sites.

According to a press release, the CNU design and the coral transplantation technique which uses marine epoxy clay, nails, and cable tie are outputs of the PCAARRD-funded Filipinnovation program.

The technique has been pilot-tested in major tourism and diving sites in the country, including Batangas, Bohol, and Boracay.

In Marinduque, ten CNUs were established in the Marine Protected

ENVIRONMENT

9

RESTORING CORAL

REEFS IN MARINDUQUE Text by HENRYLITO D. TACIO Areas of Tungib-Lipata in Buenavista last June 10-11 and another 10 CNUs in Poctoy, Torrijos on June 2223. CNUs are set up 25 feet underwater and each is designed to hold 500 COPs per batch several times a year.

By the end of July 2021, the technology will be deployed in four other municipalities of Marinduque: Boac, Gasan, Mogpog, and Santa Cruz.

The Philippines is home to over 400 local species of corals, which is more than what is found in the famous Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Unfortunately, most of these species are now gone and others are facing extinction.

“Nowhere else in the world are coral reefs abused as much as the reefs in the Philippines,” deplores Don E. McAllister of the Ocean Voice International.

The decline is thought to be due primarily to destructive human activities. “Many areas are in really bad shape due largely to unwise coastal land use, deforestation and the increasing number of fishermen resorting to destructive fishing methods,” said marine biologist Porfirio M. Alino of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (MSI).

Destructive fishing methods – ranging from dynamite blasts to

Photos courtesy of DOST

cyanide poisons – are destroying vast areas of reef. Fishermen blast reefs with dynamite to stun the fish. When fish float to the surface, fishermen scoop up large quantities at once.

Another equally destructive fishing method is the “muro-ami,” a drivein net used for fishing in coral reefs. While he admitted that “muro-ami” is an effective fishing gear, Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III cited some disadvantages.

“The problems related to “muro-ami” fishing are its employment of minors (young boys) for fishing, their exposure to health hazards (like the “bends” or narcosis) and the destruction of coral reefs because of the weighted scarelines,” explained Dr. Guerrero, former executive director of Philippine Council for Marine and Aquatic Resources Research and Development.

Coral mining has also depleted the country’s reefs. In fact, an estimated 1.5 million kilograms of corals are harvested annually as part of the international trade in reef products.

Also contributing to the destruction of coral reefs in the Philippines are sedimentation from soil erosion as a result of deforestation in the uplands. “Sedimentation of waters in reef areas is the number one cause of

damage,” said Dr. Edgardo G. Gomez, former MSI director. “This happens when rain water washes off sediment or silt from eroded land and carries it to the sea.”

Other causes of the deterioration of coral reefs in the country: the quarrying of coral reefs for construction purposes; pollution from industry, mining, and municipalities; and coastal population growth.

Aside from human activities, natural causes of destruction among coral reefs also occur. These include extremely low tide, high temperature of surface water, predation, and the mechanical action of currents and waves.

Extremely low tides usually expose corals to sunlight and to freshwater runoff, both of which are said to be lethal over several hours of exposure.

High temperature of surface water is exacerbated by abnormal low tides which leave shallow reefs exposed to sunlight, rainfall and freshwater flowing.

Then, there’s coral bleaching.

This occurs when corals turn chalky white and begin to die.

Coral bleaching happens when corals are under stress because of extreme sea temperatures or pollution.

Corals evict their algal tenants and turn white as a result, explains

Worldwatch Institute’s John C. Ryan.

As early as the 1970s, the East-West Center in Hawaii reported that more than half of the country’s reefs were “in advanced states of destruction.” It added that only about 25% were considered to be “in good condition” while only 5% were “in excellent condition.”

Though several laws were passed, the deterioration continues unabated. For instance, a survey conducted in 1991-1992 by the Regional Fishermen’s Training Center in Panabo City at Sarangani Bay and Davao Gulf had shown that most of the shallow or inshore coral reefs “were totally damaged because they are exposed to greater pressure.”

Another study, done in the early 2000s by researchers from the Mindanao State University’s School of Marine Fisheries and Technology, showed dead corals accounted for 50% of the town’s coastline in Naawan, Misamis Oriental.

This is bad news for Filipinos whose main source of protein is fish. Touted to be “the rainforests of the ocean,” coral reefs are one of the greatest natural treasures.

“A single reef may contain 3,000 species of corals, fish, and shellfish,” says

FRESTORING, P10

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VOL.14 ISSUE 111 • FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021

New brain booster Hyundai PH on steady Promil: for child’s brain development growth mode in June T H yundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), reported 5% growth for June 2021 versus the previous month, a positive indicator of increased activity in the economy, with June being the first full month of post-ECQ and MECQ in the NCR+ region.

Commercial vehicles (CV) largely contributed to this month-on-month boost, having sold 40% more units in June than in May. Meanwhile, the Passenger Cars (PC) and Light Commercial Vehicles (CV) maintained a steady increase in sales, at 6.7% and 1.6%, respectively.

In the PC segment, the locally-assembled Hyundai ACCENT’s 13.6% month-on-

his breakthrough ingredient enhances a critical brain process that helps determine working memory performance and intelligence in children.

Raising an exceptional child is no easy feat, especially when 90% of your child’s brain develops before he reaches the age of five. Five years is so short compared to the rest of your child’s life, which is why AlphaMoms— on-the-go moms who have the highest standards— understandably want the best nutrition and education for their AlphaKids—children who have sharp minds and think fast.

One breakthrough ingredient that AlphaMoms need to watch out for is α-lipids (Alpha-Lipids). This ingredient, along with other brain nutrients, is crucial in myelination, the process that promotes faster brain connections.

Faster brain connections

month growth rate made for the biggest share in the segment’s 6.7% overall increase.

For the LCV segment, the Hyundai TUCSON and the Hyundai GRAND STAREX provided the momentum, growing by 33.3% and 11.9%, respectively.

While for the CV segment, the Hyundai HD50S contributed to the segment’s growth with a month-on-month increase of 75% for the said model. Notably, the HD50s which is used in HARI’s power contribution to the government’s PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP), the Class 2 and 3 Modern Jeepneys.

Sales of the HD50s grew by 775.8%, Year-to-Date, which

cushioned the -10.6% dip in year-to-date performance and improved the segment’s performance by 454% from the same period last year.

“HARI’s steady growth mode is a sign of how we, shoulder-to-shoulder with our nationwide dealership fortress, have grown in resilience through our 20-year journey as the Filipino’s lifetime partner in mobility. We are definitely driven to start a new chapter of HARI history, which may be the toughest one yet—recovery on to achieving equilibrium in the Now Normal era. Thanks to the People of Hyundai, we’ll get there,” said HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo.

acquisition are ongoing.

“Ginagawa namin yung geotagging at tinatapos na ang ROW upang mailagay sa tamang ayos at tamang lugar. Ito ay isang proyektong ating itutuloy at we are working on partial operability, hopefully, at the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he said.

In an interview with MRP Project Manager Clipton J. Solamo last year, he said partial operation of Mindanao railway is targeted fourth quarter of 2021, and the full operation of the railway’s first phase — covering Tagum, Davao, and Digos City in Davao del Sur — is seen by the second quarter of 2022.

Rep. Duterte said that affected individuals with health concerns could seek support from the office to avail of medical assistance.

The First Congressional District Office has been providing relief assistance.

counterparts to voluntarily surrender their loose firearms,” he said.

The 6ID covers the province of Maguindanao,

and also portions of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Lanao del Sur provinces.

(PNA)

to the map of countries that have previously hosted the prestigious pageant.

The choice of Israel as the host country once again underscores Israel’s attractiveness, its rich history and the wide variety of spectacular tourist and resort sites that Israel has to offer pageant viewers around the world. An international event of this scale will positively impact awareness and image of Eilat and Israel as a leading tourism destination and a world-renowned international brand.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) is a global community that empowers women to realize their goals through experiences that build self-confidence and create opportunities for success.

The organization’s programs provide the women who participate an international platform to affect positive change through influential humanitarian and professional efforts. The

contestants and titleholders are leaders and role models in their communities, develop personal and professional goals, and inspire others to do the same.

Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov: “We in Israel are delighted to host the 70th anniversary celebrations of the iconic Miss Universe pageant.

Israel is a beautiful land of creativity and innovation and we have successfully faced the COVID-19 crisis head on. Therefore, today we are among the first countries to host an international event – the unifying Miss Universe.

Tourism Ministry Director-General Amir Halevi: “We are proud to host the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Miss Universe pageant in Eilat – a year-round sea and sun resort. We see this event as an opportunity to leverage Eilat and the Negev as an attractive tourism destination.

assist the affected families and their untiring service to the city namely Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Deputy Speaker and First District Representative Paolo Duterte, and Barangay Captain Nestor Cirunay.

“Mayroon po akong utang na loob sa pamilya Duterte, kay Pangulong Duterte, Mayor Inday, Vice

Mayor Baste at Congressman Pulong na walang hinto sa pagseserbisyo sa inyo. Wala ako ngayon kung hindi sa mahal na Pangulo, siya ang aking inspirasyon sa pagseserbisyo. Kaya pakiusap, sana ay suportahan ninyo ang pamilya Duterte sa kung anuman ang kanilang magiging desisyon pagdating ng panahon,” said Go. By Maya M. Padillo

is ironically supported by his arch critics like Leila de Lima and Atty. Romy Macalintal who ran under the Liberal Party),” Roque said.

On July 18, Duterte joked that he would seek the vice presidency to get immunity from lawsuits.

Duterte made the remarks amid the threat of facing criminal charges once his term ends in June next year.

Citing de Lima’s statement on July 7, 2015, Roque said impeachable officials, according to the 1987 Constitution, “shall not be removed from office except by impeachment.”

Roque added that de Lima even stressed that a government official can be subject to criminal proceedings, “so long as they are not removed from office.”

He also took note of Macalintal’s October

15, 2014 statement that the vice president, just like the President and all constitutional officials, is “covered by immunity from suit” and “cannot be charged in court under the normal procedure of trial.”

Roque said Duterte’s claim that becoming vice president can help him evade lawsuits could be an opportunity to “provoke jurisprudence.”

“Bagama’t wala pa pong jurisprudence pagdating sa vice president eh siguro po magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng linaw itong isyung ito kung dadalhin sa Korte Suprema (While there is still no jurisprudence when it comes to the vice president, perhaps, this will be the chance to clarify the issue if it is raised before the Supreme Court),” he said.

“Let this be an opportunity to provoke jurisprudence.”

financial account inside their app,” said Voyager Innovations founder and CEO Orlando Vea. Shailesh Baidwan, PayMaya president meanwhile said the partnership lets Smart subscribers use payments services from “over 250,000 digital touchpoints” all over the country.

PayMaya said its user base doubled to 38 million in just one and half years, as the pandemic pushed more Filipinos to adopt cashless payments and e-commerce boomed.

Last month, Voyager Innovations said it secured $167 million for PayMaya’s expansion into financial services and digital banking.

this year, same as last year, would remain to be primarily sourced domestically at around 75 percent.

The balance would be tapped overseas “depending on the situation in the market”, he said.

“We’re keeping ourselves open to financing from domestic or international sources. And essentially it’s going to be the same amount,” he added.

To date, the government has issued around

PHP150 billion (USD3 billion) worth of dual tranche, 10.5-year and 25-year US dollar-denominated bond; EUR2.1-billion multitranche, 4-year, 12-year, and 20-year global bonds; and JPY55 billion three-year zero-coupon fixed-rate yen-denominated Samurai Dominguez said these borrowings help finance government programs this year, including the procurement of vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

RAILWAY... FROM2

NORCOT... FROM2 FIRST... FROM2

SMART... FROM4

OFFICE... FROM 2 PUNTA... FROM 3

PRRD... FROM 3

DOF... FROM5

= faster thinking Every second, your kid’s brain typically makes more than one million neural connections, allowing brain cells to transmit information efficiently. The faster these links are created, the better it is for your child’s brain development.

Brain connections impact lifelong learning and success. In today’s fast-paced information age, having faster brain connections is even more important as they lead to efficient information processing, which means faster thinking. The process that enables this development is myelination.

During myelination, the nerves in the brain are wrapped with protective coating allowing for faster and more efficient transfer of information.

A well-myelinated brain enables faster brain connections critical for learning. Researchers stress the importance of nutrition

in promoting these brain connections.

You might be wondering how you, as a mom, can enhance these brain processes. This is where α-lipids (Alpha-Lipids) come in. α-lipids (AlphaLipids) contain five major phospholipids needed for brain development. Also known as intelligent fats, Phospholipids support the structure and functions that are important for brain connections. α-Lipids (AlphaLipids) help speed up brain connections up to 100x faster through myelination.

Without the right nutrition, your child’s brain development, as well as physical growth, can be affected. It can impact their learning process and may result in them being less interested in learning.

Enhance your AlphaKid’s brain development with Promil Gold Four

Dr. Miguel D. Fortes, a marine biologist and the first Filipino to receive the International Biwako Prize for Ecology.

An estimated 10% to 15% of the total fisheries in the Philippines come from coral reefs. About 80% to 90% of the income of small island communities come from fisheries. “Coral reef fish yields range from 2025 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” says Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary.

“Wild fish are the world’s most cost-efficient protein source,” points out Atty. Gloria Estenzo Ramos, head of Oceana Philippines.

“They are renewable, lowcarbon, and much cheaper

to produce than chicken, pork, or beef.”

But as coral reefs continue to deteriorate, fish and other marine life cannot be as productive as they were before. “This will have a domino effect,” the International Marinelife Alliance-Philippines warned. “Fishermen will have fewer catches and lower income and there will be less fish and marine products for everyone.”

“We are running out of fish and running out of time. For a country known for its marine biodiversity, there are very few fish left to catch,” deplored Vince Cinches, oceans and political campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia. – (Photo from DOST)

“There was cough, loss of smell, colds, fever, sore throat,” Retuya said, adding that they all stayed at home at that time and the wife did not report for work.

They were brought to a city isolation unit (CIU) on June 26, and swabbed on June 28, the results coming out in the evening.

Five were found positive of COVID-19, with only the daughter found negative, Retuya said. Subsequent testing by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) at the University of the Philippines in Manila showed that the wife, the 14-yearold son, and the two senior citizens were positive of the Delta variant, he added.

But Retuya pointed out that the samples taken from the five-year-old son and the only daughter did not

undergo genome sequencing to test for variants, and so was their father’s. The PGC usually only does random tests for the various COVID-19 variants because of the more rigorous process involved and it has limited capacity.

All five positives in the household were later “certified recovered” from COVID-19 and ordered to go home, but then the Delta variant test result came.

Retuya said they were instead transferred to a Department of Health (DOH) isolation facility, and reswabbed by the DOH. They turned out positive, but the health official said they still have to show the results to infectious disease specialists who will finally decide if they are indeed already recovered or not.

than the previous auction’s 1.3468 when tenders amounted to PHP525.252 billion.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. cited the strong demand for TDF, adding that results of this week’s auction “continue to reflect normal market con-

ditions amid sustained ample liquidity in the financial system.”

“Looking forward, the BSP will remain guided by its assessment of the latest liquidity conditions and market developments for its monetary operations,” he said in a statement. (PNA)

RESTORING... FROM 9

BIRTHDAY... FROM 3

BSP’s... FROM5

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Phoenix guard Matthew Wright drives to the hoop. (PBA Images)

Phoenix suffers 36-point loss to Northport 115-79

N

orthport was bent on bouncing back in a big way from a humiliating loss and it showed when the Batang Pier fashioned 115-79 victory over hapless Phoenix Super LPG Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Making up for lost time caused by a partial ACL tear that kept him out of last year’s Philippine Cup bubble, Robert Bolick notched 20 points and 11 assists as NorthPort bounced back in a big way from a 63-85 loss to Meralco on opening day Friday.

Even Sydney Onwubere, Paolo Taha and Jamie Malonzo also made their mark and made up for the absence of Greg Slaughter, who begged off for the second straight game, and Sean Anthony, nursing a sore left ankle.

Both Bolick, who missed

last year’s Philippine Cup bubble to fully recover from a partially torn ACL, and coach Pido Jarencio said it was about their game finally coming together.

“Sabi nga ni coach Pido, hindi namin kaya kung offense-to-offense lang,” related Bolick, who added seven rebounds while shooting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

“So last couple of practices namin focus namin depensa lang talaga. ‘Yung offense nga namin hindi na namin na-trabaho. Talagang defense focus namin.

Nagkita naman ngayon.”

“Masyadong disap-

wearing face masks.

Teams found violating the protocol will be given warnings, but would be charged with a corresponding technical foul on improper bench decorum when warnings are not heeded.

Seating arrangements on the bench are also now in effect, with players assigned their respective seats through their jersey numbers in a pre-game arrangement given to teams upon arrival on the venue.

Personal belongings of the players such as towel, water bottle, mask, and other game essentials should be placed on the left side of his seat, while warmers, once the player is called to substitute, should also be left on his seat.

For players who have been subbed out, they can proceed to a ‘rest area’ just beside the team bench where they can pause for a breather without a mask. Upon returning to their respective seats, players however, are required to wear back their face mask.

Commissioner Willie Marcial said the new and stricter health protocols applied are part of the league’s incessant effort to improve the safety of players, coaches, and other personnel as the season progresses as well as an aid for close contact tracing.

As it is, four games have so far been moved to another date in accordance with the current health and safety protocols of the PBA.

PBA implements new health measure on team benches

T

HE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) fine-tuned its health protocols just a week into the new season in reasserting its commitment on the safety of the entire league.

New and stricter health security measures on team benches were employed when action in the Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena resumed on Wednesday.

First and foremost, wearing of face mask while sitting and watching on the bench is strictly required, including the coaching staff. Coaches giving out instructions can remove their mask from time to time, but are required to put it back the soonest possible time.

Only those playing on court are exempted from

pointment ‘yung first game namin. Lowest scoring and at the same time (shooting) percentage yata,” said Jarencio.

“Ginawa na lang namin, we fixed one thing, defense.

Actually, nagkaroon kami ng bull session. Nag-usap kami, sa depensa. Nag-concentrate kami talaga on defense. If we make stops then we can get our offense flowing.”

The two ends did meet for the Batang Pier, resulting in the largest winning margin in franchise history with rookie Troy Rike, the No. 11 pick overall in last March’s draft, highlighting

his own 20-point game with four straight triples that powered his team to as much as a 99-65 lead.

The loss was Phoenix’s second in as many outings and more sorry than in its 70-83 defeat to Magnolia last Saturday. Vic Manuel scored a game-high 26 points, but the likes of Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins and Justin Chua came up with sub-par performances.

Wright scored 15 points but made only four of his 15 shots from the field while Perkins and Chua accounted for only a total of 14 points on a combined 5-of-

23 shooting.

In all, Phoenix made just 31 of its 97 shots while missing its first 20 shots from beyond the arc. (PBA) The scores: NorthPort 115 -- Bolick 20, Rike 20, Ferrer 20, Malonzo 15, Onwubere 15, Taha 12, Elorde 6, Faundo 4, Balanza 3, Subido 0, Doliguez 0, Lanete 0, Grey 0.

Phoenix 79 - Manuel 26, Wright 15, Perkins 12, Jazul 8, Garcia 6, Melecio 4, Pascual 2, Demusis 2, Chua 2, Rios 2, Faundo 0, Muyang 0, Calisaan 0, Napoles 0.

Quarters: 22-18, 50-31, 79-51, 115-79

Magnolia forward Calvin Abueva drives strong against Alaska’s Abu Tratter and Rodney Brondial.

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ONE DOWN PH coach to be sent home after positive COVID-19 test

T

Dabawenya boxing hope Nesthy Petecio takes a breather from training after arriving in Tokyo for the 2020 plus 1 Olympics. From Nesthy Petecio FB Page

OKYO – A coach of Team Philippines will be sent home following back-and-forth false positive and negative tests for COVID-19, Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino revealed during a mini conference at the CONRAD Tokyo on Thursday.

The daily tests at the Athletes Village on coaches and players, yielded a false positive test on the said coach, prompting his isolation and a confirmatory test, which turned out to be negative. A third test the following day, however, yielded another false positive on the said coach, who is now running a fever.

“While waiting for another confirmatory test, I have ordered our chef de mission Mariano Araneta to separate him from our team. If the next result is negative, we are sending him home. If he again tests positive, he will be brought to a quarantine hospital,” said Tolentino.

Armed with two negative RT-PCR tests, the coach passed the rigid screening at the Narita airport.

“The coach must have gotten it on the plane or at the airport, during the incubation

period kaya hindi lumabas sa tests noong una,” said Tolentino.

“To further mitigate the risks to the Philippine team, we have decided to separate the coach from the delegation,” said POC Secretary-General Edwin Gastanes.

Tolentino, however, sees little impact this will bring to the Team Philippines here.

“Maybe, to the national sports association involved, apektado sila kasi nawalan sila ng coach, but to the rest of the Team Philippines, I don’t see their morale going down because of this. Everyone is in high spirits and raring to go to battle for the country,” said Tolentino.

It was not immediately known if the persons the coach have been in close contact with, will be isolated, too, although they have yielded negative results for COVID-19 infection