Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 123 | Friday, August 6, 2021

MOUNT MAYON SOILS HAVE BACTERIA WITH POTENTIAL ANTIBIOTIC, ANTICANCER PROPERTIES BIGGER PICTURE P9

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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VOL.14 ISSUE 123 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 06. 2021

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Mayor Sara likely to run as an independent candidate in 2022: HNP STORY ON PAGE 2

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio buys her favorite snack, lumpia and empanada, at a stall outside City Hall in Davao City. The number of individuals and organizations, local and abroad, that are calling for Mayor Sara to run for president in the 2022 national polls is growing. Photo courtesy of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte FB page

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 123 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 06, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte shows a gesture of respect upon his arrival to attend the joint Armed Forces of the Philippines-Philippine National Police command conference at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Dayanghirang thanks NCRPO for running after scammers

Mayor Sara likely to run as an independent bet in 2022: HNP

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) secretary-generalandspokesperson Anthony del Rosario disclosed to Edge Davao that it is likely that Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will run as an independent candidate in the 2022 national polls.

“Mayor Sara may run as independent in the 2022 elections and ang rason niyan ay nagsabi na po si Mayor Sara that she will not join any national party and

she remain to be member of HNP, which is regional party,” del Rosario said.

He also said that among the provisions under HNP is members are not allowed to

use the said regional party when running for any national positions like President.

“As we know pag regional party hindi puwedeng gamitin ang regional party na tumakbo ng national position like President. Alam ni Mayor Sara yun and that is why despite the fact that she understands the consequences of being a member of HNP regional party its just

Mt. Apo to be closed to trekkers for 3 months each year starting 2022

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he annual three-month off-season at the Mt. Apo Natural Park will be fully enforced starting 2022, with simultaneous closure of trails in Regions 11 and 12 from June to August, to allow its flora and fauna to spawn in an “undisturbed space and time.”

The measure is contained in Resolution No. 06 of the Mt. Apo Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) en banc passed on July 28.

The resolution say the regular off-season will facilitate rehabilitation, improvement of public services, disaster risk prevention, biodiversity preservation, and strengthening of law enforcement mechanisms.

It came more than four years after a forest fire that lasted for over two weeks engulfed the peak of Mt. Apo. All trekking activities will be prohibited during the off-season.

The PAMB is the policy-

making body of every protected area. As provided for in the National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS) Act, it is chaired by the regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

In a statement released on Tuesday, the DENRDavao said the off-season was initially implemented covering the trails in Davao Region last July and will end in September. Beginning next year, it will be enforced

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follows that in all likelihood Mayor Sara will run as an independent candidate,” he said.

It can be recalled that Mayor Sara made earlier pronouncement that she has no plans of joining a national political party and will remain with HNP and Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod.

“I have no plans of joining a national political par-

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law further expanding the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts to address the delay in the disposition of cases due to overloading of cases assigned per judge.

Republic Act (RA) 11576 amends Section 19 of the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 or the Batas

avao City Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang lauded Police Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr., chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), for running after members of a scammers group using the name of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in their illegal moneymaking activities.

Dayanghirang made the statement praising the NCRPO command, as chairman of the Philippine Councilors League and active co-convenor of the Sara All Philippines 2022 National Coordinating Council.

He said NCRPO chief Danao and his men are making a breakthrough in their investigation into the scammers group’s activities after the same were reported

by Police Col. Kirby John B. Kraft, Davao City Police Director, to Major Gen. Danao.

The moneymaking scheme mainly consisted of

approaching wealthy individuals and business establishments asking for contributions supposedly for the campaign funds of Mayor Sara in the 2022 presidential elections in exchange of future government contracts and other favors.

Aftrer some weeks of investigation, NCRPO probers were able to establish the identities of syndicate members and built a list of more than 200 targetted victims.

A cellular number of a lawyer in city hall was being used by syndicate members in contacting targeted victims, mostly contractors and suppliers in the Davao area, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tagum, Quezon City, Negros Oriental, Cabannatuan City, Tarlac. Pangasinan, Leyte and Baguio.

The breakthrough in the investigation reportedly came when a member of the syndicate surrendered to

Pambansa Bldg. 129.

One of the amendments included in the law is the increase in the jurisdictional amount under the regional trial courts (RTCs) in all civil actions involving the title to, or possession of, real property from PHP20,000 (PHP50,000 in Metro Manila) to PHP400,000.

The RTCs shall also have jurisdictional supervision “in all matters of probate, both testate and intestate,

where the gross value of the estate exceeds PHP2 million” from PHP100,000 to PHP200,000.

RA 11576 further delegates to the Supreme Court (SC) the power to further increase or decrease the jurisdictional threshold of the first and second level courts in line with the SC’s power of administrative supervision over all courts.

“The Supreme Court, un-

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NEWS

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Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) secretary general Anthony del Rosario says despite a recent survey showing the preference for a Duterte-Duterte tandem at the helm of the national leadership in 2022, both the regional party and its prospective Presidential candidate, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, are“not interested”in partnering up with President Rodrigo Duterte, in the 2022 presidential and vice-presidential elections. Edge Davao

Raps filed vs. rebels who burned equipment in Surigao del Norte

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riminal charges have been filed against 10 communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels who were responsible for the burning and destruction of heavy equipment at a mining site in Surigao del Norte.

In a statement Thursday, Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr., the director of Police Regional Office in Caraga (PRO-13) said cases of arson and violation of Republic Act No. 9851 (Crimes against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide and other Crimes against Humanity) were filed before the provincial prosecutor in Surigao del Norte.

Caramat said the cases were filed last Aug. 3 against the rebels who torched and destroyed a total of six backhoes last July 15 in Claver town. The damage amount to PHP50

million.

The heavy equipment belonged to Konstruct Development Inc., a contractor of Platinum Groups of Metals Corporation operating in Claver.

Caramat said the rebels facing criminal charges were identified as alias “Edroy”, “Leon”, “Jacob”, “Menchie”, “Cloud”, “James”, “Beboy”, “Alex”, “Rifle”, and “Ma” who all belong to Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda 16C of Guerrilla Front 16C1 of the North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee.

“We also included in the filing of cases all other members of SYP 16C of GF-16C1 of NEMRC of the NPA,” Caramat said.

Caramat thanked the residents for their support and cooperation during the probe.

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DAP, Tagum ink skills training partnership

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caling up education services during this time of pandemic, the Alternative Learning System - Education and Skills Training (ALS-EST) program of the Department of Education through the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) joined forces with the City GovernmentofTagumforthe intensified implementation of the said program in Tagum City, which is now dubbed as Project EMWYS (Empowering Men, Women,

Youth and Senior Citizen).

Sealing the partnership via a virtual signing ceremony last August 2, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) encloses a funding with a total of Php 4,724,300.00 donated to the LGU Tagum, targeting a total of 150 Tagumenyo enrollees for school year 2021-2022.

Learners will undergo 10 months of Basic Secondary Education under the Alternative Learning System of DepEd Tagum City Division,

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City online Kadayawan festival opens Aug. 20

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ith Davao City under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions status and under the threat of Delta variant of Covid-19, the city government of Davao will once again celebrate this year’s Kadayawan sa Davao on digital platform beginning August 20, 2021.

“Last year, we are hoping na maging hybrid ang ating event for Kadayawan but with our present community quarantine status and yung threat of Delta variant we have to do online again,” said Generose Tecson, head

of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO).

The online celebration, which will run until Aug. 22, will be highlighted with events that include “Tunog Kadayawan,” “Tribu Kadayawan,” and “Sayaw Kaday-

awan”.

On the last day (Aug.22), the city will feature the 11 tribes via Tribes’ Day, which will highlight the different culture and food of the tribes. There will be “Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan,” “Habi Kadayawan” and “Pahalipay” also.

The “Kadayawan” team also introduced ‘Duri’, the Kadayawan digicot (digital mascot), that will tell stories and fun facts about Kadayawan Festival, Davao City and its rich culture.

Meanwhile, Tecson also said that tourism related es-

tablishments are allowed to do promotions within their jurisdictions.

“There is no tourism around and what we have right now are all local tourists going around the region, yun lang ang puwede sa atin.

Kung meron man silang mga promotions na gagawin they have to do it based on the guidelines. If they are staycation hotels, they can do staycation but most of the staycation hotels are also multi-use facilities. Yes, they are allowed to conduct Kadayawan promos within their jurisdictions,” she said.

and tasks that include to continue to express full support for Mayor Sara.

“The number is growing everyday. Just recently, the Karancho Motorcycles Association manifested their support nationwide. The group of Philippine National Police (PNP) and retirees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines also manifested their support to Mayor Sara,” said Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, a staunch Duterte ally and co-conve-

nor for “Sara All Philippines 2022,” told Edge Davao.

Meanwhile, Peter Lavina, former spokesperson of President Duterte in 2016 elections and former Davao City councilor, posted on social media that there are 677 different grassroots groups in Davao City and 107 abroad and counting are with “Sara All Philippines 2022”.

In its unity statement shared by Dayanghirang, the “Sara All Philippines 2022” affirmed to remain steadfast

in their belief that only Mayor Sara Duterte can continue and intensify the reforms started by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The “Sara All Philippines 2022” shall issue from time-to-time guidelines and plans of joint activities to be agreed upon by consensus.

It is up to the various organizations to implement these within their organizations, their territories and spheres of influence. By Maya M. Padillo

Clamor for Mayor Sara to run for president growing: Dayanghirang

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ouncilor Danilo Dayanghirang said the number of individuals and organizations, here and abroad, calling for Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for president in the 2022 national polls is growing.

This after various local and overseas groups manifested their support to Mayor Sara by forming “Sara All Philippines 2022” as the broad coalition for efficient coordination to attain commonly-shared objectives

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Workers install a tower of a telecom firm in Barangay Dumoy, Talomo, Davao City on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. MindaNews photo by GREGORIO BUENO

Coco levy trust fund ‘powerful instrument’ to support farmers I

AIA-Philam releases P375-B COVID-19-related claims

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Dominguez said while several measures have been implemented in the past to address the impact of the steady drop in the prices of copra and coconut oil, “there is perhaps no greater reform accomplished other

than the enactment of the Coco Levy Trust Fund Law this year.”

Republic Act (RA) No. 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act was signed into law by President Rodrigo

Duterte in February, marking the fulfillment of his promise to return the coco levy funds to their true and rightful owners --the coconut farmers.

With the coconut industry facing challenging times as a result of the continuing decline in copra and coconut oil prices, Dominguez said the government and other stakeholders should act swiftly and decisively now to create competitive businesses around the industry and ensure their sustainability for the livelihood of the

total of 96 Filipino certified public accountants from different parts of the Philippines were conferred the title “ASEAN Chartered Professional Accountant” and took their oath before Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Chairman, Teofilo S. Pilando, Jr. during a formal ceremony on July 31, 2021 hosted by the PRC Board of

Accountancy (BOA) in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).

The ceremony was originally scheduled in March 2020 at the Manila Hotel, Makati, Philippines. Unfortunately, it was canceled due to the pandemic.

Through the efforts of BOA and the support of PICPA National Office, PICPA

Cebu and PRC International Affairs Office, the ceremony was made part of the 2nd ASEAN CPA Conference virtually held on July 30-31, 2021 with Cebu City, Philippines as the host. The 1st ASEAN CPA Conference was held in Bali, Indonesia in October 2019.

The 2nd ASEAN CPA Conference with the “Theme: Forging Alliances.

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has said the coco levy trust fund is a “powerful instrument” that will reinvent the coconut industry and ensure support for farmers amid the continuing decline of copra prices in the global market.

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country’s coconut farmers.

“With the Coco Levy Trust Fund Law in place, we now have a powerful instrument to revitalize and reinvent the coconut industry and support our coconut farmers,” Dominguez, a former Agriculture secretary, said in his message at the virtual Coconut Investment Forum held Wednesday.

The event marked the celebration of the 35th National Coconut Week organized by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)

Strengthening Links” is a vast gathering of Certified Public Accountants from all over the ASEAN Region. It will afford them the benefits of free flow of services in the Region.

There are about 5,300 ASEAN professional accountants to-date including the newly- conferred Filipino ASEAN CPAs, three of whom

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nsurance claims related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have reached about PHP375 billion so far for AIA-Philam Life.

In a virtual briefing on Wednesday, AIA Philam Life chief marketing officer Leo Tan said the amount was released from March 2020 until July of this year and includes those released by its bancassurance partnership with Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), BPI-Philam, and with that of Citi.

“These are both hospitalization and death claims, but more on hospitaliza-

tion,” he said.

To further help more clients, Tan said they have included starting this year an accommodation feature in their medical plan intended for those who are experiencing side effects from Covid-19 vaccines.

“This is also our way of helping the government in achieving herd immunity because that’s quite important with all the vaccination programs that are rolling out in the respective LGUs (local government units),” he said.

Tan said they intend to be part of the government’s

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PH to get billions of dollars worth of SDRs under new IMF allocation

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he Philippines is set to receive billions of dollars worth of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as approved by the Board of Governors earlier this week.

The IMF on August 2 approved a general allocation of $650 billion which will be credited to IMF member

countries in proportion to their existing quotas in the fund.

According to IMF Managing Director Kristaline Geogieva, the latest SDR allocation is the largest in the history of the IMF, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The SDR allocation will benefit all members, ad-

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ECONOMY 5

Pedestrians walk by a pile of durian fruit at Magsaysay fruit stand along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

Huawei to invest US$100-M in Asia Pacific startup ecosystem

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uawei announced on Tuesday its plan to invest USD100 million in startup support at the inaugural Huawei Cloud Spark Founders Summit, which took place simultaneously in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Huawei said the investment would go towards its Spark Program in the Asia Pacific region, which aims to build a sustainable startup ecosystem for the region over the next three years.

Huawei has been helping Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand build their startup hubs.

At the summit, Huawei also announced that this program would focus its efforts on developing four additional startup hubs -- in Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam -- with the overarching aim of recruiting a total of 1,000 startups into the Spark accelerator program and shaping 100 of them into scale-ups.

Also at this summit, Huawei launched its Cloud-plusCloud Collaboration and Joint Innovation Program, to further ramp up its support for startups around the world.

Huawei will devote ongoing efforts and leverage its complete business portfolio in the cloud-plus-cloud collaboration space to foster technological innovation, global and local services, and business ecosystems, accelerating the growth of startups.

The summit was attended by representatives from many prominent Asian startups, academia, various industries and governments, and the media, as well as more than 50 regional top venture capitalists

and over 300 startup founders. Speeches and panels at the event focused on the social value of this startup ecosystem and how startups can promote technological and ecosystem innovation, to contribute to local communities and drive socioeconomic development.

Three additional initiatives under the Asia Pacific Spark Program were launched by Huawei at the event: The Spark Developer Program, which aims to nurture a developer ecosystem powered by Huawei Cloud in the Asia Pacific region; the Spark Pitstop Program, designed to onboard and support startups on Huawei Cloud to accelerate product development; and the Spark Innovation Program (SIP), focused on facilitating enterprise innovation through the Spark startup ecosystem.

Huawei Senior Vice President and Board Member Catherine Chen opened the summit by emphasizing how important startups are to social advancement and what Huawei is doing to support startups: “Startups and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) are the innovators, disruptors, and pioneers of our times. Thirty four years ago, Huawei was a startup with just USD5,000 of registered capital. Recently, we have been thinking: How can we leverage our experience and resources to help more startups address their challenges? Doing so would allow them to seize the opportunities posed by digital transformation, achieve business success, and develop more innovative products and solutions for the world.”

Inflation eases to 4% in July

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nflation eased further in July to its lowest level in 7 months mainly due to the slower transport price movement, the state statistics bureau said Thursday.

The consumer price index rose 4 percent in July, compared to the 4.1 percent inflation in June, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

The July inflation is within the top band of the government’s 2 to 4 percent target range and also within the Bangko Sentral

ng Pilipinas forecast of 3.9 to 4.7 percent.

Non-monetary measures meant to ease supply constraints are crucial in tempering inflation pressures, BSP Gov. Benjamin Diokno said in a statement.

“The latest outturn is consistent with the BSP’s assessment that inflation could

settle close to the high end of the target range of 2.0 to 4.0 percent over the near term before decelerating back to within the target by end of the year as the impact of government supply-side measures take effect,” he said.

Diokno said inflation is expected to “remain firmly” within the midpoint of the target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2022 to 2023.

The outlook, moving forward, remained broadly balanced but the new COVID-19 Delta variant, as well as re-

he time to be rushing to fall in line and waiting to be able to pay your bill is now behind us. GCash, the country’s leading mobile wallet, has made it possible for its users to easily pay online in just a few taps through their mobile devices.

Even better, GCash has now expanded its network to more than 600 partner billers nationwide, giving users easy access to more utilities, government, loan

payments, insurance, real estate, and even school payment transactions. The e-wallet leader shared that it continues to establish partnerships and expand its network to deliver convenience to its users while supporting MSMEs and companies in their businesses during these challenging times.

“With the expansion of our biller network, we are enabling more Filipinos to have access to convenient

financial services such as paying for their essentials, utilities, credit cards, insurance telecoms, transportation, and a lot more. Our goal is to continuously add to the pool of billers, and be able to cover more needs of our users,” said Martha Sazon, GCash President and Chief Executive Officer.

Currently, GCash is in partnership with a number of key billers that many Filipinos are availing of their services such as Meralco,

strictions to curb its spread, could pose downside risks to demand and inflation, he said.

“On the other hand, the emergence of new coronavirus variants and delays in easing lockdown measures are seen to pose downside risks to both demand and inflation,” Diokno said.

The central bank chief earlier said the monetary board would keep its policy stance “accommodative” as long as necessary to support the economy.

Meralco Kuryente Load, Maynilad, and Manila Water. GCash also covers electronic payments for telecommunications billers, such as Globe Postpaid, and government billers namely Pag-IBIG, BIR, NBI and SSS-PRN. With the growing demand, the app has now added to their list of billers for different categories. For loans specifically, GCash includes AppendPay, Bil-

GCash announces expansion to 600 billers nationwide T

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DAVAO 6 EDGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On running in next year’s national elections:

Sa pagiging isang Pangulo at Pangalawang Pangulo, it’s all destiny.

Kung para sa iyo, para sa iyo talaga ‘yan. Kung hindi para sayo, hindi talaga para sayo ‘yan. At kung sino po ‘yung kailangan ng mga Pilipino sa panahong iyon.”

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL Promises vs reality Dabawenya Olympic silver nedalist Nesthy Petecio stands to receive at least P17 million in cash incentives and some properties pledged by sponsors.

She is also aware of what happened to Onyok Velasco, who won an Olympic silver in 1996 in men’s boxing. Onyok did not receive all the pledges for his smashing silver medal triumph in a finals he narrowly missed gold with a controversial loss to Bulgaria’s Daniel Petrov Bujilov.

Nesthy, who hails from Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, prays it won’t happen to her.

Already, some real estate companies have pledged for a house and lot package for Nesthy even before she went up against her Japanese rival in the finals.

Now, it’s time for the fulfillment of the promises.

Expectations versus reality.

The 29-year-old Petecio admitted the first order of business

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Petecio said in a press conference the day after the finals: “Siguraduhin ko muna ‘yung mga pinangako po. Baka po magaya tayo kay Onyok Velasco.”

President Rodrigo Duterte is looking into Onyok Velasco claim of undelivered incentive twenty-five years after Velasco’s campaign. Despite losing in the final, the Davaoeña boxer considers the medal as already a gold especially after she became the first female boxer to win a medal for the Philippines.

Aside from the P17 million that is expected to be received by Petecio from the Philippine Sports Commission, MVP Sports Foundation, Ramon Ang, and Mikee Romero, the boxer has already received pledges in the tune of different properties such as a houseand-lot and a condominium.

We are hoping that Nesthy will not suffer the same fate as Velasco and that companies do not just take a free ride of her achievement.

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

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

when she returns back to Manila is to make sure that the incentives pledged by several groups will be realized.

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!

WHY BREASTFEEDING IS NECESSARY Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond offer a powerful line of defense against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting and obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In this time of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic, mother’s milk provides protection against some viruses and bacteria. As the two UN agencies put it: “Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses.”

While there has been progress in breastfeeding rates in the last four decades – with a 50% increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding globally – the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the fragility of those gains, said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore and WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a joint statement.

“In many countries, the pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition,” said the two UN heads

during the commemoration of World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated every August 1-7.

“Several countries have reported that producers of baby foods have compounded these risks by invoking unfounded fears that breastfeeding can transmit COVID-19 and marketing their products as a safer alternative to breastfeeding,” deplored the two UN officials.

This year’s theme is: “Protecting Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.” “(It) is a time to revisit the commitments made at the start of this year by prioritizing breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies,” the two UN chiefs pointed out in their joint statement.

The commitments include the following: • Ensuring the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes – established to protect mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry – is fully implemented by governments, health workers and industry; • Ensuring health care workers have the resources and information they need to effectively support mothers to breastfeed, including through global efforts such as the Baby-friendly Hospi-

tal Initiative, and guidelines on breastfeeding counselling; and • Ensuring employers allow women the time and space they need to breastfeed; including paid parental leave with longer maternity leave; safe places for breastfeeding in the workplace; access to affordable and good-quality childcare; and universal child benefits and adequate wages.

Breastmilk saves children’s lives as it provides antibodies that give babies a healthy boost and protect them against many childhood illnesses. After all, breastmilk, the UN health agency explains, is more than a simple collection of nutrients. It contains all the essential nutrients like protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars, in exact proportion. It meets the needs of the growing infant at every stage.

“Early and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life reduces child mortality and has health benefits that extend into adulthood,” explains the Healthy Newborn Network (HNN).

“Breastfeeding benefits not only the child but the mother and family also, as it is free of cost and reduces the risk of infection in newborns, enhances neurodevelopment, and reduces the risk of acquiring certain non-communi-

cable illnesses in adulthood,” HNN adds.

The HNN says that breastmilk substitutes and animal milk (from cattle, carabao, and goats) not only lack essential immune-building components, they also expose the infant to an increased risk of infection and morbidity.

Dr. Hiroshi Nakajima, former WHO director-general, described breast milk in these words: “The sole truly universal food for the entire human species.”

Dr. Nakajima said breast milk, until recently, has served as “a vital link for nutrition and survival across the entire span of human existence, nurturing the newborn, the infant, and the young child during the most vulnerable years, all the while providing a powerful source of protection from infectious disease.”

Breast milk, the United Nations health agency explains, is more than a simple collection of nutrients. For thousands of years, in all continents, babies have been breastfed for a simple reason: mother’s milk is natural.

“Mother’s milk is a living substance of great biological complexity that not only provides unique protection against disease, but also stimulates the baby’s own immune system,” the WHO points out.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, after which “infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.”

The good thing is that a lot of famous women breastfeed their children. Take the case of Hollywood actress Jessica Alba. “I breastfed as long as I could, but not as long as I wanted,” she wrote in her book, The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You (2013). “I had to get back to work, and I wasn’t able to keep it going.

But I am proud to say I did the best for my daughters and I’m proud of all my mom friends for doing the best they can on this issue.”

Other celebrities who breastfeed include Adele, Christina Aguilera, Kate Beckinsale, Beyonce, Selma Blair, Kristen Bell, Halle Berry, Lauren Conrad, Penelope Cruz, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Garner, Hayek, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie, Rachel McAdams, Alyssa Milano, Alanis Morissette, Kourtney Kardashian, Mila Kunis, Gwyneth Paltrow, Whitney Port, Kelly Rowland, Zoe Saldana, Amy Schumer, Katherine Scwarzenegger, Alicia Silverstone, Gwen Stefani, Chrissy Teigen, Liv Tyler, Kate Upton, Naomi Watts and Olivia Wilde.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

LITTLE SPANISH BARRIO OF DARONG Named after the surgeon fish (Acanthurus bleekeri), barangay Darong (alternate name for labahita or indangan), originally a Moro settlement, is more known today due to its hosting of a modern San Miguel Brewery, inaugurated on September 29, 1994, the feast of Saint Michael.

But the village was also home to numerous Spanish expatriates during the American occupation.

One of the landowners was Manuel Gutierrez, who had a sprawling 1,600-hectare hacienda that was home to roughly 900 heads of Brahman cattle. The property was reduced by a tenth when it was sold in 1959 to the family of Luis Nuere. The old Hacienda Gutierrez extended from Darong to the townsite of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. The area is now owned by David Consunji, the billionaire-owner of South Davao Development Co., Inc. (SODACO).

Up to 1930, Darong was a typical barrio preferred by Spaniards due to its anchorage. The pioneers in the area included the Echevarria, Matute, Sainz, Palacios, and Ovida families, to name a few. In fact, commercial steamers from Spain used to dock at the area, bringing authentic Hispanic articles, commodities, and other supplies until

the pre-Commonwealth period.

In 1941, the Darong property was taken over by the Japanese military administration. Because the Gutierrezes were friends of Gen. Fujimora, the Japanese officer with jurisdiction over the area, the farm management remained with the landowners. For some time, the ranch was a source of food of the Japanese soldiers who were allowed to slaughter cattle for consumption but were prohibited from selling them.

The lands of the Gutierrezes later expanded. Restituto, brother of Manuel and Domingo, bought the land stretching from Matina Crossing up to the coastal areas of Matina Aplaya after the war. Some of the lands are now known as GSIS Heights, Santo Niño, and Pangi.

Restituto died in 1926 after refusing to have his leg amputated due to gangrene, while Manuel, owner of the Matina estate, also bought properties in Toril and Sibulan. Domingo married Restituto’s widow and bore two children. Restituto had seven sons by her.

In archival records dating back to the first decade of the 20th century, certain incidents involving Darong found their way in official narratives. In the 1904 bulletin of the Weather Bureau, a report de-

scribed a kind of hog cholera that hit the place: “En Darong, sin embargo, se ha presentado una epidemia que mata un 50 por ciento de cerdos.” (In Darong, however, a disease has appeared which carried off 50 per cent of the swine.) By this time, the old barrio had a population of 108 people, according to the official census.

A year earlier, an observer came out with an account reporting that a merchant of the ‘town of Darong’, Don Manuel Sanchez wrote of farmers preparing lands for the opening of new abaca plantations, a reason why there were no timbers that were cut. With wax collecting getting a poor price, the natives were drawn to planting Manila hemp and processing them for fiber.

A report published in The Philippine Agricultural Review (1908) also expressed the sentiment of early settlers of the potential of Darong and other places adjacent to it, especially the town of Davao, where commerce was brisk and trading was healthy: “The prevailing spirit among the pioneers who have cast their lot with the fortunes of Davao has been one of optimism and enthusiasm.

The development of this district has in reality just begun. What is

now needed is larger capital to adequately develop the resources of the district.

“Davao district offers to the newcomer a just and stable government, conditions of peace and order, unoccupied Government land rich with the accumulated fertility of the ages, fair transportation facilities, American neighbors (the benefit of whose experience in plantation work may be had for the asking), a climate free from many of the annoyances found in other parts of the Philippines, a section in which cholera, surra, and rinderpest have never made their appearance, and a community whose intelligent cooperation will tend to perpetuate existing favorable conditions, thus insuring a high quality of product and a good market price.”

Mabel Cook Cole, in Savage Gentlemen (1929), told of a personal experience that brought her to Darong to meet Dato Tongkaling, headman of the Bagobo. From there they hiked uphill and reached the home of the chieftain just as dusk was setting. She was ushered into the warrior’s room, which had interesting objects. She wrote: “It was one vast room, capable of holding two hundred or more persons. There was but one door

and no windows save a few peep holes. The long low walls were hung with scores of copper gongs, drums, ancient Chinese jars, looms, shields, spears, and clothing heavily beaded. Hanging altars held offerings for the spirits. In an imposing position near the center of the room stood the two decorated poles around which the warriors relate their brave deeds after a human sacrifice. Torchlight glittered on burnished copper and shone on polished steel.”

Though the datu was known to have eaten the hearts and livers of the tribe’s slain enemies, Cole’s stay, which was courteous, was embellished with memorable sights of women sewing beaded baskets, and embroidering beaded articles of clothing while the men, fit and ready for war, told stories, answered questions, and played a bamboo guitar.

The old Darong lands have since changed hands many times.

The Zobels, with the support of San Miguel Corporation (SMC), succeeded in negotiating with the local government of Santa Cruz to declare thirty-four (34) hectares of the property once owned by the Palacios family and the twenty-six (26) hectares earlier acquired by the SMC, into an industrial estate.

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LIVING

FASTER MERCHANT DELIVERIES ON ESTORE VIA RUSH AND GRABEXPRESS

MORE customers rely on eCommerce platforms for their daily needs. RUSH, Globe’s 917Ventures loyalty and e-commerce solutions provider, understands the importance of logistics in the success of a brand’s digital store.

It has partnered with GrabExpress, one of the country’s leading ondemand logistics platform, to make it faster and easier for merchant partners to fulfill orders and ensure customer satisfaction.

RUSH’s eStore enables merchant partners to do more than just selling and engaging customers. It also looks for proactive solutions to improve operational processes, including logistics.

This partnership means that GrabExpress is now integrated in the RUSH eStore platform so businesses can easily book a delivery-partner, meet orders, and even do cash on delivery (COD) which is still the most preferred mode of payment in the Philippines.

“At RUSH, we understand how the last mile delivery experience can highly affect one’s repeat purchase behavior.

Logistics is not just a nice-tohave, but a must for businesses going digital. Our partnership with Grab is a testament to our commitment of ensuring that our merchant partners meet their on-demand orders and keep their customers happy,” said Paolo Castaneda, RUSH Chief Operating Officer.

Last-mile logistics or deliv-

ery refers to the final step of the delivery process from a distribution facility to the end customer. Efficient last-mile deliveries allow merchant partners to get products to consumers in a more cost-effective manner.

While having in-house logistics seems ideal, it can be difficult to scale with large volumes of orders. For businesses, tapping third-party logistics would be the most reasonable expense to handle deliveries.

One of the more popular features of the RUSH eStore is that it gives the ability to merchant partners to expand or reduce their kilometer radius coverage with just one click. This allows businesses to reach more customers and gauge their distance, giving merchants control over coverage and delivery pricing. The partnership amplifies this important feature since

Grab has the widest reach in Metro Manila and key cities all over the country.

“RUSH remains steadfast in helping businesses enter the eCommerce field easily by providing the best-in-class technology and impactful synergies, at a fair price point against the market. With Grab

on the RUSH eStore, we are making it seamless for our merchant partners to manage last-mile delivery,” RUSH CEO Stephanie Kubota said.

For its part, Grab is very excited to have many Filipinos unlock the range of benefits that its partnership with RUSH has to offer as this partnership

ladders up to Grab’s broader commitment of livelihood opportunities for businesses and delivery-partners, while offering everyday value and convenience to many consumers.

“With the pandemic further accelerating many businesses to digitalize and unlock the many unique benefits of leveraging on-demand delivery platforms, GrabExpress continues to be a reliable partner to many businesses, and we share their goals of not only helping them grow their businesses, but leveraging our platform to help them better reach and serve their consumers. Our partnership with RUSH is a clear expression of our long-term commitment to supporting the growth of many businesses, while providing meaningful livelihood opportunities to many deliverypartners. We are grateful for the trust and the opportunity to work alongside RUSH in this meaningful endeavor and we look forward to continuously supporting many Filipinos towards the recovery of our community and our economy,” said Head of GrabExpress Philippines Jacqueline Maye Lim. Currently, RUSH serves some of the country’s biggest brands, including Globe, Unilever, The Bistro Group, and Generika. It also enables small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow their presence in the digital space by providing customized and easy-to-use programs. Its white-label apps and services are utilized by over 100 companies with 27 million registered users.

To learn more about RUSH, visit https://www.rush.com.ph/.

LOCAL AND GLOBAL ARTISTS TO ROCK THE MYX AWARDS 2021

The MYX Awards 2021 is another history in the making as the virtual music awards night, happening this Saturday (August 7) at 8 pm, will feature stunning performances from today’s hottest local and international artists.

Filipino talents Ben&Ben, BGYO, Ebe Dancel, Inigo Pascual, Kiana V, Leanne & Naara, Maris Racal, Nameless Kids, Rico Blanco, Zild, and SB19 are expected to bring the house down with their special numbers on the virtual stage. There will also be a special performance courtesy of

KZ Tandingan, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua, Noel Cabangon, and Yeng Constantino.

Foreign acts LANY, AJ Mitchell, Alec Benjamin, Clinton Kane,

Jack Kays, James TW, Joel Corry, John K, JP Saxe, Lukas Graham, MAX, Maximillian, New Hope Club, Ritt Momney, T1419, Tom Grennan, Valley, Pink Sweat$, and

Ed Sheeran will be entertaining viewers with their latest sound.

Edward Barber will be hosting the grand musical event together with MYX VJs Ai dela Cruz and Samm Alvero live on MYX Global’s accounts on Facebook, kumu, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube.

Also joining the show are Luis Manzano, Gerald Anderson, James Reid, Maymay Entrata, Kyle Echarri, and Ogie Alcasid, plus other surprise celebrities as presenters of the awards.

The highly anticipated MYX Awards will once again recognize Filipino music fans’ favorite artists and music videos, based on fan

votes (60%) and artist poll (40%).

The annual occasion will also honor this year’s MYX Magna awardee.

For the first time, the event will also give out the special award Kumu Music Streamer of the Year for the most popular music streamer on Pinoy community app kumu.

Don’t miss the #MYXAwards2021 happening on August 7 (Saturday) live on MYX Global’s social media accounts. It will also have a television premiere on August 14 (Sunday) on MYX via SKYcable ch. 23 and Cignal ch 150.

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BIGGER PICTURE

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MOUNT MAYON SOILS HAVE BACTERIA WITH POTENTIAL ANTIBIOTIC, ANTICANCER PROPERTIES

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO courtesy of DOST

W

hile testing samples of soils from his own backyard in Iloilo in 1949, Dr. Abelardo B. Aguilar isolated a new strain of bacteria.

He sent soil samples for testing to an American firm, Eli Lilly and Company, where he worked as a medical representative.

John H. Blair, then Far East District Manager to all Eli Lilly medical representatives, announced that the results of the tests showed the soil samples sent by Dr. Aguilar was a “source of a new antibiotic.”

In a memorandum dated June 28, 1952, Blair wrote: “Preliminary tests and clinical trials establish this antibiotic to be as effective as penicillin-like products without allergic manifestations and gastrointestinal side effects common to some other antibiotics. Oral administration is effective in one hour and the drug is detectable in the bloodstream for eight

hours.”

Generically called erythromycin, the pharmaceutical company called the broad-spectrum antibiotic Ilosene in referral to Iloilo where it was discovered.

Now, 71 years after the discovery of a new strain of Streptomyces in Iloilo, another bacterium in the soils of the Philippines was discovered which has potential antibiotic and anticancer properties.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have identified a specific bacterial species from the soils of Mount Mayon that has shown potential antibiotic

and anti-colorectal cancer activities.

“This specific bacterial isolate, identified as Streptomyces sp. A1-08, has shown antibiotic activity against numerous potentially pathogenic microorganisms and anti-colorectal cancer potential,” reports David Matthew C. Gopilan, of the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII).

“We were totally surprised and excited,” replied Kristel Mae P. Oliveros, the project leader and an assistant professor in UPLB Microbiology Division, when asked how they felt upon finding out the results of their experiments.

“We have high hopes of getting new and novel species because this is a less explored environment, a volcano,” Oliveros said.

The discovery of the new bacteria is discussed in a paper recently accepted by the Philippine Journal of Science (PJS), a peer-reviewed publication of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The isolated soil samples were taken from Mount Mayon in Malilipot, Albay.

Mount Mayon, an active stratovolcano, is a popular tourist spot renowned for its “perfect cone” because of its symmetric conical shape.

Once the researchers have confirmed that Streptomyces sp. A1-08 is a new species, they will name it “Streptomyces mayonensis A1-08” in honor of the volcano where it was discovered.

That’s according to Albert Remus R. Rosana, a current PhD student at the University of Alberta, Canada, who is Oliveros’ coworker.

Joining Rosana and Oliveros in their groundbreaking work are Andrew D. Montecillo, Dr. Rina B. Opulencia, Arian J. Jacildo, Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo, and the late Dr. Teofila O. Zulaybar, who are all from UPLB. Initially, the researchers have isolated 30 bacterial species from Mt. Mayon’s volcanic soils. Thirteen of them have shown varying antibiotic activities in different test organisms that were known as pathogenic to humans or plants. The test organisms are Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus

and its methicillin-resistant variant, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and an unspecified Fusarium species.

“One of the objectives of the study is to screen actinomycete isolates for antimicrobial activity,” Oliveros said. “We ensured that our selected test organisms would represent some of the major groups of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, and molds to capture a broader antimicrobial spectrum result.”

According to Rosana, the choice of test organisms was also associated with the United Nation’s health agency’s list of human pathogens that pose an imminent danger to human health by 2050, mainly due to antibiotic resistance.

The research team assumed that since those 30 isolates thrive in a unique environment such as Mt. Mayon’s volcanic soils, they most likely produce unique chemical compounds that may have medical, pharmaceutical, and even cosmeceutical uses.

Moreover, Streptomyces species are generally known to produce medically and

pharmaceutically important products.

But Streptomyces sp.

A1-08 stood out because it has shown antagonistic effects on all test microorganisms and the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is a bacterium that causes infections in different parts of the body. “(MRSA) is tougher to treat than most strains of staphylococcus aureus – or staph – because it’s resistant to some commonly-used antibiotics,” explains the website, webMD.com.

The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 global threats to public health. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective.

Because Streptomyces sp. A1-08 seems to fight off MRSA, this prompted Oliveros and her team to study Streptomyces sp. A1-08 further using the anti-colorectal cancer test and genomic analysis.

They found after doing the anti-colorectal cancer test that crude extracts from the Streptomyces sp. A1-08 suggested “low potency” when compared to doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug.

“It is good to remember that the positive control doxorubicin is a pure, proven and tested commercially

FMAYON, P10

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INDEPENDENT... FROM2

ty as I said I will stay with Hugpong ng Pagbabago sa Davao Region and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod of Davao City,” the mayor said via Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) in June this year.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara topped anew in a survey for president conducted by OCTA Research last month.

In the same survey, President Rodrigo Duterte, also led the list of probable candidates for vice president in the 2022 polls.

On the other hand, del Rosario said HNP has yet to sign with a Memorandum of Agreement (HNP) with the seven national political parties for senatorial candidates that each party will contribute to the HNP slate.

Del Rosario said once the MOA will be signed, each party will be required to submit at least one name for

senatorial candidate from their party that will be included in the 12 senatorial line up.

“As of the moment, wala pang binibigay na pangalan ang mga kaalyansa na senador dahil wala pa kaming pinipirmahan na Memorandum of Agreement between HNP and the seven national parties. Once ma-pirmaha po natin ang agreement, then each party will be required, based on the provisions of the MOA, each of the seven national parties to be required to submit at least one name coming from their party. If we assume that every one of those seven parties will have one senatorial candidate to be submitted to HNP, then those seven senatorial names will be included in the 12 senatorial line up,” he said.

General Danao and revealed the gang’s schemes and activities.

Dayanghirang, who headed the parallel groups during the 2016 campaign of President Duterte lauded General Danao for the initial success in tracking down the identified members of the scammers syndicate.

He said the general public “is being encouraged to be vigilant and cautious in

their dealings online when there is money involved.

Mayor Sara herself has denied to have anything to do with the illegal solicitation several times in her public pronouncements, said Dayanghirang, who is currently heading some 800 parallel Sara for president groups nationwide and worldwide, all campaigning for continuity of the legacies of the Duterte Administration

simultaneously in the trails in Regions 11 and 12.

Activities to be undertaken during the off-season include tree planting along the trails, seedling propagation and wildling collection, site adoption for the reforestation activities, improvement of infrastructures, installation of facilities, and capacity-building for guides, porters and park protection officers, it said.

The off-season is also “primed for the flora and fauna species to have an ‘undisturbed’ space and time especially that these months are the breeding or mating period of some bird species,” it added.

Jayvee Jude Agas, head of the regional public affairs of DENR-Davao, said discussions on the off-season started during a PAMB meeting in March this year but it was only in July that the resolution was approved.

Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak at 2,954 meters above sea level, is

a biodiversity hotspot. It is included in the UN List of National Parks and Equivalent Reserves and acknowledged as an ASEAN Heritage Site. It was proclaimed as a protected area under the NIPAS Act of 1992.

The law was amended through Republic Act 11038 or the Expanded NIPAS Act of 2018. The amendment led to the legislation of additional 94 protected areas.

Mt. Apo is home to the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the country’s national bird.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature listed the raptor as critically endangered.

Mt. Apo measures 64,000 hectares spanning North Cotabato province in Region 12 and Davao del Sur province and Davao City in Region 11.

It serves as a major water source for both regions.

(Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)

less otherwise provided by law, without prejudice, however, on the part of the Congress to adjust the amounts when the circumstances so warrant, may adjust the jurisdictional amount for first and second level courts to: (1) reflect the extraordinary supervening inflation or deflation of currency; (2) reflect change in the land valuation; or (3) maintain the proportion of caseload between first and second level courts,” the law read.

The provisions of RA 11576 shall apply prospectively to all civil cases filed in the second-level courts

and first-level courts from the date of its effectivity thereof.

If any provision in the act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions thereof.

All laws, decrees, and orders inconsistent with the provisions of this act shall be considered amended or modified accordingly.

RA 11576 was passed by the Senate as Senate Bill 1886 on Feb. 8, 2021 and adopted by the House of Representatives as an amendment to House Bill 6589 on May 19, 2021.

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The Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States,

European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

(PNA)

and 3 months for Skills Training.

Signing the agreement are the President and CEO of the DAP, Atty. Engelbert C. Caronan Jr., DAP ALS-EST Project Manager Ms. Winnie M. Manzo, Tagum City Mayor Allan L. Rellon, Tagum City Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine E. Estabillo, City Councilor and Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Hon. Alderson L. Rellon, and PEESO Department Head/

Project EMWYS Head, Ms. Rogeneth P. Llanos.

Producing Tagumenyos who have not just learned basic academic education but have also acquired technical competencies suitable for immediate employment is in fulfillment of this administration’s EAGLE WINGS Program which aims to magnify education to its paramount importance.

Geneva Pangandoyon /CIO Tagum

under the leadership of administrator Benjamin Madrigal Jr. The multi-agency Trust Fund Management Committee (TFMC) chaired by Dominguez is mandated under the law to oversee the management and use of the coco levy funds, whose cash assets now amount to around PHP76 billion.

“This Committee has convened twice already this year and is making good progress,” Dominguez said.

He said the TFMC has taken the initial steps for the implementation of programs and activities that will benefit coconut farmers.

These steps include the drafting of the guidelines for

the disbursement of allocations in the implementation of programs, projects, and activities financed through the coco levy fund.

These programs, projects, and activities should be in line with the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), which the PCA is currently finalizing.

Dominguez said that to directly benefit coconut farmers, the TFMC is looking at training programs on new technologies, crop insurance and credit access, while for the entire industry, it is ready to fund the development of hybrid coconut seed farms, research and infrastructure.

are members and past presidents of PICPA Davao Chapter who are now holding pertinent positions in the government, namely, COA Commissioner Roland C. Pondoc, ERC Commissioner Marko Romeo L. Fuentes and PRC-BOA Vice Chair Thelma S. Ciudadano.

The BOA continues to forge mutual agreements with our Asian neighbors thru the ASEAN CPA Coordinating Council.

Our Filipino CPAs are now freely competing with the global field against accountants from other parts of the world. The ASEAN

Framework Agreement on Services aims to enhance cooperation in services amongst ASEAN Member States in order to improve efficiency and competitiveness. It promotes the flow of relevant information and the exchanging of expertise, experiences, and best practices suited to specific needs of the 10 ASEAN Member States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

CPAs, let us connect and move as ONE REGION! By Thelma S. Ciudadano

bid to protect Filipinos’ lives, thus the launch of a health coverage product earlier this year that has comprehensive critical illness cover, including Covid-19.

He said the product aims to increase coverage for

their clients, especially since new Covid-19 variants are coming out.

“We are part of those who are helping the government fight this pandemic and also achieve herd immunity,” he added. (PNA)

dress the long-term global need for reserves, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability of the global economy,” Georgieva said.

“It will particularly help our most vulnerable countries struggling to cope with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis,” she added.

SDRs are international reserve assets created by the IMF to supplement the official reserves of member countries. It is a potential claim on usable currencies which could boost a country’s liquidity.

The IMF said the general allocation of the SDRs will take effect on August 23, 2021, with about $275 billion going to emerging markets and developing countries, including low-income territories.

“We will also continue to engage actively with our membership to identify viable options for voluntarily channeling of SDRs from wealthier to poorer and more vulnerable member countries to support their pandemic recovery and achieve resilient and sustainable growth,” said Georgieva.

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MAYON... FROM 9 available chemotherapy drug. In contrast, the ethyl acetate extract of (Streptomyces sp.) A1-08 which we have used in the study, (is) a crude extract, and therefore still a complex mixture and may contain multitude of raw compounds at different concentrations,” Oliveros surmised.

The researchers believed the raw compounds can still be purified further to develop an exact anticancer drug.

In order for them to identify the specific genes of Streptomyces sp. A1-08 responsible for producing antibiotic and anticancer compounds, the researchers conducted genomics analysis – or the study of the organism’s complete set of DNAs. Doing so may also help them to concentrate on the specific identity of Streptomyces sp. A1-08.

Rosana explained that genomics can be likened to a blueprint of a house or different Lego pieces that a person can assemble to build their favorite character.

“In our genomics work,” he said, “we use computer software to build the correct sequence of the Lego pieces and predict target outcomes, which in our research are

the different antibiotics and potential anti-cancer molecules.”

Although Oliveros admitted that their findings can be considered a “jackpot,” she pointed out that their discovery must lead to more research. “Way forward, further studies should be made for us to establish that this novel species can likewise produce novel bioactive compounds,” she stressed.

“Future rigorous research in drug chemistry combined with metabolomics are vital to claim that the secondary metabolites produced by our isolate is totally new and hopefully effective as a chemotherapy drug,” Oliveros added.

Metabolomics is the study of the set of metabolites present within an organism, cell or tissue.

“This is also our dream, to put this project forward in the large-scale cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical pipeline!” Oliveros said.

She finds it honorable to pioneer extending their discovery to industrial applications, and “to showcase the known and great potential of the Philippines as a promising land that harbors natural products for drug discovery.”

place with Round 2 ongoing as of posting.

On the other hand, boxers Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam are already assured of medals as well but can still upgrade them to silver or even gold.

Paalam will face Japan’s Ryomei Tanaka in the flyweight division, while Marcial battles

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Khyzhniak in the middleweight division during their semifinal matches later Thursday.

The four medals this year are the most hauled by the Philippines in a single Olympiad, besting the three bronzes in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.

(PNA)

my mind a lot. This time around, I’m as excited as ever and feeling like I’m young again.

“I never imagined being at this point now when I started my career. To be here now and still fighting the best, it’s truly a gift that I’ve received.”

Pacquiao left his future

in the ring uncertain after the showdown with Spence.

“This could be my last fight or there could be more,” he said. “Like I’ve always said, it’s one at a time. After the fight, I’ll talk about the plan and see if there’s another fight coming.

lease, Unionbank Quickloans, City Savings Bank, and Malayan Bank. Paying for insurance is also hassle-free with these billers: Singlife, Generali and Standard Insurance. The biller network also includes schools, such as International School Manila, STI Education Services Group, Inc, Manuel L. Quezon University and PHINMA University. While for real estate, SMDC is now part of the roster of billers — not missing to grab any opportunity to tap partners that are beneficial for the needs of GCash users.

More than just billers in the greater metro, GCash has also expanded with new regional billers in its network. For utilities, these include TEI, TARELCO1, Calbayog Water, South Luzon Water, Calumpit Water, Metro Cotabato Water, Bicol

One Broadband Services, SAMELCO, Metro Iloilo Water, Metro Roxas Water District. The app also tapped several education sectors, namely Bataan State University, Bulacan State University, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, University of Mindanao, and Unibersidad de Zamboanga. Cooperatives in the regions are easily accessible on GCash too with Benguet Cooperative, Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, Holy Cross Savings and Credit Cooperative, San Jose Del Monte Savings and Credit Cooperative, CEBU CFI COOP now included on the list. Furthermore, some local government units have also joined GCash’s biller network including the Province of Bataan, Paranaque City, Manila City, Cauayan City, Lapu-Lapu City, Balanga City, Batangas City.

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Bianca Pagdanganan tees off in the Tokyo Olympics women’s golf.

Pacquiao vows ‘I’m not done yet’ after two-year layoff

L

OS ANGELES -- Former world champion Manny Pacquiao says he feels young again after a two-year layoff as he prepares to fight unbeaten world champion Errol Spence for two welterweight boxing crowns.

The 42-year-old Filipino southpaw, an eight-division world champion, faces American Spence on August 21 at Las Vegas for the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council crowns.

“I could have fought several easy opponents,” Pacquiao said Wednesday.

“I picked the best opponent because I want to add

more to my legacy and accomplishments. I have to prove that I’m not done yet.”

Pacquiao, 62-7 with two drawn and 39 knockouts, last fought in July 2019 when he beat American Keith Thurman for the World Boxing Association version of the 147-pound division throne.

But the Philippine senator was stripped of the crown in January due to inactivity.

“It has been two years since I’ve been in the ring and it was good for me to have that rest,” he said.

“It helped my body and

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PH non-medalists to get P500-K reward F or being part of the Philippines’ most successful Olympic campaign ever, even those who failed to land a podium finish in this year’s Tokyo Olympics will still receive a monetary reward.

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) announced on Thursday that the MVP Sports Foundation will be giving away PHP500,000 each to the Olympic non-medalists.

“Everyone on Team Philippines in these ‘Golden Olympics’ deserve all the praises, and in this case, incentives, they need,” POC president Bambol Tolentino said. “Qualifying for the

Olympics is already that difficult, what more competing in the Games themselves.”

Benefiting from this development are rowing’s Cris Nievarez, taekwondo’s Kurt Barbosa, skateboarding’s Margielyn Didal, shooting’s Jayson Valdez, gymnastics’ Carlos Yulo, boxing’s Irish Magno, judo’s Kiyomi Watanabe, weightlifting’s Elreen Ando, golf’s Juvic Pagunsan, athletics’ EJ Obiena (pole vault), Kristina Knott (200m run), and swimming’s Remedy Rule and Luke Gebbie.

The place in the history

of the Philippines’ 2020 Tokyo Olympics team has been secured when Hidilyn Diaz won the country’s first-ever gold in the women’s 55-kg weightlifting event.

Nesthy Petecio added a silver in the women’s featherweight boxing event.

Still in the running for a medal are golfers Yuka Saso and Bianca Pagdanganan.

Pagdanganan finished the first round of the women’s golf event within striking distance of a Top 3 finish after going two-under-par 69 on Wednesday, good for a share of seventh

FNON-MEDALISTS, P10

Drummond joins 76ers after season with Cavs and Lakers

P Andre Drummond is moving to Philadelphia from a stint with the Lakers.

HILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers have signed nine-year veteran center Andre Drummond.

Terms of the deal announced on Wednesday (Thursday, Manila time) were not disclosed. Drummond joins Philadelphia after splitting the 2020-21 season with Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 6-foot-10, 279-pound Drummond, a two-time All-Star, will wear No. 1 for the Sixers.

He appeared in 46 games (all starts) last season and

averaged 14.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in 27.0 minutes per outing. He was one of just three NBA players, including new teammate Joel Embiid, to average a point-rebound double-double as well as one steal and one block last season.

“We’re excited to add a veteran player of his caliber to our roster and look forward to the impact he’ll make this season,” said Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who announced the signing.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 123 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 06, 2021

Cagayan de Oro native Carlo Paalam tags Japanese foe Ryomei Tanaka.

NO GOODBYES

Paalam clinches Olympic finals with win over Japanese rival

T

OKYO - Carlo Paalam secured a ticket to an Olympic golden moment on Thursday afternoon after the former Cagayan de Oro scavenger dominated hometown hero Ryomei Tanaka to get a shot at a Tokyo Olympics gold medal in the men’s flyweight finals.

Executing the game plan to perfection, Paalam departed his usual counter-punching style for a more aggressive approach as he left the outcome beyond doubt after just two rounds before stunned home fans at the Kokugikan Arena.

The 23-year old rising star brought the hammer down in the third round as he complete the emphatic 5-0 win that brought him to the finals in only his first appearance in this quadrennial conclave.

Paalam now moves on to the finals against Great Britain’s Galal Yafai, just one more win from boxing’s first gold medal ever and millions in incentive never imagined by the former street scavenger from Cagayan de Oro. (SPIN. PH)