Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 130 | Saturday, August 14, 2021

DELTA VARIANT ON THE LOOSE HEALTH P6 VOL.14 ISSUE 130 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

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CRITICAL SECTOR OFWs, seafarers in Davao City urged to get vaccinated STORY ON PAGE 2

An elderly man does metal works outside his house in an alley in Brgy. 22-C, Davao City on Friday. Many Dabawenyos have shifted to skilled works to earn some cash after losing their businesses or their jobs due to Covid-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 130 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

A health worker prepares a dose of anti-Covid vaccine for an economic frontline worker at a vaccination center in Davao City. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the agency has yet to receive complaints against companies implementing the‘no vaccine, no work policy’. Edge Davao

CRITICAL SECTOR V OFWs, seafarers in Davao City urged to get vaccinated

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ouncilor Pamela Librado-Morata is pushing for the vaccination of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and seafarers.

Librado-Morata, who is the chair of the labor committee of the City Council, assured OFWs in Davao City that the city government of Davao, along with the concerned agencies, have already initiated a program prioritizing vaccination for Davao workers and OFWs.

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he Davao Region received additional 102,960 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Thursday, bringing the total doses of all vaccines combined delivered to the region to 1,927,480 as of August 12.

The vaccines were

The city government has set up an OFW vaccination hub to specifically cater to seafarers and land-based OFWs either scheduled to leave the country or to return home.

The OFW vaccination hub will conduct a 10-day vaccination program spe-

cifically for OFWs at the Matina Town Square on the following dates: August 1819, August 23-27, and August 31-September 2, 2021.

“Sa atong mga kaigsuonan OFWs, dili ta mabalaka kay ang local nga gobyerno, ang atong opisina ug ang ubang agensya galihok para matabangan ta mo sa pag-abot ug pagluwas sa Pilipinas,” said Librado-Morata.

The qualified OFWs

who will be catered by the OFW Vaccination Hub are 1.) seafarers set to depart for work in the coming 3090 days; 2.) active seafarers who have their Seaman’s book; 3.) returning OFWs and repatriated OFWs; and 4.) land-based OFWs scheduled to leave the country, and have with them their passport or any of the following documents: OWWA payment receipt, Overseas

flown over to the Davao International Airport via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 1813, which landed around 11 a.m.

The Department of Health (DOH)-Davao urged the public to have themselves pre-registered with their respective local government units to secure a

schedule for their vaccination.

As of August 10, a total of 1,105,875 doses were administered across the 372 vaccination sites established in the region since the vaccination started last March 5. Of this total, 717,392 individuals received the first dose and

388,483 had been fully inoculated Davao City, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mindanao, logged 401,415 individuals inoculated with the first dose and 263,195 with the second dose or 21.93% of the target 1,200,000 to reach “herd immunity.”

FCRITICAL, P7

GenSan City veteran journalist writes 30

eteran General Santos City-based journalist Aquiles Z. Zonio died on Monday midnight, August 9, while battling lymphoma. He was 55 years old.

Zonio died while in the intensive care unit of the General Santos City Doctors’ Hospital where he was taken after being diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on July 20.

A post mortem swab test on his cadaver, however, turned out it was negative of coronavirus, cancelling a plan by his kin to cremate his remains.

He was on his last sessions of chemo therapy and “was doing well” when he was infected with the virus, lowering his immunity, said his sister Amie who is based in the United States.

Amie posted on his brother’s Los Olvidados Facebook account, “You fought hard to stay alive our dear brother… You are now with our Lord. No more pain, no more worry dear Aquil.

We love you sooo much and we will miss you that it hurts so bad to think that we will not hear your jokes, your plan for your kids, your stories about your passion and your stories of your travel around the world.”

In 2015, Zonio left his job from the General Santos City government, joined the boxing team of Senator Manny Pacquiao, serving as his press officer and joined the boxing idol in all his sorties.

Late in 2020, Zonio returned to General Santos nursing an ailment.

A kumpadre, his son being a godson of this writer, Zonio sought prayers to help him recover from his sickness. He texted this on Nov 16, 2020: “Pare, kindly include me in all your prayers. I went through the knife last Oct. 23 to remove a lump in my left inguinal region. Excision biopsy result showed it’s lymphoma.”

He went to say, “The specimen was sent to PGH [Philippine General Hospital’ for further study and definitive result. Tabangi kog ampo pare. That’s all I’m asking. Gihangak ko sa gastos pare pero, gisalig na lang naki Lord ang tanan. I believe, I can beat this kind of malady. God loves me and I believe in miracle.

Salamat, pare. Stay safe…”

Zonio started his journalism career while he was a broadcaster at dxCP, a Catholic-run radio station in GenSan, while studying political science at the Mindanao State University.

He wrote for a number of local newspapers and became correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1996. He also wrote for philboxing.com and stringer of Agence France-Presse.

He was a fellow of the Southeast Asia Press Alliance in 2011 and went to Brunei to pursue his stories which he wrote for The Brunei Times.

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EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 130 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

Davao City Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) head Lemuel Ortonio bares that the city government of Davao targets to open new vaccination sites under the Safe DQR vaccination scheduler, which was officially rolled out on August 7, to accommodate more individuals. Edge Davao

City seeks guidance from A DENR on WTE project

Signage Ordinance passed

is about to reach its full capacity. The city has been working with Nippon Japan on the P5 billion WTE project, which is expected to process 600 metric tons of solid waste daily, including waste management and power generation. Kitakyushu City in Japan, a sister city of Davao City, will provide the technology for the

facility’s operations.

The city government has already purchased a 10-hecatre lot in Barangay Biao Escuela, Tugbok, for the planned WTE project.

“Diri sa city, we already crossed that bridge long time ago when we purchased the property for the WTE diri sa city because it was already decided then and nagpalit ta ug property specifically for that.

Although, the discussion karon kay naa pa dinha sa RDC because we went back to the first step and because we are requesting DENR’s support on this matter,” Mayor Sara said.

The mayor also said the city is also looking at purchasing the immediate

property in the vicinity of the existing landfill, for expansion of the city’s existing landfill.

Meanwhile, the Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) has expressed anew on social media its opposition to WTE. According to Mark Peñalver, executive director of IDIS, a more efficient way of addressing the solid waste problem is ensuring strict implementation of existing policies, including the creation of materials recovery facilities and segregation at source.

Peñalver said it’s better to err on the side of caution than put the health of the Dabawenyos in jeopardy with a WTE project.

n ordinance regulating the installation, repair, construction, and renovation of signages/billboards in Davao City has been passed by the city council.

The Signage Ordinance, pushed by the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and passed in the council through Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, aims to continue the cleanliness of the roads, safety of the motorists, and protect the sides of the bridge to possible collapse in case of flooding/ natural disaster.

“Na-aprubahan na ang ordinance regulating the construction and repair and renovation of advertisement assembly installation of signages. Itong signages minsan pag nag-drive ka parang magulo na and I think if you are in Edsa ang lalaki ng mga advertisements at parang hindi na regulated especially pag malapit na sa mga bridges and there is danger na kapag malakas ang ulan baka mag-collapse kasi karamihan diya pag naka-

prising the lumad peoples, then the Moro groups consisting of the Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao and the Kagan peoples.

Tribu Kadayawan’s production and creatives team consisting of PReVents Productions and Lou Works Studios trekked the hinterlands of Davao City to document the communities.

Their efforts were realized in partnership with the respective Deputy Mayors and

tribal leaders.

Lou Daniel, productiom head of Lou Works Studios said they were able to go to Paquibato, Marilog, Marahan amd Calinan.

“This is a one-of-a kind production na nagawa namin, sa documentary gusto naming ipakita ang yaman ng kultura ng Davao City, (in the documentary we want to show how rich the culture of Davao City is),” Daniel said.

Generose Tecson, City

Tourism Operations Office chief said that the documentary materials could be used to educate Dabawenyos about the culture of the 11 groups and is a way of preserving these age-old traditions.

The City Government has been utilizing the Kadayawan Festival to present Davao City’s diverse culture.

In 2017 it built the Kadayawan Tribal Village in Magsaysay Park which consists of the 11 houses representing the 11 ethnic groups.

And there are plans of relocating the village in a much larger city property in the highland barangay of Eden.

“Since di muna makapunta ang tao sa Kadayawan tribal village, thru the video we will show to them Davao City’s rich cultural heritage,” Tecson said.

Popular online content creator Douglas Kyle Jennerman, popularly known as Kulas in his Becoming Filipino video blogs will host the show. He will be joined

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ne step backward. Two steps forward.

That’s what the city government of Davao is doing as it reverted back to seeking the guidance from the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) for the construction of the Waste-To-Energy (WTE) project in Davao City.

“Sa pagka-karon ang WTE project naa na sa DENR because we requested the assistance of DENR and duna na’y bag-ong discussions dinha sa Regional Development Council 11 (WTE),” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Davao City has embarked on WTE project as the city’s sanitary landfill

lagay na advertisement baka hindi na nami-maintain,” Dayanghirang explained.

Under the said ordinance the city is allowing advertisement assembly to be installed in regulated areas.

“What are regulated areas? Ito ang distance from bridges, hindi maging obstruction dahil sa dami ng advertisements it might endanger while you’re driving.

Lahat ng ito ay public safety at dapat hindi cluttered at dapat malinis. With this ordinance magka-karoon na ng order. Ibig sabihin pagdating mo sa city maaliwalas at malinis,” he said.

The ordinance was sponsored by Dayanghirang along with Councilors Mabel Sunga-Acosta and Jake Quitain.

“Kalimpyo sa panan-aw ug luwas sa sa kinatibuk-an nga dili pag balda sa pagdagan sa ekonomiya sa dakabayan. Sayod kita nga ug maapektuhan ang mga tulay dako kaayo ug perwesyo sa taga Davao,” Dayanghirang said.

by two Dabawenyo chefs, hotel executive chef Alex Destriza and restaurateur Darence Patrick Co who will be partaking of the various indigenous cuisines in the segment Mangaon Ta (Let’s Eat).

Tribu Kadayawan will be shown on two parts. The first part on August 21, 3:00 p.m. will feature the five Lumad groups while the August 22, 10 a.m. will present the six Moro communities in Davao City.

FSIGNAGE, P7

Docu on Davao City’s 11 ethnic tribes to premiere on Aug. 21

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documentary of Davao City’s 11 ethno-linguistic groups will premiere online as part of the 36th Kadayawan sa Davao virtual celebration.

Tribu Kadayawan will feature the different facets of culture like traditions, beliefs, ancestral homeland, music, dance, livelihood, cuisine of the 11 ethno-linguistic groups.

The 11 groups are the Ata, Klata, Tagabawa, Ovu Manuvu, Matigsalog com-

5 VANTAGE

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 130 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

In pushing for the vaccination of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and seafarers:

Sa atong mga kaigsuonan OFWs, dili ta mabalaka kay ang local nga gobyerno, ang atong opisina ug ang ubang agensya galihok para matabangan ta mo sa pag-abot ug pagluwas sa Pilipinas.”

Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata

EDITORIAL Fake news and cybercrimes galore The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed a total of 121 criminal complaints against 80 persons for various cybercrimes exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic across the country.

Interestingly, this cybercrimes galore involved spreading fake news on the internet while other law infractions and other crimes included illegal online sale of medical supplies, and online scams.

PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar reported Thursday data from March 9, 2021 to August 9, 2021 showed that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) have filed 87 criminal complaints against 52 persons for spreading fake news; three online scam complaints against two persons; and 31 criminal cases against 26 persons for online profiteering, overpricing, hoarding and unauthorized selling of medical supplies in the different prosecutor’s offices nationwide.

Based on reports from the CIDG and the ACG, there has been an increase in incidents of persons spreading fake news and unverified information about the COVID-19 pandemic on social media.

The respondents have been charged with Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances under Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code as amended to include Online Libel; violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cybercrime Law; and violation of Presidential Decree No. 90, which makes rumor-mongering and spreading false information as unlawful.

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“We will go after you and will not hesitate to put you behind bars. We are appealing to the public to be discerning and wary of fake news,” he said.

Also the CIDG and the ACG filed three criminal complaints against two alleged online scammers; and 31 criminal complaints against 26 alleged online profiteers, hoarders, and unauthorized sellers of medical supplies.

Seized from the unauthorized online sellers were: gallons of disinfectant; vitamin C capsules; forehead thermometers; face masks; and several liters of isopropyl alcohol.

Actually, we expect the PNP to file much more cybercrime cases in the near future. You see, there are 81 provinces, 146 cities and 1,488 municipalities in the Philippines as of 2019, making a total of 1,715 local government unites (LGUs). It seems unbelievable only 121 cybercrimes have been committed in all these LGU jurisdiction during the period in review.

The more pervasive cybercrimes are the thousands of fake news and outrageous conspiracy theories being peddled by media and non-media personalities about the pandemic and vaccination.

For instance, they claimed you will either become a zombie or die two years after being fully vaccinated.

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

This has prompted General Eleazar to issue a stern warning to all individuals or groups spreading false information on various social media platforms.

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)

6 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

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ust when Filipinos thought the pandemic would soon end, a new variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged. Delta, a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, is more deadlier than the other variants.

Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was first detected in India in December last year. It got its current name in May this year from the World Health Organization (WHO), which names notable variants after letters of the Greek alphabet. By April, the variant sickened more than 300,000 people per day and killed over 4,000 per day.

From India, the delta variant also swept across Great Britain.

Then, it reached the United States, where it is now the predominant variant. It has also reached Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

As of August 9, there’s a total of 8 delta cases in Davao Region, according to the regional office of the Department of Health. These are in Davao City (5 cases), Davao del Norte (one in Tagum City and another one in Carmen), and Davao del Sur (one in Santa Cruz).

“The delta variant is thought to be the most contagious of all the known

variants to date, with research suggesting it’s more than twice as transmissible as the original strain of the coronavirus,” wrote Denise Chow, a reporter for NBC News Science.

Delta is described by the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “more transmissible than the common cold and influenza, as well as the viruses that cause smallpox.” In fact, it is called “as contagious as chickenpox” in an internal document which was obtained and reported on in The New York Times.

The delta variant is bound to happen. Dr. Inci Yildirim, a Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist and vaccinologist, wasn’t surprised by what’s happening right now. “All viruses evolve over time and undergo changes as they spread and replicate,” she explains.

But what was surprising was how quickly it spread among people. “The delta variant is more contagious

VOL.14 ISSUE 130 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021

DELTA VARIANT

ON THE LOOSE

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

than previous strains – it may cause more than twice as many infections,” the CDC claims.

According to experts, what sets delta apart is how much virus is produced by those who are infected – a measure known as viral load. This refers to how much virus is present in the body.

“A study conducted by Chinese researchers that has yet to be peer-reviewed found that people infected with the delta variant had viral loads that were up to 1,260 times higher than the viral loads of individuals infected with the original strain that circulated in 2020,” Chow wrote.

Dr. Susan Butler-Wu, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Southern California, has confirmed this.

“We’ve seen through testing that people who had any other subtype of the virus. That’s a large part of what’s going to account for this enhanced transmissibility,” she told Chow.

Dr. Randal Olsen, medical director of the Molecular Diagnostics Lab at Houston Methodist hospital, is very much concerned with this turn of event. “Patients with higher viral loads are more likely to pass the virus on to other people. Also, the higher the viral load, the sicker the patient generally is.”

DOH, WHO and webMD.com

Another concern is that delta variant may cause more severe disease. Chow wrote: “A study published in the journal The Lancet examined the impact of the delta variant in Scotland, where it was the dominant strain.

The researchers found that the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 was roughly doubled for patients infected with delta, compared to people infected with the alpha variant, which was previously the dominant strain worldwide.”

Most of those who are highly at risk are unvaccinated and people who have not been fully against COVID-19.

A study conducted in the United States showed that most patients hospitalized at UC Davis Medical Center are people who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Nationally, 97% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated,” the UC Davis Medical Center reports. “Vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19 infection and are also effective in fighting against delta variant.”

Delta variant is no respecter as it also infects children and young people. “A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with delta,” Dr. Yildirim says.

Experts admit that no vaccine is 100% effective.

As such, fully vaccinated

people can still be infected and CDC calls this as “breakthrough infections.” But this happens rarely.

“When a vaccinated person tests positive for COVID-19, most either have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms, and it rarely results in hospitalization or death,” the UC Davis Medical Center,” the UC Davis Medical Center points out.

“Their symptoms are more like those of a common cold, such as cough, fever or headache, with the addition of significant loss of smell.”

Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can still transmit it to others, the CDC warns.

While they can spread the virus to others, they are infectious for a shorter period. “Previous variants typically produced less virus in the body of infected fully vaccinated people (breakthrough infections) than in unvaccinated people. However, like other variants, the amount of virus produced by delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down faster than infections in unvaccinated people,” the CDC says.

The best protection against the delta variant is still vaccination, as pointed out by Kathy Katella in her feature for Yale Medicine news. “At this point, that means if you get a two-dose

vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna, for example, you must get both shots and then wait the recommended twoweek period for those shots to take full effect,” she writes.

Whether or not you are vaccinated, it’s also important to follow CDC prevention guidelines that are available for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. “At this time, as we build the level of vaccination, we must also use all the prevention strategies available, including masking indoors in public places, to stop transmission and stop the epidemic,” the CDC urges.

Health experts agree.

“Like everything in life, this is an ongoing risk assessment,” Dr. Yildirim says. “If it is sunny and you’ll be outdoors, you put on sunscreen.

If you are in a crowded gathering, potentially with unvaccinated people, you put your mask on and keep social distancing. If you are unvaccinated and eligible for the vaccine, the best thing you can do is to get vaccinated.”

Right now, the delta is the most prominent strain around the world, but the Lambda variant from South America is likewise emerging. “If people want to get back to normal, a significant portion of the population needs to be vaccinated,” the UC Davis Medical Center suggests. “As long as a chunk of people across the world are unvaccinated, new strains of the virus will continue to develop and cause problems.”

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A crew member of a passenger vessel plying the Surigao City-Dinagat Islands route spend time using his mobile phone while waiting for passengers as sea transportation business in the area is experiencing low foot traffic brought by the pandemic. Edge Davao

Vax program key catalyst for economic recovery

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hilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) acting president Edgardo Lacson said the rollout of vaccines against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a primary catalyst for economic recovery as more businesses will be allowed to reopen.

“The vaccination deployment will lead to the reopening of more businesses and the relaxation of age group restrictions.

This will redound to added economic activities and save more jobs to provide income for our people,” Lacson said during the 30th North Luzon Area Business Conference Thursday.

He underscored the need for the private sector to help the national and

local government in mitigating the impacts of pandemic by instituting programs that have immediate impact on rebuilding industries in the near term, and also looking at the prospects and strategies for the medium and long term.

“As you may all know, the Covid-19 pandemic is indeed unprecedented and its adverse effects have unfortunately been protracted. And as we are all experiencing, it is not only a public health crisis but also an economic one, affecting the society and economy at their core. Nonetheless, like any other crises, it presents opportunities and lessons that the region should seize and build upon,” he added.

Lacson said strategic

FVAX, A3

BSP hikes inflation rate outlook anew

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) again kept policy rates at record lows, vowing to sustain support for the economy to recover even as inflation is now expected to clock in faster than initially predicted.

In a virtual briefing, BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno said the Monetary Board on Thursday decided to keep rates unchanged—the overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2.00%, the overnight deposit at 1.5%, and the overnight lending facility at 2.5%.

“The Monetary Board

remains keen on sustaining monetary policy support for as long as necessary in order for the momentum of economic recovery to gain more traction as well as to help boost domestic demand and market confidence, especially as risk aversion continues to temper credit activity,” Diokno said.

After five consecutive quarters in negative territory, the Philippine economy posted a historic expansion of 11.8%in the second quarter, but this was 1.3% weaker than the previous quarter.

The BSP now expects inflation at a faster rate of 4.1% this year versus its earlier outlook of 4.0%. It also hiked its outlook for both 2022 and 2023 to 3.1% from 3.0%.

“Latest inflation forecasts have shifted marginally higher, reflecting the recent increase in global commodity prices and the depreciation of the peso,” Diokno said.

June period, expanding the firm’s backbone and distribution network to almost 76,500 kilometers from about 64,600 kilometers laid down last quarter.

By July 2021, Converge’s fiber backbone had reached 80,500 kilometers, he said.

With the network expansion, the telecommunications firm was able to extend its coverage to an additional 53 cities and municipalities during the second quarter of 2021, extending its services this

quarter to new provinces, including Ilocos Norte, Cebu, and Davao, among others.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office have recognized Cebu and Davao as centers of excellence for the development of the information technology and business process management (ITBPM) industry.

As of June 30, 2021, the company’s network has now reached over 400 cities and municipalities nationwide.

Uy said the telecommunication company has already signed on thousands of subscribers and established partnerships with SME clients here.

Converge is also set to start the construction of a data center in Cebu as it prepares to serve the surge in the data requirements in Visayas and Mindanao amid its aggressive expan-

Other factors considered for the revisions are concerns over the speed of arrival of imported pork, and the latest prints for the months of June and July.

Inflation clocked in at 4.1% in June, above the central bank’s target range of 2% to 4%. This then eased to 4.0% in July.

Diokno also considered the uptick in international commodity prices amid supply-chain bottlenecks as an upside risk, and the spread of the highly transmissible COVID-19 delta variant as a downside risk.

sion in central and southern Philippines.

The rise of a new stateof-the-art data center in Cebu supports the recently unveiled strategic framework of the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the country’s full and inclusive participation in the global digital economy which it called CHIP -Connect, Harness, Innovate and Protect– that would also serve as the driver of the Philippines’ digital transformation.

(PNA)

FBSP, A3

Telco sees increased demand for fiber connection in SME sector

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onverge ICT Solutions Inc. announced on Thursday it has completed the initial phases of its domestic subsea cable network to the Visayas and Mindanao regions, bringing improved internet connectivity down to the barangay level.

Seeing signs of recovery of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in the second quarter of the year, Converge’s SME customer base grew significantly in the second quarter of the year, arising from in-

novative product launches and improved sales and marketing initiatives.

“This was a pleasant surprise to us as we are really just focused on delivering our commitment to reach the underserved and unserved areas in the country with world-class pure fiber broadband connectivity,” Converge chief executive officer Dennis Anthony Uy reported in a virtual media briefing on Thursday.

Uy said over 11,800 kilometers of fiber optic cable were added in April to

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EDGEDAVAO

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A bamboo byproduct maker selling various items made from bamboo waits for customers at a makeshift shop along Quimpo Blvd. in Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

No complaints yet on alleged ‘no vax, no work’ policy: DOLE J

JG Summit core net profit rebounds in H1 of 2021

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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has yet to receive complaints regarding the ‘no vaccine, no work policy’ allegedly being implemented by some companies.

“We have not yet received a formal complaint or complaint. What we get are reports, but no companies are named,” Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez said in a Laging Handa briefing on Thursday.

Benavidez, however, added that they are now conducting their own inves-

tigations on these reports.

“We have our own investigation, in addition to inspection, to find out who these companies are and where they are for them to be inspected,” Benavidez said.

At the same time, he added that any employee who has been fired or sus-

pended for not being vaccinated can file a complaint.

“But if the unvaccinated person is not admitted, his salary will continue. If he is removed or suspended, he can file a complaint for illegal suspension or illegal termination,” he added.

Benavidez added that inspections on companies for their compliance with health and safety standards and health protocols and vaccination at work will continue.

“The inspection will continue. 84,000 (estab-

lishments) is the target this year for inspection to ensure they comply with occupational health and safety standards and health protocols and vaccination.

There are no penalties contained in the labor advisory,” he said.

The DOLE has earlier warned companies that vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is not mandatory for workers It added that implementing a ‘no vaccine, no work policy’ has no legal basis. (PNA)

country remains a long way off from reaching herd immunity such that it can ease preventative measures more significantly,” Fitch Solutions said.

The report from the analytics firm follows the release of second quarter gross domestic product figures which showed the economy expanding 11.8 percent during the period year-on-year, but shrinking a seasonally adjusted 1.3 percent from the first quarter.

“We anticipate weaker household consumption

and fixed investment, while fiscal support will likely be constrained by public debt concerns,” Fitch said.

Fitch Solutions said it lowered its expectations for domestic activity through the second half of the year as Metro Manila went into lockdown this month, and amid the heightened threat from the more infectious Delta variant.

After shrinking 7.9 percent last year, household consumption is expected to grow 3.5 percent this year given subdued retail activity, which was already low

even before the August lockdown, Fitch said.

“The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)’s Retail Index has shown activity in contraction since January, standing at 49.8 in June (below 50 signals a contraction),” Fitch noted.

The forecast growth for gross fixed capital formation, Fitch said, was also lowered to 9 percent from 10 percent “given spare capacity and continued disruptions to investment.”

“Output is 9.5 percent below end-2019 levels, with

Fitch Solutions downgrades PH growth forecast amid low vaccination rate

F

itch Solutions downgraded its growth forecast for the Philippines to 4.2 percent from an earlier outlook of 5.3 percent saying the country continues to struggle amid new COVID-19 outbreaks.

Fitch Solutions, which is an affiliate of Fitch Ratings, said the Philippines will face continued disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic given its slow pace of vaccinations and difficulties containing outbreaks.

“With only 9.9 percent of the population fully vaccinated as of August 5, the

FFITCH, A3

G Summit Holdings Inc.’s core net profits bounced back in the first half of 2021 as businesses recovered from losses caused by COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

JG Summit’s core net income hit P1.7 billion, up by 19 percent from the same period in 2020, the group said in a statement.

Profits also rose faster than the group’s consolidated revenues, which increased 9 percent year-onyear to P128.1 billion in the first half of the year.

Its food arm Universal Robina Corporation saw P68.5 billion in revenues.

Robinsons Land, meanwhile, hit P25.6 billion in

revenue as demand for quarantine hotels and longstay accommodations increased.

JG Summit Petrochecmicals recorded P18.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2021 due to higher selling prices and sales volumes.

Robinsons Bank meanwhile saw its net income hit P573 million.

Cebu Air, on the other hand, saw its revenues decline by 66 percent to P5.9 billion in the first half of 2021 amid continuing restrictions on air travel.

President and CEO Lance Gokongwei said, however, that the airline business is poised to remain compet-

FSUMMIT, A3

Delta variant crimps oil demand outlook —IEA

G

lobal oil demand is expected to grow slower than previously forecast this year as the spread of COVID’s Delta variant has prompted lockdowns in major consuming countries, the International Energy Agency said Thursday.

Demand surged in June as mobility increased in North America and Europe.

But it “abruptly reversed course” in July as the Delta variant undermined deliveries in China, Indonesia and other parts of Asia, the IEA said in a monthly report.

“The outlook for the

remainder of the year has also been appreciably downgraded due to the worsening of the pandemic and revisions to historical data,” the report said.

“New COVID-19 restrictions imposed in several major oil consuming countries, particularly in Asia, look set to reduce mobility and oil use.”

The agency now forecasts demand rising by 5.3 million barrels per day in 2021 to 96.2 mbd. That is down 300,000 bpd from its previous estimations.

Global output, meanwhile, is expected to rise

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BSP... FROMA1 “On balance, the Monetary Board is of the view that the expected path of inflation and downside risks to

domestic economic growth warrant keeping monetary policy settings unchanged,” he said.

partnerships with stakeholders and innovative solutions will help enterprises to recover and become more resilient and sustainable.

He said introducing innovative solutions will help businesses to reopen the economy fully and safely.

“The importance of embracing innovation is

to help us effectively navigate our businesses during these difficult times and pivot to the requirements of the new normal,” Lacson said.

The executive added the PCCI aspires an inclusive and responsive economy supportive for businesses to thrive during the pandemic and beyond. (PNA)

itive, noting that it is helping the Philippine government with vaccine transport.

“Given the sequential recovery, we are happy to note that most of our subsidiaries’ topline have already surpassed their average 2019

pre-COVID levels,” he said in a statement.

Gokongwei said their businesses will continue to focus on addressing the needs of our customers through digitalization and cost-efficient, sustainable operations.

capacity utilization at 67.8 percent in June (it was averaging around 83% before the pandemic),” Fitch noted.

The government is targeting GDP growth of between 6 to 7 percent this year, following the record 9.6 percent contraction in 2020.

To hit the 6 percent target, GDP needs to grow 8.2 percent in the second

half, the head of the state statistics bureau said on Tuesday.

“On the other hand, if we want to hit 7 percent, then the economy should grow by 10.2 percent. These are all based on the computations of the PSA,” said National Statistician Dennis Mapa during the release of the second quarter growth report.

further after the OPEC group of major oil producers and its allies agreed to boost production, the IEA said.

With US gas prices rising, the White House

complained on Wednesday that the production increase by the OPEC+ group was “simply not enough” to fuel the global economic recovery from the pandemic.

multisport arenas in the world.

Kiram also acknowledged the victories of our national female athletes like weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, who took home the first-ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines, and boxing silver medalist Nesthy Petecio in the recently concluded 2020+1 Tokyo Olympic Games where the country made a historic and best-ever Olympic performance

with 1-gold, 2-silver, and 1 bronze medals.

“Aside from Hidilyn and Nesthy, we have these five young judokas showing us that girls and women can in sports. I look forward to having more young girls and women joining the field of sports because it is a field where women can excel as well,” said the lady Commissioner.

Further, Kiram will also share a short history of judo in her K-Isport segment.

Ramirez said aside from meeting the cost of living in Tokyo, the allowance increase is done to boost the confidence of the Paralympians.

“Importante na maintindihan ng mga bata na (It is important for them to understand that) they go there not as differently-abled.

They go there as Paralympians, kasi kung wala kangconfidence sa sarili, pagpunta mo pa lang, talo ka na.

So, saPhilippine Sports Commission, suporta lang kami. Kung yung(because if you don’t have self-confidence, the moment you arrive there, you already lose. So here at the Philip-

pine Sports Commission, we’re just supporting. If) USD3,000 could motivate the Paralympic athletes, we will do that,” he said.

Wheelchair athlete Jerrold Mangliwan and discus thrower Jeanette Aceveda, powerlifter Achelle Guion, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin will represent the Philippines in the Tokyo Paralympics from Aug. 24Sept. 5.

Mangliwan was designated to carry the country’s colors in the opening ceremony while Gawilan will have the same responsibility in the closing ceremony.

VAX... FROMA1

SUMMIT... FROMA2 FITCH... FROMA2

DELTA... FROMA2 PINAY... FROMA4

PSC... FROMA4

A3

DOE-MFO cracks down on illegal LPG-refilling activity in Cotabato

A

s part of intensified efforts of the Department of Energy (DOE) to eradicate illegal, unsafe and dangerous activities in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry, the DOE Mindanao Field Office (DOE-MFO) dispatched a team last week (27 to 31 July 2021) for a Joint Inspection/Investigation, with members of the Midsayap Municipal Police Station (MPS), PRO 12, and validated a complaint lodged through the 8888 Citizens Complaint Center on an alleged illegal LPG refilling activity taking place in Purok 7, Central Bulanan, Midsayap, Cotabato.

Two unidentified men were caught in the act of refilling 11-kg LPG cylinders from inverted 50-kg LPG cylinders.

The police contingent of the Joint Team attempted to apprehend these men, who, unfortu-

nately, managed to elude arrest.

The Team, however, was able to confiscate 50 filled 50-kg LPG cylinders; 23 empty 50-kg cylinders; 16 filled 11-kg LPG cylinders, 376 empty 11-kg LPG cylinders; and

seven 11-kg cylinders that were attached to the inverted 50-kg cylinders; totaling 73 50kg cylinders; 399 multi-brand 11-kg cylinders; with two weighing scales, and 15 decanting devices/hoses.

All recovered pieces of evidence were turned over to the Midsayap MPS, PRO12 for temporary safekeeping, while administrative and criminal charges are being prepared.

The DOE-MFO is closely working with the local authorities of Midsayap in identifying the men involved, as well as all other persons responsible for the illegal LPG refilling operation.

To ensure the safety and welfare of the consuming public, the DOE continues to monitor and strictly enforce existing downstream oil industry rules and regulations, and is close-

ly coordinating and assisting law enforcement agencies in the implementation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 33, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1865, “An Act Defining and Penalizing Certain Prohibited Acts Inimical to the Public Interests and National Security Involving Petroleum and/ or Petroleum Products, Prescribing Penalties Therefor and for Other Purposes”.

Meanwhile, the DOE is appealing to the public to remain vigilant in reporting illegal activities involving petroleum products to the authorities.

Aside from being unlawful, the Department would like to reiterate that acts such as illegal LPG refilling are highly dangerous and pose threats to lives and properties. (PR-DOE)

and the Halal Management System through the discussions provided by DOST XI Halal S&T Program’s Science Research Specialists, Ms. Christine Esther Flor L. Catoera, Ms. Maria Angelique Anne G. Alapag, and Ms. Marielle Aimee A. Malinao during the training.

Ms. Catoera gave an overview about the Halal principles and industry requirements for Halal food products. Ms. Alapag shared about the Halal Assurance System (HAS), Halal Assurance Planning (Halal Critical/ Control Point

and Process Verification), Halal Policy, Internal Halal Committee (IHC), HAS Manual Procedure (HAS Manual Content), Internal Halal Auditing, and Slaughtering and Stunning.

Additional information on good manufacturing practices in halal food manufacturing and food production, halal control team and its roles, responsibilities and all related activities, and requirements of the Philippine Halal Certification in producing halal and thoyyib food products were discussed under Halal Management System by Ms.

Malinao.

“As part of our commitment in providing scientific and technical knowledge to support the development of the Halal industry, we want to continue in conducting training and development activities because this a good opportunity to share knowledge, implement, and promote quality and integrity in the Halal food industry”, said DOST XI Regional Director and DOST Halal S&T Program Leader, Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III. (PR-DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion)

(OWWA) - 11 and Davao City Tourism Operations Office (DCTOO) to provide repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) passengers with free SIM cards to enable them to communicate with their loved ones while in isolation for two weeks.

As part of the City Government of Davao’s policies and quarantine protocols, repatriated passengers shall undergo a “bubble” arrival process from the airport to the isolation hotels.

Upon arrival at the Davao International Airport, the OFW is given an arrival kit

by OWWA which includes a SIM pack.

Smart Customer Development Manager Margaret Alacrito said the Smart SIMs are already packaged in the arrival kit of OWWA. “This is a unique program for Davao City and among the many forms of assistance that Smart provides

for the community during this pandemic,” she said.

As of August 10, 2021, Smart has provided 1,600 OFWs with free SIMs since the program started late June this year. “Based on our surveys, one of the needs of returning Overseas Filipinos in the city are load retailers to communicate with their loved ones. To address this, Smart is also enabling the hotels housing the OFWs to become authorized SIM and load retailers as well,” Alacrito added.

DCTOO and Airport Monitoring Head Generose Tecson said that as of July 9, 2021, a total of 20 hotel establishments have been prepared and inspected by the Department of Tourism as quarantine hotels.

Presently, Smart has existing partnerships with Red Planet, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Lanang Suites, Dusit Thani Davao, and Park Inn Radisson

Davao.

“Most of these OFWs have expired contracts and/or the companies they are working for have shut down operations due to the pandemic. That is why when the City Tourism tapped us to assist, we immediately said yes,” said Hazel Nabatar, Area Development Manager of Smart.

Tecson, for her part, said that the city government is grateful for the continued partnership they have established with Smart. “Ever since, Smart has always made an effort to partner with City Tourism, especially at the start of the pandemic. With the arrival of repatriates, Smart has again offered to help our OFWs who have been away for so long and will be quarantined before they can go home, and for whom communication with their loved ones mean so much.”

DOST 11 conducts virtual training on Halal for the food industry

T

o ensure that the food sector in the Halal Industry have standardized knowledge and skills, the Department of Science and Technology in Region XI (DOST XI) conducted the second batch of virtual training on Halal for the Food Industry last July 2122, 2021 via Zoom.

A total of 136 participants from different Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), government offices, and academe institutions learned about Halal Concepts and Principles, Halal Assurance System,

Smart gives returning OFWs free SIMs to reconnect with family, and friends

W

ith this, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. has partnered with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

The para athletes thanked Ramirez and the commissioners, saying they are “happily overwhelmed with the love and care the sports agency has been giving them.”

They also vowed to bring their best game, enjoy the experience, and continue to aim for a podium finish.

Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo also thanked the PSC board for increasing the allowances of the country’s Tokyo Paralympics team members.

“Our Paralympians are further motivated by your message chairman,” Barredo said. (PNA)

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Filipino world bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero in training.

Pinay judokas in PSC’s Rise Up Shape Up

P

inay judokas will take centerstage in the upcoming webisode of the Philippine Sports Commission’s Rise Up Shape Up this Saturday, August 14.

Judoka Nicole Habierto who topped the Seniors White category of the 7th Women’s Martial Arts Festival will lead the episode at 10:30 a.m. along with Marq Gabrielle Padilla, Louiza Talaue, Erin Unice Nacida, and Zoey Itliong.

They will talk about their winning takedowns and share their sporting journey to success in the recent Women’s Martial Arts Festival.

Padilla bagged the gold medal in the Seniors Col-

P

hilippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez on Thursday said each member of the Philippine team to the Tokyo Paralympics will be receiving an additional USD2,000 (PHP100,000) allowance.

“We make a quick referendum that we will be adding an additional USD2,000 for all the delegates--athletes, coaches, and officials,” Ramirez said

ored Category while Talaue showcased her gold-winning prowess in the Cadet class, as well as Nacida and Itliong for the Kids division.

“The remarkable performance of these young judokas exhibit women empowerment more than ever, especially in a male-dominated field,” said PSC oversight Commissioner in Women in Sports Celia H. Kiram.

Commissioner Kiram is confident in these athletes and hoping to see more female practitioners in the field of sports who will soon carry the Philippine tricolors in the different

FPINAY, A3

in the PSC’s People Sports Conversations podcast.

This means the Tokyo Paralympic delegation would have USD3,000 (around PHP150,000) per member in Tokyo as the team now looks to give the Philippines its first Paralympic gold and second overall in an Olympiad since Hidilyn Diaz’s historic weightlifting gold in the Summer Olympics on July 26.

Ramirez said the in-

Casimero eyes KO win over Rigondeaux F ilipino world bantamweight champion John Riel Casimero plans to deal Cuban counterpuncher Guillermo Rigondeaux his first knockout loss when they meet this weekend.

Casimero will defend his WBO belt against Rigondeaux at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif., Sunday (Manila time).

“Di pa nasubukan ni Rigo na matulog siya sa ring. Bigyan natin ng experience,” said Casimero,

crease in allowances is one way for the PSC to show “the spirit of attention we have to give to the [para] athletes.”

“Madalas itong nakakalimutan. Sa mga buildings, wala silang hagdanan. Palagi silang late at nakakalimutan (They always been forgotten. They have no special staircases in buildings. They are always late and being overlooked),” he added.

FPSC, A3

nicknamed “Quadro Alas,” in his YouTube video while interacting with his fans.

Casimero is determined to bring in the pain and notch another stoppage victory, which would be his eighth in 10 fights.

The Ormoc City native is now working to shed

off the excess pounds and make the 118-pound limit this Friday in Carson.

“Nasa 122 pounds na tayo. Mga 4 pounds na lang,” he said.

Rigondeaux is expected to use his slick fighting skills again when he trades leather with the 32-yearold Casimero.

But former WBC welterweight champion Shawn Porter doubts a 40-year-old Rigondeaux will be as fast as he used to be.

Boxing: Casimero looking fit and trim ahead of Rigondeaux fight “A prime Rigondeaux . . . He’s a technician back in the ring back in the day,” said Porter in his podcast.

“But I don’t think he has that type of energy anymore that type of timing.

“Rigondeaux does just enough to get into the ring and does just enough to be in shape to fight. But the level that we used to see him it takes a whole lot more.”

Paralympian swimmer Ernie Gawilan will lead the country’s campaign in Tokyo.

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CRITICAL... FROM2

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation and Communication MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY Regional Office No. XI 2nd Floor DCPI Building, Lakandula St. cor. Dacudao Ave., Agdao, Davao City IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE (CPC) FOR THE INCLUSION OF THE VESSEL MBCA “DRIVE CREW 3” TO HIS FLEET AND FOR THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS ONLY PURSUANT TO R. A. 9295 AND THE 2014 AMENDMENTS TO THE REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS IMPLEMENTING R. A. 9296

Employment Certificate or working visa, Termination Letter, OWWA membership record/certificate.

Qualified OFWs have to pre-register online first, through https :// forms.glhae/WxGvijbA1UGY9CqR9.

The initiative was in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), City Health Office (CHO), Public Employment Services Office

CASE NO. 2021-064-CPC MBCA “DRIVE CREW 3”

EARL G. PURISIMA, Applicant x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF HEARING Before us is an application for the Amendment of the Certificate of Public Convenience, of the above –named applicant to operate the vessl MBCA “ DRIVE CREW 3” in an island tour operation for the carriage of passenger only, on a daily deregulated sailing schedule, from 6:00 AM TO 4:00 PM, in the following routes and rates: Package

Package 1

(3 destinations)

Package 2

(5 destinations)

Package 3

(7 Destinations)

Package 4

( 3 destinations)

Package 5

(5 destinations)

Package 6

(6 destinations)

Route Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City to Coral Garden to Angel’s Cove to Babu Santa (all in the Island Garden City of Samal) and back to Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City and vice versa Sta Ana Wharf, Davao City to Coral Garden to Angel’s Cove to Babu Santa to Sabang Cliff Diving to Wishing Island (all in the Island Garden City Of Samal) and back to Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City And vice versa.

Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City to Coral Garden to Angel’s Cove to Babu Santa to Sabang Cliff Diving to Wishing Island to front of Isla Bonita Resort to Costafga Resort ( all in the Island Garden City of Samal) and back to Sta. Ana Wharf,Davao City and vice versa Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City to Big Ligid Island to Canibad Beach Resort to Vanishing Island, Island Garden City of Samal and back to Sta. Ana Wharf ,Davao City and vice versa.

Sta Ana Wharf, Davao City to Mushroom Rock, San Remegio Cove, Sabang Cliff Diving Wishing Island, Island Garden City of Samal and back to Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City and vice versa.

Sta. Ana Wharf Davao City to Coral Garden to Angel’s Cove to Babu Santa to Sabang Cliff Diving to Wishing Island and to Vanishing Island, Island Garden City of Samal And back to Sta. Ana Wharf, Davao City and vice versa

Rate Php 8,000.00/ trip Php 9,000.00/ trip

Php 10,000.00/ trip

Php 8,000.00/ trip Php 9,000.00/ trip Php 10,000.00/ trip

Notice is hereby given that the said application will be heard by this Authority on 24 August at 10:00 AM at the MARINA RO XI Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Davao Ching printers, Inc. Bldg, Lakandula St. corner Dacudao Ave. agdao, Davao city The Applcant shall publish this Order once in a newspaper of general circulation or shall post this Order in the MARINA WEBSITE at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of hearing.

The applicant shall submit written formal offer of Evidence (FOE) during the hearing or five (5) days thereafter.

Done this 11th day of August 2021 at Davao city, Philippines.

By Authority of the Administrator (Per A. O. No. 26-20 dated 01 September 2020)

MARY ANN ARMI Z. ARCILLA Regional Director

(PESO), Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA), Marina, Marino Partylist, Matina Town Square, and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

“Daghan kaayo mga challenges nga ginaatubang ang atong LGU related sa vaccination pero mas nahagit ta nga mas himoon pang mas maayo ang atong trabaho kay an-

NOTICE OF AUCTION

The VGM Pawnshop, Inc. will hold a Public Auction Sale to all unredeemed and unrenewed items on the following schedule listed below.

Ang VGM Pawnshop, Inc. magpahigayon ug subasta sa tanang prenda nga wala nalukat sa maong iskedyul nga nakasulat sa ubos.

BRANCHES

DATE PAWNED

August 27, 2021 (Friday) 9:00 A.M.

DAVAO: Sasa Maa Sandawa Matina Panabo Main Panabo Branch

DATE & PLACE OF AUCTION

February 01, to February 28, 2021

VGM Pawnshop, Inc, VGM Building, Km. 11, Sasa, Davao City

THE MANAGEMENT

7

gay lang na hatagan nato ang atong mga katawhan og best services nga gikinahanglan nila labina kining mga trabahante ug mga OFWS nga maoy nagbuhi sa atong ekonomiya, nagabayad og dakong buwis ug nagasalbar sa ato ekonomiya tungod sa dollar remittances sa mga OFWs,” Librado-Morata said.

SIGNAGE...

FROM 4

It can be recalled that Engr. Cirinia Grace Catubig, officer-in-charge of the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO), disclosed to the City Council that some advertising billboard owners are non-compliant to the required height standard for billboards in Davao City the reason why OCBO recommended for the approval of the amendment of some of the provisions of the city’s ordinance on the construction and regulation of billboards in the city.

Catubig said there is a need to amend the said ordinance because some of the owners did not follow the standard height requirement of 25 meters as they installed billboards as high as 30 meters.

In March last year, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order No.7 Series of 2020 temporarily suspending the issuance of new building permit on sign structures, sign permit on display signs and the renewal/extension of permits on all free-standing/stand-alone signs within Davao City. The EO emphasized there is a need to strictly implement the provisions of Davao City Ordinance No. 092 which prohibits the construction of sign and signboard which unduly obstruct the natural view of the scenic landscape including Mt. Apo and Davao Gulf as well as the placing of sign stands on sidewalk pavements, parks and street islands, signs which confuse or obstruct the view or interpretation of any public sign or device, obstruct the sight, distract the attention of motorists, reflect blinding light or cause glare to incoming traffic, construction in residential zones and other restricted areas.

In September last year, the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) dismantled all high billboard structures along Bankerohan, Sandawa Road and Bolton Bridge as the city government enforced Ordinance No. 092-2000 that prohibits the obstruction of view to the majestic Mt. Apo and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS). By Maya M. Padillo

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Yordenis Ugas trains ahead of his fight against Manny Pacquiao.

THAT’S MY TITLE

Manny wants his belt back after handed down to Ugas

F

ilipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has vented his frustration at Yordenis Ugas by insisting his new opponent was gifted “my belt” ahead of this month’s world title fight.

The Filipino star will now battle Ugas for the WBA welterweight belt in Las Vegas on August 22 (PH Time) after unified champion Errol Spence Jr was forced out of a fight against Pacquiao due to an eye injury.

“Ugas is a champion because they gave him my belt. Now, we have to settle it inside of the ring,” Pacquiao is relishing an “aggressive” world title fight against new opponent Ugas.

Pacquiao claimed the WBA ‘super’ title with a points win over Keith Thurman in July 2019, but the governing body has since stripped him of the belt, elevating Ugas to ‘super’ champion.

“I want to say that I’m praying for Errol to make a fast recovery from his injury,” said Pacquiao.

“Health is always the priority and the most important thing. I did my best in training and in preparation for this fight, so I wanted to make sure my hard work was not wasted.