Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 140 | Friday, August 27, 2021

EDGEDAVAO BREWING WAR? Serving a seamless society

STAYCATION FOR NESTHY

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VOL.14 ISSUE 140 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

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I do not hold a grudge against Senator Go: Sara STORY ON PAGE 2

A porter pulls a cart full of net sacks of Chinese onions along Lapu-lapu Street in Davao City where the wholesalers of onions, dried fish, cooking oil and other products are located. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 140 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio says it is not true that she holds grudge against Senator Christopher“Bong”Go contrary to a report by an online outlet. Meanwhile, Go

BREWING WAR? A

10 more BIFF extremists surrender in Maguindanao

I do not hold a grudge against Senator Go: Sara

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

long harbored a grudge against Go who has been the President’s gatekeeper since his days as mayor of Davao City.”

The “source” added that “Sara and her siblings are furious that they couldn’t even get straight to their father after his win in 2016 and that they feel slighted that they have to set an appointment and wait for Go’s signal. Contrast that to the full access of Honeylet to the President and you’d empathize with Sara.”

However, Mayor Sara quickly dismissed the “source’s” claims.

“This is not true. It seems the source talking does not know me. I do

not hold a grudge against Senator Go with regard to his relationship with PRRD. I am not the keeper of the President, he is allowed to have his friends as I am. Why would I be furious about the need for an appointment to see the President, what matters is I see the President.

Mababaw itong source na ito,” Mayor Sara said in a statement.

This was the second statement released by the mayor on Wednesday.

Mayor Sara firstly issued a statement urging the President and Go to make it on public their decision to run as President and Vice President in the 2022 elections, this after the President pronounced that he and Go will give way to Mayor Sara should she decide to run for president in the 2022 national

elections.

Mayor Sara in a statement affirmed that the President, very recently, personally confirmed to her his decision to run for Vice President and Senator Go as President.

The mayor said it was not a pleasant event.

“I was left with two letters endorsed to me by the President for consideration — one note explained why I should endorse the Go- Duterte tandem and the other suggested that I take in Senator Go as my Vice President. I strongly suggest to the President and Senator Go to own up publicly their decision to run as a tandem If they can confirm it privately, then I do not see the reason why they cannot be candid about it to the public,” the mayor said.

that have been declared on August 23 as drug-free by the said committee include Cambaleon, Lapu-Lapu, Maag, Maputi, and Sudlon.

All these barangays are located in San Isidro town, Davao Oriental.

The other 10 barangays in Mati City of said province: Barangay Danao, Culian, Don Enriquez Lopez, Don Salvador Lopez, Lanca, Libudon, Mamali, Sanghay, and Tamisan.

Meantime, 10 barangays in Davao de Oro were also

declared as drug-cleared areas: Bayabas, New Dauis, San Roque, San Vicente, and Sasa in the municipality of Nabunturan; Barangay Concepcion, Salvacion, and Sawangan in Mawab, Barangay Manipongol of Maco town; and Barangay Napnapan in Pantukan.

Dimaandal said declaring these 25 barangays as drug-cleared went through a stringent process.

He said that zero proliferation was among the parameters they had for declaring a

barangay as drug-free.

Apart from this, barangay intervention is also among the parameters, and other related anti-illegal drugs programs, the existence of a voluntary and compulsory drug treatment, and rehabilitation processing desk in the barangay.

The drug clearing regional oversight committee is made up of representatives of PDEA, Department of Interior and Local Government, Police, Department of Health, and local officials.

s there a brewing war ala telenovela script among the members of the Duterte household and Senator Bong Go?

That’s what the grapevine is saying.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reacted to the “grapevine” -- an online report named Politiko -- which is painting a picture that President Rodrigo Duterte is trusting his long-time aide Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go compared to his daughter and sons Congressman Paolo Duterte and vice mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

Carrying the title “All gloves off! Sara v Bong Go/Honeylet is proxy fight between Duterte’s first and second families”, a “source” shared to Politiko that Mayor Sara and “her siblings have

25 barangays in Davao Region declared drug-free

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total of 25 barangays (villages) in Davao Region have been declared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBC) as drug-cleared.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 spokesman Noli Dimaandal said the committee declared 15 barangays in Davao Oriental while another 10 barangays declared drugcleared in Davao de Oro. The drug-affected barangays in Davao Oriental

nother 10 extremists from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) under Karialan Faction have surrendered to the Philippine Army troopers at Ampatuan town in Maguindanao on Tuesday morning (August 24).

Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, commander of 6th Infantry Battalion based in Maguindanao, said that the BIFF personalities also surrendered six high-powered firearms including an M16 A1 Rifle; M1 Carbine Rifle; two Caliber .30 Garand Rifles; Caliber .50 Sniper Rifle, and one (1) rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).

He said the surrenderers expressed their desire to live a quiet and peaceful life with their loved ones, stressing how the BIFF has ruined their lives.

They were presented to Municipal Mayor Edris A Sindatok of Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

Currently, more than a hundred former violent extremists had already surrendered to the government since January of this year.

The influx of surrender came after the relentless manhunt of the members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Central against the BIFF and Daulah Islamiya (DI) members.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of JTF Central and 6th Infantry Division, welcomed the new set of sur-

renderers back to the folds of the law.

“Your decision to work with the government in attaining peace and stability in Maguindanao is a milestone not only for the security forces but also for our partners from the Local Government Units and from the communities as well,” Uy said.

Uy stressed that this development is not possible without the support of the LGUs along with its psycho-social reintegration programs such as the AGILA-HAVEN Program of Maguindanao province.

Since the AGILA-HAVEN Program started in 2019, a total of 211 former extremists have already benefited from the program as recipients of livelihood packages from the Provincial Government of Maguindanao.

Maguindanao Governor Bai-Marriam Sangki-Mangudadatu had earlier declared the BIFF and DI as ‘persona-non-grata’ in the Province prompting the community and its leaders to condemn the atrocities and presence of the said extremist groups.

The surrendered firearms were turned over to 6th Infantry Battalion for safekeeping while the 10 former violent extremists are set to undergo the required process to avail of livelihood packages under the AGILA-HAVEN Program.

ERRATUM

In the July 19, 26, August 2, 2021 issues of Edge Davao, in the Notice of publication given by Social Security System of Ma. Theresa Sison married to Catalino Sison ,under the Transfer Certificate of Title Number T-108738, Psd -11-0144494 was erroneously published. It must be Psd-11-014494. Septeember was also misspelled. It must be September Our apologies

VOL.14 ISSUE 140 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

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Pregnant women placed under expanded A3 priority group P

By MAYA M. PADILLO

regnant women can now avail of vaccination as the city government of Davao placed them under the expanded A3 priority group for Covid-19 vaccination.

Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner and Davao City LGU Special Projects head Norman Baloro says forty of the 310 beneficiaries of the Student Siblings Laptop Sharing Project in Davao City

were feted during the first Sprout Award Scholarship awarding ceremony on August 19 at the Consulate General’s Office of the People’s Republic of China in Davao. Edge Davao

DCWD office open on August 30, 2021

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CWD’s SM Lanang Premier collection center is OPEN on August 30, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM to accept water bill payments despite that this day is declared as a regular holiday in observance of the National Heroes Day. Paying customers are reminded to follow the mall’s entry and safety regulations and bring a copy

of their water bill for faster transaction.

No due date for water bill payment falls on said holiday.

Meanwhile, DCWD’s Matina, Bajada, and Toril offices are closed on said holiday and will resume regular operations on August 31, 2021.

DCWD’s collection centers in NCCC-VP Mall and Felcris Centrale remain closed until

further notice.

The DCWD management assures the general public that the operations of its technical departments and 24/7 call center will not be disrupted to ensure continuous water service and offsite customer support. Online water bill payment channels are also available via Landbank iAccess, Link.Biz Portal, and

GCash.

For any water service concern, customers may contact DCWD’s Water Patrol emergency hotlines 244-6767, 0927-798-8966, 0925-5113293 and 0908-441-0653 or chat support in DCWD’s website (www.davao-water.gov. ph) and Facebook page (facebook.com/officialDCWD).

(Alexan Lynette L. Cabeguin)

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said pregnant women, who are in their second or third trimesters and considered as a vulnerable sector, are safe to receive vaccination.

“Ang pregnancy dili siya sakit but they are considered immuno compromised nga mga individuals. Because of this, tagaan sila ug prioritization and they will be given prioritization for vaccination,” Schlosser said.

This is also based on the recent advisory issued by the National Covid-19 Vaccination Operation Center after consultation with the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), as well as the Department of Health (DOH) and other experts, that pregnant women in the later part of the pregnancy can get vaccinated.

“Kini sila nga mga expert, nag-recommend nga pwede na magpa-vaccine ang mga pregnant women on their second and third trimester,” Schlosser said.

She also said that preg-

nant women in their first trimester may be given the vaccine however, they must first fully understand the risk of complication since the baby is still developing inside their womb, while pregnant women in their second and third trimester who wants to get vaccinated may bring ultrasound picture or prenatal checkup as proof just in case they will be asked to.

However, she advised those pregnant women in their first trimester who want to get the shots and are at the highest risk from Covid-19, such as frontline health workers, to secure medical clearance from their doctor and should be properly informed on the possible risks and benefits of the vaccine.

Schlosser said that all the vaccines, except for the Russian-developed vaccine Gamaleya Sputnik vaccine, being rolled out by the national government are safe for pregnant women as clinical studies have shown no increased risk for miscarriage from the jab.

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 140 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

On the reported rift between Senator Bong Go and the Duterte children:

This is not true. It seems the source talking does not know me. I do not hold a grudge against Senator Go with regard to his relationship with PRRD. I am not the keeper of the President, he is allowed to have his friends as I am. Why would I be furious about the need for an appointment to see the President, what matters is I see the President. Mababaw itong source na ito.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Calamity-resilient buses It is reassuring to know that the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) to be implemented very soon in Davao City’s 29 bus router is calamity resilient.

The assurance was made by Ms Missiles Samoza-Barro, project evaluation officer IV of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) during the Sakay Ta Bai program broadcast over the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) last Monday.

Samoza-Barro said that disaster issues are “being addressed in short and long-term bases,” referring to the city’s experiencing street floodings that disrupt the flow of traffic after minutes of heavy downpour.

In preparing to deploy some 1,040 HPBS bus units in the city, the DOTr is working closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Local Government Units (LGU) of Davao City. The latter two will focus on fixing the poor, almost ineffective sewage system of the city for the long term. Sewage refers to the system of carrying wastes through

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The DOTr will concentrate on the design of the buses, making sure they are the type that do not easily conk out once caught in the middle of a street flooding. To be climate-resilient the bus must have a capability to run on a higher platform through the use of hydraulic system.

If some areas become unpassable due to flooding, the HBPS buses will immediately switch to other passable alternate routes in the city.

Another plus factor is that sees to it that the buses will be friendly to differently-abled passengers.

On top of these, the bus units will be equipped with WiFi, Global Positioning System (GPS), and automated fare system.

This bus system alone will make Davao a world-class city.

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

natural and man-made waterways.

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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Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

for in vitro diagnostics, intended to be used for the detection of either antigen or antibody from clinical samples, usually blood within a shorter period. b. Stagnant water – a body of water having no current or flow and is usually a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

19th City Council 40th Regular Session Series of 2020

SECTION 4. CREATION OF DAVAO CITY INTER AGENCY TASK FORCE (IATF) ON MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL. This Task Force is composed of the following:

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

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Sebastian Z. Duterte - Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Pamela A. Librado-Morata Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Jaffar U. Marohomsalic Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ORDINANCE NO. 0401-20 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE STRENGTHENING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING THE DAVAO CITY MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “THE DAVAO CITY MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL ORDINANCE”.

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – It is the policy of the City of Davao to protect the health and well-being of its people/constituents. To this end, the City shall adopt a barangay based approach to ensure the cooperation of the people in cleaning the areas within their control and, ultimately, eradicating mosquito-borne diseases.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS: a. Mosquito-borne Diseases – pertain to diseases caused by viruses or parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. These diseases can be transmitted without affecting the mosquitoes themselves. The following are the types of mosquito-borne diseases:

i. Chikungunya – a febrile disease that resembles dengue, occurs especially in parts of Africa, India, and Southeastern Asia, and is caused by a togavirus of the genus Alphavirus (species Chikungunya virus) transmitted by mosquitoes especially of the genus Aedes. ii. Dengue Fever – an acute infectious disease that is characterized by high grade fever, headache, severe joint pain, rashes, abdominal pains, nose bleeding and other hemorrhagic manifestations caused by a single-stranded RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus (species Dengue virus) transmitted by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes – also called breakbone fever, dandy fever, or dengue fever. iii. Filaria – is an infectious tropical disease caused by any one of several thread- like parasitic round worms. The two species of worms most often associated with this disease are Wucheria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. The larval form of the parasite transmits the disease to humans by the bite of an Aedes poicilius mosquito. iv. Japanese Encephalitis – is a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever and West Nile viruses, and is spread by Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes. v. Malaria – a serious disease that causes chills and fever, sweating and is passed from one person to another by the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. vi. Zika Virus Disease - caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. People with Zika virus disease can have symptoms including mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. vii. Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) – a collection of reagents and other materials

Chairperson: Co-Chairperson: Members:

City Mayor City Health Officer SP Committee on Health City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) City Information Office (CIO) Liga ng mga Barangays Barangay Cultural and Community Affairs Division (BCCAD) Barangay Local Government Units (BLGU) City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) City Legal Office (CLO) Ancillary Services Unit (ASU) City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) City Engineer’s Office (CEO) Business Bureau Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Department of the Interior and Local Government – Davao City (DILG) Department of Education XI (DepEd XI) Department of Health XI (DOH XI) Department of Labor and Employment XI (DOLE XI) Philippine National Police XI (PNP XI) Bureau of Fire Protection XI (BFP XI) National Commission on Indigenous Peoples XI (NCIP XI) Task Force Davao (TFD) Davao Central 911 City Planning and Development Office/ GIS Division Tropical Disease Control Unit – City Health Office Environmental Sanitation Division – City Health Office Sangguniang Kabataan Federation

SECTION 5. FUNCTIONS OF THE INTER AGENCY TASK FORCE (IATF) – The IATF shall be primarily responsible for the following: a) Launch/participate in city-wide dissemination of Information and Education Campaigns (IEC) on Mosquito-borne Viral Diseases Prevention and Control through fora, symposia and media mileage;

b) Conduct simultaneous and synchronized city-wide household clean-ups on the last week of June of every year, engaging various sectors in the community, the academe, private establishments, and other institutions; c) Conduct monitoring in communities near their respective offices in compliance with mosquito-borne viral disease prevention and control measures; d) Come up with mosquito-borne viral disease advocacy communication plans and standard messages; e) Conduct assessment and evaluation meetings relative to the implementation of plans and activities of the Task Force; f) Ensure the conduct of the 4 o’clock habit in every household, and in schools and offices; g) Direct the implementation of plans and activities of the Barangay Mosquitoborne Diseases Task Force, which will curb morbidity, ease the economic burden and reduce deaths caused by Dengue, as well as abnormalities and deaths caused by Zika Virus and Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne illnesses; h) Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the guidelines set by the Mosquito-borne Viral Diseases Prevention and Control Task Force;

i) Oversee the transportation of suspected Dengue patients to the nearest district health office for Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), with the subsequent transfer of those with “probable” results to the nearest hospital for early referral and management.

The members of the Inter Agency Task Force shall cooperate and exert all efforts towards the success of the prevention and control programs for mosquito-borne diseases.

SECTION 6. CREATION OF BARANGAY MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES TASK FORCE (BMDTF) – The barangays shall hereby create a Barangay Mosquito-borne Diseases Task Force (BMTF). It shall be led by the Punong Barangay as Chairperson. The composition of the Task Force shall be as follows: Chairperson Punong Barangay Vice Chairperson Kagawad - Chairperson of the Committee on Health Coordinators Nurse / Midwife in charge of said barangay Members School Principals

Representative from the Business Sector

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Barangay functionaries Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) Other sectoral group of the barangay Sangguniang Kabataan President Barangay Health Emergency Response Team (BHERT)

SECTION 7. FUNCTIONS OF THE TASK FORCE – The Barangay Mosquito-borne Diseases Task Force shall have the following functions:

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This strategy shall be used as a guideline for the Task Force in formulating their own plans and programs to fight against dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

B. To encourage mosquito-free environment, through the following strategies: i. Encourage all residents in the barangay to observe proper disposal of garbage;

a) Prepare programs for the prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases;

b) Conduct education and training programs on pest/mosquito management;

ii. Encourage residents to observe the absence of stagnant water;

c) Prepare activities scheduled throughout the year to control the occurrence of mosquito-borne diseases;

iv. Require all vulcanizing and battery repair shops as well as other similar business establishments that store stagnant water to cover these containers and to change water every two (2) days to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in these areas;

d) Make public announcements/notices regarding mosquito-borne diseases and related matters; e) Coordinate with other government agencies especially the City Health Office in order to achieve its goals;

iii. Encourage residents and institutional establishments to observe the 4 o’clock daily habit of cleaning the surroundings;

v. Require owners of vacant lots to keep their properties clean and free of breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes;

f) Ensure proper implementation of its programs;

vi. Ensure that barangay officials are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness in their respective barangays;

g) Make quarterly reports to the City Mayor, through the City Health Office, regarding the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases in their respective areas and the activities conducted to prevent or control such illnesses;

vii. Ensure that barangay officials are responsible for ensuring that canals are free of stagnant water, and possible breeding containers such as tires, tin cans and other water catching plants;

h) Conduct household surveillance of at least 100 households per week

i) Report, refer and monitor suspected Dengue cases to Barangay Health Centers.

SECTION 8. STRATEGIES - The BMDTF and the IATF shall adopt the following strategies: A. Four (4) S Strategies:

1. Search and destroy possible breeding places of dengue-causing mosquitoes like flower pots, vases, discarded plastic bags, bottles, old tires, cans, earthen jars, coconut shells, water catching plants such as bromeliads, roof gutters, water drums and other containers that might hold clean stagnant water. Prevention of mosquito-borne diseases is easier to achieve by keeping the environment clean. As such, all water containers should be kept covered, and water in vases have to be changed frequently to avoid becoming mosquito breeding spots.

2. Self-protective measures include the wearing of long sleeves or long pants. Dark colored clothing should be avoided, as it attracts mosquitoes.

Mosquito repellants may also be used as deterrent. Mosquito repellant lotions and liquid sprays are available in the market; however, parents are cautioned against using strong repellants on small children because of potentially harsh chemicals. Organic mosquito repellant alternatives such as all-natural citronella bug sprays may be used as alternative.

Mosquito coils, electric vapor mats, and mosquito spray may also be used during the daytime. Electric rackets, mosquito nets, and screens are also effective protection against mosquitoes.

3. Seek early medical consultation. See a doctor immediately if there are early signs and symptoms of dengue and at least two (2) days of fever.

4. Support indoor and outdoor spraying and fogging activity to prevent impending outbreak. Fogging is recommended when outbreaks and epidemics are positively determined in a particular area. Fogging, however, is effective only against the adult infected mosquito; it cannot get rid of the larvae, locally known as kiti-kiti.

4. a. When to conduct Targeted Residual Spraying i. When there is clustering of cases (e.g. at least 3 cases reported in 4 consecutive weeks) or during outbreaks; ii. Conduct two (2) to three (3) times a year, even in the absence of rain; iii. For schools, targeted indoor or outdoor residual spraying must be conducted during weekends or holidays; iv. Target area: The resting place of mosquitoes which is within 1.5 meters from the floor.

4. b. When to conduct space spraying i. When an area is declared a hotspot or when there is a clustering of cases; ii. In the presence of outbreak or an impending outbreak ; iii. When the area exceeds the Vector Threshold Index (evidenced by vector surveillance data- HI,BI); iv. Frequency: At least four (4) cycles with at least 7 days interval between cycles; v. Timing: • Most favorable : Early morning at 6:30-8:30 A.M. or late evening at 4:00 to 8:00 P.M.; • Acceptable: Early to mid- morning or late afternoon or early evening.

viii. Ensure that schools are certified by the sanitary inspector to be free of mosquito breeding sites; ix. Discourage the keeping/hoarding of items like old tires and batteries, steel or plastic drums, pails and empty bottles and jars, water tanks, or any scrap material that contain water.

C. Regular inspection of all inhabited places in the barangay unit, including residences, commercial establishments, schools, offices, churches, junk shops/ vulcanizing shops, and other buildings for any item that could serve as breeding place for mosquitoes.

D. Discourage the keeping of items like old tires and batteries, steel or plastic drums, pails, empty bottles and jars, water tanks, or any scrap material that may hold stagnant water.

E. Discourage schools and teachers from keeping flower vases, aquariums, grottos and fish ponds without fishes that may contain stagnant water in the school premises and classrooms.

F. Encourage all residents in the barangay to practice search and destroy measures and to observe cleanliness and proper hygiene, like proper disposal of garbage and see to it that no stagnant water is stored or kept in the vicinity.

G. Strictly observe the 4 o’clock daily habit of cleaning the surroundings and doing search and destroy activities in all elementary and high schools both public and private respectively, with the participation of the whole barangay.

H. Monitor all residents in the barangay to be alert for any signs of dengue and other tropical disease as defined by the Department of Health through the City Health Office.

I. Promulgate other measures to contribute to the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks and other tropical diseases in consonance with the provisions of the Ordinance.

J. Request a letter for appropriation of funds from the Sangguniang Panlungsod/ Sangguniang Barangay should the need arise.

SECTION 9: ROLE OF THE TROPICAL DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL UNIT – The Tropical Diseases Prevention and Control Unit shall have the following role, with respect to this Ordinance: A. Conduct/intensify Information Education Campaign in the prevention and control of dengue, and other tropical neglected diseases with emphasis on the 4S Strategies in preventing outbreak of all mosquito-borne diseases. i. ii. iii. iv.

Search and destroy breeding places of mosquitoes; Secure self-protection measures; Seek early medical consultation; Support indoor and outdoor spraying, and/or fogging activity to prevent impending outbreak.

B. Promote a mosquito-free environment through the following: i. Encouraging all residents in the barangay to observe proper disposal of garbage; ii. Encouraging residents to observe the eradication of stagnant water; iii. Encouraging residents and institutional establishments to observe the 4 o’clock daily habit of cleaning the surroundings; iv. Supporting indoor and outdoor spraying, and/or fogging activity to prevent impending outbreak; v. Requiring owners of vacant lots to keep their properties free of breeding sites for mosquitoes;

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vi. Ensuring that barangay officials inspect canals and other bodies of stagnant water and making sure these are free from possible breeding sites of mosquitoes.

C. Regular inspection of all inhabited places in the barangay, including residences, commercial establishments, schools, offices, churches, junk shops/vulcanizing shops, and other buildings for items that could serve as breeding place for mosquitoes.

D. Discourage schools and teachers from keeping flower vases, aquariums and fish ponds without fish that may contain stagnant water in the school premises and classrooms.

E. Encourage all residents in the barangay to practice search and destroy activity, hygiene, proper disposal of garbage, and see to it that no stagnant water is stored or kept in the vicinity and to otherwise cover all water containers.

F. Mandate the strict observance of the 4 o’clock daily habit of cleaning the surroundings and doing search and destroy activity in all elementary and high schools, both public and private, respectively, and ensure the participation of all barangay workers.

G. Promulgate other measures which contribute to the prevention and control of dengue outbreak and other tropical neglected diseases in consonance with the provisions of this Ordinance.

H. Request for appropriation of funds from the Local Finance Committee/City Mayor’s Office through the Annual Operational Plan, for inclusion in the regular budget of the City Health Office.

7

SECTION 14. PENALTIES - Upon inspection of the Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Environmental Sanitation Inspectors of the City Health Office and Barangay Mosquito–borne Disease Task Force, any person who shall violate, disobey, refuse, omit or neglect to comply with any of the preventive measures and prohibitions under this Ordinance shall be punished by the following: a) First offense – A fine of Php 1,000.00 and 2 hours community service; b) Second offense – A fine of Php 3,000.00 and 4 hours community service; and c) Third offense – A fine of Php 5,000.00 with confiscation of items and objects concerned.

Business establishments which violate, disobey, refuse, omit or neglect to comply with any of the preventive measures and prohibitions under this Ordinance shall be punished as follows: a. First offense – The establishment shall be placed under strict monitoring/ suspension by the Business Bureau. b. Second offense – Shall be ground for cancellation of the establishment’s business permit.

SECTION 15. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT/CITATION TICKET – An ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT, otherwise known as CITATION TICKET shall be issued to violators of this Ordinance. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the provisions of the succeeding section, “No Contest Provision.” If the violation concerns a business establishment or a juridical entity, its manager, owner, officer-in-charge or any agent thereof shall be cited as the violator.

The creation of Blood Stations in all District Health Centers shall be encouraged in order to facilitate easy access to processed blood products in anticipation of a dengue outbreak or an increased incident of other tropical diseases. District Health Centers shall spearhead the implementation of a regular blood donation program.

SECTION 16. NO CONTEST PROVISION – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance who does not wish to contest the same and is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed or to voluntarily render community service under this Ordinance prior to the filing of a complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor shall be allowed to do so, and shall pay the corresponding administrative fine as cited in Section 14 at the Office of the City Treasurer. Availment of the No Contest Provision shall exempt a person from criminal liability under this Ordinance, however, he/she may avail of this provision only once. Subsequent violations shall necessitate the filing of a complaint against the violator. Business establishments and other juridical entities, however, cannot avail of the No Contest Provision.

District Health Officers shall coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Red Cross-Davao City Chapter and Davao Blood Center for the conduct of annual blood donation drive within the jurisdiction of every District Health Center.

The City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall provide for the procedure for the availment of the “No Contest Provision” and establish a case inventory and recording system of all violators of this Ordinance.

SECTION 11. FREE BLOOD TESTING FOR INDIGENT PATIENTS DURING OUTBREAK– A state of outbreak shall be declared by the City Health Officer upon the advice and guidance of the Department of Health RO XI-Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) and the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) and Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit (TDPCU) with proper coordination with the Local Health Board.

SECTION 17. CREATION OF MOSQUITO – BORNE DISEASES PREVENTION AND CONTROL TRUST FUND – The City Treasurer’s Office shall open a Mosquito-borne Diseases Prevention and Control Trust Fund. All revenue collected by the BARANGAY MOSQUITO-BORNE TASK FORCE shall be forwarded to the barangay treasurer, who shall remit said collection to the City Treasurer’s Office, and shall be held in the aforementioned Trust Fund. The use of funds shall be limited to Dengue and other Mosquito-borne Diseases Monitoring and Prevention and Control activities. The Local Health Board will decide on the usage of funds, based on the reports from the Tropical Diseases Unit.

SECTION 10. BARANGAY BLOOD STATIONS – All barangays are required to implement a regular voluntary blood donation program as signified by City Ordinance No. 0336-10, as amended by City Ordinance No. 0382-18, or “An Ordinance Institutionalizing a Barangay Voluntary Blood Donation Program of Davao City”.

Upon declaration of an outbreak, all blood testing, RDT, CBC and platelet count shall be free in District Health Centers with laboratory capability. Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Tests shall also be performed free of charge. The DOH–Davao CHD shall augment the supply of Rapid Diagnostic Tests in all health facilities free of charge.

A Dengue/Mosquito-borne Disease Hotline shall also be provided for the speedy reporting of cases as well as for quick information dissemination and response to inquiries in relation to the same. The hotlines are as follows:

First District: 0918-445-2004 Second District: 0920-759-6597 Third District: 0909-805-4998 Landline: (082) 227-4749, City Health Office Main

SECTION 12. FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE HOSPITALS DURING AN OUTBREAK. - Upon declaration of an outbreak, the primary functions of government and private hospitals are the following: a) All government and private hospitals are obliged to admit patients diagnosed with mosquito-borne diseases regardless of financial capability and to create a mosquito-borne fast lane and provide additional beds within their charity wards to accommodate these patients.

b) All government and private hospitals shall establish a network in reporting and monitoring outbreak of dengue and other neglected tropical diseases, and closely coordinate with the CHO-CESU, and DOH XI- RESU, DOH-National Aedes Borne Disease Prevention and Control Program and Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Unit.

SECTION 13. PROHIBITED ACTS. - The following acts are prohibited under this Ordinance: a) Storing of old tires and batteries, steel or plastic drums, empty bottles, unused jars and water tanks without proper covering, making them possible mosquito breeding sites;

b) Storing of rain or tap water in containers not properly covered when used in households and in relation to the pursuit of business, like vulcanizing and battery repair shops, junk shops, etc; c) Failure of vacant lot owners to clean their property, thus making it a possible mosquito breeding site; d) Non-abatement of other possible mosquito breeding places such as, but not limited to, gutters, plastic waste, open bottles, etc.

SECTION 18. BUDGET APPROPRIATION - The City Government of Davao shall appropriate the budget for the implementation of this Ordinance, and the barangay concerned shall appropriate the corresponding budget for the Barangay Task Force.

SECTION 19. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 20. REPEALING CLAUSE - All laws, decrees, executive orders, department or memorandum orders and other administrative issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby modified, suspended or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 21. EFFECTIVITY - This Ordinance shall take effect upon approval of the City Mayor and after compliance with the publication requirement.

ENACTED, November 03, 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

CERTIFIED CORRECT: ATTESTED:

SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE Vice Mayor Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq

ATTESTED:

JAN 25 APPROVED : ________________, 2021

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Lars Wittig, the new president of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), says the Philippines now becomes more attractive to European investors as Covid-19 cases surge in other Southeast Asian countries while these are also experiencing political instability. Edge Davao

OFW remittances, CREATE S law to boost BOP position

Youth more attuned with financial security goal: study

R

emittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are expected to partly boost the country’s balance of payment (BOP) position in the coming months after the latter reversed into surplus last July following the deficits in the previous two months.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported on Wednesday a USD642-million BOP surplus in the seventh month this year, better than the previous month’s USD312 million deficit and year-ago’s USD8 million surplus.

In a report, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said receipts from the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, foreign investments, and other structural US dollar inflows are also expect-

ed to improve the country’s BOP position.

“The CREATE (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act) law has supported the stronger FDI (foreign direct investments) data recently that could still continue in the coming months, thereby could add to the BOP and GIR (gross international reserves) data,” he said.

The BOP is the statement of a country’s total transactions with the rest of the world at a particular time.

Ricafort said develop-

ECCP calls for passing of key bills ahead of elections

B

efore politicians get busy for the national election next year, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) has urged the government to pass key legislation that will attract more foreign investments in the country.

In a virtual media roundtable Wednesday, ECCP president Lars Wittig said these key legislative priorities include the amendments to the Foreign

Investments Act, Public Service Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. “While the President is taking the lead, the priority bills that are quite important for us. Foreign investors are really urging that they are being passed before the elections so they’re not out of their mindset of doing their job with elections.

That is important that they’ll keep that up until the election starts naturally,” he said.

Wittig underscored the call of ECCP that enacting these bills into law will increase the country’s global competitiveness and attract more foreign direct investments (FDIs).

These bills will also facilitate economic growth and job generation while the economy is recovering from the pandemic.

During his last State of the Nation Address, President Rodrigo Duterte said

FECCP, A3

ments on the country’s vaccination program against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and arrival of more vaccines are also seen to help lift investors’ confidence because these will support the continued reopening of the economy.

“Still near record high GIR may also further strengthen the country’s external position, which in turn, fundamentally supports the country’s relatively favorable credit ratings as seen recently,” he added.

BSP data show that as

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ome people think the youth are just squandering their time on unimportant things even during the pandemic.

However, this is contrary to the results of a study done by a life insurer which showed that generation Y or the millennials aged 25 to 40 years, and the generation Z aged 15 to 24 years are “very conscious” about securing their financial health.

In a virtual briefing for the release of the report “Know Your Ys and Zs: A closer look at the financial and mental well-being of Filipino Millennials and Generation Z in the time of Covid-19” on Wednesday, Manulife chief marketing officer Melissa Henson said the 500 respondents who participated in

their survey, done between April and May this year, identified staying healthy and avoiding illness, saving money, becoming financially independent, securing a well-paying job, and establish a business as their top priorities.

On the other hand, their top stressors are running out of money, getting sick, their own death or death of family members, declining mental health, and drowning in debt.

Henson said the pandemic has far-reaching consequences and this has made the younger generations become more aware of the importance of their physical, mental, and financial health.

Ensuring financial stability has risen among the youth,

data processing hub. We see AI as the next center for excellence after BPO, which the Philippines is known for. This will be our next BPO,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

The Philippines became one of the first 50 countries in the world to launch a national AI roadmap when DTI released the industry blueprint last May. The national AI roadmap aims to transform the country into an AI powerhouse in the region.

According to research firm Kearney, AI adoption can add USD92 billion to the Philippine economy by 2030.

Under the national AI roadmap, the country will establish the private sector-led government-initiated National Center for AI Research (NCAIR).

Lopez said Asian Institute for Management Data Science Laboratory will be the technology partner for the NCAIR. “As we provide those research projects, we are training data scientists from universities... We can develop many data scientists, who eventually will establish their own AI company or they will be hired by companies. So we

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AI processing seen as next BPO for PH

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he processing of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be an emerging industry for the Philippines following the growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the past decades.

Reporting to President Rodrigo Duterte during the Talk to the Nation Tuesday night, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the government and private sector are pushing for the expansion of AI technology in the country.

“In the near future, the Philippines could be a big

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ECONOMY

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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez says the processing of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to be an emerging industry for the Philippines following the growth of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in the past decades. Presidential Photo

Agri dept inks deal with US on pineapple, mango exports DBM says it released P311M for SRA of health workers

T

he Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday said it already released P311.79 million for the special risk allowances (SRA) of health workers in the country, as thousands of health workers threatened to resign due to its delay.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week gave the Department of Health (DOH) and DBM 10 days to release their overdue benefits.

A total of 20,208 public and private health care

workers are set to receive the benefits, DBM said. “[The] health workers directly catering to COVID-19 patients shall receive an SRA not exceeding P5,000 per month from December 20, 2020 to June 30, 2021,” the agency said.

“The grant of the COVID-19 SRA shall be pro-rated based on the number of days that the public and private health workers physically report for work in a month.”

T

he Philippines has reached a deal with the United States that will pave the way for more of the country’s pineapples and mangoes to be exported to the US, the Department of Agriculture said on Wednesday.

The DA said its Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) and the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) reached a deal during a virtual meeting on August 12.

This will let the Philip-

pines “dramatically increase exports” of pineapples and resume shipments of mangoes to the US via additional ports of entry, according to Agriculture Secretary William Dar. Expanding the export market of Philippine pineap-

ples and mangoes in the US and other countries will not only enhance our national economy, but more importantly, provide increased incomes to thousands of farmers and their families in pineapple- and mango-producing provinces nationwide,” said Dar. The Philippines currently exports fresh pineapples to the US through Guam, the Commonwealth of Marianas Island, and North Atlantic regions. From 2013 to July 15, 2021, exports amounted

he Philippines now becomes more attractive to European investors as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases surge in other Southeast Asian countries while these are also experiencing political instability, a foreign chamber executive said.

Lars Wittig, the new president of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), said Wednesday the long lockdown measures in the country have been imposed amid the threats of

the faster-spreading Delta variant.

Wittig said unlike other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) that become agile in locking down and opening again, the Philippines’ community quarantine measures “show added success with the current wave (of Covid-19 cases) that is suffocating most of our neighboring countries.”

“We did not get in the same manner as those countries did with the Delta variant, and that I will attribute to our restrictive

policies otherwise,” he said.

As of Tuesday, Indonesia still has the highest number of active Covid-19 cases at 273,750 followed

by Malaysia with 262,713; Vietnam with 195,178; Thailand with 192,334; the Philippines with 127,703; and Myanmar with 58,925.

Active cases in Laos rose to 4,259 on Tuesday, Cambodia has 2,156 active cases, Brunei with 1,508, and Singapore has the lowest active cases at 826.

Although the Philippine government’s lock-

to only 346,190 kilograms.

The country previously exported fresh mangoes to the US, from 2005 to 2008, totaling 386,099 kg, all produced in Guimaras Island, DA added.

US agriculture officials accepted evidence that the Philippines’ main export pineapple variety is not a host to a pest called the oriental fruit fly.

The Philippines may start shipping pineapples to various US markets before yearend, DA said.

down measures remain restrictive, the ECCP president said the private sector appreciated the added mobility during this year’s enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status.

Aside from the manageable Covid-19 cases in the country despite the threats of Delta variant, the political stability in the Philippines is an attractive factor for European firms to invest here.

“What we have in common is Covid-19. But (in) Thailand and Malaysia,

PH more attractive to European PH OKs comm’l firms as Covid cases rise in Asean use of GMO rice T

T

he Philippines said on Wednesday it has approved the commercial propagation of genetically modified Golden Rice after more than a decade of field tests that drew strong opposition from anti-GMO activists.

The Southeast Asian country, which is one of the world’s biggest rice importers, is the first nation to approve the Vita-

FDBM, A3

min A-enriched grain for commercial cultivation, according to the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), which helped develop Golden Rice.

Formal biosafety approval was issued last month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agency, Philippine Rice Research In-

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Senate OKs BTA extension

W

ith one ‘no’ vote and two abstentions, the Senate late Wednesday afternoon passed on second reading Senate Bill 2214 extending the transition period of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) until June 30, 2025 by resetting the date of the first election of the 80-member Bangsamoro Parliament from May 2022 to May 2025.

As amended, the bill will now allow the next President to appoint the 80-member Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) when the terms of the incumbent BTA members expire on June 30, 2022. The next President will assume his post at noon of June 30, 2022.

“With one dissent and two abstention, Senate Bill 2214 is approved on 2nd reading,” Senate President Vicente Sotto said as he banged the gavel at 5:43 p.m.

Wednesday’s approval came 37 days before October 1, the first day of the week-long filing of certificates of candidacy. The House has yet to deliberate on the substitute bill crafted by the three committees that acted on the proposed bills.

But Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, principal author of RA 11054 or the Organic Law

for the BARMM, said President Rodrigo Duterte will certify their bill as urgent.

“The certificate of urgency is forthcoming,” he said, adding this was relayed to him in a telephone conversation with Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday.

A certificate of urgency means SB 2214 can be passed on third reading immediately after its approval on second reading, without having to wait for three days. Bills certified as urgent do not follow the three-day rule between the second and third reading.

Sotto said he spoke with House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco about three or four weeks ago and was told the measure was still with the committee but would be reported to the plenary soon.

“Now what I gathered was that they are looking at the Senate version which we insisted is to merely postpone

of end-July this year, the country’s foreign reserve reached USD107.15 billion, which is equivalent to 12.2 months’ worth of import of goods and pay-

ment of services and primary income.

International minimum threshold for GIR is a three months’ worth of import cover. (PNA)

she said, citing that what the young generations want are products and services that are not only aligned with their beliefs and interests but those that will help them secure a stable future.

“Understanding this behavior helps us find new ways to innovate and introduce more relevant financial protection products so we can better support them as they fulfill their most important goals,” she added.

The study showed that the respondents save money to protect themselves and their families for any eventualities, pay for basic living expenses, support immediate family’s future needs, to

have funds to start or grow a business, and ensure their retirement funds.

While most of the respondents aim to keep within their budgets and save at least 25 percent of their monthly income, Henson said some admitted to failing on this and saving only around 10 percent of their income.

She said around 81 percent of the respondents said they take necessary steps to financially secure their future, 77 percent prioritizes spending on necessities over wants, 82 percent does not want to incur debt that they cannot pay, and only 19 percent saves money for luxuries. (PNA)

are producing high-tech jobs through the research center,” he added.

The DTI chief said AI helps companies including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to be more competitive and efficient with their operations.

For instance, AI can assist farmers to identify which

crops to plant in specific locations and seasons. It can also help businesses to identify the best location for their next branches.

“In other words, big companies will not have the monopoly of AI. AI is a technology that any company can use, including SMEs, through data processing,” Lopez said.

(PNA)

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and no frills on the other side,” Sotto said, adding the House version is, “very complex,” Zubiri interjected.

Dissent and Abstention Senator Panfilo Lacson, who said on Tuesday that the people of the Bangsamoro region should be consulted through a plebiscite if they approve of the proposed postponement of the May 2022 polls to 2025, voted against the bill while Senator Imee Marcos, immediately after Lacson registered his ‘no’ vote, declared she would abstain.

Senator Ralph Recto also abstained.

Marcos on Tuesday said she would agree to an extension of the Bangsmoro transition period but only for one year.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon proposed and the senators agreed, to delete the “controversial line” on appointing new BTA members “upon effectivity of the law” as that would, in effect, cut short the three-year term of the BTA members which is to expire on June 30, 2022.

He proposed that “upon the expiration of the terms of the incumber members of the BTA, the President shall appoint the 80 members of the BTA who shall serve up to June 30, 2025 or until their successors shall have been elected.”

The bill’s principal

sponsor, Senator Francis Tolentino, chair of the Committee on Local Government, accepted Drilon’s amendment, subject to styling.

Sotto said BTA members “will remain” until June 30, 2022 and “the new President may be able to appoint” the 80-member BTA, subject to the provisions of RA 11054. Under the Bangsamoro law, the enabling act of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) — the peace agreement signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) — the 80-member BTA shall be MILF-led. After the ratification of the Bangsamoro law in early 2019, President Duterte appointed 80 members of the BTA, 41 of them nominated by the MILF and 39 nominated by the government.

The law provides that the BTA should include representatives from the non-Moro indigenous communities, youth, women, settler communities, and traditional leaders, among others.

Zubiri emphasized that representation in the BTA should be “respected by the next President.”

“If it’s in the BARMM law, the next president will follow that,” Sotto said.

“Is it our understanding that the present members

stitute (PhilRice), said in a statement.

“With the biosafety permit, DA-PhilRice has now commenced producing seeds for cultivation, which usually takes 3-4 cropping seasons,” said Ronan Zagado, the government spokesman for the Golden Rice initiative.

Golden Rice will be initially deployed in areas with high prevalence of Vitamin A deficiency by the third quarter of 2022, before it can become commercially available for public consumption, he told Reuters.

The Philippines had been expected to approve the widespread planting of Golden Rice as early as 2011, but faced public concerns over health risks and opposition from various sectors.

Greenpeace has denounced the approval and called on the agriculture

department to reverse the decision.

“The DA needs to ensure that farmers are central in a green and just recovery from the pandemic, and are supported by resilient food and farm systems in the face of the climate emergency,” said Wilhelmina Pelegrina, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

PhilRice Executive Director John de Leon, however, allayed health risk concerns.

“We have generated extensive data on the safety (of Golden Rice) in terms of national and international safety standards,” he said.

Golden Rice has received food safety approvals from regulators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, and is undergoing final regulatory review in Bangladesh, according to IRRI.

what’s standing out there is concerns by foreign investors about their political predicament, and that has shown dramatically in foreign direct investments into those two countries,” Wittig added.

Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned as the political crisis escalated.

Anti-government protests persist in Thailand as they call for political reforms, while Myanmar

unrest continues as the junta runs its government.

While the Philippines will have its election year in 2022, ECCP executive director Florian Gottein said this becomes an opportunity for businesses as consumption rises during an election year. “...Investors will also look (at) how this country (has) been able to manage this pandemic,” Gottein added. (PNA)

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of BTA will hold office until June 30, 2022?” Drilon asked. Sotto replied, “yes” while Tolentino said “yes, unless for cause there are reasons for their removal, subject to due process.”

Deleted The Senate had agreed in May to “simplify” the bill by taking out the controversial Section 2 which listed down the seat allocation, including those to be nominated by governors of the Bangsamoro provinces (one province that was not even part of BARMM was included) — opting instead to return to the formula prescribed by RA 11054 whose basis was the peace agreement.

On Wednesday, the Senate deleted the proposed section on the creation of a

Joint Congressional Oversight Committee “to aid the BTA in the performance of its functions and priorities.”

RA 11054 provides for a Philippine Congress – Bangsamoro Parliament Forum “for purposes of cooperation and coordination of legislative initiatives.”

Tolentino admitted to having “some misgivings” about taking out the oversight provision but “we have deleted this provision.”

Gordon, author of one of two Senate bills seeking the extension of the Bangsamoro transition period, expressed a “misgiving” that the “new President will now be able to appoint” members of the BTA for the three-year period 2022 to 2025.

these bills were the priority of his administration as he asked Congress to pass these economic reform legislation.

“I would like to renew my call to Congress to immediately pass the amendments of priority legislative measures such as the Foreign Investments Act, the Public Service Act, and the Retail Liberalization Act,” Duterte then said.

The Foreign Investments Act will allow more equity for foreign inves-

tors setting up their businesses in the country.

The Public Service Act, on the other hand, will help the country to benefit from world-class capital, technology, and innovation.

The Retail Trade Liberalization Act will allow more options of products for consumers, which will lead to competition and lower prices of goods, as it aims to ease equity and capitalization requirements for investors in the retail trade sector. (PNA)

The funds were sourced from the miscellaneous personnel benefits fund and unprogrammed appropriations under this year’s budget, according to the agency.

The DOH, according to DBM, should facilitate the fund transfers to hospitals, treatment, rehabilitation centers, private hospitals, and COVID-19 facilities under them.

Last week, the health department said it it has released P10.85 billion for the SRA of 740,958 health workers, and another P4.24 billion for the hazard pay of

864,843 frontliners.

Thousands of medical workers have already reportedly resigned during the pandemic, complaining of low pay and poor working conditions.

Some have sought better jobs abroad.

The DOH is also facing questions over the management of COVID-19 funds.

State auditors reported “deficiencies” of about P67 billion leading to “missed opportunities” in containing the coronavirus pandemic.

The health department said the funds were accounted for.

Velasco said the Congressional Medal of Excellence was created to give honor and commendation to “exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympics.”

On Monday, the Philippine Sports Commission formally released the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor)-funded cash incentives to the Olympic achievers during their courtesy visit on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.

Getting the lion’s share of the cash windfall was Diaz, who received a total of PHP15 million.

Rewarded with PHP5

million each were Petecio and Paalam for their silver medal finish, while Marcial received PHP2 million for his bronze medal finish.

Also given cash incentives were the athletes’ coaches and trainers, which is equivalent to 50 percent of their wards’ financial rewards.

Diaz’s trainer, Antonio Agustin Jr. received a total of PHP5 million for helping the weightlifter achieve the historic feat. Likewise, boxing coaches Elmer Pamisa, Nolito Velasco, Ronald Chavez and Reynaldo Galido received cash incentives from the state-run gaming firm. (PNA)

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he Philippine Sports Commission has approved the renaming of selected sports facilities to sports heroes in honor of their unparalleled athletic achievements which has brought honor to the country.

Most of the sports heroes to be honored with this development are enshrined Philippine Sports Hall of Famers, with the exception of Hidilyn Diaz whose indelible mark in Philippine sports history as the first Olympic gold medalist makes it a no-brainer to name the weightlifting gym at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex as Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Gym. The PSC Board also approved the renaming of the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court to Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Court, RMSC Swimming Pool to Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool, and the Rizal Memorial Track Stadium to Simeon Toribio Track Stadium.

The originally named PSC Multi-Purpose Gym located in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex was reverted back to its original title.

“These athletes have given the honor to the

“These athletes have given the honor to the country with their work in sports, we hope to keep their legacies alive for this and next generations.”

-- PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez

country with their work in sports, we hope to keep their legacies alive for this and next generations.

We want to pique the interest of the people who will read about or visit the facility. Who is Teofilo Yldefonso? What did Felicisimo Ampon do that this venue is named to him?” explained PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

The PSC said this is just the first round of naming their venues to sports heroes. Also on the horizon is the opening of a bigger, interactive and modern Philippine Sports Museum building to rise also in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex which is part of the government’s Build, build, build program. The present PSC museum which houses several memorabilia of a number of sports heroes will soon call this projected 2-story building it’s new home soon

Bejino finishes last in 200m medley

Medal of distinction conferred on Olympic boxing medalists T he House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted resolutions conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction to boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Felix Marcial for winning two silver medals and a bronze for the Philippines in the recently concluded Tokyo Summer Olympics.

During the plenary session, the chamber adopted House Resolutions 2093, 2122, and 2116 congratulating, commending, and conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction on the three Filipino boxers.

Petecio bagged a silver medal at the women’s featherweight final at the Tokyo Olympics, while Paalam and Marcial, clinched silver and bronze in the men’s boxing flyweight and middleweight categories, respectively.

“Winning a medal at

the Olympics was no easy feat as our boxers had to compete against the best athletes in the world,” Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who is an author of the resolutions, said. “Nesthy, Carlo and Eumir are considered as our national heroes in sports.”

The Congressional Medal of Distinction is given to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and other fields.

Velasco said it was the same award given by Congress to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz five years ago when she won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The House recently adopted a resolution conferring the first-ever Congressional Medal of Excellence to Diaz for winning the country’s first-ever Olympic gold victory in the Tokyo Games.

FMEDAL, A3

G

ary Bejino struggled in his first event for the Tokyo Paralympics and missed out on a medal in the said para-swimming race, the men’s 200-meter individual medley.

Bejino finished last among 17 participants in the preliminary phase of the event on Thursday at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Bejino, who played in Heat 2, clocked in at three minutes and 17.19 seconds, way behind heat winner Andrei Granichka of Russia, who finished a shade under 2:46.

Granichka will vie for a medal in the championship round later Thursday alongside Colombia’s Nelson Crispin, who had the fastest time in the preliminaries after going first in Heat 3 at 2:43.07, Jia Hongguang, Yang Hong, and Wang Jingang of China, Juan Gutierrez of Mexico, Talisson Glock of Brazil, and Zach Shattuck of the United States.

Bejino still has another crack at gold as he will be in Heat 1 of the 50-meter butterfly preliminaries at 8:36 a.m. Monday. (PNA)

The Philippines’ medalists in Tokyo Olympics Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Felix Marcial receive their incentives from Phoenix Petroleum.

8 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 140 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021

STAYCATION FOR NESTHY

Dabawenya boxer Nesthy gets staycation at Aeon Towers

A

eon Luxe Properties Inc. has extended Dabawenya Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio a staycation at its prime condo accommodation Aeon Towers.

The Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur native brought home a shining silver medal to the Philippines after her triumphant fight in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

As a reward, the company has decided to gift Petecio an overnight stay in two (2) of the fully-furnished staycation units at Aeon Towers for 3 days and 2 nights which includes an exclusive access to the amenities of Club Aeon at the 6th floor. An unforgettable experience she deserves for all the punches she took in all of her fights up to today.

“We are honored to accord this staycation experience to an athlete like Nesthy Petecio as she did not only bring pride to the country but to Dabawenyos as well. Aeon Towers would be excited to welcome champs like her here soon” Aeon Luxe President and CEO Ian Cruz said.

Nesthy is a 29-year-old amateur boxer who had her first big break in her boxing career at the age of 11 when she joined a match at the Araw ng Davao celebration in Rizal Park, Davao City. She clinched a lot of medals while representing Team Philippines since 2011 and finally caught the hearts of the Filipino people on her unforgettable match at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics last July bringing home a silver medal, the first Olympic medal won by a Filipino boxer in 25 years.

“Nesthy’s humility and gratefulness to those who supported her exudes a victorious athlete. She defi-

Dabawenyo Paralympian Ernie Gawilan rides a wheelchair during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics.

Nesthy Petecio with her brand new car, one of the incentives she received after winning an Olympic silver. Nesthy Petecio FB page nitely deserves an break and relaxation with her family and friends once she has the time to visit here in Davao and is best experienced via Aeon Towers Staycation Units,” Aeon Luxe Vice President for Sales & Marketing Almira Mariano said.

Aeon Towers is an iconic landmark towering in the heart of Metro Davao’s business district along J.P.

Laurel Avenue. It is a mixed-use development with residential, commercial and soon a hotel component to be operated by a 5-star international hotelier making Aeon Towers the next big destination in the city. Some of its condo units are now turned over to homeowners who are enjoying a luxurious and smart lifestyle experience they invested in.