Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 168 | Tuesday, September 28, 2021

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INCENTIVES

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

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Elementary teachers pull trolley bags where they will put the modules for their students outside Palma Gil Elementary School along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

City to offer incentives to hesitant individuals to be vaccinated STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the during the inauguration of the new Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital in Isulan on Friday. The President received an overall “very good” net satisfaction rating of +62 in June, down from +65 in May and November’s “excellent”level of +79, according to a poll by Social Weather Stations (SWS). Edge Davao

INCENTIVES City to offer incentives to hesitant individuals to be vaccinated

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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s a last ditch effort to convince vaccination-hesitant residents, the city government of Davao is planning to give incentives if they decide to be vaccinated with the first dose.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the incentives will soon be announced as a step to encourage all Dabawenyos to be protected against Covid-19.

The mayor said this was discussed during a meeting

last week after a backlog of 438,000 for the first dose was reported.

“Last week during our meeting this was already discussed because dako na ang atoang backlog sa atoang target sa first dos-

es and we see that nagkadako siya every week ang backlog. So they created a small group and they did a very quick review and assessment of the vaccination program. Nakita nila nga ang atoang kulang sa first doses we are around 438,000 kulang ta. 438,000 ang atoang ginapangita na mga vaccinees,” she explained.

The mayor said it was assessed that these are the

people who will not go to the vaccine centers, people who do not believe in vaccines, and the people who are daily wage earners whose work is more important to them.

“Nakita na naa nata sa segment sa population nga kani katong mga tao nga who will not go to the vaccine centers these are the people who do not believe in vaccines and the people

former House Representative Bai Sandra Sema as the UBJP’s gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial candidates.

Ebrahim, during a political gathering inside the BARMM compound, also endorsed the reelection bid of Rep. Roonie Sinsuat who is seeking his second term as Maguindanao’s first dis-

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Local Maguindanao political parties name candidates for 2022 polls

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arely five days before the start of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), local aspirants, both seeking reelection and newbies in Maguindanao, announced alliances and their desire to run for the 2022 national and local elections.

On Sunday, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), through its United

Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), has named its candidates that the party will support in next year’s polls.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim, also head of the MILF and its local political party, has endorsed Maguindanao 2nd District Rep. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu and

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oint police and military operatives have arrested two persons in possession of shabu and several firearms in Calinan this city Saturday morning (September 25).

In a report, Task Force Davao (TFD) identified the suspects as Michael John Burias Lantoria, 40, of Carmen, Cagayan, Cagayan de

Road projects begin in 3 Bukidnon villages

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hree villages in Malitbog, Bukidnon will soon have paved roads and livelihood projects under the Local Government Support Fund–Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP).

Kiabo, San Luis, and Siloo are among the 71 SBDP beneficiaries and will receive PHP20 million each.

The Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion (58IB), a partner of the project, said in a statement on Sunday that three local access roads with a projected length of 1.3 kilometers each will be constructed.

Lt. Col. Ricky Canatoy, commanding officer of the 58IB, said the LGSF-SBDP complements the fight against communist terrorist groups (CTGs).

“Insurgency is about governance. Who governs best, wins the war. The commitment of the local government units, national and local government

agencies, and other stakeholders is crucial in the intensification of sustaining this program. And I am positive this project will be a success, with the help and cooperation from the residents,” he stated.

Mayor Osmundo dela Rosa said that in order to thrive in the countryside, the communities need decent roads as most of his constituents are farmers.

“Having paved roads is crucial because it helps them to access their farm outputs. And I credit the implementation of Executive Order No. 70, also known as the whole-of-nation approach, for the completion of these road projects,” he said in another statement.

Dela Rosa said by working together, CTGs can realize their mistaken notions about the government.

“I hope they would have the eyes and heart to see that our government

Oro City, and Sebastian S. Quiblat, 61, from Igpit, Opol, Misamis Oriental.

The report said the suspects were onboard a white Mitsubishi Estrada pick-up with plate number KAA 7618 and were passing by a police and military checkpoint around 9:20 a.m in Barangay Lacson,Calinan District when they were

flagged down.

Upon thorough inspection, authorities were able to intercept from their possession a total of 3 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value worth about P48,000; drug paraphernalia; 43 pieces (pcs) of 9mm pistols; 18 pcs shotguns; 1 380 pistol; magazines; and

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

NEWS

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People who missed their second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine get their jabs at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Barrio Obrero, Davao City on Monday. The hub will vaccinate 500 people until Tuesday, September 28, 2021, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. CIO

Soldiers provide medical care to wounded NPA in Bukidnon

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he Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) has provided medical care to a wounded female member of the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

Maj. Francisco Garello, chief of Division of Public Affairs Office (DPAO) of 4th ID, said the beneficiary of the medical aid is Lody Han-ayan Ampildon alias Diane, 18 yrs. old and a resident of Purok 5, Sitio Mahayag, Barangay St. Peter, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Diane was captured by the troops at Sitio Kamaca, Barangay Bontongon, Impasugong, Bukidnon on Thursday (September 23) at around 11 p.m. after she was abandoned by her comrades during an encounter with troops on September 20.

She has gunshot wounds in her left leg, right arm, and waist.

Garello said the capture of Diane was a result of the

8th Infantry Battalion’s continuous loudspeaker operations encouraging civilians to cooperate and report presence of lawless armed groups.

Diane is a medic of Regional Sentro De Gravidad (RSDG) COMPAQ of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) and has been with the communist group for 7 months.

4th ID commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the call of peace through loudspeaker operations in Malaybalay City emboldened the populace to report the location of Diane.

Apart from Diane, the soldiers had earlier provided medical treatment to another wounded NPA leader, Mary Joy Arevalo Antiha with aliases Nikki and Kib, who was also captured along with nine other NPA rebels in an encounter

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DCPO arrests 51 individuals for violating health protocols

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he Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has intensified compliance of Dabawenyos with minimum health protocols, especially now that there is a surge of COVID-19 cases is increasing in the city.

On Friday, September 25, members of Sta.Ana Police Station apprehended a total of 51 individuals for violating minimum health protocols such as social distancing and liquor ban.

Capt. Rose Aguilar, spokesperson of DCPO, said that 36 of individuals violated the liquor ban

while 15 did not observe social distancing.

Aguilar said the violators were caught during the implementation of standard health protocols conducted by Sta.Ana Police and Task Force Davao at Barangay 30-C, Narra Street on Friday evening (September 24).

She said that while authorities were conducting foot patrol, they noticed a group of people having drinking sessions in the area.

The apprehended per-

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Sara calls for more steadfast Central 911

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ber 2002, the Davao City Central Communications and Emergency Response Center or the Central 911 is at the forefront of providing primary emergency response services which include medical assistance, search and rescue, fire auxiliary, and K-9 services for the residents of Davao City.

Central 911 was a product of a collaborative undertaking between the Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC) and the city govern-

ment of Davao to aid in minimizing the increasing crime incidents in the City.

Davao Central 911 offers services of quality and efficient response services including medical assistance for emergencies, search and rescue operations, fire suppression, and augmentation through its K-9 services.

“As we take pride in being the first city to establish this system in the Asian region, we likewise recognize and honor our Central 911 team for continuously carrying out its mandate and mission to provide quality and efficient emergency response services to Dabawenyos. I hope that

this incredible milestone may inspire you to be more resolute as you continue serving the people of Davao City with courage, compassion, and determination in the years to come,” Mayor Sara said.

In its 19th year, Central 911 shared the stories of a few of the many people behind the PPEs, fire gears, rescue suits, and 24/7 calls.

Beverly Jean Gutierrez, 911 call taker for 11 years, said she applied to 911 because there was one time in 2006 when she asked for medical assistance after her nephew accidentally stuffed a pellet in his nose.

be among those who will screen the applicants being the head of the contact tracing team, said the city is looking for applicants with good communication skills and a pleasant personality as the contact tracing skills can be learned and adapted.

She added that the current contact tracers that the city has hired when the maximum average daily cases were 200 and above.

“Kay as of the moment kay kulang gyud ta, they have to work. Ang atoang working hours kay eight hours lang, they are working 24/7. They are allotting their lives tala-

ga, Saturday, Sunday, walay undang na atoang contact tracing whether buntag or evening,” she said.

A contact tracer conducts contact tracing during the day and prepares reports in the evening as there are documentations needed to be submitted, including the timeline of contacts of a Covid-19 positive case.

“Ten hours of contact tracing and another 10 hours for reporting, their sleeping time is so really less. We pay so much respect and much gratitude sa atoang mga contact tracers. Pero I also acknowledge dili jud perpekto

tanan namong mga contact tracers,” she said.

Schlosser also appealed to the public to help the contact tracers in performing their tasks.

“We do want to improve our services pero dili gyud sya perpekto kay we’ve been battling this for two years, walay Saturday, Sunday. They work 24/7, siguro naay certain boiling point kapuyon napud sila ba but again that’s not an excuse kay naa man mi sa serbisyo publiko so it’s not an excuse but again we plea for your understanding,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged the personnel of Davao City Central 911 to be more resolute in serving the Dabawenyos amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are very grateful to all of you for your unwavering devotion and commitment to serve the city, especially now that we are currently facing the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the mayor said in a video message as Davao City Central 911 marked its 19 years on September 27, 2021 as the primary provider of fast and reliable emergency services to the Dabawenyos.

Established in Septem-

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Over 100 applicants for contact tracing jobs

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avao City Covid-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser bared that over 100 individuals applied with the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) as contact tracers.

The city is currently hiring additional contact tracers due to the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases.

These applicants will augment the city’s current lean team of contact tracers, which has been serving beyond regular working hours since the pandemic struck in March 2020.

Schlosser, who will

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III says the agency is working towards enhanced deployment and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it is set to forge agreements with Canada, Russia, China and Thailand. Presidential Photo

Bello vows to bring back jobs abroad for displaced OFWs

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he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is working towards enhanced deployment and protection of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it is set to forge agreements with more countries of destination.

Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III said a huge number of jobs is on the table and the DOLE will prioritize OFWs who lost their jobs since the start of the pandemic.

“In the meantime, we are creating more employment destination for the overseas Filipino workers.

That’s the reason why we are entering into agreement with Canada, Russia, China and even Bangkok so that we will have bilateral agreements with them to provide work destination for OFWs,” Bello said in a news release

on Sunday.

Bilateral Labor Agreements (BLAs) are formal agreements entered into by the Philippines with countries of destination to govern deployment, labor cooperation on the protection and promotion of rights and welfare of OFWs, and human resources development.

As OFW deployment is still limited due to travel restrictions in some countries, Bello advised Filipino workers to continue honing their skills while in the Philippines.

Bello said a total of 702,000 OFWs were repatriated and have been reunited with their families after undergoing the required quarantine protocols.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), an attached agency of DOLE, leads in providing various assistance to OFWs. “Meron ding program na tinatawag na Abot Kamay ang Pagtulong o AKAP. Kung hindi pa nakakauwi at nandun sila, [sa ibang bansa] walang trabaho dahil sa pandemya, binigyan namin sila ng tig-200 US dollars pero kung nakauwi na sila, binigyan namin sila ng equivalent na PHP10,000 (We also a program called AKAP. If they are still in other countries and no jobs due to pandemic, we gave them

USD200 each but if they are here already, we gave them equivalent PHP10,000),” Bello said.

Children of OFWs are also receiving aid through scholarship grants under OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), an educational assistance of PHP20,000 per school year to qualified dependent of an active member OFW whose salary is not more than USD600.

He said not only the active members are receiving aid from DOLE but also those who are not members.

“Generally dapat sa mga active members pero sa panahon ng pandemya kailangan intindihin mo ang kanilang kalagayan.

Kahit paano yung ayuda na binibigay sa regular OFWs

worth of Phoenix fuels paid cashless via GrabPay. Apart from the cashback, Cebu and Davao motorists will also get an additional P130 Grab promo code for every P200 worth of Phoenix transaction paid using GrabPay. The promo code can be used to avail exciting discounts on GrabFood and other available Grab services in Cebu and Davao.

“Since last year, we have been firm about our thrust for safer and secure

transactions in our stations, hence we have been offering contactless options to our customers. We are glad to partner with GrabPay, one of the ePayment options that we accept in our stations, for yet another promo–a cashback that encourages and rewards users whenever they gas up with Phoenix,” Phoenix President Henry Albert Fadullon said.

“Cashless payment is an important aspect of our

lives as it provides Filipinos with a safe yet practical way of paying for their everyday transactions.

While many Filipinos have relied on e-wallets for their cashless payments, there are still those who are yet to unlock its many unique benefits. Our partnership with Phoenix Petroleum is a clear expression of our commitment to provide our consumers with a safe, seamless, and the most rewarding cashless payment

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BSP seen to hasten rate hikes in 2022, says Fitch Solutions

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is likely to implement faster key policy rate hikes in 2022 up to a total of 75 basis points, Fitch Solutions said Monday.

The 75 bps hike, which will bring the country’s key borrowing rate to 2.75 percent, is higher than the previous estimate of a 50 bps rate hike, Fitch Solutions said in a statement.

For 2021, the BSP is expected to keep the benchmark interest rate at 2 percent, the group said.

“We at Fitch Solutions maintain our expectation for the Bangko Sentral Ng

Pilipinas (BSP) to keep its key policy rate on hold at 2.00 percent through 2021 but we now expect 75 basis points (bps) of hikes in 2022 to 2.75 percent, revised up from 50bps previously,” according to the latest Fitch Solutions outlook.

“We expect that as the economy begins to rebound, the BSP will seek to normalize sooner rather than later to anchor investor appetite for Philippine assets and temper demand-side inflationary pressures,” it added.

A monetary policy action can also be announced

solution. And we hope that through this partnership, we continue to meaningfully grow an inclusive cashless society, and build a stronger and more resilient digital-first economy,” said Grab Financial Group Philippines Country Head Martha A. Borja.

The two-month-long cashback promo will last until October 31, 2021. Participating stations include 58 sites in Metro Manila, 124 stations in Luzon, 37

sites in Visayas, and 54 stations in Mindanao.

In June last year, Phoenix started offering contactless transactions in its stations in a bid to help stop the spread of COVID-19 infections through paper bills and cards. Together with Grab Philippines, the company has also been offering various discounts to motorists nationwide to help cushion the effect of the pandemic on the transport sector.

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Phoenix, GrabPay double down on contactless transactions

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hoenix, the Philippines’ fastest growing petroleum company, together with GrabPay - Southeast Asia’s leading mobile wallet, has announced its cashback campaign to further encourage more motorists and consumers to pay cashless every time they gas up in Phoenix stations.

This campaign will be available across 273 Phoenix stations nationwide, and will offer a P50 cashback for every P500

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ECONOMY

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A car accessories shop worker waves to passing motorists to attract customers in front of a shop along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

SEC approves AllDay Mart IPO, Petron bond offering

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has considered favorably the market debut of AllDay Marts, Inc. and another bond offering by Petron Corporation under shelf-registration.

In its meeting on September 23, the Commission En Banc resolved to render effective the registration statements of AllDay Marts and Petron covering 22,857,145,000 common shares and P50 billion of fixed-rate bonds, respectively, subject to certain remaining requirements.

ALLDAY MARTS AllDay Marts will offer up to 6,857,143,000 primary common shares at a price of P0.80 per share, with an over-allotment option of up to 685,714,000 common shares. The shares will be listed on the Main Board of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Net proceeds from the sale of the primary offer shares could amount to P5.296billion. The company could raise an additional P530.5 million, assuming the overallotment option is fully exercised.

The Villar-led company will use the proceeds from the initial public offering (IPO) for debt repayment, capital expenditures, and initial working capital for store network expansion.

AllDay Marts is a supermarket operator with a total of 33 stores spanning 55,881 square meters in aggregate net selling space, as of June

30. It plans to expand its store network to 45by 2022 and 100 by the end of 2026.

The IPO will run from October 15 to 25, with listing on the PSE scheduled for November 3, according to the latest timetable submitted to the SEC. AllDay Marts engaged PNB Capital and Investment Corporation as sole issue manager for the transaction.

PNB Capital will also work with BDO Capital & Investment Corporation and China Bank Capital Corporation as joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners.

PETRON Petron may issue theP50 billion worth of fixed-rate, peso-denominated bonds in one or more tranches within three years.

For the first tranche, the listed oil refiner and marketing company will offer to the public up to P18 billion worth of four-year Series E bonds due in 2025 and sixyear Series F bonds due in 2027.

Petron expects to net P17.78 billion from the first tranche. Proceeds will be used for the redemption of its Series A bonds, for the partial financing of its power plant project, and for the payment of existing debt.

The bonds comprising the first tranche will be offered at face value from September 27 to October 5, in time for their listing on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on October 12, based on the latest timetable submitted to the SEC.

Gov’t eyes vaccination of all tourism workers by Dec.

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he government is targeting to inoculate the tourism workforce nationwide against Covid-19 until the end of the year.

Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force (NTF) Against Covid-19, said tourism is critical to reviving the economy.

“When the pandemic struck, the nation’s tourism sector took a major hit.

We believe that in order for the industry to get back on its feet and safely open our economy, we need to vaccinate as many members of our workforce as possible,” Galvez said during the ceremonial inoculation of tourism industry workers at

Oakridge Business Park in Mandaue City, Cebu.

At least five million workers are employed in tourism-related industries nationwide.

In Cebu, about 50 percent of Cebu province’s tourism workers are vaccinated while the Department of Tourism (DOT) aims for full coverage before Christmas.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said tourism workers include not only hotel staff but also those employed in restaurants, airports, and drivers, among

others.

“Cebu is very important to us. By the end of October this year, 99 or 100 percent of tourism workers in Cebu must be vaccinated, the only way to open tourism in Cebu and the Philippines is for all to be vaccinated, everybody that tourists are in contact with. All over Asia, ang nakabukas lang na (the only operational) tourist destination(s), ‘yung (are those) with 90 percent or more vaccinated,” Puyat said.

Galvez said the NTF has approved the allocation of 20,000 doses weekly to expedite the inoculation of tourism workers.

“By providing our workers here in Cebu with an ex-

tra layer of protection against the virus, they will have more confidence to return to their jobs, which in turn, shall encourage tourism operators to increase their operational capacity and result in an economic revival here in the province,” he said.

Puyat said the vaccine supply will “benefit not only hotel and resort employees, but also workers in restaurants, airports, and other members of the informal economy who are doing business in tourist destinations”.

“These will cover everybody that tourists come in contact with,” she added.

Support group

Under the Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP), LANDBANK will facilitate loan applications and provide credit assistance to graduate-mentees coached and trained by Go Negosyo and DA. The Bank will also assist in the development of new training and mentorship modules for startup and expanding agribusiness

ventures.

During the virtual Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing ceremony on 20 September 2021, LANDBANK welcomed the opportunity to match its loan programs with the specific requirements of eligible KAMMP graduates and provide accessible and affordable credit assistance

to support their livelihood.

“We are proud to be part of this meaningful and timely undertaking tailored to the needs of the agriculture sector. This is aligned with our ongoing efforts in widening credit access to farmers, fishers, and MSMEs nationwide,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia C.

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LANDBANK lends financial muscle to DA-Go Negosyo agri program

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he Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) has partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Go Negosyo to support their existing coaching program and service the financial requirements of eligible farmers, fishers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide.

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

In reiterating he is not running in the 2022 presidential race:

Kung ano po ‘yung makakabuti at sino po ‘yung makakapagpatuloy ng inumpisahang pagbabago ng ating Pangulo susuportahan ko po ‘yon.”

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL Standby vehicle A political party based in Davao City is set to register itself as a national party in anticipation of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio eventually declaring her bid for the presidency.

It may be presumptuous at this point as the presidential daughter has repeatedly said she in not running anymore and is giving way to her father’s bid for the Vice Presidency in 2022.

The new party is named Partido Pilipino sa Pagbabago (PPP) and it is set to hold its national directorate convention to express its support for the possible candidacy of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio of Davao City. The party founds itself as a movement for “Pilipino-style federalism.” It embraces a policy adopting a more inclusive and apt form of government.

The party headed by Leonardo A. Fernandez, PPP director-general is comprised of multi-sectoral groups, coalitions, political alliances and people’s organizations. The grassroots-oriented initiative revealed that it has filed an application

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Its slogan is Una sa lahat ang Pilipino” and plans to establish a “Pilipino-block in Congress that will enact pro-Pilipino legislative measures and programs and will bring the spirit of the slogan alive. The party was formed because it is of the belief that the country is facing need “new approaches, structures, abilities and commitment” because of weak party system as “exemplified by turncoatism;” the presence in politics of mere traditional politicians and oligarchs who only want to protect business empires; and political parties that are “not responsive to the needs of their members.”

Whether or not this party will eventually be Mayor Sara’s political party is yet to be seen. For now, it is just a standby vehicle on which the president’s daughter can readily jump in just in case she changes her mind.

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

to become a national party in February and hopes it would be approved before the filing of certificates of candidacy starting October 1.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF When someone tells you, “Sweat the small stuff,” what he means is you need to worry about minor things.

More often than not, however, people don’t pay attention to those small things. They think of big things instead of concentrating on minute details. But that should not be the case. As Henri Frederic Amiel puts it: “What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution.”

Benjamin Franklin also said: “A small leak can sink a great ship.”

In The Battle of the Labyrinth, author Rick Riordan wrote, “As a mortal, I was never a great fighter or athlete or poet. I only made wine. The people in my village laughed at me. They said I would never amount to anything.

Look at me now. Sometimes, small things can become very large indeed.”

Let’s take the case of one. You start counting with one before you reach 100. A hundred is not a hundred without one. But one is a small number. So much so that no one seems to pay with one. What is one against the 99 others?

When it comes to elections, one vote can make a difference.

Most people definitely think that one vote is just one vote. But there have been cases in which one vote decided an election.

In 1800, Thomas Jefferson was elected President by one vote in the House of Representatives

after a tie in the Electoral College.

In 1876, Samuel Tilden won the presidential popular vote but came up one electoral vote shy and lost to Rutherford B. Hayes, who became the 9th president of the United States.

During the 1910 elections for New York’s congressional district, Charles B. Smith polled 20,685 votes while his opponent received 20,684 votes. The one vote margin made him the winner.

In India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee lost the no-confidence motion and his Prime Ministership in the Parliament by a single vote in 1999. In Great Britain, Conservative Henry Duke maintained his seat in the House of Commons table by getting 4,777 to his opponent’s 4,776.

Little things mean a lot, so goes a popular saying. That must be true in the past. But people in the modern world don’t believe in it anymore. Take the case of sleep.

People these days are sleeping less and less. And the price – nothing except that the person is getting bigger, literally. The less a person sleeps, the higher his body mass index tends to be.

Recent studies have shown that people who sleep five hours a night were found to have 15 percent more ghrelin (a hormone that boosts hunger) in their bodies and 15 percent less leptin (which suppresses it) than those sleeping the required eight hours.

In addition, people who spend less time sleeping are in grave danger. A large-scale study concluded that people who sleep six to seven hours a night lived longer than those sleeping less than 4.5 hours.

Now, there’s truth to what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said, “It has long been an axiom of mine that little things are infinitely the most important.”

In other words, we should sweat the small stuff – again!

Look at water, which covers more than two-thirds of the earth’s surface. But only 2.5 percent of that water is freshwater.

And 99.7 percent of that fresh water is unavailable, trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas. This means that about 0.3 percent of the planet’s freshwater is shared by all inhabitants.

Unknowingly, it’s those small stuff that make this world a better place to live: a long distance call from your daughter now living in the United States, a small talk with your best friend whom you have not seen since high school graduation, a thank you note from one of your students, a special pen from your boss as his way of appreciation for a job well done, a sudden hug from your five-year-old niece.

Never neglect the little things, urges bestselling author Og Mandino. “Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It doesn’t matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special.

Act it. Never neglect the little things.”

Mary Ann Kelty also reminds us: “Small kindnesses, small cour-

tesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our social intercourse, give a greater charm to the character than the display of great talents and accomplishments.”

Yes, it’s the small things that matter.

Retired American Brigadier General Robinson Risner was a prisoner of war for more than seven years. He was in solitary confinement for five of those years.

He suffered from cold, heat, malnutrition, and lack of fresh air. He was totally deprived of any human comfort. He jogged in his cell by the hour. When he became frustrated he had to scream, he stuffed his underwear into his mouth to muffle the scream. He would not give his captors the satisfaction of knowing his frustration.

One day, in depths of despair, General Risner lay down on the floor and looked all around his small rectangular-shaped cell.

He put his eye next to the cinder blocks, hoping there would be a crack in one of them. Fortunately, there was a minute opening and he saw a single leaf. Later, when he was released, he told the press that seeing “that evidence of life outside” was a “tremendously uplifting and life-changing event.”

“Inch by inch,” said Robert H. Schuller, “it’s a cinch.” We don’t count to one hundred immediately without starting from number one. A child starts to walk with a single step. A Persian proverb pinpoints, “Do little things now, so shall big things come to thee by and by asking to be done.”

Everything in this world is small stuff. And they all matter.

I was reminded of a story shared

by Vincent Barry in his book, The Dog Ate My Homework: Personal Responsibility – How We Avoid It and What to Do About It. At one time, Barry witnessed an argument between a shopper and a produce manager. While the shopper (a mother) was carefully selecting grapes, her son was also eating some of the fruits.

The manager gently informed the child that the grapes were for sale, not sampling. The mother sprang to her child’s defense. “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she said indignantly. “It’s such a small thing.”

Barry wrote his observation: “I wondered where she’d draw the line between ‘small’ and ‘big.’

Perhaps at the point of peeling, as with oranges. The only distinction the child made was between what he wanted and what he didn’t.

And he wanted those grapes.

Whether the mother corrected her son in private, no one knew.

“But her public message was clear and direct: stealing ‘small stuff’ is okay; indeed, it’s not really stealing at all,” Barry concluded.

Saying “I’m sorry,” “I need you,” or “I love you” seems trivial. Unknowingly, we rob the recipients of the joy of hearing those small words. An unknown poet penned these words as a reminder: “”Far too many times we let unimportant things into our minds; and then it’s usually too late to see what made us blind.

“So be sure that you let people know how much they mean to you. Take that time to say the words before your time is through. Be sure that you appreciate everything you’ve got. And be thankful for the little things in life that mean a lot.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

ISLAM IN MINDANAO VIA CHINA The popular notion the early Islamic preacher Makhdum Karim reached Sulu travelled the Indian Ocean and settled in Melaka, Malaysia, a Sufi Muslim according to tradition, before migrating to Sulu in 1380 CE (758 AH) may stand on shaky grounds. (Some sources claim he was a Hanafi of the Sunni school of thought.)

Claims say the introduction of Islam in China took place in 616-18 CE, sixteen to eighteen years before prophet Muhammad died of poisoning. From there, due to the liberal policy of allowing foreigners to enter China during the Mongols-founded Yan dynasty (1271-1638), thousands of Islamic converts from central Asia, notably Persia, moved to China. When emperor Genghis Khan, Islamic restrictions such as the halal were

banned in the country.

In 1357, the Ispah rebellion led by Persian Sunni Muslims Sayf al-din (Sai-fu-ding) and Awhad al-Din (A-mi-li-ding) against the Yuan dynasty in Quanzhou erupted; they even tried reaching the capital city of Fujian, which is Fuzhou. But the uprising failed; as a result, Muslims with foreign bloodline were massacred in Quanzhou and adjacent areas in 1366. Quanzhou is facing Formosa (now Taiwan) and is only a few days by ship from the northern regions of the Philippines where, historically, Muslim rules were reported.

The Chinese persecution of Muslims forced thousands to flee to Java and other areas of Southeast Asia where they started spreading the Islamic religion. At the time Java, in Indonesia, was ruled by the Majapahit Empire,

which was founded by a prince.

He was described as ‘Vijaya, a prince of Singhasari who escaped when Jayakatwang, the ruler of Kadiri, seized the palace.’

Vijaya, who later controlled regions of Indonesia and Malaysia, overthrew his predecessor by collaborating with the Mongols under Chinese emperor Kublai Khan in. The victory led him to give certain concessions to the Mongols who, due to falling out, were expelled from his kingdom.

Later, the empire collapsed in the late 15th or early 16th century following the propagation of Islam and the emergence of Islamic states on the northern coast of Java.

It is interesting also to note that the Muslim diaspora resulting from the Yuan dynasty persecution also ended the sig-

nificant role the Sunni Muslims played in the flourishing trade of Quanzhou. According to tradition, those who survived the oppression fled to Vietnam, Brunei, Sumatra, Java, and Manila Bay, where Islamic kingdoms soon surfaced.

Historian Ma Huan, who was Chinese explorer-admiral Zheng He’s official chronicler, also wrote that Guangdong, another Chinese province south of Quanzhou, was the original settlement of Hanafi Muslims who escaped the persecution by migrating to Java.

Sharif Kabungsuwan’s arrival in Maguindanao from Java to preach Islam coincides with the 16th century fall of the Majapahit Empire. Originally from Johor, Malaysia, he is credited for introducing the monotheistic Islamic religion. His title ‘sharif’ refers to an Islamic leader or judge who is

descended from Muhammad via the lineage of daughter Fatima, which entitles him to wear green turban. Historically, the founder of Islam had a son but did not survive majority age. Following Islamic traditions, Kabungsuwan married numerous local maidens of the prominent Maguindanao clan in Dulawan (later renamed Datu Piang after a Chinese trader who converted to Islamic) which became the backbone of the Maguindanao sultanate.

Many centuries later, Chinese influence in Islamic polity and culture in the sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao becomes more pronounced following intermarriages and the introduction of Chinese gongs, tableware and other merchandise normally associated with yellow, which is the color that refers to royalty in mainland China.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

9

HOW DEFORESTATION CONTRIBUTES

TO CORAL REEF DESTRUCTION Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Additional photo by Gregory C. Ira

I

n his book, Depletion of the Forest Resources in the Philippines, Singaporean author Ooi Jin Bee wrote: “The once forest-rich Philippines is well on its way to becoming the first country in Asia to achieve the dubious distinction of complete deforestation by the year 2000.”

Eighteen years later, the Philippines still have some forests left. But catastrophes – as a result of denudation – continue unabated: flooding, drought, water crisis, food insecurity, and biodiversity loss.

“The root cause is the denudation of our forests,” commented Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center, a non-government organization based in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. “This is a sin of the past that we are paying now.”

Rev. Harold R. Watson, a former American agriculturist who had been helping the locals when he was still assigned in Mindanao, agreed. “When man sins against the earth, the wages of that sin is death or destruction,” explained the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1985 for peace and international understanding. “This seems to be the universal law of God and relates to all of God’s creation. We face the reality of what man’s sins against the earth have caused. We are facing not just a mere problem; we are facing destruction and even death if we continue to destroy the natural resources that support life on earth.”

It is impossible to exaggerate the ecological debacle threatening the Philip-

pines. More than 90 years ago, the Philippines was almost totally covered with forest resources distributed throughout the 30 million hectares. In the 1950s, only three-fourths of the archipelago was covered with forest, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). By 1972, the figure had shrunk to half – and by 1988 only quarter was wooded and just one tiny fraction of this was virgin forest.

The Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said about 7,665,000 hectares of the country is forested. Between 1990 and 2010, the country lost an average of 54,750 hectares per year.

Logging – whether legal or illegal – is one of the primary culprits of the fast disappearance of the country’s forest resources.

“Logging is most ecologically destructive in the mountains,” wrote multi-awarded science journalist Alan Robles in an article circulated by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

“It is next to impossible to replant trees on rocky mountain sides once their thin skin of topsoil has been washed away.”

The tragedy that hap-

pened in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro a few years back was proof of the havoc caused by excessive mountain logging. Floods and landslides buried more than 1,000 people and a thousand more missing.

Cutting and processing of the logs cut from the forest constitute a big industry. But it creates an environmental hazard in areas where it is done. “The destruction of logging stems from its unsustainable nature,” Robles explained.

“It is an extractive industry that destroys forest resources at a much faster pace than they can be replaced by nature’s regenerative capacity.”

In his article, Robles further wrote: “Even reforestation (which most loggers don’t bother to do after they have mowed down their concessions) doesn’t restore the ecological balance and diversity because the process of logging itself destroys so much. Loggers bulldoze roads by cutting a swath through the jungles.

And when the trees are cut, they are dragged across the fragile undergrowth, destroying saplings and other vegetation.”

Singaporean author Ooi Jin Bee pointed out kaingineros (swidden or slashand-burn farmers) as the primary culprit of the fast disappearance of the country’s forest cover. When he computed the rate of annual deforestation of both virgin and secondary growth forest due to kaingin from 1980 to 1985, he found out that kaingin accounted for at least 50% of the forest destruction in the country.

Other causes of deforestation in the country include mining operations, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, geothermal explorations, dam construction and operations, fuelwood collection, and land development projects (construction of subdivision, industrial estates, and commercial sites).

The country’s surging population has likewise contributed to the problem. At least a fourth of the total population lives in the upland areas, where most trees are located. Most of them practiced kaingin farming. “These migrant farmers attack virgin forest lands to cultivate the rich soil, which they quickly deplete,” observed Watson.

“Then, they move on, looking for more. One day, there is no more.”

More often than not, deforestation is often equated with calamities like landslides and flash floods. In its editorial, Philippine Daily Inquirer deplored: “In just one decade, 2000 to 2010, 27 floods and 17 landslides occurred, affecting about 1.6 million people each year and destroying crops and infrastructure worth tens of million pesos a year. In all these floods and landslides, deforestation was a major factor. Bald mountains, depleted forests and barren watersheds caused rainwater to flow down and flood the plains.”

But there’s more to deforestation than just flash floods and landslides.

What happens to the uplands also happens to the coastal areas. And it is the latter that suffers the most.

That’s what happens to the coral reefs, which are on the verge of extinction, as deforestation continues unabated in the higher grounds.

“When trees are cut and human beings are affected as a result of flash floods, people rally against deforestation. But like forests, coral reefs are also suffering the same magnitude of destruction,” explained Dr. Bernhard Riegel, associate director of the National Coral Reef Institute in the United States.

But how come deforestation helps destroy coral reefs, which are touted as the rainforest of the sea?

One of the consequences of cutting trees, particularly in the uplands, is soil erosion.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), about a billion cubic meters or about 200,000 hectares of one-meter deep topsoil are lost every year due to erosion.

“No other soil phenomenon is more destructive worldwide than is soil erosion,” wrote Dr. Nyle C. Brady in his book, The Nature and Properties of Soils.

“It involves losing water and plant nutrients at rates far higher than those occurring through leaching.

More tragically, however, it can result in the loss of the entire soil.”

When soil erodes from fields, it does not simply move to another spot on the farm. Much of it ends up in streams, rivers, lakes and coastal areas. Sedimentation, as a result of deforestation in the uplands, is said to be the most import-

ant single cause of coral reef destruction.

“The biggest culprit is perhaps forest denudation,” pointed out the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), a line agency of the Department of Agriculture.

“When loggers, kaingineros, firewood gatherers, and charcoal makers cut down trees and burn underbrush,” the BFAR explained, “they leave the soil of the mountains bare and defenseless against strong wind and rain.

“During rains, runoff carries eroded soil down to the rivers that deposit it in the sea,” it further said.

“This siltation smothers reefs and kills or drives away to inhospitable areas the fishes that feed and shelter among the corals.”

Deforestation is also cited as one of the perpetrators of climate change.

Intact forests produce a substantial portion of the earth’s oxygen and remove carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. Cutting and burning trees contribute 25% of the world’s global warming gasses, studies show.

In recent years, corals are exhibiting a new kind of degradation: massive bleaching. “When subjected to extreme stress, (the corals) jettison the colorful algae they live in symbiosis with, exposing the white skeleton of dead coral beneath a single layer of clear living tissue. If the stress persists, the coral dies,” explains John C. Ryan of the Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute.

FDEFORESTATION, P10

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EDGEDAVAO

INCENTIVES... FROM 2

who are daily wage earners na mas importante sa ilaha ang trabaho. Naa na ta diha na population. So we are already talking about incentivizing the vaccination for the first dose and there are already suggestion kung paunsa mag incentivize sa atoang first dose,” the mayor said.

The mayor said the city will pilot the plan of “incentivizing” in the two vaccination centers.

“We will try that in some of our centers and we’ll see if there are more people in our vaccination centers. Ang pamaagi or actual na pagbuhat is wala pa

but we already discussed earlier to pilot two vaccination centers with our incentives. Tan- awon nato kung mudaghan pa ang magpabakuna sa duh aka vacciantionc enters. What it is (incentives) dili sa nato i-annoucne sa pagkakakaron,” she said.

Mayor Sara also said that there is also a plan to strengthen and expand the city’s mobile vaccination and bring the vaccine closer to the people.

“So we need that the strategy is to bring the vaccine closer to them instead of asking them to go to our vaccine centers,” she said.

is eager to assist them in transforming their current condition and lives,” he said.

Carmelo Enrique Libot, Provincial Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bukidnon, said the national government is dedicated in its mandate to deliver services to the people and address insurgency by bringing sustainable solutions and basic services to communities in need.

“We are privileged that the province of Bukidnon was included as beneficiary of the LGSF-SBDP. I strongly believe that the projects serve an important part of the peace and development of the conflict-affected and geographically isolated

and disadvantaged areas.

It is my fervent hope that this will allow the target beneficiaries to overcome their challenges and will open more doors for them to progress and boost their economic livelihood,” he said during Thursday’s groundbreaking rites in Baragay Kiabo, attended by residents of the barangay beneficiaries, including those from indigenous peoples communities.

The DILG said PHP16.24 billion or 99 percent of the funds for the Barangay Development Program targeting 822 villages cleared of CTGs have been released to recipient local government units as of June 30. (PNA)

trict solon.

Ebrahim also endorsed the reelection bid of Board Member Datu Bimbo Sinsuat and Datu Jam Sinsuat.

“Topmost criteria set forth by the MILF and UBJP was how the candidates supported the cause of the Bangsamoro,” Ebrahim said.

He said Mangudadatu and Rep. Sinsuat had been the prime movers of the passage of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority extension bill that would lengthen the transition government until 2025.

“Former Rep. Sema was also a key figure in the crafting of the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” Ebrahim added.

The UBJP-endorsed candidates will be facing

the candidates of Family Alliance led by reelectionist Gov. Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.

On Saturday, the Family Alliance also endorsed the candidacy of Bai Ainee Limbona-Sinsuat, wife of incumbent Maguindanao Vice-Gov. Lester Sinsuat as their official candidate for vice-governor. Incumbent Vice Gov. Lester Sinsuat will run as mayor of Datu Odin Sinsuat town.

The Family Alliance also endorsed bets for Maguindanao representatives.

They are incumbent Datu Paglas town Mayor Ibrahim “Tong” Paglas for the 2nd District and Sittie Shahara Dimple Ibrahim-Mastura for the 1st District of Maguindanao with Cotabato City.

assorted bullets.

The report also revealed that the guns are under the name of Delphian Security Agency.

The suspects did not possess Travel Authority or Permit to Transport the firearms.

Marking and inventory of the confiscated evidence were undertaken by the police.

Charges are now being readied against the suspects currently detained at the Calinan police station.

sons were informed of their violations and subsequently issued citation tickets . However after issuance of citation tickets, they were immediately released and advised to pay the corresponding penalties.

Aguilar appealed to residents to follow the city ordinances and executive orders on minimum health protocols to protect them-

selves and their families from COVID-19.

The 24/7 liquor ban and curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. in the city will stay until the end of this year.

The extension aims to regulate some activities that can contribute to local transmission amid the surge of cases and threats of new variants of COVID-19.

ROAD... FROM 2

LOCAL... FROM 2

2 NABBED... FROM 2

DCPO... FROM 3

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

SARA... FROM 3

“Na-amaze ko the way sila muhatag ug instructions ug sa paspas sa ilahang assistance so na challenge ko na I want to be a part of this office,” she said.

Christian Arsua, 911 fire medic for seven years, said it is his passion and call to serve the people of Davao City the reason why he applied for 911.

“Now naay Covid challenging and difficult, why? kay during our fire call wala mi kabalo kung kinsa ang

mga tao na naa sa palibot.

However, we have to serve maskin pa ingon ana ka delikado ang panahon,” he said.

Central 911 vowed to remain committed to its mandate and mission, consistent and at par with international standards. It also upholds that with the tireless efforts of its hardworking and courageous personnel, it has become an agency that brings pride and honor to the city.

with government troops last September 8 in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

Antiha, 24, was the political instructor of Platoon Dos of NPA’s Guerilla Front Malayag of NCMRC. She has been under the medical care of the doctors and nurses from 4th ID’s Camp Evangelista Station Hospital while recuperating from surgery and still in isolation after she was confirmed positive with COVID-19 Delta Variant.

Antiha, meanwhile, thanked the military medical frontliners for taking care of her even after the encounter.

“The soldiers were the ones who carried me and looked for ways to get me treated. With my situation, the nurses here have always assisted me. Big thanks to them,” Antiha said.

Brawner emphasized that the soldiers strictly adhere to the International Humanitarian Law and are

professional individuals committed to respect human rights even of those considered enemies of the state but unable to fight any more.

“Alias Diane and Nikki are among the living testimonies of how the Army respects human rights and cares for captured communist terrorist group (CTG) members. It’s a fulfillment on our part as soldiers to see that lives are saved. It’s our belief that they are also victims of the wrong ideology and the treachery of the CPP-NPA-NDF,” Brawner said.

Brawner renewed his call to all the remaining CTG members to return to the folds of the law and avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“Rest assured that your Army will ensure your safety and provide better opportunities as you transition towards mainstream society,” Brawner said.

binibigyan din natin sila (Generally, only active members are qualified but in times of pandemic, we need to understand their situation. At least we give them assistance similar to what we give to regular OFWs),” Bello said.

Other DOLE programs for OFWs are OWWA’s Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay (BPBH), Education and Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP) and Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs (Tulong Puso). (PR)

in the second quarter of 2022, earlier than the previous forecast of fourth-quarter next year, Fitch Solutions said.

Fitch Solutions cited external pressures from the US Federal Reserve, the gradual recovery in domestic activity and the elevated inflationary pressures could push the BSP to tighten monetary policy.

Although the US Fed on Sept. 22 left its policy unchanged it signaled that it would soon start removing

the stimulus it provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BSP kept the overnight reverse repurchase facility at 2 percent for 7 consecutive monetary policy meetings, reiterating its commitment to be “accommodative” as long as necessary.

Fitch Solutions also revised upwards its inflation expectation to 4.5 percent in 2021 from 4 percent and 3.7 percent in 2022 from 3.4 percent.

SOLDIERS... FROM 3

BELLO... FROM 4

BSP... FROM 4

GOV’T... FROM 5

Alfred Reyes, president of the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, reaffirmed their commitment to help the government in inoculating all tourism workers.

“Restarting the industry relies on the success of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign which requires individual voluntary participation to reduce the risk of both host and visitors. Vaccination is one of the key factors that can help revive both [the] domestic and international tourism,” Reyes said.

He said Cebu should fasttrack its vaccination as event organizers, souvenir shops’ employees, boatmen, tour guides, and travel agencies are also dependent on domestic and international tourism.

The Philippines has received 14,798,750 vaccine doses from Sept. 1 to 23, bringing the total vaccine stockpile to 66,699,340 doses.

Galvez said 317,144 doses were allocated to Cebu province; 60,960 doses, Cebu City; 40,220 doses, Mandaue City; and 29,310 doses, LapuLapu City.

DEFORESTATION... FROM 9

Bleaching has been cited as “the worst threat to the survival of coral reefs.”

“While its causes are not known, bleaching appears when ocean temperatures are abnormally high,” Ryan writes.

But the biggest threat still comes from deforestation. As the recent study, published in Nature Communications, puts it: “Curbing sediment pollution to coral reefs is one of the major recommendations to buy time for corals to survive ocean warming and bleaching events in the future. Our results clearly show that land use management is the most important policy action needed to prevent further damage and preserve the reef ecosystem.”

The researchers of the study found that mitigating erosion on land is more important to saving coral reefs right now than even addressing climate change.

“Without addressing the current issues, we won’t have living coral reefs to try and save from warmer ocean temperatures,” they pointed out.

Why should Filipinos be concerned about the vanishing coral reefs. Fish, like rice, is the staple food of Filipinos. An estimated 1015 percent of the total fisheries come from coral reefs.

About 80-90 percent of the income of small island communities comes from fisheries. “Coral reef fish yields range from 20 to 25 metric tons per square kilometer per year for healthy reefs,” says Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary.

Philippines, whose cor-

al reef area – estimated at 26,000 square kilometers – is the second largest in Southeast Asia. The Inventory of the Coral Resources of the Philippines in the 1970s found only about 5% of the reefs to be in excellent condition, with over 75% coral cover (both hard and soft).

Another study conducted in 1997 showed only 4% of reefs in excellent condition (75% hard or soft coral cover), 28% in good condition (50-75% coral cover), 42% in fair condition (2550% coral cover), and 27% in poor condition (less than 25% coral cover).

“Despite considerable improvements in coral reef management, the country’s coral reefs remain under threat,” said Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim, former director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Philippine government made and introduced many laws in an attempt to protect the natural environment on the islands and in the national territorial waters. But the government cannot do it alone; help from individuals are also needed to save the reefs from total annihilation.

“We are the stewards of our nation’s resources,” said Rafael D. Guerrero III, an academician with the National Academy of Science and Technology, “we should take care of our national heritage so that future generations can enjoy them. Let’s do our best to save our coral reefs.

Our children’s children will thank us for the effort.”

for the Hotshots, who will also go for the clincher on Thursday.

Ian Sangalang added 19 points, 13 rebounds, and one assist.

Calvin Abueva, currently ahead in the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) race, chipped in eight points and 13 boards.

Santi Santillan made 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting for the Elasto Painters.

Tight BPC battle Abueva is neck-andneck with Bolick and NLEX rookie Mikey Williams in the race for the season-opening

conference’s BPC award.

In an update of the statistical points (SPs) standings up to the end of the elimination round, Abueva is ahead of the pack with an average of 35.36 SPs a game, Williams is second at 35.3, and Bolick third at 35.27.

Abueva and Bolick played all 11 games in the elimination round, while Williams missed the Tropang Giga’s season opener.

Meanwhile, the Rookie of the Year battle is a tight battle between Williams and NorthPort’s Jamie Malonzo. (PNA)

Dwight Howard (35), Trevor Ariza (36), Rajon Rondo (35), and Kent Bazemore (32) were also reac-

quired by the Lakers, while other new acquisitions are Russell Westbrook (32) and Deandre Jordan (33).

Borromeo.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Secretary Joey A. Concepcion highlighted the impact of LANDBANK’s involvement in KAMMP towards achieving its goal under the Mentorship, Market, and Money (3Ms) Principle.

“These efforts from LANDBANK to provide financing to entrepreneurs under KAMMP are definitely a welcome development.

I would like to thank Secretary Dar and President Borromeo for joining forces

with Go Negosyo to really try and improve the lives of the Filipino people,” said Presidential Adviser Concepcion.

For his part, DA Secretary William D. Dar noted the importance of adapting digital innovations to transform agriculture in the country.

“Mahalaga po ang technology and innovation as part of this mentorship program para sa gano’n ay madagdagan ang kaalaman ng mga nagnenegosyo sa agrikultura at mapadali ang kanilang paghahanap-buhay,” said Secretary Dar.

BEERMEN... FROM 11

LAKERS... FROM 11

LANDBANK... FROM 5

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

SPORTS

11

Alex Cabagnot with his winning shot for San Miguel. PBA Images

Beermen, Hotshots take PBA quarterfinals opener

Lakers add Reaves to roster

T

he Los Angeles Lakers reloaded with veterans are adding a young gun to the squad.

Austin Reaves is headed to Lakers training camp as a member of the regular roster, according to reports.

Undrafted from the 2021 NBA rookie pool, the 23-year-old Reaves ended up signing a two-way contract with the Lakers just last month but is now getting the 14th spot on squad.

Reaves, who played college basketball with the Okla-

homa Sooners and was AllBig 12 first-team in his final year, had a fine showing for the Lakers in the NBA Summer League where the team won three of five games.

The Lakers led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been criticized in the for their offseason moves as they loaded with stars that included 37-year-old Carmelo Anthony, and now the squad is the oldest team in the NBA by average age at 30.9.

FLAKERS, P10

A

lex Cabagnot lived up to his role as San Miguel’s closer when he nailed the winning basket as the Beermen stole Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals from the NorthPort Batang Pier, 88-87, at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Sunday night.

Cabagnot scored on a tough jumper with 1.5 seconds left just when everyone thought the Batang Pier would complete the stunner.

Earlier, Cabagnot missed a free throw with 7.3 sec-

onds and SMB holding an 86-84 lead.

Robert Bolick then drained a long three-pointer to put NorthPort ahead, 8786, with 5.1 ticks to go.

Cabagnot quickly re-

boards, four assists, and one block.

Greg Slaughter made 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Batang Pier.

In the first game, Magnolia limited Rain or Shine to eight points in the third quarter to walk away with an 81-70 victory and a similar 1-0 lead.

ROS moved to within four, 64-60, with 9:08 remaining, but Paul Lee came alive just in time with crucial baskets.

Lee finished with 20 points -- 14 in the fourth quarter -- and four rebounds

Animam, Gilas Women will be relying on veterans Afril Bernardino, Janine Pontejos, and Clare Castro as the Philippines, ranked no. 51 in the world, hope to score upsets.

The team is also counting on Ella Fajardo, Camille Clarin, Kristine Cayabyab, and Karl Ann Pingol to contribute in their first taste of action with the seniors team.

It won’t be that easy, however, as Gilas Women isn’t only coming to the tournament undersized, but also as heavy underdogs especially against this

Chinese team.

Since being promoted to Division A in 2017, the Philippines has met China twice and lost by an average margin of 60.5 points, the last of which a 104-57 defeat in the group stages back in 2019.

Leading the charge for China will be centers Li Yueru and Han Xu, as well as guard Li Yuan.

Australia and Chinese Taipei also lock horns on this first day of the tourney as all four teams battle for early positioning in Group B action.

FBEERMEN, P10

Gilas Women begin Fiba Women’s Asia Cup campaign vs China

I Gilas Pilipinas Women begins its campaign in the 2021 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup against China on Monday night in Amman.

ceived the ball off the inbound and drove past Sidney Onwubere before going for the stepback jumper.

Onwubere had a chance to redeem himself, but his desperation heave from the right wing did not even hit the rim as time expired.

Cabagnot’s heroics capped a 20-point night off the bench alongside three rebounds for the Beermen, who can clinch the best-ofthree series in Game 2 on Thursday.

Mo Tautuaa added 15 points, five rebounds, and one assist while June Mar Fajardo had 10 points, 11

t’s a tall order for Gilas Pilipinas Women as it begins its campaign in the 2021 Fiba Women’s Asia Cup against China on Monday night in Amman.

But it doesn’t mean that it will just roll over and die.

Coach Pat Aquino said the team is ready to give its all as the Philippines battles China at 9 p.m. at Prince Hamza Hall.

“No expectations tayo.

We’re just happy to play again and compete at a big stage like this after almost two years,” he said.

Without center Jack

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VOL.14 ISSUE 167 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

The Philippines’ Yuka Saso eagled the par-5 No. 7 and the closing hole, winding up with a 14-under 199 total in the 54-hole tournament.

STRONG FINISH Saso finishes tied for fourth in LPGA NW Arkansas

Y

uka Saso hit two eagles on the way to a second straight 65 to finish in a tie for fourth spot in the LPGA Northwest Arkansas Championship on Sunday in Rogers, Arkansas (Monday, Manila time).

The Filipina-Japanese golfer eagled the par-5 No. 7 and the closing hole, winding up with a 14-under 199 total in the 54-hole tournament.

Saso, the US Women’s Open champion, also made four birdies and two bogeys in the final round at Pinnacle Country Club.

The 20-year-old Saso, who had an opening-round 69, bagged $104,506 (around P5.2 million).

Danielle Kang of the US also wound up at 14-under with a third-round 65.

Nasa Hataoka of Japan topped the event with a closing 67 for a 16-under 197 total, bagging $345,000 (around P17 million).

Eun Hee Ji of Korea also shot a 67, ending in tied for second at at 15-under with Minjee Lee of Australia, who carded a thirdround 68.

Dottie Ardina of the Philippines had a closing 68 to finish at four-under 209, pocketing $5,923.

Bianca Pagdanganan shot a 71 for a one-under 212 total for a share of 74th spot and $4,188.