Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 171 | Saturday, October 2, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

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NO RIPPLES

Reelectionist Councilor Wilberto Al-ag of Davao City’s 3rd District is the first local candidate in the city to file a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office inside Magsaysay Park compound during the first day of filing of COC for the 2022 national and local elections on Friday. Edge Davao

First day of CoC filing peaceful: DCPO STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte leads the unveiling of the Bonifacio Global City to Ortigas Center Road Link Project marker during the inauguration ceremony in Taguig City on Thursday. With the President are (from left) Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

NO RIPPLES First day of CoC filing peaceful: DCPO

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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12 noon of October 1, 2021.

Lahat for city councilors.

Generally peaceful at in order ang ating lugar sa Magsaysay Park,” Kraft said in a phone interview.

Kraft said DCPO is de-

ploying 151 police personnel until October 8, 2021, to secure the area.

“Last week nagmiting tayo with the three election district officers ng Davao City dito sa DCPO na kung saan ang ating security ay ang ating Police Station 1. Itong Magsaysay Park kung saan naroon ang tatlong opisina ng distrito ng Davao City ay sinecure natin at sinectorize natin,” he said.

DCPO had put up barricades to create a system

where the candidates are filing their CoCs. Vehicles going to Magsaysay Park are not allowed to enter and are directed to Sta. Ana Wharf. Only candidates are allowed to enter the Comelec with only two companions.

“This complies sa minimum public health protocols at requirements ng ating Comelec,”Kraft said.

Meanwhile, reelectionist Councilor Wilberto Al-ag of Davao City’s third District

The Comelec resolution was issued on September 27, a day before the PPP national directorate convention held at Big 8 Hotel in Tagum City.

The resolution granting the PPP petition, originally assigned with the second division of the electoral body, was signed

by Commissioner Socorro B. Inting, a former Court of Appeals justice from Davao, and Antonio F. Kho, Jr., a former Department of Justice undersecretary.

To affirm its commitment to real change, progress, and pro-people vision, the PPP, during its

caucus, made public its 12-point agenda, which the attendees, chiefly through teleconference, unanimously supported.

The direction of the party focuses chiefly on poverty alleviation, livelihood support, and creation of job opportunities;

avao City Police Office (DCPO) director Col. Kirby John Kraft told Edge Davao that the first day of the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 Elections at the Commission on Election (Comelec)-Davao at Magsaysay Park was generally peaceful.

From October 1 to 8, 2021, aspirants for local positions will be filing their COCs for the 2022 national and local elections.

“Ang nag-file ng candidacy ay tatlo pa lang as of

FNO, P10

Comelec recognizes pro-Sara bloc as national political party

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he Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the application of Partido Pilipinas sa Pagbabago (PPP), a group vowing to support Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio if she runs for President in 2022, for recognition as a national political party.

FCOMELEC, P10

DC cops file 2,427 cases vs. quarantine violators

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avao City Police Office (DCPO) has filed a total of 2,497 cases against violators of health and safety protocols since the enforcement of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions from July 2021 to September 28.

Record showed that out of the 50,693 individuals who violated the health protocols in the city, 12,918 are violators of social distancing or mass gathering; 8,040 of curfew; 185 of the liquor ban; and 3,630 caught not wearing motorcycle protective barriers.

The DCPO likewise issued a total of 16,384 citation tickets to individuals for not wearing face masks and 13,166 for not wearing face shields, while a total of 37 were caught for non-essential travel.

Col. Kirby John Kraft, chief of DCPO, said that the respondents will be charged with violating the Republic Act 11332, or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio continuously reminds Dabawenyos to

FDC COPS, P10

Multibillion worth of gov’t projects to improve lives of Region 12 folk

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illions worth of vital facilities and infrastructure projects have been implemented in parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) while government programs and services have reached dozens of previously “neglected” and marginalized communities in the last five years of the Duterte administration.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Isidro Lapeña on Thursday said the implemented programs and projects have drastically improved the lives of many people and practically changed the socio-economic and development landscape of the region.

“We made sure that government services have reached the farthest and poorest communities of the region,” he said during the Soccsksargen leg of the nationwide launching of the “Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery” held at Camp Fermin Lira here.

In terms of regional development, Lapeña said among the President’s legacy here was the completion early this month of the upgrading and rehabilitation of the city international airport.

The completed project, which was formally unveiled last Sept. 23, involved

FMULTIBILLION, P10

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS

3

A police officer gives last minute instructions to his fellow police officers from Sta. Ana Police station before the start of the first day of the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2022 national and local elections at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office inside Magsaysay Park compound in Davao City on Friday. Edge Davao

Procurement process, loan negotiation derail Samal-Davao connector project

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA 11) disclosed that the procurement process and the ongoing loan negotiation between the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Chinese government remain the stumbling block for the start of the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project.

“It is in the procurement process because it involves foreign contractors and since this is funded by a loan from China there will be a process of selection for contractors that will pursue the implementation of this project. There will be three Chinese construction companies that will be se-

he Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP)-led mobile vaccinations in Davao City have administered a total of 46,947 for the first dose of anti-Covid-19 vaccines as of September 28, 2021.

The mobile vaccinations were held in Baran-

Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice Mayor (OVM) administered the Janssen vaccine to 18 residents during the door-to-door vaccination.

“Pasalamat ta sa atong good councilors. Sila man tanan, headed by the Vice

FPROCUREMENT, P10

46,947 first doses in SP-led vaccination

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gay Biao Escuela, headed by the office of Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, which catered 550 vaccinees, and in Barangay Centro Agdao through the office of Councilor Danny Dayanghirang, which inoculated 500 individuals with Sinovac vaccine.

FFIRST, P10

Chiz files COC for senator; vows to help in solving pandemic woes

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orsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the poll body to seek a fresh mandate in the Senate which he had served for two full terms, offering his long years of experience as a public servant to the next administration in solving a slew of economic and public health problems set off by the outbreak of COVID-19.

Escudero, through Atty.

George Garcia, his election

lawyer, filed the former’s COC at 8:12 a.m. at the temporary office of the Commission on Elections set up in the premises of Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City as part of the rigid health protocols to reduce COVID-19 virus risks with the expected deluge of filings from October 1 to 8 of candidates seeking national and local elective positions in the May 2022 general elections.

“I will place my name

FCHIZ, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

A SM Supermalls employee disinfects automated teller machines (ATMs) for safer banking transactions. Photo courtesy of SM City Davao

FDI recovery shows positive long-term prospects: DOF T

Unemployment rate shows rough path to economic recovery: DTI

T

he Philippines’ long-term prospects remain positive, a Department of Finance (DOF) economic bulletin said after noting the recovery of foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the first half of the year.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data, the economic bulletin said the FDIs last June posted a 60.5 percent year-on-year growth to USD833 million.

In the first half of this year, the FDIs amounted to USD4.3 billion, up by 40.7

percent from the previous year’s level.

The economic bulletin said the 7.7 percent yearon-year rise of reinvested earnings and the 86.5 percent rise in net debt instruments countered the 8.9 percent drop in net equity capital investments for the

six-month period.

“The year-on-year recovery of FDI during the first semester of the year suggests that the Philippines’ long-term prospects remain positive,” it said.

It explained that “a prudent and calibrated response to the risks posed by the (coronavirus disease 2019) Covid-19 pandemic and continuing the vaccination drive will be important in safely reopening the economy.”

“Moving forward, programs to make doing busi-

are posting improvements from the pandemic-related economic difficulties due in part to the faster rollout of the vaccination program against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

This, in turn, paves the way for the eventual tightening of monetary policies, which may result in possible financial volatility when not communicated properly, Diokno said.

He said that for one the Federal Reserve has been signaling its tightening plan to guide markets globally.

Citing the latest Fed dot plot, which maps out US monetary authorities’ expectations on where interest rates are headed, Diokno said Fed members are divided on whether it is appropriate to start hiking key policy rates by next year, although the median projection is steady policy rate

until 2023.

Diokno said the earlier-than-expected rate hike will have adverse effects on EMs like what happened during the “taper tantrum” in 2013.

“Amid a repricing of risks of financial assets and capital retrenchments from emerging markets, this can subsequently lead to depreciation pressures on the exchange rates of emerging market currencies. Depending on the proportion of external debt exposure of nonfinancial corporates, depreciation pressures could, in turn, weaken corporate sector recovery,” he said.

The central bank chief, however, noted that most Philippine corporates can still service interest payments on near-term debts and most of their bond issuances are denominated in Philippine peso.

PH in sound position to weather external shocks, Diokno says

T

he Philippines continues to have sound macroeconomic fundamentals and enough policy buffers to counter potential capital flow volatility from the looming interest rate normalization in major economies.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, in a virtual briefing on Thursday, said an earlier-than-expected normalization in major central banks will likely lead to a sharp tightening of global financial conditions and will negatively hit emerging markets (EMs) such as the Philippines.

“The Philippines remains in a sound position to weather these external headwinds on account of its strong, sound macroeconomic fundamentals,” he said.

Major economies such as the United States and China

ness easier and infrastructure investments will be key in attracting more investment into the country,” it said.

Among the factors, it identified as factors eyed to attract FDIs are the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law and the pending legislation that include amendments to the Foreign Investment Act, the Commonwealth-era Public Service Act, and the Retail Trade Liberalization Act. (PNA)

he latest unemployment data shows that the country’s path to economic recovery remains rough amid the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, the country’s top trade official said on Thursday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday that the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent in August 2021 after recording a 6.9-percent unemployment rate in July 2021, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic.

“It just shows that the recovery path is not going to be a smooth one. Yes, there are sectors recovering but some are highly sensitive to the community quarantine classification especially if (it is) ECQ (enhanced community

quarantine) or MECQ (modified ECQ) or Levels 5 or 4 are declared,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said told reporters.

More businesses were shut down in ECQ and MECQ classification or Levels 5 and 4 under the new alert level system protocol.

In August, Metro Manila was reverted to ECQ early and is currently under Alert Level 4.

“These can lead to job loses as seen in the recent labor force survey,” Lopez pointed out.

He added that DTI is proposing to allow businesses to operate in all alert levels and only adjust the operating capacities for each level to ensure business continuity and avoid job losses.

The statement said the agriculture sector led the rise in employment growth last August after a rise of around 1.9 million, a turnaround from losing 1.8 million jobs in the previous month.

The wholesale and retail trade sector followed with an increase of 1 million jobs as well as the manufacturing sector with additional 200,000 jobs.

Amidst the rise in the number of Filipinos who found jobs last August, the unemployment rate rose to 8.1 percent last August from the previous month’s 6.9 percent.

“This result is expected, given the stricter quarantine imposed to curb the spread of the delta variant,” the statement said.

The education sector posted the biggest job loss at 200,000 but the statement said this is seen to be ad-

dressed by the move to start pilot face-to-face classes in low-risk areas.

Citing recent data on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the statement said the seven-day moving average declined by around 15 percent since hitting its peak on Sept. 11, 2021.

“This trend will support the further reopening of the economy and the use of granular lockdowns to allow the majority to return to work and earn a living,” it said.

Along with the rise in the number of Filipinos getting their vaccines against Covid-19, the arrival of additional vaccines, and the inclusion of more people in the inoculation program economic managers cited the importance of “pursuing structural reforms to provide the country with stronger foundations.”

Economic managers echo measures for PH recovery

E

conomic managers further highlighted the need for the safe reopening of the economy, limiting movement restrictions to granular lockdowns, and fast-tracking of the inoculation program to allow more people to work and boost economic recovery.

This, after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday the increase in labor force participation last August to 63.6 percent from the previous month’s 59.8 percent after around 2.6 million people were able to find work in the eighth month of this year.

“This brings employment back up to 1.7 million above pre-pandemic levels.

Moreover, the underemployment rate substantially decreased to 14.7 percent from 20.9 percent, given improving job conditions,” the statement said.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

ECONOMY

5

A convenience store employee prepares an 11-kilogram cylinder tank of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for a customer in Bangkal, Davao City on Friday. Petron Philippines implemented a P3.40 per kilo increase on its LPG product on Friday, which reflect the hike in the international contract price of LPG for the month of October. Edge Davao

BSP targets September inflation at 4.8% to 5.6%

CebPac, AXA PH celebrate 1st anniv of CEB Health Protect

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he Philippines’ leading airline, Cebu Pacific, extends to the public the chance to get a free life and personal accident insurance coverage as it celebrates the first anniversary of the launch of CEB Health Protect, in partnership with one of the country’s leading insurance companies, AXA Philippines.

The promo is open to all and not just to passengers. All juan has to do is sign-up and reserve a slot via: https:// bit.ly/CEBxAXAAnniv. The special promo covers three months, worth PHP 25,000 for life insurance, and PHP 25,000 for personal accident insurance.

“We thank everyJuan for their continuous support and as we celebrate this milestone, we are happy to also extend this special promo for all of you,” said Candice Iyog, CEB vice-president for marketing and customer experience.

Back in September 2020, CEB was the first to offer non-travel insurance products in the Philippine aviation industry, starting with the CEB Health Protect. This expansion of products is in line with the airline’s goal to provide for needs of the Filipinos during this time, spanning across concerns related

to safety and security.

“As we continue to weather this pandemic, we make sure the welfare of our passengers is always top of mind. Our commitment to ensure a safe and convenient journey for everyJuan remains, more so now as we want to keep addressing needs that cover beyond travel,” added Iyog.

“AXA is honored to be celebrating this milestone with Cebu Pacific as we uphold our commitment to help everyJuan protect what matters most to them, including their health,” says AXA Philippines President and CEO Rahul Hora.

The CEB Health Protect provides coverage for top three critical conditions, namely cancer, stroke, and heart attack. It also provides insurance benefits of up to P2 million, allowing the insured to receive up to 20% coverage for nine (9) minor critical conditions. Insured individuals can tailor fit the insurance coverage according to their personal needs and budget, with coverage available for as low as P535 monthly (for a 20-year-old, with P1 million coverage), along with flexible payment terms which is renewable up to age 75.

H

igher prices of oil products, basic and prime commodities, select fruits and vegetables, rice, as well as power rates in areas being serviced by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) are seen to accelerate the inflation rate in September to a range of 4.8 percent to 5.6 percent.

In a statement on Thursday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said these factors are seen to be countered by the drop in meat prices and strengthening of the peso against the US

dollar.

“Moving forward, the BSP will continue to monitor emerging price developments to help ensure that its primary mandate of price stability conducive to bal-

anced and sustainable economic growth is achieved,” it added.

In August, the rate of price increases rose to 4.9 percent, its highest since January 2019.

Average inflation in the first eight months this year stood at 4.4 percent, above the government’s 2 percent to 4 percent target band.

Monetary authorities recently hiked their average inflation forecasts for this year until 2023 to 4.4 per-

cent, 3.3 percent, and 3.2 percent, respectively.

These were previously at 4.1 percent for 2021 and 3.1 percent for both 2022 and 2023.

The upward revisions in these forecasts were attributed to the impact of higher-than-expected inflation in August, upticks in the prices of basic and prime commodities, and the lower-than-expected arrival of imported pork.

(PNA)

ident. Mayroon na pong sinubmit na rekomendasyon ang SSS,” said Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque.

(The Office of the President is studying that. The SSS has submitted a recommendation.)

“Pero ang tinitingnan po natin, iyong financial viability ng SSS at the same time iyong kahinaan ng negosyo at ng hanapbuhay sa kabila po ng pandemya. Asahan po natin ang desisyon sa lalong mabilis na panahon,” he said

in a press briefing.

(But what we are looking at is the financial viability of the SSS and at the same time, the weakness of businesses and livelihood because of the pandemic.

Let us expect the decision as soon as possible.)

Last May, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law giving him authority to defer the scheduled increase in SSS premium contributions for the duration of the declaration of state of calamity due

to the health crisis.

“However, four months after the enactment of the law, the Executive Order implementing the Act has yet to be issued, even as the higher SSS premium already took effect last January 2021,” several business and labor groups said in a joint statement.

SSS members’ monthly contributions were increased to 13 percent from 12 percent of their incomes at the start of the year.

Palace to decide soon on deferring hike in SSS dues

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alacañang said it would decide as soon as possible on calls to hold off an increase in the rate of contributions to the Social Security System.

Some of the country’s largest business and labor groups urged President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday to issue an executive order to defer the hike as the COVID-19 pandemic lingered.

“Pinag-aaralan po ngayon ‘yan ng Office of the Pres-

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

On the delay of the construction of the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project:

It is in the procurement process because it involves foreign contractors and since this is funded by a loan from China there will be a process of selection for contractors that will pursue the implementation of this project.”

Maria Lourdes Lim

Regional Director, NEDA 11

EDITORIAL Think Sara think It’s not easy being Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio these days. So it’s understandable if she needs a break.

Having gone on a leave of absence, Mayor Sara needs all the time for herself, all to herself. With all the pressure on her, she needs some time for discernment.

Mayor Sara is the frontrunner in the latest Pulse Asia survey for presidentiables even without declaring her intention to run. She even had to turn down the call for her to run after her father President Duterte declared himself running for Vice President.

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Sara’s situation is one of social responsibility. After several politicians have declared their candidacy, it becomes even more imminent that she has to run. Sara could not turn her head away from the people who believe she is what this country needed.

If people think Sara is that whiff of fresh air this nation needs, then they need to pray harder.

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

Despite her seeming reluctance, her supporters are still egging her on to reconsider her decision.

In fact, a novena will be staged for her discernment while she is away.

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)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 171 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO EARLY DETECTION CAN BEAT BREAST CANCER A high school teacher, a municipal councillor, a government employee, and a bank teller.

They may come from different academic backgrounds but they had one thing in common: all of them died of breast cancer.

The high school teacher was in her late 40s when she died leaving two sons behind.

The municipal councillor was healthy when last seen by her colleagues but after she filed a leave of absence, people were wondering. Months later, they learned that she passed away.

Many of her office mates were bothered when the government employee was losing weight. She told them that she was “on a diet.” So, when her son reported that his mother died, many were caught by surprise.

As for the bank teller, many were wondering why could no longer see her. The clienteles were told that she died a month ago of breast cancer.

In a study, “Frequency of Cancer in Davao City,” conducted by the Philippine Science High School Southern Mindanao Campus, it was found that breast cancer is the second most reported cancer – after leukemia.

Based on data from the Southern Philippine Medical Center (SPMC), breast cancer had been diagnosed in 99 persons. In comparison, 125 people were diagnosed with leukemia.

One out of 13 Filipinas de-

velop breast cancer, said the social media account of San Pedro Hospital Breast Cancer. Early detection and expert treatment are the woman’s best options to beat the disease.

In 2017, the Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society listed the Philippines as having the “highest prevalence of breast cancer.”

“Despite the efforts in campaigning for breast cancer in the Philippines, there are still a lot of people who lack awareness and the proper knowledge of the disease,” deplores the Philippine Foundation for Breast Cancer, Inc. No one should die of breast cancer as it is preventable. But the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) says the vast majority of women with breast cancer in poor countries are diagnosed only after the cancer has reached a late, untreatable stage.

“Many Third World women are unaware that they are at risk of breast cancer and do not know how to examine themselves for signs of the disease,” the United Nations health agency says.

Health experts agree that it is women themselves who can do something to detect the disease and prevent it from reaching an incurable stage. “Women can do breast self-examination (BSE) a week after menstru-

ation,” the Philippine Cancer Control Program of the health department states.

The BSE can be done while under the shower, before going to bed at night or upon waking up in the morning. A powder or soap over the breast may be used to make the examination easier. If married, a husband can help her in the breast examination. Any mass felt should lead to a physician.

In early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms.

As a tumor progresses, a woman may experience pain or tenderness in her breast. She may also observe swelling in the armpit.

But the most apparent symptom is a lump in the breast.

Aside from lump, other indicators include a noticeable or indentation on the breast; a change in the contour, texture, or temperature of the breast; a change in the nipple, such as an indrawn or dimpled look, itching or burning sensation; and unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or another color.

The earlier a cancerous lump is detected and removed, the bigger the chances of treating it, says Dr. Antonio Villalon, an oncologist at the Manila Doctors Hospital. He advised that between 20 and 39 years old, every woman should have a clinical breast exam every three years; and after age 40 every

woman should have a clinical breast exam done each year.

Mammograms — a type of X-ray — are the chief way now to check for breast cancer. However, a radioactive tracer that “lights up” cancer hiding inside dense breasts showed promise in its first big test against mammograms, revealing more tumors and giving fewer false alarms. The experimental method — molecular breast imaging (MBI) — would not replace mammograms for women at average risk of the disease.

But it might become an additional tool for higher risk women with a lot of dense tissue that makes tumors hard to spot on mammograms, and it could be done at less cost than magnetic resonance imaging, according to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, which has been working on it for six years.

Right now, medical science is still baffled with what causes breast cancer. “Many different things can affect your chances of getting breast cancer,” states the Breast Cancer Now (BCN), a London-based charity foundation. “There’s no single cause.

It results from a combination of the way we live our lives, our genes and our environment. We can’t predict who will get breast cancer.”

But one thing is sure: Getting older is the most significant risk for developing breast can-

cer.

Another significantly higher risk is history. “A woman’s risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who have had breast or ovarian cancer,” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states. “Having a first-degree male relative with breast cancer also raises a woman’s risk.”

Personal history is another matter. “A woman with a history of cancer in one breast, such as ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer, is three to four times likelier to develop a new breast cancer, unrelated to the first one, in either the other breast or in another part of the same breast,” webMD. com says.

Now, the good news. In 2018, Avon Philippines partnered with SPMC in setting up a breast clinic inside the government-owned hospital. “We want to create awareness on the importance of early protection and detection against breast cancer,” said the Avon official.

The partnership was lauded by Dr. Leopoldo J. Vega, then SPMC chief. He said that with an additional ultrasound machine, the center would be able to cater to up to 50 patients a day for breast cancer diagnostics.

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

SENATORS OVER-ACTING AGAIN “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience and patience creates unity.” - MALCOLM X *******

Is the Senate over-doing its job, conducting numerous but fruitless probes in aid of legislation or merely going through the motions because the May 2022 presidential balloting is just around the corner?

I am referring to the condescending manner the Blue Ribbon Committee is (mis)handling the investigation of Pharmally officials and executives allegedly accused of irregularities and “over-pricing” of medical paraphernalia purchased by the government vis-a-viz the Covid19 pandemic.

They even threatened to commit a resource person to jail if he did not spill the beans.

This redounds to a grave

abuse of authority because the Senate is not a court of law.

One thing for sure is that all of them - specifically those running for higher positions and those for re-election - are grandstanding because they need extra “pogi” points, media mileage and socmed exposure to ensure they are ever present in the public consciousness.

So far, nothing negative has been concretely established to link Malacanang to the perceived irregularity as the supplier was able to deliver the goods and only received payment after the items were fully accounted for.

Meaning, the government was not short-changed which the senators vainly attempted to picture before the Filipino people.

The hypocrisy in the Senate is reflected by ambitious men and women who befriend the Malacanang tenant during his first five years in office and then make a complete betrayal (ala Judas Iscariot) by creating a

“storm” a few months preceding the filing of presidential COCS. The Senate is a law-making body and its principal task is to legislate meaningful edicts that create impactul reforms and uplift the general well-being of the people.

Measured against this, can you now evaluate who among them lived up to their task and should deserve your support?

Listen, the Senate is a “Boys (and Girls) Club,” if you know what I mean. Scratch my back and I will scratch yours.

This is the problem in a multi-party system where the allegiance and loyalty of party members are flitting - like the proverbial political butterflies.

Filipinos should realize that the Senate has been a stumbling block and a thorn on the side of any administration especially if the latter does not have the numbers to proceed unhampered with its national development agenda.

(Hey, did not most of the

senators who voted to impeach the late Chief Justice Renato Corona receive millions in pork barrel?)

It is high time we changed our political structure because the present system, though democratic in nature, has not effectively worked for the benefit of the people and this nation.

The Senate has outlived its usefulness.

It has failed our expectations. The senators are blind to the sufferings and struggles of a people from whom they seek their mandate.

The Senate has even gifted itself with a new expensive and modern edifice to spoil and house only 24 members at a cost of more than 10B of taxpayers’ money now very quietly undergoing construction at the expensive Bonifacio Global City!

This is nothing but an extravagant expenditure, a big waste of government funds.

I find this outrageous and scandalously unwarranted.

We need new faces in the Senate.

Senators seeking reelection have hibernated, feeling “securely ensconced” in the thought that they have performed accordingly.

On the contrary, the poor conditions of the country and the people reflect on the Senate’s inability or inutile effort to enact much-needed reform measures that could have cushioned the country’s socio-economic struggles.

Yes, the senators are O-A again.

Because they are ambitious.

They are self-seeking men and women whose hearts do not bleed even if they see and witness the unmitigated poor living and health conditions of their countrymen.

Vote wisely, please. Let us not commit the same sorry mistakes of the past. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Victor Secuya’s Dreams of COLORS, SYMBOLS AND MEANINGS Celebrated Dabawenyo visual artist Victor Secuya recently opened his 26th one-man-show titled “SECUYA: Symbols and Meanings” at Galerie Raphael, Durianburg’s premier gallery for modern and contemporary art.

The exhibition also serves as the inaugural event of the gallery after it opened its doors at Azuela Cove.

“SECUYA: Symbols and Meanings” features images purely that of the famed artist as he labors to create paintings that are authentic expressions of his life experiences—from childhood joys and trauma, fears, struggles, his arduous journey as a committed artist, to books he voraciously read.

An avid traveller, Secuya had cultural immersions in several continents which helped shape a profound and personal vision of who he is as an artist and what it will take for him to pursue his direction.

Of the various cultural

exposures Secuya has experienced, the one that shook him to the core was his South African sojourn. Klein Kariba, Kruger Park, Cape Town, and Johannesburg captivated him deeply and are reflected in the latest exhibit.

“It has been years since that trip, but I still dream of the colors, forms and textures I saw in their paintings, sculptures and crafts found in their marketplaces. I could still feel the pulsating energy in the details of every artwork.” shared Secuya. “There is nothing like African art. It stands out in its distinctive originality and awesome presence. They are full of authentic convictions of who they are. “I owe them big time in my quest for my own identity.”

He adds “there’s nothing like African art. It stands out in its distinctive originality and awesome presence. They are devoid of pretensions and full

(CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) “Bird Song Series III”, 48 x 96, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.

“Township Series II”, 34 x 24, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.

“The Crowning”, 48 x 48, Acrylic on Canvas, 2021.

Victor Secuya in front of his painting. of authentic convictions of who they are. I owe them big time in my quest for my own identity.”

While his works are evidently influenced by Af-

rican artists, Vic emphasizes that they are not African art.

“My subconscious mind, from where my art emanates, are a complex mix of my life experiences, from my childhood to my education , to my readings, travels and relationships, good and bad. They are like dreams released into the canvas - raw and unadulterated. My forms are symbols of meanings – layers and layers of meanings that speak of the complex dynamics of my personhood.”

“SECUYA: Symbols and Meanings” by Victor Cabuga Secuya is already open at Galerie Raphael, Azuela Cove, Lanang, Davao City and will run until October 2021. For inquiries, call (+63) 09988881531 or email galerieraphaeldavao@ gmail.com.

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C

attle -- colloquially cows -- are the most common type of large domesticated animals. They are raised as livestock for meat (beef and veal), as dairy animals for milk and other dairy products, and as draft animals (oxen or bullocks that pull carts, plows and other implements).

Other products include leather and dung for manure or fuel.

In the Philippines, raising cattle is not a popular income-generating project despite the high marketability of beef, the cattle meat. As a matter of fact, cattle farmers are found only in Batangas, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Masbate, Mindoro, Iloilo and Cotabato.

But in recent years, cattle fattening has gained prominence as an important business project of the livestock industry. It gives the farmer year-round work and provides him with extra income while engaging in his non-agricultural occupation. He does not spend money on feeds.

After all, he can give them those cheap, plentiful farm by-products such as corn stovers, rice straw, copra meal, rice bran and sugarcane tops, which ordinarily go to waste.

Losses are also minimal.

Cattle are less prone to diseases and parasites since they are confined and the fattening period is short. It takes only 120-180 days to fatten the cattle of feeder stock for the market. At this point, the animal already weighs 275-325 kilograms and is ready for slaughter.

“Backyard cattle fattening or on a large scale can be profitably undertaken,” says the Department of Agriculture (DA). “It consists of buying healthy stock, feeding and fattening them for 120 to 180 days, and selling them at any time of

the year. Minimum space for housing is required: 1.5 to 2 square meters per head for a sheltered feeding area, and 5 meters per head for a fenced loafing area.”

There are several breeds of cattle to choose from. The most common is the indigenous cattle breed found throughout the country. It is a small breed with mature bulls weighing about 400 kilograms and mature cows weighing about 300 kilograms. The color ranges from grey to brown to fawn, with white spotting on some animals.

Four breed types have been recognized, the Ilocos in northern Luzon, Batangas in southwestern Luzon, Iloilo on Panay and Batanes on the Batanes Islands between Luzon and Taiwan.

Other breeds found in the country are Ongole, Nellore, Brahman, Angus, Beefalo, Beemaster, Belmont Red, Indu-Brazil, Brahford, Brangus, Charbray, Charolais, Chianina, Droughtmaster, Galloway, Limousin, Santa Gertrudis, Shorthorn, Simbrah, Simmental and Grauvieh.

Some breeds, like the Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar, and Brown Swiss, may be raised not only for their meat but also for milk.

To make profit and produce good meat, raisers are advised to consider the following points: age, gender, breed and health.

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RAISING CATTLE FOR MEAT IS PROFITABLE Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Age: The DA recommends two to three yearold animals. “They need less feed for every unit of weight gain because they digest more efficiently and consume a larger volume of feed in proportion to body weight,” it explains.

“Younger animals cost less because of lesser weight.

They require longer periods of feeding and higher feed quality to reach the desired finish.”

But older feeder stock (4 years and above) also have their advantages. “They need less time in the feedlot and will eat a wider variety of feed and roughage than young stock,” the DA says.

“If nutritious feed is abundant, younger cattle are generally more economical to fatten. If only roughage and plant by-products are available, older stocks are preferable.”

Gender: The agriculture department suggests steers (castrated males) than heifers (unbred females) because the former are readily available and easier to manage. “Steers also gain weight and grow faster than heifers,” it adds.

Breeds: Several breeds have been mentioned earlier, but DA recommends improved breeds and crossbreeds as they gain weight

faster than native animals.

Tropical breeds are more adaptable to local climatic and feed conditions than temperate breeds.

The DA also goes for tropical breeds: Brahman, Ongole or Nellore, Indu-Brazil, and Batangas cattle. The color of Brahman is silver gray although some are reddish. This breed is resistant to diseases and can withstand heat better.

White is the color of Ongole or Nellore. The bulls may have dark gray head, neck and hump. Knees may be black.

The colors of Indu-Brazil vary from light to silver gray and brownish dark gray to red. The Batangas cattle is called so because of the Batangas beef, which has become popular due to its good quality cattle and produced by the “supak” method of Batangas.

Health condition: A healthy animal is alert and active, has bright eyes, smooth haircoat and moist muzzle.

Animals with rough skin and those which are blind and lame should be avoided.

In addition, the animals should have been properly vaccinated against common diseases before bringing them to the feedlot. If not, they must be referred to the

nearest Bureau of Animal Industry office for vaccination against hoof-andmouth disease and hemorrhagic septicemia.

Likewise, the animal must have a fecal examination to find appropriate deworming drugs. It is necessary to control external parasites with the right spray for ticks, lice and flies.

Other traits or characters that must be considered, according to the book, Profitable Beef Cattle Management Practices, are: size and conformation (physical appearance), average daily gain, rate of maturity (attaining a given or definite weight in the shortest possible time), beef value (dressing percentage), grazing ability, market value (carcass quality), fertility (calving intervals), disease resistance, weaning weight, heat tolerance (ability to withstand heat in the open) and birth weight.

“When buying cattle, it is cheaper to do so during the dry season (January to April),” Agribusiness Opportunities suggests. “Better road conditions make it easier to transport the animals during this period.”

Rearing and feeding Here are more suggestions from the book on rearing and feeding:

The first few weeks in the feedlot are critical. Start the calves with roughage having a limited amount of concentrate, gradually increasing the volume of the mixture. A calf consumes about 3% of its body weight. Which means the ideal feed must have 1214% moisture content under ordinary conditions.

Rations differ from region to region depending on available feeding materials. Different kinds of concentrates are possible with copra meal, rice bran, sugarcane tops, pineapple, or papaya leftovers mixed with molasses. (Molasses which makes the feed more appetizing is a good source of energy.)

Forage -- grasses and legumes -- is a good feed supplement. Cattle can be given as much roughage, hay, rice bran and molasses as they want.

Clean, drinking water for the animals is provided all the time. Rations should also include salt at the rate of 3-5 grams per head daily.

An effective method used by Batangas raisers is force-feeding (supak).

In this method, which is used in addition to roughage feeding, the animal is force-fed with the following

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was the first local candidate who filed his CoC. The two other candidates who filed this COCs were combacking councilor Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr., and Danilo Dayanghirang Jr. On the other hand, Senator Manny Pacquiao was the first presidential aspirant to file a CoC in Pasay City. He was accompanied by his wife Jinkee.

Pacquiao’s running-

mate, former Manila mayor and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, was also the first aspirant for vice president to file a COC. Pacquiao was represented by an alliance composed of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (Promdi), and the People’s Champ Movement (PCM).

adhere to the safety protocols, stay away from social gatherings, and get vaccinated as the city grapples with the surge of Covid- 19 cases.

The city is now placed under regular General Community Quarantine (GCQ) beginning October 1 to 31, 2021, following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force

released by Presidential spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Thursday evening.

The city will be joined by other local government units under regular GCQ in Davao Region such as Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur, while the rest of the provinces are now under GCQ with Heightened Restrictions.

agricultural production, processing, and marketing; socialized housing and human settlement; better health and education for all, empowerment and protection and protection of most vulnerable sectors; and farming and organic agriculture.

But it, too, plans to put on track other crucial thrusts that can pumpprime the economy, namely the promotion of national industrialization; support federalism, local autonomy and strengthening of political party system, renewable energy protection, and determination of the indigenous peoples (IPs) and cultural communities (ICCs), and the Bangsamoro people; and, significantly,

introducing the value of capacity partnership building in how governance must be steered.

Three central themes underscore the new party’s political goals namely: (i) multisectoral cohesion, (ii) doable pro-people socio-economic growth agenda and (iii) employment of development tools that allow advancement and diversity to speed up national progress, In the convention, the party, through its members nationwide, also unanimously expressed support also for the candidacy of Davao City mayor Sara Duterte if she decides to seek the presidency in next year’s national elections.

the expansion of the airport’s passenger terminal building and the installation of various vital facilities worth PHP959 million.

He said the improved airport will “certainly boost the economic growth” of the city and the entire Region 12.

Lapeña, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security of Region 12, said the airport project’s completion is being complemented by billions worth of road-related projects in parts of the region, among them the PHP3.4 billion Surallah-Tboli-San Jose road.

The road project traverses the municipalities of Surallah and Tboli in South Cotabato and ends in Barangay San Jose here.

He said the road network, which is now 93 percent complete, will fast-track the movement of goods from South Cotabato and the neighboring areas to the major markets in the area.

“These are just two of the many projects that have been implemented in the region and most are now nearing completion. There are still programs that are about to be initiated (in the coming months,” the official said.

In line with the Pres-

ident’s efforts to bring government services directly to the people, he said the Regional Development Council of Region 12 pushed for the establishment of a Pag-IBIG Fund office in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and a consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Kidapawan City.

To improve regional peace and order, he said the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict implemented various convergence initiatives that helped transform former conflict-affected communities into peaceful and productive areas.

These were augmented by support programs of concerned agencies, among them the revitalized “Pulis sa Barangay” community immersion program of the Philippine National Police.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Region 12 complemented these efforts through the series of convergence service caravans in selected communities in the region.

As part of the intensified ant-insurgency operations in the region, he said two major New People’s Army (NPA) units, Guerrilla Fronts 71 and 51, had been dismantled.

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lected and they will further undergo evaluation. It’s really in the procurement process following the loan negotiation,” explained Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of NEDA 11 during the virtual Regional Development Council Week on Thursday.

Last April 26, 2021, the DOF submitted to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and China Eximbank an updated loan application reflecting the revised financing ratio of 90 percent loan and 10 percent local fund, which will be absorbed by the Philippine government together with the relevant supporting documents.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary Emil Sadain, officer-in-charge of the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) of DPWH, said DOF is just being circumspect on this matter.

“Negotiation is a process. Ongoing pa rin ang negotiation nila, government to government,” Sadain told Edge Davao.

On the other hand, Lim also cited other preparatory activities that are ongoing such as the parcellary plans provided by the consultants of this project to DPWH. She said as of June 25, 2021, the revised parcellary plan is still ongoing.

“This parcellary plan will be the technical basis to give a headstart to the procurement of the government counterpart and to expedite the right of way (ROW) and

resettlement action plan for the implementation of this project,” she said.

Lim added that as part of the resettlement action plan and parcellary plan validation, the issuance of Notice of Taking of the affected landowners in Davao City has been ongoing and the appraisal for these properties is also ongoing with Landbank and already forwarded to the DPWH UPMO. As to the groundbreaking of the project, Lim said to wait for the announcement of DPWH as the implementing agency.

“Seguro let us just wait for the announcement from DPWH but right now we can say this (project) is still on stream,” she said.

The project is a two-way four-lane 3.86-km bridge in the southern corridor to connect the Island Garden City of Samal to Davao City across the Pakiputan Strait.

The main bridge is 1.62-km long and will be designed in a cable-stayed structure with twin towers and double cable planes. Once completed, the bridge will provide a resilient and reliable transportation link between Davao City and Samal Island, reducing the transportation time and enhancing internal mobility and external linkage to support the economic and tourist growth potential of the local region. It will also increase the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the local people who have long dreamed of having such a bridge.

once again in the ballot for the Senate in the hope that I will be able to do my part in helping our country recover from this pandemic after this administration,” Escudero said. “With all the problems confronting us, all hands on deck dapat.”

“Ako po ay kakandidato para madagdag iyong mga pwede ko na maiambag sa muling pagbangon ng bansa kasi iyong susunod na magiging presidente ay sobrang laki ng problema na kanyang haharapin. Kailangan nya ng tulong ng bawat isa. Kung sakaling ako ay mahahalal, dala ko sa Senado ang alam ko, nalalaman at karanasan ko,” he said.

At the same time, Escudero said he would push for legislation that would strengthen local government units (LGUs), which devolved powers under the law, particularly in this time of pandemic, have been greatly undermined by decisions singularly emanating from the national government.

Escudero began his public service as a congressman representing the first district of Sorsogon in 1998 and was reelected for two more terms. He staged a successful senatorial bid that ranked him the 2nd candidate with the highest number of votes in 2007—his first term. He sought a second term in 2013 and landed number 4 in the senatorial race.

Landmark laws One of his key legislation as first-term senator was Republic Act (RA) 9504, which exempted minimum wage workers from paying income tax and increase personal exemption for other employees. He also sought

to increase the maximum insurance coverage of bank deposits to PHP500,000 to give depositors more protection under RA 9576.

He also sponsored RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, that allowed free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges accredited and recognized by the Commission on Higher Education, and state-run technical-vocational institutions.

With Escudero at the helm of the Senate Committee on Justice on Human Rights, the country saw the enactment of four key laws that provided social and human rights protection to the Filipino people.

These include the Anti-Vagrancy Law (RA 10158), the Anti-Torture Act (RA 9745) and the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act (RA 10353), which became Asia’s first “Deceparacidos” law that made the crime of enforced disappearance punishable by imprisonment.

His solid track record in the field of human rights was further cemented when he co-authored and sponsored RA 10368, or the Human Rights Victims and Recognition Act of 2013, which took cognizant of the heroism and sacrifices of Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance, and other gross human rights violations during the Martial Law years in the country. The recognition, the law says, should be in the form of monetary and non-monetary reparations.

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mixture: 15-20 kilograms of fresh ipil-ipil leaves (finely chopped and pounded), half kerosene can of clean water and a little salt.

Some raisers include urea in the feeding program as non-protein supplement for ruminants. It must be remembered, however, that only recommended amounts should be given to the cattle because any excess is toxic to the animal.

Confine the animal to its feeding area so that it uses less energy and gains weight quickly. However, it can be tethered in grassy areas and exposed to sunlight for short periods.

The cattle must be washed at least once a week.

Housing Proper housing is important in successful cattle fattening operation, the DA says. Adequately protect animals against the adverse effects of weather when they are raised in relatively small areas. Animals in backyard cattle farms are usually tethered along roadsides and in backyards during the day and confined in a shed or corral at night.

The permanent type

of housing consisting of GI roofing, timber frames, concrete floor, feed trough and water troughs are used in most farms. The shelter is open-sided and is located near the farmer’s house or under the shade trees.

Building height ranges from 1.7 to 1.9 meters while the width varies from 2.1 to 2.7 meters. Each animal can be allocated 1.5 to 4.5 square meters.

Marketing Current marketing system of beef cattle is now becoming efficient especially in areas where there is a livestock auction market.

However, a number of middlemen are still involved in the system, thus creating a little complex marketing channel. In areas where there is no livestock auction market, the usual channel of distribution is set up in this order: barrio agents, shippers, Manila-based buyers, and meat retailers.

Marketing efficiency can be improved by reducing the number of stages in market channels. This can be done by encouraging direct selling from producers to butcher-retailers or processors.

status or have publicly said they don’t plan to get the vaccine.

The Brooklyn Nets’ Kyrie Irving and Golden State Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins are the highest-profile names because their local markets (New York City and San Francisco, respectively) have mandates in place that would exclude unvaccinated players from participating in home games. The NBA said this week that players who miss games because of local vaccine mandates will have their pay docked.

“They made it impossible for us to understand what they are saying.

What’s important here?

People dying or the fact that they want to be private about getting vaccinated?”

Abdul-Jabbar told Yahoo Sports. “... This is not just a game that they’re playing. This is

important, and people have to understand what’s going on here. The information that you need is not that hard to get. And you’ll see that the vaccines are safe and they’re effective. That’s all you gotta know. Save your life, don’t transmit it to someone in your family that you love and care for and you have to live with the fact that you helped transmit it to that person. We don’t want that to happen.

So, let’s get with it.”

The NBA’s proposed health and safety protocols for the upcoming season also would make it difficult for unvaccinated players, setting limits on where they can go and keeping them away from vaccinated teammates in all setting except on the court.

Abdul-Jabbar was part of a league-released PSA in January encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Mayor’s Office ug mga councilors. They are all working together to achieve herd immunity per barangay,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force.

The mobile vaccination is also targeting high-risk barangays in Davao City.

From six critical risk barangays from September 22 to 26, it dropped to three this week (September 27 to October 2). There are currently 19 high-risk barangays, two high-risk barangays close to critical risk barangays, 93 moderate risk barangays, and 19 moderate risk barangays close to high-risk barangays.

Schlosser said that while the City Councilors are going to the barangays for the vaccination, the information dissemination drive on the anti-Covid-19

vaccines will also be brought to the barangays.

“Para lang gyud ma achieve ang 15,000 vaccinations a day, isa sa nakitang way sa councilors naga go sa barangay dalon ang vaccination rollout tagsa tagsa ka barangay pati information drive dal-on sa barangay level,” Schlosser said.

The city government of Davao has set up mobile vaccination to stem the transmission, reduce the risk of Covid-19 infections, and prevent a surge of cases in isolation facilities and hospitals in the city.

The city government has also accelerated its vaccination drive by opening more vaccination sites and partnering with various agencies, and groups for mobile and sectoral vaccination. By Maya M. Padillo

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SMB forward Mo Tautuaa drives strong to the hoop. PBA

SMB boots out NorthPort, forces semis date with TNT Lives are at stake: Kareem tells unvaccinated NBA players

K

areem Abdul-Jabbar has been outspoken in his advocacy for the COVID-19 vaccine, and he has a message for the 5% of NBA players who still have not gotten it.

“Lives are at stake. It’s important here. People are dying,” Abdul-Jabbar told Yahoo Sports. “The ignorance that has been perpetrated and the misinformation that has been spread

W

hen we first heard that Ben Simmons reportedly doesn’t want to play with Joel Embiid anymore, it was just a matter of time before the Philadelphia 76ers big man had a response.

That time has come.

Embiid spoke about Simmons’ reported comments for the first time on Thursday, giving an honest answer about whether he thinks that his and Simmons’ playing relationship has run its course.

Embiid gave the perfect answer. He didn’t focus on his and Simmons’ personal

around everywhere has made it impossible for people to get an understanding of what is going on.

“People who say they haven’t finished doing the research yet, really haven’t done any research.”

This week, as NBA training camps opened for the 2021-22 season, a number of players declined to disclose their vaccination

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relationship, or even their relationship on the court.

He focused on how the organization has bent over backward to give Simmons every tool he needs to succeed, signing players and shipping them out based on what would work best for him. Embiid believes the players who are there now — who are mostly the players who were there last season — are able to give Simmons what he needs to be successful on the court.

And he said it all without obviously biting back at Simmons, even though it had to be a bit of a gut

S

an Miguel Beer set up a PBA Philippine Cup semifinal showdown against Talk ‘N Text with a 100-95 win over NorthPort in Game 2 of their quarterfinal series at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Thursday.

Despite a slow start that even saw the Batang Pier take a 19-17 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Beermen took over in the second quarter and would even mount a lead as high as 13 points in the second half.

NorthPort tried to claw

punch to hear Simmons reportedly doesn’t want to play with him anymore.

Embiid still wants Simmons to come back Embiid’s comments about the construction of the team weren’t complaints; they were just observations that highlighted what Simmons has waiting for him if he returns: a team full of talented players who want him to succeed, because that makes the team better. Embiid still wants Simmons to come back, because he knows that the Sixers won’t be as good without him.

back into the game, even cutting the lead down to four, 97-93, with 34 seconds left, but SMB held on through clutch free throws from Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter.

CJ Perez made 21 points on 6-for-12 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks off the bench to lead the Beermen, who had seven players in double figures scoring-wise.

Mo Tautuaa added 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal off the bench as well, while June Mar Fajardo (12 points and 12 rebounds) and Arwind Santos (13 rebounds and 11 points)

each collected a double-double.

Greg Slaughter put up 27 points on 12-of-22 field goals, 12 rebounds, and three blocks for the Batang Pier.

Robert Bolick came close to a triple-double with 14 dimes, 12 points for the double-double, and eight boards, but he went 0-for-8 from beyond the arc and committed six turnovers in total. (PNA)

Joel Embiid is disappointed by the Ben Simmons situation, calling it‘borderline disrespectful.’(Photo

by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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GROWING CULTURE The PSC aims to promote the traditional sports and games of the Sarangani IPs through a pre-recorded mini-documentary according to PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey (right).

PSC to feature Sarangani Indigenous games

T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to conduct a pre-recording of traditional sports and games of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) slated from October 8-12, 2021 in Sarangani Province.

The project is in line with the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines (QCP), which will feature eight traditional sports and games that include blowdart, Kmisong (fire-making drill), Skuyah (track and field), javelin throw, pana, among others.

Also part of the program is to highlight one traditional dance that is common among the Tagakaulo, T’boli, and B’laan Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) to be held at the Municipality of Malungon.

“The activity aims to promote the traditional sports and games of the Sarangani IPs through a pre-recorded mini-documentary,” said PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, oversight for the Indigenous Peoples Games program.

Maxey also shared that the agency already secured permission from the Sarangani Provincial Tribal Council (PTC) to proceed with the documentation of the traditional sports and games.

“We will observe the health and safety protocols implemented by the Provincial Government of Sarangani and Municipality of Malungon,” said Maxey, adding that the video output will be streamed live on PTV4 and the National Quincentennial Committee (NQC) Facebook pages.

The activity is supported by the Pocari Sweat Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc. and in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Provincial Government of Sarangani, and Municipality of Malungon.