Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 173 | Tuesday, October 5, 2021

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES HAS COME OF AGE AGRITRENDS P 9

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VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

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DOH 11 calls on aspirants for 2022 polls to strictly observe minimum health protocols when filing COCs STORY ON PAGE 2

A group of children, who are not supposedly allowed to go their houses, plays outside Palma Gil Elementary School along Quirino Avenue in Davao City. Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bared that thre is a discussion to include students in the five schools in Davao City that were submitted for pilot face-to-face to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the start of the vaccination of 12 to 17 years old. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

Vice Mayor Sebastian“Baste”Duterte says it’s unlikely Mayor Sara would change her mind on running for president. Edge Davao

TAKE THE LEAD T

Two DavOcc town villages placed on 6-day lockdown

DOH 11 calls on aspirants for 2022 polls to strictly observe minimum health protocols when filing COCs

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 11) has called on aspirants for the 2022 elections to strictly observe the minimum public health standards (MPHS) when filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs).

“Malapit na ang halalan natin. The first is to follow the protocols and to remind the LCEs or candidates to follow minimum health protocols when filing their COCs and to remind their supporters to check if they

are following the MPHS,” said Dr. Rachel Joy Pasion, unit head of the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health-Davao Region (DOH-Davao), in a virtual presser on Monday.

Pasion said police personnel should be tapped to ensure there is no breach of the protocols.

“We should tap the police to ensure there is no breach of the protocols. Hinikayat namin ang mga supporters to refrain from gathering even in open spaces and hopefully nanawagan ang DOH na sana hindi maging rason ang ating campaign na ito para sa muling pagtaas ng mga kaso ng Covid-19,” she

said.

Meanwhile, Pasion said two weeks ago DOH 11 had seen a significant decrease in the positivity rate in Davao Region. From the previous 30 percent positivity rate, it dropped at 22 percent.

“It is because of the LGUs implementing the granular lockdown. Second, we could see that there is very good information dissemination that is why the

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wo barangays in Jose Abad Santos (JAS) town in Davao Occidental were placed under lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the said town.

In Executive Order No. 21-020 released on Sunday night, acting mayor James John Joyce ordered the lockdown of Barangays Caburan Big and Caburan Small.

The lockdown is from Monday to 11:59 p.m. of October 9.

“There is a need to control the Covid-19 cases in JAS because of the full occupancy of the Covid-19 beds in the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the Covid referral hospital of Davao Occidental,” Joyce said in the EO. The municipality is currently experiencing a

surge in Covid-19 cases, with 78 active infections out of a total of 392 confirmed cases as of September 30.

“The municipality deems it proper to curtail the movement of people by ordering and enforcing total lockdown in Barangay Caburan Big and Barangay Caburan Small. As your officials, we think of your safety,” Joyce said in his Facebook post.

To limit the movement of all residents, the officials of the affected barangays have issued food and medicine (FM) passes per family.

“This will be used whenever there is a need to buy and look for food, go to the hospital, or when an emergency situation necessitates. All households shall apply at the barangay concerned

Saturday, an hour after her father announced in Pasay City that he was “retiring from politics.”

Would Sara change her mind? “I do not think so,” the Vice Mayor told reporters.

“As far as I know, my sister, once kasi pag may sinabi siya, di na siya bumabalik kung ano sinasabi niya, di niya na inuulit ang sinasabi niya, di niya na binaba-

go That is what I expected from her. So gumanon lang talaga. Sinabi niya dati di siya tatakbo, ayaw naman maniwala ng mga tao. Well, nangyari na yung nangyari, ganun na talaga,” (As far as I know, when my sister says something, she doesn’t change her mind, and she doesn’t take it back… So that’s why that happened [the filing of COC for mayor].

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Bangsamoro police chief orders VM Baste says it’s unlikely Sara would intensified drive vs. loose guns change her mind on running for prexy

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ll police units across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have been ordered to intensify their drive against loose firearms, Brig. Gen. Eden T. Ugale, director for the Police Regional Office (PRO)BARMM said Monday.

“This is one step to help ensure loose firearms are not used during the 2022 elections,” Ugale said in

a statement released at Camp S.K. Pendatun, the headquarters of the PROBARMM here following the arrest of a couple and the recovery of a cache of high-powered guns.

On Saturday, police officers arrested in this town a member of the local Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and his wife for selling firearms.

The arrest of CAFGU member Akay Awa, 50, and his wife Arbaya, 44, in Barangay Manion here came two days after police and Marine authorities in Malabang, Lanao del Sur seized unlicensed assorted firearms and explosives from private armed groups in a series of law enforcement operations.

Ugale said police con-

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ice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said it was unlikely his sister Sara would change her mind about vying to succeed their family patriarch Rodrigo as the next President of the Philippines.

The Vice Mayor made the statement a day after Mayor Duterte surprised everyone by filing a certificate of candidacy for another mayoralty stint last

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

NEWS

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Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol resigns from his post to run as senator in the 2022 elections. Piñol, who will run under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said his friendship with Duterte would remain “steadfast”and will never be affected by politics. Edge Davao

Students in 5 schools for pilot face-toface to be included in vax for children PDEA, NBI raid drug den in Matina

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21-year old suspected drug den maintainer was arrested during a buy-bust operation of the joint Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday afternoon (October 1) at Kawayan Drive, Matina, Davao City.

The suspect was identified by PDEA 11 spokesman Noli Dimaandal as Manuel Antonio Severino alias Roy, who is a resident of the said

barangay.

Severino was arrested along with Lester Antonio, Sernie Antonio, John Ricar Ouano, and Ervin Felicilda.

According to Dimaandal, the suspects were present and caught in the act having a pot session in the house used as a drug den.

He said a minor who was identified as Randy was also present during the operation and eventually rescued by the raiding

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday bared plans to include in the city’s vaccine cluster students in the five schools that were submitted for pilot face-to-face to the Department of Education (DepEd) in the start of the vaccination of 12 to 17 years old.

“So they will seek permission for that whether or not naa’y comorbidity but they were selected to pilot school. So ang move sa vaccine cluster is iapil sila sa 12 to 17 years old,” the mayor said on Monday.

Mayor Sara said for the vaccination of the 12 to 17 years old, the city will still

Piñol resigns from MinDA to seek Senate seat

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indanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has resigned from his post to run as senator in the 2022 elections.

In a Facebook post Monday, Piñol said he tendered his resignation to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte effective Oct. 5 and “thanked him for the opportunity to serve the country.”

“Today, I have reached a decision to vie for a seat in the Philippine Senate to pursue my advocacy to help the Filipino farmers and fishermen become more productive while at the same time ensuring food security and economic prosperity in the country,” he said.

Piñol served as Agriculture Secretary from June 30, 2016 to Aug. 5, 2019 and as

Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority from Aug. 5, 2019 to Oct. 5, 2021.

In a text message to the Philippine News Agency, Piñol said he will file his candidacy on Oct. 8.

“I am heeding the call of the agriculture and fisheries sector to be their voice in the Senate and to stand up and ensure their

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need to follow the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) to prioritize only those children with comorbidities.

The Department of Health (DOH) recently confirmed that pediatric vaccination will start among 12 to 17 years old with comorbidities as part of Priority

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has ordered the closure of cemeteries for two weeks from October 24 to November 7, 2021, in time for the observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. The mayor advised Dabawenyos to visit their departed loved ones before or after the closure dates.

“Mubisita na sa mga sementeryo before Oct. 24

Group A3. Expansion beyond this group will follow once adequate coverage of the A2 priority group or senior citizens has been achieved nationwide and vaccine supply becomes sufficient to include children.

The DOH, however, emphasized the need for a careful and planned rollout of vaccines for children. Considering that the risks of contracting severe COVID-19 infection or dying from COVID-19 are significantly lower for healthy children, it follows that the benefits from vaccination relative to the risk of a healthy child are also lower, compared to

a sick child, adult, or senior citizen.

In finalizing the guidelines, the DOH is ensuring that (1) informed consent by the parent/guardian and child before vaccination will be obtained; (2) supply availability of Pfizer and Moderna, the only vaccines with emergency use authorization for 12 to 17 years old issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; and more importantly, (3) equitable access to medical clearance by a physician for children with co-morbidities.

DOH will pilot test the

or after Nov. 7 because we will be closing cemeteries on Oct. 24 to Nov. 7. So pick any day, avoid the weekends because we expect usually daghan tao basta weekends.

Magbisita na ta dili ta magdungan-dungan,” the mayor said on Monday.

Mayor Sara said the city government of Davao will be using the same guidelines issued last year in the closure of the cemeteries and

columbariums.

“We will use the guide last year. Ang pwede lang musulod during close ang cemeteries katong adunay schedule na maglubong o adunay birthday sa namatay o death anniversary sa namatay,” she said.

Last year, Mayor Sara issued Executive Order No. 52, and among the provisions are: inside the cem-

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

Pump prices will be hiked for the sixth straight week today, October 5, as oil companies announced big-time increases of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene prices. Gasoline is expected by P1.45, diesel by P2.05, and kerosene by P2.05. Edge Davao

DOT backs shorter quarantine for fully vaccination travelers T

he Department of Tourism on Monday said it’s backing the call the shorten the quarantine period for fully vaccinated international travelers.

“This is a crucial step towards the eventual resumption of international

travel once our borders reopen, leading to the recovery of the pandem-

ic-hit sector,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

“This move to ease quarantine restrictions is also important to our kababayans who have

been longing to be reunited with their families as the holiday season approaches. We also recognize the financial burden of isolating in hotels for a long period of time,” she added.

Based on the guidelines from the country’s coronavirus task force, those coming from “yellow risk” jurisdictions, fully vaccinated or not, must undergo a 10-day facility-based quarantine and a 4-day home quarantine.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion also said he’s backing the call for a shorter quarantine period

for the fully vaccinated.

Carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both called on the government to reduce the 10day quarantine imposed on arriving international passengers.

Airlines are also urging the government to look into easing restrictions for domestic travel in order to boost operations as well as stimulate tourism and the economy.

more crops; and how PCIC can provide parametric insurance compared to its current policies.

During the first meeting held last month by the reconstituted PCIC board, Dominguez said among the immediate tasks of the body was to reorganize the corporation, stop its financial bleeding, and determine how it can deliver better insurance coverage to Filipino farmers.

Dominguez, who now chairs the PCIC board, said the PCIC has been heavily reliant on substantial subsidies from the national government for the past 20

years.

During this period, the government has extended over PHP23.3 billion in subsidies through the national budget and pumped in an additional PHP5.3 billion into the PCIC from the AgriAgra Fund since 2015, he added.

For 2022, the proposed subsidy to the PCIC amounts to PHP4.5 billion.

He said this “trend is not sustainable” and the board should find ways to ensure that the PCIC’s primary stakeholders -- the Filipino farmers -- get the most value for their money from the insurance premi-

um subsidy which the PCIC receives from the national government.

Thus, for the next board meeting, Dominguez asked the PCIC management “to give us a presentation on what is actually the financial status of the Corporation” and its “computed contingent liabilities.”

GSIS president-general manager Rolando Macasaet suggested that the PCIC look into the possibility of adopting Philippine Financial Reporting Standards 4 covering insurance contracts so that the firm can properly prepare its finan-

to complete requirements: BSP

PCIC asked to present financial status, contingent liabilities Applicants for 7th digital bank fail

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has asked the management of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to present before its newly reorganized board of directors this October 7 the state firm’s financial status and computation of its contingent liabilities.

In a statement Sunday, Dominguez said the presentation should include an outline on how the PCIC should be managed and initial ideas about possible reinsurance coverage, which PCIC can provide; the expansion of the insurance coverage to include

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday there won’t be a 7th digital banking license granted since applicants for the slot failed to submit the complete requirements.

The BSP earlier said it would only approve 7 digital banking licenses in the first phase to assess the new financial instrument’s impact on the Philippine economy.

“It turned out the 9 additional applicants failed to submit the necessary documents,” Diokno said in a vir-

tual event hosted by the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX).

Applications for new digital banks were closed last Aug. 31.

The BSP has awarded digital banking licenses to Landbank’s OF Bank, Tonik Bank, UnoBank, UnionDigital, GOTyme and Maya Bank.

Digital banks have no physical branches and were designed to streamline access to financial services by reducing requirements when opening a bank account.

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ECONOMY

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Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asks the management of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) to present before its newly reorganized board of directors this October 7 the state firm’s financial status and computation of its contingent liabilities. Presidentil Photo

Chevron Malampaya sale to Udenna not midnight deal, says Energy chief PH corn production remains insufficient, importation necessary –industry group

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he Philippine Maize Federation (PhilMaize) said the country’s corn production has been slackening the last few years which makes importation a necessity.

In a statement, PhilMaize President Roger Navarro said the Philippines’ corn production has been insufficient for a while now, and could not meet the demand for feed manufacturing.

Navarro added that the industry understands the need for importation, but this should be done with the right tax and regulation.

“The solution has been there ever since we signed up with the WTO (World Trade Organization) and we have no problem with that. They (feed millers) can import corn and corn substitutes by way of feed wheat any time they want but they must pay their taxes. That is all we wanted,” he explained.

“Corn and corn substitute imports have been al-

lowed ever since we signed up with the WTO. They can import anytime,” he added.

The group said corn comprises 60% to 70% of the ingredients for the production of animal feeds, while the cost of feeds can take up 80% of the production cost for chicken and other livestock products.

Navarro said that on the supply side, local production for yellow corn stood at 5.7 million metric tons (MT), while white corn stood at 2.5 million MT at 50% as food or feed equivalent.

“Total supply would be 6.95 million MT versus total demand for meat requirement at 7.8 million MT. This will translate to an 850,000 MT deficit,” he said.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also showed that as of August 1, 2021, the country’s total corn stocks inventory level was estimated at 707,650 MT, falling by 3.4% from the 732,180 MT level in the

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denna Corp’s acquisition of Chevron Malampaya, which holds a 45-percent interest in the Malampaya gas project, was not a “midnight deal,” the Department of Energy said Monday.

Cusi made the remark after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said the DOE “bent rules” to approve the acquisition of Chevron Malampaya by Dennis Uy’s Udenna.

Udenna had bought Chevron’s shares in November 2019 subject to regulatory approval.

The deal was a private transaction and the

DOE was “not privy” to its terms and price, said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The agency “went beyond” in checking both firms’ books as it was “not duty-bound” to do so, he added.

“Hindi nga po midnight deal ‘yun eh. We’re evaluating 2 books, the book of Chevron Malampaya, the previous owner, nung pumasok po ang

new owner that book remained the same. What we’re looking naman dito is the book of the new shareholders,” he said.

(It’s not a midnight deal. We’re evaluating 2 books, the book of Chevron Malampaya, the previous owner, when the new owner came in, that book remained the same.

We’re also looking at the book of the new shareholders.)

“How they came to the conclusion selling it, it’s beyond our purview. Tiningnan namin ang libro po ng Chevron, ng new owner and they pumped in that additional mon-

P

Petroleum Corp. said they will increase prices per liter of gasoline by P1.45, diesel by P2.05, and kerosene by P2.05.

Cleanfuel and Petro Gazz will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which they do not carry.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. Tuesday, October 5, except for Caltex which will implement the adjustments at 12:01 a.m. and Cleanfuel at 4:01 p.m. the same day.

Other firms have yet to make similar announcements for the week.

ey. In effect, ang Chevron Malampaya po mas tumatag as member of the consortium.”

(We looked at the books of Chevron and the new owner, which pumped in additional money. In effect, it made Chevron Malampaya a stronger member of the consortium.)

The committee will also look into the Royal Dutch Shell’s sale of its stake in the Malampaya natural gas field to Udenna, Gatchalian earlier said.

The transaction brings Udenna’s total shares in Malampaya to 90 percent.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy (DOE) show that year-to-date adjustments stand at a total net increase of P15.10 per liter for gasoline, P12.95 per liter for diesel, and P10.65 per liter for kerosene as of September 28,

Big-time pump price increases set today ump prices will be hiked for the sixth straight week on Tuesday, as firms announced big-time increases of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene prices.

In separate advisories, Chevron Philippines Inc. (Caltex), Pilipinas Shell

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

On President Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure highlighted by fighting illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

Ang taumbayan na ang humusga kung mas ligtas ba ngayon ang mga anak nila at walang pangamba dahil sa mga kriminal at adik.”

Sen. Bong Go

EDITORIAL No vaccine-related death It is a fact that there is no case of COVID-19-related death in Davao City.

The city has no cases of COVID-19-vaccine-related death, according to Task Force COVID-19 in Davao City spokesperson, Dr. Michelle Schlosser.

“Murespeto man ta sa ilang emosyon. Murespeto ta sa ilang doubts pero they have to open their minds. Dili lang man gud kita isa lang nagpuyo sa kalibutan. I know naa mi mga ginatuohan, naa muy mga kahadlok but kadaghanan nag-prove na man protektado gyud ta pag bakunado ta. (We respect their emotions. We respects their doubts but they have to open their minds. We are not the only people living in the world. I know, we have our own beliefs and fears but many [studies] have proven that are indeed protected with the Covid-19 vaccine),” said Schlosser during the Davao City Disaster Radio 87.5 FM live interview yesterday, October 1, 2021.

“The investigation of claimed vaccine death is very thorough. As of today, we don’t have a vaccine-related deaths in Davao City,” she said.

Dabawenyos who disagree with the task force spokesperson should come forward and present evidence backing up their stand.

EDGEDAVAO

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Irresponsible broadcasters blabbering fake news are not unique in the Philippines. In the United States, which holds the worst record on the pandemic, many anti-vaccine radio hosts already in their senior years have been infected with COVID-19 and died.

In their deathbeds they regretted not having themselves vaccinated but it was too late.

Look at this list which is becoming long.

1. Bob Enyart of Denver 2. Dick Farrel Florida-based conservative radio host 3. Marc Bernier, Mr. Anti-Vax, who spoke against in his radio show from Daytona Beach 4. Jimmy de Young Sr., a religious radio broadcaster from Tennessee 5. Phil Valentine based in Nashville

Before they died, they reportedly asked their friends and loved ones to get vaccinated.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

The same challenge is addressed to members of media who have been spreading stories about alleged vaccine-related deaths. If they cannot substantiate their sensational stories, they should close their mouths.

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 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO IS DAVAO EARTHQUAKE-READY? If Davao Region – composed of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental and Davao de Oro – will experience a 7.2-magnitude earthquake, is it ready?

Just like Metro Manila, Davao Region is apt for another “Big One.” The region is not spared from the destruction of a huge earthquake that may be triggered by the Surigao-Mati fault.

A news report which quoted an official of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) some years back said the fault line, which stretches from Surigao City to Mati City, has a distance of 320 kilometers.

“A big earthquake as strong as, if not even stronger than, the so-called ‘Big One’ that Metro Manilans are preparing for is a possibility in Davao City in the immediate future,” wrote Antonio M. Ajero, editor-in-chief of EDGE Davao, who attended a press briefing that was convened by the Philippine Information Agency.

Historical records showed a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro) in 1893. On April 15, 1924, another earthquake with 8.3-magnitude happened somewhere in Sigaboy, now known as Governor Generoso, in Davao Oriental.

According to the Phivolcs official, an earthquake with an intensity of 7.2 that happened in Compostela Valley will immediately be felt in Davao City “within less than a minute” and the magnitude will be about 7.

Phivolcs said that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake can shake the ground even a hundred kilometers away. Areas near the waters are more likely to experience stronger ground shaking due to the softer ground they sit on.

“The shaking will just be as violent and the destruction caused by it will be just as intense as the one in Compostela,” Ajero wrote in his news report.

If that is not scary, I don’t know what is.

“The only way to avoid disasters caused by earthquakes is to prepare for them,” wrote Maria Elena Paterno, in her book Earthquake!

There’s good news. Phivolcs, a line agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), has inaugurated the Phivolcs Mindanao Cluster Monitoring Center for Earthquake and Tsunami (PMCMCET) facility in Davao City last September 24, 2021 via a virtual presser.

According to Phivolcs, the main objective of establishing the facility is “to provide capable nationwide earthquake and

tsunami monitoring that would ensure continuity of operations when the main office located in Quezon City failed to function immediately after an emergency or disruption.”

The P 20-million facility features near real-time display of the Philippine Seismic Network upgraded computer systems for earthquake and tsunami data acquisition and processing, and newly-installed tools for decision support, mapping, and information dissemination.

Some of the equipment housed in the facility include the following: satellite dish, solar panel, broadband seismometer, strong motion sensor, data receiving center, earthquake monitoring system, Philippine seismic network, automated earthquake solution, real-time earthquake waveforms, tsunami monitoring system, and trans-Pacific sea level, tsunami monitoring websites.

The newest earthquake and tsunami monitoring center is located at the Southern Mindanao Campus of the Philippine Science High School in Mintal.

It is envisioned to be beneficial not only for monitoring activities but also serve as a facility for students’ education in the region.

“Putting up this facility would not only benefit the residents from Davao City but also

the rest of Mindanao Island. The decisions and policies made by different LGUs could be guided by real-time data and scientific studies provided by this monitoring facility,” said Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., Phivolcs officer-in-charge and DOST undersecretary for scientific and technical services.

In her video message, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio commended DOST-Phivolcs for continuously fulfilling its mandate to mitigate the risks of natural hazards and avert disasters by providing accurate and timely information on disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

“By establishing the first Mindanao earthquake and tsunami monitoring center in Davao City, you further widen the scope of the affected public service delivery especially in terms of predicting volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis as well as formulating disaster preparedness action plan to mitigate possibly the greater risks here in Mindanao,” said Duterte-Carpio.

Chief Alfredo D. Baloran of the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office likewise welcomed this initiative. He said that PMCMCET would play a crucial role in helping them to have better planning, response, and policies especially after experiencing

succeeding earthquake-related events during the latter part of 2019 up to the first few months of 2020.

Our country lies between two major tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. “Philippine Sea Plate is moving towards the Philippine Archipelago at the rate of about 7 centimeters every year,” Phivolcs explains. “The Eurasian Plate is being subducted along western side of Luzon and Mindoro at the rate of 3 centimeters per year except on Mindoro and northwest of Zamboanga where collision is taking place.”

At the intersection of the two aforementioned plates is the Philippine Fault Zone, “which decouples the northwestward motion of the Pacific with the southwestward motion of the Eurasian Plate.” Movements along other active faults are reportedly responsible for the present-day high seismicity of the Philippine archipelago.

At least 5 earthquakes per day occur in the Philippines, Phivolcs says. For almost four decades now, the country has been affected by 10 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0. As such, the possibility of these destructive earthquakes occurring again in the future “is very strong.”

Now, the question is: Is the Davao Region ready?

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WHEN WAS ‘SAN RUFO’ ATTACKED? An interesting narrative in Davao’s history is the date of burning of the Spanish trading ship San Rufo, which led to the conquest of Datu Bago’s enclave at the mouth of Davao River.

Japanese historian Dr. Shinzo Hayaze, in ‘Mindanao Ethnohistory Beyond Nations’ (2007) dates the incident to 1838 while the pontin was collecting beeswax in Davao. The crew carried a written letter from the sultan of Maguindanao asking that courtesy be extended to the trading party.

At the time, Datu Bago had already built forts at the mouth of Davao and Tagum rivers that were armed with cannons controlled by the Muslims who were residing near the river mouths of the gulf of Davao, from Padada on the south to Lupon in the east.

Fr. Peter Schreurs, MSC, in ‘Caraga Antigua’ (1989), dates

the ship’s attack to 1839. On our part, we place the date of the incident in 1944, the year Antonio, brother of Luisa de Azaola, future wife of Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz, died; he was part of the crew who figured in the massacre.

The bloody episode led

by Datu Ongay was supposedly launched on orders of Datu Bago. The extant accounts, however, do not explicitly say this was the case despite the fact that the incident took place in an area within the marine territory of the latter.

A review of historical records indicate that the attack could have been a vengeance against the Europeans who cornered commerce with the sultanates, particularly the Spaniards.

Years before Datu Bago moved to Davao from Maguindanao to establish his own ter-

ritory around 1800, the large traders, namely the foreigners, had already forged commercial ties with the Moro-controlled kingdoms of Mindanao. This would continue until Oyanguren, with approval from the colonial administration in Manila, eventually took control of the gulf of Davao.

As early as 1794, the Spaniards and Maguindanao already sealed a commercial contract.

Two decades later, the British and the Dutch, with close trade links with Maguindanao, concluded another similar agreement. In 1836, the Spaniards and Sulu clinched a commercial pact, followed by the commercial covenant signed by the Spaniards and Maguindanao in 1837.

These deals, in more ways than one, defanged Moro position against the Europeans which, despite the discord they had with the Maguindanao

sultanate, were able to open channels that promoted peace through trade. Apparently inspired by this evolving development, the Americans and the Sulu sultanate, in 1842, also signed their own commercial agreement.

The covenants, moreover, created an inequality for lesser Moro kingdoms that were removed from the lucrative trade involving the sultanates. Somehow, this deprivation compelled them to return to their old ways of conducting piracy in regions beyond the polity of the Moro kingdoms.

The showing up of the trading ship ‘San Rufo’ in the gulf of Davao was an occasion for the Moros to express disgust to the colonizers. But that decision would prove costly in the end for this became the wick that triggered the conquest of the kingdom of Datu Bago.

But what really angered most the Moros of the gulf, who were known to be loyal to the Maguindanao sway, was the 1845 treaty the sultanate forged which gave the sovereignty of Davao to the Spaniards. The treaty was not viewed only as an abandonment of the loyal allies in the gulf; the Moros of Davao also saw the move as a betrayal. Because they were not in a position to confront the sultanate, the Moros unleashed their rage on the Spaniards and their minions.

After Oyanguren took control of Davao, the British and Sulu concluded yet another agreement on commerce in 1849, an echo of the 1794 deal signed by the British with the Maguindanao sultanate. This development would open more friendly engagements between the Spanish government and the Moro suzerainty of Maguindanao.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

BDO Foundation

supports Cebu nurses

A

s part of its continuing pandemic response, BDO Foundation joined forces with other corporate foundations, non-governmental organizations and government agencies to support a private sector initiative that aims to provide financial assistance for nurses.

The corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank contributed to the Project Balik Buhay Salary and Bonus Assistance for our Bidas (PBB SalBaBida) Program in response to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Backed by the Department of Health and Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, the PBB SalBaBida Program gave financial incentives to nurses in Cebu in recognition of their noble work of caring for COVID-19 patients.

In an event in Mandaue City witnessed by BDO Visayas and Mindanao region

head Cyrus Polloso, the first tranche of monthly allowances was turned over to beneficiaries.

The beneficiary-nurs-

es are stationed in PBB partner-hospitals in Cebu, which include Adventist Hospital, ARC Hospital, Cebu Doctors University

Hospital Group, Cebu Velez General Hospital, Chong Hua Hospitals, Maayo Well, Perpetual Succour Hospital, Southwestern University

Medical Center, St. Vincent General Hospital and Visayas Community Medical Center.

Caption: BDO Foun-

dation contributed to the PBB SalBaBida Program as part of a shared advocacy to support nurses caring for COVID-19 patients.

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AGRITRENDS

9

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE

PHILIPPINES HAS COME OF AGE Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

A

gricultural crops modified through biotechnology have gone a long, long way in the Philippines.

Bt corn, which was designed to be resistant to the Asiatic corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis), was commercialized in December 2003.

Golden rice, genetically modified to contain beta-carotene, was approved for commercialization last July. Also in July, the Department of Agriculture approved the use of Bt eggplant for direct use as food, feed, or for processing.

(Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a common soil bacterium so called because it was first isolated in the Thuringia region of Germany. It produces a protein that paralyzes the larvae of some harmful insects.)

Last September 30, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar led the inauguration of the Crop Biotechnology Center (CBC) inside the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) complex in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

“This Crop Biotechnology Center is not just a showcase, but the ‘ground zero’ for increasing the productivity of various crops to feed the growing population of the country, which is also being tested by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Dar said.

Dar challenged the people managing the CBC “to be the catalyst of development and utilization of modern biotechnologies for crops.”

“And when we round up the other biotechnology

centers here in the Science City of Muñoz – such as the Livestock Biotechnology Center hosted by the Philippine Carabao Center, and the proposed fisheries biotechnology center under the DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute – we would be building an ecosystem of agricultural abundance, adaptivity, and sustainability,” the agriculture head pointed out.

During the UN Food Systems Summit held in New York, USA, the important role of biotechnology and other scientific innovations in attaining food security was underscored.

Sustainable agricultural modernization “Biotechnology is the Philippine government’s response to the call for sustainable agricultural modernization,” Dar said.

“As such, the Duterte government is investing in the establishment of state-ofthe-art facilities that will conduct research for development activities to ensure the sustainable production of quality food items.”

Although CBC is located inside PhilRice, CBC chief Dr. Roel Suralta said that crop scientists from other agencies are all welcome to conduct their respective researches in the center for major crops, in addition to rice, like corn, coconut, coffee, banana, and sugarcane,

among others.

According to Suralta, the center can do various research and development tasks using genomics and genetics, bioinformatics, and computational breeding, molecular breeding, genetic engineering and germplasm enhancement, tissue-culturing, diagnostic and ecosystem biology, natural products, and value-adding towards the creation of new or improved agronomic and horticultural crops.

Probable solution When it comes to food insecurity, biotechnology is seen as a probable solution.

“All possible tools that can help promote sustainable agriculture for food security must be marshalled,” suggested Ismail Serageldin when he was still the vice-president of World Bank, “and biotechnology, safely developed, could be a tremendous help.”

“I think it is time that we make full use of the advances of biotechnology – where applicable – and use it to help free our people from hunger – and from ignorance – so that they in turn may not only be receivers, but sharers of the wealth of the nation with those in dire need of it,” said former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. during the opening of the 12th National Biotech Week some years back.

The tools used in biotechnology include gene cloning, tissue culture, microbial culture, DNA-marker technology, and genetic engineering. The latter is

the most controversial as it is the method used in developing genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, the officer-in-charge of the DA Biotech Program Office, clarifies that biotechnology is not the only solution to hunger. “Biotechnology is just one of the possible solutions to the problem of the looming food crisis,” he told participants of the seminar-workshop on biotechnology held in Davao City.

Dr. Channapatna Prakash, a professor of plant molecular genetics, has the same view. “(Biotechnology) is not the only way to increase food production but right now represents a major scientific breakthrough to develop better crop varieties in addressing some of the food production problems,” he said.

Not a modern invention For the uninformed, biotechnology is defined as “any technique that uses living organisms to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals, or to develop microorganisms for specific uses.”

Biotechnology has existed since ancient times.

Spirulina, one of the oldest forms of life on earth, is believed to be what the ancient Israelites of the Old Testament called “manna from heaven.”

The modern era of biotechnology, however, had its origin in 1953 when American biochemist James Watson and British biophys-

icist Francis Crick presented their double-helix model of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).

DNA, the genetic material of all cellular organisms and most viruses, carries the information needed to direct so-called “protein synthesis” and “replication.”

Protein synthesis is defined as “the production of proteins needed by the cells or virus for its activities and development.” Replication, on the other hand, is “the process by which DNA copies itself for each descendant cell or virus, passing on the information needed for protein synthesis.”

In the 1960s, Swiss microbiologist Werner Arber discovered special enzymes, called restriction, in bacteria. These enzymes cut the DNA strands of any organism at precise points.

In 1973, American geneticist Stanley Cohen and American biochemist Herbert Boyer removed a specific gene (a piece of genetic material that determines the inheritance of a particular characteristic, or group of characteristics) from one bacterium and inserted it into another using restriction enzymes.

Genetic engineering This event marked the beginning of recombinant DNA technology, commonly called genetic engineering.

Generally, it is “the alternation of an organism’s genetic, or hereditary, material to eliminate undesirable characteristics or to produce desirable new ones.”

In recent years, genetic engineering has been used to increase plant and animal food production, to diagnose disease, improve medical treatment, produce vaccines and other useful drugs and to help dispose of industrial wastes.

“Modern techniques in biotechnology have vastly increased the speed at which nature could be manipulated to serve society’s needs,” said Dr. Felimon Uriarte Jr. when he was still the head of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Biotechnology, in conjunction with other emerging technologies, will undoubtedly be a major source of innovation and growth in the next millennium.”

Food safety But the question is: are biotech crops safe to eat?

“Foods produced using genetic modification are as safe as foods produced using conventional breeding techniques,” declares the US Food and Drug Administration. “Genetically modified foods are as safe as other foods available on the market.”

A 2008 review published by the Royal Society of Medicine noted that transgenic foods have been eaten by millions of people worldwide for over 15 years, with no reports of ill effects. Likewise, a 2004 report from the US National Academies of Sciences stated: “To date, no adverse health effects attributed to

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EDGEDAVAO

TAKE... FROM 2

people are now more informed and cautious of the Covid-19. Also more and more community members ay nagpapabakuna na,” she said.Based on the Regional Situation Update on Covid-19 in Davao Region as of September 27, 2021, DOH Davao Center for Health Development reported 318 new cases of Covid-19 in the region bringing the total number of active cases to 20,738.

Of these new cases, 178 were from Davao City, 47 from Davao de Oro, 70 from Davao del Norte, 21 from

Davao del Sur, one from Davao Occidental, and one from Davao Oriental.

There are 828 recoveries were reported and among these, 329 were from Davao City, 120 from Davao de Oro, 322 from Davao del Norte, three from Davao del Sur, and 54 from Davao Oriental.

With these cases, the region has 21.1 percent available ICU beds, 37.8 percent available isolation beds, 37.2 percent available ward beds, and 47.2 percent available mechanical ventilators.

for issuance of FM pass limited to two individuals per household. FM Passes should be free of charge,” the EO added.

Joyce added that all residents of the said barangays are mandated to stay inside their homes and are prohibited from going out, except for those with urgent medical emergencies, and those classified as authorized

persons outside of residence (APOR).

“For government and private employees, office IDs and/or office memorandum orders is enough to be presented in each checkpoint. All establishments shall apply at barangay government concerned for issuance of Working Pass of their employees,” he added. (PNA)

fiscated from the Awa couple an M16 Rifle, two M14 rifles, one .45 caliber pistol, ammunition, and marked money.

“The militiaman and his wife agreed to sell the firearms to an undercover police agent and Barangay Manion was the handover area on Saturday night,”

Ugale said.

He said Awa did not resist arrest when lawmen surrounded him and his wife.

Charges for violation of RA 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act” are being readied against the couple. (PNA)

She has said before that she won’t run [for President], but people don’t believe it.

What happened happened, and so that’s it), he said.

But he would support his sister’s decision.

“I do not look at her as a politician or government worker. Syempre yung iniintindi ko, yung kung saan siya comfortable, kung saan ang gusto niya, kung saan siya masaya. So kung masaya siya for reelection as city mayor, doon tayo, doon ako,” (Whatever my sister decides, I do not look at her as a politician or government worker. But of course, whatever she feels comfortable doing, wherever she wants, wherever she’s happy–If she’s happy to be reelected as city Mayor, let’s support that. I support that.)

The Vice Mayor himself filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) to seek reelection.

He also filed his brother Paolo’s COC for first district representative. Rep. Duterte had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19, but has reportedly recovered, “Miraculous” The Vice Mayor said he could not stop supporters of his sister from campaigning for her to run for a higher post outside the city. =“If you want to continue what you’re doing, then, it’s up to them. Maybe something miraculous will happen, but I doubt it,” he said, The 43-year old Sara started in politics in 2007 as Vice Mayor and served as mayor for three terms: from

2010 to 2013, 2016 to 2019 and 2019 to 2022.

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BANGSAMORO... FROM 2

VM... FROM 2

Several campaigns in different parts of the country have pushed for Sara to run for President in next year’s election.

President Duterte had earlier accepted a nomination for the vice-presidency under the Cusi faction of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban), but he did not file his COC. Duterte accompanied Go at the Sofitel tent in Pasay, venue of the filing of COCs for national posts, where the latter filed his COC for Vice President.

The President announced he was ”retiring from politics,” a decision supported by the Vice Mayor.

“Kung ako, it’s appropriate. Kasi may edad na rin yung tatay ko, PRD. So gusto niya magpahinga, dito na lang siya sa Davao, sa bahay, o kung ano man” (It’s appropriate. My father is old. If he wants to rest, let him rest in Davao, at home or wherever), the Vice Mayor said.

He said his potential return to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for a second term is for continuity’s sake.

“As far as my reelection is concerned, marami kasi kaming naipasa sa 19th City Council of Davao na mga ordinances. Gusto ko lang mai-follow through.

I want to see if the people still want me to be their vice mayor. Pag pinayagan ako, OK lang,” he said. (Yas D. Ocampo / MindaNews)

VOL.14 ISSUE 173 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 05, 2021

STUDENTS... FROM 3 vaccination for 12 to 17 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Sa NCR ang pilot testing.

Bakit kailangan meron ng pilot test because they will test the guidelines na ginawa. Currently, ang ginawa sa NCR by phasing sa hospitals and selected LGUs. Based sa guidelines ng NCR uunahin ang may mga comorbidities.

Kailangan magpa-check up muna sila sa kanilang pediatrician or doctors. Sa hospital muna ang nauna dahil sa mga may comorbidities and also selected LGUs. After 14 days pag na implement na sa NCR, titingnan pa nila ang guidelines at titingnan kung meron bang babaguhin or susundin pa ba ang guidelines for the rest of the region. After two weeks ng implementation sa NCR kung the same guidelines ang gagamitin for the rest of the region we will be imple-

menting the same,” said Dr. Raquel Montejo, operations chief of Covid-19 Response of the Department of Health 11 (DOH 11).

Meanwhile, Montejo advised those 18 years old and above to register at their respective health center in preparation for the arrival of the 900,000 doses of anti-Covid-19 vaccines allocated for the general population.

“Malapit na dumating ang ating additional vaccines for the Davao Region about 900,000 doses. We can now start the vaccination of the 18 years old depende sa inyuhang district or vaccination center kung uunahin nila ang A1 to A5 priority groups but they can now call the 18 years old and above. Once meron ng additional vaccines they can start entertaining yung 18 years old,” Montejo said.

team.

They were caught with a total of 250 grams of marijuana leaves with an estimated value of P30,000; 5 sticks of suspected marijuana cigarette; assorted drug paraphernalia; and buybust money.

The suspects will be

charged with violation of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The rescued minor will be turned over to the Quick Response Team for Children’s Concern for discernment and other interventions needed.

well-being against the deluge of anti-agriculture policies and legislations which had made life difficult for them,” he said.

Piñol, who will run under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), said his friendship with Duterte would remain “steadfast” and will never be affected by politics.

He recalled that in May 2016, shortly after Duterte’s

win, the president’s close-in aide and now senator, Christopher Lawrence Go, asked him what Cabinet position he wanted to occupy in the Duterte administration.

“Does my resignation and decision to run for a Senate seat outside of the party of President Duterte mean that I am parting ways with him or I am turning my back on him? No, never,” he added.

games.

Beyond the programs and activities that he initiated, is the transformation of the PSC into a more efficient and effective government body serving the needs not only of the elite athletes and coaches but also the grassroots and all other sectors of society. His trailblazing efforts go beyond the implementation of programs and projects that reached even the farthest islands and remote hinterlands of the country bringing sports to the periphery.

A sports leader who believes in the need for partnership with countries having strong sports programs thereby forging MOU’s and linkages with many countries to include China, Russia, Cuba, Australia, South Korea, and many others.

These are just but some of the highlights of achievements made by a humble leader in sports. A man of integrity, highly respected and admired for his simple life, Chairman Ramirez walks his talk and committed his life to serving the country, government, and people through sports.

According to Daut, the Conferment of Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa to PSC Chairman William Ramirez is “long overdue and is well-deserved to hon-

or a man whose life, works, and service to the country is unquestionably significant.

Beyond the passing of courses conducted in the classrooms, taking and passing of examinations for credit and attendance in the university to obtain a degree, Chairman William Ramirez more than passed the tests conducted in the bigger and more challenging courses of life and work. For all his experiences in sports and in life, Chairman William Ramirez passed the examinations with flying colors as evidenced by his accomplishments. What he has done throughout the years of service in Philippine sports has given him all the practical experiences to demonstrate excellent leadership and service.”

“The Mindanao State University-Main Campus and the whole MSU System take pride in having the honor and privilege to recognize, honor and confer the Doctor of Humanities Honoris Cause to William I. Ramirez, Chairman and CEO of the Philippine Sports Commission. The MSUS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Welcomes you to its fold as one of the Most Distinguished Alumni of MSUS! Mabuhay and Congratulations DR. WILLIAM I. RAMIREZ, Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa),” Daut capped his post.

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eteries, the 24-hour liquor ban is implemented and effective; vulnerable sector or those who are above 60 years old, below 21, immunocompromised, with health risk, or pregnant women are allowed to visit or attend the wake and burial of their family members but are not allowed to do so for non-family members.

The EO also regulates the operation of funeral parlors, cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums by 1) implementing “Family Members Only” policy during wake and burial, 2) the family in charge of the wake and burial must ensure no mass gathering among the family members and health protocols such as wearing face masks, physical distancing, and put in place hand sanitizing or alcohol-based hand rub, 3) family members pres-

ent should not exceed 50% of the room where the casket is located, and 4) the family must also keep a record of the date and time of the visit of all family members for contact tracing.

The mayor’s EO came a week after the National Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases issued Resolution No. 72 ordering the closure of public and private cemeteries and columbariums all over the country on the said dates to avoid crowding during All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day. The EO, however, exempts groups who will bury their family members and those celebrating the birthday and death anniversary of their deceased loved ones during the dates of closure.

By Maya M. Padillo

genetic engineering have been documented in the human population.”

The 2010 report of the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation on GMOs noted: “The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130 research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than 500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are not per se more risky than conventional plant breeding technologies.”

The other side There are always two sides of a coin. There are those who oppose using biotechnology as a method against food insecurity. “I believe that this kind of genetic

modification takes mankind into realms that belong to God, and to God alone,” deplored Prince Charles in 1998.

Dr. Peter Wills, a theoretical biologist at Auckland University, agrees: “By transferring genes across species barriers which have existed for eons, we risk breaching natural thresholds against unexpected biological processes.”

To be or not to be, said William Shakespeare.

Should biotech crops be allowed or not? One sage puts it in this perspective: “A man who has enough food has several problems. A man without food has only one problem.” Or as Roman poet Horace said: “Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.”

cial statements.

The Board appointed lawyer Joyce Briones of the DOF Legal Affairs Office as the new PCIC Corporate Secretary.

The new Board is now composed of Dominguez as chairperson, Agriculture Secretary William Dar as vice chairperson.

PCIC president Jovy Bernabe, Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) president-CEO Cecilia Borromeo, and Macasaet as members.

One representative each from the private insurance industry, and the subsis-

tence farmers’ sector, preferably representing agrarian reform beneficiaries/ cooperatives/associations, have yet to be appointed to complete the composition of the seven-person body.

Given the new composition of the PCIC board of directors, the Board also reconstituted its Committees on Governance and on Audit and Risk Management.

For the Committee on Governance, Dominguez is the chairperson, while Macasaet and Dar are vice chairperson and member, respectively.

same period in the previous year.

Corn stocks dropped by 23.4% from the previous month’s level of 924,250 MT. Year-on-year, corn household stocks went up by 12%, but stocks in commercial warehouses/wholesalers/retailers dropped by 5.7%.

In comparison with the previous month’s level, corn

household stocks increased by 9.8% but dipped by 27 percent for commercial warehouse/wholesalers/ retailers.

Right now, corn farmers only harvest twice a year, with the first, or the wet season, producing 65% of the annual output.

The second harvest is February down to the dry season.

ics, weightlifting, archery, karatedo, cycling, swimming, muaythai, and arnis.

Participants from the North Luzon Cluster will be

the first group to undergo the training and each LGU can send three representatives for the said webinar per sport. (PR)

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The Filipina Spikers played their best game in the tournament so far as Dindin Santiago-Manabat joined hands with young guns Faith Nisperos and Mhicaela Belen to win the second set and tie the match at one set apiece.

PSC Batang Pinoy to empower LGUs on int’l sports technical rules

T

he Philippine Sports Commission through its Batang Pinoy (BP) and Philippine National Games (PNG) continues its mandate of developing athletes in the grassroots despite the pandemic.

The two programs are set to conduct the fourth part of a series of webinars in preparation for the reimplementation of the grassroots program.

Beginning October 5, the local government units (LGUs) are expected to attend the webinar which will share updates on the international sports technical rules.

“Joint effort between the LGUs and the PSC will ensure that young aspiring athletes are given enough time and resources to

G

olden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins, who initially said he did not want to get vaccinated against COVID-19, now has received the vaccine, coach Steve Kerr said Sunday.

Due to a local health order in San Francisco that prevents unvaccinated people from entering certain large indoor spaces, Wiggins had been in danger of being held out of Warriors home games.

He also would have forfeited salary for those missed games, under the NBA’s current COVID policy. Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving, another prominent NBA anti-vaxx-

Rebisco Philippines bows to Iran’s Saipa

grow and reach their full potential,” PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said in a news release on Saturday.

With the current trend of younger athletes breaking Olympic records, Ramirez said it is time to properly manage and secure the future gems of the country.

In cooperation with the National Sports Associations (NSA) and International Federation-accredited Technical Officials of 11 different Sports, the updated standard rules of the sports possible to be played in the games will be discussed.

Sports to be covered are the following: taekwondo, table tennis, chess, athlet-

T

er, faces a similar health order in New York City.

Wiggins, 26, applied for a religious exemption with the NBA but was denied, with the San Francisco Department of Public Health adding that it would not consider exemptions of any kind.

“I’m confident in my beliefs and what I think is right, what I think is wrong,” Wiggins said at the Warriors’ preseason media day Monday.

“I’m just going to keep doing what I believe. Whether it’s one thing or another, just going to keep doing it.”

But Kerr told reporters Sunday that Wiggins is now inoculated and will play in

Golden State’s preseason opener Monday against the host Portland Trail Blazers.

Wiggins, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2014, is entering his eighth NBA season. He has played for Golden State since a February 2020 trade with Minnesota, where he played the first five-plus seasons of his career and won 2014-15 Rookie of the Year honors.

Wiggins owns career averages of 19.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He started 71 games for the Warriors in last season’s shortened 72-game campaign and averaged 18.6 points and 4.9 boards.

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he Philippines’ Rebisco club absorbed another defeat this time at the hands of Iran’s Saipa, 2426, 25-22, 13-25, 17-25, in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship on Sunday at the Terminal 21 competition hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Mona Ashofteh and Mahsa Kadkhoda rallied back Iran after Rebisco’s second-set revival as Saipa

clinched third place in Pool B and forged a knockout quarterfinal against Pool A’s No. 2 team Zhetysu of Ka-

zakhstan on Monday.

Rebisco placed last in Pool B and will take on Pool A leader Nakhon Ratchasima in the do-or-die quarterfinals on Monday.

The Filipina Spikers played their best game in the tournament so far as Dindin Santiago-Manabat joined hands with young guns Faith Nisperos and Mhicaela Belen to win the second set and tie the match at one set apiece.

However, Manabat and

Co. lost steam in the last two sets, failing to contain the offensive fire power of the Iranians led by Ashofteh.

Choco Mucho, the other Philippine club that also had a winless group stage campaign, is slated to take on Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi.

Kazakh club Altay earned the remaining outright semifinal berth in the group by beating Supreme Chonburi, 25-23, 25-12, 2514.

Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins has received the Covid-19 vaccine.

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WELL DESERVED Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez delivers his speech after being conferred Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa by the Mindanao State University on September 30, 2021. Prof. Daut photo

MSU conferment of Doctor of Humanities to PSC chair Ramirez ‘long overdue’: Daut

C

all him Dr. Butch.

Yes, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez is now a Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa after being conferred the degree by the Mindanao State University on September 30, 2021.

PSC consultant Prof. Henry Daut wrote on his Facebook page that the event “marks a very significant history in Philippine Sports as the Mindanao State University System conferred upon PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez the distinguished Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa for his outstanding service, exemplary leadership, and significant contributions to sports not only in Mindanao, the Philippines but the world.”

According to the sports missionary, the conferment of Doctor of Humanities Honoris Causa to Ramirez served as the “icing on the cake” of the long and dedicated service to sports and sports development in the Philippines. From his humble beginnings in Padada, Davao del Sur to his sports career as an athlete, faculty, coach, athletic director, Commissioner, and the only 2-time Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, the First and only two-time PSC Chairman who led the country to become the 2-time SEA Games Overall Champions in 2005 and 2019, and the most successful Asian Games campaign culminat-

ing in the accomplishment of the first-ever Gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a feat that will never be surpassed nor equaled.

Daut also pointed out the highlights of Ramirez’s leadership at PSC. During his watch that Philippine sports experienced very significant changes and development from athlete’s training and support to modern facilities development to grassroots and coaching education programs.

His brainchild and flagship program Children’s Games for Peace was recognized by UNESCO in 2019 making it the first grassroots sports program to be given such attention.

The Sports Education program for Coaches through the National Coaching Certification Course continues to strengthen the knowledge and competencies of coaches at all levels. The PSC’s Indigenous Peoples’ Games that he initiated provided a vehicle to preserve, promote and propagate the rich cultural heritage of our ancestors through sports and

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