Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 181 | Thursday, October 14, 2021

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A client watches as a man sharpens a hand saw at a shop at Agdao Public Market in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

ASSURANCE Crowds at Magsaysay Park poll registration no threat as super spreaders of Covid-19: TF

STORY ON PAGE 2

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 181 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members prior to his talk to the people at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Matina, Davao City on Monday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

ASSURANCE

Crowds at Magsaysay Park poll registration no threat as super spreaders of Covid-19: TF

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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r. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said registrants that continue to pack at the Magsaysay Park will not be “super spreaders” of Covid-19 in Davao City.

The assurance came in the aftermath of the crowding of poll registrants at Magsaysay Park after the Commission on Elections extended the registration until October 30, 2021.

“I don’t believe it is a super spreader kasi to start with naa ta’y security and safety officers didto nga

naga maintain ug social distancing and the minimum public health standards especially gina-protektahan ang tao making sure na tanan mu-follow sa protocols,” Schlosser said.

Schlosser’s optimism comes from the current declining number of Covid-19 cases in Davao City.

“The data is also showing na nagababa ang atong cases there is no possibility of super spreader kasi kung super spreader dapat nag-reflect na sa atoang data. In fact, nagababa man gani ang atong cases karon,” she said.

Based on the Regional Situation Update on Covid-19 in Davao Region as of October 12, 2021, the Department of Health (DOH)- Davao Center for Health Development reported 247 new cases of Covid-19 in the region

Man carrying shabu arrested after evading police in Davao checkpoint

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39-year-old man carrying suspected shabu was arrested around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday after being chased by authorities when he attempted to escape inspection at a checkpoint of Task Force Davao in Barangay Licanan, Bunawan.

Capt. Rose Aguilar, Davao City Police Office

(DCPO) spokesperson, said that the suspect, identified as Roy Conrad T. Calzada, married, resident of Mankilam, Tagum City, was heading for this city from Tagum when flagged down by the TF personnel.

She said that instead of submitting himself to inspection by authorities, Calzada allegedly sped off from

the checkpoint driving his white Geely Coolray.

Aguilar said authorities, including personnel from the Bunawan police station, chased the suspect. He was cornered shortly after he rammed his car into the gas pump of the Sea Oil Gas Station in Bunawan.

When inspected, author-

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bringing the total number of active cases to 15,661.

Of these new cases, 150 were from Davao City, one from Davao de Oro, 72 from Davao del Norte, 11 from Davao del Sur, three from Davao Occidental, and 10 from Davao Oriental.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reminded the public that non-essential mass gatherings are still prohibited in Davao City until October 31, 2021.

“Paalala lamang po na ipinagbabawal pa rin ang

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52 Davao de Oro ex-rebels get houses, livelihood cash

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total of 52 former members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered to government forces were among the beneficiaries of the housing units in a turn-over ceremony held recently was at the Freedom Residences, Barangay Cuambugan, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

Capt. Roberto Escalona, the civil military operations head of 1001st Infantry Brigade said the housing project from the National Housing Authority (NHA) is part of the benefits under the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) awarded to the former NPA members, Escalona said beneficiaries are surrenderees of the different units under the 1001st IB who yielded from 2018 up to 2020 and signifies intentions to avail such benefit.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, commander of 1001st IB, said that these new home for FRs bring new opportunities, new beginnings and new lives.

“Rest assured that our

partnership will not end here. We will still be always ready to assist you, as you start your new lives,” Durante said in a statement.

Durante reiterated his call to the NPAs who are still in the mountains, waging armed struggle against the government to come down, return to the folds of the law and avail the benefits of the E-ECLIP. “Look at your former comrades who chose to surrender; they are now living normal lives together with their families. Help us to help you, let us work together for the betterment of our communities. Let us put an end to this 53 years of deceit, lies, atrocities and terroristic activities which put so much suffering to our fellowmen,” Durante added.

E-CLIP is a program of the government specifically designed to help the former rebels start new lives.

It includes P15,000 initial cash assistance, P50,000 livelihood assistance, Housing assistance, capacity building and training, among others.

kilometers per hour with gustiness of up to 105 km/ hour carried strong winds, heavy rains and southwest monsoon-induced waves.

On the evening of Oct. 10, an estimated 24 houses were partially damaged, they were located in the towns of San Isidro and Governor

Generoso.

Most of the 769 evacuated families have returned home after it situation was deemed safe.

In Barangay Tibanban, Governor Generoso, FB Leeward a fishing vessel was washed ashore due to the

769 families evacuated in DavOr due to storm threat

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total of 769 families mostly residents of coastal areas in the province of Davao Oriental were preemptively evacuated due to threat of a storm surge brought by Tropical Storm Maring.over the weekend.

Maring which had maximum sustained winds of 85

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EDGEDAVAO

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NEWS

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A laborer sprays water on a newly concreted pavement along C.M. Recto Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

City to pilot vax certificate to OFWs, people going abroad COVID-19 variants on the rise in Region 12

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ealth authorities in Region 12 (Soccsksargen) alerted residents over the increasing locally transmitted cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) “variants of concern,” which already reached 150 as of Tuesday.

Dr. Dyan Zubelle Parayao, head of the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12 epidemiology and surveillance unit, said at least six types of COVID-19 variants have been so far detected in the region and likely triggered the recent surge of infections.

These are the Alpha (United Kingdom), Beta (South African), Gamma (Brazilian), Theta (P.3 or new variant), Delta (Indian), and another only dubbed as “mutation with potential clinical significance.”

Parayao said they recorded 54 infections confirmed as Alpha variant, 47 as Delta, 39 as Beta, seven as Theta, two as mutations of concern, and one as Gamma.

Only nine of the cases involved returning overseas

workers and the rest were considered as local cases, she said.

For the highly contagious Delta variant, Parayao said the University of the Philippines-Philippine Genome Center (UP-PGC) and the DOH central office reported 25 new cases in the region on Monday, Oct. 10.

At least 13 of the cases were from South Cotabato, which has the highest number of Delta variant infections in the region so far at 23. North Cotabato has 11 cases, followed by this city with eight, Sultan Kudarat with three, and Sarangani with two.

Citing their assessment, Parayao said the increasing new variant cases were among the factors that triggered the COVID-19 surge in the region in the previous weeks.

The daily infections in the region’s four provinces and four cities started to increase in late August and reached a record 898 cases last Sept. 21.

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he city government of Davao will pilot test the digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), people traveling abroad, and travelers arriving in Davao City.

The city plans to launch digital vaccination certificates for those individuals planning to travel abroad since countries are now requiring people entering their territory to be fully vaccinated. It will also serve as proof that an individual has completed

the required two doses of the anti-Covid-19 vaccine.

“The Davao City ICT team is already working on it pero as of the moment ang pinaka target nato is katong mga OFWs and people traveling abroad and going inside Davao City. Sila ang pinaka

unang maka-benefit ana.

Naa nay gamay na lang ang i-polish para ma-complete na ang pag issue sa vaccination certificate.

This will be pilot tested sa atoang mga OFWs muna,” said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force on Wednesday.

Last month, the national government began implementing its digital Covid-19 vaccination certificate system for OFWs and residents traveling abroad in Metro Manila and Baguio City.

VaxCertPH, which is the name of the portal and mobile app, aims to provide all Filipinos with a digital vaccine certificate that can be verified as authentic by a centralized government database.

VaxCertPH was developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The LGUs are tasked to submit the list of vaccinees through the Vaccine Information Management System (VIMS).

Wednesday.

In 2019, NCCC acquired Victoria Plaza, Davao City’s very first mall. NCCC has partnered with DMCI Holdings, one of the country’s largest conglomerates, and envisions Victoria Plaza as a modern township that would serve not only as a commercial center but lifestyle access in Davao City.

“We would like to keep its rich history and at the same time transform it into a strategic economic hub right in the heart of Davao

City. We already started this vision with the mall we have opened last 2018 in Buhangin. We envision all our malls to provide a new paradigm of customer lifestyle experience,” he said.

Lim said the vision is also true in its Ma-a site where the building of a new state-of-the-art mall and residential condominium has already started.

“This is the same vision we have for our Panacan project which we will still start developing soon. It

would include Davao’s largest convention center and a hotel to strengthen Davao’s tourism industry,” he said.

Also in the pipeline is the construction of NCCC’s mega distribution center in Bunawan, which will include a dry and cold storage facility.

Founded in the year 1978, NCCC now has over 40 branches scattered across the Davao Region and in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. With its main branch

NCCC to enter franchising industry

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omegrown retail chain NCCC will soon enter the franchising industry.

This was bared on Wednesday by Lafayette Lim, president and CEO of the NCCC Group of Companies.

“This is to allow aspiring business owners to benefit from the NCCC brand and technology. All in all, this makes faster growth in places where our stores are present,” Lim said during a virtual conference on

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez bares that Small Business (SB) Corp., the financing arm of the agency, is readying a loan program to help micro and small businesses provide employees with their 13th month pay.

PH firms seek to bring Merck’s anti-COVID medicine to PH

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ral antiviral pill Molnupiravir, which is applying for emergency use in the United States for treating COVID-19, may soon be available in the Philippines, companies seeking to distribute it said on Tuesday.

Merck, which developed Molnupiravir, said on Monday it has applied for US emergency use authorization for its drug to treat mild-to-moderate patients of COVID-19. This would put it on course to become the first oral antiviral medication for the disease.

Philippine pharmaceutical firm Faberco Life Sciences said it was appointed to distribute Molnupiravir in the Philippines by one of Merck’s manufacturing licensees.

Faberco said it has also partnered with RiteMed Philippines for the latter to distribute the anti-COVID oral drug to hospitals, medical institutions, and treatment sites once the Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration grants the experimental drug compassionate special permits.

“We are confident that through the distribution channels of RiteMed, Molnupiravir will reach healthcare facilities throughout the country faster, giving

more Filipinos access to this lifesaving drug the soonest possible time,” said Kishore Hemlani, Founder of Faberco.

The initial batches of Molnupiravir could be available in the Philippines by next month, subject to regulatory approvals, Faberco said.

“This partnership with Faberco puts RiteMed in a good position to help more Filipinos survive the pandemic and is aligned with our mission to provide access to essential medicines by partnering with like-minded doctors and healthcare facilities,” Atty.

Jose Maria A. Ochave, President of RiteMed, said.

Molnupiravir cut the rate of hospitalization and

death by 50 percent in a trial of mild-to-moderately ill patients who had at least one risk factor for the disease, according to data released earlier this month, according to a Reuters report.

Mulnopiravir should be effective against the different variants of COVID-19, Merck has said, as it does not target the spike protein of the virus but the enzyme needed for the virus to make copies of itself.

An authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration could help change clinical management of COVID-19 as the pill can be taken at home.

Two government hospitals in the Philippines, including the Lung Center

and their cooperation in the reforms towards financial inclusion.

“Thrift banks are strategically positioned to be a catalyst for financial inclusion with an extensive network of 2,744 banking offices as of end-August 2021 that are spread in different regions throughout the country,” he said.

Diokno said the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and ongoing reforms can be used by the thrift banking sector in the

quest to be more resilient post-pandemic.

He said the central bank, for one, has issued the Open Finance Framework that promotes consent-driven data portability, interoperability, and collaborative tie-ups among financial institutions and third-party providers.

“Through ‘permission-based’ access to customer financial information, financial institutions and third parties will gain access to financial information nec-

essary to develop innovative products and services that are suited to the changing consumer needs,” he added.

Diokno said the central bank is also set to issue policies on outsourcing and regulatory sandbox or the “test and learn” framework that are expected to further facilitate digitalization among smaller institutions, such as thrift banks.

Another measure in the pipeline is the development of a “course on digital trans-

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Gov’t boosts digital payments adoption in PH

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he government continues to strengthen its partnership with banks and related institutions to further improve the level of digital payments in the country.

In his speech during the Chamber of Thrift Banks (CTB) virtual convention on Tuesday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno highlighted the importance of banks’ contribution in increasing the public’s access to improved financial services

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Private sector pledges to help vaccinate minors vs. Covid-19

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he private sector is waiting for the outcome of pilot vaccination of minors as well as the go signal from the government for businesses to conduct their own inoculation program for the young population.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said Tuesday the private sector has a supply of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine brands that are allowed to be given to individuals from 12 to 17 years old.

Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been approved

for minors.

“We have Moderna. We already purchased (the vaccines) and they are in storage. At least we can use that already to vaccinate the children of our employees.

So, that is the second part that the private sector is going to do. Most of our employees and their families are already vaccinated, so next is the children,” he said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

The private sector purchased a total of 24 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine through a tripartite agree-

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IMF revises down global growth projection to 5.9 pct for 2021

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) revised its global economic growth projection to 5.9 percent for 2021, down by 0.1 percentage point, according to a report issued on Tuesday.

Forecast for 2022 was kept stable at 4.9 percent compared to the previous update released in July, the IMF said in its World Economic Outlook.

Pointing to the pandemic-induced longer-than-ex-

pected supply shortages, the IMF said: “...Risks to economic prospects have increased, and policy tradeoffs have become more complex.”

It underlined that the economic outlook for the low-income developing country group has significantly weakened due to “worsening pandemic dynamics” while supply disruptions create more difficult near-term prospects

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

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A vendor displays mussels and other seashells at a makeshift stall outside the main building of Bankerohan Public Market on Wednesday. Edge Davao

DTI to offer loan to small biz for 13th month pay of workers

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mall Business (SB) Corp., the financing arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is readying a loan program to help micro and small businesses provide employees with their 13th month pay.

“Similar to what we did last year, we see no reason to defer the 13th month pay for this year as the government stands ready to support businesses amid the pandemic. We already reached out to SB Corp. to develop a facility that will provide zero-interest loans to companies needing 13th month funding,” DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a statement Tuesday.

Lopez said SB Corp. is expecting that loan amount will range between PHP50,000 to PHP200,000 to cover 13th month pay for employees of these enterprises.

The budget for this new lending facility will come from the remaining allocation under Bayanihan 2 given to DTI for its Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises (CARES) loan program.

Some PHP8 billion were allotted to continue the implementation of the zero-interest loan initiated

by DTI. But the DTI chief believes that business continuity is the key to help enterprises thrive amid the pandemic.

Lopez earlier pushed for opening of businesses at all alert levels and only adjusting the operating capacities.

“This will be a shift from the open-close-open-close system at different lockdown levels and will bring back more economic activities and jobs. This strategy

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PH trade gap widened to $3.577B in Aug.: PSA T he Philippine trade deficit widened in August even as exports grew faster than imports from the previous month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Tuesday.

Government data showed that the balance of trade in goods (BoT-G) deficit widened to $3.577 billion in August from $2.179 billion the same month last year, but narrower than the $3.659 billion in July.

This comes as exports posted an annual growth of 17.6% to $6.465 billion from $5.499 billion, with all the top 10 major commodity groups in terms of value of exports posting annual increases.

The growth was led by cathodes and sections of cathodes which surged by 162.5%, followed by electronic equipment and parts up 41.8%, and coconut oil up 31.8%.

Increases were also seen in other mineral products, ignition wiring set and other wiring sets, other manufactured goods, electronic products, chemicals, metal components, and machinery and transport equipment.

According to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

(RCBC), the latest export figures would have been bigger if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Some disruptions in the global supply chain for various products such as some electronics/semiconductors and other manufactured products largely brought about by the pandemic since last year would have led to higher demand for Philippine exports, which, in turn, helped spur imports of raw materials, capital equipment, and other inputs for production/manufacturing,” he said in a separate commentary.

“The proposed mea-

the central bank’s Facebook page.

Electronic payments, which got a boost when the government-imposed movement restrictions since the start of the pandemic, are expected to increase further through the use of QR code for payments.

Diokno said they are hopeful about further increase of digital financial transactions as more people now have smart phones and access to the internet.

Citing data from market

research firm Statista, he said around two-thirds of the population or around 73.9 million Filipinos have access to the internet through mobile devices.

“This suggests that, in general, more Filipino consumers and merchants nowadays have the means to use digital payment facilities to send and receive payments, including those made through QR-enabled instruments,” he said.

The QR PH program was first launched in November 2019 for the QR

PH person-to-person payment or QR PH P2P, which catered to remittances and payments within the information sector.

It initially had six pilot participants but now has 23 participants.

The pilot of QR PH P2M started in April 2021.

Diokno said QR PH transactions rose by more than 45 times since the second quarter of 2020, or an average quarterly growth rate of 110 percent for volume and 229 percent in value.

sures on more localized/ granular level would effectively further re-open the economy from lockdowns that would again lead to some pick up in business/ economic activities, including manufacturing and investments including FDIs that could also fundamentally lead to further pick up in both exports and imports, going forward,” he added.

Meanwhile, imports increased by 30.8% to $10.043 billion from $7.679 billion the same month last year, also due to the growth reported in all of the top 10 major commodity groups.

Mineral fuels, lubricants, and related materials

To date, there are nine financial institutions and electronic wallet (e-wallet) service providers that have teamed up with the BSP for the QR PH P2P program.

These institutions are the AllBank, Asian United Bank (AUB), Cebuana Lhuillier Rural Bank, China Banking Corporation (Chinabank), Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), StarPay, Union Bank of the Philippines (Unionbank), and USSC Money Services Inc.

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Advantages of using QR PH for e-payments cited

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angko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno is optimistic that the central bank’s bid to further increase electronic payment transactions in the country despite the internet connectivity issue can be boosted by a payment system using the quick response (QR) code.

During the virtual launch of the QR PH P2M program on Tuesday, Diokno said the QR PH for person-to-merchant (P2M) uses QR codes for financial

transactions.

“To receive payments merchants only need to print QR codes, which the respective payments service provider will generate for them, display those codes, and obtain payments by simply asking their customers to scan the code without necessarily getting connected to the internet.

Confirmation of successful payments transactions may also be received by both the merchants and the customers,” he said during the briefing streamed through

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 181 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

On the successful vaccine rollout by the national government with 75% of the eligible population in the National Capital Region inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine doses:

Kinokomendahan ko po ang ating gobyerno sa kanilang pagsisikap na mabakunahan ang mga Pilipino upang makamit na natin ang inaasam nating population protection tungo sa herd immunity. Dahil sa pagsisikap na ito, mahigit 75% na po ng populasyon ng NCR ang fully vaccinated laban sa COVID-19.”

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go

EDITORIAL The decisive battleground Young Filipinos comprise 52 percent of total registered voters for 2022 elections so far.

This was the report of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in a recent interview with CNN Philippines.

Young Filipino voters may make a difference in next year’s national elections as they now comprise 52 percent of the total registered voters, Comelec director James Jimenez believes.

“That’s how significant the youth vote is in the coming elections,” Jimenez said.

At the time of his briefing Jimenez said that as of July, 60.46 million Filipinos have already registered for the May, 2022 elections.

Out of that number, 31.41 million voters are in the age group of 18 to

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If nothing significant will change in the number of registered voters, it is quite clear that the youth vote will decide next year’s elections. In that elections the Filipino people will choose the President, Vice President, 12 senators for the next 6 years, hundreds of congressmen and women, governors, vice governors, city and town mayors and members of local legislatures for the next 3 years.

Whoever among the candidates will capture the imagination of the youthful or millennial voters more solidly will have the advantage.

Yes, it is quite possible that the youth vote will be the decisive battleground in the May elections.

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

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40 years old.

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO WHEN STROKE STRIKES Stroke strikes anytime, anywhere – and without warning! This is the reason why the friends of film actor Fernando Poe, Jr. didn’t know it was coming. “We were drinking and eating. We were on our second beers and the conversation was lively,” then-Rep. Francis Escudero was quoted as saying.

The Filipino movie icon was into his fourth beer when he complained of dizziness.

“Initially, he thought it was only because he changed his eyeglasses but later he could no longer stand his dizziness,” Escudero said. “He did not fall to the ground but his condition was no longer normal so we rushed him to the hospital.”

The 65-year-old Poe succumbed to “cerebrovascular accident,” the technical term for stroke. The condition is similar to an accident which attacks so suddenly, like a thief waiting for its next prey to fall.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide, according to the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO). In the Philippines, stroke is the second leading cause of death and among the top five diseases with the greatest burden, studies show.

The true prevalence of stroke in the country is uncertain, but reported estimates vary between 0.9% (2005) to

2.6% (2017) of the population.

Data from the WHO showed stroke deaths reached 84,813 or 13.92 of total deaths in 2018.

The age adjusted death rate was 130.85 per 100,000 of population.

Stroke happens in the brain rather than the heart. In fact, it is also called a “brain attack.”

Here’s what Dr. Willie T. Ong, a consultant with the Manila Doctor’s Hospital and Makati Medical Center, says: “A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. When a brain attack occurs, it kills brain cells in the immediate area. The cells usually die within minutes to a few hours after the stroke starts.”

Health experts classify two types of stroke. “The most common is an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot that blocks a blood vessel or artery in the brain,” explains the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). “The other, less common, is a hemorrhagic stroke, caused when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and spills blood into the surrounding tissue.”

A study published in Frontiers in Neurology said that seven out of 10 cases of stroke in

the country are diagnosed as ischemic while the other three are considered hemorrhagic.

Thirty six percent of the total stroke deaths are not attended by any medical personnel.

If you have a high blood pressure (hypertension), you are most likely to suffer from stroke, according to Dr. Joseph V. Campellone, of the Division of Neurology at the Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in New Jersey. “The risk of stroke is also increased by age, family history of stroke, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease,” he added.

Certain medications promote clot formation and may increase a person’s chance for a stroke. One example is birth control pills, especially if a woman taking them also smokes and is older than 35. Women have a risk of stroke during pregnancy and the weeks immediately after pregnancy. Overall, however, more men have strokes than women.

Other factors that can increase the risk of stroke include heavy or binge drinking, the use of illicit drugs such as cocaine, and uncontrolled stress, says the Minnesota-based Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

If you think you are a contender for stroke, be sure to consult your doctor immedi-

ately. Doctors diagnose stroke by performing a short neurological examination, as well as blood tests, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, Doppler ultrasound, and arteriography, if needed.

Bad news is that the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in the decline in stroke patients admitted in hospitals.

“There was a decline in the number of acute stroke patients consulting at the emergency room by as much as 50% to 75%,” said Dr. Epifania Collantes, head of stroke services at the Philippine General Hospital.

She based her statement on a national survey conducted by the Stroke Society of the Philippines (SSP) on the impact of the pandemic on stroke care in the country.

“The (top) common reasons in the delay of hospital consult among patients with stroke symptoms is still the lack of stroke awareness and the fear of COVID infection when reaching the hospitals,” she was quoted as saying by Inquirer.

The signs and symptoms of stroke can be summed in the words: BE FAST. It means: B – balance difficulty; E – eye changes; F – face drooping, crooked smile, A – arms weak-

ness or numbness; S – slurred speech; and T – time to call an ambulance.

In this time of pandemic, Filipinos should not be afraid of going to the hospital if they think they are experiencing a stroke.

“Stroke, being a medical emergency, needs urgent and immediate treatment at the hospital, so one should not hesitate to leave their homes to get medical help,” urged Dr. Manuel Mariano, SSP president.

To underscore the serious nature and high rates of stroke, the international community observes World Stroke Day every October 29. It raises awareness of the prevention and treatment of the condition and ensures better care and support for survivors.

The annual event was started in 2006 by the World Stroke Organization. Among its ambassadors include Indian Cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, former Miss Egypt Dalia El Behery, and cyclist Alberto Contador.

Good news. Early this year, the National Stroke Policy was approved. In fact, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III signed the Administrative Order No. 2020-0059 which sets the directions and national framework on the Prevention, Control and Management of Acute Stroke in the Philippines.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

RENAMING STREET ‘EXTENSIONS’ (PT 2) The proposal to rename the two extensions, i.e., Jacinto and Mabini, has something to do with geography and the demographic realities on the ground, specifically when it comes to appreciating the distance between the main streets to their extensions.

Mabini Street, for instance, has a main street that starts from Quezon Blvd. and ends at Gomez Street while the extension starts from Elpidio Quirino Ave. and ends at Juan Sarenas Ave. Between the main street and the extension is roughly 700 meters or more. In between are two primary roads, businesses, and a densely populated settlement.

Jacinto Street, meanwhile, starts at Quezon Blvd. and ends at the junction of Oyanguren Street (now Ramon Magsaysay), Claveria, and J.P.

Laurel Ave. The extension is roughly 350 meters away from the main street. In between the main street and extension is Acacia District, a hub of residences, public market, businesses, bank, and park.

Jacinto Extension, on the ground, is the actual extension of Ponciano Reyes Street (now Ponciano Bangoy). Both roads meet at and share entry to Quirino Ave. and act as channels for vehicular traffic going east to west, and north to south. There are also a handful of reasons why Jacinto Extension and Mabini Extension should be renamed, to wit: Renaming the extensions assigned by urban planners as markers for identifying proposed roads does not affect the intent to protect, preserve, and respect the names of streets unofficially named after national heroes. The use of

‘extensions’ in street names of national heroes was proposed and assigned due to proposition, assignment, and perception. Without local legislation to stand on, and deprives the people of Davao of its right to honor its local figures.

The ‘extensions’ in focus are so divorced from the ‘main streets’ that any proposition for future connection is impossible given the breach between the segments have become permanently business and residential districts. Removing the ‘extension’ from city streets means (i) addressing the confusion generated, (ii) giving order and soundness in the way streets are named, and (iii) to extend to the city the privilege to honor its distinguished sons and daughters.

Under the NHCP rules, it says: ‘No portion of a street or road may be renamed if it

would tend to disrupt the continuity of its present name.’ The rule is restrictive and limits the city’s right to choose which road to be named without disrespecting the memory of a national hero. The concepts on ‘continuity,’ ‘sanctified use,’ ‘aesthetic unity,’ and ‘degree of historical significance’ (or ‘association’) are stringent so much so it delivers a message to the City Council that only the NHCP has the absolute right to identify which road must be named and why the LGUs cannot rationally invoke RA 7160. In the case of ‘sanctified use,’ commuters reach the extensions do not mention the street by name anymore; rather, they use landmarks in reaching the area.

While the NHCP is imbued with an all-encompassing mandate to strengthen its powers and functions under

RA 10086, a reasonable appreciation of facts should be substantial to highlight the obligations of the Local Government in terms of reverencing its important profiles whose contributions are something Davao City wants to honor.

The NHCP eventually acceded to the letter for reconsideration, saying the proposal to rename the extensions falls within the ambit of the local government. The agency’s only request is for the street to retain its existing appellation.

With the agency recognizing the City Government’s right to rename streets within jurisdiction in consonance with the agency’s guidelines and in accord with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991, the legal impediment to rename Jacinto Extension to Leopoldo M. Abellera is effectively removed.

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

UP AND ABOUT

ASIAN BANKING & FINANCE CITES BDO’S UNWAVERING SERVICE DESPITE THE PANDEMIC THE Singapore-based publication Asian Banking & Finance (ABF) has commended BDO Unibank for its resourcefulness in delivering its services to clients and communities even at the height of the pandemic environment.

At the recently held Asian Banking and Finance Wholesale and Retail Banking Awards 2021, the Bank was awarded with the Marketing & Brand Initiative of the Year (Philippines) for its webinar series Market Sense. Meanwhile, its subsidiary, BDO Private Bank, won Wealth Management Platform of the Year (Philippines) and its corporate social responsibility arm, BDO Foundation, won the COVID Management Initiative of the Year (Philippines).

“Financial institutions that didn’t back down from the challenge and have adapted amidst the crisis have proved to be on the top of the industry,” said Tim Charlton, ABF magazine publisher. “ABF awards aim to recognise these exceptional firms and challenge them to provide top-tier

products and services to their clients as we continue to move forward into the new normal.”

Growing wealth strategically Since 2003, wealthy clients have asked BDO Private Bank to plan and manage the value of their assets, not just for themselves but also for their successors and heirs. They benefit from the bank’s customized investment strategies that help them achieve their goals, address their unique circumstances, and earn returns amid ever-changing market conditions.

Clients also benefit from BDO Private Bank’s experienced relationship managers and open architecture platform, which allows them access to both domestic and offshore products and services for diversification and optimal financial flexibility.

“Our aim is to offer clients more and better investment opportunities, more information on which to base their decisions, and personal contact with advisors who have the knowledge and expertise to guide them through their

investment goals and estate planning objectives,” said Albert Yeo, president of BDO Private Bank.

clients received tips from invited experts on how to position their investments especially in this unprecedented time.

Reaching clients Due to the limitations caused by the pandemic, BDO’s Trust and Investments Group has been continuously guiding investors and clients on market developments using the digital platform.

It introduced the six-episode monthly webinar Market Sense, wherein investors and

Doing its part for the nation BDO Foundation pursued the pilot implementation of pooled testing in the country to make mass testing accessible to more Filipinos and help control the virus’ spread. In partnership with local governments, the public sector, medical community, and nongovernmental organizations,

it funded the pooled testing program in Makati, Cebu, and Mandaluyong to cover 18,000 market vendors, public utility vehicle drivers, and medical frontliners.

The Foundation also donated 10,000 RT-PCR test kits to 10 hospitals nationwide; distributed 10,000 relief packs to underprivileged families in communities on lockdown; and facilitated the donation of 1,900 hygiene kits to repatriated overseas Filipino workers. Through BDO Foundation, BDO partnered with the government to help fund the purchase of AstraZeneca vaccines for the inoculation of priority sectors and economic frontliners.

BDO also ramped up efforts to protect its employees through the vaccination drive with the help of the local government units, and twicea-month antigen testing. The inoculation rate of bank employees is nearing 100 percent, a move considered by BDO as essential to protecting the customers transacting in its branches and offices.

FOODPANDA ENHANCES DINE-IN EXPERIENCE ROLLS OUT DELICIOUS OPTIONS, DEALS, AND DISCOUNTS VIA PANDAPRO HOME delivery is a convenient way to enjoy your meals, but sometimes you just want to experience the simple joys of eating at your favorite restaurant again. To add to the pleasure of eating out (with proper social distancing, of course), foodpanda is pleased to announce that foodpanda dine-in feature is now officially available in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao. A feature that’s loaded with irresistible deals and promos, dine-in is the newest Pandapro perk that lets you enjoy your next sit-down meal with exclusive discounts of up to 40% off!

As a subscriber, you can “hack it like a pro,” with discounts on your total restaurant bill inclusive of food and drink orders at partner establishments. Chili’s and

LEFT: BBQ Nation’s Chickie Platter. RIGHT: Parmesan-crusted salmon with lemon butter sauce at the Koi Cafe by Malagos Garden Resort.

Motorino in Manila, Harbour City and Casa Verde in Cebu, and Koi Cafe by Malagos Garden Resort and BBQ Nation in Davao are only some of the hundreds of partner restaurants to look forward to.

It is also a convenient and

contactless transaction, as you can redeem your deals on the spot using the restaurant’s QR code. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a local in the area, redeem irresistible promotions by log on to the app and check out dine-in deals. Confirm the

restaurant discount with the server before placing the order.

Redeem the selected deal via QR code provided. And pay the bill at the restaurant.

Aside from dine-in, Pandapro also offers benefits like exclusive discounts and free delivery on thousands of other restaurants.

Digital creator Vern Enciso further explains, “I am glad that I am a Pandapro member, because I get to avail of all these privileges and perks to indulge the foodie in me! With the membership experience, I can always count on Foodpanda to give great deals every day, from free delivery on my first five orders each month, extra 5% off on pick-up orders, and vouchers with 10% off at Foodpanda shops.”

Foodpanda Philippines Man-

aging Director, Daniel Marogy, says that Pandapro is the answer for customers who are always on the lookout for sulit everyday deals such as free delivery and discounts on pick-up and now, dine-in. “We want to give our customers the best benefits from the monthly subscription, which is why we include discounts on restaurant dine-in as part of our perks. This is also part of the foodpanda commitment to support the F&B industry. Pandapro is only available on the foodpanda app and not on other platforms such as web or mobile web, so download the app, subscribe, and hack it like a pro!”

For more information and updates on exciting Foodpanda promos and Pandapro membership, visit www.foodpanda.ph.

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AGRITRENDS

9

MANGO INDUCTION TECHNOLOGY

IS A FILIPINO INVENTION

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

U

Additional Photo from DOST

nlike those of politicians, movie stars and basketball players, the name Ramon C. Barba may not ring a familiar bell. But among scientists, he is the man behind the year-round availability of fresh mangoes.

Last October 10, the scientist known for his distinguished achievements in the field of plant physiology, passed away at the age of 82.

“His pioneering work on the induction of flowering and fruiting mango resulted in the change from seasonal supply of fresh fruits to yearround availability of abundant fresh mangoes,” the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said in a statement.

The mango induction technology was patented not only in the Philippines but also in other countries like the United States, England, Australia and New Zealand. “He did not collect any royalty from the patent so that ordinary farmers can freely use the technology,” the DOST said.

As a result of such generosity, many mango producing countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australia have adopted the technology for their mango production.

Before 1974, mangoes were available for a short period of time only, specifically during the summer months.

“Despite the superior taste of mangoes, and despite being around since six centuries ago, they remained virtually a commercially neglected fruit that raised little revenue,” observed Dr. Barba. “This lowly status was largely because mango has unreliable fruiting habits.”

In those years, the fruit habits of mangoes were seasonal, biennial, and erratic. “If (mangoes) bear fruit one year, they may not do so the next year,” said Dr. Barba, whose academic background was agronomy and fruit production. “Usually, mango trees bear fruit for only one month in a year.

Yield may vary from year to year, from tree to tree in a grove, and even from branch to branch in a tree.”

This unreliable fruit habits of mangoes were the reason why investors were not so keen in engaging in

mango production. “A requirement for economic stability of any fruit industry is regular production, which means active control of flowering and fruiting,” Dr. Barba recalled in his Dr. D.L. Umali Lecture, “Revolutionizing Agricultural Science and Farming Technology: Chemical Flower Induction of Mango.”

“Controlled flowering,” he continued, “is ideal to produce out of season crop, to increase production during the normal flowering season, or to offset its biennial, erratic, and sparse fruit bearing habits.”

To solve the problem, farmers at that time resorted to the ancient and unique practice of smudging. It is the process of building a smoky fire beneath the tree, and then allowing the dense smoke to pass through the foliage continuously for 20 days. This process helped advance the bearing of fruit in about a month.

“Smudging is cumbersome, slow, costly, and unreliable,” Dr. Barba remarked of the folk practice. “Overall, smudging as a technology did not propel the mango fruit crop to commercial prominence.”

However, he observed

that the ethylene in smoke produces the flowering effect; since ethylene is a gas, the mango tree would then have to be covered in order to get the best results from smudging. This gave him the idea believing there was a better, more efficient and economical way than smudging to induce flowering in mangoes.

That was what he did.

As Assistant Professor at the Fruit Crops Section Department of Agronomy at the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture, he considered the possible use of Ethrel on mango.

But research was already conducted on it. When he reviewed the result of the study, he found out that using high concentrations of Ethrel in mango causes defoliation. In low concentration, however, the success rate of flower induction was reduced.

When his request to further conduct experiments on it, he was turned down.

So, he decided to conduct private experiments at the Quimara Farms in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, where he served as farm consultant. He was asked to rehabilitate the 500 mango trees planted which were

10 years old, not over 15 feet high, and had not yet attained the flowering stage. “(The mango trees) appeared stunted and with no sign of flowering at an age when flowering should have started,” he recalled. “The owners allowed me free use of their farm for experimentation.”

Dr. Barba tried some chemicals until he settled for potassium nitrate (KNO3) which, without his knowledge, was already used as a direct agent to induce flow-

ering of any plant.

“I found out that KNO3 at 1% aqueous solution was effective as a spray to induce flowering in mango,” he recalled. “Lower concentrations were not as effective, while higher concentrations were wasteful and may injure the shoots. Bulging of normal shoots was observed after one week, and flowers appeared during the second week.”

He was ecstatic with the result. “In early January

FMANGO, P10

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NOTICE OF WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTION

D

October 15, 2021

avao City Water District advises customers of a water service interruption on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM in some areas served by Dumoy Water Supply System (WSS).

Affected are Vista Verde I and II and Davao Empress Subd. in Panacan and Davao Development Foundation Subd. in Mandug.

Water supply has to be temporarily shut off in the affected areas to give way to the tapping

of a boundary valve and interconnection of the District Metered Area (DMA) inlet pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline for the Dumoy WSS DMA Project.

This project is among DCWD's strategies to reduce non-revenue water or water loss.

On behalf of the DCWD management, General Manager Edwin V. Regalado asks for the understanding and cooperation of wouldbe affected customers and advises them to store enough water

ASSURANCE... FROM 2

mga non-essential mass gatherings sa Davao City hanggang October 31, 2021.

Kung maaari ay huwag tayo maging kampante at dapat na patuloy na sundin ang lahat ng standarad health protocols. Ugaliin ang pag-

susuot ng face mask, madalas na paghuhugas ng kamay, o paggamit ng alcohol, at pagsusuot ng face shield sa mga closed areas.

Mag-ingat po tayong lahat,” Mayor Sara posted on her Facebook Page.

ities found in his possession two pieces of heat-sealed sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 10 grams.

The suspect was brought to Southern Philippines Medical Center for treatment as he sustained injuries.

Authorities are prepar-

ing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, penalizing resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or their agents. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

huge waves caused by Maring. The vessel remained intact, Philippine Coast Guard immediately responded on

residents report of an oil spill which was ruled out after a subsequent investigation. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

of the Philippines, were involved in the phase 3 global trials of Mulnopiravir.

Faberco said it will import Molnupiravir for hospitals and healthcare facilities given a CSP for Molnupiravir by the FDA

for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID. The interim efficacy data on the drug set off a scramble among nations, including Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore, to sign a supply deal with Merck.

ment with the government and vaccine manufacturers.

Of these, 17 million doses are AstraZeneca and 7 million doses are Moderna which can be vaccinated to populations aged 12 to 17 years.

Concepcion under-

scored the importance of vaccinating minors so that face-to-face classes would be allowed in the country.

Fully vaccinated minors should also be allowed to enter business establishments like malls and restaurants, he added. (PNA)

for the advanced economy group.

Advanced economies are projected to grow 5.2 percent this year, revised down 0.4 percentage points from the previous report.

The IMF expected global growth would moderate to some 3.3 percent over the medium term (beyond 2022).

Advanced economy output is forecast to exceed pre-pandemic medium-term projections as possible policy support in the US may increase potential.

“By contrast, persistent output losses are anticipat-

ed for the emerging market and developing economy group due to slower vaccine rollouts and generally less policy support compared to advanced economies,” it noted.

On rising inflation due to supply-demand mismatches and higher commodity prices, the IMF said price pressures are expected to subside next year.

The global organization raised the growth forecast for the Turkish economy to 9 percent from 5.8 percent for 2021, while it kept the projection at 3.3 percent for next year.

MAN... FROM 2

FAMILIES... FROM 2

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IMF... FROM 4

prior to the schedule.

Water supply may be restored earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

DCWD conducts flushing after service works are completed.

However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. Do not drink tap water immediately but if needed, boil water beforehand as safety precaution.

The general public

may visit DCWD’s website (www.davao-water. gov.ph) and Facebook page (www.facebook. com/officialDCWD) and dial telephone voicemail 235-3293 for the latest water service updates.

For queries, customers may also call DCWD’s 24-hour Water Patrol Emergency Hotlines 244-6767, 0927-7988966, 0925-511-3293, and 0908-441-0653 or send a message to the 24/7 chat support in the DCWD website and FB Page. (Christine Grace P. Casimiro)

“This is mainly due to the high transmissibility of the variants of concern, especially with Delta,” Parayao said in a press conference in Koronadal City.

She said they have intensified the biosurveillance in the region in coordination with the rural health units (RHUs) and the molecular laboratories to immediately detect any possible new variant cases.

She said the process, which takes at least three weeks, involves the collection of suspected samples, validation, approval of sample list, and their submission to UP-PGC for whole genome sequencing

or analysis of the genetic code.

To ensure early intervention for suspected cases, she said they immediately inform the RHUs about them once they receive the eligible specimen from the laboratories.

“This way, the RHUs and those concerned can already manage the cases as possible variants of concern,” Parayao said.

As of Monday night, Soccsksargen posted a total of 3,359 active cases. The confirmed infections since last year have reached 53,463, with 1,832 related deaths and 48,263 recoveries.

(MindaNews)

situated along Ramon Magsaysay Avenue (formerly Uyanguren), Davao City.

The company operates in two formats: full supermarket and Choice Mart. As a retail company, it offers a

wide range of items including food and non-food, dry goods, fresh produce, frozen goods, hardware items, gardening items, school items and others. By Maya M. Padillo

formation to assist thrift banks in preparing for a digital-ready culture and environment”, he said.

Diokno also underscored the importance of the implementation of the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) or national ID since this will not only provide Filipinos with a unique, verifiable, and biometric-based digital identity, but also increases bank account ownership.

Under the national ID program, BSP has teamed

up with the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) to provide applicants who do not have a bank account to open one at the same site where the biometrics for the national ID is being gathered.

Signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August 2018, Republic Act 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, aims to establish a single national ID for all Filipinos and resident aliens.

will also bring better chances of meeting financial obligations as we advance the country’s vaccination rollout and move closer to a

‘new normal’,” he said.

He added this is possible in Metro Manila that has reached vaccination level at 80 percent. (PNA)

jumped 116.2%, followed by medicinal and pharmaceutical products by 73.2%, iron and steel by 55.6%, plastics in primary and non-primary forms by 47.6%, and cereals and cereal preparations by 26.3%.

Growths were likewise recorded in imports of electronic products, transport equipment, other food and live animals, industrial machinery and equipment, and miscellaneous manufac-

tured articles.

The latest figures brought the country’s total external trade in goods for the month up 25.3% to $16.51 billion, of which 60.8% were imported goods while the rest were exported goods.

According to ING Bank Manila Senior Economic Nicholas Antonio Mapa, the latest data could point to the so-called “twin deficits” which threaten the pace of recovery.

COVID-19... FROM 3

NCCC... FROM 3

GOV’T... FROM 4

DTI... FROM 5 PH... FROM 5

VEHICULAR... FROM 9 1970, I sprayed one hundred trees with the same solution used in the first experiment I conducted barely two weeks earlier in order to verify the initial results,” he said. “I dissolved one kilogram of KNO3 in 100 liters of water and sprayed the solution as a drenching spray on the mango trees. In one week.

Buds began to form; in two weeks, the buds were developing into flowers; and after four months, fruits reached maturity and were ready for harvesting.”

It was just a matter of time that mango production would become a money-making venture.

“Mango is now on its way to becoming a major tropical and subtropical high-value fruit commodity,” Dr. Barba predicted. “This would not have been conceivable if the KNO3 flower induction technology was not in place to provide a regular and steady supply of mango for the local and international market.”

When the technology was made public in 1974, it was held as a breakthrough.

In A Guide to Mangoes in Florida, author R.J. Campbell noted: “Sometimes ago, researchers discovered that they could induce good mango flowering in areas where it normally was poor by spraying the leaves with a solution of potassium nitrate. This discovery stimulated investigators in many countries on flower induction of mango…

Control of flowering is a topic of great interest and an area receiving considerable research attention throughout the world.”

In 1978, the prestigious Reader’s Digest also hailed the discovery: “One of the pioneers is the Philippines…

Scientists at the Los Baños College of Agriculture have found that potassium nitrate sprayed in mangoes at 1 percent concentration induces the trees to flower early and profusely… Mango, until recently, was for most an exotic name in travel books. Now, the mango is enjoyed all over the world, and is likely to become the king of tropical fruit.”

Dr. Barba’s discovery went unnoticed. In 2008, the Switzerland-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recognized the mango flower induction technology through a short documentary film that promotes intellectual property.

It was the first time that a country from Asia and the Pacific Region was included in the WIPO documentaries.

In 2014, he was named national scientist “for his distinguished achievements in the field of plant physiology, focusing on induction of flowering of mango and on micropropagation of important crop species that have earned him national and international accolades.”

In 2011, he was given the D.L. Umali Award. The citation reads in part: “As a scientist, Dr. Barba’s philosophy hinges on the continuous search for new frontiers.

He uses his imagination to discover a possible new direction, and to take the bold and untried steps to discovery by relying on the rich store of knowledge that has come his way.”

Although mango is the country’s fruit icon, it is not endemic in the Philippines.

History records showed that mangoes originated from the Myanmar region, where it was known to have been cultivated 4,000 years ago.

Buddhist monks took mango to Malaya and eastern Asia in the 5th century B.C. Later in the 18th century, Portuguese explorers would introduce mango in Brazil. From there, mango cultivation would reach Florida, United States in 1833 and eventually in Africa and in other lowland tropical and sub-tropical areas. Today, there are about 83 mango-producing countries in the world.

When it comes to mango, Philippine mangoes are the number one. In fact, former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor said the variety has found its way in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the sweetest of its kind in the world.”

delphia Inquirer, Simmons isn’t able to return to the team for five days under the Covid-19 protocols. He is

not expected to be available for the team’s final pre-season game in Detroit on Saturday (AEDT).

long established on the CCTV schedules and the most pre-eminent foreign league in the mainland – played its first NBA China Games.

They started with a return for Yao Ming and his Houston Rockets – the franchise would come to be known as “China’s team” before Morey’s tweet – in October 2004 and ran to 25 games in China, including one in Macau, with the last in Shenzhen.

Will there be a 26th?

NBA commissioner Adam Silver was hopeful of an NBA team returning to China when he spoke last February at the All-Star Game.

“Those are issues that haven’t been decided yet,” NBA commissioner Adam

Silver said at his annual AllStar weekend news conference. If the US team were to play, the NBA’s China Games may not take place, he said.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw that there would be no visits for either Team USA or the NBA China Games.

At that stage, barely four months on from the tweet that soured a decades long relationship, the NBA was still off Chinese state television following CCTV pulling broadcasts.

“I know that, from the data we look at, there continues to be enormous interest for the NBA in China,” Silver said. “And my sense is that there will be a return to normalcy fairly soon, but I can’t say exactly when, when it comes to CCTV.”

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Nets drop bombshell on Kyrie B

rooklyn has told Kyrie Irving he can’t be a part-time Net. The All-Star point guard has refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, and the Nets announced Tuesday that he won’t be part of the team until he does.

In essence, get vaxxed or get gone.

“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant,” Brooklyn general manager Sean Marks said in a statement Tuesday morning.

“Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our

team to participate with part-time availability.”

Irving’s refusal to adhere to recent New York City vaccine mandates meant he wouldn’t be able to play home games at Barclays Center, or even at the cross-river rival Knicks. A recent development had allowed him to at least practice at home when the city ruled HSS Training Center a private office instead of a gym, but simply playing road games wasn’t enough.

Brooklyn told Irving they want him all-in.

“It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice,” Marks said.

“Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organisation must pull in the same direction.

We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”

The stance from Marks and the Nets isn’t surprising. It was likely also collaborative and included input from the Nets’ other stars.

When coach Steve Nash was asked Monday by the Post whether reducing Irving’s role if he resists the vaccine and willingly becomes a part-time player

would include input from Kevin Durant, James Harden, Marks and owner Joe Tsai, Nash said it would.

“We have a pretty collaborative environment. I think we all weigh in and discuss it and make sure we’re making a decision that suits the group,” Nash said.

“We’re so far from I think from that right now I think we’re trying to take things day by day and try to learn as much as we can about what this looks (like).

It’s pretty unprecedented, if we have information we’ll

SPORTS

11

Kyrie Irving won’t be part of the team until he does.

In essence, get vaxxed or get gone.

let you know. But there’s nothing to decide on right now.”

The Nets’ decision comes exactly one week before they open the season in Milwaukee against the defending champion Bucks.

The Bucks eliminated the Nets from the playoffs last season, in a seven-game victory aided in part by Irving’s ankle injury suffered in Game 4.

Now the Nets face a reality where they will be without Irving for the foreseeable future. The Nets were the preseason NBA ti-

tle favourites with the combination of Irving, Durant and Harden.

Irving has not spoken to the press since the Nets’ Media Day, where he appeared via video conference that he streamed on Instagram Live. Irivng asked for privacy when specifically asked about his vaccination status. The rest of the Nets team and staff have been vaccinated, along with 95-percent of NBA players.

Tsai has invested heavily and paid record amounts of luxury tax to build a championship favourite.

Will NBA return Simmons meets Sixers, to end two-month silent treatment to China?

O

ctober 12 marks two years since the last NBA game in China when the Los Angeles Lakers played the Brooklyn Nets in Shenzhen.

That game – the second of the 2019 NBA China Games – came two days after the same teams met in Shanghai.

The record will show that the Nets won both games but the preseason tour that will be long remembered for the controversy surrounding a tweet supporting Hong Kong’s anti-government protesters sent by then Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey.

Owner of NBA’s Rockets distances team from exec’s Hong Kong comment The tweet – which was swiftly deleted – has cast a long shadow, with the NBA’s relationship with China an issue that many in the US have politicised, particularly in contrast to the league’s speaking up on other issues such as Covid-19 vaccinations and Black Lives Matter.

That was all to come – as was scrutiny for the league and its players over Xinjiang

cotton and the treatment of China’s Uygur Muslim population in the far western region.

At the time, Morey’s tweet put the NBA China Games in jeopardy and players on both sides feared for their own safety, while the league’s reaction drew criticism in both the US and China.

China asked NBA to fire Rockets exec over Hong Kong tweet: Silver While media and promotional events were cancelled surrounding the two games, in the end both went ahead before the players jetted back to the US to face more questions in the fallout from Morey’s tweet.

Now, two years on, the question is if and when might the NBA return to China?

The first visit by an NBA team to the country came back in 1979 when the Washington Bullets played in Beijing and Shanghai as part of their Asia tour.

Fast forward 25 years and the NBA – by that point

FWILL, P10

B

en Simmons has spoken to Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers for the first time in two months.

A report from Philadelphia claims the Australian star met with his coach and general manager Daryl Morey in secret on Wednesday (AEST).

It followed reports Simmons had blindsided his team when he showed up at the team’s Wells Fargo Centre stadium to have a Covid-19 test — the first step of completing the NBA’s biosecurity protocols. He will be able to join teammates for training once he satisfies the protocol demands.

The report from NBC sports presenter John Clark indicated Simmons also conducted a physical assessment with staff.

Simmons’ motives behind the move remain unclear. The world will have to wait at least one week to learn if Simmons intends to suit up for the team.

According to The Phila-

FSIMMONS, P10

Ben Simmons has spoken to Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers for the first time in two months.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 181 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

Leylah Fernandez hits a shot in her third round match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia at the BNP Paribas Open on October 10, at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA Today Sports/Reuters

UNLUCKY U Leylah booted out in Indian Wells

nseeded Shelby Rogers upset US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in a marathon three-setter at the WTA Indian Wells on Tuesday in what has been a bruising start of the week for the women seeds.

Rogers outlasted Canadian teenager Fernandez 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) in 2 hours and 34 minutes to reach the quarterfinals of the combined women’s and men’s tournament in the California desert.

“It was a matter of who was able to dictate the points,” Rogers said. “Who could get control of the points first.

“She has a bright future.

Luck was on my side today, and I look forward to the quarter-finals.”

Rogers moves on to play 24th-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, who upset second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland in straight sets.

After they split the first two sets, Rogers hit a backhand winner to break a 4-4 deadlock in the tiebreaker then won the next two points to clinch the match.

The 23rd-seeded Fernandez held serve in a lengthy 12th game of the third set to set up the tiebreaker. She saw off one match point and then got a lucky bounce off the net cord to get the advantage. Fernandez went on to win the game on the next point when Rogers hit a backhand into the net.

Swiatek became the latest top seed casualty, losing in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 to Latvia’s

Ostapenko in a fourth round match.

Ostapenko won 65 percent of her first serve points and broke Swiatek’s serve four times in in the 93 minute match.

Swiatek’s ouster comes one day after No. 1 seed Karolina Pliskova and defending champion Bianca Andreescu were bundled out of the tournament in their third round matches.

Canadian Andreescu’s elimination means there will be no repeat champion in Indian Wells.

Swiatek’s exit, combined with fourth seeded Elina Svitolina’s crushing 6-1, 6-1 defeat to American Jessica Pegula, leaves just two women remaining who are seeded in the top 10, Barbora Krejcikova (No. 3) and Angelique Kerber (No. 10) of Germany.

Reigning US Open champion Emma Raducanu was eliminated earlier in her first match of the tournament.

The combined WTA and ATP event is normally held in Indian Wells in March but returned this fall after a twoand-a -half-year hiatus due the global coronavirus pandemic.

There was no tournament in 2020 and the 2021 event was delayed to this month.