Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 187 | Thursday, October 21, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

An elderly woman, who has difficulty walking on her own, is being helped by a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) during a government agency’s distribution of assistance to people affected by the pandemic. The city government of Davao is urging residents to enlist their senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) relatives for the upcoming door-to-door vaccination roll out. Edge Davao

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Businesses with safety certificate allowed to operate at 40% capacity STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

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Army strengthens federated group for ex-NPA, supporters

Businesses with safety certificate allowed to operate at 40% capacity

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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estaurants and other establishments in Davao City with Safety Seal Certificate are now allowed to operate at 40 percent after Davao City was placed under Alert Level 3 by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced on October 19, 2021, the list of provinces and cities under alert level 3 which included Davao City. The alert levels are determined by the government and specify the public health and social

measures to be taken in the fight against Covid-19.

Under alert level 3, the capacity allowed for all permitted establishments increases, and cinemas and theaters can resume operations. Under alert level 2, more establish-

ments can open their doors – karaoke bars, theaters, contact sports gyms, and kiddie playrooms and playgrounds. Under alert level 1, all types of establishments are permitted at full capacity.

Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force, said placing Davao City under alert level 3 from alert level 4 means good news to the business sector because some restrictions are already relaxed.

“From alert level 4 nagalert level 3 nata today.

Medyo mas luwang na siya compared sa alert level 4. DIli lang sa restaurants but also other venues like hotels, tourist attraction,” she said on Wednesday via Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).

Schlosser added that MICE (meetings incentive conference exhibitions) are now allowed as long as they have Safety Seal Certification, which will be issued by the local government unit (LGU).

The Safety Seal Certification is a voluntary

Physicians that this matter should immediately be given to our courts and the Ombudsman. We have been saying this for the longest time and we all know that the Senate cannot prosecute. Mabuti pa ang mga doktor, alam at naintindihan nila (At least the doctors understand). Filing cases is the right way to go,” he said in a pre-recorded public address aired late Tuesday night.

Duterte urged the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which conducts a series of

probes into the Pharmally controversy, to stop using the issue “in aid of election.”

“Problema kasi sa Senate natin, trying hard maghanap ng mga issue na may nangungurakot o kaya may nagkakapera (The problem with the Senate is that it’s trying hard to look for issues of corruption) but up to now the committee has not really built a case out of the numerous hearings they have conducted,” he said.

He said there was no overpricing in the govern-

ment’s medical supplies procurement, noting that they were consistent with Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and RA 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. Duterte said the Senate panel is free to file charges against companies involved in tax-evading.

“If you think you have identified companies with tax issues then file the appropriate cases. Matagal

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PRRD backs Ombudsman probe on Pharmally issue

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resident Rodrigo Duterte welcomed calls for the Ombudsman to conduct its own investigation into the controversial multibillion-peso deals between the government and Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp.

This, after the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) urged the Ombudsman to file the appropriate cases against all those responsible for any corruption.

“We welcome the call of the Philippine College of

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he Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) is intensifying the creation of a federated people’s organization (PO) among former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), and their underground mass organization (UGMO) supporters, to help them rebuild their lives as they reintegrate to their communities.

Maj. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., the Army’s 10ID commander, said they have so far formed some 549 POs in their area of responsibility which is composed of former rebels, former UGMO members, and communist terrorist group (CTG)-affiliated mass organization members.

“The former rebels (FRs) helped us along with their organized mass members in leading to the path of peace and development here in our area,” Torres said in an interview over SMNI News Laban Kasama ang Bayan on Tuesday.

“Hopefully, Ka Pedro and Ka Benoy who became national figures can help at the national level for others’ conversion and change of mindset. They can also influence other NPA members in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” he added.

Torres underscored that the establishment of POs can eventually help the former UGMO members who were mostly farmers and fisherfolk get back on their feet and live normally in their communities with the

government’s support.

He pointed out that the organization of POs would not also be possible without the assistance of various government agencies as well as the private sector that jointly worked for the former rebels’ reformation.

“Government agencies and private sector joined forces to provide sustainability on these POs as they slowly return to the folds of the law. We aimed at providing them livelihood, security, and upon establishment, that is when the whole of nation approach comes in,” Torres said.

In December 2018, President Rodrigo issued Executive Order 70 institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace, creating a national task force to end local communist armed conflict, and directing the adoption of a national peace framework.

Section 2 of EO 70 also directed the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the whole-nation approach.

The NTF-ELCAC is so far the most potent strategy being utilized by the Duterte administration in defeating the communist insurgency in the countryside.

Federated people’s organization As an example of a successful federated PO, he cited the Municipality of Maragusan in Davao de Oro with 21 recognized POs that were

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NEWS

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High school students take a break from answering their learning modules to practice BMX stunts at the capitol grounds in Malaybalay City on Tuesday afternoon (19 October 2021). MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

Families told to enlist senior citizens for door-to-door vaccination roll out 972 Davao City inmates get anti-Covid vaccines

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total of 972 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in Davao City have been inoculated against Covid-19 through mobile vaccination initiated by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

A report from the City Information Office indicated that out of this number vaccinated, 168 are female, 107 persons with comorbidities, and 13 senior citizens.

Councilor Pamela Lib-

rado-Morata, whose team led the vaccination at the city jail, is planning to roll out the second dose for the inmates in December, this year The number of persons at the city jail forms part of the 87,874 Dabawenyos who received their first and second doses of the anti-Covid-19 vaccines since August through the SP-led mobile vaccination.

The mobile vaccination has also been covering

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Third dose for health workers, vulnerable sector eyed in Nov.

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accine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Tuesday said the government is planning to begin administering a third dose of Covid-19 vaccine for the healthcare workers and the country’s vulnerable sector by November or early December.

“Ito po pineprepare na namin ni (Health Secretary Francisco) Duque, dahil nagbigay na po nginclination ang WHO (World Health Organization), na ‘yung ating vaccination for third dosing, considering na maglalapse na po ‘yung

immunity (Duque and I are already preparing [revaccination] since the WHO has already given its inclination for the vaccination for third dosing, considering that the immunity will lapse,” Galvez reported to President Rodrigo Duterte during the taped Talk to the People.

“Maybe we can start by November or early December,” he added.

The Department of Health (DOH) is awaiting the WHO’s official recommendation to give additional doses of the Covid-19

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By MAYA M. PADILLO

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amilies of senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) are urged to approach their respective purok or barangay leaders and enlist them for the door-to-door vaccination roll out of the city government of Davao.

The city government will boost its anti-Covid vaccination campaign by conducting a house-to-house (door-to-door) vaccination drive to seek qualified unvaccinated individuals, especially the senior citizens who have mobility challenges to go to different jab sites.

“For us to be able to

conduct door-to-door maghangyo mi sa tanang katawhan na naay relatives na senior citizens and persons with comorbidities na mahadlok muadto ug vaccination hub, this is the best opportunity na muduol sa inyong purok leaders or barangay leaders para magpalista sa door-todoor vaccination activity,”

said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force on Wednesday.

Schlosser said the best strategy is to coordinate with the senior citizens organizations in the barangay for them to be able to know who have not been vaccinated yet.

“We will be utilizing our Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) kay sila ang nakabalo sa ilang constituents kung kinsa ang senior citizens ang wala pa nabakunahan. As soon as naa nata’y listahan ana we will be able

to do door-to-door, it would be easy for us to roll out basta naa mi complete na listahan,” she said.

Schlosser said this is a more intensive plan to cater to senior citizens who are vulnerable and mostly with medical conditions.

She also said this is also on top of the Sangguniang Panlungsod-led vaccinations held in barangay and the public vaccinations.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte already issued guidelines on the door-to-door vaccination

dependents of the police personnel.

“Actually, puwede nang i-implement basta meron na tyong vaccine.

We are just waiting for the supply. Pina-pa-collate na natin yung mga 12 to 17 years old and ang availability ng vaccine ang ating kino-consider. Last na vaccination natin meron tayong mga na-cater na mga anak ng pulis pero hindi pa lahat

because of the availability of the vaccine,” Gultiano said in a virtual presser on Wednesday.

The National Government, together with the eight participating hospitals in the National Capital Region (NCR), commenced on October 15, 2021, the pilot run of pediatric vaccination of 12 to 17-year-old children with comorbidities.

As part of the wider cov-

erage of the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in the country, children in this age group with comorbidities are scheduled to receive the vaccines with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), namely, Pfizer and Moderna. The initial run of the vaccination will also be conducted in hospitals where

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PRO 11 awaits vaccine supply for police personnel dependents

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olice Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO 11) spokesperson Police Major Eudisan Gultiano told members of the media that PRO 11 is ready to vaccinate dependents of police personnel, 12 years old to 17 years old, once anti-Covid vaccines are already available.

This is in line with the roll-out of the pediatric vaccinations for the

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

A fisherman checks his fishing boat, which is moored together with other motorized boats, near a coastal community in Brgy. Isla Verde, Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

DOLE Davao reinforces livelihood projects with SLF capacity-building

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bout 20 enrolled associations in Davao Region and DOLE 11 program implementors participated in the three-day online capacity-building via zoom led by the Regional Livelihood Unit.

Among the topics discussed were centered on COVID-19 Prevention and Control Measures, General Labor and Standards, and Programs and Opportunities offered by the Department of Trade and Industry, which were pre-

sented by DOLE 11 Safety Officer Ryan D. Roldan, DOLE XI Labor Inspection Unit Head Sonia M. Delfin, and DTI 11 Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Candido Limikid, respectively.

OIC-Regional Director

Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy acknowledged the effort of the regional office to maintain the harmonious and uniform comprehension among the beneficiaries, program partners, and livelihood focal persons to operationalize the SLF. “Through this Sustainable Livelihood Framework, I am positive that we can effectively and efficiently implement our livelihood programs

and transform not only the livelihood projects but most importantly the lives of our program beneficiaries across Davao region,” Atty. Pensoy added.

DOLE SLF is the department’s strategic approach to effectively and efficiently implement its livelihood programs which will contribute to the attainment of national goal of poverty reduction and inclusive development. (PR-DOLE XI)

the cost of retail products to determine their true and the passed-on cost.”

Gatchalian is the chairman of the Senate energy committee while Arroyo is his counterpart in the House of Representatives.

The Energy chief cited several reasons for the prolonged oil price spike such as a continuing rise in world market prices resulting from the sudden global increase in demand and an unanticipated lack of supply.

Cusi, citing DOE projections, said global oil demand is estimated at 103.22 million barrels a day as of October 16, 2021 against a sup-

ply of 100.32 million barrels per day.

Prior to the pandemic, the latest recorded total worldwide supply is, more or less, 104 barrels a day.

To cope with the supply, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) committed to increase the production and supply of crude oil by 400,000 barrels a day, according to the DOE. The OPEC will meet on November 4, 2021 to discuss and reassess the situation.

The Philippines, in particular, utilizes the equivalent of 425,000 barrels a day,

which is around 0.4% of the world supply, according to the Energy department.

The tight supply and high demand situation is attributed to the surge of economic activities due to the containment of COVID-19 as a result of measures adopted and implemented worldwide such as mass vaccination, control of the Delta and other variants, Europe’s “no-lockdown” policy, and China’s economic boost.

This led to a sudden demand in energy utilization, including the demand on oil products in the transportation sector like gasoline and

Dep’t of Energy wants Congress to amend Oil Deregulation Law

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he Department of Energy (DOE) is urging Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the government to intervene amid the continuous spike in petroleum prices due to tight global supply and high demand.

In separate letters sent to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi sought the lawmakers’ help to amend the law “to provide a framework for the government to intervene and address sudden prolonged oil price spikes; require the unbundling of

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Sec. Cusi, Dennis Uy face graft complaint over Malampaya deal

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graft complaint was filed before the Ombudsman on Monday against Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, billionaire Dennis Uy and several others over the sale of Chevron’s stake in the Malampaya project to the Davao-based businessman’s Udenna Corp.

The complainants, Balgamel de Belen Domingo, Rodel Rodis, and Loida Nicolas Lewis, said they were “concerned citizens who advocate for the Filipino people’s right to energy security.”

They alleged that anomalies in the Malampaya Project resulted “to a minimum of over P21 to 42 billion in total losses to the government.”

Cusi and other respondents, the complainants said, conspired to give unwarranted benefits and advantage to Uy’s Udenna Corp in the sale of Chevron’s share and transfer of rights in the Malampaya Project.

This resulted in “undue injury to the Government”, they said.

In March last year, Uy’s Udenna completed its acquisition of Chevron’s 45 percent stake in Malampaya gas project, which supplies fuel

to power plants that generate up to 40 percent of Luzon’s energy requirements.

Earlier this year, Udenna upped its stake in Malampaya to 90 percent by buying Shell’s 45 percent stake in the company. The stateowned Philippine National Oil Company owns the remaining 10 percent.

Udenna’s acquisition of both Chevron’s and Shell’s stakes in Malampaya, however, were both questioned in the Senate.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, early this month said the DOE “bent rules” to approve Udenna’s acquisition of Chevron’s Malampaya stake.

This prompted Cusi to say that the sale was not a “midnight deal” as the DOE “went beyond” in checking both firms’ books.

Udenna’s purchase of Shell’s Malampaya stake also faced scrutiny.

Gatchalian said the Dennis Uy-led firm had no known technical expertise to operate the multibillion-dollar deep water gasto-power project.

In the complaint filed on Monday, the complainants said Cusi reneged on his

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ECONOMY

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Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi urges Congress to amend the Oil Deregulation Law to allow the government to intervene amid the continuous increase in petroleum prices due to tight global supply and high demand. Edge Davao

NFA-SouthCot expands palay procurement to help farmers

Agriculture sector seen to remain resilient with more financing boost

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he agriculture sector is expected to remain resilient with increased access to financing despite the contraction of its share in domestic output in the second quarter of 2021 and the impact of weather-related disturbances.

In a reply to emailed questions from Philippine News Agency, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) chief economist Michael Ricafort said the agriculture sector ac-

counts for almost 10 percent of domestic output and around 25 percent of total employment. “(It) has been relatively resilient as a contributor to the economy since the pandemic last year, as part of the essential industries/ activities as well as the fact that the agricultural areas have not been hit hard by the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic in view of less population density and located away

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he National Food Authority (NFA) in South Cotabato province has expanded its palay procurement activities to assist farmers who are currently reeling from the declining commercial buying prices.

Hazel Solis, NFA-South Cotabato branch manager, said Tuesday they have opened their buying stations in Koronadal City and in the municipalities of Banga, Surallah, and Sto. Niño to accommodate more farmers.

She said the move is part of their efforts to provide a more viable alternative to palay farmers as

buying prices in the area have reportedly dropped to as low as P13 per kilo.

“We have vacant warehouses and our buying stations are ready to accommodate our farmers anytime,” she said in an interview over radio station Bombo Radyo in Koronadal City.

Solis said their palay buying price remained at

P19 per kilo, subject to the agency’s quality specifications or standards.

She said they mainly buy clean and dry palay or those with a moisture content of at least 14 percent, 95 to 100 percent purity, seven percent discolored and damaged kernels, and free from infestation.

The agency allows the procurement of palay that are beyond the 14 percent moisture content but the branch has prioritized the clean and dry stocks due to its lack of drying facilities, she said.

In Koronadal City, Solis said the local government

provides an additional incentive of P2 per kilo for farmers who deliver their palay to the NFA. The incentive, which increased the buying price to as much as P21 per kilo, is based on a standing memorandum of agreement between the city government and the NFA for the implementation of the Modified Palay Assistance for Legislators and Local Government Units or PALLGU program.

The official said they accept deliveries from both individual farmers and members of associations,

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PFDA awards Mati Fishport contract, construction to start soon

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he construction of the multi-million fishport facility in the City of Mati will soon start after the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority awarded the project to a Tagumbased construction firm.

The winning contractor is Teddie Construction Development/ Metro Gear Construction Corporation (JV) with an office in Barangay Magdum, Tagum City.

PFDA general manager Glen Pangapalan

informed the winning contractor that the project cost would be P69.39 million.

It was learned that this is just the first phase of the Mati Fishport project with additional budget to be allocated by PFDA once the 1st phase is completed.

Phase one of the project would cover at least 2 hectares of the property with construction of structures like the administrative building and market hall.

“It would be like a mini GenSan (General Santos) fishport,” said Allan Andrada, special assistant to the city mayor.

The original plan covers 10 hectares of the property in Purok Calagundian.

Andrada said that the fishport project needs at least P300 million budget to be fully-modernized. PFDA has committed to allocate a total of P150 million for the said project. (CIO MATI)

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On Davao City improving from alert level 4 from alert level 3:

From alert level 4 nag-alert level 3 nata today. Medyo mas luwang na siya compared sa alert level 4. DIli lang sa restaurants but also other venues like hotels, tourist attraction.”

Dr. Michelle Schlosser

Spokesperson, Davao City Covid-19 Task Force

EDITORIAL A big challenge The authorities of the Department of Health in Region 11, meaning the five provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental, the five cities, 43 municipalities and the 1162 barangays therein, have admitted that the region is still far from achieving herd immunity in its vaccination drive against COVID-19.

This is because some 40 percent of the 3.7 million people targeted for inoculation have remained unvaccinated. (3.7 million is about 70 percent of the region’s 5.2 million total population) The DOH data pose as a big challenge to the authorities.

They have to look for innovative ways to accelerate the vaccine rollout which is bedeviled by low acceptance of a public whose gullibility is sadly lending credence to outrageous

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In fairness, the situation is improving that some people in the know exude optimism that the herd immunity can be achieved in this part of the country toward the end of the year.

Let’s hope that the authorities battling the pandemic will not run out of novel ideas in the vaccination campaign such as “bakuna nights” for working Dabawenyos, mobile vaccination initiated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, house-tohouse vaccination and drive-through vaccination

Leaders of local government units (LGUs) hopefully will discover new ways to accelerate the vaccination process and finally breach the herd immunity level very soon 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

conspiracy theories, superstitious beliefs and plain fear of the syringe.

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

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO TO SERVE OTHERS “Helping, fixing, and serving represent three different ways of seeing life,” wrote American author Rachel Naomi Remen.

“When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, and service the work of the soul.”

And in some instances, the service you render to others may bring you to a higher position in life. Such was the story related by Fulton Oursler: One stormy night, an elderly man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. The couple had no baggage.

“We know that all the places are filled up,” said the man. “But can you possibly give us a room here?”

The clerk replied that there were three conventions in town, and there are no more accommodations anywhere.

“Every guest room is taken,” he explained. “But still I simply can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? Oh, I’ll make out just fine; don’t worry about me.”

The next morning, as he paid his bill, the elderly man

said to the clerk: “You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you!”

The clerk laughed. And he laughed again when, after two years had passed, he received a letter containing a round-trip ticket to New York and a request that he called upon his guest of that rainy night.

In the metropolis, the old man led the young clerk to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-Fourth Street and pointed to a vast new building there, a palace of reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers, like a castle from fairyland cleaving the New York sky. “That,” he declared, “is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.”

As if hit by lightning, the young man, George C. Boldt, stood fixed to the ground. His benefactor was William Waldorf Astor and the hotel, the most famous of its day, the original Waldorf-Astoria.

A lot of famous people have said something about service.

India’s Mahatma Gandhi once said: “Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before

service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.”

In Compassion and Meditation: The Spiritual Dynamic between Buddhism and Christianity, author Jean-Yves Leloup wrote: “If you are a Buddhist, inspire yourself by thinking of the bodhisattva. If you are a Christian, think of Christ, who came not to be served by others but to serve them in joy, in peace, and in generosity. For these things, these are not mere words, but acts, which go all the way, right up to their last breath. Even their death is a gift, and resurrection is born from this kind of death.”

Richelle E. Goodrich, author of Smile Anyway: Quotes, Verse, & Grumblings for Every Day of the Year, says service is more than just a smile. “(Service) is an acknowledging wave, a reaching handshake, a friendly wink, and a warm hug. It’s these simple acts that matter most, because the greatest service to a human soul has always been the kindness of recognition.”

Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa said it best: “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, and how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by ‘I was hun-

gry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.’”

Hannah More, an English religious writer and philanthropist, says that even the smallest act you do is a great service to the person who receives it. “One kernel is felt in a hogshead; one drop of water helps to swell the ocean; a spark of fire helps to give light to the world. None are too small, too feeble, too poor to be of service. Think of this and act,” she points out.

There was this doctor who had never refused a call either for rich or for poor. But now, he is tired and retired. Then, one midnight, he received a call.

“Have you any money,” the doctor inquired. “Certainly,” the man from the other end replied.

“Then to go the new doctor,” the retired physician said very politely. “I’m too old to get out of bed for anyone who can pay for it.”

“Service is the measure of greatness; it always has been true; it is true today, and it always will be true, that he is the greatest who does the most of good,” said American orator and politician William Jennings Bryan.

Criss Jami, author of Killosophy, once wrote: “A man who

goes into a restaurant and blatantly disrespects the servers shows a strong discontent with his own being. Deep down he knows that restaurant service is the closest thing he will ever experience to being served like a king.”

That’s why when you serve others, do it with open heart and gladness. A businesswoman stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress grudgingly delivered it and asked, “Anything else?”

“Yes,” said the businesswoman. “I’d like some sugar, cream, a spoon, a napkin, and a saucer for the cup.”

“Well, aren’t you the demanding one,” snapped the waitress.

“Look at it from my point of view,” said the businesswoman.

“You served a cup of coffee and made five mistakes.”

American minister Marion G. Romney reiterated: “We lose our life by serving and lifting others. By doing so, we experience the only true and lasting happiness. Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.”

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

SPINAL CONDITIONS AS COMPENSABLE WORK-RELATED ILLNESSES A seafarer’s spinal illness is considered compensable due to strenuous activities on board the vessel that could have led to or at least aggravated his work-related medical conditions.

The Supreme Court used this rationale in granting total permanent disability in the case of Resty Caampued vs. Next Wave Maritime Mgt.., Inc. (G.R. No. 253756 May 12, 2021) The seafarer was tasked to assist in the repair of the ship’s generator. He was directed to pull the lining of the generator’s piston. In a squatting position, he forcefully pulled the piston lining upward. Shortly thereafter, he suffered persistent mild pain on his lower back that later led to his medical repatriation.

Upon his arrival in the country, he was diagnosed to have suffered from at least three (3) spinal conditions, i.e., degenerative disc, spondylolisthesis, and spinal tuberculosis.

Degenerative disc disease is a spinal condition caused by the

breakdown of the intervertebral discs which results in the loss of flexibility and ability to cushion the spine. When discs degenerate, the vertebral bodies become closer together and this increased bone on bone friction causes the wearing a way of protective cartilage and results in the condition known as osteoarthritis. The degenerating discs place excessive stress on the joints of the spine and the supporting ligaments, which, overtime, can lead to the formation of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a stage of degenerative disc disease.

Spondylosis, on the other hand, is a term used to describe osteoarthritis of the spine.

The company denied the claims for disability benefits on the ground of non-work relatedness of spinal tuberculosis.

The Supreme Court ruled otherwise noting that the other illness, spinal disc degeneration/ desiccation or osteoarthritis, is a compensable disease.

Prior to assuming his duties

as Engine Fitter aboard the principal’s vessel, the seafarer was declared fit to work after the Pre-Employment Examination (PEME) with the company-designated physician.

The seafarer showed no signs of any spinal injury before he boarded the vessel.

His back pain and limited lumbar movement started only after he forcefully pulled the piston lining of the ship’s generator.

And these symptoms persisted way beyond the time he got medically repatriated.

It is reasonable to claim a causal relationship between seafarer’s illness and his work as Engine Fitter of his employer’s vessel.

Under Section 32-A (21) of the 2010 POEA-SEC, osteoarthritis is expressly considered as an occupational disease when contracted in any occupation involving any of the following: (a) joint strain from carrying heavy loads, or unduly heavy physical labor; (b) minor or major injuries to the

joint; (c) excessive use or constant strenuous usage of a particular joint, (c) extreme temperature changes (humidity, heat and cold exposures); and (d) faulty work posture or use of vibratory tools.

As Engine Fitter, the seafarer was constantly exposed to strenuous work.

His responsibilities included several strenuous physical activities such as: (a) fabrication and shaping of steel, aluminum and other materials; (b) lifting of metals and materials for fabrication; (c) setting up and operating manually controlled machines in skilled precision; (d) carrying and lifting heavy-duty tools and equipment during maintenance and repair; and (e) other all around strenuous duties as instructed by supervisor.

To carry out these duties, he had to stand for most of the day and constantly moved around.

Such strenuous activities could have led to or at least aggravated his condition, thus making it a compensable work-related

illness.

Moreover, despite the findings that the seafarer has degenerative disc and spondylolisthesis, the company only treated and based their findings of non-compensability on the seafarer’s spinal tuberculosis.

The company simply ignored the seafarer’s pleas to get him treated and medically assessed for his degenerative disc and spondylolisthesis, thus remained untreated and unresolved. Consequently, no medical assessment and certificate were issued to him for these conditions.

Without a valid final and definitive assessment from the company-designated doctors within the mandatory 120/240-day period, the law already steps in to consider a seafarer’s disability as total and permanent.

(Atty, Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

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EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO Life & Leisure

Staycation units at Aeon Towers.

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

WHAT IS A Davao Staycation?

It’s that little break away from home.

Right in your own city.

There’s minimum travel time, with all the benefits of being on vacation – order-

Staycation units at Aeon Towers.

ing food delivery, running a hot bubble bath, dipping into the pool or working out in the gym and no housework to get in the way!

You can even take some work with you at the working spaces.

But let’s not spoil the staycation bliss.

Why not give in to a stress-busting getaway?

Stay at Aeon Towers for a weekend away with all the benefits of a holiday, without

even leaving the Davao metro area. Aeon Towers is the perfect spot for a mini staycation to reconnect with friends, family or your special someone.

Many Dabawenyos have never spent time re-discovering themselves and family away from their own

space at home. The Aeon Towers staycation experience gives you that mush needed “me” or “us” time.

Aeon Towers is an iconic landmark towering in the heart of Metro Davao’s business district along J.P. Laurel Avenue. It is a mixed-use develop-

ment with residential, commercial and soon a hotel component to be operated by a 5-star international hotelier making Aeon Towers the next big destination in the city.

Some of its condo units are now turned over to homeowners who are enjoying a luxurious and smart lifestyle experience they invested in.

Think about it, staying at this iconic building is just what you need. It gives you that ‘homeowner’ feel.

Rates starts at P2999 for Studio, P3499 for 1-BR, P6999 for 2-BR and P7999 for a 2-BR corner room that offers a scintillating view of the city and environs.

These packages come with free breakfast and access to club aeon amenities (pool at 6F, co working spaces, gym).

How about that?

Not bad eh.

What is a Davao staycation?

Discover it for yourself.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

AGRITRENDS

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LOWERING TARIFFS ON CORN IMPORTS MAY DESTROY PHIL. CORN PRODUCTION

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO Additional Photo: BIOTECH

C

orn is the country’s second staple food – after rice. The white variety is a common food in the tables of some provinces of Visayas and Mindanao.

The problem why some Filipinos don’t eat corn is due to the perception that only poor people eat corn. There are those who associate corn, especially the yellow variety, as animal feed.

About 2.5 million hectares in the country are planted to corn. About 1.3 million Filipinos are planting corn in their farms.

Seventy percent of corn production is concentrated in Northern Luzon, Southern Mindanao, and Northern Mindanao.

“Corn growing varies depending on the area, and its production cycle is different in all parts of the world,” said statista.com.

“In the Philippines, corn production is based on the landscape and topography of the area,” statista.com added. “In 2020, the production volume of corn amounted to over eight million metric tons, higher than the produced quantity of 7.98 million metric tons in the previous year.”

Unfortunately, despite the abundance of corn production, income of corn farmers didn’t increase.

What made corn farmers even more cautious is when the Department of Agriculture (DA) will lower tariffs on corn imports.

Doing so would mean a “death sentence” to farmers given the prevailing

low price of corn. “(The implementation will bring) revenue loss of P10 billion,” said House Resolution 2289, which Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez filed. The resolution is supported by the Philippine Maize Federation, Inc. (Philmaize) and the United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA).

The resolution was directed as a petition to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and the Tariff Commission.

Right now, corn tariff is now low at 5% if importation is within the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). It is slapped with a 35% duty within Minimum Access Volume (MAV) importation and 50% outside MAV. The agriculture department just created a Technical Working Group to study lowering of corn import duties in order to bring down animal feeds and livestock and poultry prices.

Philmaize, however, has debunked the assumption that feed prices will go down given lower corn prices, consequently pulling down livestock and poultry prices.

“Philmaize stated that these corn prices do not have direct and immediate correlation to the decrease of feeds and meat price. In the last two years, corn

prices plunged to P9-8 per kilo, but there was no reduction in the price of feed and meat,” the resolution said.

Rather, it is the huge importation of feed wheat and corn that caused the fall in local corn prices to its lowest level. Philmaize based its claim from a study conducted by the Philippine Competition Commission.

According to Philmaize, the fall of local corn prices are due to the uncontrolled, unabated and uncalibrated large arrivals of feed wheat and imported corn during the wet season harvest.

“This displaced local corn harvest from getting into warehouses and silos of the livestock and feed mill sector,” Philmaize said.

As a result, corn prices plunged by a hefty 33% to P8-9 per kilo, far below the P13.25 per kilo support price established by the National Food Authority (NFA).

The economic loss at P10 billion in revenue experienced by farmers was exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which started in March 2020.

For its part, UBRA stressed that the price of poultry and livestock are “not dependent on the rate of corn tariffs but on the highly in-demand dynamics of the commodities,” to quote the words of its president, Jose Elias Enciong.

Even the Bayanihan sa Agrikultura admitted a

low import duty on corn does not guarantee significant reduction in the price of livestock and poultry.

The Rufus resolution cited the Magna Carta for Small Farmers in invoking the low corn tariff, saying it is the state’s role to assure “equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities realized through empowerment of small farmers.”

“The state should recognize the need to keep our local farmers motivated, encourage them to continue planting, and keep their production stable by implementing a more strategic approach to balance enterprise resource planning,” the resolution pointed out.

Instead of importing corn, some experts are suggesting that Filipino farmers should plant more Bt corn.

Bt corn is a genetically modified corn. It was developed to resist the Asiatic corn borer (scientifically known as Ostrinia furnacalis), one of the most destructive corn pests. “The corn borer problem in the Philippines had a devastating effect on corn production,” said Dr. Rhodora Aldemita, director of International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). “The cost of corn went up because we had been importing.”

The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to approve the commercial cultivation of a genetically modified crop – Bt corn – for feed and food.

There’s money in

growing Bt corn.

Like his father before him, Ryan Lising is a corn farmer, and corn is his family’s main source of income. Corn gives him money not only to send his four children to school, but also to help him expand his business and buy his own farm machinery. His crop also allows him to assist other corn farmers in their community.

But unlike his father who planted white corn before him, Lising plants biotech corn (Bt corn), a crop that has made him an important person in their farming community of Mandani in Magalang, Pampanga.

Lising started planting biotech corn in 2003 after the government approved the commercial planting of Bt corn in the country.

Lising became one of the early adopters of Bt corn when it was introduced by seed company technicians. Though uncertain about the new corn that the technicians introduced in the farm demonstration, his frustrations with white corn - his crop then - urged him to try it.

Following his first Bt corn harvest, it became clear to Lising that there was no turning back. He knew that it was the beginning of a new life for him and his family, who has faced so many hardships in trying to make ends meet.

“When I realized that I will earn more if I plant Bt corn, I decided to add two more children to my brood. Sending my chil-

dren to school was not that difficult anymore,” he said then.

When stacked traits corn was approved for commercial planting in the country, Lising did not hesitate to plant it on his farm which has grown from 1.5 to more than 20 hectares.

It was a decision he never regretted.

After a decade of planting Bt corn, his life and that of his family has completely changed. His increased and steady income from planting Bt corn allowed him to explore other business opportunities.

“I have a new motorcycle now to replace the stolen one,” he admitted, “and I was able to buy my own farm machines. I have two trucks and two tractors, and I am getting a new, bigger tractor soon.”

Lising also has more time to spend with his family because he does not need to spend a lot of time on his farm. He also found other means of livelihood in their community.

From 10,769 hectares in 2013, the area planted to Bt corn has grown exponentially to 834,617 hectares in 2020.

The Philippines now ranked 13th among 24 countries planting the biotech crop in 2017. In Asia, Bt corn is also planted in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan. Other countries planting the crop are the United States, Canada, Switzerland, and some parts of South America and Africa.

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certification scheme that affirms that an establishment is compliant with the minimum public health standards set by the government. Also through the safety seal, the government aims to increase public confidence in businesses at this time of the pandemic – while also ensuring compliance in the minimum health protocols.

“Dili na basta basta makuha dapat fully implemented nila (venues) ang health protocols,” she said.

Schlosser advised the owners to abide by the

Memorandum Circular No. 31 and alert levels guidelines of the IATF to be guided.

She also said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will no longer issue another Executive Order (EO) for this as the city has so many EOs already, however, the city will follow the national guidelines as long as they are adaptable to the city.

“Most of the guidelines issued by the Department of Health and IATF are so far adaptable in our city,” she said.

naman naming sinasabi: Kasuhan niyo ang mga dapat kasuhan. Lahat naman talaga dapat magbayad ng buwis (we have been saying for the longest time: File charges. Everyone should pay their taxes),” he added.

He challenged the Senate to bring before the Supreme Court his memorandum prohibiting executive officials from attending Senate probes.

“You call my memorandum stupid? Well I challenge you, bring your arguments to the proper court and I will answer you,” he said.

Duterte also lambasted Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon for supposedly threatening to cut budgets of government agencies and departments over his memo.

“You threaten the budget of different agencies of the executive because the offi-

cials refuse to attend to your hearings? Itong pangaabuso talaga…And they threaten to paralyze government, I challenge you do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Duterte floated anew the possibility of letting the Ombudsman step into the issue of Gordon allegedly failing to return about PHP86 million in public funds when he was still chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

“I think we will have to see if we can call on the Ombudsman to step in because matagal itong utang na ito at (this unreturned money was so long ago and) final and executory na,” he added.

Gordon was chairman of SBMA from 1992 to 1998.

Duterte earlier said Gordon could be charged with malversation in connection with the unreturned money.

(PNA)

children will be screened and monitored by doctors, and facilitating referrals will be easier in case of serious adverse events following immunization.

Meanwhile, Gultiano also said that personnel of PRO 11 is almost 100 percent fully vaccinated.

“We highly encouraged na magpa-vaccinate

in spite of their belief and prioritize their health condition kesa sa paniniwala nila,” she said.

Gultiano is referring refusals from some of PRO 11 personnel to be inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine due to personal reasons and religious beliefs. By Maya M. Padillo

diesel, the Energy chief said.

The Cabinet official also noted the stocking of petroleum products inventories in other countries as winter approaches to cover demand from October this year to March of next year, with stocking expected until February 2021.

Production, likewise, slowed due to the current global direction of sourcing energy from low-carbon emitting sources.

“This has limited the optimum level of production, causing the halt and event withdrawal of investments in the development and expansion of the fossil fuel industry,” Cusi said.

He also cited the international sanctions to oil-producing countries like Iran and Venezuela that stopped the drilling of oil companies and the buying of oil products from the said countries as well as the Hurricane Ida, a category 4 storm, that hit the US gulf coast on August 29 which had caused an estimated loss of US crude oil production by as much as 30

million barrels.

With this, the DOE maintains that the unbundling of oil prices would result in greater market transparency by establishing the trends in the prices of oil and finished petroleum products.

This, in turn, would help ensure a level playing field within the oil industry, while upholding the best interests of consumers, the Energy chief said.

To recall, in in May 2019, the DOE issued a Department Circular 2019-050008 requiring the unbundling of oil prices for its data gathering and policymaking function.

Due to opposition of oil industry players, the circular has been subjected to an injunction by the Regional Trial Court despite the DOE’s argument that the “unbundling policy” is not violative of the Oil Deregulation Law.

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The DOE required the unbundling of the cost of retail products to determine their true and passed-on cost.

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duly supported by their local government.

“The mayor took cognizance of the importance of strengthening the federated POs. They provided help desk in their municipal hall solely for the POs and provided them with their own office for them to have their identity in the community,” Torres said.

He said that by establishing disposition, the POs will be empowered and can ask for help through the convergence effort of various government agencies and private sectors.

“They are also made part of their peace and order council,” he added.

Torres also bared that the federated PO has also been brought into the provincial level and presented to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

“If it will be established, they will have a program at the municipal and provincial level and we will be able to fund them for their program or projects for them to sustain their POs,” Torres said.

He added: “If this template will be followed not only in the municipal or provincial but at the national level, all of the concerns of the FRs and supporters which numbered to some

30,000 in our area of responsibility (AOR) will be addressed.”

Meanwhile, the Army official also cited the successful Community Support Program (CSP) immersion in various NPA-influenced areas which led to the surrender of numerous rebels.

The CSP is part of the AFP’s Development Support and Security Plan (DSSP) “Kapayapaan” which aims to attain sustainable peace with the active support of the community and partner stakeholders in bringing the government closer to the people and eliminating the influence of the NPA in the community.

He reported that out of the 1,901 barangays in the AOR of 10ID, only 12 remained to be NPA-influenced barangays.

“Slowly but surely we are getting them back. We will continue our massive CSP deployment in these areas,” Torres added.

The CPP-NPA-NDF, which has been waging a five-decade armed struggle against the government, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

which can only be availed by bedridden senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), those who cannot move or walk to the fixed vaccination sites.

Household members who can go out for the vaccines will not be catered to.

The team from Vice Mayor’s Office will contact the applicants for screening and scheduling for the door-to-door vaccination.

A single dose will be ad-

ministered and doctors will also be present during the door-to-door vaccination for physical screening of individuals.

Eligible persons will have to send their personal information (full name, condition, address, and contact number) through text in these numbers: 0970) 274 7025 for SMART/ TNT; (0995) 175 0064 for GLOBE.

duty and committed gross inexcusable negligence when he failed to intervene in the transaction of Chevron and Udenna which was done without DOE’s prior approval, and when he failed to exercise the government’s right to purchase Chevron’s Malampaya shares.

The DOE, meanwhile, said the “case is speculative, without basis and malicious.”

The agency maintained that the deal was aboveboard and that Cusi is ready

to answer all allegations “in any forum to bring out the truth and carry the ends of justice.”

Udenna said it has yet to receive the “supposed complaint” filed against its officials.

“At the proper time and venue, we will address all allegations raised against the company to prove that everything is done aboveboard,” the company said in a statement.

The Uy-led firm also maintained that the Chevron deal was above board.

provided that the stocks pass their standard specification. Individual farmers may deliver a maximum of 700 bags of palay at seven hectares.

Solis said farmers may reach out and send samples to their buying stations for proper assessment and the scheduling of the delivery.

“We have relaxed the requirements for those delivering to us for the first time and they only need to show us their samples and proof that they are the actual tillers of their land. This is to prevent deliveries from the traders,” she said.

Solis said they also conduct mobile procurement activities in parts of the province using one of their delivery trucks.

Farmers may contact their office if they have no capacity to deliver their stocks and it will then send a truck to pick them up.

“We have seen an increase in deliveries this procurement season and we average 1,000 to 1,200 bags per day. We were able to cater all those who came to us and we have not encountered any problem so far,” she added. (MindaNews)

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individuals housed in facilities such as senior citizens in home-care facilities.

More members of the marginalized sector were also catered at People’s Park.

Currently, the city’s vaccinated individuals have already reached 836,662 for the first dose and 719,140 for the second dose.

The mobile vaccination in Davao City is one of the city government’s initiatives in its thrust to reach herd immunity of 1.2 mil-

lion by November.

vaccine to immunocompromised persons, senior citizens, and healthcare workers.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the WHO is expected to release its final recommendation by November.

Vergeire clarified that booster shots and additional doses are different and the WHO has yet to recommend a third shot for the general population.

According to experts, a booster shot is an additional dose after the protection of the original shot(s) has decreased over time, while

a third shot is for those with certain health conditions to help further protect them from severe Covid-19 case or death.

Following a four-day meeting, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization on Oct. 11 said those with weakened immunity should receive an additional shot.

SAGE said they are “less likely to respond adequately to vaccination following a standard primary vaccine series and are at high risk of severe Covid-19 disease”.

(PNA)

from urbanized/congested/high population density areas,” he said.

Ricafort said the central bank’s decision to provide additional financing access to the agriculture sector through the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) compliance, easing of risk weights for some loans, and easing of capitalization requirements of some banks, among others, will “encourage and boost lending activities” that support the sector and the rural areas in general and “contribute to growth for the broader economy.”

He said the policy accommodation also helped boost food security in the country, adding the impact of some disruptions in global supply chains and the impact of adverse weather conditions.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has allowed, among others, banks’ AgriAgra lending as temporary compliance to banks’ RRR to provide additional liquidity to boost economic activities amid the pandemic.

The Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act of 2009 or the Republic Act (RA) 10000 requires banks to allocate 10 percent of their loans to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and 15 percent

for the agriculture sector.

Monetary authorities said banks’ compliance on the law remains below the required level thus, the latter have been slapped with penalties for non-compliance.

BSP data show that as of end-June 2021, total compliance of the banking sector on the law was 0.96 percent for agra lending and 9.67 percent for agri lending.

These are both higher relative to the previous quarter’s 0.93 percent for agra lending and 9.66 percent of agriculture loans.

Total loans extended by banks to ARBs totaled to PHP47.191 billion under direct compliance as of endJune this year while alternative compliance amounted to PHP25.584 billion.

During the same period, agriculture loans under direct compliance reached PHP360.091 billion while alternative compliance amounted to PHP356.793 billion.

Ricafort said weather-related factors, the recent of which is Severe Tropical Storm Maring that devastated northern Luzon, one of the biggest producers of agricultural products, is “a drag on agricultural production.”

es planned regarding our partnership” that it’s had since 2019 with Simmons.

Australian meat pie brand Four’n Twenty, which has a concession stand at the Wells Fargo Center, said Simmons remained a brand ambassador for the company. Nike, which signed Simmons to a guaranteed $20 million contract before his first NBA game, did not immediately respond to multiple attempts for comment.

Roughly three doz-

en media members and a row of TV cameras worthy of a playoff game showed up Tuesday at the Sixers’ complex in New Jersey in hopes of a soundbite from Simmons. The team instead released a statement on the suspension before the end of practice. Just like that, he was gone.

Through the swirling drama, the Sixers insist they’re ready to play.

“The year is going to be fun,” Embiid said.

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Other initiatives to boost the city’s anti-Covid vaccination drive include a house-to-house vaccination drive to seek qualified unvaccinated individuals, especially senior citizens who have mobility challenges to go to different jab sites and the launching of bakuna nights for working Dabawenyos who cannot come during the day to various jab sites here.

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Ben Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia. PHOTO: AP

Simmons kicked out of practice, fined

C

AMDEN, N.J. — Ben Simmons doesn’t want to play — or even practice — with the Philadelphia 76ers anymore.

So coach Doc Rivers kicked out the All-Star guard and suspended him for the season opener.

Joel Embiid’s take on the whole fiasco? Good riddance. Last season’s NBA MVP runner-up put Simmons on blast: “At this point, I don’t care about that man.

He does whatever he wants.”

Simmons refused to play as a full participant at Tuesday’s practice (Wednesday, Manila time), a day after he lingered outside a team huddle and mostly stayed alone in a corner without talking to teammates.

Embiid dropped multiple references Tuesday to not working as babysitter anymore for the 25-yearold Australian guard, who still has four years and $147 million left on his

max contract.

“I’m not here to babysit,” Embiid said. “I’d be willing to babysit if someone wants to listen, but that’s not my job. That’s out of my control.”

Simmons will not play Wednesday in New Orleans and it seems inconceivable he will suit up for Friday’s home opener in front of 20,000 furious fans ready to boo him out of the Wells Fargo Center.

He has not talked publicly since his offseason trade request — his early exit from practice meant he skipped Tuesday’s scheduled media availability — and there’s no telling if he’ll

return to the Sixers.

“As a team, we’re going to be fine,” Embiid said.

Rivers remained diplomatic and said Simmons would be welcome to return to practice.

“I just thought he was a distraction today,” Rivers said Tuesday after practice.

“I didn’t think he wanted to do what everybody else was doing. It was early. It wasn’t a big deal. I just told him he should leave. We went on with practice.”

So now what?

Tyrese Maxey will likely start in Simmons’ place.

Simmons could refuse to return, though his surprise appearance last week was largely considered financially driven to try to stem lost money in fines and missed game checks.

Sixers President Daryl Morey and general manger Elton Brand, who was at Tuesday’s practice, have yet

to receive a trade offer worthy of the franchise dealing their three-time All-Star. Morey said at the start of training camp he wouldn’t be forced into making a trade just for the sake of appeasing Simmons.

The drama doesn’t appear to have an immediate end.

“Every day, every single moment, I’m going to give Ben a chance to join the team and be part of the team,” Rivers said. “He’s under contract to be part of the team and that’s not going to change. Sometimes it happens quick and guys join back in. Sometimes it doesn’t. I’ve been in both situations and I’m fine with that.”

Embiid, Philly’s franchise player, said a bond as tight as it had ever been last season with Simmons is no more. Embiid said he hadn’t talked to Simmons in the

which drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season. His defining moment as a Sixer came when he passed up a wide-open dunk against Atlanta in the second round of last year’s playoffs that would have tied the game late in Game Seven. Simmons took the blame for Philly’s early postseason exit.

Embiid was among a small group of Sixers that tried to visit with Simmons in the offseason and talk sense into him, only to get rebuffed by the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft.

Simmons’ endorsements and cooperate appeal remain intact.

Australian wine producer Penfolds said it was “proud of our partnership with Ben Simmons” and did not offer additional comment. Smartwater said “there are no current chang-

ble figures, half of which came off the bench.

“It feels like five or six years ago when we just have guys up and down the roster who can play,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said postgame. “I mean, we have guys who are injured who can play. I think we’re really deep.”

Barring Gary Payton II, who only played seven seconds, every Warriors player that checked into the game put their name on their scoresheet. Their depth paid dividends as the bench strength played a huge role in this one with the Warriors reserves outscoring

their counterparts 55-29 On the flip side, for the Lakers, LeBron James (34) and Anthony Davis (33) combined for 67 points but no other player finished in double figures.

Stephen Curry records eight career triple-double The Warriors were led by Stephen Curry, who didn’t have the greatest shooting night by his lofty standards as he only made five of his 21 field goal attempts.

However, the former two-time MVP did a little bit of everything else as he stuffed the stat sheet in 36 minutes of action.

FSIMMONS, P10

Lakers lose opening game to Warriors

W Lebron James and Anthony Davis combined for 67 points but no other Laker was in double digit.

three days — well, 2¼ — they practiced.

“It is not my problem,” Embiid said. “I get paid to deliver and that’s to win games, and obviously, the ultimate goal is to win the championship. I can’t do it alone.”

Without Simmons, the Sixers face 20-1 odds to win the NBA championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. That’s one reason why Rivers, at least publicly, wants to work toward a harmonious resolution with Simmons.

“He’s a good player. He can help us,” Rivers said.

“The one thing I know about players: Our players will welcome anyone back who wants to be in. And players will not welcome anybody who does not want to be in.”

Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia,

hile the season opener in Milwaukee was a no-contest, the second game on opening night between Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors lived up to the billing and then some.

The Stephen Curry-led visiting Warriors came into STAPLES Center and pulled off an upset against the star-studded hosts.

Registering the 121114 victory, the Warriors ensured the new-look Lakers, who were coming off a 0-6 preseason, remained winless.

Golden State had as many as six players in dou-

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 187 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

Wesley So has captured the 2021 US Open Chess title.

Wesley So retains US chess crown A

lready named the US grandmaster of the year a while back, Fil-Am super GM Wesley So added another feather to his multi-decorated cap by triumphing anew in the 2021 US Chess competitions held in St. Louis, MIssouri.

Playing black, the Cavite-born defending champion outsmarted Fabiano Caruana in a difficult mid-end game, seizing the initiative after a miscue by his opponent - and scoring the win - in the three-man playoffs.

As his clock was running out, Caruana’s flag fell, losing by time forfeiture.

The victory gave the 2778-Elo rated So plenty of comfortable minutes waiting for the result of the Caruana vs Sam Sevian playoff match which netted the former Italian player the point, hoping that the latter beats So in their respective match.

So, undefeated in the 12-man round robin contest, proved he was the man to beat by convincingly registering an easy win over the young but promising Sevian, to run away with the championship trophy.

“Fabi (Caruana) should have won, but today is my lucky day,” WS said during the post-game interview with coverage commentators GMs Yasser Seirawan, Maurice Ashley and Christian Cirilla.

So has won the US tile three times - in 2017, 2020 (on-line) and this year to become the third man to win back-to-back titles. Gata Kamsky did it in 2013-14 and Lev Alburt in 1983-84.

So took home $50,000 for his efforts. He also received $100,000 plus for his overall victory in the Grand Chess Tour.

Additionally, Wesley also snatched three titles for his scintillating participation in the recently-concluded ten-leg 2021 Champions

Chess Tour, which Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champ. ruled overall.

“It (retaining the tournament title) means a lot and I’m very happy.

I saw Fabi pushing and pushing and I would have been disappointed if I had not won it,” he told the coverage commentators.

So said he was thankful to Sam (Sevian) for drawing his game against Caruana, thus extending the matches to the playoffs.

He said maneuvering his Knight on d6 after Caruana missed a rook move gave him comfort and confidence because his opponent could not penetrate Black’s defense.

“I felt the worst was over. I was holding on.”

Ever diligent in his career as a professional player, So said he has prepared opening repertoires for Black that enables him to draw and overturn tough matches.

“It’s huge. Winning the (US) championship for me was more important than the money,” said the 28year old winner.

Missing winning chances are part of the game, added he who missed one such during his battle against former tormentor Danile Naroditsky.

Question: Do you think Wesley So has matured and developed into a rock solid player that we can expect him to challenge for the world championship in the next two years?

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!