Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 193 | Thursday, October 28, 2021

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RAGING SARA ‘Wag ninyong payagan na kayo ay Tulfohin’: Sara

STORY ON PAGE 2

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio advises the public through her Facebook Page not to allow to be abused because of age, gender, or beliefs after she lambasted Ramon Tulfo for his “Plan C” column.

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 193 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

President Rodrigo Duterte joins other leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries in the virtual 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits hosted by Brunei Darussalam at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

RAGING SARA T

2 wanted NPA leaders nabbed in Bukidnon

‘Wag ninyong payagan na kayo ay Tulfohin’: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio hit hard on veteran columnist Ramon Tulfo and advised the public through her Facebook Page not to allow to be abused because of age, gender, or beliefs.

The presidential daughter lambasted Tulfo for his “Plan C” column on The Philippine Star newspaper with details allegedly based on mere hearsays.

“Nandun na tayo na karamihan sa atin ay Marites pero yung isusulat ang chismis at ipapalabas

na ito ay totoong nangyari ay nakaka lalaki na.

Sa aking karera sa pulitika marami na ako nakasalamuha na lalaki na tulad ni Tulfo, yung paningin sa mga babae ay hindi nag iisip at ibinabase ang galaw at pananalita sa nararamdaman lamang. Mga lalak-

ing bastos at mapanghusga.

Sa buhay ninyo huwag niyo hayaan na kayo ay bastusin dahil sa edad, kasarian o paniniwala. Wag niyo payagan na kayo ay Tulfohin,” the mayor posted.

An irked Mayor Sara responded to the article written by Tulfo entitled “Plan C” in his column Sentinel on October 26, 2021, and described the article as based on mere chismis (rumors).

Mayor Sara’s reply to the article sent via Letters to the editor of The Philip-

pine Star, the mayor stated that the article betrayed how The Philippine Star values its credibility and integrity as one of the country’s leading sources of news and information.

“At face value, it’s not very hard to know that Mr. Tulfo was peddling wild conjectures, lies, intrigues, and chismis in this Plan C article, which entirely based on hearsay,” Mayor Sara’s letter stated.

In his column, Tulfo

well as the South Korean and Chinese leaders, at the virtual opening of the 38th and 39th Asean Summits and Related Summits, the Office of the President (OP) said in a press statement.

“Speaking at the 38th ASEAN Summit, President Duterte stressed that Asean’s road to recovery from Covid-19 will be long and difficult as the region is still reeling from the impact of the pandemic,” the OP said.

Duterte, the Palace said, emphasized the need to ensure the “phased and comprehensive” implementation of the Asean Comprehensive Recovery Framework which contains initiatives and strategies that will help the region recover from the Covid-19 crisis.

He also called for the immediate establishment of the Asean Centre on Public Health Emergencies and

Emerging Diseases that will serve as Asean’s hub to strengthen its capabilities to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies and emerging diseases.

Duterte, in his intervention at the 24th Asean-China summit, said the “dynamic” Asean-China cooperation would help both sides “combat the Covid -19 pandemic, address climate change and manage geopolitical issues.”

FRAGING, P10

wo top leaders of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested by government troops in Barangay (Brgy) Palacpacan, San Fernando, Bukidnon on Monday morning (October 25).

Maj. Francisco Garello, spokesman of Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, identified the two NPA leaders as Ramil Banawan alias Migs/Kim/Edukaw, a resident of Sitio Danquias, Brgy.

Cawayan, Quezon, Bukidnon and Marcelito Bandigan who carry the aliases of Niks and Raymond.

Banawan was the secretary of NPA’s Guerilla Front (GF) Malayag, Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC) while Bandigan was the Team Leader.

Seized from the suspects were an M16 Rifle and a 9mm Glock Pistol.

Both suspects are now at the Headquarters of 88th Infantry Battalion in Maramag, Bukidnon.

The arrested person-

alities are facing multiple criminal cases and has standing warrants of arrest for Destructive Arson and Frustrated Murder both issued by Judge Wilfredo G Bibera of Regional Trial Court (RTC) 10, Branch 46, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

They are also facing attempted multiple murder and violation of Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

Brig. Gen. Ferdinand T Barandon, the commander of the 403rd Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction in the area said that GF Malayag suffered devastating setbacks after two firefights with 88IB last September 8 and 10, 2021 resulting into the death of four NPA members and the arrest of 10 more rebels , including three minors.

Maj. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr, chief of 4th ID, said that the downfall of the NCMRC became inevitable as several of its top leaders were either captured or have surrendered to the government, while firefights between the military and

“He thanked China for supporting Asean’s pandemic response, particularly by making life-saving vaccines global public goods,” the OP said.

During the summit, Duterte also renewed his call on his fellow Asean leaders to stay united in pursuing peace, stability, and prosperity in SCS, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the

2016 Arbitral Award.

“We have come a long way in keeping the peace and promoting prosperity in our region. We must not allow those with diverging interests to make our efforts fail,” Duterte said.

The Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam are the four Asean member-states with competing claims in SCS. The other SCS claimants

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PRRD raises Covid pandemic, SCS issue in Asean summits

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resident Rodrigo Duterte emphasized Tuesday the importance of defeating the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and settling the South China Sea (SCS) dispute during the 38th and 39th Asean Summits and Related Summits under the chairmanship of Brunei.

Duterte made the remarks during his “productive discussions” with fellow Southeast Asian leaders, as

FPRRD, P10

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 193 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

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The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is one of the hospitals that already gave its commitment to do the pediatric vaccination rollout in Davao City. Edge Davao

Restos told not to require diners to present vaccination card 4 Davao City hospitals commit to city’s pediatric vax rollout

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Wednesday that the city government of Davao will adopt the provision stated under alert level 3 allowing fully vaccinated individuals to dine in to help the restaurants increase their operational capacity.

Davao City is now placed under alert level 3 and the following are allowed under Alert Level 3 at 30 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity for both vaccinated and unvaccinated: venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), permitted venues for social events, visitor or tourist.

“Kung makit-an ninyo sa alert level 3 naa sila’y provision na vaccinated na mga tao to eat at restaurant mas dako ang imohang operational capacity. What we will do para favorable sa mga businesses, we will adopt that so you can increase operational capacity but there is no need to require people to present their vaccination record sa pagkakaron.

“But once maayos ana nato ang atoang database sa DQR and once ma complete nato ang uploading sa vax-

cert (vaccination certificate) then we will implement the vaccination record requirements,” the mayor said.

Mayor Sara has put on hold the implementation of alert level 3 provision which only allows fully vaccinated individuals in an establishment.

“We will put that on hold.

Why, kay ang atoang vaccine card dali ra siya kaayo mapeke. If we implement that karon, mapugos napud ang mga tao og pameke sa ilang vaccine card. Murag it is the policy of the government that will push people do illegal things,” she said.

Mayor Sara said this is to avoid going after those counterfeiting vaccination cards.

“So, instead na mahapsay ang atoang mga restaurants, mahitabo ani maggukdanay napud ta og peke vaccination card just like how we do it with gukdanay sa sa peke na RT-PCR result.

Giingnan nako sila that we will put that on hold because kay dili man sala sa mga tao na we do not have an online vaccine database sa pagkakaron. Because VaxCert, although naa na ang uban, ang uban wala pa silay record sa VaxCertPH… Sa pagka-karon

F4 DAVAO, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said on Wednesday that the city government of Davao will adopt the provision stated under alert level 3 allowing fully vaccinated individuals to dine in to help the restaurants increase their operational capacity.

Davao City is now placed under alert level 3 and the following are allowed under Alert Level 3 at 30 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and 50 percent outdoor venue capacity for both vaccinated and unvaccinated: venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and

exhibitions (MICE), permitted venues for social events, visitor or tourist.

“Kung makit-an ninyo sa alert level 3 naa sila’y provision na vaccinated na mga tao to eat at restaurant mas dako ang imohang operational capacity. What we will do para favorable sa mga businesses, we will adopt

that so you can increase operational capacity but there is no need to require people to present their vaccination record sa pagkakaron.

“But once maayos ana nato ang atoang database sa DQR and once ma complete nato ang uploading sa vaxcert (vaccination certificate) then we will implement the vaccination record requirements,” the mayor said.

Mayor Sara has put on hold the implementation of alert level 3 provision which only allows fully vaccinated individuals in an establishment.

“We will put that on hold.

Why, kay ang atoang vaccine

card dali ra siya kaayo mapeke. If we implement that karon, mapugos napud ang mga tao og pameke sa ilang vaccine card. Murag it is the policy of the government that will push people do illegal things,” she said.

Mayor Sara said this is to avoid going after those counterfeiting vaccination cards.

“So, instead na mahapsay ang atoang mga restaurants, mahitabo ani maggukdanay napud ta og peke vaccination card just like how we do it with gukdanay sa sa peke na RT-PCR result.

Giingnan nako sila that we

may masaktan. And never will I want the Cotabateños to have an empty stomach,” Mendoza said.

From March 29 to April 1, 2016, farmers whose lands were ravaged by drought due to El Niño staged a protest rally in front of the United Methodist Church in Kidapawan City for three days. 13,446 farmers from North Cotabato, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur, and

Compostela Valley demanded 15,000 bags of rice and subsidies for seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides from the provincial government.

“Now, history has judged us. No matter how unfortunate that day went, damo ako natun-an nga nagpakusog samot sa atong direksiyon na makabuhat ug programa ug mga proyekto na makatabang sa atong mga farmers,” she said.

Mendoza learned a lot

from the crisis that intensified her vision of providing programs and projects that would help the farmers.

“Being a leader brings you to the most crucial decisions. Tough situations bring you to the test. It will squeeze you to the inside and leave you dry on the outside. Do you have a choice? Maybe. But if you are in the situation, you will go back to your core. Magsu-

FRESTOS, P10

Rice protest magnifies Taliño-Mendoza’s commitment to help farmers of NorCot

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ice Governor Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza considered the Kidapawan rice protest in 2016 as one of the most challenging crisis that she handled.

“The Kidapawan rice protest was one of the toughest times during my administration. Kinanglan mo balansehun ang mulo sa katawhan kag mga actions na dapat buhaton sa gobyerno. Hindi ko intensiyon na

FRICE, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 193 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

A pump attendant refills a truck with diesel at a gasoline station in Lanang, Davao City. A transport group said the trucking industry is barely surviving due the series of increases in petroleum prices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

Gov’t urged to release fuel subsidies directly to drivers A

transport group urged government to release fuel subsidy directly to public utility drivers to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel.

The P1 billion cash grant will benefit some 178,000 PUV drivers for the remaining months of the year, the Development Budget Coordination Committee has said.

“Malaking bagay po ito... Ang rekomendasyon namin ay direkta na dapat sa driver, ‘wag nang ibigay sa operator,” said Liga ng Transporta-

syon at Operators sa Pilipinas (LTOP) president Orlando Marquez.

(This is big. Our recommendation is this should be given directly to drivers, not the operators.)

“Kapag ibigay na naman sa card ng operator eh baka hindi na naman iyong jeep ang malalagyan ng krudo,

baka iyong Pajero na naman noong may-ari ng mga jeep,” he said in a televised public briefing.

(If that is given again through the card of the operator, the fuel might not go to jeepneys, but instead, the Pajero of owners.)

LTOP seeks another meeting with lawmakers to iron out the subsidy distribution, Marquez said.

Prices of petroleum products have spiked for the last 8 weeks, with

another hike set for the last week of October, prompting lawmakers as well as transport groups to seek the suspension of excise taxes on fuel.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said suspending the excise tax could lower fuel prices by P8 to P10.

However, suspending the measure will result in “substantial revenue loss” of as much as P131.4 billion in 2022, the Finance Department has said.

PH, SoKor conclude trade deal talks

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op trade officials of the Philippines and South Korea formally concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) to boost trade and investment ties between the two countries.

With the conclusion of trade talks, the Philippines-Korea FTA is the country’s second bilateral trade agreement, next to the FTA with Japan.

“We are glad that our trade negotiations with South Korea have come to fruition. We also thank Minister Yeo (HanKoo) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) for their continued collaboration

in facilitating wider economic cooperation with our Philippine trade department,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said during the signing ceremony Tuesday.

Lopez said the final discussions focused on better market access for Philippine bananas and processed pineapples in South Korea.

He added that through the FTA, banana exports to South Korea will be duty-free in five years and zero duty in seven years for canned pineapples.

Lopez welcomed this development as these agricultural products were

not initially included in the list of goods with tariff reduction, and the period of implementation was down to five and seven years from 15 years.

The DTI chief said the bilateral FTA with Seoul will complement trade deals with the East Asian country under the Asean-Korea FTA and the recently concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Manila and Seoul spent two years on the bilateral trade negotiations.

Lopez added that the country’s FTA with South Korea will also help in the economic recovery.

“This will stimulate trade and hopefully allow for more investments from Korea providing avenues for Korean companies and industries to diversify and expand their economic interests in other Asean countries, which is in line with the promotion of Korea’s New Southern Policy,” he added.

Lopez said both parties target to sign the FTA before February 2022.

Even after the conclusion of the FTA, both countries will further discuss deals on trade in services and investments “a year after the entry into force of the FTA”. (PNA)

Boracay to accept fully vaxxed tourists without COVID-19 test soon, says DOT

T

ourists who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer need to present a negative swab test result upon entry to Boracay Island in a month’s time, the Department of Tourism said on Wednesday.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said that Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores made the announcement on Friday.

“According to him, in a month’s time or maybe in three weeks’ time, he will

already be accepting fully vaccinated in lieu of negative RT-PCR,” she said.

Puyat noted that fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed to visit the island by Christmas without presenting a negative COVID-29 test result.

She said Miraflores is just waiting for the island to reach 100% vaccination of its tourism workers and residents.

Around 91% of tourism workers of the island have

FBORACAY, P10

Antitrust body supports faster permits for telco infrastructures

T

he Philippine Competition Commission on Wednesday said it supports the government’s effort to streamline the permitting process for telco infrastructure.

Several agencies on Tuesday released a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) which aims to expedite the issuance of permits for the erection of poles, construction of underground fiber ducts, and installation of aerial and underground cables, the PCC said in a statement.

The memo directs local governments to require only

one excavation permit for a series of projects within their area and to set-up a one-stop-shop for processing applications, it added.

Redundant requirements have also been removed under the measure while LGUs were required to limit processing time to 7 working days.

“Cutting red-tape and sharing of essential infrastructure lower the barriers to entry and unlock market efficiencies. The pro-competition features of the JMC will provide relief to millions of subscribers through im-

FANTITRUST, P10

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ECONOMY

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Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar extends his sincere appreciation to the South Korean government for granting duty-free market access to several Philippine farm products. Edge Davao

PH farmers to gain largely from FTA with SoKor: Dar

Insurance industry’s premium income up 37.5% in Q2 —IC

T

he country’s insurance industry saw a double-digit growth in its premium income in the second quarter of 2021, the Insurance Commission (IC) reported.

In a statement, Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said the industry’s total premium booked during the April to June period stood at P187.13 billion, up 37.50% from P136.10 billion yearon-year.

In particular, the life insurance sector saw a total premium income of P155.17 billion, up 43.70% from P107.98 billion in the same period in 2020.

Of the total premiums booked, the IC said 78.12% or P121.21 billion was contributed by variable life insurance premiums or life insurance with investment, while the remaining 21.88% or P33.95 billion came from traditional life insurance premiums.

“The remarkable increase can be attributed to the good performance of variable life insurance single premiums that posted a 159.82% increase year-

on-year, from P21.54 billion in second quarter 2020 to P55.97 billion in second quarter 2021,” said Funa.

On the other hand, the non-life insurance sector’s net premiums written (NPW) grew by 12.55% to P25.51 billion from P22.66 billion a year earlier.

“This increase is explained by increases in almost all lines of non-life insurance business, except for accident, which decreased by 1 percent, and Aviation, which contracted by a staggering 140.30 percent,” Funa said.

“The huge decline in NPW for Aviation is mainly due to the negative NPW of one company, i.e., the company’s cessions/retrocessions were greater than direct and assumed business,” he added.

The mutual benefit associations’ (MBA) premium income rose by 18.41% to P6.46 billion from P5.45 billion.

“The growth of the life and non-life insurers’ and MBAs’ aggregate premiums and contributions earned

FINSURANCE, P10

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canned pineapples, okra, papaya, glass eels, refined coconut oil, cashew nuts, fruit juices, among others.

“The recently concluded Free Trade Agreement with South Korea augurs well for Filipino farmers, particularly those planting banana, because this will give them duty-free mar-

ket access over a five-year period from the current 30 percent tariff that will be gradually reduced by six percentage points every year, starting in 2022, down to zero on the fifth year or 2026,” Dar said.

The agreement cites that the Philippine agriculture products mentioned are in addition to several others that are already being exported to South Korea at zero-duty, under the Asean-Korea FTA, such as avocado, coconut and coconut products (desiccated

coconut and crude oil), and carrageenan.

The DA puts premium on nurturing bonds with other countries to help improve the state of agriculture in the Philippines.

Dar said the trade opening to the South Korean market for Philippine agriculture exports is a clear demonstration of the strong economic partnership between the two countries.

“We will continue to nurture this partnership,

This allows Lazada shoppers to checkout their carts using digital credit at no extra cost or hidden processing fees, it said.

Lazada customers are entitled for a micro loan of up to P2,500, it added.

“We have seen encouraging traction for Lazada Loan since we introduced it last year. We want to be able to continue growing that momentum and empower more Filipinos to buy online by offering

them a zero-interest, zero-processing fee option,” Cashalo General Manager Chino Flor said.

To apply for a Lazada Loan, users have to register online through Cashalo’s microsite, download the Cashalo app, fill out a Lazada Loan application and wait for approval.

“Through our expanded partnership with Lazada, we believe that more and more Filipinos will have greater ability to provide the joy of Christmas to

their loved ones. This new payment option is best for those who would like to do their Christmas shopping online or those who simply need products that are readily available on Lazada,” Flor said.

Flor said that Cashalo also hopes to entice Lazada Loan users to avail of other Cashalo products such as the zero-interest installment in select Cashalo partner stores, and cash loans for urgent needs.

epartment of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar has expressed gratitude to the South Korean government for the newly-forged free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines.

“We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the South Korean government for granting duty-free market access to several Philippine farm products,” Dar shared a statement to reporters on Tuesday evening.

The free trade agreement includes banana,

FPH, P10

Cashalo expands partnership with Lazada to offer zero-interest loan

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inancial technology platform Cashalo on Tuesday announced it has expanded its strategic partnership with e-commerce giant Lazada to offer zero-interest loans to Lazada customers.

In a statement, Cashalo said with the expanded tie-up with Lazada, both companies aim to provide online and easy payment options that provide access to loans for purchases that have zero interest and zero processing fee.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 193 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

On columnist Ramon Tulfo’s column hinting on some political scenarios involving her:

Mr. Tulfo’s article should be found not in any of the main pages of The Philippine Star – unless The Philippine Star is a rumormonger publication or a tabloid that serves people like Mr. Tulfo. This brings me to inevitably question the vetting process that your newspaper observes and follows before publishing articles.

Lastly, as the object of Mr. Tulfo’s journalistic irresponsibility, courtesy of The Philippine Star, I deserve an apology – however, I am not expecting,”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Let’s not abuse these freedoms Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio through an executive order has modified guidelines of the city’s liquor ban and has lifted the curfew in Davao City.

Executive Order (EO) No. 59 Series of 2021 stated the ban in selling liquor shall be from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. every day. Thus, no person or entity shall sell liquor or any alcoholic beverages within this period.

Also, the order does not allow the serving of liquor in bars, restaurants, sari-sari stores, palengke (wet market), videoke, and other business establishments; and drinking of liquor in all public places including but not limited to streets, alleys, pathways, and outside of gates.

Meanwhile, the mayor also lifted the curfew in Davao City.

These changes will simply restore the business of

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On the other hand, the lifting of curfew will allow the movement of people and goods round the clock, another economic advantage to be enjoyed by Dabawenyos most especially those having jobs and those engaged in trade and commerce.

The one thing that the people need to avoid is abuse the execdutive order by violating the required health protocols that would result in a spike of COVID-19 cases.

Now, therefore, let’s wash our hands with water and soap regularly. Wear face mask. Observe physical distancing and stay at home.

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

buying and selling of alcohol which bodes well for the city’s economy with a doable limitation, chiefly the consumption of intoxicating liquor in public places and eateries.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 193 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHAT YOU CAN DO VS. CLIMATE CHANGE If there’s one issue that catches the attention of everyone, it’s climate change. After all, no one is spared from its consequences: sea level rise, famine, scorching heat of the sun, water crisis, more super typhoons and massive floods, and unwanted diseases.

With more than 7,000 islands, the Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. In fact, sea level rise in the country is expected to be three times that of the global average if the situation is unabated, according to the Climate Change Commission of the Philippines.

In addition, sudden shifts from hot temperatures to incessant rains pose uncertainties to agriculture. Extreme rainfall and heat, heavy floods, and constant changes in weather pose great threats to lives, health, livelihood and development.

Climate change knows no boundaries. It affects everyone.

It will make the poor poorer, create more climate refugees, and greatly affect the vulnerable – children, women, elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous peoples.

“Think globally, act locally,” so goes a slogan. The world is doing something to stop the consequences of climate change. While the international community is trying to cut carbon dioxide emissions, there are some things that an individual can do.

In the journal Environmental Research Letters, there are four actions that can make a difference. Let’s take a closer look at each: Living without a car: A typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, according to the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA). This is assuming that the average gasoline vehicle on the road has a fuel economy of about 21.6 miles per gallon and drives around 11,4000 miles per year.

“Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of carbon dioxide,” EPA claims.

In addition to carbon dioxide, automobiles also emit other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide from the tailpipe and hydrofluorocarbon emissions from leaking air conditioners.

“The emissions of these gases are small in comparison to carbon dioxide; however, the impact of these emissions can be important because they have a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide,” EPA says.

Avoiding air travel: “We hear much about the environmental costs of air travel,” wrote Duncan Clark in a feature which was published by The Guardian. “The problem is not just that planes burn a lot of fuel and therefore kick out plenty of carbon dioxide

per passenger. Just as important are a host of other high-altitude impacts, including vapor trails and ozone production, that are usually estimated to cause as much warming as the carbon dioxide itself.”

Compared to other modes of transport – like driving a car or taking the train – traveling by air has a greater climate impact per passenger kilometer, even over longer distances. “It’s also the mode of freight transport that produces the most emissions,” states the David Suzuki Foundation in its website.

It’s not only carbon dioxide that planes emit. “When jet fuel is burned, the carbon in the fuel is released and bonds with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide,” the foundation explains. “Burning jet fuel also releases water vapor, nitrous oxides, sulphate and soot.”

Avoiding eating meat: The Guardian‘s Fiona Harvey wrote that intensive livestock-rearing is a major cause of greenhouse gases, “in part because of the methane produced by the animals and the massive slurry pits that accompany large farms.” Not only that, livestock raising also diverts water and grains to grow animals, “which is less efficient than directing the grains towards direct human consumption.”

A study done by scientists at the Oxford Martin School

found out that by shifting to eating vegetables, or just by simply cutting down meat consumption “within accepted health guidelines,” would make a large dent in greenhouse gases.

Another study, published in Nature Communications, analyzed about 500 food consumption and production without cutting down more forests. “The biggest contributing factor to food-related deforestation is eating meat,” the study says.

Have less children: “More people mean more demand for oil, gas, coal and other fuels mined or drilled from below the Earth’s surface that, when burned, spew enough carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to trap warm air inside like a greenhouse,” the Scientific American says.

“Having fewer children means that the next generation would require (and demand) fewer resources,” Andrews wrote.

“The planet is already struggling to meet our needs and desires as it is.”

He added that having just one less child “saves a remarkable 59 tons of carbon dioxide.

This is 295 times more effective than regularly recycling, or 590 times more effective than using energy-efficient lightbulbs.”

Two years ago, Pope Francis made news when he commented that climate change is real and that it was mostly man-made. He

did also urge couples not to breed “like rabbits” but rather plan their families responsibly.

In an editorial, the Los Angeles Times noted: “By 2050, world population is expected to increase from its current level of about 7 billion to somewhere between 8 and 11 billion. According to a 2010 analysis published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, keeping the growth to the lower number instead of even the mid-range 9.6 billion could play a significant role in keeping emissions low enough to avoid dangerous levels of climate change by 2050.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Worldwatch Institute said it right: “If we cannot stabilize population, there is not an ecosystem on Earth that we can save.”

Currently, the population of the Philippines is 103.8 million, based on the latest United Nations estimates. The country ranks number 13 in the list of countries by population, and home to 1.38% of the total world population.

The authors of the four actions of climate change mitigation said what they suggested are feasible. “We recognize these are deeply personal choices,” wrote co-author Kimberly Nicholas, a senior lecturer in sustainability at Lund University. “But we can’t ignore the climate change affect our lifestyle actually has.”

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

MIGRANT FISHERMEN AND DEBT BONDAGE Delicious seafood in a menu might have a dark side: labor issues involving migrant fishermen that have long troubled the global fishing industry.

In the piece “Worked to Death”, journalists from Environmental Reporting Collective worked together to expose illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing – known in the industry as “IUU fishing”.

IUU fishing is a broad term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity that has caused alarming destruction to marine environments, as well as horrific human rights abuses by the companies involved.

It includes all fishing that breaks fisheries laws and regulations or occurs outside their reach. Illegal fishing usually refers to fishing without a license, fishing in a closed area, fishing with prohibited gear, fishing over a quota, or the fishing of prohibited species. There are also entities which are not reporting or underreporting their catch—even if the vessel is licensed to catch that species.

Out on the high seas, the

journalists documented a dark undercurrent of illegal and destructive activity that has been running for decades.

The piece narrated stories of Southeast Asian migrant fishermen, including Filipinos, recruited to work on board foreign fishing vessels with promises of decent, well-paid jobs.

But once they begin working, the promised conditions of work do not materialize, and they find themselves trapped in abusive conditions.

Work may be performed under conditions that are degrading (humiliating or dirty) or hazardous (difficult or dangerous without adequate protective gear), and in severe breach of labour laws.

Many are obliged to work excessive hours or days beyond the limits prescribed by national law or contracts. Breaks and days off are denied by being on call 24/7.

They are usually physically assaulted if they refuse to obey orders: they were hit, kicked, slapped across the face, and beaten with objects like ropes and metal rods.

They were fed rotten food and given dirty drinking water.

Over time, some of them developed unknown illnesses.

Despite the inhumane conditions, the report noted that many migrant fishers were unable or afraid to leave their ships due to threat of debt, among other reasons.

The contract usually indicate that if they failed to complete their two-year work terms, they would forfeit much of their salary while still owing their recruiters fees they had agreed to pay out of future earnings.

Greenpeace said in the paper “Seabound: The Journey To Modern Slavery On The High Seas” that such a scenario, where fishing vessel captains rule with impunity, makes modern slavery at sea possible.

Under the so-called debt bondage, the migrant fishers are often working in an attempt to pay off an incurred or sometimes even inherited debt. The debt can arise from wage advances or loans to cover recruitment or transport costs or from daily living or emergency expenses, such

as medical costs.

Brokers charge exorbitant fees, with interest, often taking payment directly from the migrant fisher’s wages and creating the conditions for debt bondage.

Greenpeace also criticized the retention by the employer of identity documents or other valuable personal possessions, and the inability of the migrant fishermen to access these items on demand.

Wages are also systematically and deliberately withheld as a means to compel the migrant fisher to remain, and deny him the opportunity to change employer.

In October 2019, I was in Taiwan where I was able to meet some of the Filipino survivors of the collapse of a bridge in Nanfang’ao Port that crushed their boats. Three Filipino fishermen were killed from the incident which also left 18 migrant fishermen, including 14 Filipinos, homeless.

My personal interaction with Filipino fishermen in Taiwan is an affirmation of the 2018 US State Department’s Country

Report on Human Rights Practices that flagged countries like Taiwan for the practices of recruitment and brokerage agencies, which facilitate the hiring of fishermen and other migrant workers, as leaving workers “vulnerable to debt bondage.”

This occurs when recruitment agency hires a foreign fishing worker and withholds his passport or deducts heavy service fees from his pay.

The Report also noted mistreatment and poor working conditions for foreign fishermen remained common.

Foreign fishermen recruited offshore were not entitled to the same labor rights, wages, insurance, and pensions as those recruited locally.

Do you wonder if some of the sea products you purchased are the result of an injustice called debt bondage?

(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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COMPETITIVE EDGE

‘TULOY TAYO, CO-OPS!’ A

Continuing the mission towards financial inclusivity through Globe Business

ccording to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), there are over 18,000 cooperatives around the country whom 11.6 million Filipinos depend on for financial support, especially during critical times. As the majority of them continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic, Globe Business aims to help them get back on track immediately and prepare for the future through the power of digital solutions.

One cooperative that continues to trust Globe Business in its digital adoption is Pantukan Chess Club Multipurpose Cooperative (PCCMPC). It is one of the largest cooperatives in the southern part of Davao Region that supports over 7,000 microenterprises, giving them easy and stable access to credit to sustain their livelihood, and other financial services, such as insurance and savings, to help members achieve financial freedom and flexibility.

From a sports club, founded by Dr. Agapito B. Hornido, that regularly gathered to play their cherished board game three decades ago, PCCMPC has blossomed into a 50,000-strong cooperative, serving as a financial lifeline to many local communities in Davao De Oro, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte.

However, it was like any other organization that grappled with the massive disruption brought about by the pandemic. But with the help of Globe Business, it quickly gathered its bearings and adapted to the demands of the times, showing fellow cooperatives that with the right digital tools and solutions, they

can overcome hurdles and thrive in the current situation.

Globe Business Solutions to Fuel Your Cooperative’s Road to Recovery and Success During the lengthy lockdowns and restricted mobility at the start of the pandemic, PCCMPC managers struggled to find ways to connect with their members and continue with their operations. But Globe Business was quick to empower them with digital solutions to immediately address their challenges, which included the following: 1. Ease of Communication to Members To easily communicate with its members and other branches in the province, PCCMPC used Globe Business’ internet connectivity and AMBER Text Blast solution.

“With AMBER, we can send messages to thousands of members easily at the same time, informing them of important announcements and notifications about our upcoming activities, loan payment reminders, and recruitment efforts to keep everyone engaged at all times,” said Ms. Feraldine Baño Revisa, General Manager of Pantu-

kan Chess Club Multipurpose Cooperative.

AMBER is Globe Business’ automated text blasting. platform that allows businesses and organizations to communicate quickly, conveniently, and easily with their employees and customers from all networks via SMS. 2. Continuous Operations Despite Limited Physical Interactions Meanwhile, to ensure business continuity, Globe Business enabled PCCMPC with Google Workspace’s suite of applications, giving them access to professional email, collaboration tools, and Google Meet for virtual meetings, reducing business interruptions and improving productivity in the workplace.

“Through Google Workspace, we can now communicate with our branches faster, easily collect and consolidate reports, and even hold our meetings virtually so that our staff from other branches in different municipalities do not need to travel 4-6 hours for our meetings,” said Ms. Revisa.

Driving Digital Transformation Among Cooperatives For More Inclusive Financial Services According to the Philippine Country Study on “What Difference Do Cooperatives Make?” by the International Cooperative Research Group of the U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, cooperatives in the Philippines make a significant economic difference in the lives of the large majority of its members and also contribute significantly to their

overall well-being.

“Our goal at PCCMPC is to uplift the lives of our members and reach those from the grassroots that do not have access to banks and other financial services.

We are happy that our partnership with Globe Business enables us to continue our commitment to them through the digital solutions they offer,” said Revisa By supporting local cooperatives and forging partnerships with financial institutions, Globe Business seeks to bring financial inclusion to more Filipinos who continue to be unbanked. It also recognizes the vital role that cooperatives play in the Philippine economy, particularly in job creation, poverty reduction and social integration.

“We continue to bring innovation within reach of the finance service sector to help them reinvent the way they operate in a digital economy and provide

PCSO ASSISTS NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION IN MEDICAL MISSION

M

andaluyong City. On 13 October, 2021, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under its Medicine Donation Program gave away P50,000.00 worth of medicines to the National Police Commission, Anti-Kidnapping Group, Information, Education and Family Liaison Division (IEFLD).

The donation will be an integral part of the unit’s medical mission to families in the Municipality of Besac, Mountain Province in the Cordillera Region.

The request for medicines came from the Chief of the IEFLD, Pol. Lt.Col. Renato B. Ocampo in be-

half of Acting Director, PCOL. Rudolph B. Dimas.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is also involved in humanitarian activities especially during this time with the threat of Covid-19 enveloping every corner of the country.

The PCSO Medicine Donation Program (MDP) is the provision of basic medicines and supplies to augment the resources of eligible government and non-government, non-profit organizations and health facilities to enable them to reach out and deliver effective health care services. (By: Frederick Imson)

Photo shows: Facilitating the donation of medicines to the National Police Commission are Ms. Sonia De Leon, Pharmacist IV (extreme left) and Ms. Joan Alonzo, Nurse II (right) of the PCSO Medical Services Department. The donation was received by PMajor Cesar Nunez (2nd from left) and GAD, PNCO Angelica A. Alo( 2nd from right).

infinite opportunities for growth and success to the communities they serve,” said Bradley Pineda, Globe Business Segment Head for the Finance Industry.

PCCMPC was sealed as a FOCCUS-branded cooperative in 1997, which means they are a Finance Organization achieving Certified Credit Union Standards.

Being part of that group certifies the cooperative

for achieving and maintaining the International Prudential Standards for safe, sound, and sustainable cooperative business organizations.

For more information on digital solutions that can help your cooperative adapt to the new normal, and become more resilient, check out Globe Business digital solutions at https:// glbe.co/CoopMonth2021

BDO Unibank earnings back to pre-pandemic levels

B

DO Unibank, Inc. (BDO) delivered a net income of P32.4 billion in 9M 2021 compared to P16.6 billion a year-ago, on the Bank’s resilient business franchise and normalized provisions.

Key Highlights of the Bank’s performance are as follows: • Earnings normalize to pre-pandemic levels, shows stable quarter on quarter business performance with loan growth turning positive, • Asset quality remains stable with NPL ratio at 3.1% and NPL coverage at 101%, • Digital investments continue with a series of new product launches, • Outlook turns positive with increasing vaccination rates and improving mobility.

Gross customer loans outpaced the industry with a 5% year-on-year (YoY) increase while total deposits went up by 6% YoY, driven by the 14% YoY expansion in Current Account/Savings Account (CASA) deposits that now comprise 85% of total deposits. Non-interest income increased by 13% YoY while trading and forex gains normalized

to P2.8 billion.

The Bank sustained investments in its IT/ digital infrastructure and expanded its digital capabilities to further elevate customer experience and raise productivity. The Bank launched early this year its mobile wallet BDO Pay. In addition, BDO clients can now enjoy paperless in-branch transactions, card-less ATM transactions using biometrics and QR codes, and fully digital account opening.

Total capital base strengthened to P422.3 billion, with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 13.8%, well above regulatory minimum.

The Bank’s Book Value per common share went up to P94.76 as of end-September 2021 vs. P84.82 in the same period last year, for a 12% growth. Return on Average Common Equity (ROE) for the 9M2021 was higher at 10.72% from 5.97% in the same period last year.

More significantly, the Bank has now vaccinated 95% of its employees against COVID19, thus raising the level of safety for clients and Bank personnel.

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ENVIRONMENT

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BATS SHOULD NOT TO BE FEARED, INSTEAD THEY MUST BE PROTECTED Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

B

ats are among the most feared creatures on this planet. They are carriers of rabies, one of the deadliest diseases known to man. In the United States, bats are responsible for 7 out of 10 rabies deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As creatures of the nights, bats had long been associated with witchcraft and demons, both in fable and art. But it wasn’t until Bram Stoker wrote his classic novel, Dracula, in 1897 that bats were linked with vampires for the first time.

While it is true that bats are carriers of rabies virus, there are other animals that can transmit the disease too. In fact, in up to 99% of cases, domestic dogs are responsible for rabies virus transmission to humans, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is also true that vampire bats suck blood (they actually lap it up rather than suck), there are only three species that partake in the consumption of blood. In fact, there are over a thousand other species that consume insects and fruits. And no, bats cannot transform themselves into human vampires. It happens only in the movies and in fiction.

“Throughout Latin America, vampire bats are believed to cause numerous outbreaks of bovine rabies each year, resulting in high economic losses for ranchers,” write Jacqueline

Bellwood and Patricia Morton, science director and director of education, respectively, of Bat Conservation International.

“Negative public perceptions of bats are pervasive as a consequence of the public’s lack of understanding about their economic and ecological roles,” said Krizler C. Tanalgo and Alice Catherine Hughes who conducted a study on the potential of bat-watching tourism in raising public awareness towards bat conservation in the Philippines.

The Philippines is home to over 78 species of bats, majority of which are found nowhere else in the world.

These include 25 fruit-eating bats and 53 species of insectivorous bats. Fruit bats primarily live in the forests while insect bats can be found in caves.

The world’s largest bats – the giant golden-crowned flying fox fruit bat (Acerodon jubatus) and the world’s smallest bats – the Philippine bamboo bat (Tylonycteris pachypus) – can be found in the Philippines.

The stripe faced fruit bat (Styloctenium mindoren-

sis) is the world’s most recent fruit bat species discovered in Mindoro Island in 2007 Benefits There are several reasons why bats need to be protected rather than feared and killed. The Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), a line agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), cites the following uses of bats: Pest control: An insectivorous bat can eat insects equivalent to half of their body weight in one night, including pests that cause damage to agricultural crops and mosquitoes. Bats are an ally against dengue fever and malaria.

Fruit pollination: Fruit bats feed on fruits, pollen and nectar. In doing so, they help in pollinating plants. In Davao Region, bats are key pollinators of the durian and banana hence they are important to the local economy.

Forest regeneration: Fruit bats are touted as “silent planters.” They disperse seeds of forest plants, thereby helping in the natural regeneration of forest for free. Large amount of money is saved from this free service of bats.

Recreation and tourism: The exit of millions of bats from caves at dusk and the large colonies of flying foxes (large bats) hanging at roosting trees are a sight to

behold and serve as attraction for ecotourism areas.

In addition, bat-watching could be a tool to counter the negative public perception about the only flying mammals.

Zoonotic diseases The emergence of zoonotic diseases has steadily increased in recent years.

Studies show that 75% of these zoonotic diseases can be attributed to pathogens with origins in wildlife reservoirs.

In particular, bats are recognized as important reservoirs for zoonotic viruses, including paramyxoviruses (example: Henipaviruses), filoviruses (Ebola

and Marburg viruses), and coronavirus (COVID-19, SARS, and MERS-CoVs) that affect both human beings, livestock, and other wildlife species.

The BMB urges Filipinos to protect bats to prevent the transmission of zoonotic diseases. One way is not to catch or eat bats.

“They are not game nor food animals,” the bureau reminds.

Another recommendation: “Refrain from disturbing bats and their cave and forest habitats to keep them away from human settlements and avoid possible interaction with people and livestock.”

Right now, some Filipino scientists are studying bats in order to prevent another pandemic from happening. “What we’re trying to look into are other strains of coronavirus that have the potential to jump to humans,” explained ecologist Phillip Alviola, the leader of the group, who has studied bat viruses for more than a decade.

“If we know the virus itself and we know where it came from, we know how to isolate that virus geographically,” Alviola was quoted as saying by Rappler.

Republic Act 9147 Like other endangered

FBATS, P10

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wrote that under Plan C, according to his Cebu spies, Digong (President Rodrigo Duterte) would run for the Senate, with an eye for acquiring the position of Senate president.

Plan C, which will be presented to Bongbong Marcos anytime now, requires the following from Bongbong himself: he would have to retain all key Cabinet members, such as Francisco Duque for health, Cusi for energy, Carlos “Sonny” Dominguez for finance, and Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea as executive secretary.

“From where I sit, it seems that the current administration has figured out everything, including a Marcos-Go win and a victory for Digong in the Senate race,” Tulfo wrote.

Mayor Sara stated that of the more than 20 Plan C paragraphs, seven were devoted to pure “chismis” about her, President Duterte, and Go. Mayor Sara enumerated the following details in Tulfo’s column as baseless and mere hearsays: Chismis: My little birdies in Cebu said that Sara might just run as Bongbong’s party-mate to upset Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, who’s running for the vice presidency.

Chismis: She also wants to unsettle her father, President Digong.

Chismis: Several times during the party, Sara expressed abhorrence over Go’s close bonding with her father, according to one of my little birdies (By little birdy I mean sources, not the other meaning. – RTT).

Chismis: Sara implied that

even after getting elected senator, Bong Go continues to be “servile” – that’s not my choice of wording, but my little birdies – to Digong.

Chismis: There’s nothing wrong with Bong being a servant to her father, Sara implied; it’s just that she and her siblings can’t go directly to the President without passing through him.

Chismis: As we all know, there’s bad blood between daughter and father.

Chismis: Sara hasn’t gotten over her parents’ separation; she sides with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman, a Filipino-German who’s a former Philippine Airlines flight attendant.

The mayor said the rest of the article was either unimportant, given, or another load of hogwash and untruths that we’ve all heard before.

Mayor Sara also stated that Plan C was stitched by someone that no self-respecting individual – much more a member of the media – should find inspiration from.

“Mr. Tulfo’s article should be found not in any of the main pages of The Philippine Star – unless The Philippine Star is a rumormonger publication or a tabloid that serves people like Mr. Tulfo. This brings me to inevitably question the vetting process that your newspaper observes and follows before publishing articles. Lastly, as the object of Mr. Tulfo’s journalistic irresponsibility, courtesy of The Philippine Star, I deserve an apology – however, I am not expecting,” the mayor stated.

supposedly mao na ang gamiton nato to verify the vaccination record of a person dili nato gamiton ang vaccination card,” she said.

The mayor said the vaccination card is only a reminder for the second dose and puts details of what vaccine was administered and cannot be used to verify vaccination status.

“And dinhi naman sa atoang DQR, although, naa na dinha ang atoang vaccination records nabutang na, kumbaga upload na nila dinha, dunay mga round 200,000 na discrepancy sa data sa vaccine cluster and DQR report sa mga tao. This is not also the fault of the people na dunay discrepancy sa record,” she said. By Maya M. Padillo

been fully vaccinated, and 62% of residents.

Currently, only fully vaccinated tourists from Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo and Guimaras are allowed to visit Boracay without a negative swab test result.

They only need to present a certification from VaxCertPH. To reopen the tourism industry fully in the country, Puyat said the DOT targets to have 100% of tourism workers vaccinated before Christmas.

The department is also

coordinating with other Asian countries to convince foreigners to tour the Philippines amid the pandemic.

According to Puyat, some of the countries require up to 21 days of quarantine upon arrival from the Philippines, which may affect the interest of foreigners to visit the country.

Also, the DOT is seeking to offer COVID-19 tests to tourists for free. Currently, the department’s partnership with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center provides a discounted RT-PCR test at P750.

as we recognize that South Korea has been and will be a reliable partner in our aim to develop and modernize our agriculture and fishery sector, and boost the Philippine economy, amid the global pandemic,” he said.

Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency cited in an earlier report that South Korea was expanding FTAs with emerging countries in Southeast Asia like the Philippines, Cambodia,

and Indonesia, as well as Latin American nations to reduce its reliance on major economies in terms of trade.

Manila and Seoul agreed to pursue FTA in 2019 to improve market access for goods and services.

The two countries have trade pacts through regional deals, such as the Asean-Korea FTA and the newly concluded Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

and their aggregate net income in the second quarter 2021 are indicative of economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Funa.

“Moreover, the year-onyear increase in benefits paid

during the same quarter highlighted the responsiveness of our insurers and MBAs to the needs of the insuring public despite the challenges posed by the COVID19 pandemic,” the IC chief said.

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2 WANTED... FROM 2 Communist Terrorist Group also favored the government troops.

Brawner reiterated his call to the remaining CTG members and leaders to avail of the government’s enhanced-comprehensive local integration program

(E-CLIP).

“You must now grab the opportunity especially that the yuletide season is fast approaching. Returning to your homes is the best gift that you can give to your family and loved ones this Christmas,” Brawner said.

include China and Taiwan.

Malacañang said Duterte asked sea claimants to remain committed to the full implementation of the non-binding Declaration on the 2002 Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea, pending the crafting of a final and binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the highly-contested waters.

The DOC, inked on Nov. 4, 2002, aims to exercise self-restraint and promote non-militarization within the SCS. On the other hand, the COC in SCS intends to promote peace and stability in the busy waterway.

“Talks should not remain empty rhetoric. They should be translated into action to

fortify the trust and confidence we have cultivated through the years. Acta non verba. Deeds, not words,” Duterte said.

Noting the Philippines’ contribution to the substantive progress in the second reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text, Duterte also reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the conclusion of an “effective and substantive” sea code, the OP said.

Duterte also reiterated the Philippines’ call for “holistic” efforts to protect and preserve biodiversity and the marine environment, as he stressed that 2017 to 2027 is the “Decade of Coastal and Marine Environmental Protection in SCS.”

will put that on hold because kay dili man sala sa mga tao na we do not have an online vaccine database sa pagkakaron.

Because VaxCert, although naa na ang uban, ang uban wala pa silay record sa VaxCertPH… Sa pagka-karon supposedly mao na ang gamiton nato to verify the vaccination record of a person dili nato gamiton ang vaccination card,” she said.

The mayor said the vaccination card is only a reminder for the second dose

and puts details of what vaccine was administered and cannot be used to verify vaccination status.

“And dinhi naman sa atoang DQR, although, naa na dinha ang atoang vaccination records nabutang na, kumbaga upload na nila dinha, dunay mga round 200,000 na discrepancy sa data sa vaccine cluster and DQR report sa mga tao.

This is not also the fault of the people na dunay discrepancy sa record,” she said.

si ka ug mamalandong. Unsa ba ang tama? Para asa ba dapat pabor ang atong mga desisyon?” she said.

Mendoza said it’s her job to be prepared with strategic advice for whatever comes in her way.

“Things happen. But during that time, klaro ang akong kasing-kasing ko nga wala koy gusto masakitan while balansehon ang maayo para sa tanan. When major roads are closed, when law enforcement is triggered, when you have to think quickly of solutions, you would not think of a publicity stunt. You need to make a choice,” she said.

She shared that Iit was a sad day for the farmers, for their families but an equally sad

day for the government to have resorted to actions that day. It has been a heavy burden on the shoulders of all the police and military.

“Bisag ma-criticize ang actions, even unpopular, you will decide as a leader. And ang test sa akoa as a leader is how I will try to stand firm and re-evaluate my decisions,” she said.

Meanwhile, former Kidapawan rice protest leader Pedro Arnado, former chairman of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), who pledged support to Mendoza’s bid for the gubernatorial seat in the 2022 elections, complimented Mendoza for standing her ground at the same time compassion for the protesting farmers.

proved telecommunication services,” said PCC Chairperson Arsenio Balisacan.

“Through the JMC, the increase of market players at the network level is now complemented by the accelerated rollout of infrastructure on the ground,” he added.

Balisacan said the memo also prescribes the sharing of existing poles and other physical infrastructure and prohibits

anti-competitive acts.

Refusal to grant access should be based on objective, transparent and proportionate criteria such as the lack of technical suitability and available space, the PCC said.

The government has been pushing for the Common Tower initiative which would allow telcos to cover more areas especially those that are underserved.

3-pointer with 58.6 seconds remaining. Monk finished with 17 points and was 4-for10 on 3-pointers.

Westbrook, acquired in an offseason trade, had 15 points in the final quarter and overtime to eclipse his previous high of 15 points with the Lakers. ‘’That’s why we felt great about this move,’’ Vogel said. ‘’Last year we lost LeBron and A.D. for a long stretch, and we didn’t have enough to sustain throughout the regular season and win in the playoffs. To get a guy like Russ, if one of those guys is

down, we have another guy that can put up a monster night like we saw tonight.

Paying early dividends in acquiring Russell.’’

Davis and Westbrook combined for 14 points as the Lakers went on a 17-4 run to open the fourth and reclaim a 102-101 lead. ‘’I’m not used to people cheering for me on the road,’’ Westbrook said. ‘’That is a different experience for me.’’

Walker made three consecutive 3-pointers that sparked an 18-3 run to close the third quarter that gave the Spurs a 97-85 lead.

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fauna, it is illegal to possess, catch, kill or trade bats in the Philippines. Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001 prohibits doing all those.

Penalties for these crimes range from imprisonment of between 10 days and 12 years, and/or a fine of one thousand pesos to one million pesos, depending on the nature of the offense and whether the wildlife species is threatened.

Last October, Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity praised the efforts of the Philippine authorities in accosting suspected wildlife poachers and the seizure of wrinkle-lipped bats in a protected area in Bulacan.

Dr. Lim, who was the former BMB head, warned the public against poaching of bats. “They are known key sources of diseases that can spread to humans and lead outbreaks, and even pandemics,” she warned.

DENR reported that more than 6,000 wrinkle-lipped bats (Chaerephon plicatus) worth over P90,000 were seized during an operation in Biak-na-Bato National Park (BNBNP). The joint operation was carried out by the DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force in BNBNP. “One of the many valuable lessons we can derive from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of keeping wildlife in their natural habitats to reduce the risks of outbreaks and pandemics,” Lim said, adding that the seized bats belong to insectivorous species, which can control the population of insect crop pests.

Tourism The Island Garden City of Samal, which has a total land area of 30,130 hectares, is home to millions of bats.

The colony can be found in a 23-hectare protected area on a property owned by Norma Monfort in barangay Tambo, Babak District.

“I have never seen such an immense number of bats,” says Roy C. Alimoane, who recently visited the place. “The caves are overflowing with bats that are cramped very closely together hanging upside down, coating the large walls of the caves. Some are continuously flying, while several others are seen clinging out in the open so close to the ground.”

When it was first discovered, about 1.8 million bats reside in the five caves – to a density of 645 bats per square meter. The huge number made it to the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 as the biggest colony of Geoffrey’s Rousette Fruit Bat in the world.

“Samal has about seventy caves, which used to be inhab-

ited by these fruit bats,” says Monfort, founder and president of the Monfort Bat Cave and Conservation Foundation.

“Unfortunately, most of these caves are now empty due to irresponsible hunting and destruction of their habitats.”

Had it not been to the intense conservation efforts of Monfort, together with the support of the residents and the local city government, and in collaboration with several key organizations, the colonies might have been totally destroyed.

In January 2011, an American cave-mapping expedition stumbled upon an unusually high number of pregnant bats in the Monfort bat colony. The bat species does not usually give birth in the first month of the year, making the discovery a “big surprise” and forcing the scientists to halt their mapping project, Monfort reports.

The cause of the bat baby boom is unknown. However, Monfort suspects one factor may be that the cave is protected from humans as an ecotourism site, which allows their numbers to grow.

In 2011, Monfort was honored as the “Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Conservation Hero.” She was recognized as one of the “extraordinary individuals who are passionate about protecting animals and habitats in areas of critical concern.”

Winning the award, she said, means helping further bat conservation in the country and elsewhere. In her letter to her friends, she wrote: “That I have been given this recognition is simply signaling that more work lies ahead for me using this ‘tool’ and putting it into good use because the problem we all face together is climate change. Let’s all learn, appreciate, and respect the invaluable work of bats as major agents of reforestation. There is so much to be accomplished that I plan to leave behind for the children of the world…”

Known scientifically as Rousettus amplexicaudatus, fruits are less appreciated and sometimes misunderstood creatures. But unlike the feared vampire bats, they are also good pollinators, says Monfort, whose family has owned the property for more than a hundred years.

In fact, these bats are said to be the main reason for the abundance of durian fruits in the nearby city of Davao. Some experts believe bats are important to the general health and existence of the rainforest: more than 70 percent of the trees in the rainforest currently exist because bats pollinate, distribute seeds and eat otherwise harmful insect pests.

Fruit bats are also a good source of guano, one of Mother Nature’s most effective natural fertilizers. According to Monfort, a kilo of guano fetches a price of US$200!

and their athletes as well as distinguished members of the Olympic family.

Also receiving the award for winning their first Olympic gold medals were Bermuda (women’s triathlon) and Qatar (weightlifting). Burkina Faso, San Marino and Turkmenistan were also recognized for clinching their first ever medals at the Tokyo Olympics.

International Olympic

Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach, Greek Culture and Sports Minister Lefteris Avgenakis and representatives from the IOC, NOCs, international federations and other Olympic stakeholders attended the awards.

The ANOC also conducted its general assembly where officials from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing made a presentation.

11 points.

It was the first time since the end of the 200708 season for someone other

in Kidd, who was drafted No. 2 overall in 1994 before leaving in a trade, coming back in another deal and helping the franchise win its only championship with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way in 2011.

POC... FROM 11

LUKA... FROM 11

than Rick Carlisle on the sideline in Dallas for the Mavericks. But it was a familiar face

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Russell Westbrook had 33 points and 10 rebounds.

POC feted for Diaz’s feat

T

he Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) recently recognized the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) after Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s historic gold medal in the Tokyo Games.

The POC was hailed as the “Breakthrough NOC” during the ceremony held this weekend in Heraklion, Greece, with POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino receiving the award virtually.

“The POC is honored to receive this award from the ANOC. It’s been almost a century, or after 22 Olympics, that we finally won our first Olympic gold medal,” said Tolentino.

Diaz won the Philip-

pines its first-ever Olympic gold medal when she topped the women’s 55kg division in Tokyo. The Philippines added two silvers courtesy of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and a bronze from boxer Eumir Marcial.

“This award is not only for the POC, but for the entire country and the 15 other Filipino athletes who gallantly competed in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Tolentino.

The ANOC Awards were held for the first time in Bangkok in 2014 and have been held every year since then. The event was created in order to recognize and honor the achievements of the NOCs

FPOC, P10

Without Lebron, Russ-AD duo lead Lakers past Spurs

S

AN ANTONIO (AP) Davis had 35 points and 17 rebounds, Russell Westbrook added 33 points and 10 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied without LeBron James to beat the San Antonio Spurs 125-121 in overtime Tuesday night.

Playing before a soldout AT&T Center crowd that loudly booed the Spurs at the free-throw line in the final minute of regulation, the Lakers won their second straight to reach .500. ‘’It was like a home game,’’ said Malik Monk, who started in James’

place. ‘’I’ve never seen nothing like it before. It’s crazy. It’s a crazy feeling.

It made us more comfortable and let everybody relax like we were at home.’’

Dejounte Murray had 21 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds for his fifth career triple-double, and he missed a jumper in

D Luka Doncic had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Mavericks.

ALLAS — Luka Doncic had 26 points and 14 rebounds, Reggie Bullock had his best game with his new team by scoring 16 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets, 116-106, in coach Jason Kidd’s first home game on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Kristaps Porzingis had another rough shooting night, starting 1 of 9 before finally making his 3-pointer and leaving a short time later. The oft-in-

the closing seconds that would have won it for the Spurs. Jakob Poeltl added 27 points and 14 rebounds for San Antonio, and Lonnie Walker IV had a season-high 21 points.

James missed the Lakers’ first road game of the season with a sore right ankle, an injury that occurred in Sunday’s win over Memphis. The Lakers decided to be cautious with the early-season injury. ‘’We understand that with (James’ absence) comes the responsibility of making guys around us

better,’’ Westbrook said. ‘’And tonight, I thought A.D. did a great job of just being aggressive all night, miss and makes, finishing well around the basket. He was big for us tonight.’’

The veteran duo helped the Lakers rally from a 12-point deficit entering the fourth quarter. ‘’We never lost belief when we were down that we were going to win the game,’’ coach Frank Vogel said. ‘’Just persevered and got a huge road win.’’

Monk gave the Lakers a 114-112 lead on a

jured Porzingis didn’t return because of lower back tightness. He came into the game with a black eye.

Eric Gordon scored 22 points, and Christian Wood had 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Rockets, who lost Dallas’ home opener for the first time after winning the previous three times.

Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16 points, including the first bucket of the second half to start a 13-0 Dallas run for a 70-60 lead.

After the Porzingis 3-pointer gave the Mavericks their biggest lead to that point at 73-62, the Rockets answered with a 10-0 run before Dallas posted up Doncic to end the run.

The 22-year-old star did most of his damage inside the arc, finishing 10 of 25 despite 1-of-6 shooting from 3. He had seven assists while his backup, Jalen Brunson, led Dallas with 11 assists and scored

FWITHOUT, P10

FLUKA, P10

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PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the agency supports the ASEAN Sports Ministers’ initiative to add more Asian and Olympic events in the future editions of the Southeast Asian Games.

PSC supports ASEAN plan to add more Olympic events in SEAG

T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) supports the ASEAN Sports Ministers’ initiative to add more Asian and Olympic events in the future editions of the Southeast Asian Games which is part of the agenda of the 6th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-6) on Thursday.

“It’s a clear pathway. I see this as an efficient way to take as we prepare our national athletes for the Olympics while we are preparing them for the SEAG and the Asian Games. ” explained PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez who, along with PSC’s Executive Director Atty.

Guillermo Iroy, Jr., represents the country in the said virtual gathering of ASEAN sports ministers and senior officials.

“From the time of AMMS5 until now, the strong bond has become more evident in achieving One ASEAN through Sports. This event posits another opportunity for the Philippines to adopt innovative ideas from our neighboring countries,” added the sports agency chief.

The sports agency chief, who chaired the AMMS-5 in 2019, will be joining the

virtual meetings along with sports ministers, senior officials, and other delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore - the current host nation for the AMMS-6.

One of the anticipated projects to be taken up is the engagement of ASEAN Member states and relevant stakeholders in initiatives on sports law, women in sports, capacity-building and anti-doping.

“There are five priority areas identified and a number of noteworthy recommendations for supporting activities. I am positive that sports is moving forward as it gets better recognized as an important pillar in nation building and growing a better and stronger ASEAN,” concluded Ramirez.