Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 210 | Thursday, November 18, 2021

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

SPORTS REBOUND SPORTS P 12 edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 12 PAGES

BOOTED OUT

A hawker attaches Christmas lanterns on a bamboo stick before peddling them at the communities in Ulas, Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

Ideals of LibradoMorata, Abellera not in line with the vision of HNP-HTL: Baste STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

BOOTED OUT

President Rodrigo Duterte is wanted to be adopted by Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) for its senatorial slate in the 2022 polls. Presidential Photo

Ideals of Librado-Morata, Abellera not in line with the vision of HNP-HTL: Baste

By MAYA M. PADILLO

V

ice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte confirmed in a statement that Nilo “Small” Abellera Jr. and Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata are no longer part of the official City Council slate of Hugpong Ng Pagbabago-Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HNP-HTL) this coming 2022 local elections as the party believes that their ideals are not in line with the party’s vision.

On November 16, 2021, HTL, a local Davao Citybased political organization founded by then-mayor President Rodrigo Duterte, through Elijah Manuel Pepito, legal counsel for

HTL, issued a resolution withdrawing the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of Librado-Morata thus declaring her as an independent candidate for the upcoming

national and local elections on May 9, 2022.

The same happened to Abellera’s CONA, which was withdrawn by the HNP. The vice mayor wished them well in their future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata believed that her removal from the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) is supposedly due to her alleged links with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

he Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) wants to include President Rodrigo Duterte in the party’s senatorial slate for the May 2022 polls.

Party president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s First District said in a statement Tuesday that “it will be my honor, as Lakas-CMD president, to nomi-

nate his name for inclusion in the list of senatorial candidates to be adopted by the party”.

Romualdez said the National Executive Committee is currently formalizing the list of 12 senatorial candidates to be supported by the party in the elections.

He said Lakas-CMD is proud to be one of the major political parties that

helped elect President Duterte in 2016.

“Congressmen who are members or affiliated with Lakas-CMD form part of the supermajority coalition in the House of Representatives, which made possible the passage of vital measures included in the President’s legislative agenda,” he said.

Two days after saying he might run for vice pres-

Librado-Morata is a staunch supporter of the progressive groups in Davao City.

LIBRADO-MORATA TO WITHDRAW CANDIDACY In her statement issued on November 17, 2021, she expressed disappointment as the withdrawal was reached unilaterally, without any attempt to consult her, and neither was she allowed to defend herself against such baseless and malicious accusations.

She said her office has yet to personally receive the

ident, President Duterte on Monday opted to seek a senatorial seat instead, avoiding a collision with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Lawyer Melchor Aranas submitted Duterte’s certificate of candidacy on his behalf at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila during the last day of filing of state-

FBOOTED, P10

Lakas-CMD wants to adopt Duterte in its senatorial slate T

FLAKAS-CMD, P10

Health safety, security measures strictly enforced in Davao City

D

espite the easing of quarantine protocols under Alert Level 2, the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) will still strictly enforce the minimum anti-Covid basic health measures and the security plan for Davao City as more and more people are expected to flock to public places during the Christmas holidays.

Besides the basic health measures against the coronavirus, PSSCC Head Angel Sumagaysay informed the Davao City Information Office said that the city has prepared an integrated security plan for the Christmas holidays.

This means more security forces are deployed in convergence areas such as markets, churches, malls, transportation terminals, and tourism sites.

“May mga tasking na ang members of the Security cluster nga i-perform sa pagsulod sa December.

Gihatagan nato ug focus to secure kining atong convergence areas. Ang [simbahan] for Misa de Gallo, atong palengke, ang mga malls, ang mga terminals, as well as the tourist destinations within Davao City (We have taskings for the members of the Security Cluster this December.

We are focusing to secure convergence areas. The [churches] for Misa de Gallo, public markets, malls, terminals as well as tourist destinations within Davao City),” Sumagaysay said.

On the enforcement of the anti-Covid measures, Sumagaysay reminded that under the Alert Level 2 guidelines, the public is advised to observe social distancing, wearing of masks, and regular handwashing.

“Ato gihapon nang

ginapadayon [these protocols], with regards naman sa venue capacity naga-align ta with Alert level kung pila ra pasudlon ilabi na sa mga simbahan in coordination with the parishes within Davao City (We continue implementing these protocols and with regard sa venue capacity we are aligning it with the Alert Levels on how many are allowed especially in the parishes in Davao City),” he said, adding that the security cluster will monitor compliance with the distancing requirements.

He added that PSSSC also coordinated with the mall management and set to meet them to discuss the “Do’s and Don’t’s” under the Alert Level 2 guidelines.

Under the security protocol, Sumagaysay reminded the “no backpack policy”, “no jacket policy” in public places such as churches. Wearing of jackets can be allowed but subject to proper screening.

The security forces will always be on the lookout for illegal objects such as drugs, explosives among others.

“Wala naman tay curfew ang ato diri strict enforcement nalang sa security sa palibot, iimplement pud nato tung ubang ordinance like firecracker ban, so mao na siya ang atong ipatuman para atleast hapsay ang atong pag-celebrate sa Christmas (We do not have curfew so what we have is the strict enforcement of security and we will also implement ordinances such as firecracker ban. So these are the things we do to ensure atleast that we will have orderly celebration of Chirstmas),” Sumagaysay said. CIO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

NEWS

3

A worker puts on the finishing touches on the ceiling of the 4-storey Davao City Library and Information Center along C. Bangoy Street in Davao City, which is set to open its doors soon. Photo courtesy of Davao City Planning and Development Office

Davao City to join National Covid-19 vaccination day Davao City to distribute cash assistance to flood victims

T

he City Government of Davao will distribute cash assistance to victims of the series of flood incidents in the city.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Monday, during her weekly program over the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR), said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) - has allotted funds to the city amounting to P36 million.

“We recently receive that bag-o lang but I instructed our special team, Special Project of the City Mayor’s office dinhi sa Davao to give all of that,” the city mayor said.

The beneficiaries of this fund, Duterte said, are those affected by the flooding incidents from October 27 to November 9.

It can be recalled that thousands of Dabawenyos dwelling in low-lying areas and near the rivers were inundated when heavy rains hit the city in the past weeks.

For the first P25 million downloaded fund, the city mayor said that there were initially 8,333 slots available. They have given 3,000 slots to Buhangin A District; 1,000 slots to Buhangin B District; 2,000 slots to Talomo A District; and 2,000 slots to Talomo B District.

“Dunay 333 nga gibilin just in case nga naay mamiss out nga tao,” she added.

In a separate interview with Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Commissioner and Davao City LGU Special Projects head Norman Baloro said that with the additional P11 million, which brings the total fund to P36 million, a total of 12,000 families will receive cash assistance.

“AICS means Assistance in Crisis Situation. Ibig sabihin it is a general [program] na pwedeng makatulong sa lahat ng mga aspeto ng pangangailangan ng bawat Pilipino. Pero ang nagyari, ang ginawa ni Mayor, pin-

FCITY, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio announced that the city will be joining the National Covid-19 vaccination days slated from November 29, 2021 to December 1, 2021, which aims to vaccinate 15 million individuals over three days.

“I already asked the head of the vaccination cluster if apil ang Davao City sa National Covid-19 vaccination day and she responded yes apil ang Davao

City. On these days ang uban natong vaccination will be postponed before or after na November 29- December 1,” Mayor Sara said.

Malacañang is expected

to issue an executive order declaring Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 as National Covid-19 Vaccination Days while the Department of Health (DOH) is preparing guidelines for the said activity.

The national government has also coordinated with local government units, the medical community, religious groups, and the private sector to participate in the massive undertaking.

Meanwhile, based on

the report of the Davao City Vaccination Cluster, as of November 11, 2021, there are a total of 62,165 health care workers (Priority A1) vaccinated with the first dose and 57,410 with the second dose.

For the senior citizens (Priority A2), a total of 98,790 were vaccinated with the first dose and 91,900 with the second dose.

For 17 years, Dr. Bo used the bird show as his medium in promoting awareness in environment protection and climate change mitigation.

He employed different bird species in his interactive bird show to promote awareness on environment protection, more particularly on wildlife conservation.

Regarded as among the pioneers of wildlife veterinary in Mindanao, Puentespina had contributed in the conservation effort in saving the criti-

cally endangered Philippine Eagle since the early 1990s.

Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation, acknowledged Puentespina’s contribution in saving the Philippine Eagle, especially in providing medical services.

Salvador added that Puentespina had helped nurse injured eagles back to health that allowed them to be released back to the wild.

Fellow veterinarian Bayani Vandenbroeck

said that the industry is saddened by the passing of Puentespina as they recognize his efforts at wildlife conservation.

Vandenbroeck admitted that Puentespina was one of his mentors during the early days of his career, not just on companion animal practice but also as wildlife veterinarian.

He added that there are many other veterinarians whom Puentespina had inspired to save wildlife and fight for the environment. (MindaNews)

FDAVAO, P10

‘Dr. Bo’ of Malagos Bird Show fame dies

R

enowned veterinarian Dr. Roberto Puentespina Jr. passed away on November 15 due to an illness, his wife Olive confirmed.

Olive, an artisan cheesemaker, said that her husband passed away around 10 p.m. Monday at a private hospital in Davao City.

The 57-year-old “Dr. Bo” is known for his weekly “Malagos Bird Show” at the family-owned Malagos Garden Resort in Baguio District, Davao City.

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

A Philippine Airline aircraft at the Davao International Airport. A PAL executive said the company has remained cautiously optimistic as its flight operations reach 40 percent of its pre-pandemic flight frequencies. Edge Davao

BPO industry seen growing up to 13 percent this year

I

ncorporating learnings from last year’s performance and barring adverse weather conditions for the remaining weeks, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is confident it will hit another record in palay(unhusked rice) production this year.

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines said it expects the sector to once again outpace the Philippine economy this year.

Its partner Everest Group forecasts Philippine IT and BPO to grow revenues by between 8 and 13 percent, and full-time employment by 7 and 8 percent.

IBPAP chairman Benedict Hernandez says 56

percent of the respondents to its 2021 industry growth survey expect growth to hit double digits this year, while 38 percent see it hitting single digits. Only 6 percent expect flat growth.

In 2020, the IT-BPO industry managed to grow in both employment and revenues despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. While the 1.4 percent growth rate was small, it was much bet-

ter compared to the rest of the Philippine economy which suffered its worst contraction since World War 2, as well as the worst unemployment on record.

Hernandez credited the resiliency of his colleagues in IT-BPO, as well as the government for its policies and accommodations that allowed the industry to perform well in spite of the pandemic.

“Our current road map will actually lapse and finish by 2022 so we are in the midst of creating our next six-year plan, or road map, called IBPAP roadmap 2028,” said Hernandez.

The new roadmap will tackle 5 key ‘points of contact’ including accelerated

digitization, talent upskilling, ecosystem partnerships, responsive policy regimes, and country brand and competitiveness.

Hernandez said responsive policy regimes are something they want to work on with the government, especially when it comes to allowing ITBPOs to retain the fiscal incentives granted to locators of PEZA zones, even as they continue to work from home.

“The resounding thinking and anticipation is there is going to be some form of hybrid [work from home and office setup] out there, and currently, our policy regime is not actually attuned to that. “

remains the cornerstone of our operations,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told the Philippine News Agency.

Pre-pandemic, PAL flies an average of 300 flights per day. Now the carrier is operating an average of 120 domestic and international flights per day.

“We are gradually restoring our network, mind-

ful of prevailing restrictions and market-driven demand,” Villaluna said.

In a statement, PAL said it anticipates a surge in travel demand, with the gradually improving health situation in the country.

As such, it has resumed regular weekly flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu, Guam, To-

ronto, Vancouver, London, Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, subject to specific travel requirements.

Other international destinations are Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Seoul, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, Hong Kong,

PAL ‘cautiously optimistic’, hits 40% of pre-pandemic flight frequencies

F

lag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) remains cautiously optimistic as its flight operations reach 40 percent of its pre-pandemic flight frequencies, an executive said on Tuesday.

“We view the current situation as a prelude to revenge travel. However, we remain cautiously optimistic, ensuring that safety

FPAL, P10

Chelsea Logistics narrows year-to-date losses in Q3

T

he holding firm for Davao-based tycoon Dennis Uy’s businesses narrowed its losses in the third quarter, as the company imposed rationalization measures during the period.

In a regulatory filing, Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. said the group reported P403 million in operating losses to reflect a 60% improvement from the previous year.

The company’s top line jumped 52% to P1.142 billion during the quarter bringing the year-to-date revenues to P3.272 billion, down 2%. The year-to-date net loss was P2.203 billion or 15% narrower, while EBITDA grew to P804 million.

“Chelsea Group’s third-quarter performance highlights the continuing recovery story for the industry as well as the Group with out freight business leading the way,” said Chelsea Logistics president and chief executive officer Chryss Alfonsus Damuy.

The freight business re-

corded a 27% increase in the third quarter to P794 million, equivalent to 1.5 times the same quarter in 2020. Year-to-date freight revenues were 62% of the total group revenues.

“Notwithstanding continuing fears from the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant with a second peak in the number of active cases in September, we are confident that the economy is poised to gradually recover in the last quarter of the year as the government accelerates it vaccination program which will bring about herd immunity for the population,” said Damuy.

“We have already seen a continued drop in the number of active cases with substantially lower positivity rates,” he added.

Chelsea Logistics’ core businesses are divided into tinkering, passage, freight, tugboat services, and logistics services.

Among its subsidiaries are Chelsea Shipping Corp., Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Incorporated, Worklink Services Inc., Starlite Ferries Inc., The Supercat Fast Ferry Corp., and Tasli Services Inc.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

ECONOMY

5

A market goer buys dressed chicken at the wet section of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City. Poultry producers assured that there is enough supply of chicken to keep up with the high demand during the Christmas holiday season. Edge Davao

SSS released P870 million for jobless members in Jan-Sept

First interest rate hike by BSP likely in June 2022, BPI says

T

he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is unlikely to hike interest rates in its monetary policy meeting on Nov. 18, BPI lead economist Jun Neri said Tuesday.

The start of tightening monetary policy could be in June next year, Neri said in a forum.

He noted that historically, no rate hikes are

implemented in the first 5 months of an election year.

“We think it’s a dead giveaway. Rhetoric has remained dovish despite all the indications of the persistent rise of global inflation. With elections fast approaching, the first hike might be in June. No rate hikes were seen in first 5

FFIRST, P10

T

he Social Security System (SSS) said Tuesday it has released P869.99 million worth of unemployment benefits to 67,937 members from January to September this year.

“We fully understand the plight of our private-sector workers who have been laid off from their jobs. With this milestone benefit, we remain committed to providing financial aid amid the pandemic,” said SSS president and CEO Aurora Ignacio.

“Also, with the inclusion of the unemployment benefit application in the E-Services Tab of the My.SSS portal, involuntary separated members have a more convenient option to submit their application online.”

The unemployment benefit is an additional ben-

such as the cost of raw material, as well as the higher prices of corn and soybean meal, primary ingredients in making animal feeds.

Export status in chicken Ilagan suggested that the Philippines could have an export status in chicken if it implements the “right policies.”

“The ‘right policies’ include the likes of those that should lower input costs (raw materials, utilities, transport and logistics); allow an expanding footprint for the sector to grow into

T

efit to the SSS-administered programs as mandated by Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.

The benefit covers employees including “kasambahay” and OFW members who were separated from their respective employment.

Members affected by involuntary separation due to installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, retrenchment or downsizing, business closure or cessation of operation, and

disease/illness of the employee whose continued employment is prohibited by law or is prejudicial to his or his co-employee’s health may apply for this benefit, according to the pension fund.

Economic downturn and natural or human-induced calamities/ disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic are also considered as involuntary separation, it said.

The SSS noted that the

ready to rebound.

“Second-quarter GDP growth was 12 percent, immediately followed by a 7.1 percent growth in the third quarter. I am strongly convinced that, if nothing goes dramatically wrong in the final quarter, we will reach our annual growth targets for this year,” Salceda said.

“Our worst fears of stagflation are probably over. We will not stagnate in 2022 and 2023, it looks like.”

He, however, cautioned that with a recovering economy, prices tend to go

upward.

“That could be a problem because employment and wage recovery tend to come much later than actual growth. So in the meantime, prices will bear down struggling families,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the monetary policy tools to stave off inflation are in place, but supply issues might hamper the stabilization of prices.

He appealed to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Transpor-

FSSS, P10

Enough chicken supply for Christmas 5-6 percent GDP target for 2021 holiday season, say poultry producers ‘increasingly attainable’: solon

A

t least two major poultry producers said that there is enough supply of chicken to keep up with the high demand during the Christmas holiday season.

In a statement, Vitarich Corporation spokesperson Karen Jimeno said they are prepared for the Christmas rush and the reopening of the economy amid the relaxed quarantine restrictions.

“Our industry is one of the few that provide both livelihood and fresh nutritious food for the Filipino

people,” she said.

Jimeno added that the poultry industry is trying to keep “prices stable despite the challenges caused by fuel hike and shortage of corn supply.”

Corgill Philippines corporate affairs director Cris Ilagan echoed Jimeno, saying there is enough chicken supply for the holidays based on their company’s market reading. Cargill Philippines is the chicken supplier of Jollibee Foods Corporation.

He added that there are challenges in the industry

FENOUGH, P10

he chairman of the House Ways and Means on Tuesday said the economic managers’ growth target of 5 to 6 percent of real gross domestic product (GDP) for 2021 is “becoming increasingly attainable” as the country’s economy reopens and as economic prospects brighten.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda cited declining aggregate Covid-19 numbers, accelerated vaccination, and adjustments in the workplace as signs that the economy is

FPERCENT, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

On claims by retired Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. that President Rodrigo Duterte was being controlled by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go:

I will let the PDP leadership clarify these matters in due time. Alam ko naman po na wala kaming tinatanggihan. Being the administration party, we have always exerted efforts to reach out to those who are supportive of PRRD. With regard to Mayor Sara, we always wish her well. As I have said earlier, kung ako lang ang tatanungin, siya ang aking sinusuportahan sa pagka-Bise Presidente.”

Sen. Bong Go

EDITORIAL Hard-earned money going to scammers The Securities and Exchange Commission-Davao Extension Office has reiterated its call to the public not to waste their hard-earned money by putting it in questionable investment companies.

The umpteenth call was made after 25 residents of General Santos City filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation national office claiming that an entity failed to honor its promise for a 30-percent monthly return of their investment.

SEC-Davao Extension Office Director Katrina Jamilla P. Estares said the public must always consider that aside from not having a license, when an entity promises huge investment return, it is automatically a red flag.

Lawyer Estares said that a company that wants to engage in investment-taking would need, aside from a huge capital, “facilities that would prove that its operations are sustainable like investment houses and licenses for investment and also company certification and permits from local government unit”.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 224-1413 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com

We commiserate with the victims of this particular investment scheme in Gensan for losing their money to what appears to be a scam.

On the other hand, we cannot help but argue that victims should own part of the blame for the misery that befell them because the SEC has made oft-repeated warnings on this matter.

If it is constitutional and not against public policy, a law should be passed that a victim should be denied law-enforcers’ assistance if it is proved that he/she has fallen victim to investment scams like Ponzi schemes many times.

We submit that the current law should be revisited by the next Congress if only to minimize if not totally stop scams of this nature.

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

“There should always be an assurance that the company will be able to sustain its operations and provide profit to its clients,” Ms Estares said.

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 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

VIOLENCE AGAINST FEMALE STUDENTS More often than not, we hear and read about wives suffering from violence against women (VAW). Female students, however, are not spared from such kind of violence. That’s the finding of a study done by Mildred D. Megarbio and Romeo T. Cabarde, Jr. They have documented the experiences of these female students in Voices of Women on Violence Against Women: A Documentation of VAW Experiences of Female Students in Davao City.

Although it was published in 2007, the book is timely as ever, especially when the country will again observe the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, which will start on November 25 and end on December 12.

“The effects of VAW can be far ranging,” Megarbio and Cabarde wrote. “VAW creates lasting consequences in their physical, mental, emotional and psychological health and even reproductive health such as resulting in miscarriages and unwanted pregnancies.

“Being students, their studies take the toll as a result of VAW,” the researchers added.

“Worse is that the experiences even created rifts between and among members in the family

and those who experienced it lost their self-concept and a few became sexually promiscuous.”

Let’s take a closer look at the facts and figures of the study.

There were 439 respondents from privately-owned Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and state-run University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP). Majority of the respondents (76.3%) heard about VAW while 26.7% of them do not really know what VAW truly means. “In fact, 35.5% of them cannot identify any specific form of VAW,” the researchers wrote.

But one thing is sure: Almost half of the respondents (44.9%) know someone in school who has experienced some forms of violence, most of which are physical in nature (68.02%). About one-third (31.7%) of them have experienced being humiliated by their teachers in front of the class.

What is interesting is that 29.8% of the respondents heard of someone in school who is engaged in prostitution, one of the forms of exploitation of women.

“The fact that the majority of the respondents have inflicted violence upon another person translates conversely to the number of victims that fell prey

to their abuse conduct,” the two researchers wrote.

More than half (51.3%) of the respondents have hit someone. “Most of those whom they hit are their male friends (40%), their brothers (27.56%), and sisters (28%),” the study said. A few dared to hit their parents: father (8.4%) and mother (13.78%).

About 7.3% experienced having sex already with 68.75% of them having been forced by their partners to engage in sex. On the other side of the coin, more of the respondents (34.38%) admitted that they have also forced their partners to have sex with them.

Aside from the physical, bruises, marks and stains as obvious manifestations, the study also found out these indicators: depression, staring at empty spaces, disturbed, lack of focus in studies, body shivers if in the presence of the perpetrator, becoming man hater, behavioral changes like being irritable and moody, off tangent answers to questions and unconscious repetition of abusive words they heard from their perpetrators.

What happened to these students who were victims of VAW? “Despite the difficulties that most of them go through, many

of them manage to cope creatively with the problematic situation,” Megarbio and Cabarde wrote. “Most of them would just keep silent through or pretend as if nothing has happened as a means of addressing their worries.

“The friends would be of big help as they usually become the outlets and emotional vents of the victims. Others seek help from parents, local authorities, relatives and even from courts, although a few mentioned that they already lost hope in institutions who can give them support,” the researchers added.

History is replete with accounts of violence against women. As Nobel prize-winning Kofi Anan puts it: “Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation. It knows no boundaries and geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development, and peace.”

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993) defines VAW as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including

threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerging data and reports from those on the front lines, have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified, UN Women reported.

According to COVID-19 and Violence Against Women: The Evidence Behind the Talk, searches related to physical violence increased significantly between October 2019 and September 2020. Searches using help-seeking keywords increased in almost all countries. Online misogyny rose, including trolling, sexual harassment and victim-blaming.

VAW against women – whether children, students, housewives, mistresses, and colleagues – must be stopped now. “Violence against women is endemic in every country and culture, causing harm to millions of women and their families, and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organization (WHO).

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WHAT DOES ‘DATU MAMA BAGO’ MEAN? Datu Bago, the Moro chieftain of Davao Gulf the Spanish-led conquerors failed to capture in 1848, has always been portrayed the way oral tradition pictures him due to the paucity of sources that accurately describe his persona. He is even accused of being a pirate and slave-raider.

Even the Muslim genealogies only provide obscure details on who the man is. Although he is known as the son of a Maguindanao-Tausug couple, the names of his siblings propagated in traditions have no definitive confirmation in colonial accounts and archival documents. If that sounds odd, let’s start our sleuthing from the name of this intriguing personality.

Firstly, the name Datu Bago appears chiefly in Jesuit letters and chronicles which later became sources of American historical synopses of Davao about

Spanish occupation. In Muslim tarsilas, he is identified as Datu Mama Bago. Mama stands for ‘man’ in Maguindanao, indicating the figure is masculine, while bago, a common term in many dialects, means ‘new.’ Collectively, the chieftain was a new male leader carrying the title datu.

Second, Datu Bago, as the name offers, is depicted as a new ruler in the gulf, suggesting he is not the ultimate ruler of the bay but one of the leaders. There is no account or record that shows there indeed was a struggle for new leadership in the gulf to assert who the supreme leader was nor was there a declaration of any form that a new datu was installed as chief ruler.

In the August 13, 1804 report of Don Salvador Ximenez Rendon, then governor of Caraga Province, Datu Bago, identified in the account as Mucamad Amil-

bansa Harial, was chief of Davao, a sitio that was compared to Manay, Davao Oriental at the time.

According to Datu Ladiamura Pampang who met the alcalde mayor at the ‘new village of Caraga,’ his deputy was Datu Damuli, suggesting the chief datu’s rule could have been confined only to the ‘sitio of Davao.’

Third, Campsa Israel, which eerily sounds like Mucamad Amilbansa Harial is identified in Spanish accounts as the datu of Davao. Davao historian Dr. Macario Tiu learned from the supposed Datu Bago scions that Israel is a Tausug or Joloano name—which is peculiar.

Israel is Hebrew, meaning ‘triumphant with God.’ Though it is associated in Qur’an with the Jewish land, it is firmly linked to the biblical Jacob who was named Israel. In Islam, many Muslim scholars connect prophet

Muhammad’s pedigree to Ishmael, the son of Hagar, an Egyptian slave who became Abraham’s ‘other wife.’ For that reason, the Muslims call themselves the Ishmaelites.

In other words, Israel, being a Hebrew name, could have not been associated with Jolo, which was principally Islamic during Datu Bago’s birth. You can find biblical names in the Qur’an being given new identities such as Isa (Jesus), Maryam (Mary), and Imran (Aaron) but not Israel. Additionally, the ‘el’ in Israel and Emmanuel refers to God. This makes Harial more plausible.

Fourth, documentary and genealogical accounts almost conclusively point to Datu Bago’s lineage as coming from Maguindanao. This assertion, though, does not point decisively that he was the head of the entire gulf.

The narratives that the fiefdoms around the gulf were dependent on the naval assets of the Maguindanao sultanate do not necessarily spell dominance.

And fifth, Datu Bago, if we go by traditions, both oral and written, was hardly a part of the larger picture when the sultanates of Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sulu were overlord of the seas in terms of piracy and slave-trading.

In fact, the decades leading to the conquest by the Spanish-led invaders, the ‘office, dignity, or power’ of the three sultanates had started to decline.

Future researchers, in order to understand more pervasively Datu Bago’s rule over a territory that included the delta of Davao River, must turn to southeast Asian histories which can shed light on the unknown aspects of how Davao’s legislated hero once governed the gulf.

8

EDGEDAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

COMPETITIVE EDGE

S

M shoppers can play Santa to less fortunate kids this Christmas in The SM Store and Toy Kingdom’s Share a Toy project, from November 1 to December 31, 2021

Share a Toy booths with bag of toys, play sets, educational board games and novelty will be set up in all The SM Store and Toy Kingdom branches nationwide. Here, shoppers will have the chance to bring and donate pre-loved or brand new toys that they can purchase from The SM Store’s Toy Express and Toy Kingdom.

They will be entitled to a P100 discount coupon for every item donated

which can be redeemed on a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P1000.

These toys will be donated to thousands of less fortunate children from The SM Store and SM Foundation’s partner organization within the branch vicinities. These include organizations catering to kids 10 years old and below, schools, socio civic and government organizations, and NGOs in a simple turnover ceremony

Share-a-toy

AT THE SM STORE

FamilyMart PH earns two nominations at

that can be also be done online.

Through the Share A Toy campaign under the SM Share Movement, The SM Store and its loyal customers join together to celebrate this joyous season of giving and hope with a generous heart as a way of bringing smiles to children and sharing the happiness and hope to them even amid pandemic. Other SM Store also campaigns like Donate a Book and Share a Gift have received overwhelming support from

customers.

Share A Toy purchases and donations are also valid in-store and Call To Deliver transactions.

For more updates about the SM Share Movement

and ways on how you could donate, visit www. thesmstore.com and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

SSS opens penalty condonation

Golden Grab Awards 2021 program for short-term member loans M F amilyMart Philippines is nominated in two categories at the Golden Grab Awards 2021, whose winners will be announced on November 19, 2021.

The local franchise of Japanese convenience store brand, FamilyMart, has been nominated in two categories at the Golden Grab Awards 2021, the annual merchant recognition event of delivery and transport app, Grab Philippines.

FamilyMart is nominated for the Ultimate Lifesaver Award category, which is given to merchants who become the go-to GrabMart merchant for all grocery essentials. The brand is also nominated for the Menu Maven Award category, an honor given to merchants with excellently curated menus on the Grab app, allowing visibility and efficiency.

“It has only been a year since we partnered with Grab for the delivery

of FamilyMart products, and through this partnership, we have been able to significantly expand our reach, and serve more customers. Our collaboration with them is part of our continuous pursuit for improved customer experience amid the pandemic, and while our focus remains on the people we serve, we also feel proud to be recognized by Grab as one of their top-performing merchants,” Fam-

ilyMart General Manager Celina Matias said. “We are grateful for these nominations, and we are looking forward to continuing to work with Grab in providing service to the community.”

FamilyMart became available on the Grab app in April 2020 as one of the first consumer value stores to offer delivery services. Via the GrabMart feature, Metro Manila residents are able to order and enjoy FamilyMart meals and drinks, especially their favorite Japanese specialties, delivered to their homes. Its convenience store products, meanwhile, provide an alternative to the usually long delivery queue in major grocery stores.

The Golden Grab Awards recognition night will happen on November 19, 2021, at 6:30 pm. The event will be hosted purely online at www.goldengrabawards.com.

ember-borrowers with past due short-term loans may apply for the Social Security System’s (SSS) Penalty Condonation Program via online using their My.SSS accounts starting November 15, 2021 up to February 14, 2022.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said that the Short-term Member Loan Penalty Condonation Program (STMLPCP) is part of the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Programs (PRRP 5) being offered by SSS. “Our heart goes to our members who were greatly affected during this pandemic and yet they try their best to get back on their feet. SSS is always here to extend not only in a form of cash benefits and loan privileges but also conditional condonation which provides financial relief by waiving their accumulated penalties once their loan

principal and interest are fully paid.” Ignacio said.

Included in the program are those with outstanding Salary, Calamity, Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), Emergency Loans and Restructured Loan under the Loan Restructuring Program (LRP) implemented in 2016 to 2019.

Qualified applicants are as follows: Members with short term member loans that are past due for at least six (6) months as of the first day of the condonation availment period; Members who have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement; Members who have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS; Members who will file their final benefits application for permanent total disability or retirement, whose contingency date is

on or before the last day of the availment period of the condonation program; and Heirs or beneficiaries of deceased member borrowers who will file the death benefit application, whose contingency date is on or before the last day of the availment period of the condonation program.

For member-borrowers who will pay their consolidated loan under instalment basis, their age must be under 65 years old at the end of the instalment term.

Under the STMLPCP, the total amount of the outstanding principal and interest of the member’s past due loans shall be consolidated and settled through the following arrangements: One-time full payment, in a single payment transaction, within 30 calendar days from the receipt of notice of approval of the STML Penalty Condonation Application.

9 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

I

t’s the time of the year when rain is common. As climate change is already affecting the country, the rains that come to Davao Region have become stronger and heavier. The result: floods.

Davao City, the country’s biggest metropolis in terms of land area, is not spared from such natural calamity. Houses are deluged, people living near the riverbanks are displaced, and the economy is greatly affected. But the aftermath is even worse: leptospirosis.

“Leptospirosis attacks during the rainy season when there are frequent floods,” says Dr. Elmer Alcaide Linao, a board-certified consultant in internal medicine, cardiology and critical care at St. Luke’s Medical Center Heart Institute.

In Davao City, leptospirosis has been endemic, according to a health report. In 2013, an outbreak occurred after a flash flood.

In 2013, the Department of Health (DOH) received a report on the increasing number of leptospirosis cases after the monsoon flooding.

In December 2017, tropical storm Tembin hit the region and caused flooding and landslides. In Davao City, a man experienced fever a few days after walking in the floodwater to save some belongings during the typhoon. The fever was accompanied with chills, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice and calf pain. When he went to pee, he observed tea-colored urine in the bowl.

Leptospirosis outbreaks occur in the city, according to studies, because of the following: wading in floodwater, swimming in floodwater, having contact with moist soil, and having open wounds.

“During flooding, people stayed home to secure their properties but did not wear protective clothing nor cover their wounds,” one study found out.

Health officials think leptospirosis cases may surge again as heavy downpour of rains that may cause massive flooding will continue to happen during the remaining months of the year.

Ounce of prevention An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so goes a popular saying. “Just like what happened in the recent flooding, if you are wading through floodwaters you have to wear protective gear such as boots and wash your feet thoroughly with soap,” Dr. Ma. Theresa Bad-ang, a nephrologist, told Philippine News Agency.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that plagues humans and animals. It was first described by Adolf Weil in 1886 as “acute infectious disease that causes enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis.”

“Though a relatively bacterial infection in humans, leptospirosis breaks in the human body through skin ruptures, the eyes, or the mucous membranes that have come in contact with animal urine-contaminated water,” explains Dr. Linao.

Where to get it Aside from floodwaters, a person can also get leptospirosis by contact with fresh water, damp soil, or vegetation contaminated by the urine of infected animals, especially rodents and dogs. Leptospirosis bacteria also enter the body when a person swallows contaminated food or water.

Filipinos may learn a lesson from this incident which happened in Texas, United States some years back. A woman went boating one Sunday taking with

LEPTOSPIROSIS:

THE FLOOD-BORNE LEGACY

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO INFOGRAPHIC: FREEPIK her some cans of soft drinks which she put into the refrigerator of the boat.

On Monday, she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit. She died on Wednesday. The autopsy concluded she succumbed to leptospirosis. This was traced to the can of soft drink she drank from, not using a glass.

Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine.

“It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part of all soft drink cans before drinking out of them,” the news report stated. “The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned.”

Now, read this alarming evidence: A study at New York City University showed that the tops of all soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets, that is, full of germs and bacteria.

Rats and other animals “Rodents and other mammals can transmit the disease through their pees in stagnant waters like those in drainages, sewers, or even in garbage sites,” Dr. Linao says. “Domestic pets can carry the disease from these infected animals to unsuspecting victims inside the house through exposure to these places.”

Rats are the most dom-

inant carrier as they are incontinent. “(Rats) may spread the disease through their urine,” Dr. Linao says.

“In most cases, the bacteria die when the urine dries out but when they reach the water, they remain potent for a long time. Any damp areas where rats urinate can be contaminated.”

Rats and other “reservoir” species – cattle, pigs, sheep and horses, to name a few – can either be in the infected or carrier state. “An infected animal could either recover or die from it.

The carrier, however, may never have any symptoms of the disease but carries a colony of bacteria in the body.”

St. Luke’s Medical

Signs and symptoms Leptospirosis occurs between four to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.

Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria that causes leptospirosis can reach all parts of the body and cause signs and symptoms of illness. “Because mild leptospirosis typically causes vague, flu-like symptoms, many infections probably go unreported,” says The Merck Manual of Medical Information.

Studies have shown that leptospirosis causes mild disease in about 90 percent of infected people, whereas 10 percent have severe, potentially fatal, disease that affects many or-

gans. “If the victim survives, he still has to deal with kidney or liver failure,” Dr. Linao points out.

Actually, there are two phases of leptospirosis.

“The first phase starts two to 20 days after infection with Leptospira,” the Merck manual informs. “Symptoms begin abruptly with a fever, headache, severe muscle aches, and chills.

The eyes usually become red on the third or fourth day. Nausea and vomiting are common.”

Symptoms involving the lungs (including coughing up of blood) occur in 10 to 15 percent of infected people, studies reveal. Ep-

FLEPTOSPIROSIS, P10

10

EDGEDAVAO

BOOTED... FROM 2 resolution to withdraw her nomination.

“For the record, my family shall and will always stand by the marginalized and oppressed against all odds,” she said.

Librado-Morata believed that her removal was decided following messages of an assessment purportedly prepared by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) identifying her as a GABRIELA personality and that she participated in the elections to support the establishment of migrant desks in Davao City’s first district purportedly used as front organizations.

She said that she is now planning to withdraw from the local elections next year and might file the said withdrawal within the week.

“Rest assured that I will continue to discharge the functions of my office until the end of my term.

My decision is a result of a consensus that while we have established our name and effectively infused our principle-based politics, the existing political realities are such that political parties dominate and could frustrate the will and voice of the majority,” she said.

Librado-Morata cited the progressive, pro-people brand of politics espoused by her late father, labor leader Nonoy Librado, who became councilor, and her sisters in the City Council Atty. Angela Librado-Trinidad and Atty. Leah Librado-Yap amplified various issues affecting marginalized sectors, standing on various issues, and provided innovative and people-oriented legislation and programs, such as the establishment of the first “Lamayan ng Bayan”, the mothers’ class, women’s lying-in clinic; anti-trafficking ordinance, no demolition policy without relocation with complete basic facilities, the juvenile justice intervention mechanism, the first-ever Women’s Development Code and introduced necessary amendments to the Children’s Welfare Code of Davao City.

“Bannering the Librado brand of politics, I have always stood my ground against demolition, martial law, the Anti-Terror Bill, among others, even if it meant that I ran against the majority opinion in the council. Though members of the SP and I didn’t see eye to eye on all issues, the discussion was principled.

I was open to the HNP, the

HTL, my fellow councilors, and the people of Davao about my plans, views, and projects. I hid behind no one, and I am proud to say that I accord anyone, regardless of differing principles, respect, and decency.

This is one of the core lessons my father, labor leader Nonoy Librado, taught me,” she said.

Some of the notable legislation in the Davao City Sangguniang Panlungsod was also authored by her sisters during their time highlighted the barangay-based justice system, conflict resolution, juvenile welfare, women’s development. This included comprehensive services for reproductive health, victims of trafficking and crisis intervention, children’s rights and welfare, gender sensitivity, shelter and housing, and codification of existing city ordinances.

“These programs effectively demolish the bankrupt notion that our office and our brand of politics offer no alternatives and concrete solutions to the pressing and urgent concerns of the people of Davao City,” she said.

She also mentioned that her first year as a city councilor was a challenge as she was treated as a pariah for speaking about the need to investigate the closure of Lumad schools in Davao City,w which resulted in the removal of her office’s Annual Development Fund (ADF) in 2019.

“Despite this, I made no complaints and continued with my work. I remained resolute in continuing with community-based programs such as organic urban gardening, health and vaccine education, mobile community kitchen, and several programs that help empower the community.

The lack of resources will never be an excuse to desist from our mandate to serve the people of Davao.

Instead, this situation allowed us to showcase that plans and programs could be effectively implemented with all stakeholders’ participation, involvement, and empowerment,” she said.

Librado-Morata expressed her gratitude to the people of Davao for their continued support and vowed to continue to work towards her advocacies even after her term.

On the other hand, Abellera was invited to the Senate probe for his alleged participation in drug smuggling in 2017.

months of (previous) Presidential election year(s),” Neri said.

However, holding off on adjusting monetary policy will affect the country’s gross international

reserves.

“Is it worth draining or depleting our reserves in case something like that happens in the US, versus hiking by 25 basis points?”

Neri asked.

tation, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to ensure that there

is no congestion of ports, expressways, airports, and other conduit points for supply as demand begins to pick up.

FIRST... FROM 5

PERCENT... FROM 5

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

LAKAS-CMD... FROM 2

ments of withdrawal and substitution Duterte, who served as mayor of Davao City for two decades before his popular election in 2016, is running

under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan party.

He substituted for Mona Lisa Visorde, who also withdrew on Monday. (PNA)

For the Priority A3 (persons with comorbidities), there are a total of 180,838 vaccinated with the first dose and 162,155 with the second dose while for Priority A3 (pediatric 12 to17 years old) there are a total of 1,489 vaccinated with the first dose and zero for the second dose.

For Priority A4 (essential workers) there are a total of 472,839 vaccinated with the first dose and 473,161 with the second dose while for the Priority A5 (poor population) there

are a total of 111,600 for the first dose and 80,724 for the second dose.

There are a total of 4,014 vaccinated with the first dose and 748 for the second dose among the rest of the adult population while 9,733 vaccinated with the first dose and zero for the second dose among the rest of the pediatric population.

There are a total of 941,537 vaccines administered for the first dose and 866,098 vaccines for the second dose.

ocus niya mismo sa naging biktima ng baha,” he said.

He said that each household, regardless of the extent of damage, will receive P3,000 in cash assistance from the government.

“Naa na sa DSWD in Davao region ang money (The money is now in DSWD). Yes, it was confirmed by DSWD. The role now of the CSWDO [Davao City Social and Development Office) is just to give a master list of the affected flood victims or families to DSWD,” Baloro said.

Baloro underscored that the CSWDO already provided the DSWD Davao Region with the list of affected families, especially of the victims from Communal and La Verna Hills Subdivision in Buhangin District.

Meanwhile, the city

mayor said that they have already prepared a comprehensive briefer for the public about the flooding in the city.

The Davao City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) will soon be guesting on the cityrun radio station to give the public more information about the flooding incident and the city’s plans and projects to mitigate such calamity.

“Usually drainage ang problem. We already tapped them to prepare a briefer for everyone nga kaigsoonan natong Dabawenyo nga unahon nila og explain didto sa mga tao sa community nga affected sa baha (to prioritize those communities which are directly affected about the flooding incidents),” she said.CIO

Taipei, Dubai, Dammam, Riyadh, Doha.

For domestic operations, PAL has regular flights from Manila to Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Bacolod, Cebu, Catarman, Calbayog, Dumaguete, Antique, Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran,

Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Siargao, Ozamiz, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.

From Cebu, PAL flies to Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Clark, Davao, Siargao, Tacloban, and Zamboanga. PAL also flies to Tawi-Tawi from Zamboanga.

age of the member and the number of posted contributions are the key conditions for the grant of unemployment benefit.

A member should not be over 60 years old at the time of involuntary separation.

As for underground/ surface mine workers and racehorse jockeys, they should not be over 50 and 55 years old, respectively.

A member must have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should be within the 18-month period immediately preceding the month of involuntary separation.

For instance, a member who has been involuntarily separated from his employment on September 15, 2021 must have at least 12 posted monthly contributions from March 2020

until August 2021 to qualify for the unemployment benefit, provided that he has at least 36 posted monthly contributions or at least three years in total as of September 2021, the SSS said.

To avail of the unemployment benefit, members can log in using their My.SSS account in the SSS website and submit the necessary information such as employment category, date of involuntary separation, the reason for involuntary separation, and the employer’s name where the member was separated.

Members will be also asked to enroll a valid/ active/correct disbursement account to ensure the proper crediting of their benefit proceeds once their claim is approved.

DAVAO... FROM 3

CITY... FROM 3

PAL... FROM 4

SSS... FROM 5

LEPTOSPIROSIS... FROM 9

isodes of chills and fever, which often reaches 102 degrees Fahrenheit, continue for four to nine days.

The fever clears for a few days, marking the beginning of the second phase.

“During the second phase,” the Merck manual says, “the body’s immune reaction against the bacteria causes inflammation, producing many symptoms. The fever returns, and there is often inflammation of the tissues covering the brain (meningitis), causing a stiff neck, headache, and sometimes stupor and coma.

“In severe forms of the infection, people may also have inflammation of the liver, kidneys, and lungs, resulting in jaundice, kidney failure, and bloody cough.

Sometimes the heart is inflamed, causing palpitations and dangerously low blood pressure (shock). A pregnant woman who develops leptospirosis may miscarry.”

The severe form of leptospirosis is called Weil’s disease, which causes a continuous fever, stupor, and a reduction in the blood’s ability to clot leading to bleeding within tissues. “By the third to sixth day, signs of kidney damage and liver injury appear,” the Merck manual says.

“Kidney abnormalities may cause blood in the urine and painful urination. Liver injury tends to be mild and usually heals completely.”

Diagnosis and treatment Only a doctor can con-

firm the diagnosis of leptospirosis. The doctor does this by identifying Leptospira – the bacteria that causes leptospirosis – in cultures of blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid samples or, more commonly, by detecting antibodies against the bacteria in the blood.

According to the Merck manual, infected people who do not develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin and white of the eyes) usually recover. Jaundice indicates liver damage and increases the death rate to 10 percent or higher in people older than 60.

The US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that antibiotic therapy (doxycycline or penicillin) should be administered by a medical practitioner to save the person from complications.

These may be taken orally, but in severe infections, they may be given intravenously.

“It is imperative that an infected person see a doctor right away,” Dr. Linao suggests. “The large number of bacterial strains involved does not guarantee immunity even when the person has previous exposure to leptospirosis.”

Leptospirosis, unlike the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not a contagious disease. “People with the disease do not have to be isolated, but care must be taken when handling and disposing of their urine,” the Merck manual points out

who shot 51.9 percent.

Jordan Poole contributed 17 while Draymond Green collected 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists as Golden State scored 25 fastbreak points and 52 points in the paint.

James Harden scored 24 points for Brooklyn, which missed 17 of 22 shots in the third period and shot 38.6 percent overall. Kevin Durant added 19 against his former team, shooting 6 of 19 while being held under 20 points for the first time this season.

Bruce Brown chipped in 14 for the Nets, who made just 10 of 36 3-point tries as Joe Harris sat out with a sprained left ankle.

The Warriors continued their hot start by winning for the 12th time in 14 games thanks to an impressive surge after halftime.

Golden State made 13 of 18 shots in the third quarter and outscored the Nets by a

commanding 35-18 margin to take a 98-76 lead into the final period.

The Warriors never trailed after Wiggins hit a 3-pointer with 26.6 seconds left in the second quarter, and he hit another trey at the buzzer to give Golden State a 63-58 lead by halftime.

Curry’s layup gave Golden State its first double-digit lead at 69-58 less than two minutes into the third, and the lead grew to 9170 on a transition dunk by Poole with 2:49 remaining.

Andre Iguodala capped the dominant quarter with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Curry hit two more 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the fourth before Golden State took a 106-80 lead on Damion Lee’s basket. Curry hit his final 3-pointer for a 111-85 lead with 7:06 before being lifted about two minutes later.

(such as reforming zoning laws); retaining an animal disease-free environment and support infrastructure to complement the entire value chain (from roads, warehouses, cold storage, laboratory facilities, etc.),” he said.

“Investor incentives could be helpful as well as facilitating market access and promoting Philippine poultry products abroad…

The country should aspire for export status and not just plan to fulfill the domestic

demand. It’s a big aspiration, but an exciting one as well,” he further explained.

Jimeno said the Philippines can balance local and imported chicken if it is committed to proper disclosure of timely and appropriate data.

“Given the proper policy, definitely the private sector can fuel self-sufficiency of the poultry sector and even in fact, even be competitive as we are bird flu free,” she said.

CURRY... FROM 9

ENOUGH... FROM 5

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

SPORTS

11

Kaya FC celebrate after a hard-fought win over Cebu. Photo courtesy of Kaya FC

Kaya FC sets up Copa final against Azkals Dev’t Team NLEX acquires Magat, Rosales

N

LEX made some adjustments to its lineup on Tuesday through a trade and a free agency signing.

The Road Warriors first made a deal with the Blackwater Bossing for Marion Magat.

In exchange, NLEX gave up Will McAloney and Mike Ayonayon to Blackwater.

To sweeten the pot, the Bossing sent their second-round pick for the Season 49 Draft, scheduled for either late 2023 or early 2024, to the Road Warriors.

The PBA trade committee has approved the trade.

“We were constantly looking for a big man and Marion has the size,” NLEX coach Yeng Guiao explained the deal in a statement.

This is a homecoming of sorts for Magat, who played for NLEX during the 201819 season.

“It won’t be much of a problem when it comes to adjustment,” added Guiao, who was also the team’s coach that time.

He hopes that the careers of McAloney and Ayonayon would be revitalized

with Blackwater after they have suddenly fallen out of NLEX’s rotation.

Both former Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League stars delivered solid contributions for the Road Warriors last year in the bubble season, but they have been sparingly used this past Philippine Cup especially with the leadership of Kevin Alas and the emergence of Calvin Oftana.

“We also felt that with Blackwater, Mike and Will will have a chance to showcase their potential.

Medyo nahirapan silang maka-break in sa amin in terms of playing time dahil sa mga kapuwestuhan nila (They found it hard to break into us in terms of playing time because of the other players in their rotation),” Guiao admitted.

Despite losing Ayonayon, NLEX quickly got a guard in return after the team announced that it has signed Kris Rosales to a one-year contract.

Rosales played for Rain Or Shine last year in the bubble season but was eventually let go and not played at all in the previous Philippine Cup. (PNA)

J

ovin Bedic scored from the spot in the 84th minute to push Kaya FC-Iloilo to a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Dynamic Herb Cebu, Tuesday evening at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

The victory sent Kaya FC to the finals of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, where they will take on the Azkals

Development Team (ADT).

The scrappy, physical game went down the wire, as Cebu’s stout defense

stood up against Kaya’s pressure until the final minutes.

Cebu’s Baris Tasci was called for a handball inside the box, giving Kaya FC an opportunity to finally get on board. Skipper Bedic was cool under pressure as he converted the penalty past former teammate Ace Villanueva.

Kaya weathered Cebu’s

late attempts to equalize, and will now have a chance to regain the Copa crown that they won in 2018.

The ADT advanced to the final after beating Stallion Laguna FC, 2-1, in extra time earlier Tuesday.

Yrick Gallantes scored on a header off a cross by Oliver Bias in the 116th minute to send the young squad on their way.

Curry pours in 37 as Warriors blow out Nets

S

tephen Curry scored 37 points and tied a season best by hitting nine 3-pointers as the Golden State Warriors took command in the third quarter and rolled to a 117-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in New York.

Curry joined Ray Allen as the second player to reach 2,900 career 3-pointers when he hit his first trey early in the first quarter. Allen tops the list at 2,973.

Curry shot 12 of 19 from the floor as the Warriors rebounded from seeing their seven-game winning streak stopped Sunday with a fourpoint loss against the Charlotte Hornets.

Andrew Wiggins added 19 points for the Warriors,

FCURRY, P10

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets forward Bruce Brown (1) during the first quarter at Barclays Center.

12 SPORTS

A gym member works out at the Arcadia Fitness Gym in Quimpo Boulevard, Davao City.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 210 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021

SPORTS REBOUND Bong Go favors the resumption of sports activities in low risk areas

A

s Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for the resumption of contact sports in the National Capital Region and in low risk areas following the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force to place the region under a more relaxed Alert Level 2 quarantine classification.

Mayors in Metro Manila have proposed allowing contact sports with the condition that only fully vaccinated individuals participate or observe.

The guidelines are intended to encourage more Filipinos to get their COVID-19 vaccines.

Under the proposed guidelines formulated by the Metro Manila Council, in coordination with the Department of Health, wearing of masks will be optional during play. However, when not in play, players should wear face masks and observe social distancing. Meanwhile, spectators shall wear masks and observe social distancing at all times.

In addition, organizers and venue owners shall apply for the necessary permit from the concerned local government unit and declare, among others, the nature of event, number of participants, and event duration.

Although COVID-19 cases are decreasing in number, event organizers and venue owners should still be accountable for guaranteeing venue capacity limits and follow the IATF rules.

Indoor facilities should only be allowed up to 50% of their capacity, and 70% for outdoor venues. Only fully vaccinated adults will be accommodated.

“Ayon sa guidelines ng IATF, pwede na ang contact sports sa Alert Level 2 areas. Kailangan

lang pong magpaalam sa LGU na pagdarausan ng mga laro at siguruhin ang kaligtasan ng mga manlalaro, manonood at lahat ng involved sa mga contact sports na ito. May guidelines nang binuo ang Metro Manila Council para masigurong ligtas ang mga laro,” Go said in a statement.

“Ang lagi ko lang paalala, sundin ang capacity conditions na itinakda ng IATF para maging ligtas ang pagsasagawa ng mga aktibidad na ito. Palaging sundin rin ang mga minimum health protocols, katulad ng pagsuot ng mask at pagsunod sa social distancing,” Go appealed.

Go also voiced his optimism that the eventual return of contact sports to the country will attract more aspiring and professional athletes, supporting the country’s long-term sports development.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pag-resume ng contact sports sa ligtas na paraan, inaasahang makapagbibigay tayo ng konting kasiyahan sa ating mga kababayan sa gitna ng krisis na ating pinagdadaanan at makapagbigay din ng hanapbuhay sa ating mga kababayan,” Go said.

“Pero unahin po muna natin ang kalusugan ng lahat. Sa ngayon naman po, binabalanse po ng ating gobyerno ang buhay at ekonomiya. Importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte ang buhay ng bawat tao,” Go ended.