Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 268 | Wednesday, February 2, 2022

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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BACK IN THE HELM SPORTS P 12

NO SUCH THING

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

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Sara warns Dabawenyos vs Covid-19 vaccination exempt cards STORY ON PAGE 2

Vice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio rides her motorcycle during the kick off ceremony of her Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas ride at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ’s (KJC’s) King Dome in Buhangin, Davao City early morning of Tuesday.

Mayor Sara was joined by more than 60 motorcycle riders and dozens of vehicles during the first leg of the nationwide ride from Davao City to Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Edge Davao

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) offers a prayer for vice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the sendoff ceremony of Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas ride at King Dome in Buhangin, Davao City on Tuesday morning. Edge Davao

NO SUCH THING T

DavSur allots dorms for frontline workers

Sara warns Dabawenyos vs Covid-19 vaccination exempt cards

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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here is no such thing as vaccination exemption cards.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued the warning on Monday against individuals offering Covid-19 vaccination exemption cards.

“Mag remind ta sa tanan natong kaigsoonang Dabawenyos na dili magpadala aning mga ingon ani na scam kay kamo ang lugi aning mga scammers,” the mayor reminded on Monday.

This is in line with the

recent warning issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) against so-called “Covid-19 vaccination exemption cards” that can allegedly be used by unvaccinated individuals to be exempted from stay at home

orders, ride public transportation, and enjoy other privileges.

In a statement, DILG stated that the “exemption cards” reportedly originated in Facebook groups and group chats in Regions 11 and 12 can allegedly be registered to local government units (LGUs) and are supposedly recognized by local authorities instead of Covid-19 vaccination cards.

Based on reports re-

he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with other national government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) highlighted in the One Davao Virtual Presser ini-

tiated by the Philippine Information Agency XI the various support services provided to the first batch of Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program or BP2P in 2021 in the region.

DSWD XI BP2P Focal Lee Mercris Berdos emphasized that there are many applicants of the program

or those individuals/families who wanted to relocate to the Davao province from Manila after being severely affected by the impact of the pandemic.

The BP2P is a long-term program of the government providing certain packages for the beneficiaries upon their return or relocation to

ceived by the DILG, people are being asked to put their name, birthdate, address, and signatures to the green vaccination exemption card being shared in FB groups and group chats, have the cards printed, laminated, and registered to their barangay/city/municipal LGUs. Mayor Sara reiterated that there is no such card being used or given in Davao

their provinces for good.

Each beneficiary family of BP2P received a transportation/relocation assistance of P3,000 to P35,000; a Transitory Family Support Package amounting between P10,000 to 50,000; Livelihood Settlement Grants which does

FNO, P10

he provincial government of Davao del Sur has provided four (4) units of dormitories intended for frontline workers in the province.

The three (3) units which amounted to P4.9 million, were recently turned over to the Gregorio Matas District Hospital (GMDH) in the municipality of Kiblawan.

Governor Marc Cagas also turned over one unit of dormitory and two (2) isolation facilities worth P5.1 million to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital (DSPH) in Digos City.

The dormitory units will give temporary shelter to frontline workers, while the isolation facil-

FDAVSUR, P10

Davao City to unveil new tourist police office next month: DCPO

DSWD willing to serve more E Balik Probinsya beneficiaries T FDSWD, P10

ities are for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

“The dorm and treatment facilities are really beautiful facilities which include kitchen or commissary. This is a manifestation that our intention is well,” Cagas has stated during the turnover ceremony.

“We must take the baby steps, a step at a time to lay down the foundation for this hospital including our Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital to be more efficient so that we can serve much way more our indigent patients,” he said.

The Governor bared the hardship to maintain and operate a hospital

ven as the city continues to fight against the pandemic, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is keen on completing the new Tourist Police Unit (TPU) office located at the center of commerce, beside one of the popular shopping malls here along J.P. Laurel Avenue.

Capt. Raymundo Bacera, acting city TPU chief, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that the construction of its building was initially eyed for completion in October 2021 but was reset several times due to changing coronavirus

disease 2019 restrictions.

“It was pushed further because of the pandemic but we are looking at March 2022 as the new completion date,” he said.

Bacera added TPUs are being set up nationwide to ensure the safety of both foreign and domestic tourists.

It was established in 2010 following a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Tourism and the Philippine National Police.

Personnel under the TPU are tasked to enforce

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

NEWS

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Carmela Mantilla of Barangay Bitoon in Del Carmen town, Siargao Island checks what is left in their house destroyed by typhoon Odette in December 2021. Photon taken Monday, 31 January 2022. MindaNews photo by ROEL CATOTO

Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ pledges support for Marcos-Duterte Mayor Sara kicks off nationwide bike ride

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iding her trusty Yamaha Tenere 700 motorbike, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio kicked off Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas (MNAP) at the King Dome in Buhangin on Monday morning (February 1, 2022).

Mayor Sara was joined by a convoy of at least 60 motorcycles and 70 vehicles on their way to Bislig, Surigao del Sur during the first leg of the MNAP which will barnstorm the country from Mindanao to Luzon.

According to Mayor Sara, the ride intends to advocate patriotism and for the Filipinos to unite.

“Because ang atoang panawagan is “Sama- Sama Tayong Babangon Muli, Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas.”

The way to do that is magkaisa tayo,” the mayor said.

Mayor Sara said MNAP was conceptualized due to Covid-19 regulations and to prevent people from mass gathering.

“Inisip namin na mag ride sa buong Pilipinas para ikampanya yung pag-

mamahal sa ating bansa and the highlight yung representation ng Uniteam na Sama-Sama Tayong Babangon Muli,” she added.

The sendoff ceremony was highlighted with a blessing and prayer led by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

“Ako ay nagrequest na magdasal bago magsimula ang ating Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas ride at nagpapasalamat ako sa mga members ng Kingdom, maraming salamat sa suporta ninyo at tulong ninyo sa akin at sa Uniteam,” the mayor said.

Present during the sendoff were senatorial candidates Harry Roque and Jinggoy Estrada of the BBM-Sara Uniteam.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating mga senator candidates sina Harry Roque at Jingoy Estrada at yung senators natin under sa Uniteam at tapat nating mga kaibigan na senatorial candidates na sumusuporta sa Mahalin Natin ang Pil-

FMAYOR, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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Ride” of Mayor Sara at the King Dome in Buhangin, Davao City early morning of February 1, 2022 said his

support is also extended to the senatorial slate of BBMSara Uniteam.

“Marami ang nagtatanong kung sino ang susuportahan ng The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, ang sabi ko sa tamang panahon, ito na siguro ang panahon para sabihin ko sa inyo kung sino, 100 percent ako po ay sumusuporta sa Uniteam na kinabibilangnan ng pinakamamahal, pinalanggang mayor sa Davao

City na karon mudagan bilang vice president ug si Marcos ug ilahang senatorial slate,” Quiboloy said.

He said he was elated with the decision of Mayor Sara to run for the second-highest position in the country.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat na sa muling pagkakataon, nakapag decide ang ating pinalangga at pinakamamahal na anak ng

31, 2022.

She said, “Ang City Health Office nagpagawas og advisory atong January 19 kasi we have had several patients na mamakak on the dates of their symptoms or onset of symptoms, which will affect the isolation period sa isa ka COVID-19 positive (The CHO issued an advisory on January 19 since we have had several patients who lie about the dates of their symptoms or onset of symptoms, which

will affect the isolation period of a COVID-19 positive).”

“Therefore kung mamakak sila sa ilang symptoms pwede nila ipashorten ang ilang isolation period to super short gyud. Muingon ra sila dugay na nigawas ilang symptoms wala na tay mapa-quarantine nila. We will avoid that. As much as possible, we have to isolate gyud ang positive patients and we will quarantine ang close contacts (Therefore if they lie about their symp-

toms, they can have it shortened. They can say that their symptoms manifested earlier [so] we cannot make them undergo quarantine.

We will avoid that. As much as possible, we have to isolate the positive patients and we will quarantine their close contacts),” the city health official added.

Dr. Schlosser was referring to the advisory signed

by Acting City Health Officer Dr. Ashley Lopez, stating

he Pastor Apollo Quiboloy-led Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) announced on Monday that it is supporting the BBM-Sara Uniteam of Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and his running mate vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for the upcoming May elections.

Quiboloy, who made the announcement during the sendoff ceremony of “Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas

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CHO says swab date is isolation Day 1 for asymptomatic, mild Covid-19 cases

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he City Health Office (CHO) has issued an advisory, reiterating that the swab date will be the basis of the first isolation day for a confirmed COVID-19 patient who is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms, regardless of the vaccination status.

Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser bared this in an interview with the City Information Office on Monday, January

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Market goers buy“penoy”, a favorite street food among Filipinos, outside the main building of Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City on Tuesday. Edge Davao

PH ready for int’l T tourists, TPB says

Imported vehicle sales grow 14 percent in ‘21

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they have created programs to help tourist sites prepare for the possible reentry of international travelers.

“We took the pandemic pause as an opportunity na talaga maisaayos ang products sa various regions.

Kaya yung na validate na 79 circuits, it is safe to say na they are ready to receive

visitors,” Velasco-Allones said.

She added they have launched several programs to help uplift the industry such as the shift to smart tourism as they move some marketing and promotions in the digital sphere.

They are also pushing for the “Safe Bangon Turismo” by putting by tourist concierge in various tourist sites and putting up standardized signs. All these can help the incoming visitors from across the world.

The Department of

Tourism is also collaborating with various agencies to simplify the process of travel entries to various regions.

Velasco-Allones admitted that because of the different alert levels in place in the provinces, it may be confusing for some foreigners. They have put in place measures to give proper information to visitors.

The TPB said they are updating the Travel Philippines Hub app to give updated information and trav-

Investments Act, and the Public Service Act, will help attract more investments, generate employment, introduce innovation, lower prices, and improve the quality of goods and services.

“Foreign investments react favorably to a more liberalized regime. This has been the experience of Vietnam and, most recently, Indonesia. We are looking forward to doing the same so that we can become more competitive and provide Filipino consumers a vari-

ety of options at affordable prices,” Chua said.

The NEDA chief said the Philippines is currently the most restrictive in foreign investments in the region, and the third most restrictive in the world, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2020.

This has led to the country lagging in terms of logistics and internet performance.

“Recently, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand have opened up

their road transport, airlines, and telecommunications sectors. Technology is advancing very fast, so we need to attract more investments and innovation in these sectors so we will not be left behind,” Chua said.

Chua cited how Republic Act 8762, which opened up the retail sector, led to the entry of international brands like Ikea, Uniqlo, and Muji.

The enactment of the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act last December 10 will fur-

he Philippines is ready to accept international tourists following the approval of the national government on the reopening of borders for foreign visitors starting February 10, 2022.

Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) COO Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones on Monday said although they were surprised by the decision, they are happy the tourism industry in the country can finally rise again amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the past 2 years,

FPH, P10

he appetite of the local market for imported vehicles recovered in 2021 as sales grew 14 percent compared to 2020 numbers, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported Monday.

AVID said imported vehicle sales last year increased to 58,916 units from 51,851 units in 2020.

The double-digit growth in sales of light commercial vehicles offset the 9 percent decline of passenger car sales last year.

Imported light commercial vehicles sold 42,871 units in 2021, higher by 23 percent than the 34,896 unit sales in 2020.

Sales of outsourced passenger cars in the previous year decreased to 15,092 units from 16,650 units sold a year ago.

On the other hand, commercial vehicle sales jumped 212 percent to 953 units from 305 units in the same period.

Month-on-month, AVID members’ cumulative sales increased by 7 percent to 5,259 units in December last year from 4,903 units in November.

Some 4,110 units sold in the previous month were light commercial vehicles, 1,140 units were passenger cars, and nine units of commercial vehicles.

AVID president Maria Fe Perez-Agudo said easing the mobility towards

ther simplify and lower barriers to entry in the retail sector and give Filipino consumers an even wider array of options.

Likewise, the urgent passage of the remaining two economic liberalization bills will attract more investments in sectors that still need significant improvement.

On Dec. 7, 2021, the Senate and House of Representatives (HOR) ratified the final bicameral report on the proposed Amendments to the Foreign Invest-

ments Act. This will spur more innovation by relaxing conditions on paid-up capital for firms with sufficient Filipino employment or enterprises that involve advanced technology or have a start-up status. The enrolled copy is pending transmittal to the Office of the President.

Meanwhile, the Amendments to the Public Service Act, which seeks to open key sectors such as transport and telecommunications, is currently being

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Passage of three economic bills to boost post-pandemic recovery

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he urgent passage of the three landmark economic liberalization bills into law will be crucial in accelerating growth in 2022 and beyond, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.

In his presentation during the #AskNEDA media briefing on Monday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua discussed how these reforms, namely the Amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, Foreign

FPASSAGE, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

ECONOMY 5

Eleven-kilogram cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are piled along the sidewalk outside a dealership in R. Castillo Street, Davao City. Oil companies have announced an increase of P4 per kilogram of LPG starting Tuesday. Edge Davao

Senate urged to reject or defer RCEP free trade deal

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everal groups urged the Senate to reject or defer the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement.

RCEP is a free trade deal with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and economic giants China, Japan and South Korea, as well as Australia and New Zealand.

The Philippines remains one of the few countries in the group that have yet to ratify the free trade deal which has already been in effect since January 1 in many countries.

Proponents of the free trade deal say it will “strengthen regional economic integration; support an open, free, fair, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system; and, ultimately, contribute to global

LPG price up by P4 per kilogram

post-pandemic recovery efforts.”

RCEP is seen as the world’s largest free trade area contributing to around $25.8 trillion or 30 percent of global GDP. Some groups are concerned that RCEP will have a negative impact on the Philippine economy, especially the agricultural sector. he price of liquefied petroleum gas They said RCEP will al(LPG) is set to increase by PHP4 per low more agricultural products from other countries to kilogram starting Tuesday. easily enter the country and This translates to a LPG brands that imcompete with local prodPHP44-hike for a regular plemented the price hike ucts because of zero tariffs.

“Our agriculture sector 11-kilogram LPG cylinder. include Petron, Phoenix has been, and continues to be, ill-prepared for free trade in the global market.

Production costs are high.

Basic support services and infrastructure are inadequate. Inputs, logistics and utilities are expensive. Marketing costs are prohibitive,” he pandemic’s effects es marked record highs FSENATE, P10 will further squeeze during the pandemic, with purchasing the United Nations Index DITO says business ‘viable’ despite power,consumer with Agriculture revealing a 28-percent rise, William D. Dar from grains to meat, in the DITO CME deferred stock rights offer Secretary foreseeing further choke- last two years. Record levITO Telecommunity “separate and unique.” points in the global food els of food inflation were said it remains a susDITO is on track to meet supply chain leading to last seen in 2011. tainable business de- its third technical audit set in upward pressures on food Labor shortages in spite DITO CME’s announce- July, Tamano said. production costs. transport and high freight ment that it would defer its So far, it had already hit “The agriculture sec- costs have further groundstock rights offer due to un- 50 percent of its 12 million tor this year will confront ed goods, especially during favorable market conditions. subscriber goal for 2022, he global challenges, such as recent surges in Covid-19 DITO CME holds a con- added. other countries stockpiling infections in most countrolling stake in the third For its third year, DITO fertilizers and fuel prices tries. The rise of vaccine telco DITO Telecommunity, committed to reach 70 per- going up,” he cautioned. mandates among the larga consortium operated by cent population coverage “Our country will have to est global economic players Davao-based businessman and an average download contend with rising con- is also seen to compound Dennis Uy with China Tele- speed of 55 Mbps. sumer prices, as the rest of mobility issues among com.

“Our assessment is that the world, even developed workers. Already, talks of The telco’s chief admin- given these indicators, DITO countries, is doing. obligatory vaccinations istrative officer Adel Tamano Telecommunity remains a Local balanced mea- have ignited political turon late Monday said it would viable and sustainable busi- sures to ensure affordabil- moil in some countries. be inappropriate for DITO ness as we remain steadfast ity for food consumers are In 2021, Philippine agriTelecommunity to comment in our commitment to part- then all the more urgent,” culture moreover suffered directly on the deferment ner with the Philippine gov- he added. in the hands of typhoons, since the 2 companies are Global food pric- Typhoon Odette in Q4 beFDITO, P10

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Super LPG and Solane.

Auto-LPG prices also increased by PHP2.24 per liter for Phoenix and

by PHP2.23 per liter for Petron.

The price adjustments

were effective as early as 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

“These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of February,” Petron said in its advisory. (PNA)

ing the most destructive.

African Swine Fever (ASF) remains a conundrum with no commercialized vaccine in sight. The porcine disease dragged down growth in the livestock subsector by a low of 16 percent.

Such destructive forces will likely force total agriculture output into a contraction in 2021 and off its original target of 2 percent growth, analysts predict.

Balancing acts, food mobilizations, capacitation of FCAs Secretary Dar issued a directive to DA regional field offices to keep up food mobilization from food surplus provinces to major metropolitan markets.

“We are enhancing production in areas and provinces around Metro Manila, such as Central Luzon, and

creating a quadrant of food baskets around NCR. Our regional field units have been tasked to empower farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) to export directly their surplus fruits and vegetables to metro areas,” he said.

The DA is on a firm path to galvanize farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) as more powerful players in the supply chain.

Secretary Dar likewise directed DA units to prioritize FCA capacitation thru capitalization and the provision of agri-machinery and equipment.

FCA inclusion in the supply chain can also foster competition and discourage price increases in the supply of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers.

DA pushes vs 2022 global inflation with price management strategies

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

On which party or candidates will the Kingdom of Jesus Christ support in the 2022 elections:

Marami ang nagtatanong kung sino ang susuportahan ng The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, ang sabi ko sa tamang panahon, ito na siguro ang panahon para sabihin ko sa inyo kung sino, 100 percent ako po ay sumusuporta sa Uniteam na kinabibilangnan ng pinakamamahal, pinalanggang mayor sa Davao City na karon mudagan bilang vice president ug si Marcos ug ilahang senatorial slate.”

Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy

Leader, Kingdom of Jesus Christ

EDITORIAL Hopeful month Yesterday is not just another day. It is another month – February. And February is eventful, full of holidays, festivals and even historical events – Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and EDSA Day, just some of them.

Filipinos who are mindful of current events nurture the hope the pandemic will soon end.

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

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If some people tend to believe that the end is near it is because hope springs eternal in the human breast, which means that people will always be optimistic and think that something better is coming.

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

Some scientists are giving us a ray of hope with their statements that this global catastrophe will end sometime soon.

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 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

SOCIAL RULES TO LIVE BY Recently, I was reading some posts in my Facebook when I came across a very interesting post from Ranjan Mishra, who describes herself as “entrepreneur, influencer and writer.”

She’s from New Mumbai, India.

I am not sure if she really writes the following “social rules” but they are worth sharing as all of these words to live by are applicable to all of us; those written in close parentheses are my addition. Read it slowly and ponder: 1. Don’t call someone more than twice continuously. If they don’t pick up your call, presume they have something important to attend to. (The reason the person is not answering the phone is he or she may be doing a lecture or in the midst of making love.)

2. Return money that you have borrowed even before the person that borrowed you remembers or asks for it. It shows your integrity and character.

Same goes with umbrellas, pens and lunch boxes. (If you don’t want to lose a friend, never let him or her borrow money from you. Instead, give whatever you can give to help him/her during the time of the person’s needs.

The money you give is a help and

not a credit.)

3. Never order the expensive dish on the menu when someone is giving you lunch/dinner.

(Remember, you are just invited.

What if the cash she or he has may not be sufficient to pay for the meal?)

4. Don’t ask awkward questions like ‘Oh so you aren’t married yet?’ Or ‘Don’t you have kids’ or ‘Why didn’t you buy a house?’

Or why don’t you buy a car? For God’s sake it isn’t your problem; 5. Always open the door for the person coming behind you.

It doesn’t matter if it is a guy or a girl, senior or junior. You don’t grow small by treating someone well in public; 6. If you take a taxi with a friend and he/she pays now, try paying next time. (It is a case of give and take.)

7. Respect different shades of opinions. Remember what’s 6 to you will appear 9 to someone facing you. Besides, second opinion is good for an alternative; 8. Never interrupt people talking. Allow them to pour it out. As they say, hear them all and filter them all. (If you interrupt them from talking, they may forget the next lines.)

9. If you tease someone, and they don’t seem to enjoy it, stop

it and never do it again. It encourages one to do more and it shows how appreciative you are.

(Well, there are lots of people who are embarrassed when they are teased.)

10. Say “thank you” when someone is helping you. (“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Maya Angelou once said.)

11. Praise publicly. Criticize privately. (We love praises, especially if they are said honestly. As for criticism, Jose Rizal said that we need it “to keep us awake.”

But be sure when you say those criticisms, never say them when there are so many people around.)

12. There’s almost never a reason to comment on someone’s weight. Just say, “You look fantastic.” If they want to talk about losing weight, they will.

(Just put yourself in their own shoes. What if the person will also comment something about you? Will you be happy to hear those words, too?)

13. When someone shows you a photo on their phone, don’t swipe left or right. You never know what’s next. (Besides, some photos may not be good

for you to see or are secrets to keep.)

14. If a colleague tells you they have a doctors’ appointment, don’t ask what it’s for, just say “I hope you’re okay.” Don’t put them in the uncomfortable position of having to tell you their personal illness. If they want you to know, they’ll do so without your inquisitiveness.

(Respect the person’s right just as he or she respects yours.)

15. Treat the cleaner with the same respect as the chief executive officer. Nobody is impressed at how rude you can treat someone below you but people will notice if you treat them with respect. (Or as one sage puts it, “You can’t force someone to respect you, but you can refuse to be disrespected.”)

16. If a person is speaking directly to you, staring at your phone is rude. (Even if you are listening to what the other is saying to you, he or she may think you are not listening to what he or she is telling you if your eyes are on your phone.)

17. Never give advice until you’re asked. (Advice is great if they are solicited from you.)

18. When meeting someone after a long time, unless they want to talk about it, don’t ask

them their age and salary. (And say anything bad, like “you look so old,” “why are you so fat now,” or “have you been sick all this time?”)

19. Mind your business unless anything involves you directly - just stay out of it. (If the issue has nothing to do with you, then forget it and move on.)

20. Remove your sunglasses if you are talking to anyone in the street. It is a sign of respect. More so, eye contact is as important as your speech. (But these days, don’t remove your mask when talking with someone.)

21. Never talk about your riches in the midst of the poor.

Similarly, don’t talk about your children in the midst of the barren. (Likewise, never talk about food when everyone around you is hungry.)

Here are some don’ts to live by: Don’t go where you’re not invited. Don’t talk about what you don’t know. Don’t open the refrigerator in other people’s houses. Don’t call someone after nine o’clock at night. Don’t visit someone at lunch time. Don’t enter other people’s bedrooms without permission.

Two always: Always flush the toilet after using it. Always – always speak the truth.

DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG PEYUPS

BAR EXAMS IN THE TIME OF COVID19 PANDEMIC Prayers will not save you in the bar exams.

“Do not write a mantra, motto, prayer to deities or saints, special plea addressed to the examiner or the Bar Chairperson, or any other such extraneous text,” Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Bar exam chairperson, said.

Leonen stressed that leaving or making any distinguishing mark in any submitted answer is classified as cheating and can disqualify the examinee from the whole Bar Examinations.

In reality, many aspiring lawyers become more religious during this time, praying hard that they will see their names in the list of successful examinees.

Due to the onset of COVID19 pandemic, the bar examinees for this coming bar have reviewed for longer than all the other batches taking the bar exams under very difficult conditions.

Finally, they will take the 2020/2021 bar exams on February 4 and February 6 after being postponed several times.

It was first postponed from November 2020 to November 2021.

The duration of the 20202021 Bar examinations is also shortened from its traditional

four consecutive Sundays to only two days.

Previous bar exams were held for four Sundays with two subjects each at the University of Santo Tomas as the venue.

The coverage of the exams is also now reduced from the usual eight subjects to four sets of examinations.

The four sets are the following: (1) Law Pertaining to the State and Its Relationship with Its Citizens (formerly Political Law, Labor Law, and Taxation Law); (2) Criminal Law; (3) Law Pertaining to Private Personal and Commercial Relations (formerly Civil Law and Commercial Law); and (4) Procedure and Professional Ethics (formerly Remedial Law, Legal Ethics, and Practical Exercises).

For the first time, the exam will be held in multiple sites.

“These changes pro hac vice seek to meet the demand for new lawyers amid the disasters plaguing the country. The Philippines has produced no new lawyer since the pandemic. But while the bar examinations may no longer be postponed, it can be held in a way that is more humane. With these changes, the Court strikes that balance,” the SC said.

All examinees were advised to strictly undergo quarantine.

With excitement and trepidation, we pursued the dream of becoming lawyers.

Traversing the path of legal education was hard to the exponential power.

We immersed ourselves in law books and cases, faced terror professors, pore through volumes and pages of SCRAs, lined up for photocopying at the law library, hurried through classes, reviewed and crammed through lessons, and survived recitations.

Encounters with law professors during the dreaded recitations involved answers that range from direct lifting from the SCRAs “in the original,” for those who studied, to inventions through guess work for those who didn’t.

Despite the torture, most of the memorable moments in law school were funny blunders during class recitations.

Passing the bar exam is obviously not that easy and seems to be the crowning glory of a student’s life.

The bar exam is considered one of the toughest and most difficult among the professional board exams, having one of the

highest mortality rate.

Passing is obviously not that easy. The discipline in terms of time management and patience is crucial during the review period.

It is also a yearly spectacle on the performance of law schools measured on the most number of topnotchers or those scoring the highest passing rate.

I belong to the working student program of UP Law as a reporter for the TODAY broadsheet and other international news agencies. I do my coverage during the day then attend my evening classes. I read my cases in the bus on the way home to Las Piñas from Diliman, always looking for the seat with the strongest headlight I was among the lucky 1,465 examinees who passed, or 39.63 percent out of the 3,697 examinees of the 1998 bar exams, which is considered as one of the highest in the bar exam history.

One has to gain an average of 75 percent with no subject falling below 50 percent, otherwise he will be disqualified.

I failed in my Political law but my final grade was pulled up by my score in Remedial law, which was my highest.

I often jokingly tell people that Florin Hilbay topped the 1999 bar because of the reviewers which he borrowed from me as his bar exam buddy. He later became the Solicitor General.

Ultimately, being a good lawyer is another thing. Passing the bar is not enough.

There were those who joined law offices for private practice, the government, judiciary, politics , the academe while others went into alternative lawyering.

Lawyers, as professionals, are expected to uphold the ethical and moral values that are said to be essential to the fabric that holds society together.

“Serve the people. Do not betray your humanity,” Leonen says, who is also my UPLaw professor. “Discover your passion. Be patient and compassionate.”

Passion for the law is dedication to do what is right.

Good luck to the 2020/2021 bar examinees (Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. 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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VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Nationalian tops the January 2022 Architect Licensure Exam

NU’s Ar. Shaunn Remzzo T. Blanco, led the 1370 (out of 2205) board passers, taking the top spot with an overall rating of 83.50% in the January 2022 Architect Licensure Examination.

A son of a registered

nurse and an architect, Shaunn dreamt to be an architect since he was young, “When I was a child, I (only) wanted to build my mom her dream house. But when I entered this profession, (I realized) it wasn’t

GSIS to release P100M educational subsidy to members’ kin The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will release a total of P100 million to 10,000 kin of GSIS members to augment their college education expenses through the GSIS Educational Subsidy Program (GESP) for academic year (AY) 2021 to 2022. Each college student will receive Php10,000 from GSIS. “Malaking ginhawa ang hatid ng Php10,000 na educational subsidy para sa ating mga miyembrong may anak o legal dependents na nasa kolehiyo, lalo pa ngayon na nasa gitna tayo ng pandemya. Mula sa 15,770 qualified applicants, pumili tayo ng 10,000 grantees na pinakanangangailangang makatanggap ng educational assistance para sa pagaaral ng kanilang kaanak,” said President and General Manager Rolando Ledesma Macasaet.

Out of nearly 17,300 received applications nationwide, the grantees for AY 2021-2022 were selected from different regions across the country, broken down as follows: 1,581 from NCR (15.81%); 1,994 from North Luzon (19.94%); 2,093 from South Luzon (20.93%); 2,078 from Visayas (20.78%); and 2,254 grantees from Mindanao (22.54%).

The grantees will receive the subsidy after submitting the requirements to GSIS. New grantees must submit the duly signed and notarized GESP agreement, the

Information Sheet with two copies of the student’s latest 2x2 ID pictures, and a Land Bank of the Philippines account number. These requirements must be submitted to the nearest GSIS office within 60 calendar days from the publication of the list of qualified students in the GSIS website or official social media account.

The list of qualified grantees for 2021-2022 may be viewed through https://www.gsis.gov. ph/gsis-educational-subsidy-program-grantees-ay-2021-2022/.

A student-grantee may shift course or transfer to any CHED-registered school provided that the course is completed within the duration of the original course.

Additionally, a written notice for the shift of course or transfer of school must be submitted to the Corporate Social Advocacies and Public Relations Facilities Department Manager, GSIS Pasay City.

The subsidy is non-transferable.

Member-recipients and grantees who have inquiries on GESP may visit the GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph) or GSIS Facebook account (@gsis.ph), email gsiscares@gsis.gov.ph, or call the GSIS Contact Center at 8847-4747 (if in Metro Manila) or 1-800-8-847-4747 (for Globe and TM subscribers) and 1-800-10-8474747 (for Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers).

just about building houses or structures, it is actually about creating these and the special experiences that everyone would remember.”

His father wanted him to become an engineer, but

he was always inspired and fascinated with what his father did. He then talked to his godfather who shared a lot of things about National U. ‘’One thing I remember was when he talked about prestigious and famous

architects from NU, that’s when I realized that if National University was able to produce those architects, then they can mold me into the architect I’ve always dreamt to be.”

After graduating in 2018, Ar. Blanco originally planned to take the ALE exactly after the required 2 years of diversified experience (June 2020) but because of the threat of the Covid 19 pandemic, he decided to spend most of his time in learning through actual practice in Visionarch and some construction site immersion with his father.

He thought that actual practice experience was his key factor in deciding whether to take the exam or to wait more months until he is fully prepared.

Fast forward to 2022, the persevering student, who loves to join architectural design competitions, topped the Architect Licensure Exam.

When asked about his and his parents’ reactions, Shaunn said, “The moment na nakita ko yung name ko sa list of passers, hindi ko na chineck (topnotchers), friend ko pa yung nag inform sa akin that I topped the exam. I was surprised. My moth-

er cried, pero they always knew na kaya ko ipasa. As for my father, they did not ask naman daw for this pero Top 1 pa daw ang binigay ko, so they were surprised as well.”

When asked for his secret to his success in the ALE, he said, “Most important for me yung conditioning talaga physically, mentally and emotionally. Aside from reviewing, dapat mas nama-manage yung stress at anxiety. Na-realize ko na mas okay pang relaxed ako during the exams. So even sa paglabas ko ng exam room, I wasn’t really thinking of what I did wrong in the exam. Instead, I thought of it as a way for me to prove myself, regardless of the results.”

The new architect shared that the Nationalian core value that he believes he possesses is integrity. He stressed that it is important in the profession because “integrity defines us and how we continue to uphold our ideals as architects.”

His advice to other professional board examinees, “They should study for their future practice and not only for board exam purposes. It will really be helpful if ganun yung mindset to retain information.” (PR)

SSS reminds employers, members of payment deadline for December 2021 (4th quarter 2021 contributions)

The Social Security System (SSS) reminds employers and members that the payment deadline for December 2021 contributions of regular employers and October to December 2021 contributions of household employers; self-employed, voluntary, non-working spouse (SE/V/NWS) members; and Landbased Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) members is on January 31, 2022.

SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the reminder is being made so that employers can avoid the penalties of late payments and for individual members to not miss their contribution payments.

The payment of contributions is one of the requirements for members to avail of social security benefit programs such as Sickness, Maternity, Unemployment, Retirement, Disability, Death, and Funeral, as well as loan privileges.

“During this period of uncertainty, SSS remains to be one of the most trusted government institutions that helps private sector workers

against the adverse effects of the pandemic. In times of contingencies such as sickness or unemployment, they can get financial assistance from the SSS,” Ignacio said.

The payment schedule follows SSS Circular No. 2019-012, which stated that the deadline of remittance of regular employers is every last day of the month following the applicable month, while for household employers and SE/V/NWS members, it is every last day of the month following the applicable month or calendar quarter, as the case may be.

As for Land-based OFW members, they can pay their SS contributions for the applicable months of January to September of a given year until December 31 of the same year, while for the applicable months of October to December of a given year, they are allowed to pay until January 31 of the succeeding year.

Moreover, if the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, payments will still be accept-

ed on the next working day.

For example, contributions of regular employers for their employees for the applicable month of January 2022 can be paid until February 28, 2022. Household employers and SE/V/ NWS members, on the other hand, may pay their January, February, and March 2022 contributions until May 2, 2022, since April 30 and May 1, 2022 both fall on a weekend.

“With the rise in COVID-19 cases, we continue to encourage our members and employers to use our online and alternative payment channels to pay their SSS contributions for their safety and convenience,” Ignacio concluded.

One option for SE/V/ NWS and OFW members to pay their SS contributions online is through the SSS Mobile App, where they can use their PayMaya Account, GCash Account, Credit/ Debit Card, or Bank of the Philippine Islands Account.

Information about SSS online and alternative payment chan-

nels can be found in the Knowledgebase Section of the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss. gov.ph.

Furthermore, members who are paying contributions under monthly salary credits (MSCs) in excess of P20,000 up to the prescribed maximum MSC are automatically covered and contributing under the Workers’ Investment and Savings Program (WISP). It is a safe, convenient, principal-protected, and tax-free individual retirement savings plan launched last January 2021. Members with contributions under the WISP will receive additional benefits, as their WISP benefit will be automatically processed when they or their beneficiary/ies file/s for their Retirement, Total Disability, and/or Death Benefits.

For more information, follow “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram or YouTube, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, or join the SSS’ Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

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o, it’s not dwindling land areas that pose the biggest threat to food security, it’s water shortage.

“Many well-informed individuals see a future of water shortages, but few have connected the dots to see that a future of water shortages will also be a future of food shortages,” said Lester R. Brown, the president of the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Policy Institute.

“Water shortages lag only climate change and population growth as a threat to the human future,” said Brown in an exclusive interview by this author. “The challenge is not to get enough water to drink, but to get enough water to produce our food.

We drink, in one form or another, perhaps 4 liters of water per day. But the food we consume each day requires 2,000 liters of water to produce, or 500 times as much.”

A closer look at the available statistics proves

Rice farming

him right. Agriculture is by far the biggest consumer of water around the world. In thickly-populated Asia, agriculture accounts for 86% of the total annual water withdrawal, compared with 49% in North and Central America and 38% in Europe.

“Agriculture is where future water shortages will be most acute,” wrote Michael S. Serrill in “Time” some years back.

Rice is a case in point.

“Water has contributed most to the growth in rice production for the past 30 years,” said the Laguna-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Irrigation-farmed rice draws heavily on the resource.

In his book, “Water: The International Crisis,” Robin Clark reports that an average farmer needs 5,000 liters of water to produce

AGRITRENDS

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Water shortage

WATER SHORTAGE ALSO MEANS FOOD SHORTAGE Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

one kilogram of rice. “Rice growing is a heavy consumer of water,” agrees the IRRI report, “Water: A Looming Crisis.”

The IRRI report projected that most Asian countries will have severe water problems by 2025.

This water shortage could seriously threaten rice production in the region.

This is bad news for Filipinos who consider rice as their “deepest comfort food.” Each day, about 31,450 metric tons of rice are consumed by Filipinos, according to Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol of the Department of Agriculture.

“The link between water and food is strong,” Brown reminded. British author John Robbins, the man behind “Food Revolution,” has managed to document the robust connection of these two resources. To produce one pound of lettuce or one pound of tomatoes, 23 gallons of water is

needed.

For one pound of potatoes, 24 gallons of water is needed; 25 gallons for one pound of wheat, 33 gallons for one pound of carrots, and 49 gallons for one pound of apples, according to Robbins.

Meat production also consumes a lot of water.

“Agriculture uses about 70% of the world’s available freshwater, and onethird of that is used to grow the grain fed to livestock,” the Worldwatch Institute reports.

Beef, the meat used in most fast food outlets, is by far the most water-intensive of all meats. “The more than 15,000 liters of water used per kilogram is far more than is required by a number of staple foods, such as eggs (3,300 liters per kilogram), milk (1,000 liters), or potatoes (255 liters),” the Worldwatch Institute says.

The US Department of Commerce 1992 Census of Agriculture’s Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey, published in 1994, reported that one pound of pork needs at least 1,630 gallons of water to produce but in contrast one pound of beef requires 5,214 gallons of water.

“Producing beef is much more resource-intensive than producing pork or chicken, requiring roughly three to five times as much land to generate the same amount of protein,” the Worldwatch Institute

points out.

Around the world, more than 40% of wheat, rye, oats and corn production is fed to animals, along with 250 million tons of soybeans and other oilseeds.

“Feeding grain to livestock improves their fertility and growth, but it sets up a de facto competition for food between man and people,” the institute says.

Global meat consumption and consumption have increased rapidly in recent decades, with harmful effects on the environment and public health as well as on the economy, according to research done by the institute’s Nourishing the Planet project.

“Worldwide meat production has tripled over the last four decades and increased 20% in just the last 10 years,” it said. “Meanwhile, industrial countries are consuming growing amounts of meat, nearly double the quantity than in developing countries.”

A huge volume of water is also used in aquaculture or fish farming. “Fish farming is more advantageous than raising livestock. “For every kilogram of dry feed, we get one kilogram of fish meat,” said Dr. Uwe Lohmeyer of the Deutsche Gesselschaft fur Technische Zusammernarbeit (GTZ), a German Technical Cooperation. “This is far more favorable rate than in the case of say, pigs: to produce the same quantity of pork, a

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City.

The mayor also said she will ask the Anti-Scam Unit in Davao City to investigate this matter.

“We will have to ask our

anti-scam unit if there are activities na ingon ana, vaccination exemption cards, or kanang production of vaccination exemption cards,” Mayor Sara said.

amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, he assured his constituents that the hospitals will continue to operate for the people of Davao del Sur, especially for the less fortunate.

“We will continue to be producing quality infrastructure projects and quality social services for people like health and education. After all, if we continue to do these things,

then I’m pretty sure that we will continue to make our people happy,” Cagas stated.

Jealyn Solatorio, GMDH administrative officer, expressed her gratitude to the provincial government for extending help and providing facilities for their frontline workers, especially in far-flung areas like Kiblawan. (PIA-XI/Franchette Delfin)

not exceed to P50,000; and a

Transitory Shelter Assistance or a 1-2 years house rental estimated at P120,000 to 240,000 or housing materials that won’t exceed to P50,000.

On the first quarter of last year, the dispatch of the Batch 1 families in Davao del Norte was held last March 19. The DSWD then provided the initial cash assistance to the families.

The DSWD also provided the Transitory Family Support Package to 6 families in the second quarter.

A total of P584,150 worth of assistance was provided to the 6 families which relocated to Santo Tomas, Asuncion, Tagum City, Laak, Davao de Oro, Panabo, and Tagum City.

“Aside from the provision

of these support assistance, our office is also tasked to validate the incoming batch of beneficiaries. Usually, we receive many applicants, however, after the screening process done by the DSWD, many turned out to have not met the basic requirements inorder to avail of the BP2P,” said Berdos.

She said the DSWD continues to accept and process applicants and refer them to the desired locality for relocation. Any interested individual may just apply online thru www.balikprobinsya.ph, click the APPLY button and the government will facilitate in the screening and the possible dispatch to the desired province.

(PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)

laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives, properties, and environment in its area of responsibility; exercise the general power to arrest, detain, search and seize in accordance with existing laws; conduct regular patrol to ensure the safety and protection of both tourists and residents within his jurisdiction; coordinate with concerned police stations in monitoring and investigating all cases involving tourists, and take immediate appropriate action to resolve conflicts.

“Given the current situation, the TPU has been reactivated to hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the pandemic,” Bacera said.

The plan to complete the TPU building recommenced following a request from the

city tourism office (CTO).

“The TPU needs [to be highly] visible, so it will be accessible and convenient for people visiting our city. At the same time, concerns will also be resolved as immediately as possible,” CTO chief Generose Tecson told PNA in a separate interview Monday noting that it is not the first of its kind in the city.

It will be the second TPU office in the city after the one established along Roxas Avenue in front of Marco Polo Davao.

Tecson cited that the new office will be equipped with a tourist assistance counter.

The project, which is implemented by the city engineer’s office, received an appropriation of PHP7.3 million.

(PNA)

el requirements per province.

They also hoped that travel agencies must also know updated data to help inquiring tourists.

“That app actually helped. it become the reference, go to for information and updates. Ina-upgrade siya ngayon and also being enhanced,” Velasco-Allones said. She added, “We are

engaging the tour operators and travel agencies kasi even before the tourists would come and book, make their bookings, dapat maalam sila ano mga requirements na kailangan ma meet on the ground para maensure natin na seamless pa rin ang travel when they arrive here. Sabi namin, wag kayo mag offer na hindi pa bukas.”

the latter part of the year has contributed to the recovery of the industry.

“You cannot downplay the importance of mobility in the reopening of the economy, gradual though it may be,” Perez-Agudo said. “With

unwavering confidence in the market and in the quality of our product and service offerings, AVID members are determined to build on these gains and look forward to an even better normal in 2022.”

(PNA)

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Conference Committee.

The NEDA chief also urged Congress to approve the measure before the adjournment of the session this week.

All three legislations complement the Corporate

Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act, which brings the Philippines’ corporate income tax rate closer to its Asean peers and modernizes the country’s fiscal incentives system.

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Davao City, ang ating mahal

na Mayor Inday Sara Duterte na tumakbo sa isang national position bilang vice president,” he added.

Quiboloy is a staunch supporter and friend of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ako, mula sa kampanya ng Duterte family, mula sa kanyang father, si Sara, nakita ko kung ano ang kanilang pag-

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ipinas ride,” Mayor Sara said.

mamahal sa syudad kaya ito ay naging isa sa developed na syudad sa Pilipinas,” he said.

In September last year, Quiboloy announced he would be forced to run for President if there would be nobody strong enough to replace the President. He even challenged Senator Manny Pacquiao, who is also running for President.

For the whole month of February, Mayor Sara will travel to the following routes for the MNAP ride: Davao City to Bislig; Bislig-Lipata Port, Surigao; Lipata Port to Liloan Port; Liloan Port to Tacloban, Leyte; Tacloban,Leyte to Calbayog, Samar; Calbayog to Allen Port; Allen Port to Matnog Port; Matnog Port to Suki Beach, Matnog; Matnog to Naga City, Naga City to Daet, Camarines Norte; Daet, Camarines Norte to Lucena City; Lucena City to Metro Manila; Metro Manila via Gapan City to Cabanatuan City; Cabanatuan City to Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya; Nueva Viscaya to Cauayan, Isabela; Cauyan, Isabela to Tuguegarao City; Tuguegarao City to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Vigan City; Vigan City to San Fernando, La Union; San Fernando, La Union to Alaminos, Pangasinan; Alaminos, Pangasinan to Subic, Zambales; Zubic, Zambales via Pampanga to Metro Manila; Manila to Batangas Port; Batangas

Port to Calapan Port; Calapan Port to Bulalacao Port; Bulalacao Port to Caticlan Port; Caticlan Port to Iloilo; Iloilo to Bacolod; Bacolod to Dumaguete; Dumaguete to Dapitan; Dapitan to Pagadian; Pagadian to Cotabato; and Cotabato to Davao City.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara assured that she will still be available through her radio program/online throughout the ride. She said when MNAP was conceptualized it considered her existing schedules and meetings.

“Ang pag plot sa schedule naapil namo ug consider na dunay 1 pm to 3 pm na radio program every Monday.

Gi-consider ang akoang trabaho sa City Hall. Of course dili ko physically present but everything right now is online man gud pareho aning atong radio program which is online, ang mga meetings namo sa City Hall online and regular ang amoang meeting schedule so we know kung unsang adlaw na siya mahitabo,” the mayor said. By Maya M. Padillo

that a fully vaccinated asymptomatic COVID-19 patient will have to undergo seven days of home or facility isolation from the swab date. The isolation period may be extended depending on the severity of the symptoms and assessment of the attending physician.

A fully vaccinated mild COVID-19 patient will also undergo seven days of home or facility isolation from the swab date, provided that the symptoms improve at least 72 hours before the set isolation days.

Isolation may get extended, depending on the severity of the symptoms and assessment of the attending physician.

Meanwhile, partially or unvaccinated asymptomatic COVID-19 patients will

have 10 days of either home or facility isolation from the swab date but if symptoms occur, their isolation may be extended, again, depending on the severity of symptoms and attending doctor’s assessment.

The partially or unvaccinated mild COVID-19 patient will also have 10 days of home or facility isolation from the date of the swab if the symptoms improve at least 72 hours before the set isolation days, depending on the severity and physician’s assessment.

Dr. Schlosser said the uniform first day of isolation based on the swab date for mild and asymptomatic cases will address the people’s confusion.

said former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor.

“Given these constraints, it will be difficult for us to compete with other RCEP members. Plus, we will be vulnerable to their cheaper exports, which are sometimes subsidized,” Montemayor added.

CJ Castillo, Program Director of Labor Education and Research Network, urged the Senate to conduct more studies and simulation before acting on the matter.

He said based on their own research, several sectors will be negatively affected by the tariff adjustments under RCEP. Sectors that will be affected are agricultural particularly sug-

ar, wool, silk-worm cocoons, wheat.

Also affected are electrical equipment and computer products, metals, machinery, ferrous metals, apparel and many more.

“Based on our calculations, domestic output will decline by about .076 percent. That’s still a decline. And when you have a declining output, that will make a big impact on employment. And we are worried about this,” Castillo said.

Montemayor added, cheaper products from other countries will now directly compete with local products that may be more expensive and this will negatively affect local industries.

ernment and our private sector partners to provide world class, affordable, connectivity to Filipinos wherever they may be,” Tamano said.

DITO CME earlier said it planned to raise P8 billion from the share sales to fund the telco’s expansion.

Even with the deferred fund raising activity, DITO

CME chief financial officer Joseph Ong said the company was able to secure about $4 billion in loan commitments from foreign lenders.

Trading of the listed DITO CME was halted on Jan. 31 but its was lifted by the Philippine Stock Exchange after the company vowed to refund investors in the deferred offer.

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farmer – given the same quality of inputs – has to provide three kilograms of feed.”

It goes without saying that water is indeed the world’s most important resource.

“We’re surrounded by a hidden world of water,” pointed out Stephen Leahy, a Canadian journalist and author. “Liters and liters of it are consumed by everything we eat, and everything we use and buy.”

That’s what he calls a “water footprint.” In his book, aptly entitled “Your Water Footprint,” he defines it as the amount of water ‘consumed’ to make, grow or produce something. “I use the word consumed to make it clear this is water that can no longer be used for anything else,” he explained.

According to him, one of the biggest surprises (while writing the book) was learning how small direct use of water for drinking, cooking and showering is by comparison.

For instance, he found out that flushing toilets is the biggest water daily use – not showers.

While low-flow shower heads and toilets are great water savers, the water footprint concept can lead to even bigger reductions in water consumption.

“For example, green fuels may not be so green from a water consumption perspective,” Leahy wrote. “Biodiesel made from soybeans has an enormous water footprint, averaging more than 11,000 liters per liter of biodiesel. And this doesn’t include the large amounts of water needed for processing. Why so much water? Green plants aren’t ‘energy-dense,’ so it takes a lot of soy to make the fuel.”

Beef also has a big footprint, over 11,000 liters for a kilo, according to Leahy. “If a family of four served chicken instead of beef they’d reduce their water use by an astonishing 900,000 liters a year. That’s enough to fill an Olympic size pool to a depth of two feet.”

“Water isn’t just a com-

modity. It is a source of life,” says Sandra Postel, director of the Massachusetts-based Global Water Policy Project.

Postel believes water problems will trail climate change as a threat to the human future.

“Although the two are related, water has no substitutes,” she explains. “We can transition away from coal and oil to solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. But there is no transitioning away from water to something else.”

Water covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface and is a major force in controlling the climate by storing vast quantities of heat. About 97.5 percent of all water is found in the ocean and only the remaining 2.5 percent is considered fresh water. Unfortunately, 99.7 percent of that fresh water is unavailable, trapped in glaciers, ice sheets, and mountainous areas.

Water is drawn in two fundamental ways: from wells, tapping underground sources of water called aquifers; or from surface flows that is, from lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs. Water is drawn in two fundamental ways: from wells, tapping underground sources of water called aquifers; or from surface flows - that is, from lakes, rivers, and man-made reservoirs.

“World demand for water doubles every 21 years, but the volume available is the same as it was in the Roman times,” observes Sir Crispin Tickell, former British ambassador to the United Nations and one of the organizers of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. “Something has got to give.”

Again, here’s a thought-provoking statement from Brown: “The most important thing we can do to cope with water scarcity is to use water more efficiently in agriculture. Beyond this, urban recycling of water, still in its early stages, will be one of the keys in dealing with fst-spreading water shortages.”

Philippines to a berth in the 2019 FIBA World Cup but stepped down in the wake of the infamous brawl between Gilas Pilipinas and Australia in July 2018 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

“It will be an honor to serve the country again,” Reyes said. “It is a big challenge, pero hindi ko matatalikuran ang tawag ng bayan.”

Reyes’ return to the Gilas program comes a little under a year after he was appointed as head coach of the TNT Tropang

GIGA, marking his return to the PBA after nearly a decade. He steered TNT to the All-Filipino crown in October 2021.

The SBP said that it “respects Coach Tab’s decision and thanks him for his valuable contributions to the Gilas program.”

“The national federation would also like to ask our countrymen to support Coach Chot Reyes, as we prepare to bring basketball’s biggest stage to our home court,” the SBP said.

overall, were led by Christian Wood’s 24 points and 13 rebounds. He had a great first half, piling up 17 points, but cooled down after the break.

A 10-3 spurt by the Rockets, capped by a 3 from Garrison Mathews, got them within five with about eight minutes to go. Houston cut it to four on a another 3 by Mathews later in the fourth, but Curry scored five quick points to extend it to 108-99 with less than six minutes remaining.

But the Rockets scored the next five points, with a 3 from Kevin Porter Jr., to cut it to four again.

Golden State led by nine at halftime but an 8-2 run by Houston to start the third cut the lead to 63-60. Wood powered the Rockets in that stretch with a 3-pointer and a dunk after a steal.

The Rockets got within 3 again midway through the quarter after a 3-pointer by Porter.

Curry took over after that, making each free throw after being fouled on a 3-pointer before hitting an off-balance 3 seconds later to extend Golden State’s lead to 74-65 with about five minutes left in the third.

mentation and observance of health and safety protocols that are prescribed in the Joint Administrative Order signed by the GAB, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Department of Health.

Non-contact sports are also allowed, with a maximum

of 50% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals.

The PBA, which has yet to hold a game in 2022, has already announced that it will resume its Governors’ Cup on February 11. Teams will be allowed to hold scrimmages starting February 1, Tuesday.

BACK... FROM12

CURRY... FROM11

GAB... FROM11

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

SPORTS

11

Stephen Curry scored 21 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 122-108 win over the Houston Rockets.

Curry catches fire in fourth as Warriors rip Rockets GAB gives go-signal for contact sports in M. Manila

T

he Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has given the green light for contact and non-contact sports to resume in Metro Manila as well as other areas under COVID-19 Alert Level 2.

The National Capital Region (NCR), along with seven other provinces, will be placed under Alert Lev-

el 2 from February 1-15, it was announced on Sunday.

Given this development, GAB said that all contact sports -- including basketball, volleyball, football, boxing, and mixed martial arts -- are now allowed to take place.

The sporting events must still follow the guidelines adopted by the IATF,

the GAB, and the local government unit where the games will be held.

The presence of a live audience, when allowed by the LGU, is also subject to prevailing IATF guidelines.

Moreover, the GAB stressed that sports leagues and associations must ensure the strict imple-

FGAB, P10

H

OUSTON — Stephen Curry scored 21 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 122-108 win over the Houston Rockets on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

It was the sixth consecutive win for the Warriors, while Houston extended its skid at home to 11 straight games.

The Warriors were clinging to a four-point lead

in the fourth when Curry scored the next five points to make it 113-104 with four minutes left. He made a basket in the lane before hitting a 3 from the corner to allow Golden

State to pull away.

Curry made seven 3-pointers, with four in the fourth quarter, and had nine assists and five rebounds. His 21 fourth-quarter points were the highest of his career.

Andrew Wiggins added 23 points for the Warriors and Klay Thompson had 14.

The Rockets, who lost their fourth straight game

FCURRY, P10

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS KEN

WHAT 2022 HOLDS FOR GM WESLEY SO After the FIDE World Championship match, the chess circle was abuzz with questions about who’s the next most qualified to challenge world champion Magnus Carlsen.

Young Alireza Firouzja, the Iranian super GM who now plays for France, has emerged as the likely challenger because of his rising ELO rating of 2800 that has placed him second to Carlsen in the latest FIDE ratings last December.

Fil-Am WesLey So, who won his third US Open last year and who is touted to prominently figure in the Candidates Match in April 2022, skipped the World Cup and the regularly calendared Tata Steel Masters in Wijk Aan Zee in Netherlands.

He is reportedly preparing for the FIDE Grand Prix, a series of three tournaments to be held between February 4 and April 4 2022.

The top two finishers in this tournament to be staged alternately in Berlin, Belgrade (Serbia) and then Berlin anew, will fill up the last two slots in the Candidates leading to the 2023 World Championship cycle.

Twenty four elite GMs from around the globe have been qualified by FIDE to take part in the GP. Among them are China’s Ding Liren, ranked 3rd with 2799 ELO; Levon Aronia (6th, 2772); Anish Giri (7th, 2772) Shakriyar Mamedyarov(9th, 2767); Alexander Grischuk (10th, 2764);

Richard Rapport (!!Th, 2763); Maxime Vachier LaGrave (12th, 2761); Leinier Dominguez (15th, 2752); Nikita Vitugov (19th, 2731); VIdith Gujrathi (21st, 2727); Dimitry Andreikin (23rd, 2724); Pentala Harikrishna (25th, 2717); Yu Yang Yi (27th, 2713); Sam Shankland (29th, 2708); Alexei Shirov (31st, 2704) and Vladimir Fedoseev (32nd, 2704).

GMS HIkaru Nakamura was the presidential nominee while Daniil Dubov was the organizer’s choice that will complete the 24-player list.

WS is ranked #8 behind Giri with the same ELO rating of 2772.

This is a magical cast of players where you cannot exactly

figure who will come out on top until one raises the white flag.

I patiently monitored the 2022 Tata Chess Steel tournament and enjoyed watching Andrey Esipenko upend Carlsen on opening day.

If my memory serves me right, Wesley has already won an edition of this widely followed tournament some years back.

This on-the-board confrontation is the much more excitedly awaited play by chess fans even if the threat of Covid19 infection looms above the contestants’ heads.

Dubov forfeited his last four matches due to infection, reports said.

Wesly had a fruitful harvest last season.

Aside from the US Open trophy, he took home the championship in the Champions Grand Chess Tour; finished fourth in the Meltwater (Online) Chess winning three legs; runner up in the Sinquefield Cup; and placed runner-up to Nakamura in the Speed Chess (on-line Rapid/ Blitz) Championship.

Wesley was also named the US Grandmaster of the Year by the US Chess Federation.

Follow the FIDE Grand PRix live on Chess24 or Chess.com that begins this Saturday.

Endure the late nights though. Cheers! (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 268 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Chot Reyes has been appointed as the new head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

BACK IN THE HELM

Chot Reyes back as Gilas Pilipinas coach

O

ut Tab Baldwin, in Chot Reyes.

The Gilas Pilipinas program will return to the stewardship of Reyes, who steered the Philippines to the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, has been appointed as the new head coach of Gilas Pilipinas.

This, after Baldwin stepped down from the position after a couple of impressive campaigns by a young squad of nationals.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the development on Monday evening, with Reyes set to take over the national team by Tuesday, February 1.

The Philippines will co-host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 together with Indonesia and Japan.

It remains to be seen how Reyes’ appointment will impact the Gilas Pilipinas roster, which is currently composed of collegiate players and amateur standouts that the SBP selected in a special round of the PBA draft.

The federation explained that Baldwin decided to relinquish his post as Gilas Pilipinas coach “to focus on his responsibilities to the Ateneo Men’s Basketball Team.”

Aside from being the program director of Gilas Pilipinas, Baldwin also calls the shots for the Blue Eagles and has led them to three consecutive championships in the UAAP. According to the SBP, the

delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an overlap in the schedules of the upcoming collegiate basketball season and the preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 qualifiers.

The UAAP is expected to start in March, while the Philippines will compete in the World Cup qualifiers in late February.

“Chot is the sensible choice to take over Gilas coaching, because he is very familiar with the program,” SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said in a statement. “He also has solid experience in international competition and FIBA games.”

“Considering the high-level performance expected of Gilas, we decided to go with the coach who brought the country back to the FIBA World Cup in 2014,” added SBP President Al Panlilio.

Reyes coached Gilas Pilipinas from 2012 to 2014, with Baldwin taking over the squad until the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016 before Reyes returned to the position.

He was on track to lead the

FBACK, P10