Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 42 | Tuesday, May 04, 2021

SO BE IT SPORTS P8

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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CLARIFICATION

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

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Two women use a foot bridge to cross the muddy Crooked Road in Davao City on Monday. Business owners in the area complain of losses and incovenience as the concreting project of the street is still not done months after it started. Edge Davao

No lockdown in Davao Region: Sara

STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

Duterte not ready yet to compromise quarantine protocol on OFWs

P An elderly woman receives a bag of vegetables from a soldier at a community pantry at Sto. Niño Parish covered court in Mabini, Davao de Oro on Sunday.

Contributed photo

CLARIFICATION No lockdown in Davao Region: Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio clarified there is no lockdown in Davao Region.

The mayor issued the statement to enlighten the public on uniformed border control in Davao Region.

“We are not aware of any lockdown in Davao Region.

I understand there is a talk going around regarding a lockdown in Davao Region.

Davao Region is not Davao City. Region 11 is provinces of Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental plus the highly urbanized Davao City,” the mayor said in a live broadcast interview with Davao City Disaster

J

Radio (DCDR) on Monday.

The report on the planned uniform border control in Davao Region has caused chaos and confusion among the public and travelers.

“Ang gina-istoryahan po nato and ginahuna hunaan sa atoang RIATF is regional border control, buot pasabot ana is ang tumoy sa Davao del Norte, tumoy sa Davao Oriental, ug tumoy sa Davao de Oro, tumoy sa Davao Occidental and tumoy sa Davao del Sur ug Davao City,” the mayor said.

The mayor advised

the public to wait for the resolution and guidelines to be released by the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) and Regional Task Force (RTF).

“The region is under RIATF and RTF mao na sila ang in-charge sa Covid-19 response regionwide. We should listen and wait and follow the RIAT and RTF as implementing arm. Kung wala’y ginasulti ang RIATF and RTF dili ta dapat magspeculate ug magpagawas ug bit of pieces ug incomplete information para dili maconfuse ang mga tao,” Mayor Sara said.

It can be recalled that Department of Interior and Local Government 11 (DILG

11) Regional Director Alex Roldan announced that the RIATF has approved the appeal of the city government of Davao for the partial closure of the borders of Davao Region to ensure that only essential travels can enter the region.

Roldan clarified that the resolution and guidelines are still subject for comments for the local government units (LGUs).

“I am sure ipahibalo na nila sa mga tao kung unsa ang guide sa ingon ana. Ang last nako na nahibal-an is ginapacomment ang mga local chief executives and kita sa Davao City, ang nagcomment ug nagadopt is Davao City Covid-19 Task Force,” the mayor said.

resident Rodrigo Duterte on We d n e s d a y, wanted to retain strict enforcement of health protocols for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) as the Department of Labor bared the drain on government funds for their quarantine requirement.

“I am not ready for a compromise,” he said, after conferring with medical experts on the “barest minimum” number of days that returning OFWs may be released from quarantine.

President Duterte met Cabinet members and the technical advisory group of the Department of Health (DOH-TAG) to address the appeal of OFWs to ease the mandatory quarantine on them, as they cited emotional and financial burden.

The DOH in February this year shifted to a fiveday facility quarantine with Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing on the fifth day and allowed 14 days quarantine at home or in local government unit (LGU) facilities.

Seafarer Regil T. Espe, 45, for example, arrived in the Philippines in April and had his temperature checked and asked to fill up a DOH form upon arrival at the airport. He and the other OFWs were then assigned to different hotels to stay for five days.

He was assigned at the Sogo hotel located in Pampanga City. Five days later, they underwent swab testing and was allowed to proceed to Davao City, where he said

De Oro drug den busted: teacher, 5 others nabbed

Japan now accepts scholarship applications A

apan is now accepting scholarship application in Research, Undergraduate, Specialized Training College, and College of Technology categories of the 2022 Japanese Government (MEXT/Monbukagakusho) Scholarship Program.

The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan said it would be accepting applications.

The JICC said the four categories of the scholarship program belong to different fields of study.

Under Social Sciences, Humanities, and Natural Sciences, there are two categories: Research and Undergraduate.

For Research, students

pursuing masteral or doctoral programs must be under 35 years old and a college graduate, preferably with 16 years of formal education. They must submit a clear and feasible research proposal.

This course requires 2-5 years of study.

For undergraduates, and in the Specialized Training College and College of Technology, students must be under 25 years old and a high school graduate with a good academic standing.

Under Specialized Training College are Personal Care and Nutrition, Education and Welfare, Business, Fashion and Home Economics, Culture and General Education, which require only 3 years of study.

In College of Technology are fields of study in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Information Communication and Network Engineering, Materials Engineering, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Maritime Engineering requiring 4 to 4.5 years of study.

The Japanese embassy said that for the past years, the Japanese Government has been receiving Filipinos, among other nationals from all over the world, to study in Japan and this year, applications are open again.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology

(MEXT) of Japan offers these scholarships to international students who wish to study at Japanese universities, providing great opportunities for international students to study in Japan, especially Filipino citizens.

Application forms and requirements may be viewed on the Embassy website: https://www. ph.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ en/00_000193.html.

The deadline for submission of applications is on May 31. The embassy said applications must be submitted in hard copies printed on A4 size paper and mailed through courier. By Shaine Andrea Marie Go/ Ateneo de Davao Intern

he underwent similar procedure upon arriving at the airport here.

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña of the DOH-TAG said the enforcement of 14 days quarantine for returning OFWs has proved effective saying there was no surge of new cases after the holiday season.

The DOH TAG said enforcement of strict quarantine protocols on returning OFWs was critical to safeguard the country’s borders from infectious variants.

Labor Sec. Silvestre Bello III has said OFWs had complained about the stress of long mandatory quarantine period for returning OFWs and that this also weighed down on government funds as it shouldered hotels and other holding facilities.

Bello said, spending two weeks in isolation “causes emotional stress on OFWS to be with their families after years of working overseas”.

Besides, he added, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (AITFEID), showed only 2.07 percent positivity rate in 2020 and 1.5 percent positivity in 2021 among OFWs. The health experts under DOH-TAG told Duterte, however, that quarantine may be lifted on the tenth day if the person does not show any symptom saying that the infection commonly shows the symptoms after five to seven days. By Katherine Capella B. Espe and Cyrill Jess Astronomo, ADDU interns

joint team of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police operatives busted Saturday night a drug den and arrested six suspects including a female public school teacher in Davao de Oro. PDEA 11 director Antonio Rivera said that the suspects were arrested in a buy-bust operation that resulted in the dismantling of a drug den at the house of the teacher in Bayanihan Street, Purok 2, Barangay Poblacion, Nabunturan, capital town of Davao de Oro. Collared was Dowey Eve Lago Tagud alias Dowey, teacher of Montevista National High School Annex who was tagged as the “drug den

maintainer,” Rivera said.

Also arrested were Dowey’s husband, Alejandro Lago Tagud, alias Imbo, and drug den customers Aileen Quilisadio Alberca, Jomar Lago Taneza, Darwin Boiser Tusay, and Marilyn Delizero Panon.

Rivera said the suspects yielded 12 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P96,000 and other pieces of evidence.

Prior to the operation, Rivera said authorities conducted surveillance on the clandestine activities of the Tagud couple and immediately planned an operation.

He said the suspects will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

NEWS 3

Dayanghirang urges DENR to review ECC of abandoned quarry in Bunawan

By MAYA M. PADILLO

C

ouncilor Danilo Dayanghirang is urging the regional office of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR 11) to review the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued to an abandoned quarry in Barangay Bunawan.

The quarry is owned by a cement company and is being identified by the residents as among the reasons of the recent flooding in the area.

Dayanghirang said he already sent a letter to DENR 11 and copy furnished DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu to help address the flooding.

“Just recently ang distrito ko ay tinamaan ng flooding.

Bunawan is a boundary of Davao City and Davao del Norte at nandiyan yung cement plant. Kaya ang ginawa natin ngayon para sa District 2, sinulatan natin ang DENR11 and also sent a copy to General Cimatu kasi gusto nating malaman kung ano ang cause ng flooding and marami ang nagsasabi it is because of that abandoned quarry of the said cement plant.

Baka puwedeng i-review nila yung environmental Certificate Clearance na binigay then from them malamaman natin kung anong adjustments ang dapat gawin,” he said in his 5 Minutes with Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang on YouTube on April 28, 2021.

He cited that when companies or organizations stop quarrying activities, they should employ measures like planting trees to rehabilitate the area.

“Kasi kapag hininto mo na ang quarry, wala

na diyan tataniman mo ng mga kahoy or merong mga portion na ongoing pa rin pero walang mitigating measures o meron man baka hindi sustainable. We need to rehabilitate it at kailangan magtanim ng kahoy.

Review the environment rehabilitation plan ng isang malaking kompanya ng semento na people are saying diyan nanggaling ang tubig baha,” he said.

Dayanghirang also identified the ongoing construction works of the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) that also contributed to the flooding of his district.

“The other reason na posible pud sabi ng mga tao karon na giayo ang agian sa tubig misamot na hinoon kabaha. Maybe dapat i-review pud sa DPWH 11.

Sauna sulti sa mga tao before wala namang flooding ngayon ay mas lalong nagbaha something is wrong with the re-alignment.

Instead na i-mitigate yung baha mas lalo tuloy na aggravate,” he said.

He said he already sent a letter to DPWH 11 regarding this matter.

“We hope pag natanggap ng DPWH ang aking sulat pag-aralan nila ang mga designs or ano ang nangyari doon sa construction ng river na ginagawang embankment,” he said.

A police motorcycle rider leads the convoy securing the refrigerated van carrying 60,000 doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac vaccine from Laguindingan Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental to the Department of Health Region 10 office in Cagayan de Oro City on Labor day, Saturday, 1 May 2021. The latest shipment is the biggest received by the DOH for Northern Mindanao’s five provinces and nine cities MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

Davao City aggressive surveillance swabs confirm low risk status

A

one-month long aggressive surveillance swabs on suspected Covid-19 infections yielded a low 1.3 percent positivity rate, confirming the low-risk status that health officials have bestowed on this city following low patient consultation and admission for the disease.

Only 72 persons yielded for Covid-19 infection from among 5,582 swabbed individuals during the period March 31 to April 26, said Dr.

Ashley Lopez, the acting City Health officer.

While the positivity rate was low, or the percentage of person infected with the Covid-19 virus from out of a total number swabbed in a certain period, Lopez cautioned against getting complacent.

“That indicates that we have low cases. However, even if there is only one case that is still significant to us. It is still transmissible even if there is only one, how much

and resetting the economy in the new normal. Also Nicole Bian Hao-Ledesma. These are the new breed of leaders for Davao City and Mindanao.

They are young, dynamic, and dedicated to reset Davao City’s economy in the new normal,” said Dr. Malou Monteverde, president of DCCCII. The Davao ICon is a biennial event of DCCCII. The event aims to bring together potential buyers and investors as well as industry experts to discuss and present Davao Region’s business opportunities to build strong partnerships, thus bringing more people and investment to Davao.

Monteverde said this year’s conference will focus on real estate, tourism, manufacturing, and digitalization.

“Mga tech savvy yan sila,” Monteverde said.

DCCCII will officially

launch Davao ICon 2021 during the 5th General Membership Meeting on May 28, 2021.

The last conference was held in June 2019 with the theme “Davao: Your Southeast Asian Investment Destination,” which was chaired by Monteverde.

The said activity was graced by the officials of the Alibaba Group, the Chinese technology conglomerate founded by Jack Ma. The event also highlighted presentations from various foreign chambers, including the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Mindanao (JCCM), American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CanCham). By Maya M. Padillo

Biz chamber welcomes new faces for Davao ICon 2021

T

he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., (DCCCII) welcomed the emergence of new, young dynamic leaders for this year’s Davao Investment Conference (Davao ICon 2021).

DCCCII recently inducted Ricardo Lagdameo, vice president of Damosa Land Inc., (DLI)

as chairperson; and Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma, chief operating officer of the Joji Ilagan International Schools and Group of Companies, as co-chair for Davao ICon 2021.

“Mr. Lagdameo is very capable. He has also the vision for what Davao ICon should focus on to be able to achieve the goals for recovery

Ricardo“Cary”Lagdameo, vice president of Damosa Land, Inc., and Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma, chief operating officer of Joji Ilagan International Schools (JIB) and Group of Companies, are welcomed by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) as this year’s Davao Investment Conference (ICON) chair and co-chair. Edge Davao

more if there are 72,” he said.

Lopez said surveillance swabbing in detecting the asymptomatic Covid-19 cases in the city could be a key to stop potential transmission in the communities.

Last week, a total of 964 public utility drivers were swabbed on the first three days of a drive-thru swabbing program for them, said Dr. Julinda Acosta, head of the CHO Technical Division.

Lopez, the city’s focal person on Covid-19 Task Force, said City Transport and Traffic Management Office data shows a total of 21,000 PUV drivers in the city.

“Hopefully, majority of the drivers will be swabbed so that we can verify their health status)," Lopez said. The swabbing centers at Crocodile Park here could cater up to 500 persons per day in drivethru swabbing.

He said drivers would receive a text message within a week if the results were positive. If drivers do not receive a notification within a week means that they tested negative.

The surveillance swabbing for public drivers was rolled out by the city government according to Executive Order No. 22, Series of 2021, also known as “An Order Providing for Heightened Surveillance and Response of Covid-19 Cases in Public Ground Transport and Delivery Services in Davao City.

The Crocodile Park swabbing would run from April 26 to May 8. Besides undergoing the free swabbing for Sars-CoV-2,

public transport drivers also took the opportunity to avail the free tuberculosis screening in a booth with mobile x-rays set up by the Davao City Health Office at the Davao Crocodile Park.

Drivers were also provided free tuberculosis test as additional incentive.

Lopez said that the CHO has scheduled more surveillance swabbing in certain areas almost daily.

On April 27, CHO teams conducted swabbing in Barangay 76-A Bucana where 254 individuals were swabbed and in Barangay 19-B which was consistently at the top 5 high-risk barangays in the city. Some 95 individuals were swabbed in the area.

On April 30, the team conducted random swabbing in NCCC mall in Cabantian, Buhangin District, and in three branches of Lots for Less malls in Lanang, Ma-a, and Monteverde.

Lopez said CHO is planning to conduct the surveillance RT-PCR testing at the Sasa Wharf for travelers, market vendors and laborers this week.

A team would conduct swabbing for the vendors in Matina Aplaya and Catalunan Grande where cases were increasing, and in Catalunan Pequeno. CHO is also targeting tricycle drivers and ‘talipapa’ vendors.

Surveillance swabbing is set to be conducted in Tacunan Market, banks, and some government offices.

Lopez said that among the workplaces, banks are one of the places that always have are Covid-19 cases.

By Euneece Angela Olbes, Ateneo de Davao Intern

A1 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

From a sandbar, local residents turned it into an 800 square-meter islet by erecting perimeter buffer made of used truck tires, filled with concrete cement in the hollow. It is now known as Passig Islet Aqua Eco-park located in barangay Bato, municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur. Because of the pandemic, only 650 individuals are allowed at any given time. Pre-pandemic, the islet could accommodate at least a thousand visitors. Transport costs 160 pesos per pumpboat.

Entrance fee is 25 pesos. Cottage rental is 100 pesos for three hours. MindaNews photos by JULES BENITEZ

ADB-supported infra projects in PH to create more jobs S

Gov’t allots P2.5-T for economic recover

A

fter supporting the Philippine government’s program to fight coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will focus its financing program in the country to accelerate job generation.

During the Task Group on Economic Recovery-National Employment Recovery Strategy (TGER-NERS) Job Summit on Labor Day, ADB Philippines country director Kelly Bird said the institution has a USD3.5-billion lending program for the Philippines this year mainly supporting infrastructure projects that will create construction and related jobs.

Bird said infrastructure projects that will be funded

by ADB this year include the Malolos-Clark Railway Project, the South Commuter Railway Project, the Davao Modern Bus Project, the

Metro Manila Bridges Project, and the Palawan Sustainable Tourism Project.

“Our own estimates show that USD1 billion of infrastructure investments create an additional USD1.5 billion in gross domestic product,” he said.

He added these infrastructure projects will help in the economic recovery and employment in the country.

Bird said the ADB has also partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authori-

ty (TESDA) to reskill Filipino youth for their transition to the job market.

“This includes DOLE’s flagship program JobStart Philippines that has helped more than 20,000 out-ofschool young Filipinos find meaningful employment,” he added.

Bird said ADB aims to support the Philippine government in these programs that will help in easing the elevated unemployment rate and increasing the number of workers in the informal sector due to job shedding amid the pandemic. “(T)he Build Build Build infrastructure program, tax reforms, regulatory reforms, and by sector reforms places the Philippines in very good position to return to its economic growth of above 6 percent,” the ADB executive said.

The private sector has launched a campaign that will work on boosting Filipinos confidence in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccines.

During the Vaccine Summit: Equitable Distribution and Safety, Presidential Adviser on Entrepre-

neurship Joey Concepcion said Friday some 1,000 companies joined together for the “Let’s Go Bakuna” campaign.

He said as the bulk of the vaccine supplies is set to arrive in the country in the second half of the year, confidence in Covid-19 vac-

cines should be boosted for the fast vaccine rollout.

“Now that we have a very clear timeline on most of these vaccines, the next is we need to have great execution and vaccine confidence,” Concepcion said.

“We’ll start on working on our employees to—be it vid-

Last March, ADB has approved USD400-million worth of loans for the Philippine government’s Covid-19 vaccination program.

Bird added that in 2020, ADB provided institutional financing amounting to USD4.2 billion for the Philippines.

Of last year’s ADB funding for the Philippines, the executive said USD1.8 billion went to the government’s fiscal and health response, and USD10 million was for the establishment of a modern laboratory in San Fernando City, which can process 3,000 Covid-19 tests per day.

In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, food baskets were provided to over

eo materials or social media -- show how safe vaccines are.”

He added that with the problem of balancing health and economy, vaccination will be the key to move forward and open the economy.

“It is now a challenge

FINFRA, B1

ocioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the government has allocated PHP2.5 trillion this year as part of the government’s threepronged approach for economic recovery.

At the Job Summit organized by the Task Group on Economic Recovery-National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) on Labor Day, Chua said the total budget for economic recovery this year is equivalent to 14 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“In fact, the 2021 budget was designed to achieve our economic recovery alongside other complementary measures,” he said.

Chua, who is also the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) director-general, said about PHP2 trillion, or 11.3 percent of GDP, will come from the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA).

On top of this, the government also implements PHP478 billion worth of fiscal measures this year that include the following: -- PHP317 billion from the Bayanihan to Recover as One (Bayanihan 2); -- PHP23-billion Social Amelioration Program 2 for the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal or the NCR Plus; and -- PHP138 billion tax breaks to all enterprises under the CREATE law Citing a World Bank survey, Chua said 63 percent of businesses were open in November 2020.

However, only 9 percent of the surveyed firms were operating in full capacity.

He added that companies are operating at below capacity mainly due to financial constraints at 52 percent and insufficient consumer demand at 19 percent.

Chua said while the

toward survival for many of our entrepreneurs. But the challenge now really is how we eliminate the virus,” he said.

Concepcion added that the current health protocols like wearing of face mask, face shield, and physical distancing will only allow to

coexist with Covid-19.

The private sector also ordered vaccines from various manufacturers to help in the vaccination program of the government.

The government targets to inoculate 70 percent of its population to achieve herd immunity. (PNA)

FGOV’T, B1

Private sector to boost vax confidence among workers

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

ECONOMY A2

Makeshift stores like this one starts to sprout along the Ulas Bypass road due to the high volume of traffic in the area. Edge Davao

Jobs recovery task force bats for P8-K monthly wage subsidy The Inter-Agency Task Force on the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) is working on the rollout of the proposed wage subsidy for private-sector workers, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Saturday.

During the NERS Job Summit on Labor Day, Lopez said the proposed wage subsidy to private-sector workers supports the recommendation of the business and labor sectors for a wage subsidy program to preserve and protect existing jobs.

“The proposed program shall provide a subsidy equivalent to PHP8,000 per month or a maximum of three months to affected workers through the establishments’ payroll system,” he said.

Lopez, also the NERS chair, said the government will pour in PHP24 billion for the proposed wage subsidy program and will benefit one million workers in the private sector.

Apart from DTI, government agencies that will be involved in the proposed wage subsidy program are the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Department of Finance, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The trade chief said the program is being evaluated

by NEDA. He hopes that the program will be implemented soon, but it “will depend on the budget, which is now being studied”.

“This would also be a form of pump-priming the economy. Priority will be given to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) especially those that implemented or currently implementing flexible work arrangements and those under temporary closure but intending to return to business operation,” he said.

He said MSMEs that availed of the zero-interest Covid-19 Assistance to Restart Enterprises or CARES loan program of the Small Business (SB) Corp. will also be prioritized for the proposed wage subsidy program.

Lopez said the wage subsidy program is one of the eight-point employment recovery agenda of NERS, which is a convergence of recommendations from the business and labor sector.

NERS agenda also includes the following: -- PHP11.1-billion retooling and upskilling programs for workers in various government agencies, with target beneficiaries of 407,804 individuals; -- full implementation of youth employability program in government agencies, with a total budget this year of PHP1.76-billion and

FJOBS, B1

PH keeps out of US Special 301 Watchlist for 8 years

S

trong enforcement measures have kept the Philippines out of the United States’ (US) watchlist, which flags countries with pressing concerns in intellectual property (IP) rights protection, while also successfully eliminating an allegation raised since 2019.

“We welcome the country’s continued exclusion from the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Report, an achievement since 2014 that helps promote the Philippines as a vibrant investment place for US and other foreign businesses,” Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Rowel Barba said in a statement Sunday.

Barba said they are

pleased with the removal of the erroneous finding that the government uses unlicensed software, a claim which it has repeatedly disproved.

In its explanations to the USTR, IPOPHL had cited Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2002, which by laying down stringent eligibility requirements, adequately ensures that only legitimate bidders with gen-

uine, authorized, and good quality products can participate in the bidding process.

Also cited were issuances such as Executive Order No. 262, series of 2000 titled “Providing Policies, Guidelines, Rules and Regulations for the Procurement of Goods/Supplies by the National Government” and Memorandum Circular No. 115 issued on April 5, 1995, all of which direct government offices to only acquire licensed software.

Moreover, IPOPHL provided the US Embassy a breakdown --as provided by the Department of Budget and Management-- of government agencies’ spending to procure licensed software.

Barba said the re-

T

man of the business council.

“Wala, walang ganun (There’s no such thing).

There may be some isolated cases, but it’s not en masse,” he said when asked if there were any Indian businesses in the Philippines that closed down.

“Some of them have closed temporarily. No one

has permanently closed. Indian businessmen will keep changing. Somehow, they’ll find something.”

The Philippines has suffered from an economic downturn, with the economy contracting at its worst quarterly level of 17 percent in Q2 2020 and registering a -9.6 percent for the entire

duced areas of concerns is testament to IPOPHL’s whole-of-society work in leading the enforcement efforts of the 12-member National Committee on IP Rights (NCIPR) and in collaborating with pertinent private stakeholders.

“As NCIPR acting chair, IPOPHL lauds our members, the Department of Trade and Industry; Department of Justice; Bureau of Customs (BOC); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); National Bureau of Investigation; Philippine National Police; Optical Media Board; National Book Development Board; Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime; Department of the Interior and Local

year.

COVID-19 also put employment at risk. During the pandemic, construction and manufacturing were among the most affected, UP School of Economics Dr. Annette Pelkmans-Balaoing had said.

The pandemic is likely

FPH KEEPS, B1

No Indian businesses in PH to close down amid COVID pandemic: PIBC he Philippine Indian Business Council said Sunday majority of its members here do not plan to close down amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the economy.

The country is home to around 200,000 Indians, said Johnny Chotrani, chair-

FINDIAN, B1

4 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

In pushing for companies or organizations to stop quarrying activities to prevent flooding: Kasi kapag hininto mo na ang quarry, wala na diyan tataniman mo ng mga kahoy or merong mga portion na ongoing pa rin pero walang mitigating measures o meron man baka hindi sustainable. We need to rehabilitate it at kailangan magtanim ng kahoy. Review the environment rehabilitation plan ng isang malaking kompanya ng semento na people are saying diyan nanggaling ang tubig baha.”

COUNCILOR DANILO DAYANGHIRANG

EDITORIAL Fire-fighting We commiserate with members of more than 240 families whose houses were gobbled up by a fire in barangay Ilang, Davao City, Wednesday night last week.

The houses which went up in smoke were mostly built on stilts in a watery portion of Ilang occupied by our Muslim brethrens. The houses were made of light materials, a reason the bellowing flames only took a short while to spread and eat up a wide swath of the neighborhood.

Damage to property was estimated at about P2 million, reported Senior Fire Officer 4 Ramil Gillado, City Fire District Investigation and Intelligence Chief.

Gillado said the firefighters had difficulty in putting the blaze under control. Aside from the highly combustible housing materials, the abodes were built very close to each other. The pathways were very narrow and the wooden footbridges were also among those burned.

Mercifully, no one was hurt in the raging inferno which occurred about one month after the Fire Prevention Month in March.

Following the fire incident, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio di-

EDGEDAVAO

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It’s a good thing the city’s chief executive has done this rather proactively since fire is a very serious matter. ing.

This is specially true in Davao City where a building boom is happen-

Take the mushrooming of multi-story buildings. A skyscraper on fire needs a sophisticated way of fire-fighting. Do we have the equipment to do this? Do our firemen have the proper training? How about the occupants of a building on fire, do they know what to do?

Has the Bureau of Fire equipped itself with a plan to fight in case of a such disaster?

This early, the concerned agencies should have the answer to these questions.

Meanwhile, the city government should begin setting aside funds to purchase equipment that cannot be provided by the national government.

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

CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL 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

rected the city officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Davao City Water District to inspect the city’s fire hydrants.

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 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod 19th City Council 45th Regular Session Series of 2020 PRESENT: Councilor Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. - Temporary Presiding Officer Councilor Ralph O. Abella Councilor Nilo D. Abellera Councilor Maria Belen S. Acosta Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Councilor Wilberto E. Al-ag Councilor Dante L. Apostol Sr. Councilor Conrado C. Baluran Councilor Jessica M. Bonguyan Councilor Louie John J. Bonguyan Councilor Pilar C. Braga Councilor Augusto Javier G. Campos III Councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang Councilor Jonard C. Dayap Councilor Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Councilor Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic

Councilor Bonifacio E. Militar Councilor Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz

Councilor Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes

Councilor J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Councilor Alberto T. Ungab

Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT: Vice Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte - On Official Business

5

the lost or damaged FM Pass every week, in order that a replacement with the same Control Number can be issued.

SECTION 5. PROHIBITED ACTS – The following offenses are Prohibited Acts under this Ordinance, without prejudice to the filing of other criminal, civil or administrative liabilities: a. TAMPERED OR FORGED FM PASS – Any person who shall tamper with an FM Pass to change any important part thereof, without the authority of the issuing barangay- such as changing the names of the holder or the control number given- or shall forge a fake FM Pass to make it appear that it is valid, or shall use a tampered or forged FM Pass shall be penalized with an administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000). b. UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OF FM PASS – Any person or establishment who shall reproduce FM Passes without the expressed authority of the City Government of Davao shall be penalized with administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000). The manager or owner of any such establishment shall also be held liable. c. MISREPRESENTATION IN THE USE OF FM PASS – Any person who shall misrepresent themselves as the persons whose names are indicated in the FM Pass, when the names therein clearly refer to different persons, shall be penalized with an administrative fine of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000).

SECTION 6. ORDINANCE VIOLATION RECEIPT/CITATION TICKET – An Ordinance Violation Receipt, otherwise known as a “CITATION TICKET”, shall be issued to violators of this Ordinance. The Citation Ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the provisions of the succeeding section, “No Contest Provision”.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and such other appropriate enforcers as may be commissioned by the City Mayor shall have the power to apprehend violators of this Ordinance and issue citation tickets.

The City Mayor may deputize Barangay Officials or representatives of the private sector, non-government organizations and government organizations in the strict implementation of this Ordinance, as the need arises.

ORDINANCE NO. 0455-20 Series of 2020

SECTION 7. NO-CONTEST PROVISION – Any person cited for violation of this Ordinance who does not wish to contest the same and is willing to pay voluntarily within five (5) days the fine imposed or to voluntarily render community service under this Ordinance prior to the filing of a complaint before the Office of the Prosecutor shall be allowed to do so, and shall pay the corresponding administrative fine as cited in Section 5 at the Office of the City Treasurer. Availment of the No-Contest Provision shall exempt a person from criminal liability under this Ordinance.

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE OF THE NEW FOOD AND MEDICINE PASS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “FM PASS ORDINANCE” IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

The City Legal Office and the City Treasurer’s Office shall provide for the procedure for the availment of the “No-Contest Provision” and establish a case inventory and recording system of all violators of this Ordinance.

Be it ordained by the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City, in session assembled, that:

All proceeds from the payment of the herein imposed penalty shall be apportioned as follows:

SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as the “FM PASS ORDINANCE OF DAVAO CITY.”

1. Sixty Percent (60%) of the penalty collected per apprehension shall accrue to the apprehending barangay; and

SECTION 2. USE – The Food and Medicine Pass (FM Pass) shall only be used for the purpose of buying food and/or medicines, and shall be used as follows: a. Two individuals who belong to the same household may be named in the pass, but only one named person can use it at any given time.

2. Forty Percent (40%) shall accrue to the General Fund of the City.

b. The FM Pass must be used with the DQR Code or when necessary, a valid government issued ID, company issued ID/Certificate of Employment, or school ID, to verify the name indicated therein. c. The FM Pass will follow the odd/even scheme through the last digit of the Control Number: 1. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 can only be used on Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2. 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 can only be used on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 3. The FM Pass cannot be used on a Sunday. d. The FM Pass cannot be used during curfew hours. e. The FM Pass can be used in any Congressional District. f. Minors and senior citizens cannot be issued an FM Pass, unless it can be proven by the barangay through a barangay certification that such individuals live alone or live with others who may be immuno-compromised. g. Persons addressing medical and public emergencies shall be exempted from the use of the FM Pass, subject to the existing guidelines of the City Government of Davao.

SECTION 3. FM PASS MASTER LIST – Every barangay shall create and maintain a master list of all households and individuals who have been given an FM Pass. The master list should have the control number per household and the names of both the primary pass holder and the alternative pass holder.

SECTION 4. LOST OR DAMAGED FM PASS – All FM Pass holders are advised to keep their FM Pass safe and undamaged and keep a copy of their Control Number. If the FM Pass is lost or damaged: a. Residents should submit their Names and Control Number to the Barangay and have it verified so that they can claim a Temporary Barangay Certificate, as a replacement. b. The Barangay will issue a Temporary Barangay Certificate with the same Control Number as the lost or damaged FM Pass. This Temporary Barangay Certificate is valid only until the date specifically provided therein by their respective barangays. c. The Temporary Barangay Certificate should be accounted for and submitted to their respective Team Leaders who shall collect the Control Numbers of

The share of the barangay shall be remitted directly to the barangay, without need of any further action, on a monthly basis within ten (10) days of the following month. Said amount shall be utilized for COVID-19 response and for other matters incidental thereto.

SECTION 8. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE – If for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid by a competent court, the remaining sections or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. REPEALING CLAUSE – All Ordinances, resolutions, rules or regulations which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication, and shall remain in full force and effect until the declaration of the existence of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern is retracted by the World Health Organization, or when the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 in the country is lifted.

ENACTED, on the 15th day of December 2020, by a unanimous vote of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

ATTESTED:

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

CHARITO N. SANTOS Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Government Department Head II)

EDGAR P. IBUYAN JR. President Pro Tempore Temporary Presiding Officer cns/kjtq ATTESTED:

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE ODF THE NEW FOOD AND MEDICINE PASS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “FM PASS ORDINANCE” IN THE CITY OF DAVAO

6 EDGEDAVAO Republic of the Philippines City of Davao Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

19th City Council 45th Regular Session Series of 2020 PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

Sebastian Z. Duterte - Presiding Officer Ralph O. Abella Nilo D. Abellera Maria Belen S. Acosta Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique N. Advincula Wilberto E. Al-ag Dante L. Apostol Sr. Conrado C. Baluran Jessica M. Bonguyan Louie John J. Bonguyan Pilar C. Braga Augusto Javier G. Campos III Danilo C. Dayanghirang Jonard C. Dayap Edgar P. Ibuyan Jr. Edgar R. Ibuyan Sr. Richlyn N. Justol-Baguilod Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus Bonifacio E. Militar Myrna G. L’Dalodo-Ortiz Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes J. Melchor B. Quitain Jr. Alberto T. Ungab Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III

ABSENT: Councilor Pamela A. Librado-Morata - On Domestic Emergency Leave Councilor Jaffar U. Marohomsalic - On Sick Leave

ORDINANCE NO. 0431-20 Series of 2020 AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MANDATORY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAFE DAVAO QR (DQR) FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ALL INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING NON-RESIDENTS OF DAVAO CITY

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

e. Persons in Authority – any person directly vested with jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some court or governmental corporation, board, or commission, shall be deemed a person in authority. A barrio captain and a barangay chairman shall also be deemed a person in authority.

SECTION 4. DQR FOR INDIVIDUALS – All individuals, including non-residents of Davao City are required to register and use their respective DQR to enter and move within Davao City and are required to bring their DQR if they go outside of their residence gate or beyond three (3) meters from their houses for structures without gates. This demographic includes individuals belonging to the vulnerable age or those below 18 years old and above 65 years old. Such individuals shall be issued a one-time, permanent, and/or unique DQR upon successful online registration.

Further, the Safe Davao QR (DQR) system should be strictly implemented to strengthen and improve contact tracing in the City as it encountered challenges due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the City. In these cases, the demographics mentioned above shall use their QR Codes for the following purposes: A. As pass to enter and travel inside Davao City for goods and accessing essential services or for work/business only; B. As a pass in law enforcement checkpoints and barangay patrols implementing the prohibition on non-essential travel; C. As a contact tracing record for entry and exit in all public or private offices and establishments; D. As a pass for random scanning if an individual goes outside his residence gate or beyond three (3) meters from their houses for structures without gates.

Barangay personnel are tasked to scan people within their area of responsibility to check violation on the prohibition of non-essential travel; E. All airplane travelers landing in the Davao International Airport (DIA) shall register for two codes: their QR code for exit which is the Health Declaration form in the DIA and their DQR. SECTION 4.1. DQR FOR ESTABLISHMENTS – All establishments within the jurisdiction of the City of Davao are likewise required to register and secure their respective DQR. SECTION 5. PROOF OF ESSENTIAL TRAVEL IN CHECKPOINTS – The following are documents to prove essential travel, to wit: A. A valid employee ID (a photocopy may be presented by drivers who drop-off and pick up the employee); B. Employer/Principal Certification for those who have no employer-employee relationship;

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Davao City in session assembled, that:

C. Business Permit or any other document to prove travel is to access essential goods and services for work/business may be required by checkpoint personnel;

SECTION 1. TITLE - This Ordinance shall be known as “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING THE MANDATORY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SAFE DAVAO QR (DQR) FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS AND ALL INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING NON-RESIDENTS OF DAVAO CITY”.

D. In cases of buying of food, goods, medicines, and services, checkpoint personnel may require a valid government issued ID and proof of purpose and intention;

SECTION 2. DECLARATION OF POLICY – Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Moreover, the City Mayor issued Executive Order No. 60, or An Order Providing for the Guidelines of the Safe Davao QR (DQR).

In addition, Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 provides: Section 16. General Welfare. – Every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. Within their respective territorial jurisdictions, local government units shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology, encourage and support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, improve public morals, enhance economic prosperity and social justice, promote full employment among their residents, maintain peace and order, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants.

Further, as articulated in Republic Act 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act, “It is the policy of the State to protect the fundamental human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free flow of information to promote innovation and growth”. All law enforcement personnel, barangay officials, and private establishments mandated to scan the DQR shall be liable to keep all the records confidential.

The DQR shall be used solely for contact tracing purposes.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS – For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following terms shall means: a. Safe Davao QR (DQR) – refers to the electronic contact tracing and travel pass platform intended to implement contactless gathering and electronic storage of data. b. All Individuals – refers to all individuals currently residing in Davao City and nonresidents who need to enter the City for essential or work/business purposes. c. Vulnerable Age – refers to all individuals below eighteen (18) years old and above 65. d. Establishments – refer to all government and private offices, event venues, hospitals, hotels, malls, stores, groceries, mini-marts, restaurants, carinderias, “palengkes”, places of worship, educational institutions and all other offices, establishments and organizations, including their sub-offices or branches.

E. Subject to such further issuances on proof of essential travel in chekpoints issued by the City Mayor.

SECTION 6. EXEMPTION IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCIES OR NATURAL DISASTERS – The use of DQR and proof of essential travel is not applicable in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

SECTION 7. REGISTRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS – For the purpose of registration, the following requirements should be prepared before going online to access the DQR link: A. A clear photo of one (1) valid ID. The following is the list of valid IDs: 1. Social Security System (SSS)/ Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Unified Multi-Purpose Identification (UMID) Card; 2. Land Transportation Office (LTO) Driver’s License. Student Permit may be accepted if in card format; 3. Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) ID; 4. Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)/ Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDole) card; 5. Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Voter’s ID or Voter’s Certification from the Election Officer with Dry Seal; 6. Philippine National Police (PNP) Firearm’s License; 7. Senior Citizen ID; 8. Airman License (issued August 2016 onwards); 9. Philippine Postal ID; 10. School ID; 11. Passport; 12. In the absence of a valid ID, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) copy of birth certificate.

B. A clear photo of the individual with the valid ID or birth certificate beside his face; C. A clear photo of the individual, facing the camera and showing the entire face (face masks or coverings are prohibited); D. A valid mobile phone number; E. A valid email address.

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VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

The DQR is free and can be saved on the mobile phone or printed on a sheet of paper.

SECTION 7.1 REGISTRATION FOR ESTABLISHMENTS – For the purpose of registration, the following requirements should be prepared before going online to access the DQR Link: a) Establishment name; b) Business permit number; c) Establishment type; d) Complete address indicating the Barangay; e) Contact person and contact number; f) Valid email address.

7

a. First Offense – an amount of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) will be meted for the violators of this Ordinance. b. Second Offense – an amount of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for the second offense. c. Third Offense – an amount of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P1,500.00), or one (1) month imprisonment, or both, for the third offense.

Any shop or person guilty of tampering or hacking the online link shall be prosecuted for cybercrimes under Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Acts constituting violations of Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act shall likewise be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

SECTION 8. GOVERNMENT OFFICES MANDATED TO ASSIST IN THE REGISTRATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH NO ID OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE – The following public establishments are mandated to assist in the DQR registration of individuals with no ID and/or Birth Certificate:

In case of natural persons found in violation of Subsections (a), (d) and (e) of this Ordinance, the penalty of Reprimand shall be imposed for the First Offense, and an amount of Five Hundred Pesos (Php500.00) or a penalty of community service, or both, for the second offense, and a fine of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (P1,500.00) or one month imprisonment, or both, for the third offense.

A. The Barangay shall assist in the DQR registration of individuals within the respective barangay but cannot charge for the government computer and property used. These individuals may bring their own single sheet of bond paper for printing.

If committed by an establishment or judicial entity, the owner, president, general manager or the officer-in-charge of such establishment shall be held liable.

B. Police stations shall assist in the DQR registration for individuals, free of all fees and charges.

If the offender is a public officer or employee, an administrative case may also be filed against him/her pursuant to the Local Government Code 1991 or the Civil Service Laws, rules and regulations, as the case may be.

Individuals with no ID and/or Birth Certificate shall present a current Barangay certification, and the same coupled with a photo of the assisting police officer or Barangay Personnel shall be uploaded to the system upon registration in lieu of the requirements of Section 7.1 (a) (b) and (c);

For offenders apprehended by the Barangay, all fines collected will be divided in this manner: sixty percent (60%) to the apprehending Barangay and forty percent (40%) to the General Fund of the City Government.

SECTION 9. ENTITIES AUTHORIZED TO SCAN – The following are authorized to scan DQR, to wit: A) Task Force Davao (TFD) checkpoints shall be required to scan the DQR upon entry of all individuals. TFD may create a system to check DQR for people travelling together to avoid long queues in the checkpoints.

B) The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) shall conduct scanning in specified checkpoints within the City.

C) Barangay officials and personnel in complete official uniform with ID shall conduct random scanning of all individuals found on the streets within their area of responsibility.

D) Other Law Enforcement personnel supporting the TFD, DCPO, Barangay checkpoints; E) All private and government offices, event venues, hospitals, hotels, malls, stores, groceries, mini-marts, restaurants, carinderias, “palengkes”, places of worship, educational institutions and all other offices, establishments and organizations shall prepare their online and offline scanner for all individuals entering and exiting their area.

All those who are mandated under this section to scan the DQR shall be liable to keep all the records confidential under Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act and can only share the data with the City Health Office (CHO).

SECTION 10. EQUIPMENT USED AS DQR SCANNERS – The following are the equipment that may be used as DQR scanners, namely: A. Smartphone with internet connection; B. Tablet with internet connection; C. QR code scanning device/machine attached to a Personal Computer with Internet connection.

SECTION 11. OFFLINE SCANNER – If internet connection is not available, the following are options for DQR scanning: A. Picture taking of the DQR; B. Listing down of the text code/alphanumeric code under the DQR code and then uploading the data once online connection is re-established; C. Using the traditional pen and paper method.

The offline options are not encouraged since the office or establishment cannot immediately check the veracity of the DQR. SECTION 12. PROHIBITED ACTS. – The following acts are prohibited: a) Use of a DQR for non-essential movement; b) Lending a personal DQR to another person permitting the use or abusing the use thereof; c) Use and possession of a fake DQR; d) Use of a cancelled DQR; e) Failure and refusal to present a valid DQR for scanning or inspection purposes when so required by persons in authority; f) Use of a fake ID, birth certificate, and Business registration number, or another individual’s ID or birth certificate or another’s Business registration number to register for a DQR; g) Making or selling fake identities for DQR registration; h) Hacking of the DQR system and/or identity theft; i) Failure to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance.

A DQR shall be cancelled if upon post audit there is error, mistake or deficient compliance with the provisions of Sections 4 and 4.1.

SECTION 13. PENAL CLAUSE – Any violation of the provisions of the preceding section, except subsections (a) (d) and (e) of this Ordinance shall be penalized as follows:

The share of the barangay shall be remitted directly to the barangay, without need of any further action, on a monthly basis within ten (10) days of the following month.

Said amount shall be utilized for COVID-19 response and for other matters incidental thereto.

SECTION 14. CITATION TICKETS – A citation ticket shall be issued to violators of the provisions of this Ordinance. The Citation ticket shall state the name and address of the violator, the specific violation committed, and the corresponding penalty.

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao (TFD), barangay officials, and other authorized enforcers as commissioned by the City Mayor shall have the responsibility to apprehend violators of this Ordinance and issue citation tickets.

SECTION 15. NO CONTEST PROVISION – A violator of this Ordinance who is cited for violation and who does not wish to contest the offense and is willing to pay the imposed administrative penalty before the filing of formal charges with the proper court, shall be allowed to pay a penalty of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to the City Treasurer’s Office. This is to avoid being criminally prosecuted within three (3) days from apprehension; otherwise, a criminal complaint shall be filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office of Davao City and prosecuted in court. All proceeds from the payment of the herein penalty imposed shall go to the City’s General Fund.

Further, the no contest provision can only be availed once.

This provision does not apply for violations of letters (c), (f), (g) (h) and (i) of Section 12 hereof.

SECTION 16. ENFORCEMENT – The Task Force Davao (TFD), the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), the City Health Office (CHO), and all barangay officials in Davao City are mandated to ensure the strict observance of this Ordinance.

SECTION 17. REPEALING CLAUSE – All ordinances, rules, orders, and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.

SECTION 18. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions hereof not affected by such declaration shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 19. APPLICABILITY – This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect during the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency as declared by the National Government.

SECTION 20. EFFECTIVITY – This Ordinance shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the publication in a local newspaper of general circulation.

ENACTED, December 07, 2020, by a unanimous votes of all the Members of the Sanggunian, there being a quorum.

ATTESTED: SEBASTIAN Z. DUTERTE Vice Mayor Presiding Officer cns/ray

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

B1

EDGEDAVAO

INFRA... FROMA1 160,000 vulnerable households, or 600,000 individuals, in Metro Manila during the enhanced community quarantine last year.

Bird said ADB has also provided a grant to procure education kits to poor children in remote areas to

help them while face-to-face learning is restricted.

“As a host country, ADB remains committed to support the Philippines get through this pandemic and return to high economic growth and job creation,” he said. (PNA)

government injects fiscal measures support to the economy, safe reopening of economic activities is vital for the economy to move forward amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

He added that bringing back economic activities will help in accelerating job cre-

ation.

But for the country to safely reopen businesses and recover jobs, the government should ensure strengthening of its prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate (PDITR) strategy as well as the timely implementation of the vaccination program. (PNA)

will benefit 85,159 young Filipinos; -- extending assistance to establishments through loans, deferment of applicable fees, and upgrading of processes, with allocation amounting to PHP14.81 billion and will help 37,350 jobs to preserve some 140,633 jobs; -- PHP1.1-billion social protection to vulnerable groups, benefiting 112,541 families and 28,208 entrepreneurs; -- implementation of programs with high impact on job creation such as the Build Build Build, Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pagasa, and other programs, amounting to PHP1.12 trillion and would create

220,000 jobs -- supporting priority bills and policies to strengthen economic recovery; and -- conducting job summits. “(T)his Agenda serves as a guide of the NERS Task Force in regaining the lost opportunities due to the pandemic and continue to provide fruitful employment to our people. And moving forward, the government has instituted medium- and longterm plans that would focus on restarting economic activities, restoring business confidence, upgrading and retooling the workforce, and facilitating labor market access,” Lopez said. (PNA)

Government; and National Telecommunications Commission for another job well done. We also thank our stakeholders from the private sector who continue to willingly participate in enforcement discussions, sharing our goal of creating a culture of respect of IP in the country,” Barba said.

IPOPHL deputy director general Teodoro Pascua said the whole-of-society work will continue while IPOPHL also coordinates with the USTR to address remaining allegations, namely the slow opposition and cancellation proceedings, geographical indication (GI) provisions, and the country being a source of counterfeit medicines.

“IPOPHL continues to provide facts-based answers showing that our administrative proceedings on opposition and cancellation have been improving. As for the findings on GI, we will take note of the USTR’s comments and elevate them to Congress when it crafts laws on GI,” Pascua said.

He said the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

report tags the country as a source of counterfeit drugs, as cited by the USTR, dates back to 2014 to 2016, and thus fails to consider the many efforts taken thereafter.

“Nevertheless, IPOPHL remains to take the concern seriously, counterfeit medicines being a life-and-death matter,” he said, adding its NCIPR members, the FDA, and BOC remain aggressive in preventing the entry of counterfeit pharmaceuticals into the country.

Pascua also expressed hopes that the bill to amend the IP Code, including doubling the fines and penalties on counterfeiters of medicines and other products which pose danger to life and health, will soon be passed into law.

At present, three bills to update the IP Code --House Bills 8062, 1597 and 8620- are being consolidated at Congress on a committee-level.

“We hope, as in the case of the government use of unlicensed software, our merits on other issues will also be considered and resolved,” Pascua said. (PR)

to have a scarring effect and long term impact on the economy including the loss of entrepreneurial capital for middle size firms that can lead to a market that is concentrated on large firms, she said.

Government, meanwhile, has prohibited travelers from India until May 14 following a surge in cases there and the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant.

Indian capital New Delhi will stay in lockdown for

GOV’T... FROMA1

JOBS... FROMA2

PH KEEPS... FROMA2

INDIAN... FROMA2

VOL.14 ISSUE 42 • TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2021

71 workers receive over P1M back wage D avao Oriental - A total of 71 workers of a banana plantation in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental claimed P1,029,060.87 back wage as a result of the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) conference of SEnA Desk Officers (SEADO) Ms. Roselyn L. Dejaro and Engr. Jireh Jan D. Besana of the Department of Labor and Employment XI-Davao Oriental Field Office (DOFO).

The workers filed complaints of alleged non-payment of separation pay, illegal dismissal, and non-payment of service incentive leave at the DOLE XI-DOFO on March 22, 2021 and demanded payment of back wages.

After a series of conference, the parties finally agreed on the settlement amount to discharge the company from the alleged violations of General Labor Standards. The payment was facilitated by another SEADO, Mr. Alex D. Morales, Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE XI-DOFO. “Dako kaayo ang natabang sa DOLE aron among mapaglaban ang among katungod isip usa ka trabahante”, according to Mr. Jiecelo S. Pabiran, one of the workers of the

said plantation.

“We understand that our company has the obligation over our workers, that’s why

points and 13 rebounds.

Kyle Lowry finished with a season-high 37 points and 11 assists for the Raptors.

DeAndre’ Bembry chipped in 14 points and eight rebounds for Toronto.

The Lakers have lost six of their last seven games and are 0-2 since James returned to the starting lineup after a right, high-ankle sprain.

James finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists but played 26 minutes and departed with 6:42 left due to soreness in the ankle.

Point guard Dennis Schröder did not play for the Lakers due to the NBA’s healthy and safety protocols. The Lakers

are 0-5 this season with Schröder out of the lineup.

Even more embarrassing for the Lakers is Toronto played short-handed in the second night of a backto-back after going toe-totoe with the Utah Jazz in a tough road loss.

OG Anunoby (left calf strain), Chris Boucher (left knee sprain), Gary Trent Jr. (left leg contusion), Fred VanVleet (left hip flexor) and Paul Watson (left knee tendonitis) all sat out for the Raptors.

Kyle Kuzma came off the bench to provide some offensive firepower for Los Angeles, finishing with a team-high 24 points.

Andre Drummond totaled 19 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony Davis

professional sports in the Philippines,” GAB chairman Baham Mitra said in a

statement. “He is truly an inspiration and his memory will live on forever.”

another week due to the continuous rise of virus infections, the megacity’s chief minister said Saturday.

India reported more than 400,000 new cases on Saturday in the past 24 hours, the first country to do so, taking

the total to 19.1 million.

There were also 3,523 additional deaths, bringing the toll to 211,853.

In the Philippines, total COVID-19 cases reached 1,046,653 on Saturday, of which, 72,248 are active

LAKERS... FROMB2

GAB ... FROMB2

we agreed to settle”, as stated by the manager of the banana plantation.

Mr. Rodolfo T. Castro, the Provincial Head of DOLE XI-DOFO hoped that this event would serve as an eye opener for companies to be mindful and voluntarily comply with the General Labor Standards that is enshrined in the Labor Code of the Philippines to protect the rights and welfare of the workers.

DOLE XI Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo emphasized the office’s

commitment in addressing conflicts and labor disputes among differing parties in Davao Region by giving advice, or offering solutions and alternatives to the problems.

Through the enactment of RA 10296, the Single Entry Approach (SEnA) mechanism instituted by DOLE aims to provide a speedy, impartial, inexpensive, and accessible settlement procedure of all labor issues or conflicts to prevent them from ripening into full-blown disputes or actual labor cases.

finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

With the Lakers’ loss to Toronto, the Dallas Mavericks (36-28) losing at home to the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers (36-28) defeating the Boston Celtics on the road, the Lakers (36-28), Mavericks and Trail Blazers are all tied for the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.

The Lakers host the Denver Nuggets on Monday.

With the win, Toronto (27-38) is 2 1/2 games behind the Washington Wizards for the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference and a chance to get into the play-in game

for the postseason tournament.

The Lakers led 38-32 after the first quarter, but the undermanned Raptors rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 23-6 over the final six minutes of the second quarter to take a 13-point lead at halftime.

Toronto’s 72 points are the second-most the Lakers have given up all season in a half. Los Angeles had led by as many as 12 points in the first half.

The Raptors continued to pour it on, extending their lead to 21 points early in the third quarter. The Lakers cut Toronto’s lead to six points late in the fourth quarter, but would get no closer.

team was not competitive enough to win something important.

“I accepted the challenge and I think we have been repaid for all the great sacrifices we have made.”

Juve have struggled this season under rookie coach Andrea Pirlo and are involved in a fierce battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The Turin club are currently third with 69 points, 13 behind Inter at the top of

the table.

Juve chairman Andrea Agnelli congratulated his Inter counterpart Steven Zhang on Twitter.

“Well done Steven! Happy for you and proud of being your loyal opponent on the pitch and friend off the pitch.

We’ll be back...,” he wrote.

Conte’s side have looked destined to claim the league crown for most of the season after showing a level of relentless consistency that their rivals could not match.

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EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS B2

Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma (0) during the second half at Staples Center. Reuters

Carrasco to discuss T Elite Athlete support system in NSS GAB mourns passing of A Lakers’ downward slide continues he Los Angeles Lakers are finally healthy, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis back from injuries. However, the Lakers are playing their worst basketball of the season.

Trailing by as many as

21 points, the Lakers lost at home to the Toronto Raptors 121-114 Sunday evening at the Staples Center.

Pascal Siakam carried the scoring load for Toronto, finishing with 39

FLAKERS’, B1

former chairman Cepeda

F

ormer Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Dominador R. Cepeda, Jr. passed away on Sunday, the agency announced. He was 86 years old.

Cepeda, also a member of the Philippine Bar, was the head of GAB from 1994 until July 2001, serving under presidents Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada.

During his tenure, the Philippines hosted the World Boxing Council at the Manila Hotel on July 4-6, 1996. Cepeda also spearheaded Luisito Espinosa’s title defenses at the Rizal Park in 1996 and 1997 for the WBC featherweight belts.

Cepeda also represented the Philippines in different international boxing organizations, in-

cluding the WBC and the WBA. While chairman of GAB, he was elected president of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation.

In 2001, after concluding his tenure at the agency, Cepeda became the legal counsel of WBC Asia.

“We recognize his efforts and invaluable contributions to the growth of

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sian Regional Representative and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Technical Commission Chairman Tom Carrasco is resource speaker in the upcoming twelfth session of the National Sports Summit 2021 on May 5 on the topic ‘Main Support System of a Filipino Elite Athlete’.

Carrasco, a POC official since 2001, will discuss the POC’s role in supporting the elite national athletes, as they work hand in hand with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“Tom (Carrasco) is one of the fittest to converse on the topic being with the POC for a long time now. This is also

Inter Milan crowned champions of Italy for first time in 11 years

I Inter Milan players celebrate winning Serie A

a chance for our participants to understand the dynamics behind an elite athlete.” said PSC Chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez.

Carrasco is currently the President of the Southeast Asian Triathlon and Triathlon Association of the Philippines. He is also a Board Member of the Asian Triath-

lon Association.

He has proven his mettle in leadership as he brings this to the table, molding the Philippine triathlon team as the ‘King and Queen’ of triathlon in Southeast Asia.

The national squad remains undefeated for three consecutive editions of the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) - the largest biennial regional multi-sport event held in Singapore in 2015, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2017, and the Philippines, two years ago.

In 2019, Carrasco also served as the Executive Director of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) during the country’s hosting of the 30th SEAG.

nter Milan clinched their first Serie A title in 11 years on Sunday after Sassuolo drew 1-1 with second-placed Atalanta to assure Antonio Conte’s side of the league crown.

Inter are 13 points clear in first place with four games remaining, and their triumph ends a run of nine consecutive title wins for Juventus.

Large crowds of flag-waving fans gathered outside the iconic Duomo in Milan to celebrate a long-awaited success that has broken the

domestic dominance of rivals Juve.

The league title is Inter’s first since winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League Treble in 200910 under Jose Mourinho, and their 19th overall.

Inter have therefore overtaken AC Milan, who have 18 Serie A titles, to become the second-most successful club in league history behind Juventus, with 36 league wins.

They improved on a runners-up spot in Conte’s debut season in 2019-20, when In-

ter finished one point behind Juventus and were beaten 3-2 by Sevilla in the Europa League final.

Conte celebrates the fourth Serie A title of his coaching career, after guiding Juventus to the first three crowns of their nine-year run between 2011 and 2014.

“This is definitely one of the most important successes of my career,” Conte told 90th Minute.

“It was not an easy choice to come to Inter, when the

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SO BE IT

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A gym member works out wearing a face mask inside the Arcadia Fitness Gym at Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center in Escandor Street, Quimpo Boulevard, Ecoland

C

oaches and players alike seem to be one in agreement that safety is the first priority before the PBA commences with its 46th season that has been long delayed protractedly due to the rollercoaster virus threat of CoVid 19.

Well, mentors Jeffrey Cariaso and Norman Black of Alaska and Meralco respectively, ahead of their fellow bench tacticians, have voiced their concern that the entire PBA family, for that matter, be inoculated before the tournament officially begins on whatever date the IATF and the GAB jointly approve of.

In a press interview Cariaso said that as much as “we all want to go back to the court and play, it is the safety of everyone which is the priority.”

“We all want to be vaccinated to create a safe environment,” Black for his part said.

The PBA should probably think about suggesting an early October opening, just immediately after the din and dust of the Tokyo Olympics have died down.

The quadrennial world sports event is held during the dry season that is why it is alternatively labeled the “Summer Games.”

Thousands, if not millions of PBA fanatics all over the country, are already “bored” and “dying” to personally be able to watch competitions in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

By October, if the signs of the viral threat that we see today are going down, the IATF and the GAB might just give their green light for the pro league to open before a regulated basketball crowd at the MOA where the health protocols can be strictly enforced as such wearing face masks and shields and social distancing.

In the same manner, local boxing championships may be allowed to be hosted by our local promoters.

All concerned should be able to

enforce safety standards and self-discipline especially, because policing their own ranks must be the responsibility of promoters and venue hosts.

In another front, it is very sad that Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum has himself announced the “no-go” world welterweight title match between Manny Pacquiao and his protege Terence “Bud” Crawford supposedly slated on June 5.

Arum said money issues were the reasons as the reported hosting in Dubai by foreign businessmen were not able to coughed up the required prize money.

So, as I had reported in this column many weeks back when I said Mikey Garcia was the likely choice to meet the Pambansang Kamao, the Pacquiao camp is looking back to see if welterweight contender Garcia, a four weight category champion, is still available.

June may still be an appropriate date but would ideally be moved to a later date, maybe last week of the month.

Whatever, Garcia has been saying that he will make himself available because he also already shouted out Pacquiao’s name after defeating Jesse Vargas last February, if I remember correctly.

Manny has been dumped by WBA (champion in recess, whatever this means) for being inactive since defeating Keith Thurman in July 2019.

It doesn’t look good for an 8-division world titleholder like Manny to be scrounging for opponents.

If he is not able to fight Garcia this year, he would be very busy with his political plans to run for the highest post of the land. Filing of COs is October this year.

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