Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 15 | Tuesday, April 28, 2020

EDGEDAVAO LEARN FROM SIGNS OF BOOM

RAFA, FEDERER CLUSTER MOVE ON TO THIRD ROUND HOOPS

Serving a seamless society

SPORTSP11

SPORTS P12

VOL.13 15• FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • TUESDAY, APRILMAY 28, 2020 VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE 59 31-JUNE 1, 2019

f

@EdgeDavao

www.edgedavao.net

edgedavao@gmail.com

P 15.00 • 16 2 PAGES

HOME

Applications for building, zoning permits increase

T

he Office of the Davao City Planning and Development Coordinator is swarmed by applicants for locational clearance, zoning, building and other permits with at least 500 applications submitted on a weekly basis.

The increase in applications is an indication of Davao City’s booming construction industry and infrastructure development, the city noted.

Assistant City Planning and Development Coordinator Roy Ryan Rigor said the influx of permit applicants on a weekly basis is very high, causing delays in the issuances of permits.

Rigor said the issuance of some permits, such as for locational applications, needed actual surveys by their personnel and this contributed to the delay.

“There are really too

many applications that we receive and it is not only limited to the zoning permits, but there are also a lot more,” he said.

He also underscored submission of incomplete sets of requirements that further slows down the process of issuing the permits.

“There are some clients whose documents have discrepancies, and that causes the delay in the issuance of the permit. Another example is when the area needs to be reclassified and that needs the approval of the city council first,” Rigor said.

FSIGNS, P10

DepEd 11 prepares online, offline classes for August school opening

MINDANAO HERITAGE THROUGH MODERN FASHION

STORY ON P2

►INDULGE A1

RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY FOREMOST IN ESDEVCO’S MIND

►PROPERTY P9

TOURISM. President Rodrigo Duterte responds to the discussions during the meeting with the Japanese tourism partners at activities the Imperialfrom Hotel ain laptop Tokyo, Japan An elementary student checks her class’s online on on Wednesday PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO Sunday. Some schools have continued to provide onlinenight. education as students were unable to attend school due to Covid-19 pandemic. Edge Davao

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

NO LET UP. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

LEARN FROM HOME

DOH boosts contact tracing efforts

DepEd 11 prepares online, offline P classes for August school opening

By MAYA M. PADILLO

T

he Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) braces for learning continuity program once the opening for the next school year in August is approved.

DepEd-11 Spokesperson Jenielito Atillo told Edge Davao that public and private schools in Davao Region are ready to continue classes in August through online and offline methods.

Atillo said for schools in areas with internet connection, they can do online classes; and for the schools in the areas without access to the internet, can do offline classes by using modules.

DepEd is pushing for the resumption of classes in August following President Rodrigo Duterte’s

approval to the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on the coronavirus outbreak to move the opening of classes for school year 20202021 to September.

DepEd will present its recommendation on the opening of the next school year to the IATF on the first week of May. Atillo explained that DepEd will be pushing for the August opening for two reasons. First, August is within the scope of Republic Act 7797 or an act to lengthen the

school calendar from 200 days to not more than 220 class days.

“This law emphatically states that “classes can be opened on the 1st day of June and not later than the last day of August”,”he said.

For the second reason, Atillo cited that based on their survey on the opening of classes for SY 2020-2021, August is the overwhelming response coming from the nationwide consultation and nationwide survey that DepEd has conducted.

“The two months hiatus (June and July) will give us enough elbow room to further ready our teachers and our programs in August opening if our proposal is approved

by President Duterte,” Mr. Atillo said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has urged school authorities including higher education institutions to get ready with their “stay-home classes” plan.

In an interview with government-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5, Duterte-Carpio said the plan for online classes, distance learning, and take-home modules should at least cover two months because the lifting of the community quarantine is still indefinite.

“The doctors said the quarantine may be lifted in August but they too, cannot answer that. If it’s in August, we are advising you this early to prepare until July 31, 2020, with your online classes, distance ?LEARN, P10

ersonnel from the Department of Health have intensified contact tracing in barangays of Davao City that have confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as the deadly virus had already affected 108 persons, Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said.

Mayor Inday said on Monday that DOH personnel went to Barangay Daliao in Toril District to conduct contact tracing.

She said the problem was that people are getting infected even if they had no travel history nor they never went to the Matina Gallera, specifically during the March derby there. Some of those found positive of Covid-19 also did not have close contact with any Covid-19 positive individuals.

Of the 108 cases in the city, 19 have died while 57 others have recovered.

“Natingala na ang DOH kung ngano pa naga taas ang atoang cases bisan sa effort nato. Kaganina naa sila sa barangay Daliao para mag conduct og intensified contact tracing,” she said.

“Kinahanglan man gud nato mabal-an kay naay instances nga wala najud na-trace kung asa niya nakuha ang sakit.”

She said that the intensified contact tracing will help the city contain the virus as people who already have the disease without their knowledge will now be identified.

“Pwede man gud nga nakuha siya sa grocery, sa mga food delivery services or take out counter sa mga restaurants,” she said. CIO

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

3

SPMC to test off-label drugs as COVID-19 clinical trial

T

he Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is among the chosen hospitals in the country to participate in the solidarity trial of four off-label drugs to help cure COVID-19.

Dr. Marie Yvette Barez, infectious disease specialist of SPMC, told media in a virtual presser on Monday, that the solidarity trial will be implemented by SPMC starting next week where four off-label drugs will be administered to patients with their consent.These drugs are investigational antiviral Remdesivir, antimalarial drug Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV Lopinavir with Ritonavir, and Lopinavir with Ritonavir plus Interferon beta-1a.

Barez said SPMC is currently waiting for the approval of the Department of Health (DOH) Ethics Committee.

Last March 13, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched an international randomized and adaptive clinical trial “Solidarity” to test the safety and effectiveness of the said four off-label drugs in treating COVID-19, compared to standard of care.

More than 100 countries have joined the solidarity trial with more than 1,200 patients randomly chosen from the first five countries, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations.

Joining SPMC in the solidarity trial are Philippine General Hospital in Manila, The Medical City in Pasig City, San Lazaro Hospital in Manila, Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City, Baguio General Hospital in Benguet, East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City, Makati Medical Center in Makati City, St. Lukes Medical Center Global, St. Lukes Medical Center Quezon City, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center in Quezon City, Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Manila Doctors Hospital in Manila, Manila Medical Center in Manila, Chinese General Hospital in Manila, San Juan de Dios Medical Center in Pasay City, Diliman Doctors Hospital in Quezon City, University of Santo Tomas Hospital in Manila, Vicente Sotto Medical Center in Cebu City, and World Citi Medical Center in Quezon City. By Maya M. Padillo

Dabawenyo internet users do not seem to be smiling these days with the slow internet speed. EDGE Davao photo

File complaint for poor internet service, NTC 11 urges public

By MAYA M. PADILLO

T

he National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Region 11 urged companies that implement Work From Home (WFH) scheme for their employees during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to write a complaint for poor internet services by telecommunication companies.

Last April 6, 2020, the NTC Central has issued a memorandum order to all public telecommunications entities and internet service providers to submit their business continuity plans and other measures to be undertaken to ensure uninterrupted services and to address the increased demand for ICT services.

NTC-11 regional may have submitted “On the issue of director Nelson Cañete already their assur- slow internet connecsaid in a text message ance of uninterrupted tion, maybe it is bethat these telcos and internet services to the cause many are using internet providers NTC Central Office. internet nowadays.

T A worker conducts a routine cleaning of trays in line with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s order to all government and private establishments to have a once a week gener-

al cleaning schedule to prevent dangerous pathogens, such as Covid-19 from staying the areas. Edge Davao

he Davao City government has rolled out its second round of food rationing with 197,100 grocery packs distributed in 75 barangays in the city.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) is expected to continue distributing food packs in the coming days to cover the city's 182 barangays. During the first round, the CSWDO distributed a total of 428,571 grocery packs in all barangays.

On the other hand, the City Agricultur-

However, if they have complaints they can write us and we will forward your complaints to the telcos for action,” Cañete said.

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) President John Carlo Tria cited slow internet speed and intermittent signal quality as major complaints of many companies that are implementing WFH scheme.

As part of the Business Recovery Agen?FILE, P10

ist Office and the City Veterinarian’s Office (Agri-Vet), which have been distributing fresh produce to the different villages in the city, already covered a total of 36,483 beneficiaries since April 2.

Since April 2, the Agri-Vet distributed 34,876 kilos of fish and 19,540 kilos of chicken and pork, targeting those in economically depressed areas.

Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said the Agri-Vet are supporting CSWDO's food ration by giving vegetables, pork, ?ROUND 2, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

‘Balik Probinsya’ tool to empower countryside: Go S enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday stressed the need to speed up the development of the countryside by veering away from a centralized approach to governance through a proposed “Balik-Probinsya” program.

Go said congestion in Metro Manila proves to be a significant factor in the high number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in urban areas, citing the Department of Health’s data that almost 70 percent of Covid-19 infection cases are from the National Capital Region.

“Malaking factor po sa mabilis na pagkalat ng Covid-19 sa Metro Manila ang congestion o overcrowding. Sabi nga ng mga eksperto, maraming global pandemics pa po ang mararanasan ng mundo sa hinaharap. Kailangan po natin ng mas proactive at pangmatagalang solusyon dito upang mas maging handa tayo sa hinaharap (Overcrowding was a big factor why Covid-19 spread quickly in Metro Manila. According to the experts, more global pandemics will occur worldwide in the future. We need to be proactive and to create long-term solutions to be prepared in the future),” Go said.

He said Balik Probinsya program is one of the long-term solutions to decongest the urban centers and to develop other regions of the country.

“Sa Balik Probinsya program, pag-aaralan natin kung papaano natin magagawa na mas i-empower ang ating mga probinsya upang magkaroon din sila ng kapasidad na tulungan ang kanilang mga nasasakupan

(Under Balik Probinsya, we will study how to empower our provinces to increase their capacity to help their constituents),” he said.

Go proposed the “Balik Probinsya” program which continued to draw support particularly from the Executive department.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) expressed desire to provide more incentives for businesses that will be put up in provinces to encourage more people to return to their respective provinces because of increased job opportunities.

The DTI has existing program to develop micro, small and medium enterprises, involving, among others, small business capitalization starting in the barangay level.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it will prepare community-driven development approach by designing its own initiatives to support the “Balik Probinsya” program.

Among the DSWD initiatives is to encouraging people affected by disasters or internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their original places.

The DSWD also seeks to address many issues, such as families preferring to stay in big cities for lack of regular sources of income in the province, children enrolled in different schools, housing problem forcing

Senator Bong Go is pushing for the "Balik-Probinsya" program.

them to live with poor relatives in cramped dwellings, absence of farm land to till, and constrained support system, among others.

Go earlier called the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure food security and safeguard the welfare of the Filipinos particularly poor farmers

and fishers amid the Covid-19 crisis.

DA Secretary William Dar, in a press statement, affirmed his full support to the “Balik Probinsya” program, saying proposal will “further boost government efforts to attain higher levels of food security.”

Dar also men-

tioned that the program should be wellplanned and consider convergence of resettlement, employment and livelihood opportunities, social development, health supply system, infrastructure, and resilient environment.

Despite its booming economy, the

Philippines, Go said, remains a largely agricultural country with plenty of idle lands in the countryside that can be developed.

“The government may facilitate the utilization of some of these idle lands for the productive use of people who will be relocated ?BALIK, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY

5

Davao Light implements deferred payment scheme

D

avao Light and Power Co., Inc. is implementing deferred payment arrangement for bills of all customers with due dates starting March 15 until the end of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) period.

The bills with due dates that fall during the ECQ period will be divided into four equal payment arrangements that are to be settled within four months. The first payment shall start on the first due date after the ECQ is lifted.

Moreover, cus-

tomers are advised to settle immediately unpaid bills due before March 15 as they are not included in the payment arrangement.

Meantime, Davao Light will conduct two 30-minute power interruptions on April 30, Thursday, affecting customers in Dumoy and Toril.

These service disruptions will be necessary to facilitate maintenance works at Davao Light Toril Substation and 69 kV line along Bato-Toril.

To avoid longer ?DAVAO LIGHT, P10

PA porter delivers vegetables on wooden boxes at the vegetable 'bagsakan' area in Bankerohan, Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

DOF seeks to give small firms more time to recoup losses

T

he Department of Finance (DOF) has proposed to extend the net operating loss carry-over (NOLCO) for small businesses to five years, with the government absorbing as much as PHP139.6 billion in the form of foregone tax payments to help these enterprises recoup their losses resulting from the economic fallout triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said stretching the NOLCO by two more years, which, under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), is up to three taxable years only, would require Congressional approval.

“We will propose to Congress an extended NOLCO of five years for net losses that will be incurred in 2020. This means that a small business’ losses this year may be deducted from their income for up to the next five years for tax

purposes. The purpose of extending NOLCO is to give them more time to recoup their losses arising from implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and other measures to contain the spread of Covid-19,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said DOF estimates show that financial losses of small businesses will amount to PHP465.3 billion as a result of the ECQ and other containment measures that have forced them to temporarily close

shop or to continue operating but with only a skeletal force.

“The longer NOLCO period will have the effect of lowering the tax payments between 2021 and 2025 of affected small businesses by a combined estimated total of PHP139.6 billion,” the finance chief said.

DOF estimates show that small businesses operating in malls and other retail outlets would incur losses of about PHP461 billion, while those that have remained open but on skeletal force capacity will lose around PHP4.3 billion.

Dominguez said the enhanced NOLCO for small enterprises to cover losses in 2020 is similar to the tax relief measures being adopted in the United States (US) and China to provide relief to their respective business sectors.

Based on the existing provisions of the NIRC, net operating losses, which had not been previously offset as a deduction, shall be carried over as a deduction from gross income for the next three taxable years

immediately following the year of such loss.

Dominguez said the DOF’s enhanced NOLCO proposal forms part of the three-pronged rescue program to help small businesses and their workers survive the economic repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The finance secretary tackled this proposal briefly during a recent virtual meeting of the economic stimulus cluster of the House of Representatives' Defeat Covid-19 Committee (DCC) chaired

by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and cochaired by Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Dominguez said the first measure launched by the government under the Small Business Relief Program (SBRP) is the Small Business Wage Subsidy (SBWS) program, which will provide around 3.4 million workers in the formal sector with salary subsidies amounting to a combined PHP51 billion for two months.

The wage subsidies range from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 per month per em-

ployee for two months, depending on the minimum wage levels in the regions where the workers are employed.

Of the 3.4 million employees, 2.6 million are in the BIR alpha list and will be given first priority to incentivize compliance of registering businesses with the Bureau and with the Social Security System (SSS).

The remaining 800,000 employees are not in the alpha list, and will be given second priority.

Another measure is to provide credit guarantees for up to PHP120 billion worth of loans to small businesses most affected by the sudden stop of economic activity resulting from the ECQ and other containment measures.

“The credit guarantee program will provide small businesses easier access to bank financing, which tends to contract during crisis periods,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez said the guarantees extended by the government will help improve the cash position of small businesses to enable them to pay for fixed

costs such as wages, rental, amortizations and interest payments.

The expanded budgetary powers granted by Congress to the President a week after the implementation of the ECQ has enabled the government to formulate a four-pillar socioeconomic strategy to blunt the impact of Covid-19 on the Filipino people and the economy.

This four-pillar strategy now has a combined value of USD29.3 billion (PHP1.49 trillion) or about 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Dominguez said it covers providing poor and low-income households, small-business employees and other vulnerable groups emergency and wage subsidies; marshaling the country’s medical resources and ensuring the safety of its healthcare front-liners; fiscal and monetary actions to finance emergency initiatives and keep the economy afloat; and an economic recovery plan to create jobs and sustain growth under a post-quarantine scenario. (PR)

6 VANTAGE 6 VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

Too to tell Be significant Be early significant

Witha the situation the Philippineshave is facing amidst the For month now, Dabawenyos gone through a coronavirus threat, it takes everyone’s utmost patience, With the situation the Philippines is facing amidst the range of previously unimaginable enforced restrictions in understanding and compassion the country throughpatience, the hill. coronavirus it takesto get everyone’s utmost our everydaythreat, lives.

Hence, businesses must first take consideration of their workers understanding and compassion to get the country through the hill.

Thanks to the significant threat to public posed rather thanbusinesses their profits or first losses.

The reason whyhealth the community Hence, must take consideration of their workers by thethan global Dabawenyos have quarantine is notcoronavirus working 100pandemic, percent is that the the lowly workers rather their profits or losses.

The reason why community endured our movements including when are forced limitations to to on work under fearisofthat losing their jobs and quarantine is report not working 100 percent the lowly workers not keep. spectre offear having no mey to feed are earning forced totheir report to The work under of are losing their jobs and we can leave the house and what we allowed totheir do families is a far bigger threat than dying because of the virus. not earning their keep.

The spectre of having no mey to feed their when outside.

In thewhen of the ordinary folks: “We will dieofjust the same.” families isminds a far the bigger threat than dying because theloosen virus.

Just city government was about to up Only have enoughfolks: food“We in their pantry, those who In thethose mindswho of the ordinary will die just the same.” the brakes ofwho restrictions, thefood national government ancanOnly afford to panic shop, those who afford to order online those have and enough incan their pantry, those who nounced that we cannot just yet move into a general comfor will survive.

Butthose for the bigger chunktooforder the society, can deliveries afford to panic shop, and who can afford online munity quarantine.

Thatwork, meant, the enhanced community the equation remains “no nothe food.” for deliveries will survive.

But for bigger chunk of the society, it is (ECQ) a welcome that the Thus, equation remains “norelief work, nothere food.”are initially quarantine stretches up through May 1510 atcompanies the earmade the supreme sacrifice of to compensate their workers during Thus, it is a welcome relief that there are initially 10 companies liest. From then, we will see what the doctors prescribe. the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period.

This will made the supreme sacrifice of to compensate their workers during Thathelp is also under theManila assumption that the cases will greatly those in Metro where peopleperiod. still goThis to work the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will have down. greatlydropped help those in Metro Manila where people still go to work

EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 10 • FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 •10 TUESDAY, VOL.13 ISSUE • FRIDAY, APRIL MARCH28, 20,2020 2020

despite the moment, order.

At the we have 108 total cases, 34 active casThe 10 firms reported Department of Labor to based have made despite the order. es, 57 recovered andby 19the deaths in Davao City on the compensation package are Aboitiz, Asian Terminal/Solaire The 10 firms reported by the Department of Labor to have made the April 27 figures by the Southern Philippines Medical Resort Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, Summit, Jollibee, Lucio the compensation package are Aboitiz,JGAsian Terminal/Solaire Center (SPMC).

Tan Group, Manny V. Pangilinan Group, JG San MiguelJollibee, Corporation, Resort Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, Summit, Lucio Is there light at endfirms of Group, the tunnel?

SM Udenna Group.These answered the call Corporation, of President Tanand Group, Manny V. the Pangilinan San Miguel It always pays have positive outlook, so it looks Rodrigo Duterte to to take care of their workers andyes SM and Udenna Group.These firms answered the call ofemployees President during this time oftonational emergency.

Rodrigo Duterte takestrongly care of to their workers andBut employees like we are headed improvement. that is DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III lauded the companies and during this time of national emergency. presuming everyone continues to religiously cooperate said their compassion and good example should inspire other DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III lauded the companies and and followwhose the ECQ laws.

The issituation isof still very much enterprises source of wealth the labor their workforce. said their compassion and good example should inspire other unpredictable tosource say that Davao hasit reached the peak While bigwhose companies can take some is different story enterprises of wealth isCity thehit, labor of atheir workforce. and is going down the hill now.

It is still too early to tell. for While smaller firms and thiscan is where the government should come big companies take some hit, it is a different story There'a a little weeks May andbeing bein. sure, firms there are already some formulation to this15 effect forFor smaller andover this two is where thebefore government should come done. in.

For sure, already formulation to this effect being tween nowthere andare then, a lotsome of things can happen.

For now, For now, theshould best thing to dostrong for everyone is to trytotoget be done.

Dabawenyos remain in our resolve significantly helpful instead of adding up to the problem and it all For now, the best thing to do for everyone is to try to be by this pandemic safely and that means keeping that foot starts with following orders.of adding up to the problem and it all significantly helpful instead hard with on the brakes. starts following orders.

ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor ANTONIO M. AJERO NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Editor in Chief Managing Editor KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MAYA M. PADILLO PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE Providing solutions to a seamless global village. the national association of newspapers ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO Senior Reporter KENNETH IRVING K. ONG MAYA M. PADILLO PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. the national association of newspapers ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO Senior Reporter MEGHANN STA. INES LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN Printed byDoor Zion14Accuprint Publishing Inc. ALCREJ Building, FERINA SANTOS Photography MEGHANN STA. INES LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Lifestyle Door 14 ALCREJ Building, FERINA SANTOS ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Photography Tel: (082) 301-6235 224-1413 Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Lifestyle CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Telefax: (082) 221-3601 Tel: (082) 301-6235 224-1413 Layout/Cartoons Cartoonist Correspondent CHRISTIAN• AURELIO JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD“ADDIE” B. MONFORTE www.edgedavao.net Columnists: MA.CHA TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • BERNADETTE Telefax: (082) 221-3601 Layout/Cartoons A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGACartoonist Correspondent editorial@edgedavao.net BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: MA. ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO • JOHN CARLO TRIA • MUJAHID C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO www.edgedavao.net Columnists: TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑANAVARRA • ZHAUN• FRED ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com GREGORIO G. DELIGERO • VIDA MIA S. VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE editorial@edgedavao.net 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 marketing@edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL RICHARD C. EBONA General Finance AdvertisingC.Specialist LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager General VP Operations CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE OLIVIA D.Manager VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD EBONA OLIVIA D.Manager VELASCO JASPER V. BACSAL Product Development officer Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. RICHARD C. EBONA General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager General Manager VP Operations Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI D. MARATAS Cagayan de Oro City Product Development officer Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe) Director S. of PANES Sales Tel: (088) 852-4894 JOCELYN SOLANIFinance D. MARATAS Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Director of Sales Finance Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 10 • FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS VANTAGE POINTS

7

7

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

ISRAEL FORGES EMERGENCY COALITION VS COVID 19 RATS As thisare waslong being written, Rats tailed roIsrael Prime Minister Benjadents and are of medium min – though besize. Netanyahu They are typically distinleaguered – has successfully guished from mice by their reached out to his size, meaning theyoutspoken are bigopposition rival Benny Which Gantz ger and look meaner. who agreed to form an emermeans that when you see a gency coalition government small sized rodent, you call to it confront a mouse. the menacing corona virus.

Rats are sometimes reIn fact, Israeli govsponsible for the transmitting disernment has set aside 10B eases.

NIS The (Israel currency) to supinformal meaning of port a massive intensified “rats” as I am using it in this arwar againstto CoVid 19regardwhich ticle refers a person has hundredsa ed ascontaminated despicable, especially of thousands of victims from man who has been deceitful or more than 100 countries disloyal (Wikipedia). around the world.

As the ECQ has been exIronically, while tended from April 30 toother May feuding 15, I hearpolitical a mutedleaders shrill offrom proelsewhere in the people planet have test from many who temporarily reached a been pact, felt the ECQ should have here in our beloved in Pearl of modified especially some the theManila political opcitiesOrient, in Metro where position their infectionsand have notdecreasing been that ilk continue to rant diatribes alarming and that recoveries against theonwell-entrenched are already the rise.

Duterte But administration. the President does Netanyahu not want to leave asked anythinghis to countrymen to adapt to a new routine because they are not

EDGEDAVAO

going treata this virus is not politically Would they even the chance.toSince vaccine to with cure cerned, acts like this the ‘Makapili’ during Of course, PRRDhave needs kid gloves. correct. nerve to holler?

CoVid 19 has not been dis- the Japanese occupation who the total support of the AFP In this connection, in the As thetheir 2019 midterm polls and Ithe don’t think so.regard and covered and introduced, the betrayed Filipino comPNP in this same manner Duterte has the entire eight-man hopefully I have aseen raw, uneditPresident hasthat increased the showed, rades fighting the colonizers majority of the issued a incentive new stricter slate oftactics.

Otso Derecho, ed film footages taken from financial to acompliperson senate using guerilla members of both chambers of ance community quaranonthe anti-Duterte of how the situor to ato group that is able to dis- campaigning For a while, President smartphones Congress. tine ECQ from (Enhanced way- ationThe in Wuhan and elsewhere covervia thethe vaccine P10M theme, almost was lost completely his cool during ECQ pandemic may Community Quarantine), Ne- laid with no survivor, handled Chinese to P50M. his national address including when he is be being the ace that thebyPresident tanyahu likewise announced re-electionist clips At any rate, even as the the mentioned aboutBam theAquino. small authorities. can use as his Those card to finally that his government will Duterte was very correct. showed suspected victims becountry is being held hos- chance of imposing “martial come up to a crucial decision destroy and conquer the soHe stated in his last SONA that ing dragged out of their homes tage by this unseen enemy, law” should the need arise because he will have to concalled invisible foe.sectors, es- the greatest and worst enemy to waiting ambulances and anti-government while the ECQ is in effect. sider the survival of his counAnd the Israel is doing this of the Filipinos are many others were being pecially political opposiSomehow, I amthemselves. beginning vans; try and his people. amidst external military to think Pardon me,these but Irats see the thepopulace, outside tion, continue their relentless that are padlocked Majorityfrom of the threats from Arab neighbors Filipino today as a very disso they couldn’t leave - though seemingly futile – ef- slowly getting into the nerves in surveys recent and their past, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Iran and homes still others has are volforts to discombobulate the obedient, of the Chiefundisciplined Executive. Maybe indicateand that Duterte the not mention militant animalwhat to deal with. their chaotic situationtheir for their own difficult this is exactly they really untarily popular shutting backing of thehomes Filipiproxies incessantly harass desire Here the government while food is being sinister that purposes. to is achieve: For PRRD completely nos.

Israel’s peace. exercising all options to prodelivered to their doors.

These are the RATs in our to go and declare martial law Re-engineering the sohim protection and shield cio-economic I am sorrypolitical to say that Fillives.The handshake between vide throughout the country. strucNetanyahu and Gantz com- fromUnfortunately the dreaded for infectious to appreciate the For a small ThirdisWorld these ipinos ture viafail a REVGOV may have mendable and we cannot help disease but this guy keeps good democratic lifestyle they country like us, these rats ex- dirty rats, Pres. Duterte need a shocking effect initially but it but our political situ- playing “hard to get.”rule in or- have been enjoying for many hibitcompare anti-Filipino attitudes not impose martial cannot be avoided. ation here the Philippines. luckysocial, they decades of self-rule. who do notinmind at all wheth- der Filipinos to effect are concrete People, sociologically Stubborn mules, living and undereconomic a democratic ‘Sala sa init, sala sa lamig’, er the nationasfalls flatthe onopits are political re- speaking, are always resistant positionists belonging to the set-up. ika nga sa Tagalog. face or succumb socially and forms in the country. to change. They will show deYellow (LPs) Party, to Why, Xi Jinto Ping This is very exasperating, economically oncontinue bended All he ifneeds do is and de- fiance and exhibit stubbornfind fault with the manner the his Communist Par- to sayand thedisobedience least. knees. clareChinese a REVOLUTIONARY ness but will incumbent administration has ty were to rule as them, doCory you cooperate Even ifwhen we are constantly This anti-Filipino actions GOVERNMENT what they see the VOL.12 259 • WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2020 been CoVid 19 ISSUE think they’d brave enough haunted stalked by povcan behandling likened the to treasonous Aquino did inbe 1986. positive and changes happening menace. to shout: “This is a violation of erty, misguided government As far as this corner is con- my freedom of expression?” practices, corruption and ille-

gal drugs, oneeyes. can say he before theirno very is not free to say anything he The extension of the ECQ wants under any circumstancis a result of the bullheadedes and jailed without due ness of be residents in affected process. areas in Metro Manila and in This is elsewhere what differentiates Luzon and which is our lives from our countera form of lawlessness. partsLAWLESSNESS in countries under autoIS A STATE cratic rule.

OF DISORDER DUE TO A DISIsraelOF is showing how REGARD THE LAWus(Wikiapedia) small(emphasis country – mine). a sliver of a nation of 6 million people surI mean, right now, Duterrounded by hostile te may have a good neighbors reason to –study is able to staveaoffREVGOV imminent whether is danger by uniting in time to good enough to try. The panmeet exigency. demicthe is forcing many governIsrael leaders are ments andpolitical their economies on burying the hatchet while their knees, including the FilUS, ipinos continue stab each Japan, UK, China,toCanada, the other in the back. and Africa.

EU, South America Given parameters For me,these it could be worth and the current atmosphere, a a try. radical suggestion to resort to I wonder if this Plato aquote “RevGov” mightour besituation. the unexdescribes plored achieving He key said:to“This City ispeace, what progress and prosperity. it is because our citizens are a poisonous powhatPolitics they is are.”

(Email your tion but Filipino politicians feedback to fredlumba@yacontinue sip it.BLESS ### (Email hoo.com.)toGOD THE your feedback to fredlumba@ PHILIPPINES! yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

The outbreak of COVID-19 is causing a It isproblematic only the and exceptional Even the inrich the famore side of case of are clearnot and spared existing from danmous society – social stigma and ger to the safety of the crew or coronavirus disease 2019 discrimination against cervessel that the required notices (COVID-19). taindispensed including seaare with in cases of a Insectors, Australia, while filming farers. seafarer’s dismissal. a movie, two-time Oscar winPublic health emeruntimely termination ningThe actor Tom Hanks caught of a seafarer’s employment can gencies such COVID19 are SARS-CoV-2, the virus that be declared a case His of disstressful times forillegal people causes COVID-19. wife, Rita missal ifalso the got employer to and communities.

Wilson, it. “Wefails have prove that the seafarer was on afSeafarers are also COVID-19 and are due in isolation forded procedural process. thewe frontline of itthe reso not spread to anyThedo POEA Standard Emsponse to the pandemic one else,” he wrote in his Twitployment Contract (SEC) enuand“There their protection iswhom vital ter. are those merates in Section 17 for the disciit lead that to a very serious tocould ensure significant plinary procedures, or the “two illness.” services continue. notice and one hearing rule”, Spain, Shipping is theGarcia, life that In must be Francisco followed in disamissing youth team football at a seafarer. blood of the globalcoach econMalaga-based club Atletico Master shall furnishPorthe omyTheas ships transport tada Alta,with diedpercent COVID-19, seafarer afrom written almost 90 ofnotice the containing (a) the grounds having been suffering fromfora world’s trade that includes the charges and (b) date, time form ofmedicine, leukemia, according to food, energy and and place for a formal investigaIndependent.

He was only 21 raw materials, as well as tion ofold. the charges against the years manufactured goods and seafarer concerned.

In the Philippines, Senator components.

The Master or his Miguel Zubiri admitted thatauhe Seafarers are not only thorized representative then was positive for COVID-19 as responsible for the operashall conduct investigation relayed to himthe

by Health Secreor hearing, giving thebut tions of such ships are tary Francisco Duque III.seafar“My er the opportunity to explain also in charge for the safe heart sank with what he had or defend himself against the and smooth delivery of the said but I’m uplifted with the charges. cargo. fact that I am asymptomatic one Filipino outnor of and With have no fever or cough every four or or have five seafarers am I weak any headon board a ship (whethaches,” he wrote in his social er cargo or cruise ), the media account.

“My decision to self-quarantine… was of thecrew best largest population decision I made and could members comes from have the protected my family from conPhilippines. tamination.”

There are over 375 000 The Department of Health

“CLEARAND ANDTHE EXISTING DANGER” SEAFARERS COVID-19 STIGMA ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE RULE IN SEAFARER’S DISMISSAL CASES

deployed Filipino seafarers that contribute an estimatAn entryBillion on theas investigahas confirmed about 142 cases ed $6.14 remittion shall be entered into said with 12 deaths.

“Still low,” tances inRodrigo 2018. R. Dutertethe ship’s logbook.

President in However, port last restricIf, after the investigation or his live public address Montions and cancelled flights hearing, the16.

Master convinced day, March “It isis a figure that are straining the ability for that imposition of a penalty is is rising day by day. Beyond our shipping replace justified, Master shall issue borders, the thefirms wholetoworld has aseafarers, written notice further weakenbeen shaken by of thepenalty spreadand of the for it tochains. the seafaring global this reasons disease.supply At first, it was Chier, copies furnished to the Ports some parts of na with and theinEast Asian region, Philippine agent. the world have refused to which is still in the midst of Thesome rules ships also state that allow tomay enter the crisis we But now… dismissal for speak. just cause be because they had previousthe epicenter has shifted to Eueffected by the Master without ly dockedthe in areas affected rope.” furnishing seafarer with a

by The COVID-19, notice ofPhilippines dismissalpreventing ifcannot doing do so anything aboutthe it safety either. of“We vessels from obtaining eswill prejudice the want to business, to sential supplies. crew ordo the vessel. we Thiswant informake money, we want to move mation shall be entered in the “Seafarers are just as but there is interaction else now ship’s logbook. worthy asnoeveryone and The there is no speak Master shall tosend and should be trade treated witha complete report thetogoing manof and there arerespect notoflights dignity and enning agency substantiated by out, in, and for you to do busisure that they can continwitnesses, testimonies and any ness.

In other words, if you go ue to documents provide their vital other in there, you to arethe alone andsupport please services world,” the thereof. understand that we are talking Special Tripartite CommitThe Supreme Court underto you honestly and in good tee of the scored theMaritime “ clear andLabour existing faith.”

Convention (MLC, 2006) danger” rule inthe dismissal cases To contain viral disease in the case of EVIC Human Resaid in a statement. from spreading further, Duterte source Management Inc., v.

RogThere are reports that placed the entire country under elio Panahon, (G.R. have No. 206890, some suppliers been a State of Public Health EmerJuly 31, 2017) prevented from boarding gency. “And that is why mayors ships togogive masks, overnow can ahead and issue exalls andorders othertopersonal ecutive make theproentective equipment to crews. vironment of their municipality Director-GenermoreILO conducive to a healing process,” said. has asked al Guy he Ryder, On March 11,“to since ensure most of governments the cases were reported from that, in these challenging Metro Manila, he declared the times, seafarers are ade-

quately protected from the COVID-19 pandemic, have The to seafarer in care, saidwhen case munity quarantine.”

But access medical and admitted that he continued took a sip the figure of cases to can travel tosoand from their from theand small flask of whisky increase he again placed ships, necessary, inthe order given toashim by one stethe entire island of of Luzon on to continue to play their vedores he dealt with and went March 16 under “enhanced crucial to bed. role”.quarantine” until community added that The captain hadseafarers him awakAprilHe 12, “coinciding with the ened and ordered him to make should be treated as entire end of Holy Week.” ‘keya report on some damages in the workers’ andenhanced be exemptUnder an comrailings of the ship caused by ed from travel restrictions munity quarantine, “strict the stevedores. during the COVID-19 panhome quarantine shall be imWhen he submitted thewill redemic.

Restrictions plemented all households; port to the in captain, the latter cripple not only seafarers transportation shall be susallegedly smelled a faint odor of but countries rely and onif pended; provision forseafarer food whisky and askedwho the essential services shallto bewhich reguoverseas supplies. he had been drinking, lated; heightened presence Inand case of cruise ships, the seafarer truthfully replied of uniformed personnel to and enthousands passengers that he drank aof little whisky force quarantine procedure will was willing to take an alcohol and crew members rebe implemented.” test. mained on board worlddeclaration, howevThewith seafarer claimed that wide, workers reprethe captain shrugged off his ofer, is not what others thought senting dozens of countries fer to take an alcohol test but as of being a martial law.

“Let me and nationalities, duemade to soon as clear, he left,this the is captain be this not martial port andentry border closures alaw,” logbook recommending Duterte said.

“Under the as well as flight restrictions. his immediatemartial replacement.

Constitution, lawFilipiis deThere were 537 The company that clared when there argued is invasion, no seafarers on board the dismissal was justified berebellion or public safety Direamond was cause seafarer that was caught quiresthe it.”Princess intoxicated, in violation of are the placed two-weeks But inunder this case, there company policies, instructions, quarantine after it docked no such thing. “There is no inandYokohama stipulationsBay of the POEA in lastpublic Febvasion, no rebellion, and contract. ruary.

At least 25 other safety does not – public safety cruise have been later requiresships it,” the president exconfirmed with COVID-19 plained. “At this time, our enecases. my is COVID-19.”

Cruise the ships are often Earlier, president said, “Let us make no mistake.of We settings for outbreaks inare in thediseases fight of our lives. We fectious because of are at war against a vicious and their closed environment, invisible enemy, onetravellers that cancontact between

HENRYLITO D. TACIO not be seen by the naked eye. In

whole metropolis under “com-

THINK ON THESE!

from many countries, and crew transfers between fearing ships that thewe safety this Thus, extraordinary war, are ships.

Cruise bring of the vessel and/or crew may all soldiers.” diverse populations into be at withall the continued In risk this war, Filipinos are proximity for many days, presence of the , the soldiers, he said.seafarer “Young or facilitating transmission of employers constrained to adults, manwere or woman, every respiratory illness. ask that the seafarer be relieved.

Filipino, whatever your staDue to The Courtoperaruled tus in life,Supreme can halted be considered a that this was a case of illegal distions of cruise ships, thousolider in this battle,” Duterte missal records are bereft sands oftheseafarers were pointedasout. of any evidence that displaced work and Duterte from urgedshowing Filipinos to was given a written notice of begun arriving via charter “stay at their homes, leaving the charges against him, or that flights backonly toopportunity the Philiptheir houses to buy food, he was given an to pines. medicine and other basic explain or defend himself. necThey essary for survival the onto comNeither is boarded thereinproof that ing seafarer days.” added that with only buses andHe were placed in a the was furnished 14-day quaraestablishments writtenpreventative notice “that of the provide penalty these basic necessities and serantine inagainst hotels by the imposed him andPhilthe vices will be opened.” reasons for its imposition. ippine Government. ThereIn some hisemployers speech, president The admit that after, havethe gone back assured the public there is sufthese required notices were disto their families while some pensed with because, according ficient food supply.

“I have been are staying in Manila due to to them, there was Ang a clear and assured by Ramon himself the lockdown. existing dangerCorporation to the safetyand of of San Miguel Sadly, some residents the crew or conglomerates vessel. other food that have recently rejected the shipping food. is thereMerchant willconverting be sufficient idea of hotels known to be an occupation with There will be no hunger in the into acoming highquarantine rate ofbecause fatalfacilities/ accidents weeks we have temporary shelters for recaused by maritime disasters enough supplies,” he said. and Duterte occupational accidents. patriated Filipino seafarers urged everyone to Most happen because who they feared carrifollowaccidents the rules andare guidelines of simple mistakes in of ers of the deadly virus.use and respect authorities.

“Obey navigational equipment and inFear and anxiety about the police and the military,” he asaid. disease can lead with to social “Do not quarrel them stigma toward these seaand do not start ruckus that farers. would amount to a violation beStigma and cause you will be discriminaarrested and brought to prison – disobedition occur because people ence of authority, o baka nagkaassociate a disease, such as mali ako, thenwith acts the of public disCOVID-19, specifturbance. arrested. ic sector You likecan thebeseafarers Sumunod na lang akyo at wala

, even though not everyone in the group is specifically terpretation of the available intayong at riskproblema.” for the disease. formation.

As COVID-19 cases and Duecontinued to inadequate Unfortunately for the deaths to file emup, knowledge about develop the ployers isnano there is , ahowever, need tothere a ture ofimmediately.

COVID-19, peoevidence that was presented vaccine There istoa ple a was need blame prove thetosituation needfelt tosuch “quickly develop an inor struggle to cope with when the seafarer wasvaccine termiexpensive and effective nated. fears about the disease against the COVID-19 virus,and and It is a settled in labor death. to distribute it veryrule widely, free cases that with the employer has Stigma stings everyone of charge, the support of thecreating burden offear proving that tothe by or anger government funds,” Dr. John dismissal of a seafarer was for wards other people.

Avery, who was partand of aScales just or authorized cause, Some of the manifesthe group that shared the 1995 failure to show this would nectations of Prize. stigma are soNobel Peace essarily mean that the dismissal no with certainty cial avoidance or rejection, was “With unjustified and, therefore, that if a violence vaccine against the physical and deniillegal.

COVID-19 virus not develals ofInhealthcare, case of aniseducation, illegal disoped quickly andis distributed missal, a seafarer entitled to housing or employment. widely, enormous numbers of receive from his employers his Discrimination causes people will die,” pointed outporDr. salaries for the unexpired further damage by spawntion of his contract Avery, an employment associate professor ing more apprehension or not merely his salaries for three emeritus at the University of anger — feelings confound(3) months forDenmark. every year of the Copenhagen, ed towards people instead unexpired Public term. health experts say of toward the problem. *** that Filipinos if the COVID-19 pandemic should not Dennis R.contained, Gorecho is notAtty. successfully give in to fear or panic that heads the seafarers’ division it could spread to 80% of the lessen our humanity of the population.

Sapalo Velez“With Bundang world’s aand 1% Bulilan law offices.

For comrespect to seafarers – they mortality rate, this would mean ments, are oneinfo@sapalovelez. ofpeople our frontthat also 70email million would com, or call 09175025808 or liners in this COVID19 pandie of the disease,” surmised 09088665786). demic.

Dr. Avery. “With a 2% mortality Dennis Gorerate,Atty. the total numberR.of deaths cho thethat seafarers’ wouldheads be twice number: division ofpeople. the Sapalo Velez 140 million Bundang Bulilannumbers law offic“Comparable of people died in theemail trages.

Forhave comments, ic wars and pandemics of the info@sapalovelez.com, past.call There is a serious danger or 09175025808 or that it might happen again,” 09088665786). warned Dr. Avery. – ###

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

LOOMING FOOD CRISIS LOOMS OVER COVID-19

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“T

he disease is spreading quickly. This is no longer a regional issue – it is a global problem calling for a global response.” That was the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations states recently in its website fao. org of the current health pandemic that is rampaging around the world.

Already, some 2.5 million cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID) have now been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), and more than 160,000 deaths.

“Make no mistake: we have a long way to go. The virus will be with us for a long time,” pointed out Dr. Tedros, the WHO-Director General in his opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 last April 22.

The FAO believes that this pandemic -- caused by SARSCoV-2 as it is related to the coronavirus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome -- will “eventually retreat,

will be likely limited, although dietary patterns may alter,” FAO explains.

There is a possibility of a disproportionately larger decline in animal protein consumption. This is a result of fears – not science-based – that animals might be hosts of the virus, and other higher-valued products but we don’t know like fish, fruits and how fast this will vegetables. happen.” It adds that “this shock is somewhat unusual as it affects significant elements of both food supply and demand.”

FAO warns a looming food crisis is in the offing, “unless measures are taken fast to protect the most vulnerable, keep global food supply chains alive and mitigate the pandemic’s impacts across the food system.”

At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, there has been a significant increase in demand.

“Food demand is generally inelastic and its effect on overall consumption

Fear of contagion can translate in reduced visits to food markets. “We expect to see a shift in how people buy and consume food - lower restaurant traffic, increased e-commerce deliveries, and a rise in eating at home,” FAO says.

Following the outbreak of coronavirus, countries around the world started to implement a number of

policy measures aimed at avoiding the further spread of the disease. In the Philippines, for instance, President Rodrigo R. Duterte urges Filipinos to “stay at home.”

Most countries implement some measures to contain the contagion. Border closures, movements restrictions, and disruptions in the shipping and aviation industries

have made it harder to continue food production and transport goods locally and internationally, the FAO reports.

Right now, there is no need for the world to panic.

“Globally, there is enough food for everyone,” FAO points out.

“Supermarket shelves remain stocked for now,” says the UN food agency in its report released last March.

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

But FAO urges policy makers around the world to be careful not to repeat the mistakes made during the 2007-08 food crisis.

Instead, it suggests to turn this health crisis into an entirely avoidable food crisis.

“As the virus spreads, cases mount and measures tighten,” FAO says, “there are countless ways, however, that the global food system will be tested and strained in the coming weeks and months.”

Currently, FAO says some 820 million people around the globe are already experiencing chronic hunger – not eating enough caloric energy to live normal lives. Of these, 113 million are coping with acute severe insecurity – hunger so severe that it poses an immediate threat to their lives or livelihoods and renders them reliant on external assistance to survive.

“These people can ill-afford any

potential further disruptions to their livelihoods or access to food that COVID-19 might bring,” FAO stresses.

The problem may not be felt right now. But by May, FAO expects to see disruptions in the food supply chains.

“Blockages to transport routes are particularly obstructive for fresh food supply chains and may also result in increased levels of food loss and waste,” it reports.

Fresh fish and aquatic products, which are highly perishable and therefore need to be sold, processed or stored in a relatively limited time are at particular risk. Also, transport restrictions and quarantine measures are likely to impede farmers’ and fishers’ access to markets, curbing their productive capacities and hindering them from selling their produce.

In addition, shortages of labor ?LOOMING, P10

EDGEDAVAO

AGRITRENDS

9

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

LEARN from 2 learning, take-home module, so that children could continue

their schooling despite the quarantine,” she said.

da, DCCCII Executive Vice President and ICT leader Belinda Torres emphasized the need to have a fast and reliable internet speed and signal to ensure and maintain the productivity in the business sector even over

great distance during quarantine period.

“If we want more people to work from home, we will need solutions at the regional level to improve internet service both the speed and quality,” Ms. Torres said.

chicken, fish, milk, and other fresh products to Dabawenyos who have not received food ration.

“Nagasuporta ni sila sa trabaho sa CSWDO by making sure nga katong dili mahatagan og grocery packs, mahatagan sila’g fresh produce na mga pagkaon na manok, baboy, ug gulay (They are supporting the CSWDO by making sure that those who were not given grocery packs will be given fresh produce of food like chicken, pork, and vegetables),” she

said.

Distribution of fresh produce continued on April 22, when Agri-Vet also distributed 1,000 liters of milk in Dumoy and 3,000 liters in Barangay Tigatto while Barangay Cabantian received 750 kilos of pork. And, on April 23, Barangay Tigatto also benefited 500 kilos of pork, salt, and 240 liters of cooking oil.

Mayor Sara also said the bulk of the chicken and pork supplies was donated by the private sector. CIO

from Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas,” he suggested.

Acting National Economic Development Authority Secretary General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua admitted that the grant of incentives may be revisited since the present system grants the same incentives regardless of the location of a business in the country.

Chua believes that by giving more incentives for new business in the countryside, investors may be lured to invest outside of Metro Manila and other metropolitan areas.

Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Chua believe that passage of Senate Bill 1357 or the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Rationalization Act (CITIRA) will reinforce the “Balik Probinsya” program where more incentives will be given to businesses in the provinces.

Go emphasized the need to develop the countryside consistent

with the policy direction of President Rodrigo Duterte to create robust economic activities and wealth generation outside Metro Manila or other urban centers.

“Hahanapan natin ng paraan upang ganahan ang mga negosyanteng mag-invest o mag-expand sa mga probinsya para naroon na rin ang trabaho at hindi na kailangan ng mga Pilipino doon na magpunta pa sa Metro Manila at lumayo sa kanilang mga pamilya (We have to find ways to inspire businessmen to invest or expand in the provinces to create more jobs and the Filipinos need not to go to Metro Manila and be away from their families),” Go said.

Go added that Balik Probinsya program will not only prevent fast spread of disease but “this proposal is also about equitable distribution of the gains of our fast-developing economy, balanced development of the urban and rural areas and poverty alleviation.” (PR)

FILE from 3

ROUND 2 from 3

Police officers check the Food and Medicine pass of shoppers at the entrance of a supermarket along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Monday. Edge Davao

DAVAO LIGHT from 5 duration of power interruptions, load from the affected lines will be transferred to nearby lines anytime between 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.. Normalization or return of load back to its normal set-up will be anytime between 8:00 a.m. to

9:00 a.m..

Specifically affected are customers from Julu Feeds Mill in Dumoy going to Gaisano Grand Mall Toril, including parts of Daliao, Toril Proper and neighboring areas.

Davao Light apologizes for the inconve-

nience brought about by these scheduled power interruptions.

But it will exert all efforts to restore electric service as scheduled or earlier. However, there may be instances where restoration may extend beyond the schedule due to

unavoidable circumstances.

Please contact our 24/7 Customer Contact Service at 2293572, 0917-864-2793 (Globe) or 0920-9701357 (Smart) for any power interruption that will fall outside the given schedule.

a resumption of the season is possible.

The NBA suspended the season March 11. It ordered teams to shutter their facilities eight days later, saying at the time it was doing so “in light of the

rapidly-developing coronavirus situation, and consistent with evolving advice from health experts regarding how to promote individual and public health while minimizing the spread of the

virus.”

Johns Hopkins University, which tracks the numbers of those affected or killed by the virus based off official government figures, said the COVID-19 worldwide

death toll surpassed 200,000 on Saturday.

And the World Health Organization said “there is currently no evidence” that people who have recovered from the virus cannot fall sick again.

could disrupt production and processing of food, notably for labor-intensive industries like high-value crops, meat and fish.

To avoid disruptions to the food supply chain and food production, FAO is urging all countries to: · Keep international trade open and take measures that protect their food supply chain (from obtaining inputs such as seeds to assuring smallholder farmers have access to markets to sell their produce); · Focus on the needs of the most vulnerable, and scale

up social protection programs including cash transfers; · Keep their domestic food supply value chains alive and functioning; · Take all necessary precautions, seeds and planting materials must continue to flow to smallholders; animal feed to livestock breeders; and aquaculture inputs to fish farmers; · Keep agricultural supply chains alive by any means compatible with health safety concerns; and · Maintain agricultural activities.

To ensure enough food supply during the COVID-19 pan-

demic, Agriculture Secretary William Dar recommends the “full opening” of the agriculture sector – while following physical distancing, hand washing, and other recommended measures.

“The threat of hunger is as real as the threat of COVID-19,” the agriculture department stated in its website, da.gov.ph.

That’s why it launched recently the Plant, Plant, Plant Program or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) Laban sa COVID-19.

“It aims to further improve our food adequacy levels

through increased rice, food crops, livestock, poultry and fish production, including that of attaining efficient food processing, marketing and distribution to major consumption centers,” Dar explained.

“Now, more than ever,” he pinpointed, “our food security frontliners – farmers, fishers, and other workers in the food value chain – will play a crucial part in our fight against COVID-19.

That’s why it is important that we continue to empower them to ensure availability of rice in the country.”

OPENING from 11

LOOMING from 8

BALIK from 4

VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

Opening practice doors N

BA players will be allowed to return to team training facilities starting Friday, provided that their local governments do not have a stayat-home order prohibiting such movement still in place as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Any workouts that take place would be voluntary and be limited to individual sessions only, according to a person

Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers must be aching to go back to play.

familiar with the league's decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on condition of anonymity because the directives from the league were not released publicly.

Group practices would not be allowed yet, and teams will not yet be permitted to organize in-person workouts.

But as certain states and municipalities began loosening restrictions on personal movement, the NBA decided it was time to let players return to their practice courts — if only on a limited basis. Georgia and Oklahoma are among the states that have allowed some businesses to reopen and some cities in Florida are expected to loosen their stayat-home policies in the coming days, even though health officials are warning that such moves are being made too quickly.

For those teams in cities where stayat-home orders still make such a return impossible, the NBA said it would work to find “alternative arrangements,” the person with knowledge of the matter said.

This move does

not mean that a resumption of games is imminent. Still, the decision to let teams back into facilities is a significant step.

ESPN first reported details of the NBA’s decision.

In the NHL, suspended at about the same point of the season as the NBA, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said league officials “haven’t made any decisions yet.” Daly said only the NHL owes players and teams guidance before April 30 and will consider its next steps in that context.

Many NBA players have said they haven’t even had access to a basket since the league ordered teams to close their practice facilities on March 19.

All-Star Jimmy Butler sent baskets to his Miami Heat teammates earlier this month, but some other players around the league said they haven’t even touched a basketball during the shutdown.

If they’re so inclined, that can now change. There remains no indicator about when a fullfledged return to organized team workouts will resume, however.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said on several occasions that the league does not anticipate being able to decide until sometime in May — at the earliest — if ?OPENING, P10

12 SPORTS

CLUSTER HOOPS A

sports mind never rests even amidst this madness called coronavirus pandemic.

It doesn’t take boredom to trigger the brains of coach Ronel Leuterio, the able executive officer running the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao Region under the leadership of the region’s bossman Glenn E s c a n d o r.

Coach Ronel is just as busy in this ECQ era just like he was under ordinary times.

While everything in the sporting

world is virtually locked down during this pandemic, coach Ronel is busy tinkering on something. I parked my car inside coach Ronel’s brains and saw it for myself what’s going on inside.

First, the guy has offered his vast knowledge in coaching to share with local coaches.

For a respected coach to share what the basketball world c a l l s

trade secret, is not just laudable but inspiring.

The guy never ceases to amaze us.

But what really threw me off my seat is his idea of tweaking the basketball landscape in the city by introducing the Clusterized concept in basketball competitions under the SBP program when this coronavirus pandemic is over.

Coach Ronel, the visionary that he is, looks beyond this

crippling situation to plan what’s ahead.

Being one to be a step ahead of the rest, Coach Ronel’s mind is telling me he is already drawing up the format for a Cluster-based basketball league featuring the six clusters created by virtue of the ECQ status of Davao City.

Inspired by the massively-growing

EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 15 • TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2020

“Cluster Wars” on social media, Coach Ronel’s basketball mind is now preparing the blueprint for that new league concept.

We can only get excited with this one.

While everyone is locked up inside and haven’t touched a basketball for a while, the horizon presents an exciting prospect.

Thanks for people like Cpach Ronel who never sleep on their tracks to think ahead

while the rest of us are battling boredom.

The teams we will be seeing in a few months (fingers crossed it’ll be earlier) are the Cluster 1 Hanlulukay, Cluster 2 Pirok Pirok, Cluster 3 Tuko, Cluster 4 Kagwang, Cluster 5 Bakukang and Cluster 6 Aliwas. For now, these are the monikers. Unless something happens between now and then.

Now, while Coach Ronel’s brain is working, let us all stay sane and safe.