Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 18 | Saturday, May 2, 2020

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

SUPREME SACRIFICE

RAFA, RAFA, FEDERER FEDERER MOVE ONON TO TO MOVE THIRD ROUND THIRD ROUND

Serving Servingaaseamless seamlesssociety society

SPORTSP11 SPORTSP11 SPORTS P12

GOING SIGNS OF BOOM BOOM VOL.13 18••FRIDAY-SATURDAY, •FRIDAY-SATURDAY, SATURDAY, MAYMAY 2, 2020 VOL.12 ISSUE 31-JUNE VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE59 59 MAY 31-JUNE1,1,2019 2019

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Applications Applicationsfor forbuilding, building, zoning zoningpermits permitsincrease increase

T T

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

The increase in apis an inindiplications The increase apcation of Davao plications is an City’s indibooming cation of construction Davao City’s industry infrastrucboomingand construction ture development, the industry and infrastruccity turenoted. development, the cityAssistant noted. City PlanningAssistant and Development City PlanCoordinator Roy Ryan ning and Development Rigor said theRoy influx of Coordinator Ryan permit applicants Rigor said the influxon of apermit weeklyapplicants basis is very on high, causing delays in a weekly basis is very the issuances of perhigh, causing delays in mits. theRigor issuances of issupersaid the mits. ance of some permits, Rigor saidlocational the issusuch as for ance of some applications, permits, needed such as for locational actual surveys by their applications, needed personnel and this conactual surveys by tributed to the delay.their personnel andreally this con“There are too tributed to the delay.

“There are really too

Swapping of stranded residents in Davao Region begins STORY ON P2

many applications that we receive and it is not many applications that only limited and to the zonwe receive it is not ing there onlypermits, limited but to the zonare a lot more,” he ingalso permits, but there said. are also a lot more,” he He also underscored said. submission of incomHe also underscored plete sets of submission ofrequireincomments thatof further plete sets requireslows the process mentsdown that further ofslows issuing the the permits. down process cliof “There issuing are the some permits. ents“There whoseare documents some clihave discrepancies, and ents whose documents that causes the delay in have discrepancies, and the issuance of the perthat causes the delay mit. Another example isin the issuance the perwhen the areaofneeds to mit.

Another example be reclassified and thatis when the needsofto needs the area approval be reclassified that the city counciland first,” needs the approval of Rigor said. the city council FSIGNS,first,” P10 Rigor said.

FSIGNS, P10

MINDANAO MINDANAO HERITAGE THROUGH HERITAGEFASHION THROUGH MODERN MODERN ► INDULGE A1FASHION ►INDULGE A1

RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY IN RAISINGFOREMOST A MILLENNIAL MIND IN BIKE PATROL. Police officers under ESDEVCO’S the bicycle patrol unit FAMILY FOREMOST of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) take a breather from PROPERTY conducting a morning routine patrol► to remind residentsP9 to ESDEVCO’S MIND stay at home along F. Torres Street in Davao City. Edge Davao ►PROPERTY P9

TOURISM. President Rodrigo Duterte responds to the discussions during the meeting with the President Japanese tourism TOURISM. Rodrigopart-Duterte ners at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan responds to the discussions during the on Wednesday night.the PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO partmeeting with Japanese tourism ners at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

Troops rescue pregnant NPA amazon, 47 surrender

A

GOING HOME

President Rodrigo Duterte says he respects freedom of speech of Filipinos who are critical of him, including the Pinay caregiver in Taiwan who criticized the government’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Presidential Photo

pregnant New People's Army amazon who is due to give birth anytime was rescued by 23rd Infantry Battalion (IB) troops at Sitio Bancaling, Purok 8, Brgy. Nongnong, Butuan City on Wednesday evening.

This came after the troops responded to an information of a concerned citizen that a pregnant woman was left by a group of NPA to the care of an NPA supporter or “masa.”

The woman identified as alias Myka was hesitant when approached by soldiers but after negotiation, she willingly narrated her ordeal and asked for help from the soldiers to assist her in giving birth. She was immediately brought to the military camp for initial care before she was transferred to a hospital for a medical check-up.

The woman, who serves as a member of the rebels' medical team, has been monitored in Agusan del Sur. Meantime, a 16-

year old female NPA member being monitored in Tulunan, North Cotabato, together with two other NPA regulars surrendered to 39th Infantry Battalion thru the collaborative efforts of the Council Officials of Brgy. Bacung, Tulunan, Cotabato last April 24, 2020.

The minor was identified as alias Bebe, a resident of Sitio Bilaan, Brgy. Kanibang, Tulunan, while the other two were identified as alias Alex, 47 yrs old, male and alias Pao, 19 yrs old, female who are also residents of the same barangay.

According to the narrative of alias Bebe, she revealed that she joined the movement when she was 10 years old and surrendered six years later due to hardship in the movement and her wanting to be with her family.

Meanwhile, for the month of April 2020, the Command accounted 42 NPA members and five Militiang Bayan (MB) who surrendered

he Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Friday said it has recorded several successes, shortly after the conclusion of the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Rodrigo Duterte, following the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

"Starting 00:00 of 19 March 2020, in deference to the order of President Duterte, AFP ground units faithfully complied with the orders to cease all offensive operations on orders of AFP Chief General Felimon Santos, Jr," said AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, in a statement.

He added that "intelligence-driven combat operations against the terrorist New People’s Army resumed without let-up" when the unilateral ceasefire lapsed midnight of

April 16.

The NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is listed as a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, European Union, United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Data obtained from April 16 to 28 showed that the AFP has initiated a total of 34 combat operations.

"It accounted for 10 terrorists dead and seven captured or surrendered in various skirmishes in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao," Arevalo said.

Also seized from these operations were a total of 58 high-power firearms (M-16s with grenade launchers, M-16s, AK-47s, M-14s, etc), and scores of rifle magazines and assorted ammunition, 20 pieces of improvised explosive devices, and other

?TROOPS, P9

scores big vs. Reds Swapping of stranded residents AFP after Covid-19 ceasefire in Davao Region begins T

By MAYA M. PADILLO

D

avao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio reported in government-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Friday, the “exchanging” of stranded residents in different parts of Davao Region has already started.

Dozens of residents of various provinces ad cities have been stalled away from home elsewhere in the region for more than a month as local government officials put their respective provinces under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and prohibited people movement to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Sara said the Inter-Agency Task Force in the Davao Region has already

allowed to mobilize the return of stranded residents in Davao Region through an “exchange” scheme.

This means, two LGUs can agree to ‘repatriate’ stranded non-residents in exchange of their own.

The mayor cited that two Davao City residents, who were stranded in Davao Oriental, already returned in the city on Wednesday and in exchange, the city government of Davao facilitated the return

of five individuals to Davao Oriental.

Last Thursday, the city government facilitated the return of 21 individuals to Davao Occidental.

On Friday (May 1), the city government were able to send home 25 Davao Occidental residents and five residents of Davao Oriental. In return Davao City received four individuals from the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato and 17 from the Mindanao State University in Marawi.

“Dili tanan ni abot sa Davao City residente sa dakbayan.

Ginacount lang nato kung kinsa tong taga dinhi,”Mayor Sara said stressing that the city government is currently coordinating with their respective

local government units (LGUs).

The mayor also reminded those people going out of Davao City can leave anytime if checkpoints outside Davao Region will allow them and if they will be received by their respective LGUs. “Kung pagawas mo ug Davao City, Please check kung dawaton mo didto (sa LGU) ang pangutan-on daan kung unsa ang mga requirements ang panagyuon nila sa inyuha,” she said.

She also said for those who want to come home in Davao City from other parts of Davao Region, there are no requirements or medical clearance needed because their first day of their 14day quarantine is the day they entered Davao City.

?AFP, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

NEWS

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The provincial government of Davao Oriental commissions four buses under its “Oplan Sundo” initiative to fetch stranded Davao Oriental residents in Davao City on Friday. Davao Oriental PIO

Rapid testing for Mati's 'repatriates' The City of Mati's Incident Management Team (IMT) will be subjecting all Mati City residents who came from Davao City thru the 'Oplan Sundo' of the Provincial Government to Covid-19 rapid diagnostic testing upon arrival.

In a protocol laid out by the IMT, all arrivals from places under Enhanced Community Quarantine or with known active local transmissions will be subjected to a screening protocol at the "immigration area" located at the Mati City Welcome Arc in the border with San Isidro town.

The travelers will also be made to sign the waiver which states that they would undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

After the screening protocol at the border, the travelers will then proceed to the Alternate Care Site at the Milagrosa Retreat Center for triage and testing of the "repatriated" Matin-

ians.

The ACS Testing Team will then conduct RDT to all Matinian "repatriates". If the RDT result turns positive, the patient will be classified as "probable case" and will be admitted at the ACS and will undergo swabbing for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Those who would test negative for RDT and PCR tests will be allowed to undergo strict quarantine either at their home or at a PUM facility.

They will be monitored on a daily basis by assigned Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams for 14 days.

The BHERTs would also monitor compliance and refer quarantine violations to the PNP for enforcement of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act. (Mati CIO)

Students, teachers meet online in Ateneo de Davao

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teneo de Davao University (ADDU) transitioned into online learning last April 22, when summer classes began. The University is “putting technology to good use” at a time when physical distancing is required, according to Dr. Christopher Ryan B. Maboloc. Maboloc is a Philosophy Professor.

College students numbering more than 1,700 connect to their classmates and teachers online. Safe in their own homes, they use video conferencing apps, such as Google Meet, Zoom, or Skype.

“These are ways that make interaction possible between students and teachers as well as among students,” Jeremy S. Eliab said. Eliab is ADDU‘s Executive Vice President.

Teachers guiding students Apart from video classes with teachers,

students learn their lessons from Powerpoint presentations and teacher-made and curated video clips. They download discussion notes and handouts for offline studying.

Computers, tablets, or smartphones are essential tools.

“Teachers create learning content; students respond. Teachers inquire; students answer and inquire, too, to clarify concepts," Hazel Meghan B. Hamile explained.

Hamile teaches Philippine Popular Culture

this summer.

"Everyone is settling down in a new platform where we still play the roles of mentor and mentee,” Hamile added. Learning continues in what Maboloc calls "a digital ecosystem.”

Teachers helping teachers In the weeks following the declaration of a public health emergency, ADDU Computer Science (CS) professors and University Information Technology Office personnel met online several times to lay the groundwork for online education. Their task: to prepare teachers and students to make a leap of faith, to believe that education is doable, relevant, and necessary in a pandemic-stricken world.

"It helped very much that CS and other Departments had been using online platforms alongside in-person classes for

many years," Dr. Michelle P. Banawan said.

Banawan is the Director of the Management Information Systems Office.

“We brainstormed ideas, made plans, and did short videos for other teachers who needed to migrate to Google Classrooms.

We designed presentations to guide teachers to manage their online classrooms and Moodle sites and to put their teaching and learning content online—all to make it easier for students to access them and learn better,” Ma. Teresa Te-Quindoy said. Quindoy is the Director of the Information Technology Training Services Office (ITTSO).

"Packaging the learning material to be palpable for students is a creative challenge for teachers like me," Hamile said.

“I hope students will value the free?STUDENTS, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

Fewer market goers troop to Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City after authorities reported that one female vegetable vendor tested positive of Covid-19. Edge Davao

Deadlines for payment of local taxes, fees extended to June 25 T

LandBank continues cash aid to rice farmers

T

he Department of Finance (DOF) has issued on April 23 Department Circular (DC) No. 002-2020, which extended deadlines for the payment of “taxes, fees, and charges of local government units (LGUs), pursuant to Section 4 (z)” of Republic Act No. 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”, which seeks to provide relief to Filipinos impacted by the disruption of economic activities due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a letter transmitting the DC to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said it was the DOF’s view that Section 4 (z) be “liberally construed to include all LGUs (local government units).”

Dominguez add-

ed the DOF issued DC 002-2020 “for the uniform adoption and implementation by all LGUs on the extension of deadlines for the payment of local taxes, fees, and charges and providing relevant guidelines for the purpose.”

He said that prior to the issuance of

the DC, only 146 LGUs have announced or authorized the extension of payment deadlines for local fees, taxes and charges.

Dominguez added that the lack of uniformity “defeats the purpose of relevant community quarantine orders.”

Section 4 of the DC extended the deadlines for the payment of “all local taxes, fees, and charges duly authorized and imposed

by LGUs within their respective territorial jurisdictions as of 25 March 2020” to June 25.

It also stated that “the counting of the period within which to pay local taxes, fees, and charges shall likewise be suspended during the said period.”

“In the event that an LGU had already extended the deadlines prior to the effectivity of RA 11469,

such deadlines shall be deemed modified with the period set forth herein. Any further extension thereof shall be authorized in accordance with the provisions of RA 7160 (Local Government Code),” it said.

Section 5 of the DC, oh the other hand, said that as a result of the extension, “no interest, surcharge or any form of penalty shall be applied on any local tax, fee or charge accruing on or due and demandable” during the extension period.

However, all previous delinquencies shall be due and the accrual of interest, penalties and surcharges shall begin after the extension.

The DC also instructed local treasurers and assessors to defer the issuance of written authorities to conduct examination of books of accounts ?DEADLINES, P9

he Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) has paid out over PHP308 million to over 60,000 farmer-beneficiaries listed under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Financial Subsidy to Rice Farmers (FSRF) initiative.

In a statement, LandBank said that as of April 22, a total of 61,564 rice farmers across 26 provinces have received financial assistance from this program. These farmers were largely affected by quarantine measures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Small rice farmers tilling farms with an area of one hectare or less received PHP5,000 each through the existing LandBank SURE Aid (Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Program for Rice Farmers) and RFFA (Rice Farmer Financial Assistance) cash cards.

LandBank is also preparing to release cash grants to more rice farmers covering 34 provinces nationwide pending the list of more beneficiaries from DA. Farmer-beneficiaries will claim the cash subsidy overthe-counter from designated branches of the Bank.

“We are in close coordination with the DA to supplement the income of our small rice farmers and their families the soonest possible time. This forms part of LandBank’s intensified support to the agriculture sector, which belongs to the most vulnerable sectors during this Covid-19 crisis,” LandBank president Cecilia Borromeo said.

LandBank’s financial aid distribution is in support of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the government for the implementation of Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.” (PR)

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Construction laborers work on the metal structure of a building along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City in this undated photo. Today (May 1) is Labor Day, a day dedicated for the country’s working class.

Edge Davao

DOLE, DTI set workplace T rules under ECQ, GCQ

CBCP seeks add'l aid for workers amid health crisis

T

he Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday released the guidelines for private companies which are allowed to operate during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

It added that all workplaces, employers, and workers in the private sector are covered by the guidelines to develop minimum health protocols and standards in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The guidelines include mandatory wearing of face masks in buildings and workplaces; accomplishment of daily health symptoms questionnaire to be submitted

to the guard-on-duty or safety officer; temperature checks; use of alcohol/sanitizers and putting of disinfection booths or foot baths in workplaces, if possible.

All work areas and frequently handled objects such as doorknobs and handles shall be cleaned and disinfected regularly, at least once every two hours and all washrooms and toilets shall have sufficient clean water and soap.

Workers are also encouraged to wash their hands frequently and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

It added that workers shall always practice physical distancing with a minimum of one-meter between each worker while eating in groups is discouraged and canteens should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

The DOLE and DTI also encouraged to adopt alternative work arrangements, such as working-hour shifts, work from home (WFH), where feasible and on rotation basis.

They also discouraged prolonged faceto-face interaction between workers and clients and masks shall be worn at all times and not removed.

Meetings needing physical presence shall be kept to a minimum number of partici-

pants and with a short duration. Videoconferencing shall be used for lengthy discussions among workers.

It added that the workstation layout should be designed to “allow for unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors, and walkways”.

In case a worker is suspected as having Covid-19, the DOLE and DTI said the workers shall immediately proceed to isolation area designated in the workplace and never remove his/her mask; and if needed should require the transport of the affected workers to the nearest hospital. There should be company protocols for transport of suspect Covid-19 cases for PCR testing.

Employers are required to provide DOLE through its regional office and copy ?DOLE, P9

he Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday called on the government and the private sector to intensify measures to help workers amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, in commemoration of Labor Day. “We need to see our government and business owners initiate just and concrete actions for our labor force. To show that we care is imperative.

While we recognize and appreciate the efforts of the government to provide relief packages to our workers at this time, we also see that these are fill-gap measures only and provides no actual solutions to our labor problems,” said Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, national director of CBCP's social action arm NASSA/Caritas in a statement.

Bagaforo also backed the call of workers for the government and business

conglomerates to implement just policies and inclusive compensation packages, particularly for informal workers.

Likewise, he urged them to ensure safety, provision of equipment, transportation, temporary shelter, full meals and hazard pay to medical workers, including Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), and guarantee emergency employment assistance to stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“The Filipino workers are not only fighting Covid-19, they are racing against time to survive. We are their only lifelines.

Let us help them by upholding their rights and dignity,” he added.

Bagaforo also acknowledged the workers for their service and dedication to perform their jobs.

“On the feast day of St. Joseph, The Worker, we at NASSA/Caritas Philippines expresses ?CBCP, P9

6 VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 10 • SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE • FRIDAY, MARCH 2020

“

Kung pagawas mo ug Davao City, Please check kung dawaton mo didto (sa LGU) ang pangutan-on daan kung unsa ang mga requirements ang panagyuon nila sa inyuha.

EDITORIAL

Be significant

MAYOR SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO

With the situation the Philippines is facing amidst the coronavirus threat, it takes everyone’s utmost patience, understanding and compassion to get the country through the hill.

Hence, businesses must first take consideration of their workers rather than their profits or losses. The reason why the community quarantine is not working 100 percent is that the lowly workers are forced to report to work under fear of losing their jobs and not earning their keep. The spectre of having no mey to feed their families is a far bigger threat than dying because of the virus.

In the minds of the ordinary folks: “We will die just the same.”

Only those who have enough food in their pantry, those who can afford to panic shop, and those who can afford to order online for deliveries will survive. But for the bigger chunk of the society, the equation remains “no work, no food.”

Thus, it is a welcome relief that there are initially 10 companies made the supreme sacrifice of to compensate their workers during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period. This will greatly help those in Metro Manila where people still go to work

EDGEDAVAO

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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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Layout/Cartoons Cartoonist 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 D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

despite the order.

The 10 firms reported by the Department of Labor to have made the compensation package are Aboitiz, Asian Terminal/Solaire Resort Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, JG Summit, Jollibee, Lucio Tan Group, Manny V. Pangilinan Group, San Miguel Corporation, SM and Udenna Group.These firms answered the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to take care of their workers and employees during this time of national emergency.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III lauded the companies and said their compassion and good example should inspire other enterprises whose source of wealth is the labor of their workforce.

While big companies can take some hit, it is a different story for smaller firms and this is where the government should come in. For sure, there are already some formulation to this effect being done.

For now, the best thing to do for everyone is to try to be significantly helpful instead of adding up to the problem and it all starts with following orders.

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.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

RATS Rats are long tailed rodents and are of medium size. They are typically distinguished from mice by their size, meaning they are bigger and look meaner. Which means that when you see a small sized rodent, you call it a mouse.

Rats are sometimes responsible for transmitting diseases.

The informal meaning of “rats” as I am using it in this article refers to a person regarded as despicable, especially a man who has been deceitful or disloyal (Wikipedia).

As the ECQ has been extended from April 30 to May 15, I hear a muted shrill of protest from many people who felt the ECQ should have been modified especially in some cities in Metro Manila where infections have not been that alarming and that recoveries are already on the rise.

But the President does not want to leave anything to chance.

Since a vaccine to cure CoVid 19 has not been discovered and introduced, the President has increased the financial incentive to a person or to a group that is able to discover the vaccine from P10M to P50M. At any rate, even as the country is being held hostage by this unseen enemy, anti-government sectors, especially the political opposition, continue their relentless - though seemingly futile – efforts to discombobulate the chaotic situation for their own sinister purposes.

These are the RATs in our

lives.

For a small Third World country like us, these rats exhibit anti-Filipino attitudes who do not mind at all whether the nation falls flat on its face or succumb socially and economically on bended

almost lost his cool during his national address when he mentioned about the small chance of imposing “martial law” should the need arise while the ECQ is in effect.

Somehow, I am beginning to think that these rats are slowly

crete social, political and economic reforms in the country.

All he needs to do is declare a REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT as what Cory Aquino did in 1986.

Of course, PRRD needs the total support of the AFP and the

knees.

This anti-Filipino actions can be likened to treasonous acts like the ‘Makapili’ during the Japanese occupation who betrayed their Filipino comrades fighting the colonizers using guerilla tactics.

For a while, the President

getting into the nerves of the Chief Executive. Maybe this is exactly what they really desire to achieve: For PRRD to go and declare martial law throughout the country.

Unfortunately for these dirty rats, Pres. Duterte need not impose martial rule in order to effect con-

PNP in this regard and hopefully a majority of the members of both chambers of Congress.

The ECQ pandemic may be the ace that the President can use as his card to finally come up to a crucial decision because he will have to consider the survival of his

country and his people.

Majority of the populace, in surveys recent and past, indicate that Duterte has the popular backing of the Filipinos.

Re-engineering the socio-economic political structure via a REVGOV may have a shocking effect initially but it cannot be avoided.

People, sociologically speaking, are always resistant to change.

They will show defiance and exhibit stubbornness and disobedience but will cooperate when they see the positive changes happening before their very eyes.

The extension of the ECQ is a result of the bullheadedness of residents in affected areas in Metro Manila and in Luzon and elsewhere which is a form of lawlessness.

LAWLESSNESS IS A STATE OF DISORDER DUE TO A DISREGARD OF THE LAW (Wikipedia) (emphasis mine).

I mean, right now, Duterte may have a good reason to study whether a REVGOV is good enough to try. The pandemic is forcing many governments and their economies on their knees, including the US, Japan, UK, China, Canada, the EU, South America and Africa.

For me, it could be worth a try.

I wonder if this Plato quote describes our situation.

He said: “This City is what it is because our citizens are what they are.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

QUITTERS NEVER WIN “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out.

The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

– Randy Pausch in The Last Lecture *** When I started my career as a writer, I received a lot of rejection slips (which most aspiring writers these days don’t experience anymore). But it didn’t deter me to keep submitting features and articles to publications with a minute hope that one or two of them would be published.

Mod Magazine did. When my very short feature, “Children Tell What Doctors Do,” came out, my mother bought a lot of copies (which she gave to some of her friends). I was also very proud of myself for having accomplished such feat.

I thought it was the beginning of my luck. But I was wrong. More rejections followed after that. I decided to submit some of the articles to other publications. Since I am from faraway Davao del Sur, I won’t be able to compete with those writers based in Manila.

So, I changed my strategy; I wrote topical features: Valentine’s Day, Christmas, anniversaries, weddings, graduation, and other events.

Magazines commenced using some of my features: Woman’s Home Companion, Focus Philippines, Expressweek, Philippine Panorama, Philippine Free Press, Philippine Graphic, Mr. & Ms., Money Asia, Woman Today, Greenfields, and AgriScope. Most of these publications are now defunct but there were articles that appeared in some of them that

earned me journalism awards, including the Hall of Fame in science reporting from Philippine Press Institute and Journalist of the Year from the Rotary Club of Manila.

Had I quit when I received those rejection slips, I won’t be what I am today. But I persevered. I didn’t quit when it

them from being successful in life. “History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed,” Scottish-born American financial journalist B.C. Forbes said. “They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.”

gamble with him. Shoot with a tight budget and in black-andwhite at that, Rocky earned Stallone an Oscar nomination and the film itself was declared Best Picture winner.

What about Harrison Ford, also known for his two movie roles: Hans Solo and Indiana Jones? He was bitten by the

seemed there was no future for me in writing. And I was glad that I didn’t allow myself to be swallowed by the strings of failures that came my way.

It is only now that I came to realize what Leigh Micthell Hodges said. “Failure,” she pointed out, “is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success.”

American inventor Thomas Alva Edison had the same view in mind. “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up,” he once remarked.

In fact, history is replete with people who never let challenges – failures, obstacles, hardships, and poverty – stop

Let’s take a closer look at some of these people. Sylvester Stallone – known around the world for his Rocky and Rambo roles in movies – was expelled from 14 schools. He dropped out of college to pursue acting. He went on thousands of auditions and still couldn’t get work. When he was evicted from his apartment, he had to sleep in bus stations for weeks.

He was so desperate for money that he even appeared in a porn movie. After watching a boxing bout, he went home and wrote a script that would change his life completely. Some producers wanted to buy the script but turned down the offer. He wanted to star in the film. One producer made a

acting bug not because he wanted to become popular but as a way to overcome his painful shyness. But he could only get bit parts for over 10 years.

His appearance in his first film was so unimpressive that a studio executive told him bluntly, “You’ll never make it in this business.” He pursued his dream while working as a carpenter to support his family. In fact, he came to the Philippines as a carpenter for the set of Apocalypse Now. When director Francis Ford Coppola reportedly needed some soldiers, he approached Ford to be among them.

But it wasn’t until he accepted the role of Hans Solo in the Star Wars saga that he became a box-office hero. The In-

diana Jones series even sealed his fate as among the highest-grossing actors in American film history.

Howard Schultz, the man behind Starbucks, grew up living in city housing projects. He worked for years selling photo copiers and coffee machines.

He was turned down 217 times for a loan to open his first café.

He was laughed at for believing people would pay more than 50 cents for a cup of coffee. Making no money, he was tempted to give up his dream while his wife was 7 months pregnant. But he persevered and now he is a multi-billionaire business legend and cultural icon.

There are also women who believed in perseverance. Poverty did not dissuade Oprah Winfrey to become the US queen of all media. So poor was she as a child that she wore a dress made of potato sacks.

She ran away from home at 13 after years of sexual abuse.

By the time she was 14, she became pregnant. Unfortunately, the son died shortly after birth. Those experiences brought her depression that in her late 20’s, she wrote a suicide note. Emotional turmoil in her early 30’s led to weight gain and crack cocaine abuse.

But she all passed all the obstacles in her life. Now, she’s a living example of a self-made multi-billionaire.

“Let me tell you the secret that has led to my goal,” Louise Pasteur, the French biologist, microbiologist and chemist said. “My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”

Benjamin Disraeli surely would agree. “Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed destined to be certain failure,” said the British politician who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Malayan Colleges Mindanao ready to provide flexible online learning amidst Covid-19

(Left to right) Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, College of Arts and Science, Faculty, Asst. Prof.

Denie Forton, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Former Dean, College

M

alayan Colleges Mindanao, a Mapúa School is all geared up for the upcoming school year amidst the Coronavirus-2019 pandemic as they utilize their established flexible learning system.

In 2018, Malayan Colleges Mindanao pioneered blended learning in Davao City, inheriting this system from its sister-school Mapúa University.

Transitioning to a flexible online curriculum amidst enhanced community quarantine is fairly uncomplicated as MCM has been accustomed to employing such practices through its Digital Learning Days – days in which students can remotely accomplish tasks and academic requirements through the school’s online digital platforms. The aforementioned practice was also previously employed during the successive earthquakes in 2019 when students and faculty had to be temporarily distanced from the institution to ensure

their safety.

“Blending online with on-site learning enabled us to cater to a wider spectrum of learners. Those who encounter difficulty in learning during classes have the chance to go over the lessons in the comfort of their homes and catch up with the rest of class. It provides our students with more avenues for learning and varied ways to demonstrate their learning outcomes. Online learning also helped us cope with the harsh realities of life – earthquakes, storms, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. Our system makes up for the learners who have the resources and the desire to continue learning remotely without compromising their safety and health.” shares

of Arts and Science and Director of Learning Environments and Innovations, Prof. Abigail Joy Rodelas-Angelia and Blackboard, Chief Client Officer Mr. Tim Atkin.

Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations of Malayan Colleges Mindanao on the institution’s use of blended-learning and its benefits.

MCM’s digital platforms are managed by a Learning Management System known as Blackboard Learn which the MCM Community has become very familiar with. MCM has been utilizing and developing this system since its establishment and was awarded the 2018 Blackboard Catalyst Award for Optimizing the Student Experience at the Blackboard’s annual Teaching and Learning Conference in Singapore which honors institutions whose educational and administrative innovations have markedly improved the total learner experience.

“MCM was intentionally built for 21st century learners.

Their learning habits, interests, motivations, and challenges were carefully considered in crafting the differ-

ent modalities where learning can be implemented. Some prefer the traditional faceto-face classroom sessions where they can personally interact with their professors and classmates, while some are more active in a virtual classroom set-up. MCM provides both.” says Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo.

Learning management system is utilized by the institution to bridge the gaps between students and teachers in the digital realm.

“Not only does it (MCM) welcome traditional learners, but it also welcomes digital learners. May you be a student who is used to reading books or a student who is used to utilizing digital platforms… Students are able to utilize technology for their education, to communicate with your teachers and classmates through the app where we are able to gain new information and download our power-points that we discussed in

our face-to-face sessions… MCM is very brave to be able to incorporate this new technology into our traditional learning.” shares Franchesco Laquinario Lu, BS Industrial Engineering Student of Malayan Colleges Mindanao, on MCM’s blended-learning system.

Students accessing online lessons through MCM’s Learning Management System “The one thing that made my student life so great at Malayan Colleges Mindanao is the fact that we have a half-day schedule. Having this type of schedule, coupled with our Blackboard Learn, gave me more control over my time. I was able to balance my academics and social life without sacrificing either. I believe that with this kind of training, the school is priming us to have better time management for the future.” says Uean Carlo Bacsal, Grade 12 Senior High School Student of Malayan Colleges Mindanao, on the benefits of his half-day schedule along with Blackboard Learn.

This system along w i t h the digital contents from the world’s lead-

ing publishers like Wiley and Cengage and Elsevier—with more than 12,000 e-books and courseware and hundreds of thousands of e-journal articles—helps combine online and on-site learning. These and other digital learning tools have helped the students of Malayan Colleges Mindanao achieve their academic goals since 2018.

For the upcoming school year, MCM students will be provided with unlimited access to 3,600+ courses and specializations and certifications from 190+ leading universities and companies through Coursera, as Malayan Colleges Mindanao through Mapúa University has partnered with the worldclass online learning platform to provide its students with transformative learning free of charge.

For students and teachers without stable internet connection, Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo shares that they are now in talks ?DIGITAL, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

TROOPS from 2

AFP from 2

to the Government.

They brought with them 134 firearms of various caliber.

496 members of the Underground Mass Organizations (UGMO) have also withdrawn their support to the National Democratic Front (NDF), while 21 Sangay ng Partido sa Localidad (SPL) cut their ties with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In the statement of MGen. Jose C. Faustino Jr., Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command, he expressed his appreciation to the different Local Government Units (LGUs) as they continue to implement their respective

peace initiatives that led to the continuous surrender of NPA members in Eastern Mindanao amidst the crisis brought about

by COVID-19.

"We express our appreciation to the different Local Government Units and Task Forces on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict in our Area of Operations that despite the gargantuan tasks and problems they are facing brought about by COVID 19, they continuously implement their peace initiatives that led to the continuous surrender of NPA rebels in Eastern Mindanao," MGen. Faustino Jr. said.

dom they have to think deeply about the learning material provided, to become more reflective not only about what they think but also how they think,” Hamile added.

“I also hope that they gain the discipline to create an amiable relationship with the self to be able to decide on things, such as the best time to study, and to converse with their classmates and teachers who are their guides. I wish the students both freedom and discipline,” Hamile said.

More than 100 ADDU college teachers are managing digital classrooms this April, right out of their living rooms and home offices.

Distributing wi-fi devices, tablets Students and teachers who do not have a reliable internet connection have been provided with Home Prepaid Wifi (HPW) units. “Students get their units for free, and teachers receive an internet allowance,” Eliab revealed.

Further, ADDU distributed 155 tablets and digital pencils to scholars and financially challenged students this summer. “These devices were donated by Friends of the University,” University President Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ said.

An easy payment scheme is also in place for a computer

loan for students and teachers. “Ateneo is also extending a computer loan to qualified students and teachers who want to acquire a laptop, desktop, or tablet for educational purposes. As of now, 181 students have applied for a computer loan,” Eliab said.

In dialogue with our students, in collaboration with the CHED and the DepED, we firmly believe that if we must stay at home to help preserve life, we must use the time at home productively.

Staying at home is an opportunity for genuine academic growth so that precious time is not wasted but optimized for growth and formation,” Tabora added.

When classes begin for Academic Year 2020-2021, ADDU will be harnessing the power of technology again to “deliver the education it is committed to give based on its mission and vision as a Filipino, Catholic, and Jesuit University operating in and for Mindanao,” Tabora concluded.

While ADDU school campuses are closed, Google Classrooms and Moodle sites are humming with activity. ADDU teachers and students are on a steep learning curve, but they are adapting to a digital but still collaborative learning environment in this era of quarantine.

STUDENTS from 3

FIGHTING from 11

documents yielding extensive information about the terrorists.

"Telling, but no more surprising are the confiscations in Samar raid packs of anti-pregnancy pills.

This supports the heart-breaking revelations of female members of the NPA who were either rescued or surrendered—some of them pregnant, of how they were sexually abused and molested by their superiors; Of how some of them were constrained to marry their commanders for lack of recourse," Arevalo said.

He also slammed the NPA for always saying that they will “resume offensive operations” when in reality, they have not.

"But the AFP is unfazed by the CPP’s saber-rattling. What we are more concerned with and is determined to prevent are their attacks on non-combatant civilians and tribal leaders which are also violations of International Humanitarian Law,"

Arevalo said.

Contrary to their claims that they are a benevolent organization, people complain of NPA abuses and robbing them of their relief goods, the murder of their leaders, and other atrocities at this time of crisis.

And by virtue of these atrocities, Arevalo said local folks are now more inclined to report the presence of communist rebels in their communities leading to these successful operations.

Amid various tasks the AFP is now doing to help the country deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the military is more than ready to conduct combat patrols against these communist rebels to stop them from harming communities and its people.

"We will not hesitate to put our lives on the line — against the unseen enemy which is Covid-19 or the lingering CPP-NPA virus.

We will defeat them as one," Arevalo said.

(PNA)

and pertinent business records, activities related to appraisal and assessment of real properties, posting and publishing of notices of delinquencies, warrants of levy, and advertisements for sale or auction, and pursuing administrative or judicial action for the enforcement and/or collection of local taxes, fees, or charges.

Dominguez said he issued the DC in the exercise of his power as DOF chief to move deadlines for the pay-

ment of taxes, fees and charges under Section 4(z) of RA 11469, which was delegated in a Memorandum from the Executive Secretary dated March 28 to the Secretary of Finance.

The DC will be effective immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and will remain effective until the state of public health emergency is lifted, subject to changes issued or instructed by the Office of the President. (PR)

furnished the Department of Health, monthly reporting of illness and diseases using the DOLE Work

Accident/Illness Report Form (WAIR) The guidelines are effective immediately.

(PNA)

our gratitude and salutation to all Filipino workers. Thank you for the great service and dedication you have always given our country and the world.

Through St. Joseph, we pray that God will always have you in His

loving embrace, especially in these most trying times,” he said.

This year, there are no activities to celebrate the annual event for workers as countries race against time to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)

DEADLINES from 4

DOLE from 5

CBCP from 5

9

debted to our partners and sponsors -- Robinsons Retail Group, STATS Performance Apparel, Palawan Express Pera Padala, and PayMaya -- for remaining committed to the team despite difficult times like these. Their support and their various efforts to provide assistance and relief to the frontliners and those most affected by the ECQ inspire us and buoy up our spirits,” Atty. Uvero added.

UPMBT players and alumni along with various UP teams and organizations sprang to action soon after the ECQ was declared.

They initiated efforts to provide frontliners with necessary items like personal protective equipment (PPEs) and meals. They also reached out to affected communities with rice and other daily necessities.

Among those who raised funds and donated in kind are Fighting Maroons Paul

Desiderio, Jett Manuel, Ricci Rivero, Diego Dario, Kyles Lao, Jarrell Lim, Ibrahim Ouattara, Jaybie Mantilla, and the Gomez de Liaño brothers, Joe, Javi, and Juan. NowheretogobutUP Foundation, the UP College of Human Kinetics (CHK), and the Salamat PH Healthcare Heroes also conducted fundraisers to help the frontliners, stranded UP students and staff, and various communities.

“There is so much uncertainty right now and these are extremely difficult times for many Filipinos. That’s why this is the time to be one with our people as we all go through these hardships together. Let’s all do our share in helping one another. Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected. The goal of resilience is to thrive,” said NowheretogobutUP Foundation founding chairman Renan Dalisay.

with both SMART communications and Globe Telecom to address this issue.

“Under normal circumstances, some of our students with no stable connections go to the campus to connect. MCM provides high-speed wifi connection inside the campus. We understand that connectivity is a huge challenge for some of our students during this crisis. MCM is now in talks with both SMART communications and Globe Telecom to address this issue through issuance of prepaid Wi-Fi routers with broadband plans specially designed to cater to students’ data consumption in accessing online learning tools.” says Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo.

MCM will continue to provide alternatives to in-campus learning should the need arise.

On a different note, MCM is taking heed of its students and teachers who might be experiencing mental or emotional stress. The Center for Guidance and Counseling recently expanded their services by offering counselling through phones, emails, and

messaging apps for the students and teachers to access even during community quarantine.

MCM has also partnered with a 24/7 telemedicine company, KonsultaMD, to provide its students and employees with apt services from licensed and experienced Filipino doctors.

The enrollment process has as well been transitioned to fully online transactions. Illustrated in MCM’s official website and social media pages, a student may now enroll for their classes in the upcoming term online through their phones or laptops.

Payments may be made through online banking or fund transfer to MCM’s bank account or through other remote payment channels.

Malayan Colleges Mindanao’s Senior High School and College programs will begin classes for the next academic year in July 2020, fully equipped with the best physical and digital learning infrastructure to provide the best flexible learning system for the students of Davao City.

DIGITAL from 8

10 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL VS COVID-19?

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

While scientists around the globe are in search for vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), science sleuths in the Philippines are conducting studies on virgin coconut oil (VCO) as supplemental therapy for the pandemic.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque explained in a virtual press briefing that two clinical studies are being conducted. Both studies (one in the hospital and the other in the community) are under the supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The hospital-based study is being done at the state-owned Philippine General Hospital (PGH) of the University of the Philippines (UP), which is led by Dr. Marissa Alejandria. In this study, the VCO serves as a supplement to the daily treatment regimen of the COVID-19 patients.

“The study aims to assess the possible benefits of VCO if given to patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 in addition to the drugs being assessed in the clinical trials,” said DOST in a statement.

The clinical study, which DOST conducts in cooperation with the UPPGH Clinical COVID-19 Research Group and the Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, runs for a minimum of one month or until the number of patients have been

achieved.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute, a DOST line agency, in tandem with the Philippine Coconut Authority, take the lead in conducting the community-based trials. “The study aims to assess the possible benefits provided by VCO for patients with COVID-19 as well as contacts and other high-risk groups,” the DOST said.

The study, which runs for at least four weeks, is conducted at isolation facilities in communities and hospitals in National Capital Region and Region IV-A, which comprises the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

According to Roque, the clinical studies have started last April 24 yet.

In the community-based study, the trials involve COVID-19 patients from PGH and the Santa Rosa Community Hospital in Laguna.

Dr. Fabian Dayrit, vice-president of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), said volunteers for the community-based study are given around 3 tablespoons of VCO a day. For each meal, one tablespoon will be mixed with the food given to the patients. For those at the PGH clinical trial, a higher dosage is given to the patients.

It was Dr. Dayrit, professor emeritus at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Chemistry, who proposed VCO as a supplement and treatment for COVID-19 due to its anti-

viral properties.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, he told what drove him to propose the study. “Dayrit said the easiest analogy would be to compare VCO to soap,” the television network explained in its website. “He said viruses are usually coated in lipids or an oil-like structure. When a person washes his hand with soap, the membrane of the virus is destroyed because soap is a surfactant that breaks up water or oil. The same can be said for VCO, he added.”

Dr. Dayrit explained “the components of the coconut oil will act on the lipid membrane of the virus and destroy the membrane.”

“VCO is a natural oil from fresh, mature kernel of the coconut,” explains the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) in its Compendium of Commercially-Viable Coconut Technologies. “It can be obtained through mechanical or natural means. It can also be processed with or without the use of heat.”

Unlike the commercial coconut oil, VCO does not undergo chemical refining, bleaching, or deodorizing that leads to the alteration of the oil.

The product is suitable for consumption without the need for further processing.

Studies show VCO is rich in lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) that is converted

to monolaurin by the human body. “Fifty percent of coconut oil is lauric acid, a compound found in human breast milk, which makes it one of the best food sources for this nutrient available,” Ty Bollinger, a best-selling author, medical researcher, and health freedom advocate.

“Lauric acid and monolaurin, its derivative, have been known for many years to have significant antiviral activity,” Dr. Dayrit and Dr. Mary T. Newport wrote in a paper published by ADMU. “Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common surfactant that is made from lauric acid, has been shown to have potent antiviral properties.”

The two authors explained three mechanisms as to the antiviral activity of lauric acid and monolaurin. “First, they cause disintegration of the virus envelope; second, they can inhibit late maturation stage in the virus replicative cycle; and third, they can prevent the binding of viral proteins to the host cell membrane,” they wrote.

Dayrit and Newport said that VCO and its derivatives have been found to be safe and effective antiviral compounds in both humans and livestock.

“Because of the antiviral and antibacterial protection that it provides to animals, coconut oil, as well as lauric acid and monolaurin, is used in farm animals and pets as veterinary feed supplements in chicken, swine and dogs,” they wrote. “Monolaurin has

been shown to effectively protect chicken against avian influenza virus.”

In the ABS-CBN News, the World Health Organization urged the public to know the basic facts first before doing anything else in trying to beat COVID-19. Response to the disease must be “guided by science and evidence,” WHO pointed out.

Right now, there is still no scientific evidence which can prove that VCO can protect people from being infected with COVID-19. This is the reason why DOST is conducting clinical trials.

Last April 25, Philippine Star reported that the ethics committee has approved the study on the efficacy of VCO as a food supplemental to help fight COVID-19. A review of the ethics committee is required for clinical trials.

“This is an important study as far as we are concerned because VCO is something available locally,” Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña was quoted as saying. “It can also be the start of similar studies involving other therapies.”

The Philippines has introduced VCO to the world in 2000-2001 and remains to be world’s number one VCO export-

er. In 2015, VCO was exported to 46 countries, the United Coconut Association of the Philippines said.

The top importers were United States, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Other destinations were Belgium, United Kingdom, South Korea, and Australia. Smaller volumes went to Malaysia, Brazil, Taiwan, South Africa, France, China, Singapore and Czechoslovakia.

In the United States, VCO has increasingly becoming popular in natural food circles and with vegans. It was described in a New York Times article as having a “haunting, nutty, vanilla flavor” that also has a touch of sweetness that works well with baked goods, pastries, and sautés.

It was the late National Scientist Dr. Conrado S. Dayrit, touted to be the Father of VCO, who popularized the coconut product. His book, The Truth About Coconut Oil, became a bestseller and elevated coconut oil from folk medicine to a scientific therapy. He found that VCO is sort of a drug “that regulates the body’s functions and defense mechanism. It restores the normal balance of tissues or cells that have become dysfunctional.”

rificed so much to represent their respective countries, their health, and safety as well as their coaches, members of their team, and families, remain our top priority. We understand that this is a global concern and this is a very difficult decision to do. At this moment, sports must take a back seat to ad-

dress a greater issue.

Altogether, the hosting of the APG by the Philippines is currently not feasible without government support. We will send a communication to the ASEAN Para Sports Federation (APSF) on the present situation so that its Board of Governors may decide on the fate of the APG.

We will continue to monitor the situation and adjust to government directives. Our hearts and prayers go to our local and ASEAN para-athletes and the entire Paralympic community, and those who have toiled and labored for the past two (2) years such as our stakeholders, sponsors, business

groups, sports advocates, office workers, administrative staff, and countless volunteers who have committed to make the APG a lifelong experience for all of us. We shall continue to develop Para Sports and further the Paralympic Movement.

Let us continue to train our minds and

bodies during this pandemic; let us not lose sight of our goals; let us keep the faith and plow forward.

We have our Unstoppable Spirit. We are Para Athletes. We Heal As One." We doff our hats to Mr. Barredo and the entire para-athletes community for accepting the supreme

sacrifice. Indeed, taking a step back at this time could also mean taking more steps further when this pandemic is over.

And to our dear friend Ernie, keep on training buddy. You are our best hope.

Who knows our first Olympic gold could come from the Paralympics.

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11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

Fighting Maroons stay fighting amidst Covid-19 T

he whole world of sports has come to a halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons Men’s Basketball Team (UP MBT) stay fighting.

Every member of the team is optimistic that Filipinos and the Philippines will get through the difficult challenges they are facing and are staying positive in words and deeds.

Fighting Maroons head coach Bo Perasol has reminded his players to put in the same heart and passion they show in the game into their response to the pandemic, encouraging them to practice teamwork and find ways to help those who are affected by the scourge of the coronavirus.

“During these trying times, our “never give up” attitude on court should be evident in how we battle this pandemic together as a team. We are optimistic that we can bounce back and come out stronger. While we face our own personal battles, let’s not forget our fellow Filipinos who are greatly affected by this virus.

Let’s do our share, no matter how big or small,” said Perasol.

The ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) have prohibited sports-related mass gatherings like training, competitions and tournaments. Holed up in their respective homes, the Maroons still find ways to stay competitive and in shape, both physically and mental-

ly.

UAAP Season 82 team captain Noah Webb says they “try our best to stay in shape by doing our workouts at home since we can't go to the gym. Our coaches are always guiding us and giving us programs to follow.

It’s also very important for us to stay mentally tough since this is a different opponent we are facing.”

UP MBT team manager Atty. Agaton Uvero said it is also important for the team and the players to be resilient since a lot of things will change and new protocols will be implemented even after the ECQ is lifted.

“Our primary concern will always be the safety of each and every one. But we will stay committed to keeping the team intact so we can still give our best performance with or without games in the near future,” Atty. Uvero said.

He reiterated his gratitude to all the team’s fans, supporters, and sponsors who continue to support the Fighting Maroons and their various initiatives.

“We will always stay thankful to our fans who never tire of supporting us whether we are in active competition or not. And we will always be in?FIGHTING, P9

Ricci Rivero of the UP Fighting Maroons goes up for a slam.

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 18 • SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2020

The ASEAN Para Games in Manila will not be happening this year.

Inside The Games photo

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SACRIFICE

E

rnie Gawilan, the country's best bet for a medal in the Paralympics in Tokyo which was reset for next year, sent me a video last week showing him "stealing' time during this enhanced community quarantine period to take a few laps at the pristine waters of Samal Island.

Ernie, whom I nicknamed the "Dabawenyo Torpedo", is looking to improve on his previous performance in the quadrennial Summer games which is the equivalent of the Olympics for regular athletes. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Ernie competed at the 400-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke events. He is set to return to the Paralympics in To-

kyo to be held from August 25 to September 6 following the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. However, the 28-year-old will need to compete in one more Paralympic Qualifier to reclassify his disability before formalizing his entry to the Tokyo.

Born with underdeveloped extremities, Ernie has competed in the Asian Para Games.

At the 2014 edition in Incheon, South Korea, he won three

bronze medals, the most among the Philippine delegation.

In the 2018 edition hosted Jakarta, Indonesia, he won the Philippines' first ever gold medal in the history of the games in the men's 200 meter individual medley SM7. He also won a silver in the 50 meter freestyle S7 event in the same edition.

In the Asean level, Ernie first made ripples when he accomplished the Olympic qualifying

Ernie Gawilan

time of 4:48.29 after he won a gold medal at the men’s 400-meter freestyle S8 event with the time of 4:48.49 at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore. The feat qualified him for the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. The result was also an ASEAN Para Games recording beating the former record result of 5:03.09, as well as Gawilan's previous personal best of 4:53.67. He also took another gold at the men's 200 individual medley event. He also clinched the silver medal at the men's 100m freestyle event.

The height of Ernie's accomplishments came at the 2019 World Para Swimming in Singapore, when he bagged a silver medal in the

400m freestyle.

As I look forward with excitement at Ernie's future stints, a pall of gloom fell when the country decided to forego the hosting of the 10th Asean Para Games (APG) this year as we grapple under the massive effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) had nochoice but to discontinue supporting the event's hosting.

The government's resources are so dear at this point that using them on events such as the Para Games may not bode well with the already suffering Filipinos.

On Thursday, I got this emailed statement from PPC president Michael Barredo on the Asean Para Games hosting and

I would like to share this with you. Here's the statement: "The Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) has been working closely with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and other government entities in monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 on the para-athletes and the hosting of the 10th Asean Para Games (APG).

On Wednesday, the PSC announced that all sports activities for the rest of the year have been postponed, including the discontinuation of the agency’s financial support to the Asean Para Games hosting.

While this is disheartening news for our local and ASEAN para-athletes, who have trained and sac?SUPREME, P9