Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 20 | Tuesday, May 5, 2020

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO Serving Servingaaseamless seamlesssociety society

RAFA, RAFA,COULD CHOCOLATES FEDERER FEDERER HELP ARREST MOVE ONON TO TO MOVE CLIMATE CHANGE THIRD ROUND THIRD ROUND SPORTSP11 SPORTSP11 AGRITRENDS P8

SIGNS OF BOOM BOOM VOL.13 20••FRIDAY-SATURDAY, •FRIDAY-SATURDAY, TUESDAY, MAY 5,MAY 2020 VOL.12 ISSUE 31-JUNE VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE59 59 MAY 31-JUNE1,1,2019 2019

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ACT OF KINDNESS 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

A health worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is shown conferring with a fellow frontliner at the entrance of Southern Philippines Medical Center's emergency section on Monday. Edge Davao

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

Businessman pays travel expenses of returning residents in Davao City MINDANAO MINDANAO HERITAGE THROUGH HERITAGEFASHION THROUGH MODERN MODERN ► INDULGE A1FASHION ►INDULGE A1

RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY IN RAISINGFOREMOST A MILLENNIAL ESDEVCO’S MIND IN FAMILY FOREMOST ► PROPERTY P9MIND ESDEVCO’S ►PROPERTY P9

STORY ON P2

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 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

ACT OF KINDNESS P Businessman pays travel expenses

Navy ship carrying PPE from China to arrive in Davao May 8

of returning residents in Davao City

By MAYA M. PADILLO

A

Davao City businessman has shouldered the travel expenses of all returning residents in Davao City who are stranded in Luzon for the past weeks following the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Dunay usa ka Dabawenyo businessman na nag-sponsor sa tanan natong stranded. Apil na ang airfare ug kaon sa aircraft,” said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in an interview with gov-

ernment-run Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Monday.

Mayor Sara identified the businessman as Johnny Ng who spent P3.8 million for the sweeper flights to

Davao City.

On Monday, 162 passengers including 120 Davao City residents arrived at the Davao International Airport (DIA) at 10:12 a.m. from Clark International Airport.

Non-Davao City residents were fetched by their respective local government units (LGUs).

In a statement issued by the city government of Davao, the returning residents were thoroughly assessed and filtered

by Davao City Stranded Persons Database

Center (DCSPDC).

Based on the protocols set, some of the residents will be sent to the hospital and quarantine facilities, while some will be sent home — depending on the results of the health screening that they will go through upon arrival at DIA. “Sa mga bag-ong nag-abot diri sa Davao City they need to be isolated for 14 days.

Tagaan sila ug contact-tracing form upon arrival. Kung wala sila’y symptoms within ?ACT, P10

hilippine Navy (PN) logistics ship, BRP Bacolod City (LS-550), is expected to arrive in Davao City on May 8 to deliver the first batch of personal protective equipment (PPE) sets acquired from China.

“ETA (estimated time of arrival of LS550 (BRP Bacolod City) is still on May 8.

The ship is now in Oriental Mindoro waters,” Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas said in a message on Monday.

The ship left Zhangzhou Harbor, Port of Xiamen, China last April 30 with a cargo of 700,000 KN95 face masks and 200,000 sets of PPE, which consists of goggles, coverall suits, head cover, gloves, shoe covers, surgical masks, and surgical gowns.

These items were acquired by the Department of Budget Management last March for use of the Department of Health

front-liners.

“BRP Bacolod City left China with no members exhibiting any symptoms of (the coronavirus disease 2019) Covid-19 as a result of its stringent measures on the safety and health of its personnel on board,” Roxas said.

Upon arrival, BRP Bacolod City will unload the first batch of the PPE sets in Davao City, then set sail for Cebu City for the second batch, and finally, depart for Manila for its last delivery.

“The Philippine Navy continuously supports the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act by providing logistical support and assistance to ensure that essential medical supplies and other equipment needed by the national government are successfully transported. This undertaking highlights its crucial capability in the country’s fight against (the) Covid-19 pandemic,” Roxas said.

(PNA)

DavOr frontliners undergo training on swab testing

I

Motorcycle riders undergo strict inspection during the implementation of the lockdown on March 19, 2020 at Task Force Davao checkpoint in Lasang, Davao City. The city government of Davao is

planning to ease its lockdown restrictions starting May 8 to allow private vehicles entry to the city for 12 hours to pick up relatives who have been stranded since the lockdown. Edge Davao

n preparation for the upcoming risk testing for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Davao Oriental health workers underwent training on swab testing as well as the donning and doffing of personal protective gear on Friday.

In a statement on Sunday, provincial information officer Karen Lou Deloso said the participants came from the Municipal and City Health Office, provincial hospitals, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

Deloso added that front-liners were trained on how to don full protective gears and the proper insertion of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs in the patient’s nose and mouth to collect respiratory secretions.

She said the province is set to roll out risk testing following the arrival of around

11,000 swab test kits purchased by the province.

Dr. Reden Bersaldo, Incident Commander and Provincial Task Force on Covid-19 action officer, said there is a need to strengthen the capacity of all healthcare workers concerned, particularly the front-liners, to ensure getting an accurate result for the upcoming risk testing.

He said the shortage of swab testing personnel has prompted the province to cascade the crucial training down to the local government units and capacitate more healthcare workers to do the test themselves.

“Through this, we will empower the LGU through their healthcare workers then we just distribute the test kits to them,” he said.

He added that the risk testing will cater to Covid-19 suspects, including individuals with symptoms and with travel history from places with posi?DAVOR, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

Passengers of a sweeper flight from Clark commissioned by the City Government of Davao arrived in Davao City on Monday morning. The flight transported Overseas Filipino Workers and Davao City residents who were stranded in Clark, Pampanga. Upon arrival, Davao City residents were subjected to Covid-19 screening before they were sent home and undergo quarantine.

64.5% of target recipients receive SAP aid: DSWD N

9 NPA rebels surrender in DavOr, get gov’t aid

T

he Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said 11.6 million families or about 64.5 percent of 18 million households targeted for the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) already received their cash aid from the government.

DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao shared in a media group on Sunday evening that the agency has disbursed some P62.8 billion of the P100 billion total fund from the Department of Budget and Management’s second tranche of SAP. About P16.7 billion of this amount was directly released to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries through their cash cards, Dumlao added.

As of May 2, she said 3,806,516 4Ps beneficiaries already

received the cash assistance.

In DSWD National Capital Region’s (NCR) Facebook account, Marites Abrea from Barangay Fortune in Marikina City expressed her gratitude after claiming financial assistance.

“Sa tulong ng emergency subsidy ay maipambibili na niya ito ng mga pangangailangan gaya ng bigas at gamot na kinakailangan sa gitna ng enhanced community quarantine (Through the emergency subsidy, she can now afford to buy basic necessities like

food and medicine amid the enhanced community quarantine),” the post said.

As of May 2, local government units have distributed P45.8 billion for non4Ps beneficiaries.

About P323.3 million were also released to 40,418 Transport Network Vehicle Services and public utility vehicle drivers.

These drivers were affected by the mass suspension of transportation in NCR. DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, in an earlier briefing in Congress, reported that the first tranche of the budget which was P100 billion was received on April 2, 2020, while the P96 billion fund for the second tranche arrived on April 17.

Some 10.1 million families who were given help to survive the crisis received the first tranche.

“85 percent of 4Ps have already received their allocation; 84 percent is allocated to 4Ps; 45 percent of target TNVS and PUV beneficiaries, and 47 percent of non-4Ps low-income families,” he said.

Bautista also added that a total of 1,228 LGUs were provided with SAP funds amounting to P65 billion; 49 percent of the second tranche or PHP96 billion was received by DSWD on April 17, and 289,000 beneficiaries received their stipend totaling PHP719 million.

Under Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal As One Act”, 18 million low-income households are entitled to receive emergency subsidy ranging from P5,000 to P8,000 depending on the minimum wage level in a region for two months while the stay-at-home order is in effect. (PNA)

community quarantine) o kaya naibaba ang ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) to GCQ, gagawin mo naman yung personal role o part mo.

(Ito) 'yung physical distancing, pagsusuot ng face mask at saka bottomline dyan, stay at home kung wala kang gagawing importante sa labas [The bottomline here is the public's compliance. This is what we call compliance

with social behavior that even without GCQ or ECQ is lowered to GCQ, you will do your personal role or part. This includes physical distancing, wearing face masks and the bottomline is that you should stay at home if don't have anything essential to do outside],” Año said during Laging Handa briefing on state-run PTV-4.

Año added that a 'localized ECQ' is pos-

sible after May 15.

"Pwede rin kasi sa pagdating ng May 16, pupunta na tayo sa localized ECQ na pwedeng hindi na buong probinsya.

Pupunta na tayo sa mga barangay, munisipalidad, component city na 'yun na ang ma-lockdown natin [It is also likely that on May 16, we will proceed to a localized ECQ. This means we will just implement a

Pinoys urged to improve 'social behavior' vs. Covid-19

I

nterior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday urged the public to improve social behavior as the country gears towards a 'new normal' situation to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Pinaka-bottomline talaga dito, 'yung pagsunod ng ating mga kababayan.

'Yung tinatawag nating social behavior na ready na tayo na kahit walang GCQ (general

?PINOYS, P10

ine members of the communist movement have surrendered to the provincial government of Davao Oriental following a series of clashes between government troops recently.

In a statement on Sunday, Karen Lou Deloso, provincial information officer, said members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who surrendered were involved in extortion of food from the poor families in the town of Baganga.

She said the former rebels are being temporarily accommodated in a halfway house called “Happy Home,” a provincial government-run facility that helps rebels in transition to civilian life.

Deloso also said the provincial government of Davao Oriental is set to give PHP7,000 each to the former rebels which served as immediate assistance, while the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) benefits are currently being processed.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has called on the surrendered rebels to ask their comrades in the mountain lairs to go back to the folds of law and “to stop spreading fear and perpetrating atrocities against the hapless innocent civilians who are struggling to survive the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandem?9 NPA, P10

Tagle's promotion to Cardinal-Bishop hailed

M

alacañang on Monday congratulated Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle for being promoted to the rank of Cardinal-\ Bishop, the highest title within the College of Cardinals.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after the Vatican press announced Tagle’s promotion on Friday (May 1).

“Kami po ay binabati ang ating his Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle sa kaniyang pagtatalaga bilang isang Cardinal-Bishop (We are congratulating his Eminence Cardinal

Luis Antonio Tagle for being promoted to the rank of Cardinal-Bishop),” Roque said in a virtual presser.

He said Tagle’s success meant the success of the entire nation “Ang tagumpay niyo po, your Eminence, ay tagumpay ng buong sambayanang Pilipino.

Maraming salamat po sa karangalan and congratulations (Your triumph, your Eminence, is the triumph of all Filipinos. Thank you for this honor and congratulations),” he said.

With his promotion, Tagle now joins the ranks of 13 other ?TAGLE’S, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

A trader prepares tuna at Pag-asa Marfori Annex Wet market's 'bagsakan' area which be transported to one of Davao City's community public markets on Monday. Edge Davao

European chamber expects investor interest to remain

By MAYA M. PADILLO

E

uropean investors in Davao Region and Mindanao will likely remain but will have to wait until the coronavirus pandemic is over and business returns to normalcy.

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Southern Mindanao Business Council chair Antonio Peralta said he sees bright prospects when European Union Trade Attaches are set to visit Davao City in the next two years.

Peralta said there was a planned visit of Trade Attaches from different countries in the European Union (EU) in Davao last March 30 but was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the implementation of travel restrictions.

“This planned ac-

tivity will be revisited in the next two years when the situation normalizes,” he said.

Peralta said aggressive investment promotion efforts for Davao Region and Mindanao must also continue to remain as relevant investment destinations.

“Thailand and Vietnam presently continue to be aggressive in the pursuit of new business locators in their countries."

There are European companies that have explored business opportunities in Mindanao more spe-

cifically in Davao Region.

A French company, Biogrow Substrates Philippines, has expressed interest to establish a coco peat production facility in Davao del Sur and signed initial agreements during the Davao City Investment Conference (ICON) in June last year.

Peralta said the company, with facilities based in France, Sri Lanka, and India, is now waiting for the lifting of ECQ in Davao Region to pursue its plan of establishing a

processing facility for export to Europe and other countries.

Coco peat is used to form briquettes for bedding plants and growing flowers, vegetables and fruits.

Peralta said Biogrow expressed optimism on the opening of its facility despite the occurrence of COVID-19 and see this situation as temporary and eventually will be resolved by pharmaceutical companies.

He also mentioned that a Swedish company recently bought a majority interest

in a local Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company in Davao. European investors have set up business and shops in Davao and Mindanao and these are companies engaged in the business of agri-business, travel agency, specialty coffee and restaurants.

European consumer durables and automotive vehicles are already in the Davao City automotive market through distributorship and dealership agreements with local companies.

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

MinDA to put up first model for 'Balik Probinsya' program T he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has been tasked to build the first rural resettlement model as Malacañang prepares the draft of an executive order which would establish the "Balik Probinsya, Balik Pagasa" program.

Secretary Emmanuel Piñol of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) bares that the agency has been tasked to build the first rural resettlement model as Malacañang prepares the draft of an executive order which would establish the "Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa" program of Senator Christopher Lawrence Go. Edge Davao

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said during an online conference with Senator Christopher Lawrence Go which was presided by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, all departments were

instructed to initially utilize their available funds to implement the first phase of the rural resettlement program.

“During the Zoom meeting, I presented MinDA's earlier proposal contained in a memorandum that informal and jobless urban slum dwellers should (be) prioritized in the acceptance of the applications. Exec. Sec. Medialdea emphasized that the 'Balik Probinsya' Program should essentially be a 'Return to Home Province' where the applicants have relatives,” he said.

He added that Medialdea tasked MinDA to establish the first model resettlement communities to provide a template for succeeding batches.

Piñol pointed out that MinDA has earlier presented three activities where the first batch of "Balik Probinsya" participants could be involved.

These are tree farming in public lands with livestock and poultry raising as immediate livelihood component; fish cage farming in the coastal areas of Mindanao; and vegetable farming, poultry raising and livestock raising in a community-based activity with complete value chain.

“In the 'Balik Probinsya' concept submitted by MinDA to Sen. Go, 'Balik Probinsya' participants should be clustered based on their livelihood project preference and grouped in a Kibbutz-style where the

community undertakes a common production activity.

MinDA next week will submit a list of provinces willing to take back their former constituents in the rural reintegration program,” he added.

As to the tasking, he added that National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., presented a matrix on the general concept of the "Balik Probinsya" program, citing that those interested could apply online or coordinate with the local government units where they are in now.

“The NHA will prepare a housing package for the "Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa" program which will be part of the incentives for the participants,” he said.

Piñol said Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said his department will issue a memorandum to advise the local chief executives of the urban areas where the "Balik" applicants will be coming from on how to handle interested families.

“Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez committed support from their departments for livelihood projects for the 'Balik' participants,” he added.

On the other hand, Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones and Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said their departments will provide a listing of ?MINDA, P10

6 VANTAGE VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO

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

VOL.13 ISSUE MAY 20, 5, 2020 VOL.13 ISSUE20 10•• TUESDAY, FRIDAY, MARCH 2020

EDITORIAL

ThinkBe again, PhilHealth significant Be significant

The howl of protest from all corners of the world reverberated With the Philippines facing amidst the across the the halls situation of Malacañang.

And by day’s is end, President Rodrigo With the situation the Philippines is facing amidst the coronavirus threat, it takes everyone’s utmost patience, Duterte quickly doused cold water to the fire. coronavirus threat, it takes everyone’s utmost patience, understanding and compassion get the countryCorp. through the hill.

The ‘fire’ created

by Philippine to Health Insurance (PhilHealth) understanding and compassion to get the country through the hill.

Hence, businesses must first take consideration of their workers on exacting mandatory premium contributions on Overseas Filipino Hence, businesses must first take consideration of their workers rather than theircut profits or losses.

The why thetheir community Workers (OFWS) through the ranks of reason Pinoys busting butts in rather than their orItlosses. reason community foreign soil to earn a living. was percent tooThe much forthe them to be exquarantine is notprofits working 100 isasking thatwhy the lowly workers quarantine is report not working 100under percent theatlowly workers acted of yet to another mandatory obligation especially a time where are forced to work fearis ofthat losing their jobs and are forcedhave totheir report to The work under of losing their jobstheir and hundreds lostkeep. their jobs amidst the coronavirus pandemic. not earning spectre offear having no mey to feed Off-timing is just too tame a word to describe the move by Philnot earning their keep.

The spectre of having no mey to feed their families is a far bigger threat than dying because of the virus.

Health.

Itiswas utterly inconsiderate the the point ofdie being sothe heartless. families a far bigger threat than dying because ofjust the virus.

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

The controversial order--PhilHealth circular 2020-014--mandates In the minds of the ordinary folks: “We will die just the same.”

Only those who have enough food in their pantry, those who thatOnly OFWs who who earn have from P10,000 to P60,0000 a pantry, month must pay a those enough food in their those who can afford to panic shop, and those who can afford to order online three-percent monthly premium, up from 2.75% in 2019.

Under the can afford to panic shop, and those who can afford tooforder online for deliveries survive.

But for the bigger thea society, same circular, will the minimum acceptable initial chunk payment is threefor deliveries will survive.

But for the bigger chunk of the society, the equation remains “no work, no food.” month premium. the The equation remains “norelief nothere food.”

Thus, it iswas a welcome that are on initially 10 companies order rejected bywork, an online petition Change.org, signed Thus, it is a welcome relief that there 10 companies made the to compensate their workers during by close tosupreme 300,000 sacrifice persons. Itofsaid: “OFWsare andinitially our dependents have made the supreme sacrifice of this to compensate their workers during been already struggling amidst pandemic and yetperiod.

PhilHealth had the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine This will the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period. will issued a help very unfair memo regarding payments.” greatly those in Metro Manila premium where people still goThis to work greatly help those in Metro Manila where still go to On Monday, the furor reached boiling pointpeople and the Palace didwork not

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

waste time putting off the fire. According to Presidential spokesper-

despite theRoque, order. President Rodrigo Duterte directed the PhilHealth son Harry despite thefirms order.

The 10 reported by the Department Labor to have made to make the premium contribution of OverseasofFilipino Workers on a The 10 firms reported by the Department of Labor to have made the compensation package are Aboitiz, Asian Terminal/Solaire voluntary basis. the compensation package aretheAboitiz, Terminal/Solaire Resort Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, JGAsian Summit, Jollibee, Lucio In addition to the directive, Philippine Overseas Employment Resort Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, JG Summit, Tan Group, V. Pangilinan MiguelJollibee, Corporation, Agency and Manny the Overseas Workers Group, Welfare San Administration haveLucio been Tan Group, Manny V. Pangilinan Group, Miguel Corporation, toldand notUdenna to require departing OFWs to paySan PhilHealth for SM Group.These firms answered the callpremiums of President SM Udenna Group.These firms answered the call ofemployees President theand issuance of their Employment Certificate that would alRodrigo Duterte to Overseas take care of their workers and Rodrigo Duterte take care of their workers and employees low them totime leaveofto the country. during this national emergency.

Instead of making it mandatory, make it an and opduring this time of national emergency.

DOLE Secretary Silvestre BelloPhilHealth III laudedshould the companies tion for OFWs to enrol under the government healthcare program.

By DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III lauded the companies and said their compassion and good example should inspire other making it optional, it means OFWs will make should that choice of whether said their compassion and good example inspire other enterprises whose sourceunder of wealth is the labor of their workforce. to avail of whose the benefits the system or to of shoulder expenses enterprises sourcecan of wealth is thehit, labor their workforce.

While big companies take some it is a different fully for themselves or their family.

There is also the situation instory sevWhile big companies can take some hit, it is a different story for smaller firms and this is where the government should eral countries where OFWs are also paying premiums for theircome own for smaller firms andwhich this iswould where theensure government should come in.

For sure, coverage there are already somealso formulation to this effectinbeing healthcare their welfare case in.

For sure, there are already some formulation to this effect being done. they fall ill and needed medical attention where the cost can be stagdone.

For now, the best thing to do for everyone is to try to be gering.

For the best thing do are forup everyone is to try be It is now, also worthy toinstead note that OFWs who are permanently significantly helpful oftothere adding to the problem andtoit all significantly helpful instead of adding up to the problem and it all residing overseas andorders. may not even need the PhilHealth coverage at starts with following starts with following orders. or optional is a fair alternative. all. Hence, making it voluntary ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor inM.Chief ANTONIO AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

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VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

7

TO NEW LAWYERS: SERVE THE PEOPLE “Serve the people. Do not betray your humanity”.

Words that should guide the new lawyers according to Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen in his twitter account.

The Supreme Court released last week the results of the 2019 Bar exams, with a passing rate of 27.36 percent, or 2,103 out of 7,685 examinees.

For me, my official entry to the legal profession happened twenty one years ago.

It was 1:30 a.m. .April 6, 1999, a Tuesday when I received a message via my beeper what could have been the best news in my life.

It read: “Dennis, Congrats You are now officially Atty. Gorecho.”

I was among the lucky 1, 465 out examinees who passed the 1998 bar exams, or 39. 63, % of the total of 3,697 examinees, and considered as one of the highest passing rate.

The bar exams is considered one of the toughest and most difficult among the professional board exams, having one of the highest mortality rate. Passing is obviously not that easy, it would entail a series of factors.

The Philippine Bar Exams format has remained the same except for some facial revisions. It is still a handwritten exam taken in Metro Manila.

It will essentially tests the aspirant’s ability to comprehend the problem, spot the issues, identify the legal provision and its basic interpretation.

The bar exams have a passing grade of 75%, which the en banc may adjust if needed.

It is also a yearly spectacle on the performance of law schools measured on the most number of

topnotchers or score the highest passing rate.

There are three steps in becoming a lawyer. First is passing the Bar. Second is taking the lawyer’s oath. Third and final step is

ficiencies and inequalities in our justice sector” says Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Egon Cayosa.

Ultimately, being a good lawyer is a different thing. Passing the

Their concerns normally involve justice issues of the poor and marginalized groups in the Philippines, including women, labor, peasant, fisherfolk, children, urban poor, indigenous peoples, persons

the signing of the Roll of Attorneys.

The new lawyers are joining the roll of attorneys during this “unfamiliar and trying times” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Work paradigms such as social distancing and remote working have created a new workplace and social dynamics where human interactions are carried on to a large extent with the use of high technology.

The new crop of lawyers is coming in at an extraordinary time, when the health emergency “highlights the congestion, delays, inef-

bar is not enough.

There will be those who will join the law offices for private practice while others will go to government, judiciary , politics or the academe.

And there’s alternative lawyering.

It is legal practice either individually or through legal resource organizations that work with the poor and marginalized groups, identities and communities towards their empowerment, greater access to justice, and building peace.

living with HIV-AIDS, local governance, and the environment.

Alternative lawyers do often take on careers outside of the mainstream, but what differentiates their work is their commitment to a different route to, and conception of, justice.

National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers president Edre Olalia said that “the new lawyer must be bold, critical yet with a deep well of forbearance and most of all compassion and commitment especially to the ordinary people, the vulnerable, the persecuted and the victims

of all sorts of injustice.”

Long before he became part of the Supreme Court, I had the chance to understand what is alternative lawyering through my coverage of legal environmental issues , including then led by Justice Leonen.

Many alternative lawyers are guided by the words of former President Ramon Magsaysay:” Those who have less in life should have more in law” .

The poor who have less resources in relation to the rich, will often have to bank on the law to safeguard their rights. In building a more accessible, inclusive and dynamic justice system, all remedies allowed by law should be completely exhausted for their protection. The semblance of being given “more” in law is imperative to equip them the chance of equality which they do not enjoy.

Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are seasoned lawyers among others who passed their whole life in pursuit of emancipation of the human beings.

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

Justice Leonen also said “Discover your passion. Be patient and compassionate.”

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

Kule is the monicker of Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of UP Diliman.

Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices.

For comments, email info@sapalovelez.com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

LIFE IS A MATTER OF CHOICE I was reminded of the story of Joe, an American who inherited a million dollars from his grandfather. The will, however, stipulated that he had to accept it either in Chile or Brazil. He personally picked Brazil. Had he chosen Chile, he would have received his inheritance in land on which uranium, gold, and silver had just been discovered.

Once in Brazil, Joe had to choose between receiving his inheritance in coffee or nuts. He chose nuts. Too bad! The bottom fell out of the nut market that and coffee went up to US$1.50 per pound, wholesale. Poor Joe lost everything he had to his name.

Joe went out and sold his gold watch for the money he needed to fly back home. It seems that he had enough for a ticket to either New York or Boston. He chose Boston. When the plane for New York taxied up, he noticed it was a brand-new 747 super-jet with all the latest technology. The plane for Boston arrived, and it was a 1928 old Ford tri-motor with a sway back. It was filled with crying children and tethered goats and sheep. It seemed like it took all day to get off the runway.

Over the Andes, one of the engines fell off. Joe then made his way to the captain. Remembering the story of Jonah – the prophet who was swallowed by a big fish – he told him, “I’m a jinx on this plane. Let me out if you want to save your lives.

Give me a parachute.”

The captain readily agreed.

But he added, “On this plane, anybody who bails out must wear two parachutes.” Joe did not ask why as he jumped out of the plane. As he fell through the air, he tried to make up his mind which ripcord to pull. Finally, he chose the one on the left. It was rusty, and the wire pulled loose. So he pulled the other handle. The chute opened, but its shroud line snapped. In desperation, Joe cried, “Saint Francis, save me!”

A hand reached out of heaven

and grabbed Joe by the wrist and let him dangle in mid-air. Then a gentle but inquisitive voice asked, “Saint Francis Xavier or Saint Francis of Assisi?”

Well, Joe’s answer was not good as mine.

“When you have a serious decision to make, tell yourself firmly you are going to make it,” a statement from a magazine once

then it’s already your decision.

As William James puts it: “When you have to make a choice and you don’t make it, that itself is a choice.” Pat Riley adds, “There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either in or out. There’s no such thing as a life in-between.”

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also said,

on the street and asked what he had decided about the shoes. “I haven’t made up my mind yet,” the boy answered.

“Very well,” said the shoemaker, “your shoes will be ready for you to pick up tomorrow.”

When Ronald picked up the shoes, he was astonished: one had a round toe and the other a square toe.

advised. “Do not expect it will be the perfect one. Some of those ‘againsts’ may never be canceled out. You must simply try to make the best decision you can, having taken all the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ you can discover into account.”

It adds: “Try not to be hurried by others, or by own your own panic, into a snap decision, before you have weighed matters and informed yourself fully… Whether we like it or not, making a choice is part of being human and we do not think too highly of those who throw away this right – always needing someone else to make up their minds for them.”

If you decide not to decide,

“Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides.”

If only Ronald Reagan – a movie actor who later became the president of the United States – heard this advice when he was still a young boy. A kind aunt had taken him to a shoemaker to have a pair of shoes custom-made just for him. The shoemaker asked, “Do you want a round toe or a square toe?”

Young Ronald couldn’t make up his mind. So the cobbler said, “Come back in a day or two and tell me what you want.” A few days later, the shoemaker shoe Ronald

Before a group of friends, when he was already the president of the United States, he pondered: “Looking at those shoes taught me a lesson. If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else makes them for you.”

Peter Drucker observed, “Every one of the effective presidents in American history had his own method of producing the disagreement he needed in order to make an effective decision. Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman – each had his own ways. But each created the disagreement he needed for ‘some understanding of what the decision is all about.’

Washington, we know, hated conflicts and quarrels and wanted a united Cabinet. Yet, he made quite sure of the necessary differences of opinion on important matters by asking both Hamilton and Jefferson for their opinions.”

“Stay committed to your decisions; but stay flexible in your approach,” Tony Robbins pointed out. Two which Philip Brunstetter added: “There are no born decision-makers. The most successful decision-makers follow a set of rules that help them select the best alternative under the circumstances.”

According to Brunstetter, the basic rules of decision-making involve six steps. These are: (1) State the apparent problem or situation you face. (2) Gather the facts. (3) Organize and interpret the facts. (4) State the real problem or situation. (5) Develop alternative solutions. (6) Select the most appropriate alternative.

Murphy’s Law states, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” But someone argued, “Murphy was an optimist.”

In 1916, Georgia Tech University in Atlanta played a football game against Cumberland University, a tiny law school. The Tech team was a mighty football powerhouse and rolled over Cumberland by a score of 222 to 0. Tech pretty much bet the Cumberland players to a pulp, too. Toward the end of the game, Cumberland quarterback Ed Edwards fumbled a snap from center. As the Tech linemen charged into his backfield, Edwards yelled to his backs, “Pick it up! Pick it up!”

Edward’s fullback, seeing the monsters rush in who had battered him all day, yelled back, “Pick it up yourself. You dropped it!”

Peter Marshall reminds, “Give to us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for - because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything.”

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

CHOCOLATES COULD HELP ARREST CLIMATE CHANGE

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

C

hocolates are not only good for your heart, but they are also good for the environment.

the much-needed oxygen. A full-grown tree, studies show, can supply at least 10 people with breathing air.

“A broad-leafed tree produces 2 kilo“Good news for This is good news grams of oxygen in 1 chocolate lovers: your for the Philippines, a hour,” claims Dr. Jorn sweet tooth could help tropical country where Wittern, a noted Gersave one of the world’s cacao grows well. In most endangered rain- fact, it is one of the rec- man professor and forests, the Brazilian ommended crops by author. “A person conAtlantic Forest,” said the National Greening sumes 2 kilograms of a study released by Program, a tree plant- oxygen per day. Every the Washington, D.C.- ing effort of the nation- liter of gasoline which based Worldwatch In- al government through stitute. the Department of EnResearchers Chris vironment and Natural Bright and Radhika Resources.

Sarin outline how caA small tree which cao – from which co- grows from 13 to 26 coa beans come from feet tall, cacao pro– could be grown in a duces a lot of leaves way that would help which helps sequester restore the northern carbon dioxide, the part of the Atlantic primary culprit in the Forest biome, while warming of the planet. encouraging other An analysis of thouforms of development sands of air samples that preserve forest in- that Dr. Pieter P. Tans stead of destroying it. and his team at the “Cacao has serious National Oceanic and potential for conser- Atmospheric Adminvation because it is a istration showed that high-value crop that planting trees and othcan be grown under er plants could “have rainforest canopy,” a powerful effect in wrote Bright, the lead combating the buildauthor of Venture up of carbon dioxide in Capitalism for a Trop- the atmosphere.” ical Forest. “Cacao Aside from sequesis shade-tolerant, so tering carbon dioxide, farmers don’t have to cacao – known in the clear all their forest in science world as Theoorder to make a living broma cacao – also with it.” helps in producing

powers a motor or a turbine consumes 2 kilograms of oxygen.”

Unfortunately, the Philippines is running out of trees.“A few hundred years ago, at least 95 percent of the Philippines was covered by rain forest; only a few patches of open woodland and seasonal forest, mostly on Luzon, broke the expanse of moist, ver-

dant land,” noted Dr. Lawrence R. Heaney, an American curator who holds honorary appointments at the Philippine National Museum.

By the time the Spanish arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century, scattered coastal areas had been cleared for agriculture and dwellings. Three hundred years later,

rainforest still covered about 70% of the country.

Today, the Philippines is almost devoid of its forest cover. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 25.7% or about 7,665,000 hectares of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares is forested. Of this, 11.2% (861,000) hect-

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

ares) is classified as primary forest.

In order for Filipinos to plant trees, they need something that can make money.

Cacao may just do the trick. After all, there is a huge demand for cacao beans all over the world.

“The global demand for cacao has tripled since 1970,” reports the Cacao Industry Development Association of Mindanao (CIDAMI). “Although it took a slight dip during the financial crisis in 2008-2009, cacao’s worldwide demand has rebounded since and has been steadily increasing,” Two of the largest markets, Europe and the United States, have had an average of 3% annual growth over the years. According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), the net imports for Europe did not go below 1,600,000 metric tons and the US not below 780,000 metric tons from 2004 to 2009.

Bloomberg reports the 2011 global sales for chocolates exceeded US$100 billion. It was expected to reach US$147 billion by 2017.

In the Philippines,

the average annual cocoa consumption is 50,000 metric tons, the Department of Agriculture (DA) estimates. By 2020, it is forecasted to reach 100,000 metric tons.

While cacao can be grown anywhere in the country, Mindanao is the best place to plant this crop. For one, it is not visited oftentimes by typhoons. For another, it has good rainfall and good soil.

Davao Region – composed of Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, and Compostela Valley – has positioned itself as the cacao capital of the country. It contributes about 80% of the total cacao production from Mindanao, according to the DA’s High Value Commercial Crops Development Program.

Based on aggregate data from Philippine Provincial Agriculturist Offices, Davao Region has more than 20,000 hectares of cacao farms, with Davao City having the largest area of 6,060 hectares.

Unlike abaca and pili nut, which are endemic in the Philippines, cacao is not a native crop of the country.

It was first cultivated

EDGEDAVAO

by the Mayas around the 7th century A.D. They carried the seed north from the tropical Amazon forests to what is now Mexico. In the 16th century, the Spanish planted cacao across South America, into Central America, and onto the Caribbean Islands. In the 17th century, the Dutch transported the cacao to other places around the globe like Java, Sumatra, Sri Lanka, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

“In 1670, Spanish mariner Pedro Bravo de Lagunas planted the first cacao in San Jose, Batangas,” reports The Philippines Recommends for Cacao. After that, cacao growing flourished in various parts of the country – until pod rot wiped out plantations of it.

In the 1950’s, the imposition of Import Control Law resulted in efforts to revive the industry by inter-governmental agencies and by private sector for self-sufficiency and export. By the time the industry was blooming, pod borer infestation surfaced.

Control of the disease was quite expensive.

As a result, established

plantations were again wiped out; others were abandoned.

As cacao production in the country went down, demand for cacao continued to increase in the world market. The agriculture department says the global demand is expected to reach between 4.7 million to 5 million metric tons by the year 2020, and global supply will be at a deficit of 1 million metric tons.

It is high time to plant cacao again – either as an intercrop (of coconut and/or banana) or as the main crop. The Philippines Recommends for Ca-

AGRITRENDS

cao, published by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, shares some tips on how to grow the crop: • The use of seeds is the most method of planting cacao.

Seeds must be selected carefully and must come from big pods obtained from trees which are highly productive, regular bearers and free from pests. Seeds must be planted immediately since their viability is limited.

• Seedlings to be retained in the nursery for 3-4 months must

9

be raised in polyethylene bags. The seedlings are shaded both above and at the sides for protection against strong winds. Coconut palm fronds can be used for the purpose.

• Transplanting can be done when the shoots become mature and the leaves become hard and dark green.

Utmost care is necessary in transporting as the seedlings are very pone to transplanting shock.

• Care should be taken to remove the polyethylene container with minimal disturbance. Seedlings are to be planted at ?CHOCOLATES, P10

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

9 NPA from 3 ic.”

For the month of April, a series of clashes occurred in various towns of Davao Oriental.

Based on the report of the Army's 701st Infantry Brigade (701st IBde), the government troops engaged the rebels in the area on April 11, 12, 16, and 18, resulting in the death of two NPA fighters and in the confiscation of several high-powered firearms and three landmines.

Capt.

Maximo Trinidad Jr., civil-military operations officer of the Philippine A sweeper flight from Clark commissioned by the City Government of Davao arrives in Davao City on Monday. CIO Army’s 701st IBde, said the rebels wanted to seize the cash assisfrom 2 tance being given by 14 days hatagan sila dents develop symp- Centers for screening returning Davao res- the government to the ug clearance card,” toms within 14 days af- on the seventh day idents on the May 6 poor families through Mayor Sara said. ter arrival, they should and 14th day after ar- flight but the number the Social AmelioraThose who will be immediately inform rival. depends on the de- tion Program (SAP).

He added that out sent home shall un- the District Health OfThe second batch tails obtained by the dergo a strict 14-day fice and present them- of stranded Dabawen- city’s database center home quarantine. And selves to the Southern yos is expected to ar- as well as the lists subfrom 5 while on home quar- Philippines Medical rive in Davao City from mitted by the Overseas antine, all household Center (SPMC).

Ninoy Aquino Interna- Workers Welfare Ad- all available governmembers must take They are also tional Airport (NAIA) ministration (OWWA) ment lands for possia safe distance from asked to go to their on Wednesday. for the OFWS and the ble resettlements.

Technical Eduthem.

District Health Center Mayor Sara said Department of Tourcation and Skills DeIf returning resi- or Barangay Health there are about 400 ism (DOT). velopment Authori-

ACT

MINDA

DAVOR from 2

tive cases.

“Also included in the list of individuals to be subjected to swab testing are the front-liners who are exposed to daily health hazards and other vulnerable populations like senior citizens, those with comorbidity, and women with a

high-risk pregnancy,” Bersaldo said.

He added that 50 percent of the test kits will be used for the risk testing while the remaining half will be in preparation for the next phase.

“This phase is when the regional lockdown is lifted and

airport operations will resume. We will use the test kits in testing those who will be coming over. Then if there will still be available swab kits, we will also use them for our persons under monitoring,” he said.

He said the provincial task force decided

to strategize the utilization of the available test kits since it is logistically impossible to do massive testing.

“Doing the swab test is very important because it is only through testing that we can say that we are indeed Covid-free,” Bersaldo said. (PNA)

lockdown in villages, municipalities, component cities and not the whole province anymore]," he added.

Año said the aim of ECQ is to lower the death rate and the doubling of cases in the areas.

Such type of ECQ would consolidate the resources and intervene in the cases in the said areas.

He also advised the public to do away with the mindset of roaming in malls once GCQ is imple-

mented in some areas. "(We still have) community quarantine pa rin. Our safety and our way of dealing with the pandemic is up to all of us, our individual actions,” he added.

The GCQ, which is less stringent than the ECQ, was implemented in some areas starting May 1.

The ECQ was extended until May 15 in Metro Manila and some 'high risk' areas in the country. (PNA)

Cardinal Bishops — 10 from the Latin Church and three Cardinal patriarchs from the Oriental rites.

The College of Cardinals is structured in three ranks: Cardinal-Deacons, Cardinal-Priests, and Cardinal-Bishops.

Cardinal-Bishops hold jurisdiction over a church in a suburb of Rome while working

in departments of the Roman Curia, the central administration of the church.

Cardinal-Deacons, often called “the Pope’s Cabinet”, also work full time in the curia, while Cardinal-Priests work in dioceses all over the world.

It is also from the ranks of Cardinal-Bishops that the Dean of College of Cardinals

is elected to preside at the conclave in the case of “sede vacante”, a period when there is no pope.

There are customarily six Cardinal-Bishops from the Latin Church until Pope Francis broke the tradition and appointed more of them.

Last December, the Pope appointed Tagle the Prefect of the Con-

gregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, a major Vatican post.

Tagle is the second Asian to hold the post, the other being Cardinal Ivan Dias of India who served from 2006 to 2011.

Tagle left his position as Archbishop of Manila in February this year to take up his new post in Rome.

(PNA)

PINOYS from 3

TAGLE’S from 3

of the nine surrenderers, only one had yielded with a firearm, a Garand rifle.

“Most of the rebels here in Davao Oriental are Mandaya natives. They are being manipulated by the rebel group who exploit their extreme poverty as they live in geographically isolated and depressed areas,” Trinidad said.

Meanwhile, Dayanghirang has condemned the “atrocities being committed by the communist rebels to innocent civilians at a time when everyone is living in fear and insecurity because of Covid-19 pandemic.”

“Please stop terrorizing our people.

Let us help each other instead for we are all Filipinos. No reason to kill each other,” he said. (PNA) ty Director General Isidro Lapeña said his agency will provide training packages for the "Balik Probinsya" beneficiaries. (PNA)

CHOCOLATES from 9 the same depth as they were in the polyethylene bags. Topsoil is poured into the prepared hole a few centimeters at a time and then carefully pressed down.

• Proper maintenance such as weed-

ing, mulching, fertilizing, pest control, shade adjustment and pruning are necessary to keep the trees healthy and obtain high production. Harvesting may be done in about three to five years after planting.

IFBB are: --Shortening of gym hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; -- Limit of gym usage per user to a maximum of one hour; -- Scheduling of gym users at a certain time slot/period (no walk-ins) followed by 30 minutes to an hour (depending on the size) of gym cleaning and disinfection; -- Gyms to adopt a "No Mask and Gloves, No Workout Policy"; -- Gym personnel should wear face shields, masks and disposable gloves; -- Thermal temperature scanning before entering the Gym; -- Hand sanitizer and footbath before entering the Gym; -- Gym Trainers shall observe social

distancing in instructing clients; -- No stretching and massage after workout; -- No group classes allowed; -- No sparring in Martial Arts and Boxing gyms allowed; -- Gyms may install plastic screen dividers between machines/ equipment, and -- Subject to commercial availability, rapid test kit twice a month for gym user.

Walters said the IFBB is willing to sit down with the IATF, particularly with the Department of Health, to discuss the so-called "New Normal of the Fitness Industry" in the months to come while there is still no viable cure and vaccine against Covid-19. (PR)

REOPENING from 11

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

Reopening of gyms A during GCQ pushed

strong and healthy body is the best defense against the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Fitness gyms in the entire country like the Arcadia Fitness Gym in Davao have been shut down since the enhanced community quarantine was imposed.

SURVIVING from 12 sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew.

You help in protecting your community, but you don’t spread yourself thinly and get unnecessarily exposed to the enemy. Particularly if you are part of the most vulnerable age group. Maybe this is the golden opportunity to bond with the kids, to impress on them the need to stay home and stay safe; to inculcate in them good values and teach them new responsibilities; or make some home repairs or do the long-delayed yardwork perhaps. There’s so much you can do at home. By staying home, you are helping your community, you are helping the cause.

Now is a perfect time to teach and bond with the kids. (Good News Philippines) My snappy underclassman, Harlie Llave, is now learning to bake, another proficiency for a very accomplished guy!

Another PMA mistah, Vic Porto, has started to grow veggies in his backyard, clearly adding more trophy points to please his beloved wife, Gigi.

4. Always be prepared.

And while you’re at it, keep working your plan. You have to make sure you have enough for the week or so ahead. You have to anticipate your needs. You have to anticipate what your adversary will try to do. You have to have viable options for a worst case scenario.

Are you ready for an extended lockdown?

Will your supplies be enough for you?

If not, what are your options? What about your neighbors? Your community? Who’s in charge? Who’s in danger of falling behind?

How do you help each other cope?

My daughter, Bianca, is the family’s goto-guy when it comes to worst-case scenario planning. If big companies have their Business Continuity Programs (BCP), my daughter has taken it upon herself to make our family’s equivalent of a continuity program of sorts. It’s a big comfort to know that we have our supplies and prior coordination always covered.

5. Don’t worry. Be happy!

When I entered as a plebe in the Academy, there was simply too much tension and stress brought about by the sudden imposition of strict military regulations, apart from the much-dreaded upperclassmen who just loved to make our lives miserable.

But we learned to deal with it. And what’s the best way to deal with it? Have fun. Learn to poke fun at yourselves. Laughter has a way of lifting spirits, and even relieve pain.

So stop looking for the negatives. There is just so much in life to be thankful for.

Don’t stress yourself out over-thinking the problem. Sometimes, too much COVID news can cause people to panic and think it’s the end of the world. No, it certainly is not.

Dante Balao was my buddy during my plebe year in PMA. Dante was a bubbly guy who always found something to cheer and laugh about, including himself. No amount of harrassment from the upperclassmen could unnerve him. And to a large extent, I survived plebe year because of

the attitude and the funny antics of this crazy friend, Dante.

We went through so many trials together, but we certainly had lots of good laughs as well. And most of them, directed at ourselves! In the end, we survived.

Just what we need to lighten up these dreadful, boring days. (courtesy of the Marsh Family- GMA Digital) Come to think of it, this episode in our lives has its good points as well. There’s the growing community spirit, with neighbors learning to help each other with basic needs.

People have started planting. There’s the resurgence of family bonding, and the growing awareness and respect for nature and the environment.

Finally, there’s the return to Godliness and spiritual rebirth.

Hence, before you whine about the controlled conditions you have to face daily, before you complain about having lost the beer-time with your friends at the pub, think instead of how easy your role is in this ‘new normal’ as they call it. Think instead of

With this on mind, the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB)-Philippines is urging the Inter-Agency Task Force for Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to reconsider its decision to exclude the fitness industry among the industries allowed to re-open and operate during the general community quarantine (GCQ).

"It is worth noting that maintaining a strong and healthy body boosts immunity which is our primary shield and armor against Covid-19 and other diseases," said IFBB-Philippines president Rowena Walters in a three-page letter to the IATF-EID dated May 1.

Thru Walters, the IFBB made an immediate appeal to "allow

the fitness industry to operate during the general community quarantine under strict measures and protocols in hygiene and sanitation."

"We wish to emphasize that we are not making this appeal to add to the burden of the national government and jeopardize its efforts to manage this crisis," said Walters, who is best remembered for finishing fifth overall in the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio in March 2013.

"But we make this appeal to represent the collective voice of more than 1,000 gym owners and more than 10,000 trainers and workers who were displaced due to the continued business closure," she added.

Among the proposals forwarded by the

how lucky you are for being called a hero by simply staying inside and watching Netflix with your popcorn and beer. Think about – and appreciate – the risky work done by our frontliners, and how you can lessen their burden by staying safe at home. Remember, you are being asked to stay at home not only to protect yourself, but to protect others as well, including your very own families.

Today, it is not just our soldiers who are out there in the frontlines. Today, our combatants include the doctors, nurses and the other health workers; they include the market vendors, the truck drivers, the delivery people, the cleaners. They are joined by the utility technicians, the security guards, and other support elements who must risk their lives to keep sustaining us.

Let us support them in this noble endeavor as well. Let us all do our share to acknowledge their sacrifices.

This war may not be over yet. But I’m confident that we’ll survive this, and we’ll come out of this expe-

rience stronger and closer to one another.

Let’s give of ourselves now. Let’s show how humanity cares. Let’s SOLDIER on!!!

Here’s a special shout-out for some of my friends who have gone beyond the comforts of their homes to be of help. Fellow Habitat alum, Dabs Liban, who has been constructing dorms for frontliners and Emergency Quarantine Facilities for PUIs and PUMs; my mistahs Ernest Villareal and Rudy Magtibay, who have been organizing soup kitchens for hospital workers, checkpoint personnel, other frontliners and urban poor communities; my Pisaymates, Bing and Elise Del Rosario, who have busied themselves producing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for our medical teams; my officemate, Odess Lacia, who has taken it upon herself to support the ‘no-work, no-pay’ cleaners and support elements at Udenna; and many more who I may have failed to list here. You know who you are; we thank you for your heroism.

?REOPENING, P11

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 20 • TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2020

SURVIVING THE BIG Q How my military training helped me with the dreaded quarantine

S

o yeah, our President just extended the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for Metro Manila, the country’s seat of power, as well as other parts of the country where the pandemic has remained aggressive. There is much anxiety and fear over this God-awful forced isolation dealt on us. And as expected, you hear a lot of complaints, a lot of anguished cries over the curtailment of certain liberties, etc.

Lucky for me, the extensive military training I got from my previous life has helped me adjust to the restrictions and rules imposed without so much of a hoot. All I have to do is think of the 1-year of plebe training in the Academy; and the month-long ‘con-

finement-to-quarters’ suddenly looks bitesize. I think of the Scout Ranger training in Tanay, the Escape and Evasion Drill in the Special Forces; and the sparse rations and supplies look puny. I remember the taps and reveille bugle calls; and the curfew restrictions seem

right out of the ordinary.

The physical, mental and psychological stress being imposed now is something our soldiers are trained for in military training. Thus, even in this new environment, and faced with an unseen enemy – with its unpredictability, its lack of clear battle lines – our soldiers are ready to serve. Our soldiers are quick to adapt, quick to move into action. No whimpering, no whining, just willful obedience to help defeat an uncommon enemy in an uncommon crisis.

And as I dig back to my past life as a soldier, I recall some small nuggets of wisdom I learned from the Army, which I believe can be useful during these difficult times.

Stop bickering and just do your part.

Situations like

this call for tough decisions. So once a decision is made, and your mission spelled out, don’t go griping and grumbling as if the world owes you some. Your mission has been spelled out for you; and to most, it is a simple: STAY HOME. Staying home may be an awful-boring thing to do, but it sure is far better than being asked to gut it out in the hospitals, or the checkpoints, or do other services that could put you – and your family – in harm’s way. Your role is to make sure you and your family do not get sick. That way, you are not giving our overworked health workers more problems. Just do it, bro!

Stay home.

2. Always remember the team. Always be there to assist your teammates.

Among the many things the Army

taught me, one which I hold dear to my heart is the concept of the buddy system.

I protect my buddy, I support my team and my brothers-in-arms with my life; knowing that my life could depend on them as well. Your team in this case is your own community. You support your own community by ensuring that you don’t bring in the enemy with you. You help your buddies by making sure you are virus-free, by helping ensure your community is clean and safe. So lace up those proverbial boots, bro, and help man those imaginary barricades so that this unseen enemy, this sneaky virus doesn’t come in stealthily through you or through others.

My classmate, Pipes Buena, was elected the AFP Officers’ Village (AFPOVAI) President last

year. When this crisis blew up, Pipes immediately went to work beefing up the village defenses. To his credit, he has created proper protocols to make our village’s health security program robust. He was also able to organize a village trading post to get neighbors in the community to help each other. Today, the AFPOVAI community is so much closer from the experience brought about by these trying times.

3. KISS means Keep it simple, stupid.

However, don’t complicate your life by taking too many tasks. Soldiers are trained not to think much about things beyond their control. In order to survive, soldiers are taught when or where to focus their efforts and limited resources. I know I said you have to help your community, but be ?SURVIVING, P11