Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 28 | Thursday, May 14, 2020

EDGEEDGE DAVAO DAVAO BALANCING ACT

Serving a seamlessRAFA, society FEDERER MOVE ON TO THIRD ROUND

Serving a seamless society

NBA GAINING ‘MOMENTUM’ TOWARD RETURN

SIGNS OF BOOM SIGNS OF BO GCQ-READY SPORTS P12

SPORTSP11

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P 15.00 • 16 2 PAGES www.edgedavao.net

Applications for building, Applications for building, Sara says Davao City doing zoning permits increase zoning well to get into GCQ permits status increase STORY ON P2

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

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

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

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

“There are really too

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

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

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

FSIGNS, P10

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

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

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

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

“There are really too

MINDANAO HERITAGE THROUGH MODERN FASHION ►INDULGE A1

RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY FOREMOST IN ESDEVCO’S MIND

►PROPERTY P9

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

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

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

FSIGNS, P10

MINDANAO HERITAGE THROUGH MODERN FASHION ►INDULGE A1

RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY FOREMOST IN ESDEVCO’S MIND

►PROPERTY P9

A volunteer wearing personal protective TOURISM. President(PPE) Rodrigo equipment gets Duterte the respondstemperature to the discussions during the of a resident meetingusing with the Japanese tourism parta non-contact digital ners at temperature the Imperial Hotel in at Tokyo, gun theJapan entrance a community on Wednesday night.ofPRESIDENTIAL PHOTO in San Juan, Agdao District, Davao City on Tuesday.

This community in San Juan is one, if not the only residential area in the city where volunteers manning entry points wear PPEs. Edge Davao

e

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

GCQ-READY

Sara says Davao City doing well to get into GCQ status

By MAYA M. PADILLO

M

ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the city government has made up for the required protocols of the new coronavirus pandemic enough to make Davao City ready to be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) status.

cilities with a 503-bed capacity for COVID-19 patients composed of the Davao City Rehabilitation Center, La Vida Inn, Alternative Learning System (ALS) building, Queensland Hotel, Boy Scouts of the Philippines, EMCOR, Mental Wellness facility, RMC Petro Gazz Arena, UP “Based on the Davao City Disaster Mindanao Faculty management system, Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on building, UP Mindannaka-catch up nata,” Wednesday. ao Sports Complex, Mayor Sara said in The city has ac- and Rizal Memorial an interview with complished to build fa- Colleges (RMC).

In its efforts to increase the city’s testing capacity, the city has also readied COVID-19 test centers.

The Los Amigos Health Center will be available as a test center and has gone inspection last week.

The others are the Davao Doctor’s Hospital, Brokenshire Hospital, and a privately-owned laboratory.

The city is also planning to build a ?GCQ, P10

Local execs, cops told to set good ECQ example

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he Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday reminded local government officials and police officers to set a good example in implementing quarantine protocols.

“Ang ating sinasabi sa ating mga government officials lalo na sa nasasakupan ng DILG, ito 'yung tinatawag nating delicadeza, may mga pagkakataon na kailangan maging (good) example ka (What we are telling government officials, especially those under the DILG, is to have delicadeza.

There are instances when we should set a good example),” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a radio interview.

He was reacting to the incident where a party was allegedly held at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headquarters in Taguig City for the birthday of its chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas last week.

“Habang nasa ECQ tayo, wala 'yung mga celebration na ganyan, 'yung mga organized dinner na ganito, hindi 'yan ano... delicadeza nga eh (While we are under ECQ, there must be no celebrations like that, even those organized dinners. That is not right. We are talking of delicadeza here). Right then and there, dapat ipatigil mo (you should have it stopped)," he added.

Pictures of the occasion went viral and drew flak on social media as mass gatherings remain prohibited under quarantine rules.

Año said he would let the Philippine National Police (PNP) investigate the matter.

On Tuesday, PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said there nothing wrong with the 'mañanita' (early morning birthday serenade) given to Sinas.

He said he already talked to Sinas over the matter and has directed the PNP Internal Affairs Service to look ?LOCAL, P10

2nd netizen to offer bounty for Duterte slay nabbed in Boracay

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Volunteers install streamers from the city government of Davao reminding residents that they will not be allowed to enter the community without face mask and to stay at home at the entrance of a

residential area along Carpenter, Brgy. Leon Garcia, Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

40-year-old construction worker who offered a PHP100-million reward to anyone who can kill President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan on Tuesday night.

Ronald Quiboyen, posted a seditious content on Facebook that states "yong 50 milyon nyo doblehin ko gawin kung 100 milyon kung sino makapatay kay duterte andito ako ngayon sa boracay... ' (I will double your PHP50 million, I will make it PHP100 million whoever can kill Duterte, I am now in Boracay...).

Lt. Col. Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., officer-in-charge of Crime Investigation and Detection Group in Western Visayas (CIDG6), in an interview Wednesday said the suspect was angered by the President’s implementation of lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) health cri-

sis.

He said Quiboyen was immediately traced and arrested with the help of the Aklan Provincial Police Office, Malay Municipal Police Station, and CIDG’s Anti-Cybercrime Group.

"Our director in CIDG, Gen. (Joel Napoleon) Coronel, and his command group directed me to check and go for a manhunt operation because of his (Quiboyen) seditious act,” he said.

The suspect was traced in Sitio Hagdan, Yapak village in Malay.

Balmaceda said Quiboyen, while displaced from his previous job, worked as a motorcycle driver during the enhanced community quarantine. “He hates the President because of the lockdown as it might be hard for him to live,” he said.

Balmaceda said the suspect made mention of the public school teacher who ?2ND NETIZEN, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

Land Transportation Office 11 (LTO-11) enforcers found the explanation of this teary-eyed woman to be insufficient and apprehended her for driving without license along R. Castillo Street, Davao City. Edge Davao

TUCP Partylist grants F education subsidy T

DILG to cops: Be vigilant despite crime rate drop

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Partylist is extending education subsidy to students of the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in North Cotabato.

Through the Tulong-Dunong Scholarship Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), TUCP Partylist in partnership with North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmylou Mendoza are granting 300 students from USM main campus in the municipality of Kabacan and in USM campus in Kidapawan City, with P15,000 each for the school year 20192020.

Presently, 199 students from USM Kabacan main campus have

received the subsidy last February this year.

Meanwhile, 95 students from USM Kidapawan City campus have yet to receive the subsidy as funds have just been downloaded from the CHED Regional Office 12. The school’s Office of the Students Affairs (OSA) is still finalizing the schedule and procedures to ensure prompt release of the subsidy to the students.

The financial grant per year and per student, which is P15,000

at P7,500 per semester, is being released by the school cashier in coordination with the school’s OSA. The grant will be used for the allowance and matriculation of the student-beneficiary since its free tuition.

In a statement, Mendoza emphasized the importance of supporting the youth’s access to education. She said the Province of Cotabato will always prioritize in investing for the youth’s future by ensuring that everyone is provided with easy access to quality education.

Mendoza believes in the skills, aspirations and high prospects of the youth in contributing to the development of Cotabato.

“With this, poverty should not deter our students in fulfilling their dreams because we have so much to hope for in their future,” she said.

On his part, TUCP Partylist Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza vowed that TUCP will continue to extend assistance to support the youth of Cotabato.

He added that TUCP will not stop in looking for ways and means to ensure that Cotabatenos continue to achieve their dreams through education.

“Education is the most stable and potent food for our youth to arm themselves as they prepare to take over our communi?TUCP, P10

ollowing a 61-percent reduction of crime incidents during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to maintain consistency and vigilance in enforcing the law as a vast portion of the country would soon transition to general community quarantine (GCQ).

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the PNP should not relax despite the 61-percent decrease in crime incidence.

Instead, Año said, it should continue its strict implementation of quarantine protocols “as people might see the lifting of ECQ in some areas as an opportunity to go back to normal and begin committing crimes.”

“Tiyak na babalik

muli ang mga kriminal pag GCQ na dahil magpapanggap sila na papasok kuno sa trabaho. Kaya paalala ko sa ating kapulisan na maghigpit sa mga checkpoints at dalasan ang pagroronda para masawata ang mga kawatan (Criminals will surely return once the GCQ starts and they would pretend to be employees reporting for work. So I am reminding our police officers to tighten checkpoints and conduct more patrols to curb these unscrupulous people),” he said in a news release issued on Wednesday.

Año said the presence of PNP checkpoints and the issuance of quarantine passes by LGUs would continue during the GCQ because movement would still be limited and only those allowed to work in permitted industries and access essential services are allowed ?DILG, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

Food runners take a rest at a gasoline station along MacArthur highway, Matina, Davao City on Wednesday. The food delivery service sector in Davao City was on the headline lately after a runner tested positive with COVID-19. Edge Davao

Dusit Hotels employ T contactless service T

SMC abandons Holcim acquisition

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he new expression of warm hospitality will now be expressed without contact.

Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Davao City on Wednesday said that they have been implementing "contactless" service to maintain safety protocols amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Christoph Kuch, resident manager, said guests will be encouraged to take advantage of the “Stay Please” app, which can be accessed through the in-room TV screens to order room service to avoid close contact between hotel employees and guests.

Kuch added the hotel is also working on more contactless payment options for guests.

In a statement,

Dusit Hotels and Resorts is currently maintaining a minimum staffing level where employees report to work on rotation basis to ensure that practice social distancing measure will be maintained.

Kuch said the hotel staff will continue to provide the needs of the guests while taking active sanitary precautions to ensure the safety of the guests and employees in the Dusit properties.

“Besides briefing our employees about the virus and closely monitoring their health with daily temperature checks, we have ensured they are wearing face masks,

medical gloves, and protective personal equipment (PPE) and are regularly using hand sanitizers,” he said.

For the public, the hotel will conduct temperature checks upon arrival, installed disinfecting footbaths in all entry points, and require everyone to wear face masks.

Kuch said the hotel has increased regular disinfection of guest room facilities and public areas, including areas of frequent contact such as tables, doorknobs/handles, telephones, remote controls, air conditioning control units, and electrical devices.

“Our elevators have clear signs and markers for social distancing with only four people allowed at a time,” he said.

Kuch said guests will be required for detailed travel history upon check-in and only allow a maximum of three people in a room for families.

“Alongside information about the virus and how to prevent infection, hygienic hand sanitizers have also been placed in key public areas throughout the property, such as the front desk counter and the entrances of our restaurants, while antibacterial soap can be found in all public restrooms,” Kuch said.

He said Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Davao always puts the health and safety of guests and employees first and will abide by the city government of Davao’s recommendations and maintain communication with ?DUSIT, P10

he Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has learned that San Miguel Corp.

(SMC) pulled out its plan of acquiring Holcim Philippines, Inc. (HPI) when the antitrust body is nearly finished with the second phase of the review of the transaction.

SMC made a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange Monday about backing out from the deal but PCC said it has yet to receive formal notice from both parties withdrawing the transaction.

SMC subsidiary First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. (FSCII) will no longer buy the 85.73 percent share of HPI after the agreement has expired in accordance with its terms.

The acquisition deal amounts to USD2.15 billion.

“The Commission notes that the 10 May 2020 deadline was in-

ternally agreed upon by the transacting parties and was within their prerogative to extend as needed,” the PCC said in a statement Tuesday.

The PCC is doing the Phase 2 review of the transaction but was suspended, along with all proceedings, due to the enhanced community quarantine.

SMC and HPI have yet to get PCC’s nod after its Merger and Acquisition Office flagged competition concerns arising from the transaction, such as monopoly in Northwest Luzon and increased market power and potential collusion among inter-related cement companies controlled

by FSCII in the Northeast Luzon, Central Luzon, and Greater Metro Manila areas.

“The Phase 2 review of the transaction was suspended upon the parties’ submission of voluntary ?SMC, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Agri-based firms go digital, O diversify amid Covid-19

Amid lower prices, best time to invest in equities market

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the initiative of its Regional Operations Group (ROG), is assisting the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adapt new business concepts and get past the so-called old "brick and mortar" mindset in order to survive the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

DTI Assistant Regional Director Maria Elena Arbon underscored the benefits of digitization amid Covid-19 pandemic.

"As an advocate for digital transformation, I have experienced the hurdles of convincing our MSMEs and people in general to adopt and adapt digital.

Perversely, Covid-19 has effectively forced everyone to accept more digitization into their lives, work and businesses,” she said

in a statement Tuesday.

One Cebu-based company has successfully translated its business online.

FRL Trading, a start-up company selling agri-based products, diversified to producing washable face masks and running a grocery delivery service online.

Proprietor Felita Lubon said that although her company earns well producing turmeric and ginger tea, she saw the high

demand for washable face masks and decided to look for good needleworkers in the mountain barangays of Cebu.

"I bring the fabric to their homes and collect the finished products from them.

These needleworkers are happy that they earn income from their work and are able to support their family despite the lockdown,” Lubon said.

Currently, FRL Trading produces 6,000 to 10,000 facemasks a day for local and international buyers.

In late April, Lubon noticed the huge volume of people who have been forced to stay home and were unable to do groceries as well as drivers who were suddenly rendered jobless.

This crisis gave Lubon the idea of establishing an online grocery delivery service that brings supermarket items to

those compelled to stay home and give jobs to drivers who are out of work as well.

Since two weeks ago, Lubon's grocery delivery service receives an average of 100,000 online orders a day.

DTI-ROG Assistant Secretary Asteria Caberte said developing this kind of mindset, seeing opportunity in obstacles is part of the training, workshops, and other interventions that DTI offers to business start-ups.

"DTI also assists MSMEs in product development, design, packaging, standards compliance, marketability, production capability, brand development, among others," she added.

Felita Lubon is a beneficiary of DTI's One Town, One Product (OTOP) program for entrepreneurs who engage in business within the value ?AGRI-BASED, P10

fficials of Pru Life UK are optimistic for the success of their latest unit investment trust funds (UITF) products despite market volatility, and encouraged investors to take advantage of drop in share prices to purchase equity shares.

In an online briefing Tuesday, Pru Life UK president and chief executive officer Antonio de Rosas said there is no better time to invest in the equities market than now since prices are down due to volatilities caused partly by the global pandemic.

He said the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong and this is a plus for investors even with the negative economic impact of the pandemic.

Rosas said the country’s foreign reserves remain on record high with the end-February level at USD89 billion; public debt is only about 40 percent of domestic output, down from over 50 percent in the past; and the government’s financial strength is among the

best in the world.

He added individual companies continue to report generally positive balance sheets, which provide good opportunities for anyone who wants to place funds in the stock market.

“When you look at the individual companies that we invest in, you can see the resiliency,” Rosas said.

He is optimistic the pandemic will disappear overtime thus, “with the country’s resiliency, we can get through that and we can see gradual return to normal, pre-pandemic growth.”

The company launched Tuesday the multi-class equity fund called PH Equity Index Tracker Fund, the long-term capital growth-targeted PRUInvest PHP Dynamic Equity Fund, and the US dollar-invested PRUInvest USD Intermediate Term Bond Fund.

During the same briefing, Pru Life UK Investments director Lee Longa said he remains hopeful despite the current global

FUEL HIKE. A Shell gas station personnel loads gasoline on a motorcycle. Prices of gasoline went up PHP2 per liter and diesel at PHP1.90 per liter. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

?AMID, P10

6 VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUEISSUE 28 •10 THURSDAY, MAY 14, VOL.13 • FRIDAY, MARCH 20,2020 2020

My Take O

bjectively looking at our present circumstance, it is obvious that the President have taken initiatives within the realm of the powers of the state, and his presidential duties and responsibilities, to do what is possible to mitigate and control, if not stop entirely the coronavirus-19.

The president’s affirmative actions may not be perfect but it is work in progress.

As is appearing, he tried and continues to explore conceivable options to save Filipino lives while trying to rescue the economy, sustain and to preserve our homeland, so that the present and future generations may continue to enjoy a healthy and comfortable life.

In fact, he has the audacity to spend billions of public funds and, if need be, to even sell some of our sovereign assets, at the high risk of weakening our cashflow and financial position if only to protect Filipino lives and alleviate the family and household economy during this period of crisis.

With the situation the paradoxically, Philippines is facing the Ironically, if not it amidst is uncoronavirus threat, it takes everyone’s utmost patience, fathomable why manytoof remain understanding and compassion getus theFilipinos country through the hill.

Hence, businesses must first take consideration of their workers ambivalent and even defiant of government rather than their profits or losses. The reason why the community lawful quarantineorders. is not working 100 percent is that the lowly workers are Viewed forced to report work under fear of losing jobs and fromtotelevision images oftheir how our not earning their keep. The spectre of having no mey to feed their compatriots behavior, is because weirdofthat many families is a far bigger threat than it dying the virus.

In the mindsbecome of the ordinary folks: “We will die just the same.” have even incorrigible recidivists-viOnly those who have enough food in their pantry, those who olators theshop, government’s hucan afford toof panic and those who can legitimate afford to order online for deliveries will survive. for the bigger chunk of the society, man security andButhealthcare government the equation remains “no work, no food.” policies.

Thus, it is a welcome relief that there are initially 10 companies

EDITORIAL

By VIRGILIO LEYRETANA (Editor's Note: The author is the former head of Mindanao Development Authority.)

Such display of human behavior triggers the questions: Have they lost trust of our duly constituted authorities and institutions?

What happened to our inherent law-abiding nature and value system? Have they lost their patriotism?

Metaphorically, our nation may be compared to the human body - a compound complex biological organization comprising of numerous organs separate and distinct from each other with and different functions. Yet it remains mutually inclusive.

Similarly, each of us is a part of our respective family, culture, community country, and of humanity - codependent or interdependent of each other. As such, we owe to Yet, it is intriguing to observe why many of our fellow citizens seems to have forgotten that this government is not solely the responsibility of President Duterte and the 61 million Filipinos who voted for him; nor that of his appointees, or of those we voted to despite the order. positions of power and authority.

The 10 firms reported by the Department of Labor to have made this government the collective the Rather, compensation package are Aboitiz, is Asian Terminal/Solaire Resort Ayala Group of Companies, JG Summit, Jollibee, and Hotel, mutually inclusive responsibility ofLucio all Tan Group, Manny V. Pangilinan Group, San Miguel Corporation, Filipinos - Group.These leaders and SM and Udenna firmsfollowers answered thealike. call of President Rodrigo Duterte to take care of their workers and employees Thus, while we don’t have the slightest induring this time of national emergency. tent toSecretary fatherSilvestre anybody’s join and all DOLE Bello IIIdestiny, lauded the we companies said their compassion and good example should inspire “We other Filipinos in in believing that the phrase enterprises whose source of wealth is the labor of their workforce. the People” signifies While big companies can take some hit, it is a different story for smaller firms and this government should come our shared goalsis -where the the common denominain. For sure, there are already some formulation to this effect being tor for our common future. done.

Be significant

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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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

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VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

7

THE SLAVE PRINCE FROM MIANGAS On November 2, 2017, Esquire, a Filipino online publication, came out with a eyebrow-raising story with a catchy title The True Story of the Mindanaoan Slave Whose Skin Was Displayed at Oxford and a kicker claiming the slave named, Jeoly, was a native of Davao.

To add curiosity to the story, the writer listed as one of his references English buccaneer William Dampier’s personal account in A New Voyage Round the World (1927). The incident, based on the book, took place in 1686, just two years before Davao, under Datu Buisan, the king of Candahar, was ceded to the Dutch East India Company, then the world’s largest private firm.

To make the story short, Jeoly, also known Giolo, was a tattooed prince sold to the Maguindanao sultanate. Dampier, on his return home, brought along the man in the hope of generating ‘anatomical curiosity.’ But this did not happen. After Jeoly died of smallpox in England three months after arrival, a surgeon removed his skin to be hung at Oxford.

According to Dampier’s account, Jeoly, who was born on one of the islands of Miangas, “might have been purchased by us of his master for a small matter, as he was afterwards by Mr. Moody (who came hither to trade and laded a ship with clove-bark) and by transporting him home to his own country we might have gotten a trade there.” This bizarre, if amazing, story is interesting in that it raises red flags that easily draw interest and, without going to scholarly discussion, create misimpressions. There are at least five discrepancies in the story.

First, Jeoly was a prince, according only to the say-so of Dampier’s agent. During this period, slave-trading, a Dutch idea, was already picking up in Indonesia, and the likelihood of a captured gentleman being sent to Maguindanao as a slave was likely. However, Miangas, as a Dutch territory, was never under strong

like Gilolo, a place in Halmahera, Indonesia, in the same way that Miangas, erroneously placed under the jurisdiction of Davao Oriental, is an island under Indonesian domain that was erstwhile a Dutch vassal.

Fourth, Dutch trade alliance with the sultanate at the time was robust and did not include

rooned at Davao Oriental a year earlier. Historically, the cluster of islands was under attack from Sulu sultanate raiders but it was never subdued.

According to Dampier’s account, they were moving southeast from the sultanate when the chanced upon a bay, which is the channel between Balut Island

threat. In short, if it had a prince, surely the Dutch wanted him to manage the territory for them.

Second, if indeed Jeoly was a former slave, it should have been popular news and Dampier, who returned to the sultanate after the Miangas episode, would have at least heard about it. The former captive was only presented to Dampier, suggesting it was his agent who created a large picture to generate strong interest from the Englishman.

Third, the other name of Jeoly is Giolo. That sounds curiously

slave-trading. The small kingdoms subservient to Maguindanao had enough men and muscles to supply for use in defense and trade. If Jeoly was a royalty, the sultanate would have use him in forging alliances with the spicerich Indonesia or, worse, as a bargaining chip.

And fifth, the Miangas islands are a regency of North Sulawesi and home to the Talaud people. The first European to set foot in the area in October 1526 was the expedition of Spanish Jofre de Loaisa, who was ma-

and Mindanao.

“It was in a bay on the northeast side of the island that we came to an anchor, as has been said. We lay in this bay but one night and part of the next day. Yet there we got speech with some of the natives, who by signs made us to understand that [Maguindanao] was on the west side of the island. We endeavoured to persuade one of them to go with us to be our pilot but he would not: therefore in the afternoon we loosed from hence, steering again to the south-east, having

We all agree that the COVID 19 reality has forced many of us to think deeply about our businesses and the future of our enterprises in ways that we need to imagine.

We never really saw this pandemic coming, as we began the year on a bullish note hoping to improve on last year’s successes.

The “new pneumonia” reported in international news seemed a world away, politicized and cast in racial tones.

Its reality and the terrible threat to our families only hit us as February came in, like the proverbial thief in the night, catching us unaware, and largely unprepared for the contingencies and necessary precautions that we will have to observe to contain the spread of the virus, and maintain for an indefinite period of time.

Thus, a friend notes how in his business, after weeks under quarantine he, like many of us have incurred substantial losses from having to close our enterpises temporarily, or bear the brunt of reduced sales from a smaller number of customers, or lower demand from existing ones, or both.

Thankfully, relief measures from a government law called the Bayanihan heal as one act, softened the

initial blow by allowing delayed tax payments deferred loans and rental payments.

Banks and utility companies also extended payment deadlines to the relief of many.

My friend notes how in his case, some of our work-

loans we incur will be used to sustain a business that may not really recover within the next 12 months, we will need to innovate smd reconfigure the business by reducing costs to achieve some positive revenue with which to pay these loans.

normal, a world economy destined for a massive reset.

Against this unprecedented historical backdrop, sustaining, or restarting business post COVID will be a challenge because we have to fight on three fronts: a. Protecting our em-

ers have had to wait for and receive unemployment benefits from the Labor department. Some have not received theirs.

After the relief the need for recovery through financing will be needed. Not all will apply for such financing measures since not many want to be in greater debt.

The truth about financing at this time is that if the

Worse, many of us remain uncertain as we continue to watch news that counts the new infections and the bodied of the new dead, and analyses from economists that point to a recession worse than the world war only our grandparents remember.

We wonder whether our businesses will remain relevant in what looks like a new

ployees and their families from infection as a vaccine or at least a consistent treatment protocol has yet to be discovered. b. Recovering from business losses c. Doing the above two under “new normals” and conditions that may be different from the way we used to do business.

This new reality brings

the wind at south-west. When we came to the south-east end of the island [of] Mindanao we saw two small islands about three leagues distant from it. We might have passed between them and the main island, as we learnt since; but not knowing them, nor what dangers we might encounter there, we chose rather to sail to the eastward of them. But meeting very strong westerly winds we got nothing forward in many days. In this time we first saw the islands Meangis [Miangas], which are about sixteen leagues distant from the Mindanao, bearing south-east. I shall have occasion to speak more of them hereafter.”

To confirm that Miangas is not part of Davao, Dampier’s account clearly stated that the three islands of Miangas “abound with gold and cloves,” adding that “the islands north of Mindanao abounding (sic) most in gold, and those south of Meangis in spice.”

This affirms the historic fact that during the period European countries like England, Spain and Portugal were on the frenzy hunt for the Spice Island, now Maluku.

At the time, a boatload of spices, such as cloves and cinnamon, cost more than gold or silver in the market. Spices were coveted by royalties for their expensive cuisines and these commanded princely sums.

Moreover, the search for spice was the reason why most experienced maritime explorers during this period were recruited and funded by governments to explore for more spice lands.

Cornering the spice trade was an agenda that added fuel to economic hegemony.

Meanwhile, the story of Jeoly’s skin being hung at Oxford sounds out of the ordinary.

ENTREPRENEUR’S NOTES ON RECOVERY

new threats and opportunities. Many analysts have cautioned that even after enhanced quarantine is lifted, some form of limited quarantine, and practices such as the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPEs) snd physical distance fron coworkers will still be needed, with our elderly , pregnant and immunocompromised workmates strongly advised to work from home.

Reflecting on this, we may have to revisit our fixed costs and see how we can meet them given depressed market demand.

Jumping in from an earlier discussion, if we do apply for subsidies and financing, we will have to use these resources in a revised business plan, a new way of doing business to obtain revenue lest we fail and fall into great debt.

This may lead us to examine new business models to factor in those threats and opportunities, new markets or audiences and perhaps for some, a new cost structure either bigger or smaller than before.

This will require patience and creativity, desire and the building of capability, a vision of achieving success under a new normal, a different economy, perhaps a new business culture. We are up to the challenge.

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

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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 halfday schedule along with Blackboard Learn.

This system along with the digital c o n tents from t h e world’s leading 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 world-class 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 with both SMART ?DIGITAL, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

9

FEEDING TIME. A boy feeds his a young striated heron locally known as “doong” with fish in Barangay Asinan, Pilar town in Siargao Island on Tuesday. He promised to set the bird free back to its habitat once it is able to fly. MindaNews photo by ROEL N. CATOTO

DILG to cops: Be vigilant despite crime rate drop

F

ollowing a 61-percent reduction of crime incidents during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to maintain consistency and vigilance in enforcing the law as a vast portion of the country would soon transition to general community quarantine (GCQ).

pretend to be employees reporting for work.

So I am reminding our police officers to tighten checkpoints and conduct more patrols to curb these unscrupulous people),” he said in a news release issued on Wednesday.

Año said the presence of PNP checkpoints and the issuance of quarantine passes

by LGUs would continue during the GCQ because movement would still be limited and only those allowed to work in permitted Interior Secretary mitting crimes.” industries and access Eduardo M. Año said “Tiyak na babalik essential services are the PNP should not re- muli ang mga kriminal allowed to leave their lax despite the 61-per- pag GCQ na dahil mag- residences. cent decrease in crime papanggap sila na paUnder the GCQ, incidence. pasok kuno sa trabaho. quarantine measures Instead, Año said, Kaya paalala ko sa ating will still be imposed it should continue its kapulisan na maghig- for persons below 21 strict implementation pit sa mga checkpoints years old; persons 60 of quarantine proto- at dalasan ang pagro- years old and above; cols “as people might ronda para masawa- persons who are imsee the lifting of ECQ ta ang mga kawatan munocompromised; in some areas as an op- (Criminals will surely pregnant women; and portunity to go back to return once the GCQ people who reside normal and begin com- starts and they would with these individuals.

DIGITAL from 8

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 Aservices 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.

placed under the modified ECQ from May 16 to 31.

Meanwhile, the PSC assured that it will still provide allowances to the national

athletes and coaches despite their trainings called off indefinitely due to Covid-19, which has already infected 11,350 Filipinos as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The last agenda in the meeting was the improvement of the information technology setup to provide better communication in this period. (PNA)

PSC from 11

10

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

city-owned crematory that will be built at Wireless cemetery.

The crematorium will address the challenges encountered by the three private crematoria on rendering services to COVID-19 related cadavers.

Mayor Sara said the crematory shall comply with the guidelines of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Epidemiologist and Infectious Disease Specialist to cremate

or bury the cadavers of patients with COV I D - 1 9 - re l a te d deaths within 12 hours after death.

Presently, the city covers all expenses for the cremation of the cadavers with COV I D - 1 9 - re l a te d deaths.

“Hopefully, kung mag-GCQ nata, ma-control gihapon nato ang spread sa infection bisan pa man ug nay infection, pero dapat hinay lang ang iyahang spread ug dili siya mu-surge sama

sa hangtod 100 dayon ang dunay sakit. Okay lang na hinay-hinay lang ang pagsaka sa atoang mga confirmed COVID cases,” Mayor Sara said.

Since the outbreak, 161 COVID-19 cases had already been confirmed in Davao City, of which 23 have died and 81 have recovered. Currently, 57 cases remain active.

According to the mayor, regardless of the quarantine status, Dabawenyos must

to leave their residences.

Under the GCQ, quarantine measures will still be imposed for persons below 21 years old; persons 60 years old and above; persons who are immunocompromised; pregnant women; and people who reside with these individuals.

However, senior citizens who are working or will go out to access essential services will be exempt from the home quarantine.

“Mas matindi ang inaasahang pagpapairal ng batas sa panahon ng GCQ dahil nariyan pa rin ang banta ng coronavirus at samahan pa ng mga

masasamang-loob na wala rin namang pinipiling panahon at krisis (Expect tighter law enforcement during the GCQ period because the coronavirus threat stays, along with the threat of criminals who persist even in times of crisis). So, the use of face masks and social distancing in public must be observed, ” he explained.

Año said the PNP’s steady implementation of peace and order protocols during the ECQ from March 17 to May 9 led to only 3,166 crimes committed nationwide.

He said the figure is a far cry from the

8,135 cases reported from January 23 to March 16, the days leading to the implementation of the ECQ in Luzon.

“The 61 percent decrease in crime volume within March 17 to May 9, 2020, with a total of 3,166, must be maintained by the PNP even under GCQ,” Año said.

During the ECQ, 865 incidents of theft were recorded. The figure is much lower than the 2,752 incidents reported in the months before the ECQ. The same pattern was observed in other crimes, such as murder, homicide, physical injury, and

commitments.

PCC rejected the proposed commitments after they were found in-

sufficient to address the competition concerns, reverting the transaction to Phase

2 review. The parties, however, have yet to file their respective comments to answer

chain of OTOP products such as raw material suppliers, processors, distributors, retailers, manufacturers.

Lubon is also a graduate of the Kapatid Mentor Micro Entrepreneurs (KMME) program which helps MSMEs scale up their

businesses through mentoring on different functional areas of entrepreneurship, produces the right mindset and business know-how.

"In the coming months, DTI may hold most of its training via video conferencing to comply

with the new normal restrictions," Arbon said.

For remote barangays where technology may not be accessible, she added DTI may hold seminars in gymnasiums, multipurpose buildings but with limited number of participants as

leged negligence.

On Friday, Zobayan’s brother, Berge Zobayan, said in a court filing that Kobe Bryant knew the risks of helicopter flying and his survivors aren’t entitled to damages from the pilot’s estate, t he Los Angeles Times reported.

Island Express responded in court papers Monday saying

they are not responsible for damages, calling the crash, among other things, “an act of God” and “an unavoidable accident” that was beyond their control.

The charter company also said the Bryants knew of the risks and dangers of flying in a helicopter and “voluntarily assume(d) the risk of the accident, injury, and damages”

when they got on the chopper.

Vanessa Bryant separately last week filed a claim — a precursor to a lawsuit — against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after deputies were accused of sharing unauthorized photos of the crash site. The claim was first reported by PEOPLE; the investigation into the deputies’

DILG from 3

SMC from 4

AGRI-BASED from 5

KOBE’S from 11

LOCAL from 2

into the allegations of quarantine violations.

While he still trusts Sinas, Gamboa said strict quarantine protocols must be observed.

“If there are allegations, I will look into it.

Well, we all know that Gen. Sinas' work at the NCRPO is difficult. But it is not an excuse for him not to follow simple health protocols and of course, we encourage him to do so,” he said. (PNA)

was also apprehended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Zambales last Tuesday also for offering PHP50 million for the President’s head.

The CIDG considers the post of Quiboyen as a threat to national security.

While the Philiprape, among others. pines is a democratic Meanwhile, curcountry, Balmaceda few violations and said the freedom of exdisobedience numpression also has limbered 167,278 from itations.

March 17 to May 9.

“Although we are The majority of these cases occurred in Luzon with 106,926, folfrom 3 lowed by Mindanao with 30,533, and the ties,” he said.

CHEDTulong Visayas with 29,819.

Dunong Scholarship Año said 105,445, or 63 percent of the 2020 offering the total number of cur- Grants-in-Aid Program few violators, were (Tulong Dunong Scholjust warned while arship) to support fil47,257, or 28 per- ipino college students cent, were detained with financial aid but the majority were needed to pursue their released on bail after academic dreams. having been subjected from 4 to inquest proceedings, and 14,576, or 9 local health authoripercent, were fined. ties to keep abreast of (PR) the situation.

Kuch assured the hotel is following the

on a democratic government, one should be mindful of what they say and do even if they are angry,” he said.

Quiboyen will be charged with violation of Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in Relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Balmaceda said the charges against the suspect will be filed on Wednesday. (PNA)

embrace physical distancing and hygiene measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

“Ang importante kung mugawas mo sa inyong balay, duna mo’y protection measures like wearing of masks, frequent hand-washing, pocket alcohol, social distancing in the offices.

Nagpasalamat ko sa inyong pagsabot para sa atong mga control measures na atong pagabuhaton,” she said.

2ND NETIZEN from 2

TUCP

DUSIT

AMID

the competition confrom 5 cerns raised in the SOC,” the antitrust health crisis because “I body said. (PNA) don’t think we will not win this situation.”

Longa said the resiliency of the doto comply with the mestic economy will social distancing pro- be reflected on the equities market that tocol.

Meanwhile, Cab- is why, “we are confierte underscored that dent that once this is DTI is open to using all over, there will be other viable means to ways, ingenuity for us reach out to MSMEs in to survive.”

“While we are very the countryside such realistic with our proas radio and comic jection, with our busistrips written in the ness, our company is local dialect. (PR) here to stay for a long term. I think we can overcome these probphotos was initially published by the Times. from 11 The sheriff has declined to comment, citing the ever I need to do to ongoing litigation play those three events The survivors of I am going to make crash victims Sarah sure I do.”

Chester and her daughIn addition to the ter Payton filed a com- Charles Schwab Chalplaint Monday against lenge the tournaments the helicopter company set to be held without and the pilot’s estate. fans are the RBC HerFamilies of other vic- itage (June 18-21) in tims previously filed Hilton Head, S.C., the lawsuits.

Travelers Champion-

MORE

This scholarship for the year 2020 is for the undergraduate students who want to pursue undergraduate studies in any field and in any institution and is open for all the local high school graduates who want to enroll in any college. government guidelines on events and social gatherings for its function rooms in the future. lems today so there are opportunities (despite the pandemic,” he added.

Pru Life UK assistant vice president and head of equities Charles Wong said “volatilities create opportunities” and investors just need to know the methods to lessen the effect of volatilities.

He said equity investments are longterm goals so investors need to choose and study the companies they invest in. (PNA) ship (June 25-28) in Cromwell, Conn., and the Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 2-5) in Detroit.

The first tournament tentatively preparing for spectators is the July 6-12 John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., followed by the Memorial.

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

PGA golfer Kevin Streelman plays his second shot on the 18th hole during round one at the Scottsdale AZ Open at Talking Stick Golf Club’s O’odham course. Reuters

More tests as PGA Tour T prepares for return

Kobe’s sports academy retires ‘Mamba’ name

G

olfers and caddies returning to the PGA Tour next month will face a battery of tests and safety measures as they adjust to tournament golf in the era of novel coronavirus.

Golf Channel said on Tuesday it had seen the 37-page health and safety document being sent to players as the PGA Tour, shut down since mid-March by the COVID-19 pandemic, prepares for a June 11-14 return at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth,

Texas.

Players can expect a “layered testing approach” according to Golf Channel, which will start at their homes. They will receive a pre-travel screening test and be tested again on arrival at the tournament.

Testing will be re-

quired as a condition of competition.

Anyone testing positive will be removed from the competition and self-isolated for at least 10 days. A player who tests positive after making the cut at an event will receive last place earnings.

Players, caddies and tournament officials will be kept inside a tournament bubble at one or two hotels and a charter plane will take them to the next tournament to limit possible exposure.

Everybody must be tested again before

boarding the charter.

Golfers are also encouraged to perform many of the tasks left for their caddies, such as selecting and replacing clubs or whatever they need from the bag.

“I don’t know what even to expect,” Brooks Koepka, winner of four majors, told Golf Channel. “I am assuming no fans, that’s been said, but I am kind of in the dark. I don’t know too much about it.

“Whatever restrictions they put on, I am going to be in the first three events, so what-

PSC board on Tuesday.

PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez created the new committee in accordance with the occupational and health safety standards for public sector jointly issue by the Civil Service, Commission Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Executive Director

Merly Ibay will serve as the head of the health and safety committee with Deputy Executive Directors Dennis Rivera and Guillermo Iroy and Marc Velasco named as deputies.

Another matter discussed in the board meeting was the procurement of personal protective equipment, face masks, and disinfection supplies in an-

ticipation of the gradual transition of Metro Manila from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to the modified ECQ and hopefully to general community quarantine (GCQ).

Earlier Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that Metro Manila along with Laguna and Cebu City will be

?MORE, P10

PSC forms health panel amidst coronavirus pandemic

T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) on Tuesday created a health and safety committee amid the country’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The creation of the new committee, which will be activated by May 22, was one of the resolutions made in an online meeting by the

?PSC, P10

he Southern California sports academy previously co-owned by Kobe Bryant has retired his “Mamba” nickname and rebranded itself nearly four months after the basketball icon’s death in a helicopter crash.

Bryant, his 13-yearold daughter Gianna and seven other people were killed Jan. 26 as they flew to a basketball tournament at the Mamba Sports Academy.

The Thousand Oaks-based facility said it would return to its original name of Sports Academy. It was founded in 2016. Bryant, who spent 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and helped the franchise win five NBA championships, joined in 2018.

Games were being played at the academy when the news broke of Bryant’s death. Players immediately stopped and many people in the gym burst into tears when told that Bryant was aboard the helicopter that crashed.

The academy is under consideration as a home base for an NBA minor league program that will provide one year of preparation, on

and off the court, for some elite players who chose to bypass college but are not yet eligible for the NBA draft.

Bryant is the only NBA player to have his team retire two numbers in his honor. He was selected last month for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A ceremony is scheduled for late August though it may be delayed until at least October because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bryant’s production company, Granity Studios, has remained active since his death. The latest children’s book released by Bryant’s company last month — “The Wizenard Series: Season One” — became his fifth book to reach No. 1 on The New York Times’ best-seller lists.

The helicopter crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

In February, Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, sued the estate of pilot Ara Zobayan and the charter company that owned the helicopter, Island Express.

She claimed Zobayan failed “to use ordinary care in piloting the subject aircraft” and al?KOBE’S, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 28 • THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2020

LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook were all on the call, and “all parties were in agreement to take the court with proper safety measures” once that proves possible.

BALANCING ACT NBA gaining ‘momentum’ toward return

F

ollowing a Board of Governors call with commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday, the NBA is “increasingly positive about the league’s momentum” toward resuming the 2019-20 season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

Per the report, owners and executives were encouraged about the league’s steps toward returning safely amid the coronavirus pandemic and about positive conversations with the National Basketball Players Association.

The report added that Silver empha-

sized that in order for a return to occur, all parties would need to accept that a single positive test for COVID-19 would not derail the season.

If a positive test would “shut us down, we probably shouldn’t go down this path,” Silver said, per Wojnarowski.

The report add-

ed that it remains unclear at what point numerous positive tests would impact the schedule.

Wo j n a r o w s k i also reported that the format for the return play remains unknown, in terms of regular-season or playoff structure.

The NBA also reportedly continues to vet the possibility of holding all games in neutral sites, with Orlando and Las Vegas the leading candidates, in what Silver referred to as a “campus environment.”

Both Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the NBA aims to decide within two to four weeks

whether to restart the season.

A potential roadblock to the proposed resumption is that the league doesn’t believe “rapid response testing” will be readily available inside of a month.

Earlier Tuesday, the NBPA informally polled players to gauge where they stand on restarting the season, Wojnarowski reported.

NBPA regional representatives began asking players to respond to a “yes or no” question about their desire to return to the court during the coronavirus pandemic, sources told Wojnarowski.

Some teams were

asked the question in group texts, per the report, and names of the players and their individual responses will be kept confidential.

However, in a statement to The Athletic, the NBPA said it “is not engaging in and has not authorized any formal poll of its players.”

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts, executive committee members including president Chris Paul and other players held a conference call Friday with Silver to discuss various topics related to resuming play, chiefly health and finances.

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes report-

ed Paul held a private conference call with superstars across the league on Tuesday, with all wanting to resume the season at some point.

Per the report, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard and Russell Westbrook were all on the call, and “all parties were in agreement to take the court with proper safety measures” once that proves possible.

The NBA suspended the regular season on March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.