Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 29 | Friday, May 15, 2020

EDGEEDGE DAVAO DAVAO STARTING OVER

Serving a seamlessRAFA, society FEDERER MOVE ON TO THIRD ROUND

Serving a seamless society

NON-CONTACT SPORTS ALLOWED UNDER GCQ

SPORTS P12

SPORTSP11

TAKE NO SIGNSSIGNS OF BOOM OF BO

VOL.12ISSUE ISSUE 29 59 ••FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 2019 ISSUE 59 www.edgedavao.net edgedavao@gmail.com VOL.13 FRIDAY, MAY 15, MAY 202031-JUNE 1, f •@EdgeDavao VOL.12 FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 31-JUNE 1, 2019 f @EdgeDavao

2 PAGES P 15.00 • 16 www.edgedavao.net

CHANCES

Applications for building, for building, Applications zoning permitszoning increase permits increase

T

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

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

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

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

“There are really too

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

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

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

T

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

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

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

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

“There are really too

SPMC chief MINDANAO warns:HERITAGE Don’t put THROUGH MODERN FASHION your guard down during GCQ FSIGNS, P10

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STORY ON P2

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 TOURISM. President Rodrigo Duterte responds to the discussions during the FAMILY FOREMOST IN meeting with the Japanese tourism partnersinfected at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, A resident posts images of the female patient with COVID-19 at Japan the entranceMIND of a community in Brgy. Leon Garcia, Davao City onPRESIDENTIAL Thursday. PHOTO The paon Wednesday night.

ESDEVCO’S tient, identified as Arani Hajiba, fled an isolation facility last week. Edge Davao

►PROPERTY P9

e

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

TAKE NO CHANCES P

PSG says PRRD safe despite death threats

SPMC chief warns: Don’t put your guard down during GCQ

By MAYA M. PADILLO

S

outhern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega reminded the public to follow Covid-19 protocols to avoid the surge of cases as Davao City braces itself for the general community quarantine (GCQ) status.

The Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended ten cities including Davao City to shift from enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status to GCQ.

“If we put down our guards such as ignoring the social distancing and proper hygiene, expect a surge of cases during GCQ. If we implement social distancing, wearing of masks and hygiene, we can mitigate it,” Vega

said.

However, Vega cannot project the doubling time of cases under a GCQ. Doubling time is the time it takes for a population to double in size/value.

“But we have controlled the doubling time because of our efforts and the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine,” he said.

Yet, Vega assured that the city is capable of mitigating and containing the spread of COVID-19 in the GCQ status considering the number of the facilities and laboratories that

were established and to be established.

The city has accomplished to build facilities with 503 beds capacity for COVID-19 patients. These are 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 Mindanao Faculty building, UP Mindanao Sports Complex, and Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC). ?TAKE, P10

resident Rodrigo Duterte remains safe despite threats to his life, the Presidential Security Group (PSG) said on Thursday.

The PSG gave the assurance following the arrest of two individuals who offered reward money to any person who can kill Duterte.

In a press statement, the PSG said it is ready “at all times and at all costs” to address the death threats against Duterte, including those that are posted on social media.

“The Presidential Security Group (PSG) ensures the safety of the President and the seat of government at all times, and at all costs. This mandate encompasses not only physical protection but also grave threats coming from the cyber environment,” it said.

A 40-year-old construction worker identified as Ronald Quiboyen was arrested in Malay, Aklan on

Tuesday after he purportedly posted on his Facebook account his offer of PHP100-million reward to anyone who can kill Duterte.

Before this, Ronald Mas, a 25-year-old public school teacher, was also arrested because of his post on his Twitter account about his supposed offer of PHP50-million bounty to anyone willing to kill Duterte.

The PSG welcomed the arrest of the suspects.

It stressed that posting grave threats against Duterte on social media clearly incites sedition and is a violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. It said it would take seriously all the threats against Duterte, as well as his family.

“Anyone who violates will be held liable and will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the PSG said.

Duterte is currently at Malacañan Palace

OTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) strengthened its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) by adding new members to its Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for Covid-19 on Wednesday.

The new BIATF members include the Police Regional Office – BARMM, the military’s Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) - Cotabato City, and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) - BARMM. With the expansion, four sub-groups were also formed - Task Group on Response Operations; Task Group on Resource Management and Logistics; Task Group on Strategic Communication; and Task Group on Food Security.

With the recent development on

the classification of BARMM as a low-risk area, the BIATF said new guidelines would be released within the week under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) mode.

“The core team, which is composed of Ministry of Health (MOH), BARMM’s Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG), and PRO-BARMM, will be in charge of crafting the new guidelines,” lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, BARMM’s interior minister and concurrent regional spokesperson, said.

To align the region’s guidelines, the BIATF would have to wait for the set of new instructions from the national IATF. Sinarimbo reported that all task forces of 123 local government units (LGUs) in the BARMM have been “activated and responding to the needs of their respective constituents.”

?PSG, P10

BARMM fight vs. Covid-19 bolstered

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WARNING. Images of the Covid-19 patient who is the subject of an ongoing manhunt are posted on a wall in Brgy. Leon Garcia, Davao City on Thursday. Edge Davao

?BARMM, P10

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

3

5 SAP beneficiaries in SoCot face raps for double claims

G Presidential Security Group (PSG) says President Rodrigo Duterte remains safe despite threats to his life. The PSG gave the assurance following the arrest of two individuals who offered reward money to any person who can kill Duterte. Presidential Photo

NCRPO chief may face raps over birthday bash

N

ational Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, may face criminal and administrative charges over the mass gathering held for his birthday amid the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS), said in Filipino in an interview with reporters.

He added that the IAS eyes to finish its probe on the incident in one week.

"We would look into the degree of responsibility. First, if there is something wrong, we must im"There are a lot of nal and administrative mediately correct it possible violations. liabilities. I said it's because it will stir The resolution of the an individual liabili- controversy as it af(Inter-Agency Task ty because there are fects the fight against Force for the Man- a lot of charges that Covid-19. The timeline agement of Emerging can be filed," lawyer is one week. We will Infectious Diseases). Alfegar Triambulo, In- release the results of There are also crimi- spector General of the the probe," he said.

PNP Covid-19 cases now 179

T

he Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reported 179 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections among its personnel, as 39 more police officers tested positive for the virus.

Based on its updated monitoring report on Wednesday evening, the PNP Health Service (PNPHS) said of the total, 57 have recovered, four died, while 118 active cases are undergoing supportive health care by PNP doctors.

It added that of the 118 Covid-19-positive patients, 91 are in

quarantine facilities, six are confined in hospitals, and 21 are under home quarantine.

The police force has ramped up mass testing among its front-liners and expects the number of positive cases to rise in the next few days due to pending results of some confirmatory tests.

"We are also keeping tab of 638 PNP personnel categorized as probable cases while a total of 390 personnel were classified as suspect cases," the PNPHS noted in its report.

A total of 1,681 PNP personnel have ?PNP, P10

He, however, said Sinas will not be relieved from his post pending investigation results.

"We will not do that (relief from post) because he has a good performance. As I have said, these are very delicate matters.

If we err, it's the Filipino people who might be put at a disadvantage. After all, they are the ones who have implemented the government's pressure against Covid-19 and we cannot deny that they have a good performance," he added. ?NCRPO, P10

ENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Five beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) in South Cotabato province are facing perjury and estafa charges for allegedly claiming twice the PHP5,000 emergency cash assistance.

Cezario Joel Espejo, Department of Social Welfare and Development-Region 12 director, said Thursday the violators were found by the agency through a locally-developed application that it commissioned to track beneficiaries of the assistance program.

He said they are currently preparing the complaint against the five personalities, who were from the municipalities of Tupi and Lake Sebu.

A team tasked to review the SAP releases submitted by local government units (LGUs) in Region 12 or Soccsksargen managed to secure the pictures and details of the double claimants, he said.

“It came out in our system that they claimed the financial assistance two times.

We already identified the perpetrators and the photos showing them receiving the cash assistance in two different barangays were undeniable,” he told reporters.

Espejo said the erring claimants, whose identities were

withheld pending the filing of formal charges, even used their own names and might have thought that they would not be discovered.

He said they would look into the possible connivance between the perpetrators and local officials.

“It is quite unbelievable that these persons used two names in different barangays but it was not flagged,” he said.

The official said the fraudulent acts were clear violations of the implementing guidelines of the SAP, which was among the assistance programs implemented by the national government under Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. The cash assistance was aimed to ease the effects of the enhanced community quarantine measures in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Espejo said he ordered their personnel to double-check their database and other lists of beneficiaries submitted by LGUs for other possible cases of multiple claims.

He said the list was among the requirements for the liquidation of SAP funds released by the national government.

As of Wednesday, the agency said over ?5 SAP, P10

Patients housed at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School along Ponciano Reyes Street in Davao City are transported by authorities to Southern Philippines Medical Center on Thursday. Edge Davao

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

PH economy still strong despite lower growth forecast: economist

Durian farmers feeling P the Covid-19 crunch

By MAYA M. PADILLO

D

urian grower Larry Miculob said that presently, the demand and consumption of durian in Davao City is very low.

“Perhaps, because people are staying at home,” Miculob, the former president of Davao Durian Industry Association Council, said in an email interview.

He said this has greatly affected durian farmers like him in terms of sales and revenues.

According to Miculob, Davao City has high durian produc-

tion. The so-called “King of Fruits” is an all-time favorite among Dabawenyos be it peak or off season. However, Miculob said with residents locked down in their homes under quarantine regulations, the durian market is taking a big hit.

Another factor affecting durian farmers is that they cannot move their products

outside Davao City due to the restrictions.

“The enhanced community quarantine and the subsequent lockdown due to COVID-19 have greatly affected our sales revenues,” he said.

Miculob added that ECQ and lockdowns also deterred the exportation of durian to the United States.

“As of now, we cannot make an export to the US due to airport lockdowns,” Miculob said.

Miculob has started sending vacu-

um-packed fresh durian to the US since October last year through an American blogger Lindsey Gasik, who dabbles as food importer.

“It’s not easy to enter the US market. In fact, you have to pass the strict requirements. We submitted documents but since we have our facility and we already have been exporting to Japan it was easy for us to enter the US market,” Miculob said.

He is hopeful that they could resume exporting durian to the US by August to October this year.

hilippines’ investment grade credit ratings, along with strong foreign reserves, among others, are expected to assure investors of the economy’s strength amid the impact of the global pandemic, an economist of a local bank said.

This, even after authorities revised their economic targets and assumptions for this year, with growth seen to post a contraction of between 2 to 3.4 percent from an earlier revised target of zero growth to a contraction of 0.8 percent.

Next year, the economy is expected to recover and post a growth of 7.1 to 8.1 percent.

In a reply to an e-mail from the Philippine News Agency (PNA), RCBC chief economist Michael Ricafort said the government has the “flexibility” even if economic man-

agers changed some of their macroeconomic targets for this year due to the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Greater fiscal prudence/discipline, in terms of structurally increasing tax revenue collections and preventing unnecessary leakage in government spending in recent years during normal economic conditions especially before Covid-19 has allowed the government greater leeway/flexibility to increase stimulus measures when needed most especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Ricafort said the result of the government’s fiscal discipline “would fundamentally help the country’s fiscal performance and credit ratings especially once the economy normaliz?PH ECONOMY, P10

MEN AT WORK. Workers of the MRT-7 assemble a scaffolding staircase along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday (May 14, 2020). The government allows limited works in 13 railway projects even during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

Philippine Airlines announces that all domestic flights to and from hubs in Manila, Cebu, and Clark will remain suspended until May 31. Edge Davao

PAL Group succeeds T in global safety audit

Covid-19 pandemic cuts global trade value by 3% in Q1 2020

P

hilippine Airlines and PAL express have successfully completed the 2019 IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), confirming both airlines’ strict compliance with the highest international aviation safety standards.

The IOSA is the internationally recognized safety evaluation system of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that rigorously assesses the operational management and control systems of an airline. The audit is conducted every two years and is accepted by top government aviation authorities as the gold standard in airline safety assessments.

The IOSA audits for PAL and PAL express started in November 2019 and ended in the first

quarter of 2020.

PAL has completed its seventh consecutive IOSA renewal, marking 14 years of full international safety compliance by the country’s flag carrier. PAL was the first Filipino airline to be IOSA-registered for safety, and for eight years was the sole airline in the country to earn and sustain that distinction.

PAL express was the second Filipino airline to be included in the IOSA Registry in March 2014, and earned its first renewal in March 2016. It

has now completed its fourth consecutive certification with the recent successful Audit.

“The IOSA registration affirms that safety is Philippine Airlines’ topmost priority and at the heart of our operational culture,“ said PAL President Gilbert F. Santa Maria. “In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, that safety culture is what drives us to spare no effort in ensuring the safety of all the travelers who put their trust in our airplanes and our people when they travel. We look forward to the opportunity to resume flying so that we can serve the Filipino people and help in the coming recovery of the Philippine economy.”

The consistent IOSA renewals of PAL and PAL express were among the key fac-

tors that earned them the maximum rating of “seven stars” rating for safety, as announced last year by the international rating organization AirlineRatings.com.

PAL is a certified 4-Star Global Airline and was ranked 30th best airline in the world by Skytrax in 2019, along with the World’s Most Improved Airline honors.

Passing the audit and the resulting inclusion in the IOSA Registry confirms that the PAL Group airlines conform with industry safety standards particularly on the following crucial disciplines – Flight Operations; Aircraft Engineering and Maintenance; Organization and Management (including the airlines’ Safety Management System ?PAL, P10

he coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic has triggered a decline in global trade value by 3 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) data.

The report by the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (CCSA) attributed the lower value in global trade to falling commodity prices mainly due to plummeting world oil prices.

The declining crude prices in the world market are caused by uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has infected over 4.26 million individuals and has killed more than 292,000 worldwide.

“Global merchandise trade volumes and values were showing modest signs of recovery since late 2019 when the global economy was hit by the measures taken to contain the Covid-19 pandem-

ic,” UNCTAD said in the report.

Many countries have implemented lockdowns that suspended many economic activities.

In the Philippines, Metro Manila and other parts of the country have been placed under enhanced community quarantine for two months until May 15.

But the UNCTAD forecasted that global trade value will further drop in the second quarter of the year.

“Most of the impact of these measures, however, will affect global trade in the second quarter of the year, with an estimated quarter-on-quarter decline of 26.9 percent,” it added.

“Everywhere, governments are pressed to make post-Covid-19 recovery decisions with long-lasting consequences,” UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said in a statement Wednesday.

With the restriction in business operations during a ?COVID-19, P10

6 VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE FRIDAY, MAY 15, VOL.13 ISSUE29 10•• FRIDAY, MARCH 20,2020 2020

ON PARTY COPS:

“

Per my latest conversation with Philippine National Police Chief PGen. Archie Gamboa, a criminal case is now being readied to be filed tomorrow against NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas, along with other senior police officials who attended the gathering.

The PNP is also getting clearance from the Office of the President regarding the filing of administrative charges in violation of quarantine rules against the alleged violators.

Maj. Gen. Sinas is a third level officer and a presidential appointee; hence, a clearance from the OP is needed for the filing of administrative charges of the PNP. The same applies to the senior police officials who are also presidential appointees.

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON

HARRY ROQUE

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

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

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

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHRISTIAN JAY H. RAFAL DR. MAURO L. PUYOD CHA MONFORTE Layout/Cartoons Cartoonist Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JASPERSOLANI V. BACSAL General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist VP Operations General Manager JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

despite the order.

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

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

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

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

THE RATS OF MT. APO When the Philippine Scientific Association was formed in 1903, one of its objectives was to gather materials for the national museum of the United States. To handle the task, U.S. Army Maj. Edgar A. Mearns, a surgeon, was tapped to undertake the study of mammals.

In a paper included in the Proceedings of U.S. National Museum (Vol. 28, No. 1402), Dr. Mearns introduced a general report on the rat species found in Todaya, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, and in adjacent areas that are part of Mt. Apo. Among the new species he assembled included the Mt. Apo round-tailed tupaia (Urogale cylindura) found at the Bagobo village of Todaya. It possesses a flattened skull on the top; it was discovered on July 12, 1904.

The specimen of the long-footed woodshrew or the Mindanao gymnure (Podogymnura truei), meanwhile, was collected at Mt. Apo on June 25, 1904; it was named after Dr. Frederick W. True, head curator of the department of biology of the U.S. National Museum. The rat has flesh-colored nose, toes, and claws, and purplish flesh colored snout, lips, ears, tail, and feet.

The Tagulayan whitetailed rat (Mus tagulayensis), discovered on April 30, 1904 at Tagulaya, at the foot of Mt. Apo, is known in Baganga, Davao Oriental as the ambaw and umbo takubung among the Bagobos of Tagulaya; it is a member of the Mus xanthurus group.

On the other hand, a sample of the white-throated white-tailed rat (Mus albigularis) was collected at 7,000 feet altitude on Mt. Apo on July 3, 1904. Its upper parts have yellowish brown and its hair is slate-gray at base except for a mix of whitish

20, 1904. It has no spiny hairs in its fur and its whiskers extend beyond the tips of the ears; it is darker than the Mindanao spiny rat and has a grayish-brown tail. It is named after Fletcher L. Keller, an American hemp planter of Davao who accompanied Dr.

ian. It has a light skull, with dusky chocolate upper parts on the central portion. Its tail is not exactly unicolor, but its underside is paler, with whiskers reaching the top of the ears; its tail is almost equal to the length of the head and body.

spines.

The Mindanao spiny rat (Mus mindanensis), known to the Bagobos of Todaya as umba hawili, was discovered at Todaya on July 9, 1904. It has whiskers that reach the shoulders, with concolor tail and upper fur that’s thick and mixed with flattened, channeled spines. Its general color on the upper parts is cinnamon russet and more grayish brown on the head.

The Davao soft-haired rat (Mus Kelleri) specimen was found in Davao on July

Mearns in his expedition.

Meanwhile, the Todayan rat (Mus todayensis) was collected at Todaya on July 11, 1904. Small, its fur is spiny, ears large, with whiskers that extend beyond the tips of the ears. Its upper parts are tawny olive, finely mixed with black on the vertebral area, with broccoli brown on the sides; the underparts are grayish white.

The Apo volcano rat (Mus vulcani) was discovered on Mt. Apo on June 26, 1904; the Bagobos call it umba tar-

The Philippine housemouse (Mus commisarius) was first collected in a military commissary building in Davao on July 19, 1904, hence its appellation. The species has a brown upper-parts hair, drab underparts that is faintly washed with cinnamon, and has dusky brownish color above its tail, which is bicolored.

The Bagobo rat (Bullimus bagobus), meanwhile, is known among the Bagobos as the omboisay umba; its first specimen was discovered at

This is a somewhat confidential document file name that is no longer a secret.

The way I understand it, ID 2020 is a plan – a project, if you may – for the eventual global implantation of a microchip in line with a technological vision of doing away with too much paperwork including the use of cash and credit cards in our individual transaction with government and private business.

Many knowledgeable sources from religious as well as business and technology sectors are of the opinion that the ID 2020 has something vitally important to do with the formation of a New World Order (NWO).

The microchip will make it convenient for every citizen in the planet to travel abroad, buy sell and own property, study in school, etc., etc.

But I am going ahead of the plot and story.

The ID 2020 is attached to the pandemic Covid 19 now menacing the entire world which will commence only after the vaccine successfully comes out of the laboratory.

Bill Gates, of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which is sinking $10B into the vaccine research, has predicted five years ago that a pandemic virus of weird and horrific proportions would suddenly engulfed the world.

Gates said the vaccine for the CoVid 19 might be released within 18 months which, in my

analysis, could be between June to August 2021, assuming the research begun as early as January 2020.

As the Gates’ vaccine aims to completely make every citizen immune to any kind of vi-

government and every citizen agree to be immunized without hesitation.

Now, here is the catch.

A citizen can only be immunized with the Gates’ vaccine if the recipient-beneficiary

or sell and transact business.

Gates and his computer giant Microsoft company, will conceptualize and devise the microchip and will be in charge of implanting the same simultaneously as the vaccination

rus, the Microsoft founder has asserted that all the 7 billion population must be vaccinated with no exemptions.

Since the objective seems medically noble and physically healthful, Gates and his ilk, including the highly popular infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, are urging government leaders to come out united in endorsing this – let’s call it – Gates’ vaccine so that every

is willing as well to receive the very tiny ID 2020 microchip implant, either in his right hand or on the forehead where a scanner can easily train its rays to read the microchip contents.

Bible scholars are of the opinion that this is the so-called mark of the beast as written in the Book of Revelations chapter 13:16-17 because without the microchip implant, as we earlier stated, a citizen cannot buy

is being injected. Containing all the person’s personal data, the main operations center can control the actions and movements of the person with the microchip implant.

Parallel to the NWO objective, another lieutenant of Satan, the false prophet based in the Vatican, is moving towards getting religious leaders of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism et al into signing a

ID 2020

Mt. Apo on July 13, 1904 and was attributed to a native who snared it along with a Mus mindanensis specimen.

Dr. Mearns, an indefatigable researcher, also discovered other new rat species, amng them are the Sibulan River marsh-rat (Limnomys Sibuanus), which was collected on June 30, 1904; the Apo tuberculate-soled rat (Tarsomys apoensis), whose specimen was caught on July 5, 1904 at Mt. Apo; the Mt. Apo mice (Apomys); the Mt. Apo forest-mouse (Apomys hylocoetes), discovered at Mt. Apo on July 2, 1904; the Mt. Apo rock-mouse (Apomys Petraeus), collected at Mt. Apo on June 30, 1904; and the Great Apo mouse (Apomys insignis), whose specimen was collected on July 8, 1904.

Among the newly discovered subspecies outside the rat population Dr. Mearns reported is the Mt. Apo longtailed green monkey, the macaque (Cynomolgus mindanensis apoensis), collected at an altitude of 6,000 feet at Mt. Apo on June 25, 1904.

Meanwhile, the Apo summit rat (Mus vulcani apicis), another subspecies, was found at the top of Mt. Apo on July 6, 1904. It is defined as “having a much fuller and softer, almost spineless, pelage; ears shorter; whiskers reaching tips of ears; caudal annuli thirteen to the centimeter on middle of tail.”

Given the biodiversity of Mt. Apo, surely there are more rat species that await the discovery of dedicated scientists and researchers.

covenant for the creation and establishment of One World Religion.

When completed, the anti-Christ will appear to sign a covenant with many that will signal the commencement of the biblically prophesied seven-year tribulation period.

Prior to the appearance of the man of lawlessness, a rapture of the church and saints of Jesus Christ will take place (1 Th. 4:16-17) to save all believers and followers of Jesus from the sufferings under the tribulation era.

Bible scholars believe that Satan engineered the CoVid 19, promoting fear and death in order to force world leaders and their governments to accede to the organization of the NWO. In a way, the devil and his cohorts are successful in manipulating the mindset of government leaders for a second wave of viral attack such that the fast tracking of the NWO and the OWR (One World Religion) and the ensuing One World Currency (or Economy) is also making an unimpeded take-off.

Sweden has already begun using microchip implants.

So, this is the story behind the ID 2020.

And you know what? The vaccine patent that Gates has applied for is this: NWO 2020 #060606. Pure coincidence?

(Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.)

GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

8 COMPETITIVE EDGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This system along w i t h the digital contents from the world’s leading p u b -

lishers 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 ?DIGITAL, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

PAL from 5

and Quality Management System); Operational Control and Flight Dispatch; Cabin Operations; Ground Handling Operations; Cargo Operations; and Security Management.

Both airlines operate under the common brand name

DIGITAL from 8

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

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

Dodjie Maestrecampo.

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

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

NBA from 11

rus tests, according to reports.

Team owners and executives on the call departed with optimism the NBA had momentum to solving the health risks associated with resuming the NBA season in a secure setting with Las Vegas and Orlando likely settings.

ESPN reported the league was trying to develop an idea that any return would not be halted by one positive test, but risk assessment and what happens with multiple positives are among the issues still to be decided.

“Philippine Airlines” and serve 76 destinations in the Philippines and abroad, although regular flights had been temporarily suspended since March 2020 due to the lockdowns and travel restrictions under the ongoing global pandemic.

9

DOLE XI programs disbursement update

W

orkers in the The formal sector is formal and defined as having an informal sec- employer-employee tors in Davao Region relationship. On rereceived social amelio- cord, DOLE XI has rerations (SAP) from the leased 163,630,000.00 Department of Labor Million Pesos to 3,191 and Employment from private establishments April to May 2020. with 32,726 workers.

DOLE XI‘s released The program ended on updated report as of April 15, 2020.

Thursday, May 14, are TUPAD #BKBK. as follows: Workers in the inforCAMP. The mal sectors such as the emails, and messaging Covid-19 Adjustment trisikad drivers, amapps for the students Measures Program bulant vendors, fisherand teachers to access (CAMP) extended cash men, and the like were even during commu- assistance to workers able to get assistance nity quarantine.

(5,000/individual) from Tulong PangMCM has also in the formal sector. hanapbuhay sa Ating partnered with a 24/7 telemedicine compafrom 4 ny, KonsultaMD, to provide its students es again.” said that even with the and employees with Aside from the projected rise of defiapt Aservices from growth target, the in- cit, the country’s debt licensed and experi- ter-agency Develop- level “remains manageenced Filipino doctors. ment Budget Coordina- able, especially as the The enrollment tion Committee (DBCC) Philippines enjoyed its process has as well also lowered the rev- lowest-recorded debtbeen transitioned to enue collection target to-GDP ratio of 39.6 fully online transac- this year to PHP2.61 percent last year.” tions. Illustrated in trillion from PHP3.17 Ricafort said the MCM’s official website trillion during the Com- latest macroeconomic and social media pag- mittee’s meeting last assumptions of the goves, a student may now April. ernment for this and enroll for their classes Expenditures are next year “look reasonin the upcoming term now estimated to reach able” but added averonline through their PHP4.18 trillion, or age growth for the twophones or laptops. about 21.7 percent of year period remains Payments may be gross domestic prod- below the 6-percent made through online uct (GDP), from about average level registered banking or fund trans- PHP4.163 trillion ear- from 2012-2019. fer to MCM’s bank ac- lier.

“Thus, (the) econcount or through othBudget gap is now omy might not be er remote payment seen to hit PHP1.56 back yet to normal/ channels. trillion, or about 8.1 pre-Covid-19 levels Malayan Colleges percent of GDP, from an by 2021,” he said, citMindanao’s Senior earlier estimate of 5.3 ing that a gradual or High School and Col- percent of GDP. “u-shape” recovery lege programs will beIn a statement may be achieved in gin classes for the next Wednesday, the DBCC about one to two years. academic year in July 2020, fully equipped from 11 with the best physical The tour outlined given a coronavirus and digital learning its coronavirus safety test. infrastructure to prorules for its return, with With up to two days vide the best flexible at least the first four needed for results, golflearning system for events to be played ers will be able to only the students of Davao without spectators. practice and play -- obCity.

Coronavirus test- serving social distancing and daily tempera- ing protocols -- while ture taking will be part awaiting results. They Talks with the NBA of the plan, devised would be banned from players union showed in consultation with other course facilities.

Any player who positive support for re- medical experts and suming the season, ac- government leaders in tests positive for the vitournament host sites. rus must immediately cording to the report.

Nasal swab tests for quarantine for at least "Safety obviously 1st!" Dudley tweeted. the deadly virus would 10 days. If a player tests "Nowhere will be as start when players positive after making safe as the NBA com- and caddies perform the 36-hole cut, he will pound site they deter- a pre-travel screening be paid last-place prize test. They would be money. mine."

Medical privacy Exactly what for- tested again when they mat might be used arrive at event lodging. laws prohibit virus test When they arrive results being made for an NBA comeback has not been decided, at the course each day, public, but players ESPN reported, with players and caddies withdrawing for unthe possibility of all 30 will face health ques- known reasons will teams playing to finish tions and thermometer come under scrutiny the regular season or readings before they for such a situation.

And contact tracing not and perhaps an ex- can enter.

If a player's tem- will be used to try and panded playoffs with a play-in for teams perature is above 100.4 contain any other posbeyond the usual 16 Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) sible positive tests. on any day, he will be "We're not going to spots.

PH ECONOMY

25 GOLFERS

Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers #Barangay Ko, Buhay Ko (TUPAD #BKBK Program).

DOLE XI extended 52,810,560.00 Million Pesos to 13,336 individuals. The beneficiaries received the assistance by working for ten (10) days in the barangay doing community disinfection within their jurisdiction. With a daily minimum wage of P396.00, each beneficiary got P3,960.00 for the ten-day work.

DOLE-AKAP. In-

tended for the affected OFWs, DOLE XI released the amount of 17,840,000.00 Million Pesos to 1,784 OFWs in Davao Region.

SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS EMERGENCY SUBSIDY PROGRAM. Exclusive to Davao del Sur where the sugar industry of Davao Region thrives, DOLE XI extended cash assistance of P800,000.00 to 800 sugar industry workers. (PR-Eduardo P. Monreal, LCO-Designate, DOLE RO XI)

He said economic recovery primarily depends on the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), how Covid-19 cases will be controlled or contained, and the successful development of a vaccine against the virus.

He added some economic recovery may occur in the second half of this year once the lockdowns are lifted or eased but confidence among the business sector and the public may take some time.

Ricafort, however, remains optimistic on the economy.

He said aside from the government’s fiscal leeway and low debtto-GDP level, the country’s foreign reserve

remains high, monetary policy remains effective, and the investment grade credit ratings remain intact.

The fiscal and monetary stimulus measures being implemented by the government to prevent the risk of recession and to partly help protect the country’s credit ratings are commendable, he added.

“Continuation of the fiscal reform measures and improvements in fiscal performance would be key to help sustain the country’s gains in its credit ratings especially after/ beyond the Covid-19 issue, provided that relatively strong economic growth is likewise sustained,” Ricafort said.

(PNA)

play if we can't do it in a safe and healthy environment," PGA Tour chief of operations Tyler Dennis said.

The John Deere Classic at Sylvis, Illinois, on July 9-12 is the first possible event on a revamped US PGA schedule that could be open to fans.

READ: NBA now up to 10 teams back for voluntary workouts - No handshakes allowed PGA staff, including rules and scoring officials, security, select clubhouse, tournament and volunteer staff, trainers and coaches will be permitted at the event. No family members will be allowed on site.

The tour will provide face masks and disinfectant wipes and cover test costs for players, caddies and essential staff.

Players will retrieve golf balls from holes and are urged to remove and replace their own clubs from the bag.

Caddies can rake bunkers and tend flagsticks but must use sanitary wipes on the equipment after doing so.

And there will be no handshakes after the round. Courses will be roped off for safety reasons even without spectators.

A player and caddie would share a cart back to the clubhouse if players are pulled off the course due to bad weather approaching.

A tour-hired charter flight will carry players and caddies between tournaments, but they have virus tests within 24 hours of departure. Only those who test negative can board the plane.

10

EDGEDAVAO

GCQ from 2

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

In its efforts to increase testing capacity, the city government 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 government is also planning to build a city-owned crematory at Wireless cemetery. The crematorium will address the challenges encountered by the three private crematoria on rendering services to COVID-19 related cadavers.

Draft EO Meantime, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to issue an official GCQ E.O. on Friday. The city government of Davao has issued an unofficial GCQ executive order (EO) on Thursday in preparation of Davao City’s transition to GCQ.

Among the highlight provisions in the draft E.O. is the GCQ period shall be on 12:01 a.m of May 16, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. of May 31, 2020.

The implementation of the GCQ in the city is based on the Omnibus Guidelines on the implementation of the Community Quarantine in the Philippines.

While the city is under GCQ, only those using a Food and Medicine Pass (FM pass) or those allowed to work are allowed to leave their houses.

The clustering of barangays in a district for the purposes of travel is also lifted.

However, for the protection of the public and to control the spread within a specific community only, everyone is advised to avoid the areas identified to be Very High Risk, High Risk, and Medium Risk based on the risk assessment made.

The city has also reverted the curfew

hours under the GCQ, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. to 5a.m. Within the curfew hours, people cannot go out of their houses, except in case of emergencies or if going to work in the exempted sectors and frontline offices.

No liquor or alcohol or any other intoxicating drink shall be sold, served or consumed in public until after the quarantine is lifted.

For the transportation, all vehicles must implement physical distancing inside their units. Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) are required to set up the approved physical distancing seating arrangement with barriers. Private vehicles and taxis with one driver and one passenger in front and one at the back, observing physical distancing.

And for tricycle is one driver and one passenger in front and one at the back.

All public and private mass gatherings are prohibited. Any

gathering of more than 10 individuals is considered a mass gathering.

All religious ceremonies, meetings, prayers, and gatherings are prohibited.

All faith-based groups are requested to make available online ceremonies for members.

Sari-sari stores shall be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. while all wet markets and palengkes shall be closed everyday at 5 p.m. for daily disinfection.

Funeral parlors, private and public cemeteries are mandated to impose a “family members only” wake and burial and at all times demand compliance and observance of one meter distance between family members.

Mobile “palengke” or rolling store, grocery on wheels and ambulant vendors who are using different modes of transportation to sell basic commodities in the barangays.

in Manila to monitor the government’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The PSG said it would continue working with authorities, as it acknowledged that digital media platforms are being used by security threat

groups against Duterte and his government.

“As such, PSG will continuously work with the law enforcement agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police, to monitor and apprehend those who are

responsible for such acts,” it said.

The PSG expressed hope that netizens would be responsible for using social media platforms by making “useful contributions” amid the country’s fight against Covid-19.

It also appealed to them not to violate

any law in expressing personal views and opinions.

“PSG also recognizes and appreciates all concerned netizens who made valuable contributions in protecting the President, and the nation as a whole,” it added.

(PNA)

“A total of 2,590 Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams are functional, and 90 quarantine facilities are also now available across the region,” he added.

Based on their monitoring, Sinarimbo said the LGUs

complied with their respective tasks upon receiving the augmentation fund from the region’s Office of the Chief Minister amounting to PHP115-million.

He said the funds could be used only for purchasing medical

supplies and equipment, relief goods, and assistance for front-liners and daily wage earners.

Meanwhile, Raissa Jajurie of the Ministry of Social Services and Development reported that more than half of the targeted

505,954 Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiaries in the region have received their cash aid.

Jajurie said the distribution of the emergency cash subsidy under the SAP for the first tranche would continue. (PNA)

PHP3.3 billion in cash released to some ed a total of 668,287 subsidy, or 98.82 per- 660,457 beneficiaries families from Soccskcent of the allotted in the region. sargen’s 45 municifunds were already DSWD-12 target- palities and five cities

that were affected by the Covid-19 crisis as beneficiaries of the SAP assistance. (PNA)

PSG from 2

BARMM from 2

5 SAP from 3

10 NBA from 11

during the league’s hiatus but said nothing replicates what it takes to get through an oncourt workout.

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis let professional leagues know that the Sunshine State is ready to welcome them all if

needed.

With Orlando often mentioned as a potential centralized site if the NBA resumes play, and it was one of the sites Silver told players late last week that is under consideration, DeSantis said Wednesday that the

state is putting a premium on the value of professional sports.

“Professional sports are going to be welcome in Florida,” DeSantis said. “That may not be the case in every other state in this country, as we’ve seen. And so what I

would tell commissioners of leagues is, if you have a team in an area where they just won’t let them operate, we’ll find a place for you here in the state of Florida, because we think it’s important and we know that it can be done safely.”

NCRPO from 3

Aside from Sinas, other police officials who joined the gathering could be held liable for violations.

Civilian lawyers are investigating the matter to avoid bias as the issue is a "delicate" one, he added.

On Wednesday, PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, directed IAS to look into the allegations of quarantine violations over the incident.

PNP spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, said this came after media reports said protocols on physical distancing and mass gathering of persons were alleged-

ly overlooked during the gathering at the NCRPO headquarters.

“The PNP is not exempt from strict rules on mass gathering and I am directing all unit commanders to prohibit any and all social gatherings,” Banac said in a statement.

Sinas has apologized over the incident but claimed some of the pictures circulating on social media were edited and grabbed from old posts.

"The pictures may depict itself. However it does not define the totality of what really had happened," he added. (PNA)

completed self or home quarantine under strict monitoring and medical observation.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Brig.

Gen. Bernard Banac said law enforcement and public safety operations would continue in quarantine control points, streets, and major thoroughfares with the implementation of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region, Cebu City, and Laguna province from May 16 to 31.

Banac said as of Wednesday, 48,676 individuals had been arrested, 15,892 had been fined, and

105,692 had been warned for violating ECQ protocols.

Reports showed that about 822 persons were arrested for hoarding, profiteering, and manipulating the prices of medical products and other essentials, while 11,632 were apprehended for violating the prohibition on public transport operations during the ECQ period.

“Police front-liners are also keen on the implementation of physical distancing and prohibition of gathering of persons, such as illegal cockfight, card games, mahjong, and drinking sessions in public places and streets,” Banac said. (PNA)

lockdown, global manufacturing output further fell in the first two months of the year.

UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) reported to the CCSA that global industrial production indices in January declined to 103 and to 102.6 in February this year. These were lower compared with the December 2019 index of 114.2.

UNIDO said the drop in global manufacturing production in the first two months of the year can be attributed to the industrial output slowdown in China, a manufacturing powerhouse and also the origin of the new coronavirus.

China’s industrial production index in January dropped to

99.8 from 134 in December 2019. It slightly recovered in February at 100.3.

Factories in China were closed for two weeks starting the Chinese New Year in its government’s bid to contain the Covid-19.

In the same report, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said the pandemic has shocked the labor markets with the biggest employment decline since World War II. “Halt in activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic had an immediate and sweeping impact on employment.

Global hours worked could drop by 10.5 percent this quarter, equivalent to 305 million full-time workers with a 48-hour workweek,” ILO said. (PNA)

PNP from 3

COVID-19 from 5

11 SPORTS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

10 NBA teams now in voluntary workout

T

he NBA is now one-third of the way back, at least in terms of voluntary workouts.

With Miami re-opening its doors Wednesday, 10 of the league’s 30 teams have gone forward with oncourt individual workouts — the first permitted sessions since the league ordered teams to close their training facilities as part of the coronavirus pandemic response about two months ago.

Besides the Heat, the other teams that have opened so far are Portland, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Denver, Atlanta, Indiana, Sacramento, Toronto and Utah. More are expected in the coming days; among them, Orlando is close, and the Los Angeles Lakers are targeting Saturday.

And while there still is no decision about whether the season can resume — NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, has told the league’s players he expects to make that call by mid-June at the latest — getting back to some semblance of work is generally being considered a positive step.

“We’re kind of just feeling it out, playing it by ear, taking it day by day,” said Toronto assistant coach Brittni Donaldson, who was in the gym with Raptors

wing Malcolm Miller when the reigning NBA champions opened their facility again Monday. “Hopefully, you know, in a week we can start ramping it up a little more. But to start we’re just keeping it very basic, very simple.”

The league has very strict rules about these workouts; no head coaches can be involved, no more than four players can be in the facility at a time — the Raptors are limiting it to one player — and intense safety precautions must be taken before, during and after the sessions.

When Donaldson was throwing passes to Miller, she did so while wearing a mask and gloves.

Heat captain Udonis Haslem was one of Miami’s players to report back to work on Day 1 at their facility, though it wasn't his top priority. He was sporting a customized mask with the team’s logo earlier Wednesday when he appeared at a food distribution drive that he helped organize near downtown Miami.

“This is first,” Haslem said at the food drive. “ This is most important.”

Haslem said the workout started well, then he began to fade a bit toward the end.

Like most NBA players, he's been doing individual workouts

Hand wipes and a sanitizing spray bottle is handed to the golfers during round one at the Scottsdale AZ Open at Talking Stick Golf Club's O'odham course. Reuters

25 golfers face quarantine before US PGA Tour return

M

IAMI -- Golfers based outside the United States will face a 14-day quarantine before they are able to compete on the US PGA Tour when the circuit resumes play next month, tour officials said Wednesday.

Britain's Matthew Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood and Italy's Francesco Molinari are among around 25 golfers who would need to move quickly to arrive in time for the US PGA's planned June 11 return at the Charles Schwab Challenge in ?10 NBA, P10 Fort Worth, Texas.

Despite moves by the tour to help players and caddies based outside US borders return for events, the 14-day quarantine will be in force and those coming over from Britain would face another two-week isolation when they return across the Atlantic Ocean.

"We're working with the federal government to facilitate the return of players and caddies who are currently residing outside of the United States, and we're optimistic that's going to occur," said Andy Levinson, tour vice president of tournament administration.

"We're optimistic we'll be able tao facilitate their return prior to our return to competition."

Helping players return doesn't mean the players could escape two weeks of quarantine, however, as a protective measure due to

?25 GOLFERS, P10

NBA to wait 2 to 4 weeks before deciding on return

N The NBA wants more time to study the trajectory of new cases, who is becoming severely ill, and how other sports organizations are handling virus tests, according to reports. Reuters

the coronavirus pandemic that shut down most sports, including the US PGA Tour, in March.

"That is currently in place, and it is likely to continue, so it's imperative that those constituents that we have that need to come back in the United States do so at least two weeks prior to our return to competition," Levinson said.

It's uncertain how many of the 25 players Levinson said are outside US borders would even want to return for events given the isolation required.

BA commissioner Adam Silver will study coronavirus outbreak and testing developments for another two to four weeks before the league decides about a return to competition, according to multiple reports.

The timetable, shared in a conference call between Silver and club owners, was the first indication about when the league might return from the coronavirus shutdown that began March 12, The Athletic and ESPN reported.

"Health is number

1. The NBA will wait a month to decide after getting more tests and data to show how serious the virus is," Los Angeles Lakers forward Jared Dudley tweeted.

"We are at a place right now where it's about health as it should be. The more data we have the more you can show how safe it really is. It's coming."

The NBA wants more time to study the trajectory of new cases, who is becoming severely ill, and how other sports organizations are handling vi?NBA, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 29 • FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2020

Golf will be among the sports that will be allowed in areas under GCQ.

STARTING OVER Non-contact sports allowed under GCQ

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on-contact sports such as tennis, golf, and biking are allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), a top government official said on Wednesday.

“Iyon kasing boxing, wrestling at saka iyong ano pa diyan ay hindi … contact sports iyan, nagkakalipatan iyan at saka nag-aakapan pa. So wala pa tayong guidelines diyan dahil hindi pa authorized (Boxing, wresDefense Secre- uro and golf (Sports tling, and others are tary Delfin Lorenza- that are authorized not allowed. They’re na, head of the na- now are non-con- contact sports; they tional task force on tact sports like bik- require physical conthe government’s ing, tennis, and golf) tact and even emcoronavirus disease because they can bracing. So, we don’t (Covid-19) response, distance themselves have guidelines for said only sports from each other,” Lo- that because it’s not where physical dis- renzana said in a vir- authorized),” he said.

However, Lotancing can be ob- tual presser. served will be perHe said collision renzana expressed mitted under GCQ. or contact sports hope that collision “Ang authorized such as boxing, wres- or contact sports lang ngayon ay iyong tling, and basketball may eventually be no contact sports like will stay prohibited allowed once the Covid-19 situation biking, tennis sig- under GCQ.

improves.

“Maybe as we go down the road at medyo lumuwag-luwag iyong ating … puwede na iyan (and loosen up maybe it will eventually be allowed),” he said.

Under the guidelines released by Malacañang, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has also banned exercise in ECQ areas.

However, limited outdoor exercise such as walking, jogging, biking with safety protocols will be allowed under a modified ECQ (MECQ).

Gyms, fitness studios, and sport facilities will also remain closed in all ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ areas.

Trips to tourist destinations, sectors such as travel agencies, tour operators, reservation service and related activities; gyms/fitness studios and sports facilities will still be banned under ECQ, MECQ, and GCQ areas.

Also banned are entertainment industries, such as cinemas, theaters, karaoke bars, etc.; libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers; and personal care services, including massage

parlors, sauna, facial care, waxing, among others.

Barber shops and salons are also banned but this is still being reviewed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Metro Manila, Laguna province, and Cebu City, classified as areas at high risk of Covid-19 infection, will be placed under MECQ from May 16 to May 31.

Moderate risk areas will be put under general community quarantine (GCQ) while low risk areas will be placed under modified GCQ during the same period.

(PNA)