Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 34 | Thursday, May 21, 2020

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Serving a seamlessRAFA, society FEDERER MOVE ON TO THIRD ROUND

Serving a seamless society

SPORTS P12

SPORTSP11

NOT THERE YET SIGNS OF BOOM SIGNS OF BO Davao Region not yet on

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2 PAGES P 15.00 • 16 www.edgedavao.net

Applications for building, for building, Applications Covid-19 peak: DOH 11 increase zoning permits increase zoning permits

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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

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RAISING A MILLENNIAL FAMILY FOREMOST IN ESDEVCO’S MIND

►PROPERTY P9

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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 client using a thermal digital gun at the waiting RAISING A MILLENNIAL TOURISM. President Duterte area of Ricardo Limso Medical Center Rodrigo along Ilusthe discussions during the tre Street in Davaoresponds City ontoWednesday.

Hospital FAMILY FOREMOST INfrontliners follow the protocol against COVID-19 meeting with the Japanese tourism partstrictly such as getting ners atthe the temperature Imperial Hotel inand Tokyo,the Japan of the clientsontoWednesday ensure that institution night.the PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO ESDEVCO’S MIND triage will remain virus-free. Edge Davao A healthworker checks the body temperature of a

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

A pay parking enforcer collects parking fee from a motorcycle rider along Gov. Duterte Street in Davao City on Wednesday. The pay parking enforcement unit of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) has resumed its operation on Tuesday. Edge Davao

NOT THERE YET W

Senator says sans franchise, ABS-CBN’s fate up to SC

Davao Region not yet on Covid-19 peak: DOH 11

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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epartment of Health 11 (DOH 11) Assistant Director Dr. Lenny Joy Rivera said it is too early to tell if the coronavirus pandemic in Davao Region and Mindanao is already at its peak.

Rivera said based on the Epidemic (Epi) COVID-19 Curves, Davao Region is not yet on its peak. The agency continues to gather data and evidence to be presented to the local chief executives (LCEs) during assessment.

“Kaya ngayon we are still observing

dividuals in the Davao Region have been tested by Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) through RTPCR with 215 testing positive for COVID-19.

As of May 18, 2020, DOH 11 reported a total of 215 COVID-19 cases in the data na pumapa- Davao Region with sok kung ano ang sit- 82 active cases. 57 of wasyon sa mga areas the active cases are alkaya hindi natin ma- ready asymptomatic. sasabi na nasa peak DOH also reported po tayo. At wala pa 41 healthcare workkasing data na ni-re- ers tested positive. lease ang mga epideAs of May 19, there miologists na nasa are seven new cases peak na tayo ngayon bringing the total to for Davao Region,” she 25. Likewise, there said. are six new recoveries A total of 4,148 in- and a total of 114 re-

coveries.

In terms of contract tracing, Rivera said DOH 11 has initiated contract tracing to 3,555 people.

For the suspect and probable cases, the cumulative number for the entire Davao Region is 2,329 and of that number, 140 yielded positive through RT- PCR testing. Two cases for probable were added on May 18 increasing the number to 32. Out of 32 probable cases, 18 were tested negative via RT-PCR, 10 tested positive with RT-PCR and four waiting for the results.

ith Congress adjourning sine die in six days, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the fate of ABS-CBN and of its 11,000 employees who face possible retrenchment in August lies with the Supreme Court (SC).

“Ang pwedeng remedyo na lang ay yung kaso sa Korte Suprema. Yung hinihinging TRO ng ABSCBN (The only remedy is the case in the Supreme Court. The temporary restraining order asked by ABSCBN),” Drilon said in an interview with Teleradyo on Wednesday.

The broadcasting network asked the SC for a TRO against the cease-and-desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The SC has given the NTC 10 days to reply and another five days for ABS-CBN to respond accordingly.

The former justice secretary said the

ABS-CBN should just hope for a speedy intervention from the SC. He also took the cudgels for the network’s 11,000 employees, saying that while the network would continue to pay them their salaries for three months following the shutdown, some of them might end up jobless come August, if the franchise is not acted upon with haste.

“Nobody will be harmed if ABS-CBN is granted a provisional franchise. Walang masasagasaan, walang masasaktan. Ang masasagasaan yung (Nobody will be harmed, no one will be hurt.

Those who will be affected are) 11,000 employees ng (of) ABSCBN kung walang (if there is no) provisional franchise,” Drilon said.

He said this as he pushed for the immediate passage of the franchise of ABS-CBN. “The ball is with ?SENATOR, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

NEWS

Too early to decide if return to ECQ necessary: Palace

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alacañang on We d n e s d a y said it is still too early to determine if there is a need to reinforce an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in some areas after quarantine protocols were relaxed to restart the economy.

In an interview on GMA’s Unang Hirit, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said from May 16, the day quarantine rules were eased, it would take at least 14 days for symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to appear in infected persons.

“Masyado pang maaga kasi alam naman natin na 14 days ang period na lumilipas bago natin malaman kung marami pa ang magkakasakit dahil nga doon sa dagsaan ng mga tao sa malls (It is to early because we know that there is a 14-day incubation period before we find out how many more are getting infected after they started flocking to malls),” Roque said.

Roque urged the public to stay home unless it is necessary to go out, stressing that opening up malls and other industries does not mean that the Covid-19 threat no longer exists.

As of May 16, Roque said the country has 13,457 total bed capacity for Covid-19 patients in Metro Manila.

If the country’s Covid-19 case doubling time shortens to

two days, he said hospitals and health facilities would soon run out of available beds for new patients.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in a public address aired over staterun PTV4 late Tuesday night, also warned of a return to ECQ should the rate of infection speed up.

“If the contamination will be as fast as before and it will continue to infect our — ‘yung nakalabas na (those who went outdoors), then we’ll have to just go back to the original — the program,” he said.

On Saturday (May 16), photos of mall-goers ignoring physical distancing and crowd control measures surfaced on social media platforms, raising concerns that the second wave of Covid-19 infection may happen.

Metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Zambales are currently under modified ECQ (MECQ) until May 31.

The cities of Cebu and Mandaue in Cebu province remain under ECQ. Meanwhile, the rest of the country was placed under GCQ. Expanded targeted testing Since a quarantine alone would not curb Covid-19, Roque assured that the government, in partnership with the private sector, is boosting its testing capacity.

Roque said that while the govern-

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alacañang on We d n e s d a y vowed that the government would provide free vaccines to the disadvantaged, once a cure for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is available.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave the assurance a day after President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his intent to immediately purchase a vaccine for Covid-19, as soon as it is developed.

President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Tuesday evening. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Probe ongoing for 15 new Covid-19 cases T

By MAYA M. PADILLO

he Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) is investigating the case of 15 patients confirmed with Covid-19.

23-C who were shuttled to an isolation facility last month.

Rivera cited some factors such as trouble with the extraction The DOH is aim- confirmed case o may procedures and availing to establish where pinuntahan silang lu- ability of re-agent kits they got the virus and gar kaya nagka-pos- that may have caused why they fell sick at itive or doon mismo delay on the release of the same time. nila nakuha sa mis- the test results of the Dr. Lenny Joy Ri- mong barangay nila,” said patients. vera, DOH 11 assis- Rivera said.

“The capacity of tant director, said the According to Rive- testing is also limited. agency is currently ra, the patients were May cut-off time din doing a case inves- tested by the South- ang submission of retigation and assess- ern Philippines Med- ports galing sa SPMC ment along with con- ical Center (SPMC) and other hospitals tact-tracing of the 15 through reverse tran- which is every 3 pm,” patients. scription polymerase she said.

“Ina-assess pa chain reaction (RTRivera said what’s namin kung yung mga PCR). The patients important is the virus cases ay may close were among the resi- has been detected and ?TOO EARLY, P10 contact ba sila sa sa dents from Barangay the patients are now

Gov’t ensures aid once vaccine is available “Well, alam niyo po siguro, ang mangyayari diyan, those who can afford ay magba-bayad, those who cannot afford, gobyerno ang magba-bayad (Well, perhaps, those who can afford the vaccine that will be developed have to shoulder the cost, while the government will pay for the vaccination of those who cannot afford it),” Roque said in an interview with morning show Unang Hirit. ?GOV’T, P10

3

admitted in an isolation facility.

“Ang importante is na-detect natin and actually isolated them. The transmission of COVID-19 will only be transmitted to other patients kung symptomatic ang patient,” she said.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said it is expected that these 15 patients believed to belong in one extended family, got sick due to household transmission of the virus.

“Sigurado kani nga sakit mutakod jud ni siya. Ang importante, nakuha na nato sila,” she said.

PAF transports PCR machines, other equipment from China

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Philippine Air Force (PAF) Lockheed C-130 cargo aircraft flew to China on Tuesday to pick up and transport to the country medical equipment and supplies needed to contain the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Aristides Galang, PAF spokesperson, said the C-130 and its crew landed in Hunan, China to pick up and deliver to the Philippines urgently-need-

ed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines, automated extraction machines, bio-safety cabinets, and test kits.

All of these items, weighing 13,483 pounds, were flown to Villamor Airbase, Pasay City later in the day, and were turned over to Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin and representatives of the office of Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Secretary Joey Concepcion.

Galang said the

machines and test kits were donated by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship through Project Ark (Antibody Rapid Test Kits), which will be turned over to recipient hospitals in the country.

The PAF medical teams and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives personnel of the 710th Special Operations Wing were present during the arrival of the C-130 to ensure that all cargoes and personnel went through

the preventive disinfection and decontamination process.

"The PAF pilots and crew dedicated all their skills and efforts to ensure that the much needed medical supplies and other essential equipment are successfully transported.

Undoubtedly, their sacrifices are a clear manifestation that the welfare of the Filipino people is their first priority in support of the 'Bayanihan to Heal as One Act'," Galang said. (PNA)

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard Station Lanao del Norte, 1003rd Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Bureau of Fisheries and Acquatic Resources Lanao del Norte field office hand out food assistance to a fisherman affected by the quarantine in Iligan City on Tuesday morning (19 May 2020). MindaNews photo by RICHEL V. UMEL

E-cash distribution to protect Zero-interest loans for MSMEs eyed indigents vs. Covid-19: Palace M

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alacañang said Wednesday it expects beneficiaries of the social amelioration program (SAP) to be less exposed to the risk of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) following the launch of the automated disbursement of cash aid from the national government.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the electronic transfer of cash aid would be more advantageous to indigent families.

In an interview with the morning show Unang Hirit, Roque said SAP recipients would be protected against Covid-19 since they no longer need to endure long queues just to get their monthly emergency subsidy.

“Kasi kapag inATM (automated teller machine) po iyan, mapupunta rin sa kanila dahil hindi na kinakailangang pumila. Mas maganda nga po ’yung ATM dahil

mas matindi yung problema kapag sila ay nagkumpul-kumpulan para kunin lang ang kanilang ayuda (They can get the cash aid through their ATM without waiting in long queues. That’s better because the problem would get worse if they flock to a designated area just to get the cash aid),” he said.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on May 14 launched the web application “ReliefAgad” to hasten the distribution of financial assistance to poor Filipino families affected by the Covid-19 pan-

demic.

ReliefAgad is a quick-relief system that would enable the DSWD to expedite capturing the details of SAP beneficiaries and distribute cash assistance through an electronic payment system using their smartphones.

The launch of the new web application came as five million poor families were added as beneficiaries of the SAP. Roque reiterated that the contactless and hassle-free distribution of emergency subsidies under the SAP would only cover beneficiaries residing in the cities. “‘Yung electronic po, ili-limit po nila iyan sa mga siyudad kasi wala naman pong naging problema doon sa mga probinsya (The electronic [distribution of cash aid] will be limited to cities because there were no problems in provinces),” he said.

ReliefAgad can be accessed through the

website reliefagad. ph.

The SAP is the national government’s emergency subsidy program for individuals affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Target SAP beneficiaries are indigent families identified by the DSWD and the local government units (LGUs).

Under the SAP, each eligible beneficiary is entitled to get a monthly emergency subsidy ranging from PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 for April and May. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, during a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night, said LGUs have so far disbursed 97 percent of the funds for the implementation of the first phase of the SAP. The second wave of payouts can only be distributed once LGUs finish their liquidation reports.

(PNA)

icro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be offered zero-interest loans under the Philippine Economic Stimulus Act (PESA) bill, government officials said.

“If we’re able to get zero-cost funding, that’s the fund that we can lend at zero percent also. And then out of that funding, we will just ask for administration fee. So that’s we can pass on, the zero-interest rate.

That’s the beauty of the economic stimulus package,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said in an interview on ANC Tuesday.

Lopez earlier said the Congress was allocating PHP80 billion that would be channeled through DTI’s financing arm, Small Business (SB) Corp., to MSMEs. While waiting for the stimulus measures to be passed in the Congress, SB Corp. has opened a loan application for MSMEs under DTI’s Covid-19 Assistance to Restart

Enterprises (CARES) program.

During the online business forum of Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Tuesday, Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo said the interest-free loan under the PESA bill will be coursed through SB Corp. as it has wide reach to MSMEs. Quimbo, who is also the co-author of the PESA bill, said even if SB Corp. partners with conduits to roll out the loan, the zero-interest-rate term of the loan shall be kept.

She also echoed Lopez’s statement that borrowers will only pay administration fees but the interest rate shall remain at zero.

In the same e-forum, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President Benedicto Yujuico said intermediary banks put up to 18 percent interest on loans, which MSMEs cannot afford during this Covid-19 pandemic. ?ZERO, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

ECONOMY

5

Supplies of alcohol, face mask stable: DTI

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez said the supply and demand situation for alcohol and face masks has already stabilized.

In an interview on ANC Tuesday, Lopez said there are now available supplies of alcohol in drugstores and supermarkets while retailers can already increase the number of face masks that can be sold per transaction.

“I was in a drugstore last Sunday after the mall visit, there were many supplies of alcohol. Even face masks, they are now selling by the tens.

We are seeing before it was limited to five (per pack),” he said in Filipino.

The DTI chief added prices of surgical face masks have gone down, with some retailers selling the product below PHP20 per piece.

The DTI has set a suggested retail price for surgical face masks at PHP28 per piece.

At the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak in the country, the market ran out of stocks of alcohol and face masks as many consumers were panic buying and some were buying in bulk and re-sell it for a higher price.

Manufacturing and logistics of goods were also a challenge at the start of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the middle of March.

But Lopez said DTI issued policies early in the ECQ period that addressed the supply challenges for these essential goods, such as alcohol and other hygiene products and face masks.

For instance, Memorandum Circular No. 20-07 limits the purchase of food and non-food products to avoid hoarding and panic buying.

“We assure the public and private corporations have cooperated, and we made sure in the government that policies have been done --business operation will not be hampered even the movement of cargoes. In the early part (of the ECQ), we have addressed the problems,” Lopez said.

For the supply of food products, he said the production rate of factories is now at 80 percent to close to 100 percent.

As they operate in almost full capacity, inventory of finished goods is averaging for two weeks and 45 days for raw materials.

“Supply has been greater than the demand,” Lopez added.

(PNA)

An employee of a ready-to-wear (RTW) outlet along San Pedro Street in Davao City cleans an array of umbrellas on Tuesday. RTW outlets and other small stores in the city have started to resume their operations last Monday, the third day of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Edge Davao

VAT, excise tax collections lost due to ECQ: DOF chief

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has assured senators that government revenues from income tax remains safe despite the postponement of collections due to the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

nance (DOF) on Tuesday showed preliminary figures show that BIR revenues from January 1 to April 30 this year reached PHP527.41 billion, 25.4 percent or PHP179.37 billion lower in the same period last year.

This collection is lower by PHP1.02 billion or 0.19 percent against the agency’s PHP528.44-billion tar“What we really end-May. That is the big get for the four-month lost is the VAT (value loss,” he told lawmak- period.

For April alone, added tax) collections, ers during an online the agency’s collection excise tax collections hearing Tuesday. between mid-March Data released by amounted to PHP71.78 (and) probably until the Department of Fi- billion, lower than the

?VAT, P10

Phoenix offers faster LPG online ordering

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Phoenix SUPER LPG launches its new and improved online ordering form that lets customers get their LPG supply safer, faster, and easier.

PHP237.93 billion in the same period last year.

Collections by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during the same period fell 7.29 percent year-on-year to PHP179.44 billion from last year’s PHP193.55 billion.

This amount is PHP27.15 billion or 13.14 percent short against the Bureau’s PHP206.59-billion target for January to April this year.

Its April 2020 revenues reached

unning out of LPG? Phoenix SUPER LPG lets you have your tanks delivered faster through its revamped online ordering system.

While the ongoing pandemic and community quarantine have limited everybody’s freedom to go and roam outside their homes, cooking at home has never been this important.

Every day, people have been showing off their home-cooked meals on social media, and while food businesses have been reopening one-by-one and adjusting their operations to enable

food delivery, many quarantined Filipinos have discovered how fun, convenient, and economical it is to cook their own food while staying safe at home.

Indeed, this is the new normal where home cooking gets back its former glory.

Thankfully, Phoenix SUPER LPG has made cooking at home easier and more convenient with its new and improved online order form. Accessible on the brand’s official Facebook page (facebook.com/PhoenixSuperLPG) through the “SHOP NOW” tab and website (www. phoenixfuels.ph/lpg/)

through the “ORDER NOW” button, this new order-and-delivery system lets customers find the nearest Phoenix SUPER Hub in their area for faster delivery of Phoenix SUPER LPG products. The online form also gives the customers the updated product price upon ordering, and indicates the product’s availability. Through these features, confirmation of orders and fulfillment of transactions are made simpler, direct, and faster.

“Now that most of us are stuck at home, and dining inside restaurants are strictly ?PHOENIX, P10

6 VANTAGE VANTAGE EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUEISSUE 34 •10 THURSDAY, MAY 21, VOL.13 • FRIDAY, MARCH 20,2020 2020

ON WHETHER DAVAO REGION HAS REACHED THE PANDEMIC’S PEAK:

“

Kaya ngayon we are still observing the data na pumapasok kung ano ang sitwasyon sa mga areas kaya hindi natin masasabi na nasa peak po tayo.

At wala pa kasing data na nirelease ang mga epidemiologists na nasa peak na tayo ngayon for EDITORIAL Davao Region.

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

DR. LENNY JOY RIVERA

DOH 11 ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

despite the order.

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

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

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

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

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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

VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

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SACKING THE CITY’S POLICE CHIEF Unlike his colorful military career, lawyer Monebrio F. Abellana’s stint as chief of police of Davao City during the mayoralty of Carmelo L. Porras was a rollercoaster ride that ended with his dismissal from the police service.

His troubles as police chief began when Jose V. Diaz, also an attorney, filed administrative charges against him “for omission, dereliction of duty and immorality.” Without delay, then President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Administrative Order No. 17 dated August 1, 1966, designating solicitor-general Antonio Barredo to examine the accusations.

In the edict, Barredo, under Sections 71 and 580 of the Revised Administrative Code, was “granted all the powers of an investigator… including the power to summon witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony or evidence relevant to the investigation.”

Marcos also imbued the solicitor-general with authority “to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the Government for such assistance or information as he may require in the performance of his functions, and for this purpose, he shall have access to, and the right to examine any books, documents, papers or records thereof.”

For a police chief to become the focus of a detailed probe in-

volving the resources of the state, the probe was construed as an “overkill.” The investigation lasted months and, as ordered by the President, the solicitor-general submitted his report and recommendation.

gators against Lee Dag, a Chinese who was applying for naturalization, into a favorable one in consideration of the amount of P600 paid by the said Lee Dag to the respondent; (2) Tolerating or abetting

regular police IDs to persons who are not regular members of the Police Force; (5) Immorality, for maintaining immoral relationships with several concubines; (6) Inefficiency, for not per-

But what eventually resulted in Abellana’s removal from office was the complaint filed by Guillermo Teves when the former was still police chief. The charges involved seven articles, which were enumerated in Administrative Order No. 54 dated May 16, 1977.

(1) Extortion, for having forced the changing of an adverse report by certain police investi-

gambling or other illegal games, for not acting on reports of gambling or paying no heed to gambling apprehensions; (3) Failing to turn over confiscated blue seal cigarettes, by not making the correct accounting of the said cigarettes turned over to him by his men; (4) Abuse of authority and falsification, for having issued

forming his job as police chief in connection with the maintenance of peace and order; and (7) Violation of law, for having caused the appointment of special policemen whom he equipped with badges and IDs. The order detailed the results of the probe, declaring that only in the charge of tolerating and abetting gambling was Abel-

lana found innocent. Barredo, who in this case was the special investigator-designate, “found the respondent guilty and on the basis of the findings recommended that respondent be dismissed or removed from office with complete forfeiture of all rights to which he might otherwise be entitled from the government.”

Interestingly, two witnesses testified that Abellana “maintained relations with several women with one of whom he had a son… a fact which appears in the birth certificate of the child…

The testimonies were enough to find the chief of police “guilty of immorality.” Based on Barredo’s recommendations, Abellana was removed from his office.

Marcos, however, modified the ruling from dismissal to resignation by issuing Administrative Order No. 105 on February 9, 1968 based on Abellana’s request for reconsideration. The revised order was anchored on Abellana’s twenty-two years of service in government.

The new order stated that “by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby modify Administrative Order No. 54 dated May 16, 1967, by considering him as having resigned from the service effective as of the date of his preventive suspension, without prejudice to receiving whatever leave and retirement benefits he may be entitled to under the law.”

IN THE LINE OF DUTY “Whenever you are a patient, forget you are a doctor, behave like a patient.”

Those were the words of Dr. Ahmed Ismail, an Egyptian doctor. His true-to-life story, as a survivor of the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its website.

Perhaps, Filipino doctors – and other health professionals – who are in the forefront against the pandemic (which has been creating havoc not only physically but economically) can learn a lesson or two from his experience.

Egypt needs no introduction. Filipinos who are reading their Holy Bible know that the prophet Moses – author of the five books of Pentateuch (the books of Genesis up to Deuteronomy) – was born in Egypt.

What followed next were familiar with those who have watched the movie, Ten Commandments: the call of Moses to lead God’s people out of Egypt, the ten plagues, and the division of the Red Sea. Now, going back to the story of Dr. Ismail, whose expertise is in the field of internal medicine and rheumatology and based in Cairo.

It all started in March when a friend called him about his sick mother-in-law. He didn’t suspect anything out of the ordinary. He agreed to make a home visit to check on the woman, who had a fever on and off for days.

When got to the place, he found that the woman was asthmatic and had bronchitis.

He never took any precautions as he didn’t notice anything that was very alarming. “Everything seemed all right,” he thought.

After prescribing some

medication to the patient, he told the woman’s family – none of whom were experiencing COVID-19 symptoms – that she should go directly to a testing hospital if she started to experience dry cough or shortness of breath.

A few days later, Dr. Ismail learned that the patient

“I can’t handle the thought I might infect my patients,” he says. “I can handle the opposite, because that’s my job. But I was worried about my patients.”

On the same day that he informed the hospital where he was working, Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population

protect staff, and told them he would record his own vitals.

At first, being totally alone in a hospital was manageable.

His symptoms were mild. “I had two books and the internet,” he says. “I also passed the time praying and on video calls with my wife and kids.”

But as the days turned into

suffered from those tell-tale symptoms. She went to the hospital the doctor had specified, where a test confirmed that indeed she had COVID-19.

It was his friend who told him about the result.

Looking back, Dr. Ismail thought he might be infected, too. “I didn’t protect myself,” he says, adding that he hadn’t worn gloves or a mask while visiting the woman. “I didn’t see it coming,” he says ruefully.

He did what he was ought to do. He had to self-isolate himself and tell everyone that he worked with. He immediately began calling the hospitals where he is a consultant.

contacted him with guidance for home isolation precautions.

Five days after visiting the patient, Dr. Ismail started to have a mild sore throat with fever. “I am asthmatic, so at this time of the year, I typically cough,” he says. “Usually, I wouldn’t pay attention, but I knew I had had contact with an infected patient.”

Immediately, he went to the fever hospital to get tested, and a day later he received a positive result.

Dr. Ismail went to the isolation hospital designated for COVID-19 patients in Cairo, where he stayed for several days. As a doctor, he wanted to

a week, it was becoming harder for him. “Quarantined in a single room, with no one coming to me, I was talking to no one and going ‘insane,’” he says.

“The last couple of days were like hell to me.

“I think it was a mistake to paly hero and ask them not to check on me,” he continues.

“This is another lesson I’ve learned. They should treat me like a patient, and I should behave like a patient.”

Finally, Dr. Ismail tested negative twice for COVID-19 and could leave the hospital. It was such a relief that he would finally go home.

After more precaution-

ary self-quarantine in his own home, he knew he had something precious to offer future COVID-19 sufferers: his blood.

Research into plasma-based treatment for COVID-19 is still in infancy, with no treatment confirmed effective yet by the United Nations health agency. But Dr. Ismail wanted to contribute to the growing number of scientific studies about what might work to help people with SARSCov-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 which is a distant cousin of the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

So, Dr. Ismail donated his plasma. “It took 45 minutes and it doesn’t hurt at all,” he says. “It’s an easy procedure. I did it while drinking my coffee.”

Now fully recovered, he wants to share the lessons he’s learned with healthcare workers facing the disease. Aside from behaving like a patient even if you’re a doctor, he urges frontliners never forget personal protective gear like masks and gloves.

“Make sure to be protected while dealing with patients,” Dr. Ismail reminds. “Be cautious with every single patient you are seeing. Don’t think it’s far away. You can always be infected.”

Meanwhile, in his closing remarks during the end of the 73rd World Health Assembly recently, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated: “COVID-19 has robbed us of people we love. It’s robbed us of lives and livelihoods; it’s shaken the foundations of our world; it threatens to tear at the fabric of international cooperation. But it’s also reminded us that for all our differences, we are one human race, and we are stronger together.”

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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 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.

T h i s system along with the digital c o n tents from t h e world’s leading publishers like Wi-

ley 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 onsite 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 ?DIGITAL, P9

EDGEDAVAO

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Small prayer gatherings now allowed in BARMM

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OTABATO CITY – Small prayer gatherings of 10 persons, specifically at home, are now allowed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during the fasting month of Ramadan.

On Tuesday, the BARMM Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) released the new set of guidelines on the continuing management and control of the possible spread of the virus in the region.

“Small gatherings are now allowed provided that it shall not exceed 10 participants and minimum public health standard is observed, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks, observance of proper cough etiquette, safe physical distancing, and frequent hand washing, among others,” a part of the guidelines read.

Mohammad Asnin Pendatun, BARMM’s Cabinet Secretary, however, said the fight against Covid-19 is far from over as he called for cooperation from

local sectors.

“This does not mean complacency.

We should strictly follow the guidelines to avoid the so-called ‘second wave’,” Pendatun said in a virtual presser.

He said the new set of guidelines is in line with Proclamation 922 and 929 of President Rodrigo Duterte; Republic Act 11469 (Bayanihan to Heal As One Act); the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines (IATF Resolution 30 and 30-A); and IATF Resolution 35-A and 36.

“We are still under crisis. There’s still a pandemic and a common enemy.

Even though there are changes in the community quarantine, (in) the guidelines, we still need to follow (the) public health emergency protocol,” Pendatun said.

He said the region might not be able to handle a second or third wave of Covid-19 infections as the front-liners are already exhausted.

OTABATO CITY – Total lockdown has been imposed on the town of Tulunan in North Cotabato province after a student tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in an adjacent municipality.

The lockdown was ordered by Tulunan Mayor Pip Limbungan on Tuesday after a 19-year-old student from M’lang town returned home from Davao City and tested positive for the disease.

The entry points of Tulunan in the villages of La Esperanza, Crossing Muslim, and Barangay Bual were sealed off to neighboring areas.

In a statement, Limbungan also announced that he ordered the cancellation of all mayor's travel permits and mayor’s quarantine pass being used by traders for marketing purposes in Kidapawan City and nearby towns.

He said the local government unit would no longer allow the use of border pass of commuters from other towns passing

by Tulunan.

“The safety of our people is our primordial concern,” Limbungan said in the vernacular.

He temporarily suspended the “Sagip Tulunense", a local government program that helps “stranded” workers from other areas to return home subject to appropriate health protocols.

Limbungan appealed to residents to stay at home for a week and refrain from coming out of their villages unless in cases of medical emergencies.

Tulunan, with a population of about 50,000, has not recorded a single confirmed Covid-19 case.

North Cotabato has five confirmed infections. Two of them have fully recovered while three are in isolation centers. (PNA)

NoCot town on lockdown

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shares that they are now in talks 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 issu-

ance 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 counsel-

ling 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.

which hopefully we will, then we're going to keep boxing and just keep taking on contenders.

"Klitschko did it until he was 40. A lot of the great champions are continuing, and continuing.

"I ain't boxing for

money, I ain't boxing for fame, I ain't boxing for a belt. I'm boxing because it keeps me mentally happy and I like to do it."

Fury is in contention to face British rival Anthony Joshua, who holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO

world titles, in a 2021 bout after fulfilling his contractual obligations for a third fight with Wilder.

While Fury insists he has nothing to prove, he admitted he doesn't want to walk away from the ring when he is still at the

peak of his game.

"Nothing to prove to anybody. Not one thing to prove at all, but I box now, because I love boxing and I've been doing it all my life," he said.

"Why walk away when I'm still only young?"

untary workouts. The NFL, NHL, tennis, golf and other sports are working on their procedures.

Options differ internationally, too: — South Korea’s top soccer league, the K-League, tested 1,100 players and staff at the end of April, and all came back negative, clearing the way to begin its season. South Korean baseball, the KBO, screens players and coaches for fevers.

— Australia’s National Rugby League will mandate vaccines -- not for the coronavirus, but for the seasonal flu. It’s part of Queenland’s contentious “no-jab, no-play” policy that means players who skip an annual flu shot won’t be permitted to play north of the Queensland-New South Wales border.

— The English Premier League conducted its first wave of COVID-19 testing this week and found six of 748 people infected. Those six have to self-isolate for a week.

UFC tested each of its employees before reopening its headquarters Monday.

White said UFC will again test everyone before its next fights, May 30 in either Las Vegas or Arizona.

The UFC spent, on average, $125 per test; that added up to around $150,000 in Jacksonville.

White was tested three times partly because he walked around without a mask and was in close contact with fighters.

That price tag is peanuts for a multi-billion-dollar business that reportedly notched more than 700,000 pay-perview buys for UFC 249 — generating as much as $45 million in revenue for the first major sporting event in the United States during the pandemic.

UFC has far fewer competitors than other leagues, which means more manageable testing and contact tracing and easier social-distancing.

NASCAR would have to spend more than $2 million to test everyone it deems essential before each of its 20 races over the next month, but decided it didn’t need to

because drivers are isolated and pit crews already wear protective equipment.

Other sports have difficult decisions to make.

Tennis and golf tournaments often involve more than 100 entrants from around the globe. NFL teams head to training camp with 90 players, plus about 20 coaches and dozens more support personnel. MLB suggested 50-man rosters for its season.

Leagues seem hesitant to adopt constant testing measures outside of temperature checks, especially if it creates the perception they are taking supplies that could be earmarked for healthcare workers or the general public.

Still, television revenue -- no one is expecting full stands anytime soon -- is the driving force to return to competition. And most agree that some level of testing is key.

“The overall picture is that there’s a lot to be desired from testing to use it as a definitive indicator that everybody’s

safe,” said Stuart Miller, the senior executive director of the International Tennis Federation,whoisoverseeing its COVID-19 advisory group and return-to-tennis efforts.

“There’s a number of risks from just the testing side,” Miller added.

In UFC, fighter Jacaré Souza and two of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19 a day before a bout.

They were sent home.

The UFC, which said three trio were the only ones who tested positive, barely blinked. And the show went on.

How sports leagues respond to a positive test is a key component to resuming competition. Will they continue play if a superstar tests positive? What if several teammates are infected? Will there be a threshold that prompts another league-wide shutdown?

“You just have to be willing to work hard enough, spend some money and come up with solutions,” White said.

FURY from 11

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VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

the House of Representatives insofar as the ABS-CBN franchise is concerned. If they do not send us anything, then we cannot debate, consider, and pass it,” Drilon said.

“We cannot pass the franchise of ABSCBN unless the HOR passes its version first.

That is in the Constitution. This is a private bill and, therefore, it must originate from the House of Representatives.”

He said that given the sudden changes in the lower house, he fears that ABS-CBN would have to remain off-the-air for months to the disadvantage

of its 11,000 employees and millions of its viewers nationwide.

“The reality is, when we adjourn on June 3 and come back on July 27, ABS-CBN cannot go back on the air, because the franchise has not been renewed by Congress,” Drilon said.

“I am saddened that by August, 11,000 employees of ABSCBN will lose their jobs in this most difficult time in our history as a nation. Malungkot po iyan (That’s sad).”

He said if the House can pass the franchise of ABS-CBN in August, the Senate could pass it immedi-

ately by mid-August or end-August at the latest.

“It is not a problem with us. The problem lies with the House of Representatives,” Drilon added.

Another remedy that Drilon seeks is the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1530, which he filed last week, providing for the non-expiration of a franchise pending renewal in Congress.

SB 1530 amends Section 18, Book VII, Chapter 3 of the Revised Administrative Code, which provides for the non-expiration of a license where the licensee has filed a

ment could not test the entire Philippine population, expanded targeted testing is currently being carried out to get a clear picture of Covid-19 infections in the country.

He reiterated the

government is eyeing to test 1.5 to 2 percent of the 110 million population with priority to those symptomatic, those coming from abroad, those with close contacts, and those who tested pos-

itive in rapid antibody tests.

The government is working on increasing the number of Covid-19 testing laboratories from the current 31 to 90 which can carry out at least

He explained that individuals who are not covered by free vaccines could avail of assistance from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

“Kapag mga bakuna, mga diagnostic, sagot din po iyan ng PhilHealth (PhilHealth will shoulder expenses for vaccines and diagnostics),” he said.

“Pupwedeng ma-cover naman iyan ng PhilHealth (That can be covered by PhilHealth).”

Duterte, in a public address aired on state-run PTV-4 late Tuesday night, expressed optimism that a vaccine for Covid-19 would be available by

early 2021.

The President expressed such hope as he acknowledged that clinical trials for an experimental vaccine being developed by the United States’ biotech firm Moderna, Inc. were showing “positive” results.

Roque reiterated that the government is ready to implement an immunization plan once a Covid-19 vaccine is developed.

“Meron na po tayong nabuong plano kung paano talaga i-implement ang vaccination as soon as it (Covid-19 crisis) is over (We have come up with a concrete plan as to how we will implement the vac-

cination program as soon as the crisis is over),” he said.

Roque said the government would give priority to individuals who belong to the vulnerable sector, such as senior citizens and individuals with health risks.

“We’re praying po na unang-una, magkaroon na ng bakuna, at pangalawa, we’re praying na mabibigay natin sa lahat (We’re praying that first and foremost, we will have a vaccine, and second, we’re praying that all can avail of it),” he said.

There is currently no cure or vaccine for Covid-19.

However, clinical

prohibited, we recognize how important it is to have a reliable partner in cooking at home. Phoenix SUPER LPG has been advocating for the discovery of the joys in cooking for the past year, and we are taking this opportunity to show how we can help make everyone’s cooking experience safe, sigurado, and simple,” Phoenix LPG Philippines, Inc. President Henry Albert Fadullon said.

“Throughout this quarantine period, we have

been working hard to make our products and services become more visible and accessible both online and otherwise. This strategy includes the revamped online order form that we are launching today for our customers.

Now, anyone can get their Phoenix SUPER LPG delivered to their homes faster and easier.”

Last year, along with the introduction of its brand ambassador Sarah Geronimo, Phoenix SUPER LPG

launched its ‘Sarap Pala Magluto’ campaign that highlights the brands safe, sigurado and simple cooking experience through its German-made SRG regulator. It features an inlet safety valve that stops LPG flow in case of leakage and an on-andoff switch for a tight and secure connecting system. It also has a reserve indicator that determines the content of the tank—so there’s no guessing about when customers need a replacement, and a snap-

TOO EARLY from 3

GOV’T from 3

PHOENIX from 5

timely and sufficient application for renewal until a final determination by the agency is made.

The amendment expands the provision to also include franchises granted by Congress.

Under the bill, there is considered to be a final determination when the agency or department has either approved or denied the application.

The bill is set for committee hearing next week.

Drilon urged his colleagues both in the Senate and the House to take up the measure immediately. (PR)

ZERO from 4

Moreover, Quimbo estimated there is a bigger number of small businesses in the informal sector, which should be given assistance by the government.

“And my estimate, it’s about 4.5 million.

So there are way more informal small businesses. We need to help them. We can’t do social amelioration forever. We can’t afford that,” she said.

She added this is the reason why the PESA bill allotted a big budget for credit medi-

ation and for SB Corp. to help both registered and unregistered businesses.

“Many of the informal businesses will not go to the banks, they are afraid to go to the banks. We need to have an agency with specialized know-how like SB Corp. They know how to deal with the informal sector more than anyone else. So they should be the one to have the resources precisely to reach out to our unbanked small businesses,” Quimbo said. (PNA)

PHP33.97 billion, 34.27 percent lower than last year’s PHP51.67 billion.

30,000 tests per day by Total collecthe end of the month. tions of these maAs of May 19, jor revenue collectthere are 12,942 ing agencies to date confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the counfrom 11 try with 837 deaths and 2,843 recoveries. highest Filipino rated (PNA) player at 2612 until it was beaten by So, who has reached the elite trials are ongoing to rating of 2824, which determine the safe- is the eighth-best ever ty and effectiveness in the world.

IM Lucas Liasof new and existing covich of Argentina drugs, such as anti-vitook the second spot ral, anti-bacterial, and with 60 points on 28 anti-malarial agents, games and a win rate in treating Covid-19 of 64 percent on nine patients.

The World Health wins for a performance Organization (WHO) rating of 2752 and and its partners ear- the PHP3,000 second lier launched the place price. In third “Solidarity Trial”, an place is Peruvian GM international clinical Jose Martinez Alcantrial, to help find an tara who had 52 points effective treatment for in a tie with Uzbek GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov Covid-19.

The Philippines’ but was given the third participation in the spot with lesser games WHO Solidarity Tri- of 26 against the latal has been approved ter’s 29.

Chin Lim finished by the Single Joint Refifth with 49, followed search Ethics Board by IM Yosep Taher of in support of the Indonesia, IM Paulo Covid-19 global reBersamina, and FIDE sponse. (PNA) (The Fédération Internationale des Échecs / International Chess Master on mechanism that en- Federation) Aden Reyes, who all ables ease of use.

Aside from the on- had 49 points but their line order and delivery placement was due to form, Phoenix SUPER their win rates.

IM Renato AlfreLPG can also be availed of by calling #SUPER do Terry Lujan and IM (#78737) for Globe Richelieu Salcedo finand Smart users. The ished ninth and 10th brand has also been with 48 and 47 points, implementing strict respectively.

The 11th-20th health and safety protocols inside the Phoe- spots were taken by nix SUPER Hubs and IM Ronald Dableo, IM during the delivery Jan Emmanuel Garcia, process by practicing FM Dang Hoang Son non-contact delivery of Vietnam, IM Aleksei and regular sanitation Kireev of Russia, IM of its personnel and Toivo Keinanen of Finland, the 16-year old equipment.

reached PHP706.85 billion, lower than the PHP735.03-billion program and the PHP900.33-billion collections during the same period last year.

(PNA)

VAT from 5

PARAGUA

sensation IM Daniel Quizon, FM Lik Zang Lye of Malaysia, Michael Jako Concio, FM Daniel Causo, and IM Oliver Dimakiling.

Pascua said that online chess is now the trend with the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that has canceled all tournaments – classic, rapid, and blitz.

Like most chess players now, Pascua is onto online tournaments even as he organizes his own over Lichess.

“As long as may Covid pa po, ito na yung pagkakaabalahan ng chess players (As long as there is Covid, this is the format where chess players will spend their time),” said Pascua.

Pascua is supposed to join Team Philippines to the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Moscow, Russia supposedly this September to October but had been postponed for next year due to the Covid pandemic.

Team Philippines will be composed of GMs Rogelio Barcenilla, Julio Sadorra, and John Paul Gomez, as well as IMs Bersamina and Pascua.

Unlike in 2018 when he took his second national title to qualify, Pascua needed to win the Philippine Chess Selection playoffs last February.

(PNA)

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VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

Fury plans to emulate Klitschko's longevity

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ONDON -- Tyson Fury has set his sights on emulating Wladimir Klitschko's sustained dominance as the British fighter warned he can remain a world champion until he retires.

Klitschko was the undisputed world champion for over four years until Fury earned a shock win against the Ukrainian in 2015.

Fury was unable to defend those titles amid mental health problems, but he has bounced back impressively.

The 31-year-old wants to stay at the

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top after regaining his WBC heavyweight belt in February with an emphatic win over Deontay Wilder, who he is due to face again once the coronavirus is subdued.

"I've won every single belt in boxing.

From the English title to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champ of the world.

All done, all finished.

Considered the best, done," Fury told Sky Sports on Tuesday.

"If I don't box again, I'm happy, but if I do box again, then I continue to box. If we get past this thing, ?FURY, P9

ACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — There is no universal playbook for coronavirus testing in professional sports.

Protocols and procedures, guidelines and handbooks -- they could be as different as rulebooks. There’s plenty of common ground, though, which explains why executives and doctors from various leagues have

consulted with each other while moving closer to at least a partial return to competition amid a pandemic.

League officials essentially are choosing the best option from a list of bad choices, and it comes down to how

In this Saturday, May 9, 2020 photo, photographer Jason Vinlove, right, gets tested for COVID-19 antibodies before covering UFC 249 mixed martial arts event in Jacksonville, Fla. There is no universal playbook for coronavirus testing in professional sports. Protocols and procedures, guidelines and handbooks, they could be as

different as the rulebooks that govern leagues around the world.

UFC performed nasal swabs and/or blood tests for roughly 1,200 people on site during its weeklong stay in Jacksonville, part of the mixed martial arts behemoth’s health and safety protocols. (AP Photo)

much risk are they willing to take.

“When you look at the people that run these other sports, these are all really smart guys,” UFC President Dana White said.

“And nobody knows their business better than they do.

“They have to literally sit down and break through item by item on what they need to do and how they need to make it

and safety protocols.

It took minutes for antibody results and as little as a few hours for viral test results.

— NASCAR logged temperatures of about 900 people Sunday at its return race in Darlington, South Carolina.

— Major League Baseball delivered a 67-page proposal of a 2020 operations manual last week, still subject to negotiation with

as safe as they possibly can. And they’ll figure it out.”

There already have been several approaches in the United States: — UFC took blood (antibody test) or swabbed nostrils (viral test) for roughly 1,200 people during its weeklong stay in Jacksonville, Florida, this month — part of the mixed martial arts behemoth’s health

disease (Covid-19). His online games saw him beat the world’s top online and blitz player Hikaru Nakamura (left). (PNA)

?NO UNIVERSAL, P9

Paragua wins Curly King Shark online chessfest

F ONLINE CHESS TOURNEY. International Master Haridas Pascua makes use of his time in teaching, playing in online tournaments, and organizes online chess tournaments amid the coronavirus

the players’ association. Proposed details include temperature checks twice a day and multiple fluid swabs weekly. Blood samples to detect COVID-19 antibodies will be collected less frequently.

— The NBA hasn’t implemented a fullscale testing program for its 30 teams; a little more than half have reopened practice facilities for vol-

ormer top Filipino woodpusher Grand Master (GM) Mark Paragua won the Curly King Shark online chess tournament on Monday.

Paragua, RitzyBlitz on Lichess, finished with 70 points in 30 games for a win rate of 73 percent and performance rating of 2774 to win the event that drew players from nine countries.

The event was presented by Lichess Battle Arena, Chess Shark Attack, and King Hari of Baguio-based Inter-

national Master (IM) Haridas Pascua.

The online tournament had time control of two minutes with an increment of one second and players must win as many games in two hours of play, Pascua told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Paragua, the youngest Filipino to become a GM until Wesley So came in, won 12 games, drew 11, and lost seven games for his aggregate score and the PHP5,000 top purse.

Paragua was the ?PARAGUA, P10

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO VOL.13 ISSUE 34 • THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

90%

Horace Grant was Michael Jordan's team mate for three championships.

BS

Grant slams MJ over 'Last Dance' documentary

F

ormer Chicago Bulls player Horace Grant lashed out at Michael Jordan on Tuesday, accusing the NBA legend of providing a skewed version of the truth in the hit documentary series "The Last Dance."

In an interview with ESPN radio, Grant, who won three NBA championships playing alongside Jordan, said the acclaimed documentary had been edited to present Jordan in a favorable light.

"I would say it was entertaining, but we know, who was there as teammates, that about 90% of it was BS in terms of the realness of it," Grant said.

"It wasn't real – because a lot of things (Jordan) said to some of his teammates, that his teammates went back at

him.

"But all of that was kind of edited out of the documentary, if you want to call it a documentary."

Grant saved his sharpest criticism for suggestions made by Jordan that he had been a key source for "The Jordan Rules," a book that lifted the lid on the NBA great's career.

"Lie, lie, lie," Grant said of the allegation. "If MJ had a grudge with me, let's settle this like men.

Let's talk about it. Or we can settle it another way.

"But yet and still, he

goes out and puts this lie out that I was the source behind it (The Jordan Rules)."

Although Grant admitted to being "great friends" with the book's author, Sam Smith, he insisted he had always protected the "sanctity of that locker room."

"I would never put anything personal out there," Grant said.

Grant meanwhile also criticised Jordan's conduct as a player with younger members of the Bulls dressing room accusing him of being physically and verbally abusive to team-mates.

One segment of "The Last Dance," which was made with the involvement of Jordan's own production company, dwells on the physical

altercation between Jordan and former teammate Steve Kerr, when the two came to blows during a practice.

Grant said he had refused to be intimidated

by Jordan. "(Jordan) felt that he could dominate me, but that was sadly mistaken," Grant said.

"Because whenever he went at me, I went at him right back. But in terms of Will Perdue, Steve Kerr and the young man, Scott Burrell, that was heartbreaking. To see a guy, a leader, to go at those guys like that.

"I understand in terms of practicing, you have a push and shove here and there, but outright punching and things of that nature … that wasn’t called for."