Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 232 | Saturday, February 1, 2020

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

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AILING FEDERER FOUGHT TO THE FINISH: DJOKOVIC

Serving a seamless society

NO DENT Chinese tourists ban has no big effect to tourism in IGaCoS

By MAYA M. PADILLO

P 15.00 • 16 PAGES

SPORTS P11

A notice telling the public that face mask have been sold out is placed at the top of a Pharmacy's shelf in Brgy. Agdao, Davao City on Friday. The shortage of face masks in Davao City is expected after news of the first confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus case in the country broke out on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

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he Samal Resort Owners Association (SROA) does not see huge impact on the recent ban of Chinese tourists by the Local Government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) as majority of the guests that frequent the island’s resorts are locals and balikbayans.

Engineer Pastor Lozada, president of the association said 70 percent of the resorts in the island are small and normally the guests are locals and balikbayans.

“Sa aking assessment hindi masyadong marami ang Chinese tourists na pumupunta sa Samal. I

don’t know about the big resorts,” Lozada said in a telephone interview.

On Thursday, IGaCoS Mayor Al Davaid Uy has implemented a temporary ban on Chinese and other Asian nationals following the arrival of 79 Chinese nationals from Jinjiang,

NO DENT, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

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MinDA, DENR donate ‘hot logs’ to quake-hit Davao Sur towns

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SAFETY FIRST. SM Lanang Premier employs measures to prevent spread of germs and viruses in and around the mall. Sanitazing corners are mounted in prominent areas of the mall; handwashing stations are

also enlivened with new posters and signages. Sanitazing teams are also working around the clock to ensure mall facilities are spic and span.

Photo courtesy of SM Lanang Premier

No confirmed nCov case in Davao City

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avao City remains free from Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases, although the City Health Of�ice is monitoring eight Chinese nationals who recently arrived in the city.

Mayor Inday Sara Duterte on Thursday night also assured the people that the City Government of Davao “has been closely coordinating with the Department of Health and other national government agencies on what measures to take to prevent and control the spread of the virus.”

“We have placed health standards to avert the feared spread of the virus.

People showing symptoms and have been suspected as possible cases were closely and properly monitored by our health professionals trained to handle these cases,” she said.

She also called for “sobriety and ask the public to stop spreading misinformation, which could only aggravate the situation.”

Assistant City Health

Of�icer Dr. Gene Gulanes, however, said the conditions of the eight Chinese nationals are far different from the de�inition of the coronavirus.

As of Wednesday, Gulanes said the eight individuals did not show symptoms of �lu, fever, and cough.

“As of now, we do not have a con�irmed case of novel coronavirus here in the city. Those who were being monitored do not show symptoms that �it the de�inition of coronavirus,” he said.

Gulanes assured the CHO is closely coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine in strict monitoring of all people coming in to the city, especially from areas with re-

ported coronavirus cases.

Gulanes said the Francisco Bangoy International Airport is also fully equipped with thermal monitors and a quarantine room for people showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Since mid-January, the city has stepped up its monitoring to control the spread of the virus that caused deaths and sickened people in many countries and the People’s Republic of China.

A World Health Organization report showed that globally there are already 6,065 con�irmed cases as of January 29, 2020. In China alone, there are 5997 con�irmed cases; 9239 suspected; 1,239 severe cases; and, 132 deaths.

Outside of China, WHO report showed there are 68 con�irmed cases in 15 countries.

According to WHO, coronaviruses are a large family of respiratory viruses with some causing less-severe diseases, such as the common cold, and

others more severe diseases such as Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Meanwhile, Mayor Duterte also issued a disclaimer over a statement which was attributed to her by the media.

“This is to inform the public that the statement circulated through a Sara Z. Duterte Linkedin account and has been attributed to me is a hoax,” she said.

“Except for my personal Instagram, I do not own any other social media accounts anymore.”

She reminded the public to be circumspect in dealing with people or groups that present themselves as her or her representatives.

“We also release of�icial statements through of�icial platforms and channels,” she said. “We ask the public not to be fooled by people or groups presenting themselves as Sara Duterte.” CIO

local government units to be on a state of preparedness amid the threat of the novel coronavirus.

All LGUs nationwide are advised to create their respective task forces to implement DOH protocols and guidelines and extend full cooperation to the DOH and other government agencies to meet the world health emergency,” Malaya said.

Malaya emphasized that the local task forces, which will be under the leadership of the gover-

nor or mayor, should ensure that local health authorities acquire the necessary equipment such as masks, goggles, gowns and gloves.

Malaya said local chief executives must also provide training to their health workers regarding the prevention of nCov. He added that the local task forces should refer a suspected nCov patient to a DOH-designated coronavirus-referral hospital, noting that this should be well-coordinated with

DOH and police of�icials.

Malaya also reminded areas that house international airports to coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration and airport of�icials as regards �lights coming from nCov-affected countries in order to ensure quarantine measures for those who could have acquired the virus.

On Thursday, DOH chief Francisco Duque III disclosed that a 38-yearold woman from Wuhan, China who arrived in the

DILG orders LGUs to create Coronavirus task forces

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day after the Department of Health (DOH) con�irmed that there is already a case of novel coronavirus in the Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) advised all local government units to create novel coronavirus task forces to help curb the spread of the disease.

In a press statement, DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said DILG chief Eduardo Año has ordered all

DILG, P9

he Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) donated four truckloads of seized illegal lumber to earthquake-affected municipalities in Davao del Sur. Thursday's delivery of "hot" lumber was received

by Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas to help local government units (LGUs) rebuild the structures and buildings destroyed by the series of earthquakes that hit Mindanao late last year.

The deliveries came a month after Padada Mayor Pedro Caminero Jr. asked MinDA to help in rebuilding the town's public market stalls and other structures.

“Immediately after he made the request, I called up DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and asked if the agency could turn over to earthquake affected LGUs the illegal cut lumber it seized from illegal loggers. Luckily, the secretary obliged to our request,” MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.

Out of the total donated top logs, some 18,892 board feet were donated by DENR -11 while the 20,000 board feet were given by DENR-Caraga. The logs will be given to the LGUs of Padada, Hagonoy, and Bansalan.

“These seized wood products in the past were just left to rot in the yards of DENR regional of�ices,” Piñol noted.

"We're showing in this activity what governance is today and before. Now

we have responsive governance. We respond to challenges and adjust our ways to serve better our people," he added.

Piñol said the quick action by DENR re�lected the style of governance of the Duterte administration, "which is innovative and resourceful.

“Next week, MinDA will also turn-over carpentry and power tools to be used in the repair and reconstruction,” he added.

DENR Undersecretary for Enforcement and Muslim Affairs Jim Sampulna said the lumber mostly came from Caraga because the area is teeming with con�iscated logs.

"This is the DENR's immediate response to the need of Davao del Sur for its relocation sites and housing programs. I hope this helps in building decent homes for the affected families as they stand up again for their lives," Sampulna said.

Meanwhile, Cagas thanked MinDA and DENR for the assistance.

“We will forward this lumber to the mayors to assist in the rebuilding of homes of their earthquake-affected constituents," he said.

Piñol said MinDA was also �inalizing with the Of�ice of Senator Ronald " Bato" dela Rosa supporting documents for the request of the release of special emergency funds from the Of�ice of the President for earthquake-stricken LGUs in Davao del Sur and Cotabato. (PNA)

Do not panic, protect yourself from Coronavirus - Mati CHO

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o not panic, know and follow steps how to protect yourself from the 2019 novel Coronavirus. This is the advise given by the Mati City Health Of�ice to the public as Coronavirus scare hits the country.

CHO chief Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said that as early as the second week of January they have already imposed a “heightened alert” to all health workers in the city down to the barangay level.

He said they have also informed all barangay health workers of the protocol issued by the Department of Health on what to do in the event there would be suspected infection in their respective barangays.

“The barangay health workers already know the protocol on how to deal with suspected Coronavirus infection. They will �irst identify possible cases, then they will look into the travel history of the suspected case. If they think that the case could be Coronavirus then they are told to inform us immediately so we could also inform RESU (Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit) and send an ambulance dedicated solely for the transport of suspected Coronavirus patients to Davao

hospitals with isolation rooms,”Dr. Catbagan narrated.

The city health of�icer said that they have also dispatched surveillance teams to ensure that all barangay health workers adhere to the protocol and constantly monitor any developments.

Catbagan meanwhile advised the public that the most effective way in stopping the spread of Coronavirus and all other diseases would be to ensure that we maintain proper hygiene.

He said that proper and constant cleaning of hands is essential. He said there is no need to panic if we strictly maintain proper hygiene. Catbagan said that even the wearing of face masks is needed only if there is an outbreak or when treating or dealing with infected patients.

Catbagan assured the public that the Mati City Health Of�ice, in support to the Provincial Government, is on top of the situation and that health measures are already in place to prevent the possible entry of Coronavirus in the city and the province.

Catbagan met with City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat Friday morning, January 31, to discuss the health proto-

DO NOT PANIC, P9

NEWS 3

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PhilHealth to provide nCoV package: Duque

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special package from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will cover Filipinos and its foreigner members should they be classi�ied as persons under investigation (PUIs) or test positive for novel coronavirus infection, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Friday.

“Yesterday, the PhilHealth Board convened and decided that there will be a novel coronavirus package. P1,000 per day for the hospital that takes care of a patient of nov-

el [coronavirus] even not con�irmed,” Duque said in an interview.

He said that this would apply to the 14-day quarantine period that is needed.

“If pneumonia sets in, then there’s a pneumonia package—from mild, P16,000, to severe P32,000,” Duque added.

PhilHealth also covers foreign retirees and foreign citizens legally working in the country.

The Philippines con�irmed its �irst case of novel coronavirus on Thursday.

Airlines cut China flights

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ebu Paci�ic and Philippine Airlines, the country’s two largest carriers, said Friday they reduced �lights to China in response to a new coronavirus outbreak.

Chinese carriers, on the other hand suspended �lights to Aklan, home to holiday island Boracay, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said.

Cebu Paci�ic said it would reduce �lights between the Philippines, mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau from Feb. 5 to March 29.

Philippine Airlines said Thursday it suspended �lights between Kalibo and China’s Nanjing,

Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

Nanjing is some 600 kilometers northeast of Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 200 and infected nearly 10,000.

Shanghai has some 100 cases of the virus while Nanjing is checking the passengers of a �light who showed symptoms of the disease, according to news reports.

Philippine Airlines said it would maintain �lights between Manila and Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Jinjiang, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Macau.

Passengers can check

AIRLINES, P9

Some products from China may undergo further tests - DTI chief

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n light of the �irst con�irmed case of novel coronavirus infection in the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is looking at putting several imported products from China under further testing for health and safety before it will be released to the public.

During the National Press Club’s Report to the Nation forum, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said

the DTI is in discussion with the Department of Health (DOH) to come up with a list of products that will undergo laboratory tests.

“Kung anu-anong produkto yun, ‘yun ang ire-review namin ngayon... kung anong produkto ang palalagyan natin ng tests,” Lopez said.

On top of one con�irmed case of infection in the country, health author-

SOME PRODUCTS, P9

A bus plying the Toril-Roxas route waits for passengers along Roxas Avenue in Davao City on Friday. The city government of Davao’s High Priority Bus System (HPBS) program is set to start on October this

year with 100 low floor buses allocated for Toril-Roxas route, 10 for C.P. Garcia highway-Roxas route and 50 for Catalunan Grande-Roxas route. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD okays temporary ban on travelers from Hubei: Sen.Go

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ollowing the con�irmation of the �irst case of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte has given his permission for the temporary travel ban on visitors from Wuhan City and entire Hubei province in China, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said on Friday.

Duterte gave his nod to the temporary travel ban when Go, his former special aide, made the recommendation to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.

“Nakausap ko po si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte kanina at inirekomenda ko ang pag-impose ng temporary travel ban upang maprotektahan ang

ating mga kababayan sa pagkalat ng coronavirus (I had a talk with President Rodrigo Duterte and I recommended the imposition of temporary travel ban to protect our fellow countrymen from the spread of coronavirus),” Go said in a statement.

“Sang-ayon po si Pangulo na iimplementa ang temporary travel ban sa mga manggagaling mula Wuhan city and the entire Hubei province ng China (The President approved the implementation of a

PRRD, P9

Maguindanao town dad slain in roadside shooting

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Arriving passengers wear face masks at the Davao International Airport on 30 January 2019 amidst the scare of the fast spreading of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (n-CoV). The Philippines has just confirmed its first case of the n-CoV. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

temporary travel ban on persons coming from Wuhan City and the entire Hubei province of China,” he added.

The health department on Thursday con�irmed that a female Chinese national is the Philippines’ �irst case of 2019-nCoV, which originated in Wuhan City in China.

The 38-year-old woman from Wuhan China, who arrived in the Philippines on Jan. 21, was asymptomatic or displaying no symp-

municipal councilor was shot dead by unidenti�ied motorcycle-riding gunmen along the national highway here on Thursday afternoon, police said.

“Manhunt had been launched,” said Maj. Julhamin Asdani, Sultan Kudarat municipal police of�ice chief, after the murder of Jordan Abdulrahman Ibrahim, chairperson of Barangay Pilar, South Upi, Maguindanao and concurrent president of the Association of Barangay Chairpersons (ABC) of South Upi. Ibrahim, 37, who sits as an ex-of�icio member of Sangguniang Bayan of South Upi, died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said the victim and his wife had a stopover at a roadside fruit

stand in Barangay Dalumangcob, Sultan Kudarat at past 3 p.m. when attacked.

“They were sitting beside the fruit stand when the suspects on a motorbike arrived and opened �ire on Ibrahim using a .45-caliber pistol,” Asdani told reporters, adding that the victim’s wife was unharmed.

Ibrahim, also known in the upland town of South Upi as “Jordan Campong,” survived an ambush last year in his hometown.

Asdani said the motive and identities of the gunmen of Ibrahim are still being determined as of this posting.

The murder of the town of�icial came four days after motorcycle gunmen ambushed and critically injured a village

MAGUINDANAO, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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Neon lights illuminate the newly-renovated swimming pool of The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City during the launching of Cabana formerly known as Pasag Grill on Thursday night. Lean Daval Jr

2019-nCov to have ‘short-term’ IMF monitoring economic hit from virus in 'real time' effect on economy —NEDA chief T

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he country’s chief economist brushed off the potential threat of the novel coronavirus to the Philippine economy given the efforts being undertaken to contain the spread of the disease.

“I think it's just shortterm effect because given that there’s a lot of measures being done to minimize the Filipinos incurring the coronavirus,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a press conference following the Economic Development Cluster Meeting in Manila on Thursday.

“It shouldn’t take long for that to have an effect on the economy,” Pernia said.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier con�irmed the very �irst case of novel coronavirus in the Philippines.

In a press conference, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that a 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China arrived in the Philippines via Hongkong on January 21.

Nevertheless, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Chinese government acted “very swiftly” and been “very proactive” in the control of the disease.

“They are shortening the potential length and spread of this virus,” Dominguez said.

In a joint statement, the Economic Development

Cluster said the government remains vigilant and well-positioned to address the domestic and external risks that can push down the economic growth trajectory over the medium-term.

“Externally, the primary downside risks include the slowdown in global growth, a lackluster recovery in trade, protectionist policies and other disruptions to the trade and supply chains, the volatility in global oil prices, disruptive technologies, and the global spread of communicable diseases such as the novel coronavirus,” it said.

On the domestic front, risks could emanate from natural hazards such as threats posed by the possible eruption of the Taal Volcano, the continued presence of the African Swine Fever in the country,

water supply disruptions, slow implementation of the infrastructure projects, and policy uncertainties such as the delay in the passage of our tax reform packages, according to the economic team.

Pernia, for his part, said the coronavirus scare could also potentially be positive for the peso as Filipinos’ travel to China and adjacent Asian countries will be curtailed.

“Filipinos will be careful so they won’t be spending foreign exchange,” he said.

Discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, the virus has since then spread to other countries.

As of Thursday, the nationwide death toll from China's viral epidemic has leaped to 170 with more than 1,700 infections con�irmed.

impact given the measures being done to minimize” the problem.

Pernia said the travel ban to some countries is in a way bene�icial to the Philippines because people will be saving their dollars and instead use their funds in the domestic economy.

“As mentioned, internal travel in the Philippines will probably pick up because of the problem of going abroad,” he said.

Measures to protect oneself from the virus will

also increase the sale of masks and soap, which is a boost to the economy, he added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said it is still too early to quantify the economic impact of 2019-nCoV on tourism, among others.

“We're not going into a recession because of this,” he said.

Dominguez said imports from China will decline, but adding this has been down since several

months back because of the African Swine Fever (ASF), which affected several other Asian countries.

“With the coronavirus, I think, it may affect food but we'll see, it could be,” he said.

Dominguez further cited efforts of the Chinese government to address further spread of 2019-nCoV. “This is much better than what happened during the SARS (severe acute respiratory syn-

Economic managers downplay initial big impact of 2019-nCoV

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conomic managers on Thursday discounted the possible effect of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) on the Philippine economy, citing government measures to address the issue.

In a brie�ing after the meeting of the Economic Development Cluster (EDC), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the coronavirus that was �irst traced in Wuhan, China will “likely to just have a short-term

ECONOMIC, P9

he International Monetary Fund is monitoring developments on the coronavirus outbreak in "real time," a spokesman said Thursday, adding that the economic hit depends on the duration of the epidemic.

"We at the IMF are monitoring this very closely, we're looking at the economic indicators on a real-time basis," said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice.

"If global supply chains were systematically affected or global �inancial markets were signi�icantly impacted by increasing uncertainty, then obviously the impact would be greater," Rice said, adding that the effects would be more severe if the ailment spreads to other parts of Asia

from China.

"We're not at this point in a position to put any hard numbers around this," Rice said.

"That's something that we would do in due course, but it's just too early to do that."

The SARS-like virus has af�licted more than 7,700 people and led to 170 fatalities. Outside China there have been around 100 infections reported.

The IMF on January 20 projected the global economy would grow by 3.3 percent in 2020, above the 2.9 percent level last year, due in part to an easing in US-China trade tensions.

But the IMF warned that better growth depended on avoiding another �lare-up in US-China tensions.

BSP still eyeing at least 50 bps of 2020 rate cuts

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he Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is still considering cutting its benchmark interest rate by at least 50 basis points (bps) this year, its governor said on Thursday.

The central bank slashed its policy rates by 75 basis points in 2019, reversing some of the policy tightening it did in 2018 to slow red-hot in�lation.

“We still have a long way to unwind,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno told reporters ahead of the central bank’s policy meeting on Feb 6.

Economic growth in the Philippines slid to an eight-year low of 5.9 percent last year, missing the low-end of the government’s 6 to 6.5 percent expansion target.

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Coronavirus fears continue to pull down stocks, peso

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oreign selling continues to negatively impact Philippine shares and the peso Thursday partly on news of increasing number of deaths and infection from novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in several countries.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) shed 0.93 percent, or 69.63 points, to 7,392.68 points, which BPI Research attributed to intensi�ied fears on the coronavirus from China.

All Shares followed with a drop of 0.74 percent, or 32.51 points, to 4,392.55 points.

Holding Firms posted the biggest decline of 1.40 percent, which was trailed by the Services, 1.13 percent; Mining and Oil, 1.02 percent; Industrial, 0.70 percent; Financials, 0.61

percent; and Property, 0.21 percent.

Volume totaled to 562.84 million shares amounting to PHP5.45 billion.

Losers led gainers at 123 to 61, while 51 shares were unchanged.

The local currency ended the day at 50.96 from the previous day’s 50.83 close.

It opened the day at 50.89, depreciating from the 50.72 start in the previous session.

It traded between 50.83 and 51.00, bringing the day’s average to 50.904.

Volume totaled to USD948.5 million, higher than the USD884.55 million Wednesday.

BPI Research expects the peso to trade between 50.80 and 51.00 to a US dollar on Friday. (PNA)

Car importers’ sales slip in 2019

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he sales of car importers in the country slipped by 0.5 percent to 87,984 units in 2019 from 88,430 units in 2018, the Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) reported Thursday.

The sales of imported passenger cars went down by 150 units to 30,726 units last year from 30,876 units sold in 2018, registering a �lat growth for this segment.

Light commercial vehicle sales also declined by 1.1 percent to 56,351 units in 2019 from 56,999 units in the previous year.

However, last year’s commercial vehicle sales were robust compared to the two segments, with sales of 907 units, higher by 67 percent from 2018’s 555 unit sales.

For December 2019 alone, AVID sales increased by 12 percent.

Growth was led by

ECONOMY 5

light commercial vehicles as sales of the segment expanded by 16 percent year on year to 5,362 units from 4,617 units.

Passenger car sales also improved by 5 percent to 2,608 units in December last year from 2,477 units in the same month in 2018.

Commercial vehicle sales went up by 2 percent to 119 units last month from 117 units a year ago.

“The continued easing of in�lation rates, lower fuel prices, and increased government spending will only bolster sales for the group. We will complement these positive indicators with new models, value-packed service offerings, and easier ownership schemes,” AVID president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said.

She added that AVID is optimistic for this year as the government continues its robust spending on infrastructure. (PNA)

A passerby browses through the collection of knock-off watches on display along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Friday. Lean Daval Jr

Business bureau bares good turnout of permit renewals

By MAYA M. PADILLO total of 15,968 business permits have been issued by the city government’s Business Bureau as of Wednesday night, January 29, the 24th day of the renewal period.

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The Business Bureau Of�ice said the approved permits were part of the 34,996 applications for 2020 business permits.

BBO head Marissa Marasigan-Torrentera noticed a good turnout this year which they attributed from diligent reminders to taxpayers to �ile business

renewals early.

“We keep reminding them nga mag-renew ug sayo ug kung mahimo i-check daan ang mga documents. Kani factor ni para mapaspas kay dili na ma-pending ang pag-process,” Torrentera told media in I-Speak.

This is also the third

year that the bureau is practicing early printing of the application forms for renewal. Forms were already printed as early as December 2019.

“Early printing for example for renewal 2020 as early as December 2019 pa lang naga-allow nami magsugod na sila ug process. Naa na sila sa step one, which is �iling. Pag-�ile nila sa December tagaan na namo sila ug application form for renewal and come January naa na sila sa step 2, which is assessment and payment,” she said.

She added that last December 2019, they conducted advanced printing of 3,669 application forms.

“Dako na nga �igure compared to December 2018 nga ang early printing that time was only more than 1,000. Daghan naman ang medyo kabalo so mas gina-execute na nila ang step one early as December pa lang,” Torrentera said.

However, Torrentera clari�ied that early printing would be applicable only if applicants paid all their taxes already.

(We are now discussing how to counter the impact of the cancellation of Chinese tourists.)

lockdown, but the industry remains “cautious,” Nunag said.

“It’s too soon to be advertising that we are safe from the epidemic,” he said.

Most hotels decided to waive cancellation or rebooking fees as a goodwill gesture to tourists, Nunag said. Leniency on cancellation requests helped the province’s tourism industry cope after the 2013 Bohol quake and a terrorism scare in 2017, he said.

Some 1.25 million Chinese tourists arrived in the Philippines in 2018, making China the second largest tourism market for the Philippines, next to South Korea.

The Philippines will “keep promoting to other markets that are not yet affected by the virus,” Department of Tourism spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr. earlier said.

“Ang priority natin is safety and well-being ng mga turista at locals.”

(Our priority is the safety and well-being of tourists and locals.)

Apple unveils new map Boracay tourism braces for impact of virus app to challenge Google

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pple on Thursday said it has �inished rolling out an overhauled map app in the US in another attempt to challenge Google's popular smartphone navigation software.

Apple spent years rebuilding the application, its cars traveling millions of miles to map roads, after a version launched in 2012 was so problematic it prompted a rare public apology from chief executive Tim Cook.

Mapping programs on mobile devices is seen as a way to stay in tune with smartphone lifestyles and pursue opportunities to make money connecting people with nearby offerings such as restaurants, theaters, clothing shops and other businesses.

Apple said the redesigned "Maps" program is fast, accurate, and comprehensive, even weaving in transit options in some locations.

Maps is to begin rolling out in Europe in coming

months.

"We set out to create the best and most private maps app on the planet that is re�lective of how people explore the world today," Apple senior vice president of internet software and services Eddy Cue said in a release.

"It is an effort we are deeply invested in and required that we rebuild the map from the ground up to re-imagine how Maps enhances people’s lives — from navigating to work or school or planning an important vacation — all with privacy at its core."

Apple Maps had some features similar to those in Google Maps, such as pictures of locations taken at street level and arti�icial intelligence to check the status of �light reservations noted in email boxes or on calendars.

As with other products, Apple stressed work done to protect user privacy, such as obscuring search terms, routing, and other data, according to the company.

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ewer tourists are taking �light over Boracay Island’s white sand strip as a lockdown in China slashed demand for water sports, highlighting how the outbreak of a new coronavirus strain threatens tourism.

Water sports businesses lost 60 percent of their income since the outbreak began late last year, some losing up to 600 customers per day, said Russell Cruz, president of the Boracay Watersports Association.

“It greatly affects us,” Cruz said.

“Kung dati umo-order ka ng Double Black, Emperador ka muna (When before you order Double Black, you make do with Emperador for now),” likening his colleagues plight to a shift to brandy from expensive whisky.

Group members plan to lessen working days to cut costs and avoid layoffs, he said.

The Philippines on Thursday con�irmed its �irst novel coronavirus case, a female Chinese tourist from Wuhan, where the

pathogen was believed to have originated. President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday temporarily bannedtravelers from Hubei province, where Wuhan is located.

The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the virus, as the death toll in China topped 200 and the number of cases approached the 10,000-mark.

In Subic Bay, cruise liners Costa Crociere, Royal Caribbean and Genting temporarily suspended operations between China and the Philippines, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said on Tuesday.

“The coronavirus is creating quite a signi�icant impact not only in the Philippines but across ASEAN nations, and we can even say globally,” said Ritchie Tuano, president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association.

“Pinag-uusapan namin diyan is how to counter yung impact ng cancellation ng Chinese tourists,” he said.

‘GROWING FEAR’

While not as badly hit as Boracay, in neighboring Bohol, there is a “growing fear” of staying in airports or terminals, Bohol Provincial Tourism Council chairman Doy Nunag said in a separate interview.

Some beachfront resorts saw a 5 to 10 percent drop in bookings after reports of the disease surfaced, Nunag said.

“We are very, very concerned din kasi �luid pa ang situation. I think we haven’t seen the worst yet,” he said, noting that medical experts have yet to �ind a cure for the virus.

“So far, we are holding up, but talagang maghihigpit ng sinturon (we need to tighten our belts),” he said.

Tourism of�icials have considered advertising the Visayan island destination to the European or South Korean markets to offset losses from China’s

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

EDITORIAL

Unmasking the mask

There seems to be one looming “fashion” statement these days. It’s the protective mask. Be it N95s or surgical masks. Everyone’s into it. The question is, are people using the mask correctly or are they even causing more risk to themselves?

If one lives in Manila or nearby areas within the vicinity of Taal Volcano, that is understandable. The recent explosion--given the health risks from the ashfall-caused the running out of masks in the metro. But then the mask extended its demand with the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus. Thus, the demand just went crazy. Wearing a mask has become as obligatory as wearing underwear as the consciousness for protection over the dreaded virus escalates day by day.

To date, there had been 7,711 con�irmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus in China’s 31 provincial-level regions and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps by the end of Wednesday. A total of 170 people have died of the disease. In the Philippines, the Wuhan coronavirus scare has turned everyone on the defensive side. Thus, the mask protection.

This leads to the question--can a mask protect one from the coronavirus?

Can a mask really keep you from catching the virus?

In China where the Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread, of�icials are urging citizens to wear masks in public to stop the spread of the virus.

To answer the question, it helps to clarify which kinds of masks we’re talking about. Dabawenyo doctor Richard Mata came up with a video which circulated on social media on Thursday explaining the use of the two types of masks--the N95s and the surgical mask. The explanation was extensive and should help everyone understand the usefulness of the mask under different circumstances.

As experts don’t yet know exactly how the virus is transmitted, they have recommended that health care workers treat it like an airborne pathogen — germs that can travel in particles or droplets in the air. That means health care workers interacting with a coronavirus patient should wear a heavy-duty mask

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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

called an N95 respirator. These respirators are designed to �it tightly around the nose and mouth, and, when worn correctly, block out at least 95% of small airborne particles. But wearing an N95 respirator is serious business. Health care workers who use these respirators are required by law to undergo an annual �it test — a check to make sure the mask forms a tight seal on the wearer’s face so that contaminated air can’t leak in. Although N95s are disposable, workers must also demonstrate that they know how to put on and wear the model that they are using. This type of mask is dif�icult to wear because it’s uncomfortable and one may �ind it harder to breathe when wearing them.

Experts, nevertheless, believe that’s the kind of protection that really works.

However, there’s no recommendation for the general public to wear them.

Unless one lives in Wuhan or Hubei Province where the virus originated.

By contrast, surgical masks do provide some bene�it but they’re far from foolproof. Surgical masks are just a physical barrier that will protect against a visible splash or spray of �luid or large droplets. These masks �it loosely on the face around the edges, so they don’t completely keep out germs, and small airborne particles can still get through.

Experts note that how you remove a mask, whether it is a surgical mask or an N95 respirator, is also important. If you touch the front when taking it off, you could end up contaminating yourself. That is why it pays to know its complexities.

As for wearing a mask outdoors in public? If you’re in a country where the risk of catching the Wuhan coronavirus is considered low, you may actually not need it. Wearing a surgical mask is a good idea if you have a respiratory illness and need to see the doctor. But that’s really so you won’t infect other people.

The reason why we are running out of masks is misinformation. If one does not know how to use it properly and how to dispose of it, it is better not to rush out and buy a mask. Not only is its misuse not actually working as a protection but otherwise, it’s also contributing to the shortage.

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.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

JAPAN’S PROPAGANDA OF NORMALCY In 1941, the year Davao got its �irst taste of aerial bombs, Christmas was not celebrated. Resident were preoccupied with safety after the Japanese army took over the city on December 20. Homes were emptied and the inhabitants had dispersed to seek shelter in areas far away from the city proper. Three months later the Japanese administration issued a propaganda, declaring that “everything is returning to normal in Davao City.”

Teiji Ikeda of the Propaganda Corps of the Japanese army who visited the city in early 1942 made the assessment. He reported that the food shortage felt in the early part of the occupation had already been addressed after lands were volunteered for the cultivation of staples.

The of�icial claimed the Filipinos who �led to the hills had returned due to “normal conditions” and even took note that “peace and order has been remarkably restored” after the American forces were driven out, and the Japanese nationals rescued. He also highlighted the despicable condition the Japanese were in, the false U.S. propaganda, the youth volunteerism, and the possession of

the city under Japanese control.

Many Japanese residents, however, were without anything in hand, everything having been looted by the enemy.

They were without food, clothing, tableware of family tools.

Even the toys and textbooks of school children were looted.

The Japanese residents, therefore, were forced to make every effort to obtain their supply of food. All Japanese planters of Manila hemp destroyed 10 per cent of their own plantations for the purpose of converting them into �ields for rice, corn, potato, and vegetables…

The Filipino inhabitants at �irst still believed in the aid coming from the U. S., having been misled by their false propaganda. However, they began to discredit the Americans gradually after knowing so many victories achieved by the Imperial forces in every part of the Great East Asia. They seem to understand gradually what Japan is �ighting for and knowing that the Japanese forces in�lict no harm on law-abiding inhabitants, they began to return to their homes...

The situation in Davao is now almost unchanged from what prevailed there before the war.

The Filipinos well understand the imminent necessity for food and are cooperating with the Japanese for the increase of production.

A new mayor, Alfonso Oboza, was appointed... and the former of�icials were re-appointed to their old posts. The Committees organized voluntarily by the Filipinos for the purpose of maintaining order and cooperating with the military in every respect have been meeting daily...

Shops and stores have been... opened. Food and other household commodities... distributed among Filipinos and Japanese [despite] scarcity of supply. The people living in the province far from the city are also returning to their homes, and the number of certi�icates issued... certifying the holders to be law-abiding citizens now reach 80 percent of the pre-war population.

They are now willingly cooperating with the Imperial forces in the establishment of a NewPhilippines. All the forces which �led to the mountains are now- doomed and peaceful Mindanao is soon to be reality.

This situation was seconded by Davao governor Romual-

do C. Quimpo in an interview done by a correspondent of Hochi Shinbu, a Japanese daily, in April 1942 where he declared his famous line: “I regret I have but one life to sacri�ice in my endeavor to rehabilitate my province from the ravages of American brutality and destruction.”

Upon Quimpo’s arrival in the city from Manila the enemy forces were still conducting “lightning offensive” against American and Filipino forces while the Japanese �lag �lew at City Hall. Accordingly, “Filipino troopers [were] still resisting Japanese forces… because they [were] still intoxicated with the American promise that help is coming from the United States,” adding trust the Filipinos reposed on the Americans was dwindling and “soon the Filipino troops [would] demand a truce with the Japanese.” The report added: The governor smilingly said… the inhabitants of Davao are rapidly returning to their homes, asserting that even the former governor of the province, who was Quimpo’s political opponent has returned to Davao to work the reconstruction of the province… Meanwhile… the municipal author-

ities are tackling with great dif�iculty the food problem… caused by the plunder and ravage of Fil-American forces during their retreat. The mayor [Oboza] revealed that the authorities are encouraging the planting of corn and vegetables in unused lands and offering assistance in farming technique [adding] that although goods have been distributed… the Filipinos are trying their best to make Davao self-suf�icient.

Adding substance to the propaganda of normalcy in the city was the holding of the annual St. Peter’s feast. The Teachers’ Band and St. Peter’s School Band held separate concerts, while Peña Jberica, a local society, held its anniversary with a dance at the clubhouse.

As regular feature of the �iesta, Masses at the St. Peter’s Church were said by the Jesuit priests and capped by a pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Luis del Rosario of Zamboanga and two others. A huge crowd attended the rites which were later followed by parlor games.

The article reported that the celebration “was climaxed by a very long religious procession in the evening,” adding an over�lowing throng paid homage to St. Peter.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

CAN YOU TRUST SOMEONE? “Trust each other again and again. When the trust level gets high enough, people transcend apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were previously unaware.” – David Armistead In a press brie�ing recently at Malacañang, President Rodrigo R. Duterte admitted that he cannot trust the Vice President Leni Robredo. “The problem is,” he told the press, “I cannot trust her not only because she is with the opposition. I do not trust her because I do not know her.”

Trust – that’s the key word.

“Trusting is hard,” Maria V. Snuyder wrote in Poison Study.

“Knowing who to trust, even harder.”

It reminds me of an anecdote told by Ernst Lange. It goes this way: Two four-year-old boys were playing “follow the leader” on top of an old tottering city wall, fully 18 feet above the ground.

Each dared the other to harder and harder challenges.

They tiptoed across very narrow spots to prove that they would not get giddy or dizzy.

They spat down in contempt from the heights. Then they came to where the wall had crumbled completely. As they stood there looking down, the

part behind them broke off. So, how they were stranded on a little island 18 feet above the ground.

The two had called for help.

A man came up, stood at the foot of the wall, stretched out his arms and yelled to them, “Jump down. I’ll catch you.”

Well, what to do? The two young boys were so alike, as almost to be twins, but each reacted to the invitation in opposite ways.

One jumped off the edge of the wall without hesitation. The other sank to his knees, cried in panic and waited for the �ireman to come with their long ladders.

The question now is: why did one boy have the courage to jump and the other not? The answer is easy: the man down below was the �irst boy’s father.

That what trust is all about.

But most people still have a hard time �iguring out what trust really means. “Trust is like blood pressure,” says Frank Sonnenberg, author of Follow Your Conscience. “It’s silent, vital to good health, and if abused it can be deadly.”

Trust usually involves two persons. As Charles H. Green explained in his book, The Trusted Advisor, “It takes two to do the trust tango – the one who risks

(the trustor) and the one who is trustworthy (the trustee); each must play their role.”

Trust encompasses various elements. “Trust is involved in all the basic elements of a healthy relationship: namely, love (respect and consideration for another person), communication, commitment and honesty,” states American life coach and pastor Harold Duarte-Bernhardt.

Finding someone to trust is not an easy task. “Deciding whether or not to trust a person is like deciding whether or not to climb a tree, because you might get a wonderful view from the highest branch, or you might simply get covered in sap, and for this reason many people choose to spend their time alone and indoors, where it is harder to get a splinter,” says Lemony Snicket, the pen name of American novelist Daniel Handler.

But there are people whom you can really trust. And they are usually your friends. After all, respect and trust are the two things friendship is built upon. “Both elements have to be there,” explains Steig Larrson, the author of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. “And it has to be mutual. You can have respect for someone, but if you

don’t have trust, the friendship will crumble.”

In The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, there was this conversation between Frodo, Sam and Merry about giving a trust to someone. Frodo told Sam, “But it does not seem that I can trust anyone.”

Sam looked at Frodo unhappily. “It all depends on what you want,” put in Merry. “You can trust us to stick with you through thick and thin – to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours – closer than you keep it yourself.

But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.”

Find that someone you can trust. “Trust is a skill learned over time so that, like a welltrained athlete, one makes the right moves, usually without much re�lection,” contends American Professor Robert C. Solomon. Irish poet and singer Thomas Moore has the same contention: “We need people in our lives with whom we can be as open as possible. To have real conversations with people may seem like such a simple, obvious suggestion, but it involves courage and risk.”

How we wish the world is perfect and every person we

meet can be trusted. “If we can just let go and trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to, without trying to control the outcome, then we can begin to enjoy the moment more fully,” says Oscar-winning Goldie Hawn. “The joy of freedom it brings become more pleasurable than the experience itself.”

But life isn’t fair. There are always people you cannot trust at all. This is especially true when it comes to love. But when a person is in love, he or she gambles not knowing whether he or she would win in the end.

“Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime,” says bestselling American writer Sherrilyn Kenyon. “It’s what unite us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.”

As David Levithan puts it in his book, The Lover’s Dictionary: “‘It was a mistake,’ you said. But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting (loving) you.”

“Never trust anyone, especially the people you admire,” Carlos Ruiz Safon reminds in The Shadow of the Wind. “Those are the ones who will make you suffer the worst blows.”

Remember that!

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF

SEAWEEDS

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

T

he Philippines – with a land area of 30 million hectares and comprises about 7,641 islands of which only 2,000 are inhabited – has 36,289 kilometers of coastlines (that is almost twice that of the United States).

It is no wonder why the country has the second highest number of seagrasses in the world.

It has 18 species of sea grasses thriving along its coasts. Only Western Australia, with 30 species, has more than that total.

But what most Filipinos don’t know is that the Philippines is home to several seaweed species, of which only 893 species have been identi�ied so far. A seaweed is not a seagrass nor it is a weed; it is actually marine algae. “(The Philippines has) 197 species in 20 families for green algae, 153 species in 10 families for brown algae, and 543 species in 52 families for red algae,” said Dr. Marco Nemesio Montaño, of the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, during a seminar on Enhancing

Marine and Agricultural Products through Biotechnology some years back.

Seaweeds come in several forms, shapes and colors. Of over 9,000 species of seaweeds found all over the world, red tops with 6,000 species, followed by brown (2,000 species) and �inally green (1,200 species).

“Over the years, the economic contribution of seaweed resources to the country’s economy has been recognized and interest in their development has been growing particularly with the increasing demand in the foreign trade for these resources as raw materials for many industries,” said the primer on the status of seaweed industry in the Philippines.

“As an industry, seaweed farming or the gathering of natural stocks is productive,” the seaweed primer added. “It requires low inputs with high returns on investment. It is labor intensive and offers good opportunities for the employment of the otherwise idle labor force in the coastal areas.”

The Philippines is home to various kinds of seaweeds of which 390 species have been identi�ied as having economic value as food, animal feeds, fertilizers, diet supplement, medicines, and raw materials for industrial products.

Among the 60 varieties found in the Philippines which are reportedly edible are gulamang dagat, gamet, pocpoclo, culot, lato, guso, barls-barls, bulaklak bato, and balbalolang. Some of these varieties can be processed into jams, jellies, candies, pickles, baby’s food, and gulaman bars.

In Tiwi, Albay, some residents have discovered a pansit (noodles) made from seaweed, which has health bene�its. The seaweed noodle is rich in calcium and magnesium and can be cooked into pansit canton, pansit luglug, spaghetti and carbonara.

Seaweed noodles have become an instant hit not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well where there are Filipinos living. Some overseas Filipino workers are already bringing

the product to the United States, Canada, and at the Middle East as “pasalubong” (gift upon one’s arrival).

The seaweed is �irst turned into a puree. Six liters of seaweed puree is mixed with a 25-kilo sack of �lour. Generally, the shelf life of the noodles is six months. But recently, they managed to produce a seaweed noodle that has a oneyear life, depending on storage system.

“Many �ind it delicious by itself even if there aren’t lots of ingredients. And our noodles last a long time.

You cook it now, and it won’t get spoiled until tomorrow,” pointed out Aida S. Andayog, manager of the Regional Fisheries Research and Development Center (RFRDC) in Bicol.

Bicol is the home of National Seaweed Development Technology Center. Aside from seaweed noodles, the RFRDC has also produced value-added seaweed products like, pickles, nata de seaweed, seaweed candies, seaweed leche �lan, marmalade or sandwich spread, seaweed lumpia, longganiza, and

morcon.

As food, seaweed contains several vitamins. Red and brown algae are rich in carotenes and are used, in fact, as a source of natural mixed carotenes for dietary supplements.

The content ranges from 20-170 parts per million. The vitamin C in red and brown algae is also notable, with contents ranging from 500-3000 parts per million. Other vitamins are also present, including B12, which is not found in most land plants.

Commercially, seaweeds are valued for their colloids or gluey substance, particularly agar, carrageenan, and alginate. Both agar and carrageenan are extracted from red seaweeds, while alginate is extracted from brown seaweeds.

Agar is used in making jellied desserts, as stabilizer in pie �illings, piping gels, icings, cookies, cream shells, and as thickening and gelling agent in poultry, �ish and meat canning. In the medical and pharmaceutical industries, agar serves as a laxative, suspending agent for barium sulfate in ra-

diology, ingredient for slow-release capsules and in suppositories and surgical lubricants, and as a disintegrating agent in tablets. It is also used as impression materials to make accurate casts in prosthetic dentistry, criminology and tool manufacturing.

Carrageenan, on the other hand, is used in making ointments, as emulsifying agent in water-insoluble drugs and herbicides, and as texturing agent in toothpaste and powder.

It is also used in salad dressings and sauces, dietetic foods, and as a preservative in meat and �ish products, dairy items and baked goods.

Alginates enjoy many of the same uses as carrageenan, but are also used in production of industrial products such as paper coatings, adhesives, dyes, gels, explosives and in processes such as paper sizing, textile printing, hydro-mulching and drilling. In the biomedicine and pharmaceutical industries, alginates are used in wound dressings, and production of dental moulds

SEAWEEDS, P10

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

WATERFRONT WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF

ALL AROUND THE WORLD, Chinese New Year is a celebration that is centred on family and the family of the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao just got bigger with the announcement of their new executive chef during the hotel’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

With more than a decade worth of work experience spent here and abroad, Chef Anna Mae “Mimi” Briones was the Senior Sous Chef at Gambaro’s Seafood Restaurant and Steak House in Brisbane. With a notable

background in a number of 5-star hotels and resorts, Chef Mimi brings a fresh, new touch to dining at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao this 2020.

Taking over the reins of the hotel’s banquet events and all-day-dining restaurants, Chef Mimi presented a generous six-station buffet of Chinese and Asian dishes at Cafe Uno making the celebration of Chinese New Year lunch a festive dining experience.

Guests at the Chinese New Year lunch tasted Crispy Spring Rolls, Fried Siomai and Pork Empanada as hot appetisers alongside Chinese Eggplant Salad

that accompanied four other salad choices in the buffet.

For the mains, The Lunar Celebration Buffet highlighted a 12-course selection and a special carving of Smoked Ham Pineapple Glaze, Peking Duck, and (my favourite dish of the meal) Lechon Macau. Chef Mimi also served signature specialties which included Shanghai Style Braised Pork Belly, Stir Fry Beef and Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce, and tender Sichuan Beef.

A Chinese New Year spread is not a celebration without sweets and glutenous rice desserts. A variety of delicacies like Tang Yuan, a classic Chinese New Year treat, and other desserts like Hopia, Mini Pies, Buchi, and Tikoy were also served completing the Lunar Celebration experience.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

FORD PHIL BOOSTS PIC PORTFOLIO WITH NEW FX4, UPGRADED RANG 10 WAYS TO ENJOY SALE WEEKEND AT SM LANANG STEP INTO THE FUTURE in style in SM Lanang Premier’s The Great 3 Day Sale! Enjoy these experiences and more when you welcome the sale weekend with open arms (and carts!).

1

Save – Mall wide selections are yours at up to 70 percent off! Flash your SM Advantage and Prestige card on the following dates and times to get an extra 10% off your entire shopping bill: 10 AM to 11 PM for Prestige on January 31; 9 AM to 12 NN for both cards on February 1; and 5 PM to 7 PM on February 2.

2 3 4

Indulge – Be an early shopper and enjoy exclusive treats from brand partners. The first 50 shoppers to show a P5,000 shopping receipt at the Atrium redemption booth get treats from Brownies Unlimited, Krispy Kreme, and Serenitea!

Play – Get a chance to win exciting prizes in The Great 3 Day Sale’s Blast Off Pin Game in the mall Atrium. Put on your smart and savvy and play digital games that could win you big prizes.

Eat – Treat your taste buds with all things delightful in Sugar Rush Just Desserts Fair at the mall Atrium. Get your sweets from featured vendors Milky Cakes and Sweets, Miss Baker, Chefnath’s Cronuts, Maura Shore Creamery, Confex & Co. Bakehouse, and Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

5 6 7 8 9 10

Get more – BDO Card holders get rebates for shopping sprints in The SM Store: credit card holders get 10% cash back, while debit card holders get up to 3%!

Lounge – Take your time when shopping. There’s more to see and put on your cart. Don’t worry—mall hours are extended until 11 PM all weekend. The mall opens at 9 AM on Saturday, too.

Snap – Capture life’s moments with the iPhone 11’s 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. Want one? Shop at least P1,000 to get in the raffle.

Travel – Win roundtrip tickets for two to Narita, Japan via Cathay Dragon. A purchase of P1,000 gets you in the raffle.

Shop – spend the best time with your family and friends, picking out the season’s hottest styles and brand new collections in Davao’s premier lifestyle and shopping destination.

Win – More surprises await shoppers who follow SM Lanang Premier’s social media @smlanangpremier.

FORD PHILIPPINES today launches the new Ford Ranger FX4 to boost its best-selling Ranger portfolio, making it the automotive company with the widest lineup of pickup trucks in the country with 13 available variants.

The new Ford Ranger FX4 boasts of a bold design inside out and features that will help widen the appeal of the Ranger among customers seeking for a versatile and capable pickup truck.

“The new Ranger FX4 is a strong addition to our Ranger lineup as we continue to offer a variety of our ‘Built Ford Tough’ pickup trucks to customers with different needs, budget, and lifestyle, clearly signifying that there is indeed a Ford Ranger for everyone,” said PK Umashankar, managing director, Ford Philippines.

Bolder look and design Instantly recognizable is the Ranger FX4’s eye-catching design that distinguishes itself across the entire Ranger lineup.

Unique 18-inch black alloy wheels, new mesh grille, extended steel sports bar, and ebony black accents on side mirror caps, door handles, front and rear bumpers and fender features give the Ranger FX4 a distinctive look and style.

The standout decals along the lower doors and a 3D badge on its tailgate complement its attractive design.

On the inside, the Ranger FX4 retains its refined look with FX4-embossed leather seats, FX4-branded floor mats, and sporty dark environment highlighted by race red stitching accents on the soft top instrument panel, center console, gear shifter, and door trims.

Comfort and convenience The Ranger FX4 is also equipped with a selection of features that enhance the driving experience for both drivers and passengers.

It offers entertainment through an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, including a new 8-inch full color touchscreen.

The Ranger FX4 is also

(From left to right) Jonathan Legaspi, Sales Director; Ryan Lorenzo, Marketing Director; PK Umas Yukontorn ‘Vickie’ Wisadkosin, President ASEAN. packed with driver-assistance technologies (DAT) that include Cruise Control, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Rear Parking Sensors, Rain Sensing Wipers, Power Folding Mirrors, and Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), collectively bringing in comfort, safety, and convenience in every drive.

Proven performance Powering the Ranger FX4 is Ford’s proven 2.2L Duratorq diesel engine mated with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, delivering an impressive 160PS and 385Nm of torque.

Availability and pricing The new Ranger FX4 is available in Ford dealerships nationwide starting January 23, 2020 with a starting retail price of Php1,256,000 for the 4x2 man-

ual variant and Php1,316,000 for the 4x2 automatic variant.

It comes in five colors: Absolute Black, Aluminum Metallic, Arctic White, Meteor Grey, and True Red. “The Ranger FX4 takes toughness to a whole new level with a new look, sleek design, and relevant features customized to fit the needs of a new breed of pickup truck customers with both work and play needs,” added Ryan Lorenzo, marketing director, Ford Philippines.

Ranger for Everyone Aside from the new Ranger FX4, Ford Philippines is also introducing a series of enhancements and upgrades to its entire Ranger lineup.

Ranger XLS variants now come with a new 8-inch LCD touchscreen radio with Apple Carplay and Android Auto Capability. A new Ranger XLS

Spo to t ava R com tou Car Cap M 4x2 whe lam has hea ton wit hig por L now bas Bra tion LED “ pick ing ers

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

ENTERTAINMENT

CKUP TRUCK W RANGER GER LINEUP

shankar, Managing Director; and

ort 4x2 A/T variant is added the Ranger XLS products ailable to customers.

Ranger XLT variants also me with a new 8-inch LCD uchscreen radio with Apple rplay and Android Auto pability.

Meanwhile, Ranger Wildtrak 2 variants now have a new heel design and LED headmps. The Wildtrak 4x4 also s a new wheel design, LED adlamps, camera-based Aunomous Emergency Braking th pedestrian detection and gh-mount USB feature to suprt various dashcam models.

Lastly, the Ranger Raptor w comes with a camerased Autonomous Emergency aking with pedestrian detecn, high-mount USB, and D headlamps.

“We have gone further in our kup truck lineup by bringg more value to our customwith enhanced technology

The Ford executives pose beside the different Ford Ranger variants. (From left to right) Ford Ranger Raptor, Ford Ranger XLS, Ford Ranger FX4, Ford Ranger XLT, and Ford Ranger Wildtrak. and content in all our Ranger products while retaining current pricing – more value at the same price. With the widest range, widest price brand and higher value for our pickup trucks, there is indeed a Ranger for everyone in the Philippines,” added Umashankar.

Ford Island Conquest kicks off The launch of the Ranger FX4 also officially marks the kick-off of the Ford Island Conquest event this year. The first leg of the experiential test drive will happen on January 24-26, 2020 from 9:00am to 9:00pm at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay City.

During the three-day event, customers have the chance to test drive the Ranger FX4 and other Ford vehicles on a specialized driving course that will showcase the vehicles’ best-inclass features and capabilities.

Customers also have the chance to avail of exclusive offers and deals when they purchase a Ford vehicle. This includes a Php10,000 outright cash discount and pick-aprize cash discount of up to Php100,000 on top of existing promotions for the month.

Over Php1.3 million worth of cash discounts and prizes are up for grabs during the Ford Island Conquest kick-off.

To know more about the new Ford Ranger FX4, visit the Ford Philippines website or any Ford dealership nearest you.

KEN AND RITA TO CHOOSE BETWEEN LOVE AND CAREER IN OOTB FINALE

THE MILLENNIAL FAIRYTALE One of the Baes marked the firstever primetime series of the RitKen love team—a dream come true for all RitKen shippers.

Viewers were all aboard in following the story of Jowalyn and Grant in the said romantic-comedy series produced by GMA News and Public Affairs. Since its pilot airing, OOTB charmed its way to Filipino TV households and stirred interest among netizens.

In the series, Jowalyn Biglangdapa (Rita Daniela) is resolved to become a ship captain, and tries to avoid romantic entanglements along the way. Grant Altamirano (Ken Chan), on the other hand, is convinced he already met his one great love during his childhood and is on the verge of meeting her again. While showcasing environmental awareness through his vlogs, he sets out to look for her.

Jowa discovers that going after her dream will not be smooth sailing, especially when people like Alona Aragoza (Melanie Marquez) and Xtina Aguilar (Joyce Ching) will do anything to pull her down. But with the support of her adoptive father, Paps Fernando (Roderick Paulate), and her friends in the Home Baes, Jowa succeeds and finishes her studies and finally becomes a captain of the ship.

Meanwhile, Grant learns that recognizing one’s true love can be challenging at times and that the past can cloud one’s perception of the present. At first, he thinks that he has found his childhood love in Xtina. Meeting Jowa changes everything as he finds himself falling in love with his friend. In the end, Grant discovers that Jowa indeed was the girl who saved his life when they were young.

One of the Baes aimed to empower women on the high seas. It also paid tribute to our Filipino seafarers by featuring real-life maritime students from Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (MAAP) in the production.

Ken, who plays Grant in the series, shares that the OOTB opened his

eyes to the reality that maritime students face in achieving their dreams.

“Habang ginagawa namin ang One of the Baes, naranasan at nalaman namin kung gaano kahirap ang buhay ng mga estudyante na gustong maging marino. Dati parang ang dami kong complaints about life.

Pero nu’ng naranasan ko kahit papaano isabuhay ang buhay nila, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na wala akong karapatang magcomplain pa sa buhay.

Hindi biro ang ginagawa ng mga estudyanteng marino dahil buhay nila ang isinasakripisyo nila, matupad lang ang pangarap nila at ‘yun ang pinaka-importanteng natutuhan ko sa One of the Baes.”

He adds that he will definitely miss his OOTB family. “Sobrang mami-miss ko ‘yung mga co-actor ko at ang mga staff dahil sila ang nakakasama ko almost every day sa loob ng maraming buwan. Iba kasi ang nabuong samahan sa

OOTB. Dati, kinakabahan ako kasi ang dami naming veteran actors na makakatrabaho. Nagkabaliktad, sobrang sarap pala nilang katrabaho at ‘yung kaba ko nawala dahil ang cool nila lahat.

At ang mga staff, wish ko sana makatrabaho ko ulit sila again, soon. Mamimiss ko rin ang locations na pinupuntahan namin like Bataan. First time kong ma-experience na magpabalik-balik from Batangas to Mindoro. At mami-miss ko rin ang paglangoy-langoy ko rito sa dagat, kasi hilig ko talaga ang dagat at dito sa OOTB natupad ‘yun.

Ang dami kong eksena na sumisid ako sa dagat at nakita ko ang mga coral reef at mga isda.

And mami-miss ko ang luto ni Tita Amy Austria dahil lagi syang nagdadala ng pagkain sa set,” he says.

Respect for other people is what Rita will take with her from OOTB. “Respect people’s time, respect kung ano man ang naging desisyon ng

tao, and learn to adjust.

Kasama ‘yun sa respect eh. Malaking bagay ‘yun kasi halos majority ng cast ay veteran actors.

Nakita ko kung paano nila nire-respeto ang trabaho nila at mga taong kasama nila sa show,” she says.

She shares that she will miss the Baes and their “Home Baes” the most. “Kahit na maliit at magulo, marami kaming napagdaanan doon. At syempre mami-miss ko ang production staff.”

In a few days, the millennial fairy tale One of the Baes will finally come to an end. As the love story of Grant and Jowalyn (Team JowAnt) blooms, another one begins with Carmina and Paps (Team CarPaps).

Will Team JowAnt, Team CarPaps, and the rest of the Home Baes family finally get their own version of happy ever after? Don’t miss the last chapter of One of the Baes, this January 31, after The Gift on GMA Telebabad.

A4 INdulge!

EVENTAND CULTURE ARTS TRAVEL TECH

EDGE DAVAO EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 232 •216 WEDNESDAY, • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY17, 22, 1, 2020 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 219 • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,JANUARY JANUARY 14,

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINENEW ELIMINATES SINGLECHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT ATENEO DE DAVAO SONY INTRODUCES GP-VPT2BT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

This is also among the reasons why Limon will go to Sitio Sangab to introduce the cotton weaving. He believes that using cotton threads into Dagmay as By IRVING wellKENNETH as their embroidery will ONG help sustain their livelihood.

ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY’S “Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise CONFUCIUS INSTITUTE order sathe Dagmay if they willheld ChiLine, innovator nese New Year festivities last January 27, use cotton threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the 2020.

Limon also seeshistory the to with a 53-year growing lineup ofneed camwas a simple that tapItbreaking the artisans incelebration this endeavof boundaries, eras and accessories kicked-off with a rousing lion dance or to givesingle-use their clients fresh is now plasdeveloped for modern cultural presentations andbeverage new designs. tic bottle freeby the stucreators, Sony today dents ofreally the fleet.

Ateneo Performing “We need toSidlak tap new the across its has announced the Arts artisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless TheCollective. brand announced last Inga-agi his message, de Davao gud pa ko saAteneo middle shooting grip.

Ideal year that it partnered withfor University President Rev.sa Fr. Joel Taboman since wala’y many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,access which enra, S. J.the said “First andtoforemost community,” he Line said. of content creation abled Cruise replace for this lunar newwants year (we wish Limon tovlogs show off ranging from to the gift of all single-use plastic waterfor) health, and inDagmay the17-ship context of the Confuthe beauty of asfleet, travel photography /he bottles across its ciusclients Institute, our countries we has whobetween are looking for videography tomost simple beginning with its recent ask for the ofEncore. understanding.

That clothes andgift accessories made everyday use, the new ship, Norwegian weThe may understand better by the Mandayas.

He saidof they grip offers optimum achievement isourselves one the despite our cultural barriers, despite our noticed thatand some Pasalubong Aldevinco do not carry Dagstability comfort latest sustainable steps forward barriers in language, despite centers including Davao City’s may cloth. combined with cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

Inour barriers in connectivity distance and education. free and a We ask 2018, the Company eliminated for the giftdust of greater understanding, reliable and moissingle-use plastic straws across thatfleet weresistant mayprivate understand china more and ture design. its and destinathat china may understand Compatible with aofvariety tions, and as a result this us more.”

Tabora also placed emphasis on of Fr. Sony’s latest digital most recent initiative, itcamerwill a third gift, understanding, we as, the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over “From six million singlemayplastic come to a third gift of peace. Peace easily via Bluetooth, allowing use water bottles every here in Peace in isChina.CO2 emissions rate, increase creators to simplythe aim and year.

InMindanao. addition, brand Peace without because of an acceptance shoot interfering working to eliminate single-use of diversustainable sourcing and invest sity among our peoples.

An acceptance cables or exposed inputs.

The ly,initemerging has an adjustment wheel plastic shampoo and conditechnologies. of thegrip diversity between ourtilt cultures. new includes athis useful can“This be loosened tightened tioner bottles later year. is a veryorspecial and That together wedriven arefor allflexible human beings feature that allows tovery allow for seamless operaThese efforts are by proud moment for us,” andCompany’s bound together theas gift of being vertical angle adjustment tion cameras of different the Sail &bySustain saidwith Harry Sommer, president humans together on globe.” well as the ability to this switch gripof Environmental Program, which sizes and and chiefweights. executiveThe officer “Socommitment health, to understanding, from normal self-shooting also includesCruise a flip button, inis its to minimizepeace, Norwegian Line. “As and from peace understanding mode with ease.and Additionaldicator light and line, lock we switch, waste to landfills, reduce its aof leading cruise are course happiness and prosperity.” he concluded.

A4 INdulge!

actor and activist Jaden Smith and family, JUST takes an innovative approach to sourcing and packaging the world’s most valued resource - water. The revolutionary company focuses on an impact model, taking into consideration both how the water is sourced and packaged.

JUST is 100% spring water in a plant-based carton. The carton is made of 82% renewable materials – the paper carton is made from trees grown in responsibly-managed forests and the cap and shoulder are made from a sugarcane-based plastic.

It is refillable and recyclable.

JUST has a global presence with bottling facilities in Glenn Falls, NY; Ballymena, Northern Ireland; and Ballarat, Australia, thus allowing the company to meet demand around the world without shipping water from a single production source. JUST takes care to use the most efficient shipping options available.

For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line ships and their itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCLCRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

A4 INdulge!

“Wala man gud kaayo Mandaya na pieces and mostly T’boli products ang sa Aldevinco. Sa Manila T’boli lang mostly makita nako na ginahimo accent ug Yakan, beads sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao and Inaul. Walay something from the Mandaya community,” hetosaid. thrilled make such an impact cotton Dagmay design

by The eliminating single-use beverclothing not yetchanged available and can beisquickly age bottles across our fleet. in theajust market as Limon into tripod simply exIt’s one by of the waysand wehis are group are in the immerpanding the bottom portion, working tostill preserve our oceans sion the stage ofstable, the project. enabling easy handsand destinations we visit.

“Wethis willisevaluate their free shooting.

While just the pa beginning capacity and kung willing sila The GP-VPT2BT Wireless of what we and others can do, makipag-collaborate,” he said.

Shooting Grip will committed be availwe are incredibly

to our Sail & Sustain program and believe wholeheartedly in the importance of preserving our natural resources. We will continue to strive towards making environmentally conscious decisions to benefit our earth.”

Envisioned and founded by American rapper, songwriter,

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

VOL.12 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE 94 100 84 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, • SUNDAY-MONDAY, • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JULY JULY 19-20, 28-29, 5-6, 2019

UP AND LAUNDRY FURNITURE A2A1 ABOUTa silly method but for EJ and

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

NO DENT... FROM1 China last Wednesday.

The temporary ban stemmed from fears these Chinese nationals might visit the island amid the threat of 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The local government unit admitted that it does not have the medical facilities to handle such cases.

“I don’t think magkakaroon ng epekto ang temporary ban sa tourism sa island,” Lozada said.

Samal Island, located in Davao del Norte, is frequented by tourists for its

pristine beaches.

Meanwhile, the Consulate General of the Republic of China in Davao City has already assured that the 79 passengers that arrived in Davao City are not from Hubei Province, the epicenter of the dreaded Wuhan coronavirus.

Chinese Consul General Li Lin said each passenger is not a bearer of Chinese passport issued by Hubei Province and none had been to Hubei within the previous 15 days before their travel.

The Bureau of Quarantine Davao has also con�irmed that the passengers were tested negative for nCoV. The passengers were checked through thermometer as well as underwent to the thermal scanner at the arrival area of Davao International Airport.

On Thursday, the Philippines reported its �irst case of nCoV. The 38-year old woman who arrived from Wuhan last January 21 was initially asymptomatic but was con�irmed positive after tests.

country on January 21 via Hong Kong has been infected with nCov. The patient is said to

be con�ined at a hospital in Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte has already

banned the entry of travelers from Hubei province in China, the center of the outbreak.

col. Mayor Michelle assured Catbagan that the City Mayor’s Of�ice is all out in its support to the implementation of the health protocol.

So far, only one case of the novel Coronavirus have been con�irmed by the DOH in the country.

The 38-year old woman from Wuhan, China ar-

rived in Cebu City on January 21 and have travelled to Dumaguete before �lying to Manila on January 25 where she is presently admitted. (CIO MATI)

the status of their �lights on the Cebu Paci�ic website, said the Philippines’ largest carrier.

Aklan’s Kalibo International Airport hosts �lights to 21 destinations, 18 of which are Chinese cities, he said.

“Kahapon nagkusa po iyong Chinese carriers na i-inform ang ating airport authorities sa Kalibo na

starting yesterday hanggang bukas, wala na silang magiging �lights patungong Kalibo,” he said.

(On Thursday, Chinese carriers informed our airport authorities in Kalibo that starting yesterday or Friday, they will no longer have �lights heading there.)

President Rorigo Duterte on Friday ordered a ban on travelers from Chi-

na’s Hubei province, which includes Wuhan, a day after the health department con�irmed the �irst case of the novel coronavirus in the Philippines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said late Thursday that it was declaring the outbreak a global emergency, as cases spread to at least 18 countries.

ities also recorded 56 suspected cases on Friday, almost double than the previous day's record of 29.

“Wala pa kaming decision for now but de�initely ‘yan ang magiging direksyon in the next three days, ‘yung pagkakaroon ng testing ng mga ini-import dito,” Lopez said.

“Pag in-import, kukuha ng sampling tapos iti-test bago ilabas ng Customs,” he said.

China is the Philippines’ top trading partner with a total trade worth $16.43 billion, comprised of $4.62 billion in export receipts and $11.8 billion in import receipts as of the

�irst semester of 2019.

The death toll in China ballooned to 213 on Friday morning while almost 10,000 have been infected as the virus spreads to 18 other countries.

The World Health Organization already declared the outbreak as a global health emergency.

toms of the newly-discovered strain of the virus.

The con�irmed number of deaths in China from 2019-nCoV has risen to over 200 on Friday, based on international reports.

The number of people infected with the new coronavirus has also climbed to more than 7,000, exceeding the count during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2003.

Apart from the Philippines, the virus that began spreading in China also affects other countries like Thailand, South Korea,

Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Go said the President was also considering imposing a temporary ban on people from coronavirus-hit countries who wish to visit the Philippines.

“The President and concerned government of�icials are also studying the possibility of imposing temporary travel restrictions for those coming from other places affected by the infection,” the senator said.

Go said Duterte is

scheduled to meet with medical experts and key government of�icials next week to discuss all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

He ensured that the government is taking all precautionary measures to address the threat of 2019nCoV. “Rest assured that the Duterte administration takes this threat seriously. I am appealing to the public to cooperate with authorities in order to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.

(PNA)

chairperson of nearby Cotabato City.

Barangay Bagua-Mother chairperson

Bai Ella Biruar and her two companions are now recuperating in a hospital after they were waylaid

along Manday Road, Barangay Bagua Mother, Cotabato City at 11 a.m. on Jan. 27. (PNA)

drome) and the MERS-COV (Middle East respiratory syndrome-related corona-

virus) outbreaks so I think, we have to appreciate the Chinese government for

these very good measures that they have taken,” he added. (PNA)

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9

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

Accounting Clerks Qualifications: • BS Accountancy / Accounting Technology Graduate or any business related courses • Male/Female • Can work with minimum supervision • With or without experience

Account Executives Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate or any related courses • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With or without experience and willing to be trained

Marketing Assistant Qualifications: • BS Marketing Graduate or any related courses • Male/Female • With pleasing personality • With or without experience and willing to be trained

Social Media Lead Qualifications: • Candidate must be creative and enjoys social media • Experience in creating social media post for news, business and organization • Good command of English • Experience in graphic design is a plus Send your application letter and resume to: Ella P. Tingzon HR/Admin Supervisor Edge Davao Review Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Bldg., E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City or email at edgedavao@gmail.com or ella_tingzon@yahoo.com

AILING... FROM11

match carrying a groin injury that he picked up in his �ive-set, come-frombehind quarter-�inal win against Tennys Sandgren.

He was seen around Melbourne Park before the match with tape on his upper right leg and there were even rumours that he might pull out.

But that is not in the 38-year-old’s nature -- he has only ever given up four walkovers in his long career and has never retired in more than 1,500 matches, facts that Djokovic said were “amazing” and deserved “huge respect”.

- Power and �inesse Djokovic was clear favourite after beating the third seed in every Grand Slam meeting since Wimbledon 2012, but in their 50th career clash it was Federer who initially set

Rod Laver Arena alight.

The opening game, on Federer’s serve, lasted six minutes in an indication of what might be in store.

Then against the odds the 38-year-old, the oldest man in a Grand Slam semi since Jimmy Connors in 1991, broke Djokovic on his �irst service game with an unbelievable backhand passing shot.

The edge didn’t last long with the Serb immediately hitting back to even it up.

But the power and �inesse of the Federer game was troubling Djokovic, who was on the back foot and was broken once more to go 4-1 behind.

Federer had three break points to make it 5-1, but Djokovic dug deep to fend them off as he clawed back, breaking once more

as the Swiss was serving for the set.

It went to a tiebreaker which the second seed dominated to pull off a remarkable turnaround in a set that Federer threw away.

Federer took a medical timeout at the end of it and he wasn’t moving freely in the second set.

But he clung on until he �luffed an easy shot at the net to hand Djokovic set point at 4-5 and the Serb cracked a top-quality crosscourt volley to go two sets to one in front.

Djokovic was pumped and Federer rapidly running out of steam.

When the Swiss star was broken to go 4-2 behind in the third, there was no way back as his rival extended his winning record over him to 27-23.

3-pointers to begin the third and the Celtics upped their lead to 18 at 72-54 on a Tatum bucket with 8:38 to go. The Warriors got within

single digits, 77-68, at 4:02, but Smart drained backto-back 3s, added another with 1:40 left and helped Boston to a 91-79 edge en-

tering the �inal quarter.

The Celtics' lead reached as high as 19 in coasting through the fourth.

ito sa bayan. Iyun po ang nagbibigay ng lakas na loob po sa akin.” Macrohon said.

She also emphasized the support she is receiving from the PSC which made her campaign successful.

“Thank you po sa PSC sa walang sawang pagsuporta po sa amin. Kayo po ang susi ng tagumpay ko,” said Macrohon.

Other Filipino lifter John Febuar Ceniza also added a bronze medal in the men’s 61kg division.

After the Roma World Cup, the team is expected to compete in the 2020 IWF Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, which will serve as their �inal ticket to qualify in the Tokyo Olympics slated July 24 to August 9.

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10

EDGEDAVAO

SEAWEEDS... FROM8

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

and have a host of other applications.

Ordinary seaweed or carrageenan, when subjected to irradiation, has been found to increase rice yield by more than 65%. That’s what scientists from the National Crop Protection Center at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) have found out.

Some studies showed that when the indigestible carbohydrate (polysaccharide) is degraded or reduced to tiny sizes, it can be an effective growth promoter and makes rice resistant to major pests.

As a growth enhances, carrageenan offers an array of bene�its that result in improved productivity. Used properly as prescribed, it makes the rice stem stronger thus improving rice resistance to lodging.

It also promotes resis-

tance to rice ‘tungro’ virus and bacterial leaf blight therefore giving farmers increased harvest.

What is good in this seaweed additive is that it is compatible with the traditional practice on fertilizer application, thereby allowing easy acceptance and less resistance from farmers. It also promotes sustainable agriculture since it is environment-friendly and enhances the presence of natural enemies that �ight major pests in rice �ields. Lastly, it promotes more ef�icient absorption of plant nutrients that enables improved growth.

In a �ield trial conducted in Bulacan, the application of 200 parts per million (or 20 milliliter per liter) carrageenan in combination with 3-6 bags per hectare of fertilizer signi�icantly increased the

grain weight by 63.6 to 65.4%, the productive tillers by 83-102%, and panicle length by 3.512.5% over that of the farmers’ practice, which uses 9 bags per hectare of fertilizer.

The Philippines is one of the world’s pioneers in seaweed farming. Cultures of Porphyra, Eucheuma, and Caulerpa in the Philippine marine farms have been recorded as early as the 1960s. Through the initiative of Dr. Max Doty, a marine botanist at the University of Hawaii, and his local counterparts, the �irst technology for culture of Eucheuma was introduced to industry in 1973.

Commercial seaweed farmers �irst succeeded in cultivating Eucheuma in the reef areas of Mindoro, Aklan, Cuyo, Zamboanga, and Tawi-Tawi. Since then, seaweed production

has gone overboard.

But like any agribusiness ventures, the seaweed industry has its own shares of problems. “While seaweed type is a factor in determining value, the quality of the dried seaweed is what ultimately dictates price,” said a press statement dispatched by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

In Zamboanga City, only four communities (Sta. Catalina, Mampang, Arena Blanco, and Tigtabon) have moved to adopt technologies that target seaweed ef�icient drying process and quality dried seaweed.

“The current drying practice, which is basically open area sun-drying, can take up to a number of days, and puts the seaweeds at the mercy of the elements. Farmers resort

to covering or storing stocks at the �irst hint of rain or bad weather, which does little good for the dehydration process among others,” said the press statement.

This usually translates to poor seaweed quality, which in turn greatly reduces the farmers’ command on the commodity’s price.

Again, UPLB comes into rescue. It has developed a seaweed drying system that is capable of drying newly harvested stocks at a faster rate, while protecting the seaweeds from unpredictable weather.

“At present, two types of the solar seaweed drying tech are available: the �loating-type, which stays on the water surface, allowing farmers to tow the structure close to their production area for faster harvesting, and the perma-

nent-type, which doubles as a storehouse sturdy enough to withstand harsh weather conditions, and provide easy, all-around access for farmers.

“The structures are also designed to reduce direct exposure to sand, dirt, and other contaminants usually contaminated during the harvesting and hauling of fresh seaweeds to the drying area.”

Aside from the greenhouse/ultra-violet treated sheets that cover both facilities, they are also �itted with built-in solar-powered exhaust fans for the quick and uniform drying of stocks.

Studies have shown the structures to be capable of drying two tons of high-quality fresh seaweeds in a matter of three days, without any inconsistency in the production.

The important Olympic quali�ications have been shifted out of China last Sunday amid concerns over the aggravating coronavirus outbreak.

The AFC women's football quali�iers for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo consist of two groups,

with South Korea hosting Vietnam and Myanmar in Group A. The top two teams from each qualifying group will advance to a play-off round to determine which two Asian teams will join hosts Japan at the Games.

China has also post-

poned nationwide football matches due to novel coronavirus outbreak, according to Anadolu Agency report.

The Chinese Football Association said on its website on Thursday that it put off the 2020 football season at all levels to protect the

health of fans, clubs, players, coaches, referees, and media staff from this pandemic virus.

The federation stated that it will go on to cooperate and communicate with national authorities to determine the schedule and �ixtures, considering the

development of the coronavirus.

The Chinese football's governing body added that it respects and is thankful to the medical staff, who struggle to prevent this pandemic, which hit the Asian country.

The virus which orig-

inated in Wuhan city, the central Hubei province, caused at least 170 deaths while more than 7,700 others were infected with the virus which is said to have transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats. (Xinhua with reports from Anadolu)

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VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

11

World Athletics Indoor tilt postponed due to NCoV scare

P

ARIS -- The 2020 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing has been postponed to March 2021 due to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak in China, the governing body of world athletics sports announced on Wednesday.

"It is with regret that we have agreed with the organizers of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing (13-15 March 2020) to postpone the event to March 2021," World Athletics wrote in a statement on its of�icial website.

The statement also said that World Athletics has considered relocating the event to another country, but �inally turned down this option "given concerns still exist regarding the spread of the virus outside China".

"We have chosen not to cancel the championships as many of our athletes would like this event to take place so we will now work with our athletes, our partners and the Nanjing organizing committee to secure a date in 2021 to stage this event," the statement said.

4 Chinese footballers miss Olympic quali�iers Meanwhile, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) con�irmed on Wednesday that four footballers including star striker Wang Shuang will miss next week's Tokyo Olympic women's football qualifying matches in Sydney, Australia, after being affected

by China's ongoing coronavirus control.

"Three Wuhan natives Wang Shuang, Yao Wei, and Lyu Yueyun as well as Li Mengwen from Zhejiang province can't join the

team to Australia due to the epidemic control," the CFA said, since the Chinese central city Wuhan is the 2019-nCoV virus outbreak epicenter and Zhejiang is the country's second most affected region.

With the distribution of 2019-nCoV virus across the country, Chinese authorities have taken strong measures, putting in place a nationwide prevention and control mechanism to curb the novel coronavirus.

China's football governing body noted that the four players will now strictly comply with the national and local epidemic control requirements to conduct quarantine observation at home, with no health abnormalities in their daily report.

Former Paris Saint-German player Wang, who was named Chinese female Footballer of The Year for the third straight time in January this year, has been widely regarded as the key playmaker of China's national team. And Mid�ielder Yao also featured in all four matches during the Steel Roses' World Cup journey in 2019.

"Our whole Chinese team, including 21 players have received the 2019nCoV virus test before departure to Australia, and the results were all negative," added the CFA, saying that the team have arrived at Brisbane on Wednesday and will head to Sydney in two days.

All the Group B matches of the Tokyo Olympic women's football quali�iers are now scheduled to be held in Sydney from February 3 to 9, with China, Australia, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand included in the group.

WORLD, P10

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid wearing Kobe Bryants number 24 (his regular number is 21) shoots past Golden State Warriors forward Marquese Chriss (32) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Reuters.

Ailing Federer fought to the finish: Djokovic

N

ovak Djokovic paid “huge respect” to old rival Roger Federer Thursday after he swept past the ailing star and into a record eighth Australian Open �inal to move closer to his 17th Grand Slam crown.

In the 50th instalment of one of sport’s greatest rivalries, the Serb shrugged off a tentative start to reinforce his recent dominance, showing no mercy to the injury-hit Swiss maestro in a 7-6 (7/1), 6-4,

6-3 win.

He will play either �ifth seed Dominic Thiem or seventh-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s �inal, but it will take a monumental effort to prise another title from the

32-year-old.

Of the seven Melbourne �inals Djokovic has made, he has won them all.

If any extra motivation was needed, winning on Sunday will see the Serb reclaim the number one ranking after Thiem sent Rafael Nadal packing in the last eight.

“It’s never easy to play Roger. I mean, obviously he was hurting. You could see it in his movement. Respect to him for trying his best,” said defending cham-

pion Djokovic, who is into his 26th Grand Slam �inal.

“After losing the �irst set, he got a medical (timeout). He came back and played all the way through.

It’s unfortunate that he was not at his best.”

It was the fourth time Djokovic had beaten Federer at the semi-�inal stage in Melbourne after doing the same in 2008, 2011 and 2016.

Federer, the 2018 champion, came into the

for the Warriors, who have lost �ive straight and 15 of 16.

The Celtics played their �irst game at home since a tragic helicopter crash claimed the life of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others Sunday. Prior to the contest, Boston held a 24-second moment of silence in honor of Bryant, followed by a tribute video.

The Warriors grabbed a 7-1 lead to start, but the Celtics tied the score at 15 on a Brown dunk off a full-court pass from Smart.

Boston went ahead and

held the lead from there, ending the �irst up 29-22.

A Semi Ojeleye three to begin the second gave the Celtics their �irst double-digit advantage, and Boston ran its lead to 17 at 46-29 with 6:36 left in the half. The Warriors responded with a 10-0 run, but the Celtics answered with a 12-3 spurt.

Kemba Walker beat the buzzer with a short basket, and Boston led, 60-50, at halftime. Hayward had 17 points; Russell led Golden State with 12.

Brown and Tatum hit

0-0 at the start of the second and third quarters, then restored to start the fourth.

Then a target score comes into play, with the �irst team to reach that number winning. The target will be the number of points scored by the leading team from the �irst three quarters, plus 24.

The NBA said AllStar weekend in Chicago, capped by the game on

February 16, will feature multiple tributes to Bryant, the �ive-time NBA champion who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday that also claimed the lives of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people.

The 69th All-Star game will feature teams led by Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and by Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.

AILING, P9

Tatum returns, lifts Celtics

G

ordon Hayward scored 25 points, Marcus Smart added 21 and the Boston Celtics beat the visiting Golden State Warriors, 119-104, Thursday.

Jayson Tatum had 20 points in his return from a three-game absence with a groin injury, and Jaylen Brown chipped in 18 before fouling out as the Celtics won for the �ifth time in their last six games. Tatum was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve earlier in the day.

D'Angelo Russell had 22 points and Alec Burks 18

TATUM, P9

NBA All Star Game format to honor Kobe

K Jayson Tatum had 20 points in his return from a three-game absence with a groin injury.

obe Bryant's jersey number 24 will be honored at the NBA All-Star Game in February under a new format for the mid-season exhibition announced on Thursday.

The NBA said every quarter of this year's AllStar game will be a "minigame" for charity with an untimed �inal period with a target score that will decide who wins.

Scores will be reset to

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 232 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2020

INVESTMENT PSC’s P4M support bears fruit in Italy tilt T

he Philippine weightlifting team did not waste any of the national government’s funds released through the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) using it as inspiration to win 3 golds and 3 bronze medals at the Roma 2020 Weightlifting World Cup held in Pala Pellicone in Rome, Italy.

The PSC gave P2.2 million budget for the airfare, accommodation, allowance and other related expenses of the 7 athletes and 4 of�icials who competed in the Rome competition, apart from the P1.7 million budget of Olympian Hidilyn Diaz’s core team.

“This is an Olympic qualifying tournament for our national weightlifters.

Walang dahilan para hindi natin sila bigyan ng full support,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

Filipino weightlifting superstar and Olympic Games silver medalist Diaz carried the Philippines’ campaign after sweeping the women’s 55kg class on Tuesday.

Diaz won 3 gold medals broken down into 93kg in the snatch, 119kg in clean and jerk, and 212kg in total.

She now ranks number 4 in the world

which bettered her chances to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

Meanwhile, another Zamboanga City lifter Kristel Macrohon added to the country’s medal haul after winning 2 bronze medals in the women’s 71kg class which came from the clean and jerk (115kg) and from the total (209kg).

Macrohon, a gold medalist in the 2019 Philippines Southeast Asian Games held last November 30 to December 11 last year, felt a little regret after �inishing 3rd place in the competition.

“Nanghihinayang po ako kasi sa SEA games po 123kg na po yung binuhat ko sa clean and jerk, ngayon po bumaba pa. Pero thankful pa rin po ako dahil umabot po ako sa podium.” said Macrohon.

However, the 23-year-old lifter was also inspired because of her teammates including fellow Zamboanga native Diaz, who swept the women’s 55kg class, three days earlier.

“Nagbibigay po talaga sa akin ng motivation yung mga teammates ko po. Yung hirap at sakripisyo naming lahat sa training. At higit sa lahat, iniisip ko po na para

INVESTMENT, P9

THREE STRIKES. Hidilyn Diaz shows her three World Cup gold medals.