Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 236 | Thursday, February 6, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

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A man transports a pig he just bought at the livestock area in Brgy. Agdao, Davao City to be roasted for a special family gathering on Wednesday. Local hog traders said business has been slow as fears of African Swine Fever (ASF) grow. Lean Daval Jr

OVERPRICED MASKS DTI 11 urges public to report overpricing of masks

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional of�ice on Wednesday urged the public to report any person selling overpriced face masks online.

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DTI 11 assistant regional director Edwin Banquerigo said anyone who are taking advantage of the situation due

to 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) should be penalized whether the pro�iteering is done online or in the physical

market.

“This is really the time that we should work together, this is really the time that we should help each other,” he said.

Banquerigo said the DTI 11 need the complaints coming from the people since it is hard for them to monitor who are selling online than the ‘physical’ business estab-

lishments such as pharmacies and stores.

“Probably, online distribution is also another are that we should look into,” he said.

He said if there are complains that will lodged, their of�ice will immediately act on the case.

“Consumers should be vigilant,” he said.

Banquerigo said if the consumer is already educated with the price in the market, then they should already make a move to stop the pro�iteering.

There has been a howl of protest on social media about the overpriced surgical masks as some people are selling it at P250 per box containing 50 pieces compared to the

original price of P75 a box in drugstores.

Based on Department of Health Memorandum No. 2020 - 0005 issued on January 14, 2020, the suggested retail price of Disposable Face Mask is P1.10 up to P8.00.

Major drugstores in the country and wholesalers have been running out

OVERPRICED, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

PRRD: ‘Build, Build, Build’ not for politicization, corruption

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President Rodrigo Duterte discusses matters with some members of the Cabinet prior to the start of the 46th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Coronavirus impacts tourism sector harder

By MAYA M. PADILLO usiness leaders in Davao City and the Finance Department are one in saying that the tourism sector will be most affected with the new Coronavirus and the African Swine Fever (ASF).

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Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PCCII) regional governor for Davao Region Arturo Milan told Edge Davao that the pandemic Wuhan Coronavirus will cause less people travelling and forcing people to avoid crowded places for fear of being exposed to the virus.

Milan said businesses that will be affected are airline, hotel, restaurant and tourism sectors.

Davao City Chamber

of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo Tria said the impact of NCoV in tourism will be noticed after a few weeks because foreign tourists represent a small part only of the total tourist arrivals in the city.

He also said he believed that government measures to contain NCoV are in place.

Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11) regional director Tanya Rabat-Tan told

Mati City LGU kicks off Ugnayan sa Barangay

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he City of Mati LGU launched its consultation dialogue with all 26 barangays of the city for the formulation of the Barangay Development Plan.

Dubbed as Ugnayan sa Barangay, the dialogue kicked off in Barangay Tamisan on Tuesday, February 4.

The City of Mati LGU BDP team will be going to different barangay to conduct a Barangay Development Plan to be able to interact with the community to discuss with them the issues and concerns from their barangay.

No less than Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat attended the kick-off dialogue.

"Our city mayor will be here with us today to hear what are our concerns and what projects we want & needs. I am thankful to the Mayor for prioritizing the barangay. I hope we will all

participate,” said ABC President Samuel M. Rodriguez.

The issues and concerns of the people from barangay Tamisan are potable water system, farmers and �isherfolks needs, farm to market road at Taganilao, street lights, �ire substation, livelihood for women sectors, illegal gambling involving minors, revive botika ng barangay, relocation site for the people of barangay Tamisan.

"Thank you to barangay captain Samuel Rodriguez and to the barangay kagawad for the accomodation.

We are here in your barangay because we need to plan together with you, so that the budget of the City of Mati will go to the needs of the barangay," said Mayor Michelle.

"The botika ng barangay has been approved by the Department of Health. I

MATI, P9

Edge Davao they are still gathering reports from the tourism stakeholders as to the impact of NCoV. On her part, City Tourism Operations Of�ice (CTOO) head Generose Tecson con�irmed majority of the cancelations are outbound and minimal on inbound.

Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez in a statement delivered before the joint hearing of the senate committee on health and �inance, said the travel and tourism industry around the globe is taking a hit as a result of the various levels of travel bans imposed by national governments and of voluntary decisions of airlines to cut �lights to and from China.

He mentioned that what has transpired in the aftermath of the outbreak of the SARS, H1N1, and MERS-CoV may give some preview on how the current novel coronavirus outbreak will unravel.

According to him during the SARS episode, tourist arrivals to the Philippines dropped by 1.3 percent, from 1.93 million in 2002 to 1.9 million in 2003 according to the Philippine Statistical Yearbook.

But in 2004, tourist arrivals rebounded quickly by 20.1 percent totaling 2.3 million for that year.

“Subsequently, tourist arrivals had increased continuously until the H1N1 outbreak in 2009, which

CORONAVIRUS, P9

resident Rodrigo Duterte has reminded concerned government agencies to ensure the implementation of ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program would not be used for politicization and corrupt activities, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

The President gave this latest advice after receiving updates on the government’s big-ticket and small infrastructure projects during the 46th Cabinet meeting held at Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said Duterte wants to make sure that the public would feel and experience the improvement of infrastructure services under his watch.

“PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) concluded the discussions on the subject by stressing that the government should be vigilant against corruption in order to isolate the projects from politicization, whether present or future, to ensure that the same would be completed to service the people,” Panelo said.

The “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program under Duterte’s leadership aims to spur economic growth and solve the traf�ic congestion in the country, especially in Metro Manila.

During the Cabinet meeting, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive of�icer Vivencio Dizon gave updates on the status of the government’s 100 �lagship infrastructure projects, Panelo said.

Panelo said Dizon, who also serves as Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects, noted that the construction activities on 34 of 100 key infrastructure projects are “ongoing.”

Dizon also made certain that 44 big infrastructure projects will commence

construction within “six to eight months“ while 15 are in the “advanced stages of government approval” and the remaining are in the “advanced stages of feasibility studies.”

“Mr. Dizon then stressed that the next administration is fortunate as it will greatly bene�it from the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the present government, adding that no administration can compare to the speed and audacity of what this administration is trying to achieve,” Panelo said.

Skyway reconstruction

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, during the Cabinet meeting, assured the President that Edsa, the main and busiest thoroughfare in Metro Manila, will be decongested through the completion of infrastructure projects in the country’s metropolis, Panelo said.

The assurance came even after a portion of the Skyway Stage 3, one of the �lagship infrastructure projects, collapsed due to a massive �ire that raged at the packing factory of San Miguel Corporation at Tomas Claudio Street in Pandacan, Manila on February 1.

The government’s plan is to restore the “original capacity” of vehicles plying Edsa daily to 280,000 from the current 400,000, Villar earlier said.

Skyway Stage 3 is an 18.30-kilometer elevated expressway from Buendia, Makati City to North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City.

The project is seen to reduce the travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to 15 to 20 minutes.

“As a result of the damage, the opening of the project shall, however, be pushed back by at least three months to July 2020.

Secretary Villar said that

PRRD, P9

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio leads the blessing of the newly acquired vehicle of the city government of Davao along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Wednesday. CIO

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Sen. Go expects task force on nCoV outbreak to do its best

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enator Christopher “Bong” Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, on Wednesday said that the members of the inter-agency body, which was created to respond to the novel coronavirus outbreak, will do its best to protect the Filipinos.

“Ako bilang mambabatas at bilang committee chair sa Senado, nakatutok po tayo dito. Trabaho po ng executive ‘yan kaya nga po mayroon silang inter-agency task force headed by the Secretary of Health,” Go said in an interview.

“Dapat gampanan nila ang kanilang trabaho dahil kalusugan po ng mga Pili-

pino ang nakataya dito,” he added.

The Senate Committee on Health invited different government agencies on Tuesday for a hearing to discuss the response mechanisms in place amid the epidemic of the new strain of coronavirus. Last week, the Department of Health (DOH) activated the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

During the Senate hearing, the DOH was grilled over the slow-paced contact tracing of the people who had been at close range with the country’s two con�irmed cases of novel coronavirus.

UP develops test kit for 2019-nCoV

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he University of the Philippines National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed on Tuesday that it has developed a test kit for the 2019 novel coronavirus.

“This was developed two weeks ago immediately after they released the whole genome sequence of the virus,” said Raul Destura, the lead scientist on the project, during an inquiry at the Senate.

Destura added that the test kit is expected to be available next week for validation of the Department of Health (DOH).

“Hopefully next week, it will be ready for the Department of Health to verify and validate before they give the recommendation for use in the country,” he said.

The DOH recently said that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) ordered test kits to immediately identify if a person is positive for the virus.

Usually, the RITM screens samples from suspected cases to check

if they are infected. Then the DOH sends the test samples to Australia to con�irm if the patient is positive of 2019 –nCoV. The process takes 24 hours, excluding the travel time from the Philippines to Australia.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization also said that it is working with research groups for the creation of rapid diagnostic test kits.

“The WHO is working with several research groups both inside China and outside China on the rapid diagnostic test kits,” said WHO Country Representative Rabindra Abeyasinghe.

He added, “The assessment of the test kits will not be completed for about another week or 10 days, after which we agreed to provide test kits to the Philippines and members states at risk.

At least 427 people have died and more than 20,600 people have been infected of the 2019 n-CoV. So far, there are only two reported cases in the Philippines.

Tourism officer Julius Paner of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur says during this week’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall that the local government unit of Sta. Cruz will close Mt. Apo during the Holy Week to protect the mountain from the influx of hikers. Lean Daval Jr

DavOcc ‘porkless’ due to ASF outbreak A t the meat section of the public market here, stalls selling pork products are no longer operating due to the African Swine Fever outbreak in nearby Don Marcelino municipality, the ground zero of the highly contagious hemorrhagic virus in Mindanao.

Mayor Bradly Bautista issued an order banning the slaughtering of pigs and the selling of pork products effective last Sunday, February 1, a copy of which was obtained by MindaNews on Wednesday morning following a visit to the public market here.

“Due to the suspected cases of ASF in Don Marcelino and the presence of suspected clinical cases for collection of samples for laboratory examination and validation of possible ASF in our area, all punong barangays (village chairpersons), swine raisers, traders and back-

yard owners are advised to refrain from implementing swine related movements, including the transport or slaughter of live pigs and the production and purchase of all pork products and by-products whether raw, processed or cooked,” Bautista said in the order.

Don Marcelino Mayor Michael Maruya con�irmed that ASF caused the deaths of 2,956 pigs in his town as of Monday night.

Don Marcelino, Malita and Sta. Maria have already declared a state of calamity, which was the basis for the Davao Occidental provincial government to also issue such a declaration, said Harry Chester Cam-

Occidental has already declared a State of Calamity due to the presence of African Swine Fever that threatens the province’s swine population.

MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

DAVOCC, P9

GenSan in state of calamity due to novel coronavirus

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All passengers traveling to and out of Davao Occidental province have to go through disinfectant foot baths such as this one at a checkpoint entering Santa Maria, Davao Occidental on Tuesday. The province of Davao

oro, chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�ice.

Maruya said they already started depopulating the pigs as a measure to address the ASF outbreak in his town.

Mayor Jason John Joyce of Jose Abad Santos told MindaNews they implemented a lockdown on the transport of pigs and pork products hopefully to prevent the spread of the ASF virus in his locality.

Jose Abad Santos is a neighbor of Don Marcelino, the next town after the provincial capital of Malita coming from Davao City.

“We strictly prohibited

he City Council here declared the city under a state of calamity on Tuesday in the wake of the nationwide alert on the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019nCoV).

The local legislative body issued the calamity declaration through a resolution passed during its regular session on Tuesday afternoon to strengthen the city’s prevention and control mechanisms against the disease.

City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr., author of the resolution, said the move is mainly in response to a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that mandates local government units to adopt stringent measures to prevent the entry as well contain possible cases of the 2019-nCoV.

Gacal speci�ically cited the provisions of Memorandum Circular 2020-18 issued by DILG Secretary Eduardo Año last Saturday, Feb. 1. The council also took into consideration the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global health emergency due to the spread of the 2019nCoV, which was �irst reported in Wuhan, China.

Gacal said the recent con�irmation by the Department of Health of two positive cases in the country is very alarming, considering that there are already 80 persons under investigation for the disease.

In this city, the City Health Of�ice con�irmed on Tuesday that it is monitoring a Chinese national who traveled last month to Wuhan City in China.

The male foreigner, a businessman who has long been staying in the

GENSAN, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

SEC revokes Togachat Academy’s registration

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he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has canceled the corporate registration of Togachat Academy Philippines, Inc. for running an unauthorized investment program resembling a Ponzi scheme.

The SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) issued the order of revocation on January 23, after �inding Togachat to have engaged in investment-solicitation activities by selling or offering securities to the public without the necessary license from the Commission.

In doing so, Togachat committed an ultra vires act prohibited under Section 45 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 68, or the Corporation Code of the Philippines, now Section 44 of Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines, the EIPD ruled.

The company’s activities also constituted serious misrepresentation as to what it can do to the great prejudice or damage to the general public, a ground for the revocation of a corporation’s certi�icate of registration under Presidential Decree No. 902-A, according to the EIPD. The SEC initially issued on July 17, 2019 an advisory warning the public against investing in Togachat. It then issued on December 17, 2019 a cease and desist order against the company, its of�icers, directors, representatives, salespersons, agents and any and all persons claiming and acting for and in their behalf.

Under its investment program, Togachat entices the public to avail of a package of Toga Credits, which investors may purportedly use to buy shares in Toga Limited upon its supposed listing on Nasdaq.

The company offers seven packages worth $100 to $100,000 in exchange for

200 to 500,000 Toga Credits. Investors may pay for a package in US dollars or the peso equivalent.

Togachat encourages a member to recruit another investor by giving him/her Toga Credits equivalent to 50% of what the new investor would avail of. Members may earn additional Toga Credits from pairing bonuses.

The company’s agents also claim that Toga stocks are traded on Toga Exchange, an internal platform of Toga Limited where the buying and selling of stocks occur.

The scheme falls within the de�inition of securities, particularly investment contracts, as de�ined under Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code (SRC), according to the EIPD. Section 3.1 of the SRC de�ines securities as “shares, participation or interest in a corporation or in a commercial enterprise or pro�it-making venture and evidenced by a certi�icate, contract, instrument, whether written or electronic in character.”

A security may take the form of an investment contract, de�ined under Rule 26.3.5 of the 2015 Implementing Rules and Regulations of the SRC as “a contract, transaction or scheme whereby a person invests his money in a common enterprise and is led to expect pro�its primarily from the efforts of others.”

“Said investment contract, being in the nature of securities, is required under Section 8 of the SRC to be registered before being offered or sold to the general public,” the EIPD noted.

However, records of the SEC show that no application for the registration of securities has been �iled by Togachat with the Commission.

“More so, the act of respondent Togachat in allowing its members to

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Coffeebot Solutions operations director Jessica Madrazo shares the company’s comprehensive report on theFacebook data of Davaoeños for the year 2019 during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall. Coffeebot Solutions is a Davao-based digital marketing agency. Lean Daval Jr

IFAD to invest $62.9M project for Mindanao T

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. he International Funding for Agricultural Development (IFAD) will be implementing the Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth Project (RAPID Growth) in Mindanao which will be managed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

IFAD Asia and Paci�ic region country director Alessandro Marini said in an interview on Tuesday that they will invest more in Mindanao since the government requested their of�ice to pour �inancial aid

especially in the rural areas due to poverty situation.

“IFAD’s mandate is really to alleviate poverty in rural areas,” he said.

The project has a US$62.9 million fund coming from IFAD loan and US$

2.5 million IFAD grant.

Marini said the program targets small farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to uplift their lives through value chain development, productive investments and project management.

He said this project will be focusing to upscale their product from four identi�ied commodities such as cocoa, coconut, coffee and processed foods and nuts.

Marini said there are speci�ic provinces and barangays will be identi�ied from six identi�ied regions in Mindanao that will bene�it the project. These have been selected based on the

Huawei promises ‘Made in Europe’ 5G for market

C Davao City Water District Management and Nagkahiusang Mamumu-o sa Davao City Water District (NAMADACWAD) ink Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) for 2019 to 2022 during the employees convocation on February 3, 2020. DCWD General Manager Edwin V. Regalado (L) and NAMADACWAD President Rodrigo L. Aranjuez pose for posterity after the CNA signing together with the management and labor panels. This CNA, which takes off from the implemented agreement for 2016 to 2019,

continues to recognize the NAMADACWAD as the sole and exclusive representative for DCWD rank-and-file employees and defines the terms and conditions of employment not fixed by law such as welfare, benefits, professional growth, and development. It also stands for DCWD’s commitment for responsive management and regard for industrial peace that redound to efficient and effective public service.

growth potential in selected priority agricultural value chains and operational ef�iciency.

Marini stressed that the special focus also of this project are the women, youth and indigenous people in the rural areas.

However, he clari�ied that in order for the project to be successful, they need give the bene�iciaries to easy access to �inancial services, adequate technology, knowledge and other inputs. The aids that will be given to the recipients must be for projects that are sustainable and could make farmers self-reliant.

hinese telecom giant Huawei said on Tuesday it would set up manufacturing hubs in Europe, as it tries to �ight off US pressure on EU nations to stop it from operating.

“Huawei is more committed to Europe than ever before,” said the company’s top executive for Europe Abraham Liu during a Chinese New Year reception in Brussels.

“That’s why we have decided we want to set up manufacturing bases in Europe -- so that we can truly have 5G for Europe made in Europe.”

The announcement comes just days after the EU recommended that member states could ban telecoms operators deemed a security risk from critical parts of 5G infrastructure.

But the EU plan, which closely mirrored rules set out by Britain allowing a limited role for Huawei, stopped short of barring the company from the next-generation communications network designed for near-instantaneous data transfers.

Those guidelines were the fruit of months of agonizing within the EU, which has struggled to �ind a middle way to balance Huawei’s huge dominance in the 5G sector with security concerns pressed by Washington.

Liu in his speech acknowledged that the tech world “is increasingly entangled with geopolitical issues, trade negotiations, and diplomatic dialogue between nations”.

“Politically motivated

HUAWEI, P9

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VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

CebPac, PAL helping trace virus patients’ co-passengers

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ebu Paci�ic and Philippine Airlines denied Wednesday Health Secretary Francisco Duque's accusation that they refused to help authorities trace nearly 300 co-passengers of the Philippines' con�irmed coronavirus cases.

Duque told a Senate inquiry on Tuesday that only 17 percent of the co-passengers were contacted so far because their details were not shared by the 2 airlines, "invoking con�identiality."

There is "no impediment" under Data Privacy Act that prevents airlines from sharing the manifest that contains the passengers' contact details, said Cebu Paci�ic director for Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs Charo Logarta-Lagamon.

"Never po kaming hindi nakipagtulungan sa gobyerno, lalo na po sa Department of Health," she said.

(We never refused to cooperate with the government, especially with the Department of Health.)

The country's largest carrier, she said, reached out to 30 to 40 percent of more than 200 passengers on board 2 of the �lights that the coronavirus patients took.

Philippine Airlines shared its passenger manifest with authorities "right after" the health department's request, said the carrier's spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

"This is an issue of national interest, this is a public health concern.

There is no reason for you national �lag carrier, Philippine Airline, to withhold such information," she

said.

Duque's claim that parts of the manifest were redacted "can be an issue of lack of dissemination on their part," said Villaluna.

"What Secretary Duque is saying is not quite aligned with what is happening, but I hope by this time, he's already informed of the truth," she said in an interview.

From Jan. 31, PAL contacted 75 of the 122 patients' fellow passengers, Villaluna said.

The 2 patients -- a woman and her male companion -- were from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus was �irst detected. From Wuhan, they took �lights to Hong Kong, Cebu and Dumaguete, before arriving in Manila on Jan. 21, Duque earlier said.

The 44-year-old male patient died after showing signs of improvement, making him the �irst virus fatality outside China, authorities said over the weekend.

The new coronavirus strain has killed nearly 500 people, infected some 24,000 since it was �irst reported in Wuhan in late December 2019.

Earlier this week, the Philippines banned travel to and from mainland China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau as health experts have yet to �ind a cure.

A local carrier is ironing plans with authorities to bring home Filipinos who may be stranded in China "hopefully in the next few days", said Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal.

PH, Kuwait seal ‘harmonized’ template contract for OFWs

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f�icials from the Philippines and Kuwait have signed an agreement on the proposed standard employment contract for Overseas Filipino Workers in the Gulf State, the Labor Department said Tuesday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the technical working groups of both governments have �inalized a “harmonized” template contract— which comes in the wake of a total ban on deployment of Filipino workers to the foreign country. The deal was sealed during the joint committee meeting of the two countries at the start of the month.

“Okay naman, nagkasundo, nagkapirmahan… to harmonize standard contract of employment,” Bello told reporters in a chance interview at the Senate.

[Translation: It was okay, we agreed, signed to harmonize the standard contract of employment.]

The template contract for OFWs is contained under a provision of a 2018 labor deal between the two countries— an agreement crafted to protect the welfare of Filipino workers in the Gulf State. Labor of�i-

cials earlier attributed the delay of its �inalization due to disagreements on certain rules in the provision.

Bello said the standard contract contains regulations endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte— including allowing Filipinos to keep their passports and cellphones, setting one day off with pay, as well as designating working and sleeping hours for the OFWs. The need for a specific employment contract resurfaced following the death of Jeanelyn Villavende, a household worker killed by her Kuwaiti employer.

Villavende’s case— along with other reported “maltreatment and deaths” of OFWs— also prompted the Labor Department to impose a total ban on workers' deployment to Kuwait.

Bello earlier said the directive may be lifted if Kuwaiti courts take appropriate action on Villavende’s case.

The ban, however, stays in the meantime— as the department awaits status reports on the cases of OFW deaths.

PH, KUWAIT, P9

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (PCCCII) regional governor for Davao Region Arturo Milan believes the impact of African swine fever (ASF) to the economy of region 11 and Mindanao will be

ECONOMY 5

very minimal as long as the government institutes measures to contain the spread of disease as soon as possible. Lean Daval Jr

Minimal impact of ASF to region’s economy

By MAYA M. PADILLO usiness leaders see minimal impact of the African Swine Fever (ASF) to the business and economy of Davao City and the entire region.

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Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo Tria told Edge Davao they have yet to see the impact of ASF in terms of the prices of pork and meat products.

“For ASF, since kusog man ang efforts to contain the spread in localized areas, we’ll see if there will be an impact after a few months on pork prices,” he said.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) regional governor for Davao Region Arturo Milan said the impact of ASF will be less if not very minimal because only the hog raisers where the disease is found will be affected.

According to Tria, there are many substitutes for people to eat like chicken, �ish, vegetables, however, government should monitor the prices of these food closely to prevent it from unreasonable increases.

“As to the impact to the regional or national economy, based from the past experiences, the spread of these types of diseases will not last long so the impact feel to the region is very small.”

However, Milan said it is important that the government must institute measures to contain the spread of ASF as soon as possible.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said the government

has been dealing with the ASF since last year and the effort to contain this epidemic is spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Dominguez said containing the ASF required culling infected pigs and safely disposing of them.

To date, DA reported that the number of culled pigs has reached 193,350 and this led to losses for swine cultivators and a decline in the value of the country’s hog production last year by 9.5 percent compared to the preceding year.

“We continue to successfully intercept contaminated pork imported from other countries through the Bureau of Customs’ intensi�ied anti-smuggling campaign and the Bureau of Animal Industry’s heightened meat inspection efforts. Last January 24, the two agencies intercepted 25 tons of meat from Guangzhou, China which tested positive for

ASF,” he said.

Dominguez mentioned that the disposal of the contaminated meat started on January 31 and is currently ongoing at the Integrated Waste Management Facility in Cavite.

Furthermore, the Bureau of Customs has also �iled cases against entities that were caught smuggling goods contaminated with the disease.

He assured that the DA is strictly enforcing biosecurity measures and setting up more quarantine checkpoints, as well as providing more disinfection facilities to manage, contain, and control the spread of ASF. He said zero-interest rate loan assistance programs will also be given to affected hog raisers.

He also reiterated the announcement made by the DA that ASF is non-transmittable to humans, and that pork is safe for consumption.

would “paralyze” the country’s imports and exports.

“We cannot afford to ban the entry of international ships to our shores in the midst of this nCoV ARD scare as doing so will surely paralyze our supply chain as most of our imports and exports go to the hub ports located in China and its SARs,” Santiago said.

According to Santiago, visitors will also be barred within the period to minimize interaction with the crew.

“We also noted that vessel operators also change

crew at some point in the voyage of the vessel, and if such case happens in the Philippines, the crew who will be replaced shall undergo strict quarantine period and only be allowed to go home if cleared by the Department of Health,” Santiago added.

He clari�ied that ships who arrive in the country more than 14 days after originating from a port in China or its regions will be allowed to dock without restrictions.

“Shipping operators need not worry as long

as you follow this condition and those listed in the guidelines of the Bureau of Quarantine relative to concerns with [the] declaration of public health emergency with international concern, you can call at any Philippine port,” he said.

The country has tightened security at airports and ports due to the virus.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration last week suspended the issuance of tourist visas on arrival to Chinese nationals.

On January 30, the De-

Ports to remain open, but ships recently from China may not disembark crew - PPA

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orts in the country will remain open to all ships, including those originating from China and its Special Administrative Regions, amid the novel coronavirus scare, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Tuesday.

However, crew members of any vessel that called in China or either of its SARs within 14 days before its arrival in the Philippines will be prohibited from disembarking.

In a statement, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said an entry ban

PORTS, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

EDITORIAL

Compassion not hate

There’s the other side of the emotional outburst amidst the ongoing health crisis brought to fore by the dreaded Wuhan coronavirus. While many Filipinos rushed to urge the government, even blaming its perceived delayed action and response, to ban Chinese from entering the country, there is also an opposite view to this knee jerk reaction.

It came by way of a post on social media which may have been omitted by most Filipinos who were too caught up in the panic.

It says: “Filipinos are asking why the government hasn’t banned the Chinese from entering our country. I’ll tell you why.

It’s not about misplaced diplomacy or tourism. It’s about humanity (and a little bit of geopolitics of course)!

More than half of the population in Europe died during the Black Death. Others �led to neighboring countries and survived thanks to strangers who welcomed them despite the peril of getting infected as well. The most humanitarian thing the Philippines and other countries should do is don’t ban the �lights but when they arrive, quarantine them as long as it takes.

Find a cure and heal the sick. If you �ind it hard to grasp, think of it this way. What if a fatal, incurable plague originates in the Philippines but the other nations close their borders and won’t

EDGEDAVAO

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

help us, what will you do? Remember, they are scared as much as we are.

And before you say you hate the Chinese, may I remind you that you’re reading this thru a smartphone made and assembled by a Chinese company, while you’re wearing clothing made in China. Last week you celebrated Chinese New Year and indulged in Chinese-inspired cuisine. You believe in Chinese zodiac and feng shui (sic). You can’t even stay up late coz you have to be early for work tomorrow otherwise, your Chinese-Filipino boss will �ire you and now you can’t make gala to Chinese-owned malls and restos... xxx “ This kind of view and reaction is not only biblical but humane.

Instead of avoiding a particular race or people like plague, Filipinos can deal with the situation with sobriety and prudence.

Filipinos and Chinese are related in many sense. Australia has sent an example by trying to develop the technology and sharing it with other countries.

There are many diseases caused by even more deadly virus, HIV to begin with, and there are even growing cases involving Filipinos.

Yet we are not avoided like plague.

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 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

DENNIS R. GORECHO PINOY MARINO RIGHTS

SEAFARERS, NOVEL CORONA VIRUS AND OTHER INFECTIONS. Seafarers are cautioned to follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of illnesses in view of the recent outbreak of Novel CoronaVirus (NCoV) The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) released an advisory for seafarers to take precautionary measures to avoid getting infected with NCoV. The ITF advised seafarers to have minimal interpersonal exchanges with people from ashore, avoiding contact with people who show symptoms of �lu or high temperature and taking care of personal hygiene including more frequent handwashing.

When entering Chinese ports, seafarers are expected to remain on board their ships and disembark their vessels only where absolutely necessary and must wear masks.

They should also avoid unprotected contact with live animals and ensure all animal products are thoroughly cooked.

An outbreak of respiratory

illness caused by NCoV �irst identi�ied in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, has resulted in thousands of con�irmed cases within and outside China.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. NCoV is a new strain that has not been previously identi�ied in humans.

It is a well-known fact that seafaring is one of the most hazardous occupations, in regards to personal health and safety concerns of seafarers.

Apart from accidents, seafarers are prone to certain serious diseases and health hazards due to the nature of onboard work, change in climatic conditions, type of cargo carried, working hours, materials being handled, epidemic and endemic diseases, and personal habits.

Because of their nature of work, seafarers are bound to visit many ports in different

parts of the world and are thus exposed to various pandemic and epidemic diseases.

Infectious diseases are recognized as an occupational hazard in seafaring and are closely connected to the conditions of working and living onboard. These may either result from person-to-person transmission of infectious agents or through food, water or insects onboard ships or in ports, as well as from pre-existing conditions.

For a sick seafarer to be entitled to medical bene�its under the POEA-Standard Employment Contract (SEC), he must have suffered work-related illness which is de�ined as any sickness resulting to disability or death as a result of one of the twenty-four (24) occupational diseases listed under Section 32-A of the said contract with the conditions set therein satis�ied.

The list include infectious diseases that a seafarer may suffer during the effectivity of his contract which is de�ined

as a disease resulting from the presence and activity of pathogenic microbial agents in the body.

These agents include pathogenic viruses, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites, and aberrant proteins known as prions.

Most infections relentlessly �ind entry points to human populations through diverse mechanisms.

Respiratory diseases are commonly acquired by contact with aerosolized droplets, spread by sneezing, coughing, talking, kissing or even singing like bronchitis, Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB), pneumonia, and sinusitis.

Gastrointestinal diseases are often acquired by ingesting contaminated food and water like Norwalk Virus, Salmonella, and Leptospirosis.

Others may be due to contact with animals/ insects/ bacteria like Malaria, Conjunctivitis (Bacterial and Viral), Tetanus, and anthrax.

There are other infections resulting in complications necessitating repatriation that are not in the list, including the recent outbreak of NCoV. One of the requirements for an illness to be compensable is that the seafarer suffered said illness during the effectivity of the POEA contract.

Thus, it is imperative that his condition or symptoms must be documented while he is on board the vessel, such as headaches, fever, coughs, sore throat, chills, nausea, shivering and skin rashes, among others.

Otherwise, his claim for disability bene�its might be denied due to failure to prove that said illness occurred while his contract is still in force. *** Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law of�ices. For comments, send message through email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

ALL ABOUT 2019-NCOV From time to time, new forms of previous virus emerge and create terror among human beings. Such is the case of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which was �irst identi�ied by Chinese health authorities. The virus is associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province.

“Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats,” the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people.”

Such as has been seen with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). SARS, �irst recognized in China, caused a worldwide outbreak in 2002-2003 with 8,098 probable cases including 774 deaths. MERS, on the other hand, was �irst reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and has since caused illness in people from dozens of other countries.

It all started before Christmas celebration. On December 31, the WHO China Country

Of�ice was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause.

By January 5, SARS and MERS were ruled out as the cause.

Four days later, preliminary investigation showed that it was a new type of coronavirus.

From China, 2019-nCoV spread to Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Now, here are some information on 2019-nCoV, as shared by Dr. Edsel Salvana in his Facebook. He is the director of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at the National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines Manila. Also, he is a clinical associate professor and research coordinator at the Section of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Medicine at the Philippine General Hospital.

“Putting this together because there is so much misinformation going around in the Philippines on 2019-nCoV,” Dr. Salvana wrote. “Please continue to check that the cur-

rent info is accurate as things change quickly.”

1. Only the Department of Health (DOH) is con�irming or clearing cases. All other assertions are fake news. Persons under investigation (PUIs) are not con�irmed cases, they are people with symptoms who may have been exposed. As of this writing, more than 30 PUIs have been cleared as they tested negative for the virus.

2. Wearing a mask for the general public who do not have symptoms is optional.

If you have colds or a cough, then do wear a surgical mask so you do not transmit your cough or cold to other people. If you have been to China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the last 14 days, please contact health authorities for instructions.

3. The correct mask to wear for the general public is a surgical mask. Colored side always out. N95 masks should not be used by the general public since these are reserved for doctors and need to be specially �itted and are very uncomfortable. Cloth masks do not �ilter droplets well and can give a false sense of security.

4. Assertions that we are protected from 2019-nCoV

because of our warm climate are fake. Many countries with warm climates already have cases. The transmission is most likely via droplet transmission through close contact.

This means that the risk is limited to within 6 feet from a person who sneezes or coughs.

The virus does not last very long outside the human body but if you inhale the droplets or it lands on mucous membranes like the eyes or inside your mouth, you can get infected. It can persist for a few hours on environmental surfaces, including on the surface of clothing and masks and so always wash your hands and avoid touching your eyes or putting your �ingers in your mouth or nostrils.

5. Reports of using HIV drugs for 2019-nCoV are anecdotal, meaning it has been used on a few cases, some of whom have recovered. There is no de�initive proof that these work (the patients may have recovered anyway) but is under intense study by scientists. Please do not take any HIV (human immunode�iciency virus) meds without advice from your doctor. Only speci�ic classes of HIV meds may have activity so do not experiment.

2019-nCoV also does not

make HIV tests positive if you do not have HIV. 6. The World Health Organization (WHO) is aware that there is likely asymptomatic (no symptoms) transmission but this is likely in a minority of cases. This is an area of intense investigation so continue to monitor and follow instructions on the latest recommendations for protecting yourself.

7. Please stop asking DOH for details on PUIs. These are protected by the privacy act and there are security concerns. Info is released on a need to know basis. If you just want it for general tsismis (gossip), go watch Net�lix instead.

“In these times of public health emergency,” Dr. Salvana urged, “let’s do our part in helping our government protect us. Whether or not you like the government, they have a job to do and the only alternative is to panic and run around in circles - which solves nothing.

“Our frontline healthcare workers are in harm’s way so let’s support them by following instructions, not sharing or making fake news, and praying for their safety,” the doctor added.

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

AGRITRENDS

AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

NOW IN SOUTHERN MINDANAO

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

hile Filipinos are frantic about the proliferation of novel coronavirus (2019nCoV), the Department of Agriculture (DA) announced that the African swine fever (ASF) has already invaded Davao Region, particularly Davao Occidental.

Upon receiving reports “Agriculture Secretary William Dar immediately issued directives to manage, contain and control the disease and stop it from spreading,” said a press statement released by the DA regional of�ice.

Ronnie Domingo, national director of the Bureau of Animal Industry, instructed the Davao regional veterinary quarantine of�icers (VQOs) to extend full assistance in restricting animal movement, following the 1-7-10 protocol in affected barangays.

Under the protocol, quarantine checkpoints are set up in areas within a 1-kilometer radius of suspected swine farms. It limits animal movement and employs mandatory test, aside from killing all infected animals.

Within a 7-kilometer radius, authorities are conducting surveillance activities. Any movement of animals outside the zone needs the required documents like veterinary health certi�icates and permits.

Farm owners within the 10-kilometer radius are mandated to report any disease to the agriculture department.

In order for ASF not to spread further the disease, Domingo urged other regional VQOs in Mindanao to strictly enforce quarantine procedures and monitor animal movement.

According to the press

statement, the ASF was �irst reported in Don Marcelino. Immediately, the regional of�ice of DA 11, together with Davao Occidental provincial veterinary of�ice and municipal agriculture of�ice of the said town conducted an investigation on January 29, in eight affected barangays: Linadasan, North Lamidian, South Lamidian, Calian, Mabuhay, Lawa, Nueva Villa and Baluntaya.

In Malita, the capital of the provinces, seven barangays were also affected with ASF, namely: Bito, Kidalapong, Tubalan, Felis, Mana, Talogoy, and New Argao.

Samples from the 1,000 pigs that died from the town were tested positive for ASF, according to the reports.

The press statement said most of those who are engaged in piggery in these two affected towns are backyard farmers, who practice group rearing (Pagalam system).

Most of the pigs are raised with no proper housing provisions nor biosecurity practices.

In addition, the backyard swine raisers also don’t practice vaccination, vitamin supplementation and deworming. Household butchering is common especially with animals exhibiting weakness or disease, and animals are sold to neighbors and relatives.

These backyard swine raisers sell their animals through the viajeros, who purchase sick animals at low cost and transport them by motorcycle to consolidators in the nearby town of Santa Maria for distribution to several areas in Davao Del Sur. A news report released by the Philippine Informa-

tion Agency (PIA) traced the ASF to the feeding of swill – locally known as lamaw – as one possible source of the spread of the disease.

Davao Regional Director Ricardo Oñate believed the swill may contain processed meat products that had been infected with ASF. As such, he discouraged hog raisers to feed pigs with lamaw or scraps of household food wastes.

Dr. Karl Pineda, veterinarian of DA 11, was quoted by the PIA report, saying that the hog raisers in Don Marcelino mix feeds and swills for the sustenance of their pigs.

Oñate, however, said the agency is still trying to �igure out how the ASF managed to thrive in the affected towns.

Another assumption is that the virus may come from neighboring countries like Indonesia and China. This is the reason why the agency is also coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard.

In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued a ban on transporting live pigs and pork products from Davao Occidental. Davao del Sur has also been included in the ban because there were uncon�irmed reports of ASF case in the said province.

“Giapil na nato ang Davao del Sur sa pag-ban sa entry diri sa Davao City sa ilang live hogs and pork and meat products. Wala nato gihulat ang results sa test ug giapil nato ug ban derecho ang Davao del Sur to protect the hog farmers and industry in Davao City,” Mayor Duterte was quoted as saying by EDGE Davao.

ASF is caused by a unique virus which is distinct from that of classical

swine fever and which infects only domestic and wild pigs and a variety of soft bodied ticks. The virus, endemic in Africa, circulates between warthogs and the soft bodied ticks which inhabit their burrows, according to the website, thepigsite. com. The ticks transmit it through all stages of their life cycle and perpetuate it.

“ASF virus is relatively tough and can survive in the environment and in pig carcasses for a long time,” thepigsite. com states. “Curing and smoking pork products does not destroy it. Its main method of spread from country to country is via waste uncooked pork products fed to pigs.

Unfortunately, there are no vaccines available against ASF nor it can be cured. “For this reason, it has serious socio-economic consequences in affected countries,” the website of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warned.

Humans are not susceptible to the disease.

“The typical signs of African swine fever are similar to classical swine fever, and the two diseases normally have to be distinguished by laboratory diagnosis,” EFSA explains.

Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, lack of energy, abortions, internal bleeding, with hemorrhages visible on the ears and �lanks. Sudden death may occur. Severe strains of the virus are generally fatal (death occurs within 10 days). Animals infected with mild strains of African swine fever virus may not show typical clinical signs.

ASF is endemic in sub– Saharan Africa. In Europe, it has been endemic in

Sardinia for several decades. In2007, outbreaks occurred in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and the European part of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Outbreaks of ASF was reported in China at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019.

The agriculture department has listed the swine industry as one of the biggest contributors to the country’s agricultural growth. It posted over 16% increase in gross earnings, owing to the increasing demand for pork and production expansion.

The Philippines ranks third to China and Vietnam in terms of pig production in Asia, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Other top producers of pigs in the region are Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Malaysia.

Filipinos have been eating pork since time immemorial. “The Philippines, before it was even called the Philippines, has always favored pork,” wrote Gela Velasco, author of an article, The History of Meat in the Philippines: Why Our Markets Carry Chicken, Beef and Pork but Not Horse or Crocodile.

“Pig meat was often raised as offerings to the gods to curry their favor.

Pigs are also considered indigenous to our lands, with the Tagalog word ‘baboy’ also having variations in the Indonesian ‘babi’ and ‘bawi’ in Malayan. The existence of these similar words in neighboring countries is important because they con�irm that pig was a pre-colonial food source in Southeast Asia.”

A report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said that an average

Filipino consumes about 14.2 kilograms of pork (2 kilograms more than the world’s average pork consumption). It is no wonder why pork is the country’s biggest meat import commodity, data from the Bureau of Animal Industry shows.

“The global trend of increasing free trade has sent fears that imported frozen pork poses a big threat to the local pig industry,” Zoilo M. Lapuz wrote in a feature which appeared in a website, pig333.com.

There’s money in raising pigs. “The large number of overseas Filipino workers is a big potential for common Philippine dishes as canned pork products,” Lapuz wrote.

“Importation of pork bellies, however, could remain strong due to the strong urbanized demand for bacon and pork barbeque.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said that from 2016 to2018, the swine industry showed increases. The volume of hog production for the fourth quarter of 2018 was estimated at 662.74 thousand metric tons. This was 2.01% higher compared with the 2017 output of 649.68 thousand metric tons.

The top three hog producing regions during the period were Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Northern Mindanao.

These regions posted increases in production by 4.41%, 3.0% and 3.52%, respectively. The combined production of these three regions accounted for 47.84% of the country’s total hog production.

About 71% of the swine population are raised in backyard farms

AFRICAN, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

PARK INN DAVAO AND THE FEEL GOOD HIGH

THE START of every year symbolises a fresh new start. It is a time when most people cast the past behind them and look forward to a brighter, more healthier life.

Last January 31, Park Inn by Radisson Davao held its annual Feel Good Friday celebration at the Lanzones Room. It was an evening gathering where media, blogger, and corporate friends were treated to a series of wellness activities.

The evening started

with an energetic zumba session followed by a beginner yoga session. After an energetic dance session and revitalising stretch attendees were treated

to relaxing dry massages by the hotel’s spa partner, Elysia Wellness Spa. The event also served as Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s introduction of its new Food & Drinks Manager Mr. Penn Juliano who, took to the stage to highlight the “feel good” hotel’s healthy dinner that was RBG Bar & Grill’s Hearty Bowls.

Designed to be healthy and guilt-free, RBG Hearty Bowls are balanced meals filled with healthy meats, wholesome grains and lots of vegetables.

Guests chose from a filling Salmon Bowl, meaty

Beef Bowl, tender Chicken Bowl, and a meatfree Veggie Bowl.

Along with the Hearty Bowls, a Healthy Sip bar with refreshing drink choices was prepared. Guests chose among the best-seller iced drinks from Calming Quencher, Mint Detox, and Nature’s Elixir. RBG also offers other drinks such as Power Cleanser, Tropical Booster, and Tummy Rescue.

The event is in line with Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Healthy 2020 campaign, and Feel Good philosophy which I find appropriate given the recent virus scare. With a healthy body, a relaxed mind, and (of course) proper hygiene, one is sure to have a feel good 2020.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

ENTERTAINMENT

GET A FREE PIZZA FROM YELLOW CAB ON WORLD PIZZA DAY REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES TAKES

CALLING ALL PIZZA LOVERS FAR AND WIDE get ready to double up your appetite as World Pizza Day is just around the corner!

Today, February 6, Yellow Cab gives you every reason to throw a pizza party for your circle with an unbeatable deal that’s so worth it!

For one day only, have two of your favorite pizzas for the price of one. For every 12-inch pizza that you order, get another pizza of the same size and flavor, for FREE! Enjoy Yellow Cab’s iconic New York-style pizzas with generous, edge-to-edge toppings that will take your cravings to pizza heaven— twice! You can choose from

Yellow Cab’s mouthwatering Classic, Signature, and Legendary pizza variants, starting at only PHP 499.

Whether you’re looking to feed your hunger, hang out with your squad, or simply satisfy your pizza craving, there is only one way to celebrate World Pizza Day, and that is by feasting on your favorite edge-to-edge Yellow Cab pizzas.

“Adding excitement to our diners’ experiences is at the heart of our promos,” says Charlene Sapina, Marketing Head for Yellow Cab Pizza Co. “Our New York-style pizzas, with their edge-to-edge toppings and flavorful portions, will definitely make World Pizza Day so worth it. Don’t miss World Pizza Day on February 6!

Kick back and you do you with a slice of our pizzas as you spend time with your squad.”

This promo is available for dine in, take-out, curbside pick-up, and delivery, in all Yellow Cab stores nationwide.

Don’t miss out on this special deal and feast on New York-style pizzas with edge-to-edge toppings that make every bite so worth it. Hurry and drop by your nearest Yellow Cab store, or order online at delivery.yellowcabpizza.com to grab this special offer! For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/YellowCabPizzaOfficial/.

DELIVERY OF THE SHIP THAT PERFECTS LUXURY,

SEVEN SEAS SPLENDOR

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES, the world’s leading luxury ocean cruise line, has welcomed to its fleet the new ship that defines luxury perfected, Seven Seas Splendor. Delivered at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy, Regent’s fifth ship builds on the cruise line’s rich 28-year heritage offering guests An Unrivaled Experience with every luxury included.

At 55,254 gross tons and 735 feet in length, Seven Seas Splendor is Luxury Perfected. On board, the highest benchmarks of personalized service and comforts will be delivered by 551 professional crew members caring for 750 guests in 375 beautifully appointed suites, ranging from 307- to 4,443-square feet. Lavishly designed public spaces include five exquisite and unique restaurants and three elegant bars and lounges, while a $5 million

curated art collection, more than 500 crystal chandeliers, and over an acre of Italian marble complement the ship’s sophistication.

“Wherever you turn on Seven Seas Splendor, you will be surrounded by elegance, comfort and hospitality,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

“Luxury travelers have anticipated this stunning new ship for more than two years. The day she opened for reservations was the busiest booking day in our company’s history. We thank the talented team at Fincantieri for collaborating with Regent to achieve our ambitious vision of creating the ship that perfects luxury. Seven

Seas Sple Regent co Unrivaled across ou “Quali Regent Se Fincantie privilege portant a reflects F abilities a in the lux unique an niche in t try,” said Manager, Ships Div Helme Melani, t take char cruise sh sails her fi February Spain to M

EDAVAO

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA NETWORK INTRODUCES TO PRIMETIME A FAMILY LIKE NO OTHER VIA ‘LOVE OF MY LIFE’

GMA Network opens February with an intriguing masterpiece that discusses love in different forms with the primetime series Love of my Life.

The drama soap premiered on February 3 right after The Gift.

Love of my Life is topbilled by one of the industry’s highly-acclaimed actresses Ms. Coney Reyes as Isabella Gonzales; sought-after and multitalented actress-model Rhian Ramos as Kelly Generoso; and beautiful and award-winning actress Carla Abellana as Adelle Nisperos. Joining them are hunk actor-model Mikael Daez as Nikolai Gonzales and versatile actor Tom Rodriguez as Stefano Gonzales in a very special role.

Playing vital roles are Anna Marin as Siony, Adelle’s doting and supportive mother; Vaness del Moral as Joyce, Adelle’s strict but supportive friend who also helps run her handicraft business; Geleen Eugenio as Manang Eden, the Gonzales’ family cook and a warm-hearted spinster; Samantha Lopez as Janice, Isabella’s fashionable and loyal personal assistant; Maey Bautista as Cha-mae, Adelle’s humorous and kikay friend who works in her handicraft business; Ethan Hariot as Gideon, Kelly’s charming son from Stefano whom he abandoned; Raphael Landicho as

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endor demonstrates how ontinues to deliver An d Experience for guests ur fleet.” ity is a hallmark of both even Seas Cruises and eri, and it has been our to construct this imand remarkable ship that Fincantieri’s extensive and its reference presence xury cruise segment, a nd competitive market the shipbuilding indusLuigi Matarazzo, General r, Fincantieri Merchant vision. ed by Captain Serena the first female captain to rge of a brand-new ocean hip, Seven Seas Splendor first official voyage on y 6, 2020 from Barcelona, Miami, Florida. The ship

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VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

will be christened on February 21, 2020 by her Godmother, the legendary supermodel and actress Christie Brinkley, at a glamorous and elegant ceremony in PortMiami. Seven Seas Splendor will also be showcased to global media and travel partners on preview sailings throughout February and March.

Following her christening event, Seven Seas Splendor cruises the tropical paradises of the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera, which includes two crossings of the Panama Canal and one unique Southern Caribbean cruise from Miami to New York City. In spring, Seven Seas Splendor will traverse the Atlantic Ocean once more for its inaugural European season, offering cultural and historically rich ports of call in one of the world’s most popular regions, the Mediterranean.

Andrei, Adelle’s adorable son from her ex-boyfriend; Levi Ignacio as Mang Arsing, the Gonzales’ trusted driver who is also a close friend of Isabella’s sons; Carl Guevarra as Kiel, close confidante and business partner of Stefano, Dino Pastrano as Elmer, Adelle’s loving brother who manages their family farm; and with the special participation of Johnny Revilla.

The Gonzales family is not like any other, Isabella (Coney), the matriarch, is a rich widow with high standards who would stop at nothing to get what’s best for her family. Nikolai (Mikael), her youngest son, has grown into a rebellious man after causing a traumatic family accident which led to the death of his father. Stefano (Tom), the favorite son, is a familyoriented architect who fathers the child of Kelly (Rhian), his former lover who holds a vengeful heart due to what she has been through in the name of love.

When Stefano crosses paths with Adelle (Carla), a widow with a child who manages her own handicraft business, things begin to get better. Amidst Isabella’s objection towards their relationship, Stefano and Adelle strive to build a normal family. Their seemingly perfect life crumbles not only when Kelly barges into the picture along with the estranged Nikolai,

but also when Stefano gets diagnosed with a terminal illness.

How can pain bring together such opposing characters for the sake of the love of their lives? How will Adelle, Kelly, Nikolai, and Isabella adapt to their unusual setup, living inside one house for the sickly Stefano?

An original creation of the GMA Entertainment Group, Love of my Life is under the supervision of the Production team headed

by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Cathy Ochoa Perez, and Executive Producer Michele Borja.

The series is a product of the visionary minds of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Head Suzette Doctolero; Creative Consultant Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan; Headwriter Ronalean Sales; writers Ana Aleta Nadela , Dang SulitMarino and brainstormers Gilda Marcelino and Nehem Dalliego.

Love of my Life is directed by Don Michael Perez.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

ABS-CBN RECOGNIZED AT THE 3RD DANGAL NG BAYAN AWARDS ABS-CBN and its relevant news and current affairs programs were recognized for media excellence in the 3rd National College of Science and Technology Dangal ng Bayan Awards.

The Kapamilya network raked in nine awards, including the Media Excellence Award for Engineering, Media Excellence Award for Information and Technology for ABS-CBN News Online, and the Makabayan Media Excellence Award for its comprehensive Halalan 2019 election coverage.

“Failon Ngayon” was also bestowed the award for Media Excellence Award for Public Administration, while “Matanglawin” was hailed as the recipient for the Media Excellence Award for Education.

Other ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs programs that received recognition were “My Puhunan” (Media Excellence Award for Business and Entrepreneurship), “G Diaries” (Makakalikasan Media Excellence Award), and “On The Money” (Media Excel-

lence Award for Accountancy), which airs on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC).

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation was named as the recipient for the Makatao Media Excellence Award.

Launched in 2018, the Dangal ng Bayan awards program “recognizes the outstanding body of work of different media practitioners that correspond to the values upheld by NCST’s current curricular offerings.”

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UP AND ARTS AND ABOUT CULTURE TRAVEL TECH

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 236 •216 WEDNESDAY, • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY17, 22, 6, 2020 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 219 • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,JANUARY JANUARY 14,

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ELIMINATES SINGLESONY INTRODUCES NEW GP-VPT2BT WHAT OVERSEAS USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET WIRELESS SHOOTING FILIPINOS CAN LEARNGRIP FROM PIOLO PASCUAL 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 well as their embroidery will help sustain their livelihood.

“Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise order sathe Dagmay if they will Line, innovator use cotton threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the Limon also seeshistory the to with a 53-year growing lineup ofneed camtapbreaking theand artisans in this endeavof boundaries, eras accessories or now to givesingle-use theirfor clients fresh is plasdeveloped modern andbeverage new designs. tic bottle free creators, Sony today “We really need tothe tap new the across its fleet. has announced BDO Remit brand amartisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless The brand announced last bassador Piolo gud ga-agi pa ko saPascual middle shooting grip.

Ideal year that it partnered withfor is very proud his life man since wala’y access sa many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,of which enas an Overseas Filipino community,” he Line said. of content creation abled the Cruise to replace (OF).

While very chalwants tovlogs show off ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic water lenging, he said his the beauty of Dagmay travel photography /he bottles across its 17-shipasfleet, life abroad was full of for has clients who are looking videography tomost simple beginning with its recent valuable lessons, which clothes and accessories made everyday use,Encore. the new ship, Norwegian helped himoptimum achieve fi-ofthey byThe theoffers Mandayas.

He said grip achievement is one the nancial freedom. noticed thatand some Pasalubong stability comfort latest sustainable steps forward People maywith not know that centers including Davao City’s combined cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

In Piolo temporarily lefteliminated showbiz free connectivity and a 2018, the Company at age 19 todust join his mom and reliable and moissingle-use plastic straws across other in California, ture resistant design. its fleetsiblings and private destinaUSA. There, juggled two Compatible with aofvariety tions, and ashe a result this jobs, working asdigital a hospital staff of Sony’s latest most recent initiative, itcamerwill during the asconnects a security as, the GP-VPT2BT replace overday sixand million singleguard in downtown Los Angeles easily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every at night.

He was working almost creators to simply aim and year.

In addition, the brand is 16 hours a day, only tosingle-use make shoot without interfering working to eliminate ends meet. cables or exposedand inputs.

The plastic shampoo condi“Itgrip was hardlater at first because new includes athis useful tioner bottles year.tiltI was blocked out the feature that allows for life flexible These efforts areof driven bythat I had here.

I was already anasacvertical angle adjustment the Company’s Sail & Sustain tor back then living different well as the ability toaswitch Environmental Program, which lifestyle.

WhentoI self-shooting migrated to the from normal is its commitment to minimize US, I had toease. start from scratch. mode with Additionalwaste to landfills, reduce its I had to work right away or else

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I wouldn’t have any food on spend beyond my means. It rethe table,” he said of his early ally takes discipline to be practistruggles. cal and not buy things that you “My sister and I were just really do not need,” he said. renting a place. My mom, who Piolo did not only work hard lives in the same community, to earn his keep, he worked would drop by once in a while doubly hard to protect it. He to give us food. But even so, we shared he remains a very practistill had to fend for ourselves. I cal person, who would rather had two jobs myDagsalary spend Aldevinco dobecause not carry “Wala on man thingsgud thatkaayo would was enough to pay for my maynot cloth.

Mandaya na pieces and bring in returns, than onmostly mateinsurance, my car, my rental, T’boli products ang sa Alrial possessions. my food, and allowance,” Piolo devinco.

Sa Manila T’boli lang More importantly, he learned added. mostly nako nayour ginathat partmakita of protecting Two years after moving to the hard-earned himo accent money ug Yakan, beads is choosing US, he decided to go back home. the sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao right remittance partner, He wanted to give acting anoth- one and that Inaul. something notWalay only promises coner try. While his years as an OF from the but Mandaya venience securitycommuas well. didn’temissions last long, rate, he credits much thrilled nity,” “Myhemom wassuch already in the CO2 increase tosaid. make an impact of his success to the valuable les- by cotton Dagmay design USThe when we were growing up. sustainable sourcing and invest eliminating single-use beversons he an learned while living clothing isquickly not yetchanged available in At that time, it was so fleet. hard for ly,in itemerging has adjustment wheeland and can be technologies. age bottles across our working theato market as Limon and his us getone money from her can be loosened tightened into tripod by simply ex“This isabroad. a veryorspecial and It’s just of the ways wefor are “I wouldn’t be what I am group are in the immerour schooling.

We would then tovery allow for seamless operapanding the bottom portion, proud moment for us,” working tostill preserve our oceans today if itcameras weren’t for the hard- enabling siontothe stage ofstable, thewhich project. go aneasy agency, tion with of different handssaid Harry Sommer, president and destinations wewould visit. shipsand I went thru as angrip OF.of I “Wethis will pa their charge us with allthe sorts of fees. sizes weights.

The free shooting. and chief executive officer While isevaluate just beginning learned to work very hard“As to capacity and kung willing sila BDO really changed the landalso includes a flip button, inThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Cruise Line. of what we and others can do, ablelight to cruise pay forline, things but makipag-collaborate,” he made said. scape remittance. dicator and lock switch, Grip will committed be They availabeleading we are at Shooting we areofincredibly the same time, I learned not to it easy for Filipinos overseas to

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 send money to their loved ones,” without hard-earned money to others. shipping water from a he said.

Alwaysproduction go for someone who is single source.

JUST former OF, Piolo said he takes trustworthy, hasmost a track to As ouraSail & Sustain program care to who use the effiknows how much our kababayrecord, and who has been there and believe wholeheartedly in cient shipping options available. ans importance abroad sacrifice just to be forFor a long time.

The last thing the of preserving more information about able natural to provide for theirWe families that you want to happen is for our resources. will Norwegian Cruise Line ships back home so towards he cautions yourtheir money not to reach continue toand strive mak- and itineraries, or toyour book OFsenvironmentally against sending money to ones.

That’s why Iaalways ing conscious aloved cruise, please contact travel just any remittance eschoose BDO. call With BDO, you decisions to benefit agency our earth.” professional, 888-NCLpecially those they just happen are confident that your money Envisioned and founded by CRUISE (625-2784) or visit to see online. will be safely remitted to your American rapper, songwriter, www.ncl.com.

“You are entrusting your loved ones back home,” he said.

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

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EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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of stocks and have reordered more stocks to re�ill their inventories, but these were again depleted fast last week with the surge in demand. They were asked to increase their reordering quantities.

As of last Friday, Watsons still had stocks and their inventories were deployed nationwide, while Mercury and SouthStar drugstores and most wholesalers ran out of stock. They reported that there will be incoming stocks this week.

The DTI central of�ice

already talked local producer of masks, MedTecs, that is based in Bataan and they committed to supply the government, through the DTI of 100,000 pieces this week and 400,000 pieces per week thereafter.

It said the supplier can commit to supply Philippines around 2 million pieces a month, until this quantity is needed.

While they produce on a limited capacity of 80,000 pieces a day, MedTecs is now airfreighting more machines to increase their production capacity.

resulted in a slight decrease in arrivals. Note, however, that the world economy at that time was reeling from the effects of the Global Financial Crisis, which is likely to have had a larger impact on tourism. Philippine tourism also proved resilient during the outbreak of the MERS-COV,” he said.

Dominguez also noted that even with fewer arrivals in 2003, tourism direct gross value added actually increased by 8.8 percent compared to the previous year due to increased average spending per tourist.

He added that in the last few years, however, the country’s tourism direct gross value added has been rapidly rising, mainly due to a substantial increase in arrivals from China.

Dominguez said while these developments may dampen the country’s growth somewhat, domestic tourism is expected to increase as more people would likely prefer to trav-

el within the borders, thus boosting domestic consumption.

The private sector also allayed their fears over the backlash in tourism. Ruth G. Velasco, owner of Angel Garnet Travel and Tours said it is an indication of losses in terms of pro�it for them.

“Akong April China group nag cancel na. Naa koy February 6 na family for Korea planning to cancel na rin. Supposed may Europe group daghan baya nag re-sked, so the impact sa tourism industry daku kaayo ug kami pinaka- affected. We cannot rely on ticketing kay service charge lang mi unlike in group tours where we can maximize pro�it depending on the class of clients we have, “ she said.

Alexander D. Divinagracia, general manager of Globalwings Travel and Tours, said he has a group going to Hanoi on Feb. 17 to 21 that has been rebooked.

would like to inform you that health has a bigger a budget. Lingap project activated already for a free hospitalization," added the mayor.

Mayor Michelle also announced during the BDP that she allotted budget for the women’s group of the barangay because she wants that women’s group will be given a livelihood for them to be able to help

their partners.

"Promise that your concerns is my priority, if we can make it happen this year we will do it with your help. And if not hope to do it next year,” said Mayor Michelle.

The mayor also distributed rice packs to the 361 barangay residents.

The Ugnayan sa Barangay will run until March.

(CIO MATI)

discuss, orient and make the public familiar with its schemes and inviting them to join the company through its Facebook account posts constitutes public offering,” the EIPD noted.

In addition, the investment scheme of Togachat resembled a Ponzi scheme, an investment program that offers impossibly high returns and pays these returns to early investors out of the capital contributed by later investors, accord-

ing to the EIPD. “WHEREFORE, for violation of Section 45 of the Corporation Code of the Philippines [now, Section 44 of the Revised Corporation Code (R.A. No. 11232)] in relation to Sections 8.1 and 28.1 of the Securities Regulation Code and Section 6(i)(2) of P.D. 902-A, the corporate registration or Certi�icate of Incorporation/Registration of TOGACHAT ACADEMY PHILIPPINES, Inc. is hereby revoked,” the EIPD ordered.

partment of Health said a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan, China tested positive for the virus.

Her 44-year-old Chinese male companion, who became the second person

testing positive for nCoV in the Philippines, died on Saturday.

The number of persons under investigation for possible nCoV infection has climbed to 105.

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there is no such thing as a structure which is �ireproof. Thus, the damaged portion needs to be reconstructed,” Panelo said.

“Despite this, Secretary Villar assured the President that while this is considered as a delay, they will still make certain that Edsa will be decongested within the latter’s term,” he added.

Apart from the key infrastructure projects, a total of 4,900 small infrastructure projects would also help improve the lives of all Filipinos, Panelo said, quoting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

Panelo said Pernia assured the President that the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program would promote regional development.

“Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Pernia joined the discussions and said that big-ticket projects are just part of the ‘Build, Build, Build” program as there are other small projects, totaling to 4,900, that will surely improve the lives of the Filipino people

in different places of the country,” he said.

“Per Secretary Pernia, while visibly small, these projects are signi�icant and are in tune with one of the main thrusts of this Administration, which is regional development,” the Palace of�icial added.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, who was also present during the Cabinet meeting, expressed optimism that the President’s successor would continue the implementation of the current administration’s infrastructure program, Panelo said.

Dominguez issued the statement, as he acknowledged that some of the infrastructure projects would be left un�inished, when Duterte steps down from of�ice in 2022.

“For Secretary of Finance, Carlos Dominguez III, if this administration will not start the projects, then nobody will. The Finance Secretary added that while we may not �inish some of the projects within the term of PRRD, at least the next administration can continue and �inish the same, thereby ultimately bene�itting the people,” Panelo said. (PNA)

the movement of swine from village to village,” Joyce said.

He said samples have been taken from pigs in his town but the results were not yet available as of Tuesday.

In his directive, Bautista ordered the village chairpersons to conduct a swine inventory in their jurisdictions to help the local government address the ASF virus.

MindaNews checked on some eateries patronized by ordinary people and found out that they no longer offer viands with pork ingredients due to lack of meat supply.

An eatery owner at the poblacion, who asked not to be identi�ied, said they lost more or less P10,000 in daily sales since they stopped cooking pork products. On the average, he said, they buy 15 kilograms (kg) of pork meat daily for barbeque, �ive kg liempo or belly cuts and

�ive more kg for other pork menus.

“That is a big loss considering we are just a small business enterprise,” he said in the vernacular.

There’s no more pork meat supply in the markets since Sunday, he added.

A worker of another eatery said they anticipate the lack of pork meat to last for at least three months.

Raul Almondia, team leader of the Civil Security Unit assigned at the public market, told MindaNews that the pork meat traders have all complied with the order to stop selling pork and pork-related products.

“They obliged without resistance to help prevent the spread of the disease,” he said. Almondia said that �ive stalls have been given permits to sell pork products in the public market.

Fish and chicken meat vendors continue to sell their products at the market.

(Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

city, is currently undergoing self-quarantine and has not so far showed any symptoms of the disease.

He reportedly traveled to Wuhan for the Chinese New Year holidays and arrived in the city on January 23.

Gacal noted that the city is currently at risk of the disease as it has direct �lights to Cebu and some local residents have recently traveled to the area and possibly even Dumaguete City, which was previously visited by the patients that turned positive of the 2019-nCoV. “It is the mandated duty of the local government under the general welfare clause and its police pow-

er to ensure the safety and protect the health of its (constituents),” the councilor said.

In line with the calamity declaration, Gacal said they approved the release of some PHP10 million from the city’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund for the establishment of an isolation facility and the purchase of supplies, necessary materials and medicine to combat possible cases of 2019-nCoV. They also authorized Mayor Ronnel Rivera to assist and extend �inancial help to possible 2019nCoV patients that would be admitted to private hospitals, he added. (PNA)

4,900 ‘small’ infra projects

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HUAWEI... FROM4 suspicion does not address the challenges ahead,” he added in a veiled admonishment to Washington.

He also urged Europe, the US and China to “invest more, in political discussion, to talk about collaboration and common rules”.

In Europe, a ban on Huawei will now ultimately be up to member states, but the European Commission’s middle road recommendations give cover to European capitals to resist pleas from Washington.

Building factories in Europe would also help persuade EU countries to turn away from tough measures against Huawei, with all eyes on Germany which

has delayed its decision on a possible ban.

According to the company, it employs over 13,000 staff and runs two regional centers and 23 research centers in 12 EU countries.

Huawei is one of the world’s leading network technology suppliers, and one of the few -- along with European telecom companies Nokia and Ericsson -- capable of building 5G networks.

The United States sees the company as a potential threat to cybersecurity and fears it would facilitate cyber espionage by the Chinese government, to which it is said to have close links.

"We asked for status report at saka 'yung (and the) validation ng sinabi nila

they (suspects in Villavende's case) were formally charged," Bello said.

while 29% are in commercial farms. In almost every rural household in the country, swine raising is a very popular enterprise,

according to Jethro P. Adang, the director of the Davao-based Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center (MBRLC) Foundation, Inc.

"The league is evaluating the situation on a dayto-day basis as it values the utmost safety of its teams, players, personnel, and most especially its fans,” the league said.

“A revised schedule will be released once the situation with the coronavirus improves and the aforementioned travel restrictions are lifted," it added.

China’s National Health Commission (NHC) on Tuesday reported that the death toll in China from the novel coronavirus outbreak climbed to 425.

In a statement, the com-

mission said it has so far received a total of 20,438 con�irmed cases, adding a total of 64 people died over the last 24 hours.

More than 171,000 people are under medical observation, while the number of people discharged reached 632.

A 44-year-old man died of the coronavirus in the Philippines, the �irst death con�irmed outside China, according to the World Health Organization.

The patient was a Chinese national from Wuhan city, where the virus was �irst detected. (PNA)

central Chinese city hardest hit by the virus.

Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike has separately pledged to take stringent measures against infec-

tious diseases.

The health scare has led to the cancellation of Olympic qualifying events in China including boxing and badminton.

ward Davis Bertans, Charlotte's Devonte Graham, Chicago's Zach LaVine, Sacramento's Buddy Hield and Miami's Duncan Robinson.

Cameroonian playmaker Siakam of the defending champion Toronto Raptors is among �ive All-Stars in the Skills Challenge, an obstacle-course competition testing agility, passing, dribbling and 3-point accuracy.

Other All-Stars in the event include defending Skills Challenge champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston

Celtics, Miami's Bam Adebayo, Indiana's Domantas Sabonis and Milwaukee's Khris Middleton.

Also in the �ield are past champions Patrick Beverley of the Los Angeles Clippers, Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets and Derrick Rose of the Detroit Pistons.

Beverley, the 2015 winner, is a Chicago native, as is Rose, who won in 2009 as an NBA rookie and later became the 2011 NBA Most Valuable Player while competing for Chicago.

have limited resources, and we want to maximize use of it," explained Ramirez.

Meanwhile, Kiram formally received Tuesday the P470-million check remittance from the Philippine

Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice (PCSO), provided for in Republic Act 6847 as fund contribution for the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) in a simple turn-over ceremony.

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VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

ENVIRONMENT

SAVING ENDANGERED

PHILIPPINE TARSIER FROM EXTINCTION

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

L

ike the Philippine eagle, the Philippine tarsiers are on the verge of extinction.

In fact, the Switzerland-based International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Philippine tarsier as “one of the most endangered primates.”

“Many populations of Philippine tarsiers have already been locally extirpated and of those that remain some surely are at imminent risk of extinction,” said the IUCN report entitled Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates.

The said report “highlights the extent of the danger facing many of the world’s primates,” said leading primatologist Christoph Schwitzer in a press statement.

“We hope it will focus people’s attention on these lesser known primate species, some of which most people will probably have never heard of.”

In 1966, the IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals classi�ies the Philippine tarsier under the “near-threatened category.” The UN Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed the Philippine tarsier under Appendix II, which means trade of the species and subspecies “is strictly regulated.”

“Both listing mean that the species is not yet threatened with extinction but may become so if appropriate

(Photo by Paolo R. Lim)

conservation measures and trade regulations are not carried out,” explained Dr. Wilfredo S. Pollisco, who was then director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). PAWB is now known as Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).

In 1997, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 1030 declaring the Philippine tarsier as “a specially protected faunal species of the Philippines.” As such, “the hunting, killing, wounding, taking away or possession of the Philippine tarsier” and activities that would destroy its habitats are strictly prohibited.

However, the law allows the possession of Philippine tarsier “for educational, scienti�ic, or conservation-centered research purposes” upon the certi�ication of the head of the environment department.

Contrary to what old biology textbooks claim, the Philippine tarsier is not “the smallest monkey in the world.”

In fact, scientists don’t even consider it a monkey or ape at all. It is classi�ied as primate, of which monkeys and humans also belong.

“The Philippine tarsier is found in various habitats, particularly in dense patches of bushes, tall grasses, bamboos, and small trees in tropical rainforest,” informed Dr. Corazon

Catibog-Sinha, then the PAWB assistant director when interviewed by this author. “It is also found in abandoned clearings with new growths of medium-height plants, both in the lowlands and at medium elevations.”

Known locally as maomag or mago, Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) can also be found in abandoned clearings with new growths of medium-height plants, both in the lowlands and at medium elevations.

In the past, they used to be common in coastal forest near rivers and creeks. They have also been sighted at the base of the tree trunks and roots of bamboo but rarely in cavities at the tree tops.

“The Philippine tarsier has attracted a lot of attention from scientists and collectors because of its interesting physical features and habits,” a booklet on Philippine wildlife noted.

The Philippine tarsier stands only about 5 inches tall (small enough to �it snugly in the human hand), but it has an eye measuring 17 millimeters – about 150 times bigger than the human eye.

Apart from its huge eyes, the tarsier’s other distinguishing characteristic is its ability to spot prey as well as to navigate its way through the trees. Before it leaps from one branch to another, it will quickly turn its head to spot exactly where it will go and

then make a speedy jump – backward – in that direction.

To communicate with each other, Philippine tarsiers generally make chirping sounds similar to those made by locusts. They also occasionally make loud, shrill calls and soft birdlike noises.

One interesting fact about this primate is that they are considered nocturnal hunters (they normally sleep during the day and wake up at sundown).

They are well-equipped for stalking insects, lizards and small amphibians at night. Their main hunting tools are their huge eyes, each of which is bigger than their entire brain.

“Tarsiers can consume as much as 17 hoppers or 5 lizards a day,” said Catibog-Sinha.

One point of interest: tarsiers do not feed on dead animals.

The BMB shares the following information about the Philippine tarsier: · The Philippine tarsier produces a strong smell during the breeding season. This is believed to be crucial for socialization and sexual communication.

Estrus occurs at 24-day intervals, during which courtship and copulation take place. · After copulation in captivity, tarsier females have been observed to develop vaginal plugs – something like a natural chastity belt. · Tarsier pregnancy lasts for about six month, giving birth to only one offspring each year. A new born tarsier can already cling to branches; less than a month after birth the young starts leaping; in two months or so it is weaned from the mother. · In captivity, tarsier mothers carry their young with their mouths when disturbed. Mothers park their young while they

forage for good. No parental care has been observed in tarsier fathers. · A tarsier’s lifespan in the wild may reach up to 24 years.

In captivity, however, a tarsier’s life expectancy is little more than 12 years. Many tarsiers taken from the wild and placed in captivity survive only for two to �ive years. · Some tarsiers captured and placed in enclosures have been reported to go wild, committing suicide by smashing their heads against objects.

Philippine tarsier is endemic to the country.

It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly the islands of Bohol, Samar, and Leyte. Its geographic range also includes Maripipi Island, Siargao Island, Basilan Island, and Dinagat Island.

In the 1960s, Philippine tarsiers used to abound in Bohol. One account said: “There were so many that many tarsiers were run over by passing cars. People recalled that masses of tarsiers used to cross the roads at night, doing their slow hop-crawl on the ground.”

Those were in the past. Today, their number has dwindled rapidly. “Tarsiers face a number of threats, most notably habitat loss or degradation, with many tarsiers losing more than half of their original habitat,” says the Endangered Species International (ESI).

“In some areas much of the forest has been converted to agricultural use and this does not bene�it tarsiers. Forests are often destroyed for palm or coffee plantations, mining, logged for timber or turned into grazing land,” it adds.

Most tarsiers can still live in secondary forests and in some degraded and cultivated areas but need access to enough sleeping sites to survive. “Degraded

areas can support fewer individuals and may not offer enough seclusion from humans,” ESI pointed out.

Tarsiers are also threatened by hunting or capture for the pet trade. “(Philippine tarsiers) fell prey only to their natural enemies, such as civets and snakes.

But habitat destruction, unabated hunting and illegal trade have reduced their population to near extinction,” said the Philippine Tarsier Foundation, Inc. (PTFI), a non-government organization spearheading a campaign to save the tarsiers.

Philippine tarsiers also fell prey only to their natural enemies, such as civets and snakes.

Efforts to conserve the species started in 1988 yet when a study on the tarsier habitat requirements was initiated in Bohol. This was followed by a project initiated by the environment department of Region VII in 1991 until 1992 under the Debtfor-Nature Swap program.

“The Philippine tarsier is dif�icult to maintain in captivity because of its peculiar food and habitat requirement,” the BMB publication states. “Captive tarsiers are normally shortlived and most young born to captive tarsiers do not live to maturity.

Sensitive and delicate, they respond poorly to frequent touching and handling.”

Fossilized records of the forebears of the Philippine tarsier date back to the Eocene period some 45 million years ago. The animal was only introduced to western biologists in the 18th century. And they may disappear from this part of the world soon.

“If no action is taken now, the Philippines tarsier can soon be added to the list of extinct species,” the PTFI said in a statement.

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Coronavirus scare forces suspension of ABL games

T

The Philippines’Alex Eala has risen to no. 4 in the ITF world junior girls rankings.

Alex Eala rises to world no. 4

A

lex Eala, the country’s top junior tennis player, climbed to career-high No. 4 in the latest girls’ ranking of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after ruling the juniors women’s doubles competition in the Australian Open in Melbourne over the weekend.

The Filipina tennis sensation jumped �ive ranks up from ninth place last month with 1,718.75 accumulated points.

Eala was initially tipped to go up to No. 8 in the world, but the impact of her semi�inal win turned out to be a factor for her to go inside the Top 5 behind No. 1 Diane

Parry of France (2,356.25 points), No. 2 Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva of Andorra (1,971.25 points) and No. 3 Daria Snigur of Ukraine (1,930 points).

Eala teamed up with Indonesia’s Priska Nugroho in the entire duration of the women’s doubles event, and the duo, who were seeded fourth in the open, made a huge shocker after beating Latvia’s Kamila Bartone and Czech Republic’s Linda Fruhvirtova, the top seeds in the tournament.

Then the two defeated Slovenia’s Ziva Falkner and Great Britain’s Matilda Mutavdzic, who themselves entered the �inals despite entering the tour-

Howard returns to Slam Dunk event

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ormer Slam Dunk Contest champion Dwight Howard, NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard and Trae Young and Toronto's Pascal Siakam are highlight entrants into the All-Star Saturday Night festivities announced Tuesday by the league.

The 35th Slam Dunk event, 34th 3-Point Contest and 17th NBA Skills Challenge will top festivities on February 15 in Chicago on the eve of the 69th NBA AllStar Game.

Eight-time All-Star Howard, who returns to the contest after 11 years, won the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk crown with a series of innovative dunks that included donning a Superman cape for one slam jam spectacle.

The 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers center, who helped the US team capture 2008 Olympic gold at Beijing, will compete against Milwaukee's Pat Connaughton and former dunk contest runners-up Aaron Gordon of Orlando from 2016 and Derrick Jones Jr. of Miami from 2017.

READ: NBA changing 3-point contest format at

All-Star Saturday The last time the Slam Dunk event took place in Chicago was in 1988, when hometown star Michael Jordan won his second title in a row in a dazzling display that edged out Atlanta's Dominique Wilkins.

Defending champion Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets will try to become the �irst back-to-back 3-Point Contest winner since Jason Kapono in 2007-2008.

He will be challenged

by Portland's Lillard and Atlanta's Young, who will test their skills from beyond the arc before playing in the All-Star showdown the next night.

Five-time All-Star Lillard ranks third in NBA, scoring at 29.8 points a game and second in 3-point hoops with 192, while Young -- �ifth in league scoring at 29.2 points a game -- has made 156 3-pointers in 46 games after making the same number over 81 games last season.

The �ield for the tworound, timed shooting competition also includes Washington's Latvian for-

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nament unseeded, in the championship round, 6-1, 6-2, in a record-setting 49 minutes.

The 14-year-old Eala became the �irst Filipino to win a juniors grand slam since Francis Casey Alcantara also captured the Australian Open boys’ doubles title with Hsieh Cheng-peng of Chinese Taipei in 2009.

This is also the sixth doubles title for Eala and Nugroho since they teamed up in 2017.

For her successful showing in one of tennis’ four grand slam events, Eala is the hands-down choice of the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) as its

“Athlete of the Month” for January.

“Like all the other great Filipino athletes who made us proud in the last Southeast Asian Games, Eala did very well to put local tennis in the international map again,” TOPS president Ed Andaya of People’s Tonight said in a news release.

“Her success serves as an inspiration to the Filipino youth who hope to make a difference in the wonderful world of sports,” Andaya added.

Eala was to take a short vacation in the Philippines before returning to the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain to continue her training. (PNA)

he Asean Basketball League (ABL) announced on Tuesday that it has postponed the game between Alab Pilipinas and the Macau Black Bears due to growing concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

In a statement, the league said match, scheduled for Feb. 16 at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Laguna, was called off following the travel restrictions that have been enforced in certain countries, particularly Macao and Hong Kong.

"As the World Health Organization (WHO) advances its efforts in investigating the global health emergency concerning the novel coronavirus, the respective local health and

travel authorities of several countries have furthered their support with control policies,” the statement read.

The Alab-Black Bears clash was not the only match that was postponed as 14 other games were also affected by the coronavirus scare, all either involving the Black Bears, cross-town rivals Macau Wolf Warriors, or the Eastern Long Lions.

Hong Kong, where Eastern is based, just reported its �irst death caused by coronavirus.

On the other hand, Macao is taking precautionary measures for the next two weeks to prevent the said virus from reaching its jurisdiction.

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Japan pledges anti-virus steps ahead of Olympics

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apanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday vowed the outbreak of a new virus that has killed more than 360 people in neighbouring China will not have any impact on the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics this summer.

Abe said he will work with international of�icials including the World Health Organization (WHO) to ensure preparations for the games are not disrupted.

"By coordinating our efforts with the WHO and other related agencies, we will take appropriate steps so that preparations to hold the events will steadily continue," Abe told a parliamentary session.

Japan's sports and Olympic of�icials will hold a meeting later this week to discuss the outbreak and Tokyo's efforts to prevent a further spread, Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto said.

Japanese of�icials are scrambling to control the virus, warning citizens against non-essential travel to China and refusing entry to foreigners who have recently visited Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

No deaths have been reported in Japan so far.

The government chartered three �lights to repatriate 565 Japanese nationals from Wuhan, the

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Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) celebrates hitting a three-point shot during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center. Reuters

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VOL.12 ISSUE 236 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2020

PSC takes up NSAs grassroots programs

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he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) determines to partner and give its full support on the grassroots sports programs of various national sports associations for 2020 has started discussing this with the different sports bodies as they start a series of consultations on their budget requirements.

On top of the agencies growing grassroots programs like the Children’s Games and Batang Pinoy, PSC Chairman William Ramirez said that the agency is open to supporting NSAs who intend to develop sports programs for the country’s grassroots.

“We want to help NSAs in their own grassroots sports programs for the country. When they conduct a strong, and effective grassroots program, they help us carry out our mandate to make sports accessible to every Filipino, and to develop a strong citizenry, not to mention creating a deep pool from which Elite sports could cull their future stars,” said Ramirez in the �irst day of the annual budget hear-

ings yesterday at the PSC Administrative Bldg., Malate, Manila.

“Last year, we managed to conduct training and sports clinics across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao from our own pockets. We thank the PSC for this new development in promoting our sports in the country,” said Karate Pilipinas Sports Federation, Inc. (KPSFI) President Richard Lim. Updates on NSA’s International Federation (IF) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) accreditation, and athlete’s pro�iles will also be tackled in the meetings to be headed by each PSC Commissioner in charge. The �irst two days of meetings will be led by Commissioner Ramon Fernandez's sports like Karate, Judo, Boxing, Muay, Pencak Silat and Wushu.

Despite his hectic schedule, the sports agency chief made it a point to be present in the budget meetings recognizing the importance of discussing issues and requirements with the different sports leaders. "We

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