Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 237 | Friday, February 7, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

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Animal welfare group questions city vet’s improper disposal of dead dogs

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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avao-based animal welfare group is questioning the Davao City Veterinarian's Of�ice's (CVO's) improper disposal of dead dogs that were dumped in a private space in the boundary of Indangan and Panacan, Davao City.

Rovie Bullina, manager of Hofmann Corporate Social Responsibility on Animal Welfare, told

Edge Davao that if animal carrion is dumped in an open space, it becomes a risk to public health as

�lies, bats and other dogs can easily access the corpse allowing viruses to travel.

A pile of dead dogs somewhere in Indangan-Panacan boundary, buried in a shallow mass grave several meters from a community is trending on social media that irked animal advocates in Davao City.

Bullina said this is also an issue of sanita-

tion and illegal disposal of animal carrion.

"Think how virus can spread easily. Well, naa man gud proper disposal na standard dapat sa animal corpse. The community is only 5 minutes away. It may be far from public eyes, but the bacterias or viruses can travel through carriers,” she said.

In terms of animal

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City veterinarian Dr. Cerelyn Pinili shows during a news conference in City Hall on Thursday the location of the barangays in Calinan District, Davao City where samples drawn from hogs tested positive for African swine fever (ASF). Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Mayor Sara to adopt learning from US trip

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avao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte will adopt learning from the seminar during her 8-day visit to the United States as there were subjects applicable to Davao City such as counter-terrorism and violent extremism knowledge.

Mayor Sara, who recently returned from her US trip, there were many things she learned during the seminar, noting, however, there were those already adopted in the city like the culture of security.

“They also have a culture of security like there, it is just not called as the culture of security, but it has the same concept as involving the public to be an additional eye of the authorities,” she said.

Sara was among the Philippine local leaders invited to the US-sponsored “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia - A Project for the Philippines.”

The mayor looks forward to applying the Standard Operations Manual, which will serve as a guidebook in holding any event in the city.

“What we apply here in Davao is that every event, we make different plans, but in the US they already have a manual.

So whenever there is a change of leadership at the police level, they already have a manual to follow,” she said.

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Mati LGU activates IMT for nCov, ASF and H5N1

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he City of Mati LGU has activated its incident management team (IMT) for the novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease, the African Swine Fever, and the H5N1 bird �lu.

In an Executive Order No. 19 Series of 2020, City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat said that there is a need to activate the IMT to manage the possible effects of the three highly infectious diseases.

The IMT is composed of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Of�ice, the City Veterinarian Of�ice, the City Agriculturist, the City Information Of�ice, the City Engineering, City Health, Davao Oriental Provincial Police Of�ice, Mati City Police, Department of Education, MCES-SPED, Bureau of Fire, Philippine National Red Cross, and DOSMART (Davao Oriental Search Mobilization and Rescue

Team).

As of this writing, the City of Mati remains to be free from ASF, nCoV, and H5N1.

The City Veterinarian Of�ice have already instituted measures to prevent the entry of ASF in the city.

City Health Of�ice, together with the City Vet, is also conducting series of fora in the barangays to educate the public on how to prevent ASF and how to protect themselves against 2019 nCoV and H5N1.

City Health Of�icer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan meanwhile advised the public against the “virus of disinformation” and avoid sharing or posting uncon�irmed reports about the virus in the social media.

Catbagan advised the public not to panic and maintain proper hygiene practice in their homes and community.

He also discouraged

MATI, P9

A team wearing protective gear is deployed to collect pigs for culling to prevent the spread of the African Swine Fever in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental on Wednesday. Don Marcelino is the ‘Ground Zero’ for ASF in Mindanao. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO

No lifting of ASF ban: Inday Sara

By MAYA M. PADILLO ork vendors in Davao City are now alarmed as they are facing shortage of meat supply and other pork products following the city’s implementation of a total ban on live pigs and pork products coming from Davao Occidental.

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The ban was also extended to the municipalities of Sulop and Malalag in Davao del Sur due to their proximity to Davao Occidental.

Despite the shortage of supply of pork and meat products, Mayor Sara Dute-

rte-Carpio stood pat not to lift the ban to ensure safety of the hog industry in the city.

“Gi-ask nako ang City Veterinarian Of�ice ug sa pagkakaron wala ta’y problema sa supply sa atoang baboy but kung dunay

man problema sa shortage, wala pud ta mabuhat ug dili nato puwede i-lift ang ban because there is a problem with ASF. Mas delikado kung makasulod ang ASF diri sa atoa. Madaut ang atoang hog industry ug musamot ang problema,” Mayor Duterte said.

She reiterated that there is still enough supply of pork and meat products in the city based on her information.

The city has imposed banning the entry of pigs and pork related products from Luzon, Davao Occidental and municipalities

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OFW quarantined in HK after exposure to nCoV+ employer

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Department of Health 11 (DOH 11) director Dr. Annabelle Yumang shares the latest updates on the novel coronavirus during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

of Sulop and Malalag in Davao del Sur. “Ang atong City Veterinarian Of�ice nag-release sila ug ASF advisory nag update sila sa atong ban sa entire island of Luzon and the entire province of Davao Occidental and the municipality of Sulop and Malalag in Davao del sur. These are the four areas wherein we ban the entry of pig and pork products. Initially giapil nato ang entire Davao del Sur but it came out na nag-negative tong suspected na ASF sa Digos,” Mayor Duterte said.

Filipino worker in Hong Kong was quarantined following exposure to her employer who tested positive for the 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) con�irmed Wednesday night.

The veri�ication of the second Filipino quarantined abroad due to the virus came from the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong upon coordination with local health authorities.

“Just like the �irst case, the said Filipino is healthy and asymptomatic but needs to undergo 14-day quarantine based on Hong Kong’s protocol,” the DFA statement read.

It assured the public that the government has a “vigilant and tested plan” to ensure the health and the welfare of Filipinos

domestically and overseas amid the 2019-nCoV ARD outbreak.

The agency said it would work closely with relevant government agencies to extend immediate assistance to Filipinos quarantined abroad.

“We urge our countrymen in affected areas worldwide to abide by the guidelines of host countries and take the necessary personal precautions to ensure their health and safety,” it said.

On Wednesday, the DFA con�irmed the �irst case of a Filipino infected abroad, a crewmember onboard a cruise ship docked in Japan.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship, docked at the port of Yokohama, was quarantined by the Japanese government when one of the passengers tested positive for the virus.

(PNA)

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Tagum City has new IPM representative

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Bia Jessica Ado of the Mandaya tribe of Barangay Pagsabangan takes her Oath of Office in front of her family as the new City IPMR to the 8th City Council of Tagum with Mayor Allan Rellon swearing her in, and wit-

House approves bill protecting women, children vs. online abuse, harassment

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he House of Representatives on Thursday passed on third and �inal reading a bill protecting women and children against online harassment and abuse.

The chamber approved House Bill No. 5869 or the Expanded Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children (E-VAWC) Act, which de�ines abusive, exploitative, or otherwise damaging cyber behavior against women and their children and provides corresponding penalties for these acts.

Recent developments in social media and information technology have resulted in new forms of abuse not covered by the original Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004.

The bill seeks to strengthen legal protection for women and their children who encounter cyber abuse or harassment online.

It speci�ically prohibits the use of photos, videos, or other media recordings to perpetrate violence against women and their children, especially if their nature is sexual, otherwise suggestive, non-consensual or violent.

The measure also prohibits stalking and cyber stalking, hacking of personal accounts or electronic devices, fabrication of fake information or news through text messages, and the creation of fake social media accounts.

The E-VAWC Act will not only expand the de�inition of violence against women and their children, but also raise the penalties.

Violators stand to face jail time of 6 to 12 years and a �ine of between P300,000 and P500,000. Previously, the �ine was between P100,000 and P300,000.

Violators will also be required to undergo mandatory psychological counseling and psychiatric treatment and report their compliance to court.

Under the measure, the Philippine government will be empowered to block, blacklist, remove or shut down any programs or applications that foster violence against women and their children.

Law enforcement agencies will also be able to hold internet service providers accountable for failing to cooperate with these orders.

HB 5869 consolidated 4 similar measures �iled by Representatives France Castro, Eufemia Cullamat, Arlene Brosas, and Joy Myra Tambunting.

nessed by Vice Mayor Eva Lorraine Estabillo, the City Councilors and LGU employees. Vinz Davo/CIO Tagum

he indigenous peoples (IPs) in the cultural communities (CCs) of the City of Tagum will �inally have a voice in the Sangguniang Panglungsod now that Bia Jessica Pandacan Ado of Barangay Pagsabangan has taken her oath as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the Tagum City Council on February 3, 2020 at the City Hall of Tagum Atrium.

Bia Ado of the Mandaya tribe is the third to sit as the City IPMR and succeeded the late Datu Damiano Cipro who died in of�ice in August 2019 before he could �inish his term.

Prior to Ado’s con�irmation to become the mandatory representative to the 8th city council, the Tagum City Federation of Barangay Tribal Council met with Atty. Geroncio Aguio, the Regional Director of the

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) XI where they waived, through the passage of a council resolution, the remaining un-served term of Datu Cipro and opted to start with a new term to be served by a tribal chieftain from the Mandaya tribe as prescribed in the IPMR Local Guidelines and in accordance with the NCIPvetted Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) of the city’s cultural communities.

The said guideline which directs the IPs/CCs relative to their nomination of the communities’ political leaders included a provision that states that the term rotation in representing the IPs after the term of Datu Cipro will start with the Mandaya, followed by the Mansaka, and the Kagan tribes. The order had been based on a “draw

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Marsman Estate Plantation Incorporated (MEPI) workers undertake cleaning and clearing operations on land now owned by agrarian reform beneficiaries who have signed a leaseback agreement with the company. The beneficiaries will now get P90,000 per hectare per year plus other production incentives. Photo courtesy of Kim Ignacio

ARBs agree to ‘win-win’ solution with Marsman T

Gov’t to remain vigilant against inflation risks

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arsman Estate Plantation Incorporated (MEPI) and the 622 ARB-members of Davao Marsman Agrarian Reform Bene�iciaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DAMARB-MPC) agree to sign a �ifth amendment to their land lease contract seen as a “win-win solution” for both the bene�iciaries and the banana export producer.

DAMARB-MPC chairman Hernando Rivero said: “after almost two years of negotiations we have �inally reached an amicable arrangement with MEPI regarding our members’ plea for rental adjustment.”

DAMARB-MPC entered into a lease-back agreement with MEPI in 2000 after the 799-hectare banana plantation was donated to the cooperative.

The lease agreement was approved by Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) which, at that time, was headed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on the condition that the ARBs could freely choose what they want to do with their land.

About 762 ARBs chose to enter into a lease contract with MEPI. This lease agreement, however, was revoked in 2016 by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, as head of PARC, acting on the recommendation of former Acting Agrarian Reform

Secretary Rafael Mariano, whose nomination was rejected by the Commission on Appointment.

This led DAMARB-MPC and MEPI to separately �ile a Motion for Reconsideration on the order of revocation. DAR of�icials were then directed by President Duterte to hold dialogues with the stakeholders and to come up with what he termed as a “win-win solution.”

After numerous discussions, 622 of the 762 ARBs—or 82% majority—have �inally come into terms with MEPI. Rivero pointed out that the ARBs of MEPI and with the guidance of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee (PARCCOM) have agreed to sign the �ifth amendment to the contract, where the land rental is increased from the existing P50,000 per hectare per year to P90,000— made immediately effective upon signing last De-

cember 2019.

Rivero added that the ARBs who signed the latest amendment also received a three-year advance rental which, he said is, “a big help to our members who are mostly retired and sickly.”

With this recent development, the cooperative and the ARBs, through its of�icers have af�irmed their commitment to defend and support the validity of the lease agreement that they signed with MEPI in 2000.

Rolando Lusterio, the �irst chairman of DAMARB-MPC and now a member of the Board, said: “I will personally deliver the message of our ARB-members to DAR of�icials to respect and recognize the will of our people to continue with the lease.”

Another member of DAMARB-MPC Board, Edwin Gil added: “We are extremely happy and doubly grateful to MEPI. First, they gave us the land for free without us paying for anything. And second, now they are paying us a generous land rental fee.”

Victor Mercado Jr., MEPI president and chief operating of�icer, said: “We have always believed that we should also share the bounties of the land to its owners, our agrarian reform bene�iciaries.”

When asked about those ARBs who did not sign the latest revisions to

the contract, Mercado said: “the offer of MEPI to give the improved rental is open to them if ever they decide to sign the �ifth amendment. They will always be a part of our MEPI family being former employees of the company. “ MEPI is one of the pioneers in the banana industry and is known to be among those who have the highest productivity per hectare per year.

In support to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the government, MEPI in 2000 donated 799 hectares of its banana plantation to its employees who were quali�ied and identi�ied by DAR to become bene�iciaries. The donation carried a condition that MEPI will be allowed to lease back the land from the ARBs for 30 years. With the said arrangement, the government was relieved from having to pay MEPI just compensation for the land that is valued at more than P1 billion.

In the original lease contract, the rental per hectare per year was set at P4,500. This was then amended in 2013 to re�lect an adjustment of the annual rental to P12,000 per hectare. Subsequent adjustments were implemented in 2016 and in 2017, setting the annu-

ARBS, P9

he government remains vigilant against risks to in�lation outlook after consumer prices rose to an eight-month high of 2.9 percent in January 2020.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Wednesday that higher oil and food prices mainly pushed up the in�lation rate to its highest since June 2019. The annual rate was 2.5 percent in December 2019, and 4.4 percent in January 2019.

“Despite the relatively stable in�lation outlook, we cannot be complacent, as the balance of risks remains on the upside for 2020 due to the effects of the Taal Volcano eruption, the spread of African swine fever, and novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV),” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) projects in�lation to settle at 2.9 percent in 2020 and 2021, within the government’s target range of 2.0-4.0 percent.

Pernia said the country has intensi�ied its preparedness for disaster risk response, including the formulation of recovery and rehabilitation plans, like in the areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

“We should also increase investments in climate and disaster-resilient farm technologies and practices, and promote the adoption of such among farmers and �isherfolk,” he

said.

At the local level, Pernia said biosecurity and border control measures are being strengthened, while regulation on the movement of pork products is strictly enforced around the country.

In a press brie�ing, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa said higher prices of chicken and negative in�lation for pork were observed last month amid the ASF. “Right now, we are more concerned with the food products because of the ASF so we are tracking �ish in the food basket in particular. Fish had relatively higher in�lation past 8 percent, also vegetables and beef and chicken,” he said.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages, with an annual rate of 2.2 percent and a share of 30.8 percent to the overall in�lation, was the top contributor to higher prices of basic goods last month. Fish, vegetables, and meat shared in the pick-up.

But Mapa said food in�lation remains “relatively low” as rice prices were at negative 6.5 percent in January.

PSA data showed that rice de�lation was observed for the ninth consecutive month.

Mapa also attributed the upward trend in last month’s in�lation to a higher increment in transport, particularly petroleum and fuels for personal transport equipment and ferry/ship

GOV’T, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

ECONOMY 5

Cheaper local flights, hotel offers seen due to nCoV alarm - DOT

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ocal tourism players will bolster efforts to attract domestic customers, as the global novel coronavirus (nCoV) threat discourages travelers from going abroad, Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Thursday.

"Mismong private stakeholders natin magkakaroon daw sila, sa airlines magkaka-promo sila. Sa mga hotel, magbababa ng presyo," Puyat said in an interview.

"Win-win sa atin ito.

Baka naman mas maganda nga nito ay ang ating mga kapwa Pilipino ay umikot sa Pilipinas. Madami kasi sa mga kababayan natin ang natatakot mag-abroad ngayon," she added.

Puyat said local tourism has remained unaffected by the nCoV threat.

Recently, the Philippines imposed a temporary entry ban on visitors from

China, Hong Kong, and Macau, resulting from the nCoV scare.

Several airlines have canceled �lights between the Philippines and China, following the enforcement of the ban.

She said travel restrictions will de�initely have an impact on the Philippine tourism industry, but the safety of the workers in the sector and the public is more important than other considerations.

Three Chinese tourists tested positive for novel coronavirus while inside the Philippines. One of them, a 44-year-old man, died and became the �irst fatal case outside China where the death toll has already reached over 500.

About 1.4 million Chinese visited the Philippines in the �irst 10 months of 2019, making China the country's second largest tourist origin.

AirAsia to give DOH contact details of 2019-nCoV case’s co-passengers

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irAsia said it was ready to help the Department of Health (DOH) trace the co-passengers of the Philippines' third con�irmed case of novel coronavirus infection who �lew out back to China.

"AirAsia is ready and willing to provide relevant documents to the DOH, including the �light manifest and available contact details of guests on board the �light, given the urgency of this situation," the airline said in a statement.

"The operating �light crew have also been quarantined in compliance with the Philippine government’s travel ban," it added.

The country's third con�irmed case was a 60-year-old Chinese woman who arrived in Cebu via a Cebu Paci�ic �light from Hong Kong on January 20.

She also went to Bohol.

The woman left for Shenzhen, China with her healthy companions on January 31 after testing negative in two con�irmatory tests conducted by health authorities.

"AirAsia �lies once daily to Shenzhen from Cebu—with �light number Z2 7800. The concerned �light departed Cebu on 31 January 2019 at 11:35pm (local time) and arrived in Shenzhen at 2:40am (local time)," Airasia said.

Many airlines cancelled Philippines-China �lights on February 1, in light of the threat of the novel coronavirus.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that it was only on February 3 that the Department of Health was noti�ied by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine regarding the positive results of the woman which is based on another sample taken from her.

Though the DOH said that contact tracing is not necessary for those whom the third con�irmed case got in contact during her departure from the Philippines, Airasia still advised the concerned Shenzhen-bound passengers to "seek medical help if they

ates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term deposit facility (TDF) ended mixed Wednesday, with undersubscription registered for the shortest tenor.

Data released by the central bank showed that the rate of the seven-day facility rose to 4.0240 percent from 4.0233 percent during the auction last January 29.

BSP offered this tenor still for PHP80 billion but banks submitted PHP66.749 billion worth of bids, which was all accepted.

The lower bids this week compared to the PHP105.23 billion tenders last week resulted in the drop in the bid coverage ratio to 0.8344.

The average rate of the 14-day TDF declined to 4.0197 percent from last week’s 4.0397 percent.

The bid coverage ratio slipped to 1.0802 from the previous auction’s 1.5680.

Banks submitted a total of PHP64.814 billion worth of bids, higher than the PHP60-billion offer, which is similar to last week’s offer.

However, the tenders this week are lower than the PHP94.08 billion last week.

The rate of the 28-day facility dropped to 4.0419 percent from last week’s 4.0741 percent.

Tenders reached PHP76.241 billion, higher than the PHP60-billion tenders this week as well as last week’s PHP63.665 billion.

Offering for this tenor reached PHP60 billion last week thus, the higher tenders this week resulted in the rise of the bid coverage ratio to 1.2707 from

AIRASIA, P9

Term deposit rates mixed this week

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TERM, P9

Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) president John Carlo Tria discusses during this week’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall the possible effects of novel coronavirus and African

swine fever (ASF) to the economy of Davao City and Mindanao. Lean Daval Jr

DA disburses P2.25B in loans for farmers affected by rice price drop

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he Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday it has disbursed a total of P2.249 billion in loan assistance for rice farmers affected by the drop in palay prices in light of the Rice Tarif�ication Law.

The loan assistance to rice farmers was under the DA’s Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE Aid) Program.

“At the end of January 2020, we are pleased to report that we have disbursed a total of P2.249 billion or 90% of P2.5 billion total credit fund provided by the Agricultural Credit

Policy Council (DA-ACPC) to assist rice farmers under the Expanded Survival and Recovery Assistance Loan Assistance for Rice Farmers Program or SURE-Aid Program,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

“About 149,910 rice farmer out of 166,665 targeted potential borrowers have already received the

P15,000 cash assistance thru Land Bank’s distributed cash cards,” Dar said.

The DA also noted that around P45.06 million of cash assistance have been given to 3,004 rice farmers or 100% of the total identi�ied borrowers in Maguindanao province.

The remaining P251 million is expected to be released once the processing of additional loan applications from 7 provinces (Cagayan, Isabela (Santiago City), Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Sorsogon, Albay and Eastern Samar) is completed, according to the DA. “Currently, we have

16,755 remaining applications on-process on which 1,645 for validation, 4,125 for certi�ication of REDs and 10,985 loan applications with respective Landbank of the Philippines-Lending Centers for processing and/or releasing,” Dar said.

The SURE-Aid program, which started September 2019, aims to assist rice farmers affected by the sudden decline in the farm gate price of palay by providing a one-time loan of P15,000 to marginal rice farmers with one hectare and below at zero interest rate, payable in eight years.

nancial institutions (GFIs), among others, by repealing 33 laws.

Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said this during the �irst Senate hearing on the PIFITA before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

The PIFITA also cuts the tax rates on interest income from regular savings and short term deposits from the current 20% to 15%. It also decreases the tax rates on interest income from foreign currency deposits and long-term deposits to 15%.

Dividend income tax, on the other hand, will be

�ixed at 15% except for inter-corporate bonds. “[In scrapping incentives] for all the special laws and special exemption, our estimate is P11.3 billion [additional revenues],” Chua said upon questioning of Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

The existing 33 laws granting incentives that the DOF wants repealed covers the following sectors: • GOCCs • government �inancial institutions • retirement and savings • property and housing • power and water

• agriculture • cooperatives and basic sectors • Overseas Filipino Workers • non-banking • banking and • special purpose vehicles Drilon was receptive to the DOF’s proposal, saying that it would be a sound plan to keep the GOCCs in check.

Of the 33 laws that the DOF wants repealed, eight of them concern the GOCCs. “This is a good opportunity for us. Because apart from the [tax] exemption,

ber 2019.

"Petroleum products and basic metals, with 47.9% decrement, contributed largely to the decrease of VoPI in December 2019," the PSA said.

Other major industries that noted two-digit decrements were furniture and �ixtures (-30.4%), and miscellaneous manufactures (-10.5%).

Other drops were re-

corded in textiles (-9.1%), transport equipment (-3.4%), rubber and plastic products (-1.2%), and paper and paper products (-1.1%).

In terms of the Value of Production Index (VaPI), the MISSI showed an annual drop of 9.5% in December 2019 versus the 9.1% decline the same month in 2018.

"The decline in VaPI

was mainly in�luenced by the decreases in the indices of nine major industry groups led by basic metals (-50.6%), petroleum products (-48.8%) and textiles (-11.9%)," said the PSA. Declines were also recorded in registered in miscellaneous manufactures (-9.9%), transport equipment (-8.3%), paper and paper products (-4.6%),

DOF sees P11B more revenues from bill reducing tax rates

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ackage 4 of the government's Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) will bring in P11.9 billion worth of additional revenues for the government by removing incentives for some institutions and reducing tax rates on interest income from regular savings, the Department of Finance said Wednesday.

According to the DOF, the proposed Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA) will cut incentives for government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state-run �i-

DOF, P9

PH's manufacturing falls for 13th straight month: PSA

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hilippine manufacturing fell for the 13th straight month in December, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Wednesday showed.

Preliminary results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries (MISSI) showed that the factory output or Volume of Production INdex (VoPI) fell 10.1% in Decem-

PH’S, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Fiction to reality

A Filipino working in Hong Kong posted on social media the ordeal residents in the Chinese island territory are currently facing. He woke up early on Wednesday morning to be out �irst before the grocery store opens to buy food and rice supply enough to tide them over for perhaps the entire week or so. To his surprise, the queue at the grocery was already snaking through the streets that early time of the day. With the outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus, Hong Kong residents like this Filipino are already thinking of storing food after the government has ordered a lockdown.

The scene reminds people of movies like Bird Box and the closest thing to the new coronavirus which netizens are now saying as the coming to life of a �ilm, Contagion, a �ilm made nine years ago that paints a more terrifying picture of humanity than Joker and Downton Abbey combined.

As the coronavirus scythes outwards from China, many people have been searching and streaming Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 thriller Contagion. The picture, which stars Gwyneth Paltrow and concerns a deadly virus with the potential to decimate the global population, has, in a very real sense, gone viral.

Netizens went frantic with the seemingly early similarities, they posted: “Is it just me or did Contagion predict the coronavirus?” Yes, the similarities are striking enough to suggest a case of life imitating. In both �ictional and real-life cases, the outbreak originates in China and in each instance bats are implicated. As a doctor (played by Jennifer Ehle) at the Centers for Disease Control explains: “Somewhere in the world, the wrong pig met up with the wrong bat.” Now, they’re saying it’s the “worst Tinder date ever.”

The Hong Kong OFW eventually fell out of the long queue, surrendered

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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

to the fate that he won’t make it in time for breakfast or even lunch that day, decided to get glutinous rice and other food stuff instead rather than not having anything at all. The good thing is, the situation has remained calm and no pandemonium over the race for food is happening.

The situation, however, could be jittery. While Hong Kong �ights to move on after the mass protests to another battle against a dreaded pandemic, its people are out of their jobs for at least the next two weeks with the lockdown. An airline company advised its employees to take unpaid leaves.

Students do their studies online and some workers were also asked to work from home where possible.

By contrast, some people in the Philippines are taking advantage of the coronavirus scare. Two days ago, the Department of Trade and Industry in the Davao Region urged everyone to report any online seller peddling overpriced surgical masks. Online selling of face masks have taken over where the stocks of drugstores have ran out. But these online sellers are having their heyday with their business.

Just the thought that these online sellers aren’t even paying sales taxes or acquire business permits makes it even more enraging that they are making money during a period of global emergency.

Which brings us back to the �ilm itself. The movie Contagion portrays a world wracked by not just a virus, but a whole set of ills that come along with it — disorder, societal breakdown, the dif�iculties inherent in �inding a cure, individuals who refuse to follow rules, people who set priorities that protect their loved ones before the general public, and people taking advantage of the situation.

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 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 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 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 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 1-710 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 re-

leased by the Philippine Information 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

AFRICAN, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

LIVING ON A

LEGACY

PEOPLE SAY that home is where the heart is, and for me, finding the right address to live is one legacy one should look for.

One new address in Durianburg that could leave a lasting legacy for families looking for the right home address is Crisron Holiday Builders Inc.’s Legacy Leisure Suites which just broke ground and launched their showroom last January 30.

A partnership of Davao City’s Bangayan and Yap families, more specifically an undertaking of Cresencio Yap and Ronald Bangayan, who have both established businesses in their own fields in retail, real estate, transportation, and tourism related establishments.

The mixed-use condominium development aims to focus on the overall well-being of its fu-

ture residents by catering to both their residential and recreational needs.

“The Yaps and the Bangayans, starting out as retailers and traders in the 1970’s, have long established their roots in the business industry of Davao,” said Clark Yap, Vice-president of Crisron Builders Inc., “It has always been a dream of my dad, Cris Yap, and my ninong Buboy Bangayan, to go beyond trading and create a community that

truly enriches the lifestyle and progress of the Davaoeños. And who best to bring this to life than the two families who have seen Davao grow and prosper into what it is today. So this really to them is their ‘Legacy’, built for the community of Davao which they can be proud of.”

Situated in a 2.8-hectare property located strategically along Ma-a Road, Davao City, it consists of four 15-storey buildings, plus a commercial strip at the development’s frontage.

While there are many condominium developments across the city, Legacy Leisure Suites ups the ante by promoting a fun, fresh yet homey ambiance that would make every day feel like a staycation. The development promises resort-themed recreational and multi-functional amenities where residents

will get a grasp of urban living, serene relaxation, and top-ofthe-line leisure and fun, all at once.

Amenities include a massive Olympic-sized swimming pool, a water spray park, tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track, and even a putting green.

All these are designed to give residents a home with a resort feel within the heart of the city,

leaving a lasting legacy of home, found.

Legacy Leisure Suites’ showroom is located at the project site along Don Julian Rodriguez Road, Brgy. Ma-a, Talomo Dist., Davao City. For inquiries or more information one can call (082) 224-1918, 0909-929-8315, 0909-537-7603 or e-mail Legacy Leisure Suites at legacyleisureresidences@gmail.com.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

STYLE

PLAINS & PRINTS LAUNCHES FIRST SIGNATURE PRINT THROUGH

THE PRINT COLLECTIVE FASHION COLLECTION PLAINS & PRINTS solidifies its penchant for craft and original designs as it launches the brand new Print Collective, a collection featuring the first-ever signature print of the brand.

Summer exudes that outdoorsy, colorful vibe. The Print Collective introduces the Spring Harvest Print, celebrating fruitfulness, elegance and stepping out to embrace the boundless beauty of nature.

“Prints have always been embedded in our aesthetic and DNA.” Says Plains and Prints Co-Founder, Roxanne Farillas. “The Spring Harvest print is a testimony to our brand heritage and strong suit of our team.” Farillas elaborates.

The Print Collective celebrates craftsmanship and the bounty of spring through a unique and desirable print. The brand new design is translated into various methods and surface treatments, manipulating color, texture, size and silhouette to explore its versatility. The brand new collection is a product of Plains & Prints’ perseverance to stay original and unique through its very own in-house design team working towards elevating the brand’s strengths and identity.

To kick off the release of The Print Collective: Spring Harvest Collection, Plains and Prints has partnered with digital influencer Rei Germar, who has taken the liberty to give her own youthful spin to the collection.

The Print Collective: Spring Harvest launches on February 3, 2020 through a special event and pop-up at SM Mega Fashion Hall at 2PM, with the collection available for advanced shopping online at www.plainsandpritns.com starting 6PM. The Preview Shopping Event wil l follow at SM Mega Fashion Hall from February 4 to 9, 2020. The collection will be released in all Plains & Prints boutiques nationwide on February 8, 2020.

DAVAO VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

INdulge! A3 ENTERTAINMENT

JUAN GAPANG, KENYO STREET FAM HAILED AS FIRST “YOUR MOMENT” GRAND CHAMPION ROCK REGGAE BAND Juan Gapang and street group Kenyo Street Fam emerged victorious in their respective singing and dancing categories to becoming the first-ever grand champions of the two-in-one talent-reality competition “Your Moment” Sunday night (February 2).

Grand singing champion Juan Gapang, mentored by music producer Marcus Davis, performed Bamboo’s hit song “Tatsulok” that earned a total average score of 97.22% from the judges. The Bacolod band trumped their opponent Verse Band, who only got 87.22%.

Meanwhile, Kenyo Street Fam combined rhythm, coordination, and storytelling in their performance that paid tribute to their

roots and registered a total average score of 97.22%, beating Fabulous Sisters’ 96.11%. The grand dancing champion was mentored by The Philippine All-Stars’ artistic director Lema Diaz As the grand champions, Juan

Gapang and Kenyo Street Fam took home P2 million each and an exclusive management contract from ABS-CBN. Viewers nationwide also tuned in to the competition’s finals or “Grand Moment” on Sunday as it logged a national TV rating of 25.5% against “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko’s” 21.6%, according to data from Kantar Media.

The “Your Moment” finale also featured performances by host Vhong Navarro, and judges Billy Crawford and Nadine Lustre.

Judge Boy Abunda and host Luis Manzano were also in attendance.

Developed by ABS-CBN and Dutch powerhouse creator Fritz Productions, “Your Moment” is an original talent-reality format featuring singing and dancing acts.

ZEPHANIE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “PANGAKO KO” ZEPHANIE DIRAMANAN has released her newest single titled “Pangako Ko,” her third offering since winning in “Idol Philippines.”

Produced under Star Music, “Pangako Ko” is an emotional ballad that highlights Zephanie’s crystal clear voice and impressive vocal range and captures one’s de-

votion to a loved one through the promise of an everlasting love.

“Pangako Ko” follows the success of her debut single, “Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo,” and her rendition of Ebe Dancel’s “Bawat Daan,” which was used as a subtheme song in the recent series “The Killer Bride.”

The music video of

“Pangarap Kong Pangarap Mo” now has over two million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, the lyric video of “Bawat Daan” already has over three million views.

Zephanie performs regularly on “ASAP Natin ‘To” and is part of the group J.E.Z. along with “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” champion Janine Berdin

and “The Voice Kids” champion Elha Nympha.

Fulfill your heart’s promise and listen to Zephanie’s newest single, “Pangako Ko” on Spotify, YouTube and other digital music streaming sites.

For more details, like Star Music on facebook.com/ starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @StarMusicPH.

NOT DONE YET A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO Mats College of Technol- by JMC Kings (2-0), Asian ogy (MCT) Navigators at International School of 6:00 pm.

Aeronautics and TechnolAt 7:00pm, the un- ogy (AISAT) (1-1), Atebeaten University of Min- neo de Davao University danao (UM) Wildcats Knights (1-2), Mannywill Pacquiao(Addu) says evenBlue at 40, he is not finished yet. stake its clean slate against BCD (0-1), UM Penaplata DMMA College of South- (0-1), and Rizal Memoern Philippines (DMMAC- rial Colleges (RMC) SP) Mariners to wrap up Bulldogs (0-2).

Saturday's quadruple header sponsored by The

EDGE EDGEDAVAO DAVAO A4 INdulge!

INdulge!

A4 14 12

(CSL) Escandor Cup resumes at the Davao City Recreation Center. Escandor Cup/CSL photo VOL.11 VOL.12 ISSUE 241 ISSUE • SUNDAY-MONDAY, 6VOL.12 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, MARCH 24-25, 17-18, ISSUE 51 •FEBRUARY TUESDAY, 21,2019 2019 VOL.12 ISSUE 45 • SUNDAYMONDAY, MAYMAY 12 -13,

EDGE EDGE DAVAO DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

SEE STORY ON P11

ARTS AND CULTURE TRAVEL TECH

VOL.12 ISSUE 21 • SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 7-8, VOL.12 ISSUE 55 •ISSUE SUNDAY-MONDAY, MAY 26-27, VOL.12 ISSUE 223 •216 WEDNESDAY, 237 FEBRUARY 22, 7,2019 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE 219 • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,JANUARY JANUARY 17, 14, 2020

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINENEW ELIMINATES SINGLESONY INTRODUCES GP-VPT2BT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

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

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In free and a 2018, connectivity the Company eliminated reliable moissingle-use dust plasticand straws across ture its fleetresistant and privatedesign. destinaCompatible with aofvariety tions, and as a result this of Sony’s latest digitalitcamermost recent initiative, will as, the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over six million singleeasily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every creators to simplythe aim and is year.

In addition, brand shoot without interfering working to eliminate single-use cables or exposedand inputs.

The plastic shampoo condinew grip includes useful tioner bottles later athis year.tilt featureefforts that allows for flexible These are driven by vertical angle adjustment as the Company’s Sail & Sustain well as the ability to switch Environmental Program, which from normal to self-shooting is its commitment to minimize mode to with ease. Additionalwaste landfills, reduce its

A4 INdulge!

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

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

It is refillable and recyclable.

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

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

A4 INdulge!

Aldevinco do not carry Dagmay cloth.

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

CO2 emissions rate, increase thrilled make such an impact cotton Dagmay design sustainable sourcing and invest by The eliminating single-use beverclothing not yetchanged available ly,initemerging has an adjustment wheel and can beisquickly technologies. age bottles across our fleet. in theajust market as Limon can“This be loosened tightened into tripod simply exis a veryorspecial and It’s one by of the waysand wehis are group are in the immertovery allow for seamless operapanding the bottom portion, proud moment for us,” working tostill preserve our oceans sion the stage ofstable, the project. tion cameras of different easy handssaidwith Harry Sommer, president enabling and destinations we visit.

“Wethis willisevaluate their sizes gripof free shooting. and and chiefweights. executiveThe officer While just the pa beginning capacity and kung willing sila also includesCruise a flip button, inThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Line. “As of what we and others can do, makipag-collaborate,” he said. dicator light and line, lock we switch, Shooting Grip will committed be availa leading cruise are we are incredibly

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

Envisioned and founded by American rapper, songwriter,

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

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DOG GRAVE... FROM1

welfare and public health sanitation, according to Bullina the CVO should know the proper handling of the disposal aside from it was just dumped irresponsibly.

“And why was it disposed outside of the city pound? True that the number of animal strays in Davao is uncontrollable and possibly the City Vet no longer has enough capacity for now to address that. If rabies control is one of the main purpose of picking strays and euthanizing them after 3 days, dumping them outside of the proper place of the dog pound already defeated the purpose. So the question is, is killing the animals the answer to this? For years that they have been impounding and euthanizing the animals, there is still a high number of rabies cases on dogs and animal strays. It clearly did not answer the problem. Another thing, a witness from the community said that a dog was stabbed on the neck and put on �ire prepared to be eaten. This is clearly a violation of the RA 8485, the witness asked not to give his/her identity. Question, are the staff of the pound informed and well educated about RA 8485?” she said.

Republic Act 8485 is an act to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all facilities utilized for breeding, maintaining, keeping, treating or training of all animals either as objects of trade or as household pets.

Bullina added that spay and neuter must be highly available to control the population of the animals in the city.

“It is very expensive for the common people to go to the private vets and have their animals undergo kapon and ligate,” she said.

Bullina also believes that the problem comes from the community where the strays basically come from. She said there is a need to go back to the community and create better policies and local ordinances that will strengthen the protection, not only of the animals for their welfare, but the public as well.

“Penalize and jail the

violators since we have the RA 8485, those who abandon and neglect their animals. Make the irresponsible owners accountable for having animals they cannot take care of, and so people will realize what they can handle,” she said.

Bullina said there are groups like Hoffmann CSR that are willing to partner with the CVO and the city to uphold and promote animal welfare and assist in curbing rabies problem and even public safety.

She said Hofmann CSR is willing to partner with the CVO in ways it can and would like to go back to the community and talk to them.

“But we need the help of the local government and its implementing agencies so implement the law and execute information drive.

Hofmann CSR is also willing to sit and talk how we can participate and partner to curb the population of strays. Also, we would like to see on how we can include the animals in the evacuation contingencies during calamities such as what happened in Taal and the earthquakes, the animals were left behind,” she said.

Esther Cherry Rayos, assistant city veterinarian admitted the dead dogs, which were euthanized, were not properly disposed.

“Mabaw lang ang gikalot paglubong. Pero nahatagan nato namo ug solusyon. Giadtuan sa among personnel para malubong properly. Dili pud to gidump openly ang mga iro nagkataon lang nga mabaw ang lubnganan,” Rayos told media in I-Speak.

She explained that CVO has a proper of disposing dead animals such as the burial ground must be deep and a lime must be applied to avoid the foul stench of carrion before covering the grave.

“Wala ko kabalo ngano wala nasunod ang protocol,” Rayos said adding that they are coming up with stricter policies for the pet owners. “They must be responsible pet owners and treat dogs as part of the family and with proper care.”

Rayos also said they have proposed a project for the disposal of dead animals but refused to give details about the proposal.

She also urged backyard hog raisers to refrain from swill-feeding in their areas while calling out on

Dabawenyos to follow the guidelines issued by the City Veterinarian Of�ice with regards to ASF.

Sara said the said manual is being used in holding the Rose Ball Parade in California that usually draws some 500,000 to one million spectators.

She vowed to continue to work on its counter-terrorism measures and improve the security sector for the safety and security of the Dabawenyos. CIO

the public from wearing face masks unnecessarily as this could contribute to the growing mass hysteria.

The World Health Organization says that only

those who have respiratory symptoms like cough and dif�iculty in breathing or those providing care to the sick are urged to wear face masks. (CIO MATI)

NO LIFTING... FROM2 MAYOR... FROM2 MATI... FROM2

TAGUM CITY... FROM3

lot” system for fairness and equality.

Meanwhile, the representation of the migrant tribes to the city council will commence after the end of the term of the Kagan tribal chieftain.

The newly installed IPMR got the stamp of approval of her fellow Mandaya tribal chieftains during the “pagbawbaw” (meeting) among the city’s �ive Mandaya tribal chieftains of barangays Mankilam, Pagsabangan, Cuambogan, San Miguel and Canocotan.

Mayor Allan Rellon, who is explicitly precluded by the NCIP and the IPS

from in�luencing the nomination process of the IPMR, had been welcoming of the installation of Bia Ado as the new mandatory representative of the cultural communities.

Bia Ado, from the Pandacan Clan in Pagsabangan, became the tribal chieftain of the said barangay following the death of her father, Datu Kanse Pandacan, who was the previous tribal chieftain, and after the declination of the oldest son to succeed the post. She came into the position of Barangay Pagsabangan IPMR in 2013 thru a consensus of the IP members of the area.

(Richi Gulle/CIO- Tagum)

al rental to P25,000 and P50,000, respectively.

When another member of DAMARB-MPC Board Nilo Magaway was asked what prompted him to stick with MEPI, he explained “farming Cavendish banana is a risky business. If the weather is bad or if the farms get infected with diseases, productivity suffers. We would rather be on the safe side and have it

rented to MEPI. Besides, at the end of the day, we should all be very thankful to MEPI that we became owners of these lands for free” Apart from the land rentals, MEPI provides additional bene�its to its ARBs, including employment rights, scholarship to ARBs dependents, medical health insurance, and even mortuary assistance. (PR)

fare.

The third tranche of the tax hike on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law took effect last January 1.

Pernia said: “We remain attentive to the re-

cent developments abroad which could affect domestic pump prices. Over the medium- to long-term, it is essential for the country to explore alternative and cheaper energy from local sources to become less import-dependent.” (PNA)

have been feeling unwell."

Further, it said that a mandatory temperature screening of all passengers prior to boarding the plane were in place and that its aircraft undergo disinfection procedures as part of

the protocol.

AirAsia cancelled its �lights between the Philippines and mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao pursuant to the travel restrictions imposed by the government.

the previous auction’s 1.0611.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. has repeatedly traced the gener-

al drop in the TDF’s average rate to higher liquidity situation in the domestic economy, especially after the holidays. (PNA)

they [GOCCs] are also given subsidy,” Drilon said.

“If we remove these Exemption, we will really see

what kind of subsidy they are getting rather than the unseen subsidy through tax exemption,” Drilon added.

electrical machinery (-3.6%), wood and wood products (-1.9%), and food manufacturing (-0.7%).

The latest �igures brought full-year manufacturing to a drop of 8.6% for the VoPI, and 7.1% for VaPI, reversing the positive growth in 2018.

"We encourage industries to capitalize on innovation to reach their growth potential in this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To this end, the government needs to formulate and implement policies and programs to stimulate innovation in the country," Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said in response.

"The Philippines also needs to improve its reputation concerning intellec-

tual property protection.

This will attract foreign companies to locate sensitive technologies and product operations in the country," added Pernia.

The Cabinet of�icial also called for the improvement in the local transport and logistics sectors to boost manufacturing.

"To support manufacturing growth, there is a need to strengthen the transport and logistics sectors by building quality and climate-resilient infrastructure," he said.

"In this regard, a proposed bill to amend the Contractor’s License Law will open up the country’s construction sector to eligible and quali�ied domestic and foreign contractors," elaborated Pernia.

ARBS... FROM4

GOV’T... FROM4

AIRASIA... FROM5 TERM... FROM5 DOF... FROM5

PH’S... FROM5

9

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MERCED CASCARO CALUNGSOD who died on April 26, 2007 at Davao Mission Group Hospital, Leon Garcia St., Davao City has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.333; PageNo.68; Book No.lll, Series of 2019, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY SUZETTE H. TAN 1/27/2/3,10,2020

AFRICAN... FROM8 for 47.84% of the country’s total hog production.

About 71% of the swine population are raised in backyard farms while 29% are in commercial farms. In almost every rural house-

hold 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.

NO STOPPING... FROM12 are not considering canceling the games.

The novel coronavirus, also known as 2019nCoV, has killed at least 492 people in China and abroad since it emerged in Wuhan city in late December. More than 17,200 others have been infected by the virus, which is believed to have been transmitted to humans from animals, particularly bats.

Besides China, the virus has spread to more than 24 countries including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., France, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, India, Nepal, and Canada.

Travelers from China are being screened at airports worldwide and several airlines have suspended �lights to Wuhan.

Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Australia, Pakistan, India, France, Germany, Indonesia, and Turkey have evacuated their citizens from the city.

China halts football matches

Last week, China postponed football matches nationwide due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.

The Chinese Football Association said last Thursday on its website that it is postponing all domestic games in 2020 to protect the health of fans, clubs, players, coaches, referees, and media staff.

The federation said it would continue to cooperate and communicate with national authorities to determine the schedule and �ixtures, considering the development of the

coronavirus.

China has also delayed its football Supercup following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The Chinese football season opener had been scheduled to take place between Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai Shenhua on Feb. 5 in Suzhou, Jiangsu province in eastern China, according to state broadcaster China Global Television Network (CGTN).

"In conformity with the requirements to prevent and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus and to avoid crowds gathering, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has decided to postpone the 2020 CFA Supercup after cautious analysis and assessment," the football governing body said in a statement cited by the broadcaster.

New dates for the Supercup will be announced later.

Separately, amid concerns over a virus outbreak, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced in January that “after having carefully evaluated developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak and placing as the main priority the safety of the participating players and team delegation members," the Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament has been moved from Foshan, China to Serbia's capital Belgrade.

FIBA added that the games will be played on the previously announced dates of Feb. 6-9.

The 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo will run from July 24 to Aug. 9. (Anadulo)

10 NEWS

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Divorce unnecessary in PH; legal remedies exist, CBCP exec says

M

arried couples in the Philippines do not need divorce law as legal remedies for separation is already available, according to an of�icial of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on Thursday.

"Maraming legal na pamamaraan para mapaghiwalay mo 'yung mga mag-asawa na hindi na talaga magkasundo," Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the CBCP's Permanent Committee on Public Affairs said in an interview.

"Mayroon tayong legal separation, mayroon tayong declaration of the nullity of marriage, mayroon tayong annulment... kulang pa ba? Bakit ka pa magdadagdag?" he added.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday began its deliberations on the measures seeking to introduce absolute divorce and dissolution of marriage in the Philippines.

Secillano pointed out that the Catholic church also helps couples to legally separate if all efforts to reconcile their differences fail.

He said that low-income spouses who want to separate may avail of free declaration of the nullity of marriage through the

"pauper's litigation" which may be inquired of at their local churches.

"Ang Simbahan mismo nagkaroon ng reporma dito. Ang Santo Papa natin ngayon si Pope Francis gumawa siya ng isang dokumento... Anong instruction niya dito? Na huwag nang patatagalin ang proseso ng tinatawag nating annulment," Secillano said.

"Hindi dahil gusto nating maghiwalay 'yung mga mag-asawa kundi dahil tinutulungan natin silang hindi matagalan 'yung proseso para mabigyan din sila ng hustisya dahil baka isipin nila na hindi sila nakakakuha ng hustisya sa simbahan," he added.

Further, the priest said that the country should not be pressured to have divorce law just because the measure is already available in all other countries except Vatican City.

He said that the House Committee on Population and Family Relations should instead introduce legislation that would help build up the union and interaction of married couples.

Secillano also believes there are enough laws in the country to protect women from abusive partners.

Assistant city veterinarian Esther Cherry Rayos bares during I-aspeak media forum that two barangays in Calinan District are under investigation for possible African swine fever (ASF) cases after hundred of hogs died in the areas since last week. Lean Daval Jr

MIAMI... FROM11

can't wait till we can �ind a way to trade him so we can play (against) him. Show him what Memphis is all about."

Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant also recently engaged in a social media tiff with Warriors guard Stephen Curry about Iguodala.

Curry posted a picture of Iguodala holding a championship trophy, and Mo-

rant responded by posting a picture of former Warriors forward Kevin Durant holding the same trophy.

Morant added a "shrug" emoji and a "shush" emoji.

In his career, Iguodala has averaged 12.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest. He also has appeared in 145 playoff games, during which he has averaged 10.7 points,

4.8 boards and 3.9 assists.

The Heat will be Iguodala's �ifth team. He spent eight seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers, one season with the Denver Nuggets and six seasons with the Warriors before his turbulent stint with Memphis.

Winslow, 23, was in his �ifth season with the Heat, averaging 11.3 points, a ca-

reer-high 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists. In 241 career games, he has averages of 9.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Miami opens a six-game road trip Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team then heads north to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, when Iguodala could make his team debut.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 237 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

11

After win over Spurs, Lakers are upbeat again

T

Gold-medalist Hidilyn Diaz, along with Kristel Macrohon, Monica Puertevella, Coach Kai Wen Gao, and Julius Naranjo paid a courtesy visit to Chairman William I. Ramirez here in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila.

Diaz and Macrohon recently bagged 3 gold medals and 2 bronze medals, respectively, in the 2020 Roma Weightlifting World Cup held in Italy last January 28, 2020

Athletes might soon be Civil Service eligible based on wins N ational athletes will have a chance to acquire professional and sub-professional eligibility soon, if one is to base it on discussions between the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Wednesday.

In the courtesy visit at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada proposed the possibility of granting CSC eligibility to national athletes who achieved podium �inishes on PSC-recognized international competitions.

“With the success of our

national athletes in recent competitions, we wanted to honor their achievements and legacy with plans on issuing special eligibility, which will help them in their future endeavours as Filipino citizens,” said Atty.

Lizada.

“We thank the CSC for this initiative in supporting our national athletes.

This future development will not only recognize their success, but will also help them as they serve the country through sports, may it be in local government units and the national government,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez.

The sports agency chief added that the crafting of terms of this future agreement shall be derived from the existing policies of the Republic Act No. 6847 – the Philippine Sports Commission Act, and Republic Act No. 2260, also known as Civil Service Act of 1959.

“The terms and conditions of the agreement are yet to be determined, but we are positive that with special laws and issuance policies from the CSC, our athletes will be granted of eligibility,” concluded Ramirez.

Under the Civil Service Act, Sub-Professional Eli-

gibility quali�ies applicants for �irst level positions such as clerical, trade, and custodial service positions which require less than four years of college education.

On the other hand, Professional Eligibility, quali�ies one for �irst and second level positions such as professional, technical, and scienti�ic positions that require four years of college education.

Last year, Ramirez signed a Memorandum-of-Agreement with the Social Security System (SSS) to ensure the protection of all national athletes and coaches.

Miami acquires Iguodala A

ndre Iguodala is taking his talents to South Beach.

The Miami Heat acquired the veteran forward from the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, less than 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline, according to a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Miami then signed Iguodala to a two-year, $30 million contract extension, per Wojnarowski.

The report indicated that the package Memphis will receive will include forward Justise Winslow.

Iguodala, 36, won three championship rings with the Golden State

Warriors, but he was dealt to Memphis during the offseason as part of a cost-cutting move.

Iguodala never played a game with t h e Grizzlies, instead receiving permission to stay away from the team as he requested a trade to a

preferred desti-

n a tion.

Iguodala's prolonged absence irked Grizzlies players, including Dillon Brooks, who recently told reporters, "I

MIAMI, P10

Junmar to miss entire PBA Philippine Cup

J

une Mar Fajardo will miss the entire PBA Philippine Cup as he injured his right leg during practice on Monday night.

San Miguel con�irmed in a statement on Wednesday that the 6-foot-10 center will sit out the �irst conference of the upcoming 2020 season.

"San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo suffered a complete fracture on his right tibia during a team practice last February 3," the team stated. "He was immediately brought to a hospital, where assessment on

the extent of his injury and initial treatment were made."

The team, however, clari�ied that Fajardo underwent successful surgery last February 4 and will be scheduled “to go through post-operation rehabilitation to allow him to recover at the soonest possible time."

The initial extent of his layoff put a dent on the Beermen's hopes of clinching a sixth consecutive Philippine Cup title.

They added, though, that Fajardo would be sidelined inde�initely,

hinting that his break in action could go longer than expected.

The Beermen added that "June Mar, for his part, is also saddened that he may not be able to join any upcoming international competitions," which could mean that he may miss the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup Quali�iers for Gilas Pilipinas Men in November.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas already excluded him from the pool for the �irst window later this month, explaining, "At this stage, we believe that

he deserves the extended break."

Meanwhile, San Miguel assured that the team is committed “to ensuring that June Mar will get the best medical care."

San Miguel will open its Philippine Cup campaign right on opening night on March 1 against Magnolia in an early rematch of last year's �inals.

Before that, the Leo Awards will take place, where Fajardo is nominated for last season's Most Valuable Player award.

(PNA)

he Los Angeles Lakers enter Thursday night’s matchup against the visiting Houston Rockets looking like a team that has started to emerge from an emotional two weeks.

They scored 42 points in the fourth quarter of a 129-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, with half of those points coming in the opening 3:31 of the period.

Staples Center was jumping again and players were rushing from the bench in joy after LeBron James hit �ive 3-pointers in a scoring �lurry to start the �inal period.

When James went to the �loor after making the �ifth of those �ive triples, the bench took advantage of an ensuing timeout by the Spurs to rush across court and lift their captain from the court. There were cheers all around, smiles on faces and �irm pats on the back for James.

“That’s what we (are) all about, our team,” James said afterward, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“Anytime anyone’s having success in the game, we cheer like it’s our own. So having that camaraderie, having that brotherhood, even when they’re beating you up, that’s a pretty cool feeling.”

Yet the death of Kobe Bryant and eight others in a helicopter crash Jan. 26 still resonated. The

fan-generated memorial across the street was being removed Tuesday, while fans still chanted Bryant’s name at times during the game.

The Lakers have won consecutive games, after also winning at Sacramento on Saturday, but they have gone just 5-4 in their past nine games going back to Jan. 15.

Thursday will be a chance for Rockets superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook to pay their respects after Bryant’s passing. Both grew up in the area and will be facing the Lakers in Los Angeles as teammates for the �irst time.

Harden enters off of two consecutive 40-point games, including Tuesday’s 125-110 victory at home over the Charlotte Hornets. Westbrook did not play in that game due to a sprained thumb but is expected to play Thursday.

The Rockets started slow but used their own fourth-quarter burst to put away their opponent.

Harden scored 14 points in the �inal period while the Rockets had 33 total.

“Heading to L.A. the next game, (Tuesday) was kind of a trap game where it could get you,” Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “But they understood what we were risking and came out at halftime and did the job.”

It will be the Rockets’ �irst game since acquiring forwards Robert Covington and Jordan Bell from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Clint Capela was moved to the Atlanta Hawks in Tuesday’s fourteam deal.

Harden and Westbrook did team up in a game at Los Angeles on Dec. 19, a 122-117 win over the Clippers. The Rockets faced the Lakers in Houston on Jan. 18 and fell 124-115 in the third game of their season-worst four-game losing streak.

After sitting out two games because of a thigh injury, Harden has scored 33.3 points per game over his last four contests.

According to a statement from San Miguel Beermen, Junmar Fajardo underwent surgery on his right leg and will miss the entire PBA Philippine Cup.

12 SPORTS

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A woman with a young boy takes a selfie in front of the Olympic rings in Tokyo on Wednesday. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

NO STOPPING Coronavirus won’t block 2020 Tokyo Olympics: IOC

A

NKARA -- The novel coronavirus outbreak will not disrupt the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, with the year’s leading sports events to be held as planned, said an of�icial of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"The coronavirus has nothing to do with the 2020 Olympics as this outbreak won't block the games," IOC Vice President Ugur Erdener from Turkey told Anadolu Agency.

Erdener said Olympics of�icials are currently monitoring the situation concerning the outbreak.

Regarding Chinese athletes and coaching staff, Erdener said: "If some are infected, they won't be allowed [to enter Japan] of course" Like Turkey, countries are taking necessary screening measures in the arrival areas of their airports, he added.

Turkey has adopted new measures to detect the coronavirus among international passengers and travelers coming from Far East countries and they have been scanned using thermal cameras at Istanbul Airport.

Japan to work to keep the virus out

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said this week that the government would make utmost efforts to ensure that the outbreak does not trouble the 2020 Olympics.

"We will keep in close contact with everybody, including the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organization, to take appropriate steps and keep the coronavirus from affecting the Olympics," Abe said in a parliamentary session.

Meanwhile, Japanese Olympics Minister Seiko Hashimoto said the Olympics' organizers

NO STOPPING, P9