Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 242 | Thursday, February 13, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

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A meat vendor prepares pork cuts behind the pig trotters, which have City Veterinarian inspection marks, hang from hooks at a meat market in Davao City on Wednesday. The Davao City Veterinarian's Office has assured Dabawenyos pork products sold in the city are safe for consumption. Lean Daval Jr

HOME-TELS

City moves to regulate condos used as homestay, home-share

By MAYA M. PADILLO city ordinance creating policies for homestay and self-style accommodations in Davao City is now being pushed.

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The move came after the city government found most of them are operating without business permits and are unregulated.

City Tourism Opera-

tions head Generose Tecson said the city is now eyeing to create an ordinance requiring homestyle accommodation like Airbnb, which is now thriving in the city.

Tecson said she will have a meeting with Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz next week to discuss about coming up with regulatory policies.

Based on the reports they received, Tecson said most of these home-style accommodations are being practiced by condominium unit owners in the city.

“Wala kasi tayong support from the management of the condominium that is why we are thinking how to be able to do it with Councilor Ortiz ano yung ordinance na puwedeng gawin. For example puwede ba nating i-hold responsible ang property managers na kailangan nilang i-report kung sino yung mga nagli-lease out

ng mga spaces,” she said.

Tecson shared that some of the unit owners of a certain condominium along J.P. Laurel Ave. are now also complaining as some unit owners are operating such business.

“Meron na kasing condominium sa may Bajada area at naka-receive kami ng letter but they were denying na may nagli-lease

out na space like AirBnB or other home-based applications at saka meron din kasing nagre-report na homeowners na nagagalit na kasi it seems like mas marami na yung nagpapa-lease out na spaces in the residence itself kaya nagagalit na rin sila. Yun ang pag-uusapan namin ni Councilor Ortiz,” she said.

HOME-TELS, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte witnesses the program proper during the 11th Biennial National Convention and 22nd founding anniversary of the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. at The Manila Hotel on Monday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Execom eyeing to surpass record of MICE Con attendees P

Termination of VFA with US to pave way for better military deal: analyst

By MAYA M. PADILLO he Davao MICE Execom is eyeing to surpass the MICE (Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) Conference (MICECON) 2013 record that gathered 500 delegates excluding the foreign speakers and other guests.

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This year the group is targeting 600 delegates for the upcoming MICECON 2020 slated in Davao City despite the Novel Corona Virus 2019 (COVID 2019) outbreak.

“Davao City still holds the highest record of attendees in the past decade,” said Mary Ann Montemayor, who is handling the socials committee.

The city won over Clark to host this year the largest gathering of MICE profes-

sionals and industry players in the country scheduled in October this year.

Montemayor said the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) was impressed with their presentations of the facilities where plenary and breakout sessions will be held and other places where the delegates would be brought.

“The team from TPB PHL was here yesterday and did some inspections of the facilities and the

places where we intend to bring them. They checked the other facilities where we intend to bring them for different socials. They were very happy with the presentations,” she said.

TPB PHL is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) tasked to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination.

Preparations for the upcoming MICE continue and the Execom is hopeful that the 2019 COVID 2019 outbreak will be over soon.

In line with the recent pronouncements of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio banning events in the city that would attract mass gathering, City Tourism Operations Of�ice (CTOO) head

Generose Tecson said they will be making adjustments like instead of setting up welcoming dancers in the Davao International Airport, the execom will put taped recorded music and decorate the arrival area.

“The mayor’s pronouncements today are actions to deter the spread of COVID 2019. If may still be lifted later on, who knows.

If ever it won’t be, then we have to comply with it. Not a problem,” said Ken Kapulong, Davao Mice Execom co-chair.

The convention, which is slated in October, is a highly-anticipated educational event for travel and tourism professionals, as well as MICE practitioners for its range of topics, renowned speakers, and themed events.

permit and health certificate ensuring that their pigs did not acquire any disease.

“Once na musulod ang hayop, then i-slaughter sa atoang accredited slaughterhouses, safe siya kay properly inspected na siya, niagi siya ug Ante-Mortem examination ug Post-Mortem examination so safe gyud siya kaunon, so walay dapat ikahadlok (Once the hogs enter the city and slaughtered by in accredited slaughterhouses, they are safe since they are properly inspected,

undergo Ante-Mortem and post-Mortem examination.

This means it is safe for consumption. So there’s nothing to be afraid of),” Pinili stressed.

If Dabawenyos still want to be extra safe, Pinili said the consumers can check the City Vet-issued Meat Inspection Certi�icate usually hanging in respective meat stalls. They can also ask for the same certificate in the meat section of the malls.

Pinili further assured that the City Vet continues to closely monitor nASF

spread and the surveillance and monitoring operations in the two barangays with the ASF cases and its adjacent areas.

Hog producers have been advised to practice bio-security; not to allow any pigs to enter the farm; to always disinfect their area, and not to feed pigs with slops or pigswill that could contain meat infected by the bacteria.

She also asked the community‘s participation by informing the City Vet of the unusual behavior of the

Pork meat in Davao City safe for consumption, says CVO

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mid the African Swine Fever (ASF) fear, the Davao City Veterinarian’s Of�ice assured Dabawenyos pork meat sold in Davao City is safe for consumption.

Dr. Cerelyn Pinili, the Of�icer-in-Charge of the City Vet, further assured that hogs transported and slaughtered in accredited city abattoirs undergo proper inspection such as ante-mortem and post-mortem check.

Hog owners using the city abattoirs are also required to show a shipping

PORK, P9

resident Rodrigo Duterte’s termination of the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the US will lead to a negotiation for a “more advantageous” deal, a security analyst said Wednesday.

The Philippines on Tuesday formally sent the notice of termination to the US Embassy in Manila.

Manila needs Washington to “deter other countries from taking advantage” of it but it also needs a better military pact, according to Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research.

“Magbubukas ito ng pagkakataon sa atin para makapag-negotiate ng another agreement na sa tingin natin ay mas magiging advantageous sa atin,” he said.

(It will give us an opportunity to negotiate another agreement that will be more advantageous to us.)

“Hindi nangangaluhugan ay tinatalikuran na natin ‘yung magandang relasyon natin sa America. Hinihingi natin ngayon ay magkaroon ng magandang arrangement with America para maging advantageous sa ating interest.”

(This doesn’t mean we’re putting behind our good relationship with America. We’re just asking for a good deal with America that’s advantageous to our interest.)

The Philippines’ could use its geography as leverage against the Unit-

ed States, Banlaoi said.

“Bago sila makapasok sa Guam, Hawaii, mainland US, dadaan muna sila sa Pilipinas. Tayo ang natural barrier nila, napakaganda ng ating location,” he said.

(Before they can enter Guam, Hawaii, mainland US, they have to go through the Philippines �irst. We are their natural barrier, we have a very good location.)

“We have to use that strategic location to come out with better terms with the United States.”

Although the VFA, which covers the conduct of American soldiers in the Philippines, provides bene�its such as humanitarian assistance and disaster response, counter-terrorism training, maritime domain awareness, it also had “disadvantageous” provisions, Banlaoi said.

Among these are ambiguous provisions on the custody of American personnel who commit crimes in the country, and the unequal treatment of Filipino military visiting the US. “Under VFA, maraming privileges ang American personnel to enter Philippine territory. Visa-free sila, pwede nilang ipasok ang kanilang military equipment na duty-free. Kontrolado ng US ang personnel nila,” he said.

(Under VFA, there are many privileges for American personnel to enter Philippine territory. They’re visa-free, they

TERMINATION, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

BOC fails to achieve ‘19 collection target

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Department of Education 11 (DepEd-11) spokesperson Jenelito Atillo announces on Wednesday that the agency decided to cancel this year’s Junior-Senior Promenade due to the Novel Corona Virus 2019 (COVID 2019). Lean Daval Jr

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ayor Sara Duterte had seen no lapses in the implementation of the temporary ban on the entry of live pigs and pork products enforced since September 2019 at the checkpoints of Davao City to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) to commercial and backyard farms here.

Duterte said this in reaction to the statement of Agriculture Secretary William Dar that the dreaded ASF had reached Barangays Lamanan and Dominga in Calinan District due to the “incursion” of infected pigs brought by traders from Sulop, Davao del Sur.

She said the personnel of the Task Force Davao and City Veterinarian’s Of�ice manning the checkpoints here “have been hard at work” to ensure that no ASF-infected pigs and pork products would enter the city to prevent the spread of the disease

Mati LGU allots P2M per brgy. for soft and hard projects

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he City of Mati LGU under the administration of Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat is alloting P2 million per barangay for this year which will be spent for soft and hard projects.

The Kilos Barangay under Dennis Tolentino is tasked to be the primary implementing agency for the said project.

One million pesos for every barangay is allocated for soft projects aimed at strengthening barangay peace and order initiatives.

The program also covers provision of �inancial support to the 26 barangays to strengthen their capacity to implement programs, projects and activities that have socio-economic impacts to the community.

It will also address the needs of the various barangay-based functionaries in sustaining their operation and functionality support-

ive of the development directions of the barangays.

Barangays are given P250,000 for every quarter for their soft projects subject to timely submission of utilization report and liquidation of funds.

For the P1 million hard projects, each barangay have already identi�ied and submitted the infrastructure project needed in their respective barangays consist of road concreting and rehabilitation, land purchase, construction of potable water system, multi-purpose hall, evacuation centers, reforestation, and many more.

The infrastructure projects are in conformity with the items provided for in DILG and DBM Joint Memorandum Circular regarding utilization of 20% Local Government Development Fund.

In her Ugnayan sa Barangay dialogues, Mayor

MATI, P9

to hogs raised by commercial and backyard growers.

In September 2019, Duterte issued an executive order banning the entry of live pigs and pork products following the ASF outbreak in some areas in Luzon. Based on the executive order, the “temporary ban applies to all live pigs, pork and pork-related products and by-products, whether fresh, frozen, processed or cooked, including but not limited to frozen boar semen, from the entire island of Luzon and the other ASF-affected areas.”

The same measure prohibited swill feeding

by backyard hog raisers to prevent the spread of the virus to other swine, as the food scraps may contain infected pork meat.

However, live hogs coming from different parts of the region could still be transported into the city, provided that businesses and individuals could present Veterinarian’s Health Certi�icate and Animal Inspection certi�icates issued by the Veterinary Quarantine Service before they can be allowed to enter.

Duterte surmised that the infected pigs might have shown the manifestation of the ASF after they were transported to

ollections of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) rose by 6.3% in 2019, but this was not enough for the agency to meet its full-year target of P661.04 billion.

In a statement, the BOC said collections grew to P630.47 billion in 2019, equivalent to 95.4% of its full-year target. The latest �igure is an increase from P593 billion in 2018.

The largest revenues were collected at the Manila International Container Port (P164.404 billion), Port of Batangas (P152.222 billion), and Port of manila (P74.812 billion), but still short of their respective targets.

Other ports that failed to achieve their targets were the Port of NAIA (P43.238 billion), the Port of Cebu (P31.274 billion), the Port of Davao

(P27.986 billion), the Port of Clark (P1.940 billion), and the Port of Surigao (P19.43 million).

On the other hand, nine of the 17 collection districts reached their targets -- Port of Limay (P56.332 billion), Port of Cagayan de Oro (P34.540 billion), Port of Subic (P32.373 billion), Port of San Fernando (P4.237 billion), and Port of Iloilo (P3.406 billion).

“The Bureau’s effort to institute systems innovation, such as the Goods Declaration Veri�ication System (GDVS) and the National Value Veri�ication System (NVVS), also helped the agency sustain its collection in 2019,” it said.

The GDVC is a queue management system that allows stakeholders to get real-time updates on the

Davao through the checkpoints since the “incubation period” of the disease takes a while.

“Sometimes, the infection would not manifest in pigs right away because there is an incubation period,” she said.

“Possibly, infected pigs were brought but did not manifest any signs of the infection, and then the signs and symptoms manifested only when pigs were already here,” the mayor said.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture-11 reported that 1,562 hogs in Barangay Lamanan and 477 in Barangay Dominga, Calinan

Districts were culled.

Duterte reminded the Dabawenyos to “not eat pork that is contaminated with ASF” because “while it cannot affect humans,” it is also un�it for human consumption.

“If you see your pig sick, call the Davao City Veterinarians Of�ice. We will check, inspect, and conduct de-population if ASF is positive and pay for your piglets and pigs.

Thereafter, you cannot grow pigs for the next three months,” she said.

Duterte said hog raisers would be compensated for the culling of their livestock. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

BOC, P9

Tarpaulins bearing notice on the ban of hogs and pork products to the province of Bukidnon are displayed at a quarantine checkpoint in the municipality of Kitaotao in the boundary of Bukidnon province and Davao City. Photo taken Monday. MANMAN DEJETO/MindaNews

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

DTI secures more supply of N-88 masks

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) received the partial supply of N88 surgical masks from Medtecs, the lone local manufacturer based in Bataan.

With the assistance of Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC), 125,000 pieces of N88 masks were procured, 70,000 pieces of which were delivered and immediately donated to the Department of Health (DOH) and regional of�ices and agencies of DTI. DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez said the next batch of deliveries will make available 80,000 pieces which will be donated to Red Cross, in coordination with Sen. Richard Gordon. Red Cross will distribute the masks to more than 100 Red Cross

of�ices nationwide.

To further augment our supply, Medtecs committed to double their production enabling them to provide 400,000 pieces of N88 masks weekly.

Some 200,000 pieces of these masks will go to the DOH, and 100,000 to Red Cross and other government agencies, while 100,000 pieces will be allocated to private retailers Mercury Drug and Southstar Drug for distribution nationwide.

With the weekly supply to leading drug stores in the country, consumers can be assured access to N88 masks.

Mercury Drug has over 1,000 branches nationwide and 500 branches for Southstar Drug.

(PR)

European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Southern Mindanao Business Council chair Tony Peralta says during this week’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape that due to the pronouncement of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and the Department of Health (DOH) to

refrain from attending public gathering to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus the organization decided to postpone the second edition of logistic conference from March to June this year. Lean Daval Jr

Tourism industry eyes seat A sales, free travel taxes

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Cebu Paci�ic, the Philippines’ largest carrier, lost some P1.5 billion after several passengers requested for refunds.

Compared to the same period in 2019, �light bookings went down by 87 percent in February as China and Hong Kong account for 30 percent of Cebu Paci�ic’s �light operations, PAterno Mantarin Jr., the carrier’s vice president for corporate affairs, said.

“We are now feeling the effect of the coronavirus on the tourism industry... hopefully we can survive this challenging time,” he said.

“We welcome all measures to alleviate the burden of the industry, including the granting of incentives,” he said.

Travel taxes and other fees shouldered by airlines should be temporarily waived to pull down ticket prices and encourage more travelers to book �lights to coronavirus-free destinations, said Desiree Bandal, Philippines AirAsia head for global affairs.

Airlines have to pay additional fees for extended use of runways, which might happen if the airline decides to mount more domestic �lights to make up for overseas losses, she said.

Outgoing passengers are charged up to P1,620 for economy and P2,700 for business class. Half of the amount goes to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), 40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and Arts, according to the TIEZA website.

Philippine Airlines, which has canceled 800 monthly �lights due to the travel ban on Chinese territories, backed suggestions to waive travel taxes and fees.

“Anything we can do to incentivize travel now is really important,” PAL Vice

President for Corporate Communications Jose Enrique Perez-De Tagle said.

“Nothing is ascertain.

We really just have to do everything we can, be as resilient as we can. Conserve what we can right now,” he said.

The government will have to review how the proposal will affect TIEZA collections, Senate Tourism Committee chair Nancy Binay said, noting that regulators expect a drop in travel tax collections due to the decrease in tourist arrivals.

China is the Philippines’ second largest tourism market, next to South Korea.

The DOT said it will boost tourism marketing efforts in South Korea, US, Japan and the Southeast Asian region to try to offset losses from China.

with companies spending millions on stands and hospitality to �ill their order books.

The world event was put in jeopardy after the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 1,000 people so far, mostly in mainland China, prompted US technology and telecoms heavyweights such as Cisco Systems Inc, Sprint Corp and Facebook Inc to pull out.

A number of companies ranging from Japan’s NTT Docomo and Sony Corp to US chipmakers Intel Corp and Nvidia had already dropped out of the fourday international telecoms conference that draws in more than 100,000 visitors.

Adding to the concerns over the impact of the epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned earlier on Tuesday

of a global threat potentially worse than terrorism.

A cancellation of the event would be a big blow for Catalonia’s capital city.

The congress usually gives a $500 million lift to the local economy as delegates throng to the Fira trade fairgrounds, wine and dine contacts and criss-cross Barcelona by taxi.

GSMA, which rep-

ear-long seat sales, hotel discounts and the temporary waiving of travel taxes are being considered to encourage tourists to travel to the Philippines despite the ongoing novel coronavirus scare, tourism industry stakeholders said Tuesday.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is �inding ways to entice tourists to “move around and spend in the middle of the crisis,” DOT Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr. told a Senate panel.

“We have to activate and stir domestic tourism as an immediate response to the closure of China, HK, Macau, Taiwan,” he said.

Last week, the government banned �lights to and from mainland China and its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau to arrest the spread of the virus that originated from the central Chinese city of Wuhan. A travel ban was also imposed on Taiwan, Monday.

The Philippine tourism industry lost about P14.8 billion in February 2020 alone, he said, noting that travelers are hesitant to proceed with bookings due to fears of contacting the

Fitch Ratings outlook revision on PH welcome development

virus that has killed nearly 1,000 people worldwide.

AIRLINES ASK FOR HELP

DOMESTIC SPENDING

A month-long “nationwide Philippine shopping festival” will be held in the Philippines in March to help spur domestic spending, Boncato said.

Major malls are expected to hold special promotions and sales to attract

TOURISM, P9

World’s biggest telecoms summit MWC faces cancellation due to virus

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elecoms lobby GSMA will hold a board meeting on Friday to discuss the possible cancellation of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona after several big-name withdrawals because of the coronavirus outbreak, an industry source said on Tuesday.

MWC, scheduled to take place on Feb. 24-27, is the telecoms industry’s biggest annual gathering,

WORLD’S, P9

n economist of ING Bank Manila dubbed as a welcome development Fitch Rating’s upgrade of its outlook on the Philippines’ credit rating from “stable” to “positive” on account of the sustained improvement of macroeconomic policies.

In a statement, ING Bank Manila senior economist Nicholas Mapa said: “amidst the projected slowdown in global growth, the improvement in the outlook was welcome.”

“In the coming months, PH growth to take a hit from the projected slowdown but it appears that the Philippines is better suited to weather the impending �inancial and economic tempest given its solid macroeconomic fundamentals and external position,” he added.

Fitch Ratings sees the positive macroeconomic policy framework in the country as a strong back-

ing for “high growth rates with moderate in�lation, progress on �iscal reforms that should keep government debt within manageable levels and continued resilience in its external factors.”

It projects domestic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), to rise to 6.4 percent this year and 6.5 percent next year.

This outlook was traced to expectations of strong private consumption and increasing government infrastructure investments.

“On current projections, the Philippines will remain among the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Paci�ic region in 2020-2021, well above the current 'BBB' median,” it said.

The debt rater cited as risks to domestic growth the impact of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and natural disasters.

(PNA)

Trade dept. chief welcomes record-high exports in 2019

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epartment of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has welcomed the record-high export revenue of the country in 2019.

In a statement Tuesday, Lopez said the USD70-billion export revenue last year re�lects the success of the government to expand productive capacity and export base to withstand external headwinds.

"Our goal was to expand the productive capacity and export base, as well as in actively enhancing trade relations with existing partner economies, by marketing products abroad and exploring the new export market," Lopez said.

Philippine outbound trade grew 1.5 percent in 2019 from USD69.3 billion in 2018.

Within the region,

the country is the second top-performing exporter next to Vietnam. Only the Philippines, China, and Vietnam registered positive export growth among 11 trade-oriented economies last year, the DTI said.

Lopez said the higher export value last year narrowed the country's trade de�icit by 14.9 percent to USD37 billion, improving the country's external position.

Moreover, exports of electronic goods reached the USD40-billion mark in 2019, expanding by 4.4 percent from 2018's �igure.

Electronics comprised 56.9 percent of Philippine exports last year.

"The relatively strong performance of the Philippines transpired amid DTI's strong efforts in at-

TRADE, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

DTI’s OTOP generates P1.4-B sales in 2019

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he Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines has generated PHP1.41 billion worth of sales in 2019.

In a statement Tuesday, the DTI said sales last year came from the 37 OTOP Philippines hubs or OTOP. Ph nationwide.

The OTOP is DTI’s stimulus program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that enables localities and communities to determine, enhance, and promote their competitive advantages.

The program has two components: the OTOP Next Gen, which gives assistance to capacitate MSMEs, and the OTOP.Ph, which provides physical and online stores, as well as market access platforms for OTOP products.

In 2019, a total of 10,819 MSMEs were assisted by the OTOP program and provided 6,771 product development services.

Among the products

covered by OTOP for development services are processed food, agri-based products, arts and crafts, home and fashion and creative artisanal products, and skills-based services.

Under the OTOP Next Gen, the DTI assists MSMEs through capacity building, technology updating, brand equity and development, intellectual property assistance, access to �inance, and marketing platforms and promotion.

“We hope to face 2020 with a clear and uni�ied vision of OTOP. As we set out to elevate our level and quality of MSME support, may we grow all more resilient,” OTOP program manager, Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga, said during an evaluation and planning session with trade promotion of�icers last week.

Du-Naga added that the program of DTI is aligned with the government’s target to promote inclusive growth and bolster the competitiveness of MSMEs. (PNA)

Bitcoin climbs to highest since Sept. as 2020 rally grows

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itcoin jumped on Tuesday to its highest in nearly �ive months, extending a rally that has seen the price of the cryptocurrency gain by almost half this year.

The original and biggest cryptocurrency was last up 4.6% at $10,300, its highest since Sept. 19.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the jump. Crypto traders pointed to continuing momentum for bitcoin that began in January, when the

United States killed the top commander of Iran's elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, triggering a sell-off in traditional markets.

Investors also attribute a 50% cut in the production of bitcoin due in May as a driver for demand.

The rule, written into the cryptocurrency's underlying code, slashes the number of new coins awarded to miners behind global supply of the cryptocurrency.

POGO faces suspension over P50B tax deficiency

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hilippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) in the Philippines should be suspended after a Senate inquiry found that the industry committed several irregularities, including failure to pay at least P50 billion in taxes, a senator said Tuesday.

The government only collected P5 billion of the P50 billion tax revenue expected to be generated from POGOs, Senate Committee on Labor and Employment chair Joel Villanueva told reporters after his panel's inquiry.

"Klarong-klaro po na dapat pansamantalang itigil muna ito kung talagang naniniwala tayo na kapakanan talaga ng mas nakararami ang ating protektahan," he said.

Most POGO foreign workers come to the country using tourist visas, but are still able to secure employment in POGO hubs and receive salaries without paying taxes, Villanueva said.

"The fact that they don’t have the tax identi�ication numbers (TIN) means they

are not paying taxes. It means they are illegal," he said.

The lack of regulation in the industry makes POGOS a "threat for money laundering," Villanueva said.

Police of�icials also testi�ied during the Senate inquiry that the rise of the POGO industry in the Philippines has led to a "spike in criminal activities."

A separate Senate investigation found that special prostitution dens, hiring Chinese women and Filipino teens, have been set up speci�ically to cater to POGO workers.

"Ito po ay sumasalamin lamang sa hindi maayos na pamamahala at patakaran ng ating mga ahensya para masiguro na maayos na mareregulate ang industriyang ito mula pa lamang sa pagpasok ng mga foreign workers," Villanueva said.

The proposed suspension of POGO operations will only account for 0.04 percent of the economy, he said, citing data from the Department of Finance.

The Senate panel is

POGO, P9

ECONOMY 5

A vendor takes a nap beside a pile of pomelo he is selling while waiting for costumers at a makeshift stall along E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Lean Daval Jr

Credit rating upgrade crucial to inclusive growth bid: DOF

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tic fundamentals, which is among the primary factors for the series of upgrades of the country’s credit rating to investment grade.

Economic managers bid for the achievement of an A-level credit rating before the Duterte administration’s term ends in mid-2022.

Dominguez said they have been working for this through “an aggressive investment program while maintaining �iscal discipline.”

“The upgrades in our ratings re�lect an exciting inclusive narrative anchored on robust growth despite headwinds and

a declining poverty incidence.

President Duterte has exercised bold leadership in carrying out game-changing reforms, such as tax reform to sustain high growth and improve the living standards of our people,” he said.

The Finance chief further said upgrades of the country’s credit rating “is crucial to the quest for a more inclusive growth because it will lower borrowing costs for the government and private sector investors, and eventually lower interest rates for the loans of ordinary Filipinos.”

“Both will spur greater investments, which, in turn, will mean faster growth and more jobs,” he added.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno, in a statement, said the country deserves “a credit rating upgrade from Fitch, and the ‘positive’ outlook

should soon lead us there.”

“As part of our Road to ‘A’ agenda, we are more vigorously communicating the economic milestones as well as the governance and institutional strengthening the Philippines achieved in recent years. At the same time, we are meticulously tracking how the economy is progressing in terms of achieving a wide array of metrics that will solidify our position as an ‘A’ rated economy in two years,” he said.

The central bank chief said an A-level credit rating “is not an end itself, with the overarching objective being maintaining macroeconomic stability and making growth truly inclusive.”

“Having said that, a rating within the ‘A’ territory will place the Philippines in the radar of more investors, which bodes well for attracting more job-generating investments,” he added. (PNA)

6.5-7.5 percent expansion target.

These growth forecasts lean on expectations of strong private consumption and increasing government investment in infrastructure.

It said in�lows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and favorable job prospects, along with the drop in the unemployment rate and the accommodative monetary policy, support private consumption.

“On current projections, the Philippines will remain among the fastest-growing economies in the Asia-Paci�ic region in 2020-2021, well above the current ‘BBB’ median,” it added.

Fitch Ratings said the novel coronavirus (2019nCoV) and natural disas-

ters, however, pose as downside risks to domestic growth.

“It is still early to evaluate the effects of the outbreak, but the economy appears somewhat less vulnerable than regional peers as tourism accounts for less than 3 percent of GDP (gross domestic product),” it said.

It also believes that the Philippines maintains room for monetary and �iscal easing to offset the potential short-term impact on growth.

The credit rater expects the country’s �iscal pro�ile to improve further in line with the government’s tax reform program, which in turn, is expected to help revenues.

Reforms toward institu-

tional effectiveness, human capital, and business environment are also seen to boost the country’s structural metrics, it added.

The upgrade on the country’s credit rating outlook by Fitch Ratings comes on the heels of the upgrade

by Japan’s Rating and Investment Information Inc. (R&I) of its credit rating on the Philippines by a notch from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’ with Stable outlook earlier this month.

In April 2019, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) upgraded its investment-grade credit rating on the country from ‘BBB’ to ‘BBB+’ with a Stable outlook, a notch away from A-level due to “supportive policy dynamics and improving investment climate.” (PNA)

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Tuesday said authorities are hopeful for the achievement of A-level credit ratings for the Philippines, citing its impact on investments, domestic expansion, and job creation.

In a Viber message to journalists in reaction to Fitch Rating’s revision of its outlook on the Philippines’ ‘BBB’ credit rating from “stable” to “positive”, Dominguez said, “the Philippines looks forward to the further alignment of its credit ratings to its level of creditworthiness as indicated by a decreasing debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio and positive economic prospects from record investment levels in infrastructure and human capital.”

He said since the current government’s assumption in mid-2016, it has pushed for continued improvement of domes-

Fitch ratings revises outlook on PH credit rating to ‘positive’

F

itch Ratings on Tuesday revised upward from “stable” to “positive” its outlook on the Philippines’ ‘BBB’ credit rating, as it expects continued implementation of sound macroeconomic policies.

In a statement, the credit rater said the sound macroeconomic policy framework is seen to boost “high growth rates with moderate in�lation, progress on �iscal reforms that should keep government debt within manageable levels and continued resilience in its external factors.”

Fitch Ratings forecasts a 6.4-percent growth for the Philippine economy this year, and 6.5 percent for 2021, with the growth projection for this year lower than the government’s

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Taking no risk

The decision to forego the staging of public events for the Araw ng Davao this year is a sad one but still, it is a step in the right direction.

Given the precarious situation with the threats of Wuhan coronavirus pandemic, Mayor Sara Duterte swooped in at the right time to cancel the crowd-drawing events as a necessary precaution against the possible spread of the virus. The last thing Davao City can afford is to be infected with the coronavirus which Chinese medical experts recently bared to be airborne.

On Saturday, China announced the virus can now spread via aerosol transmission - meaning it can drift through the air for an extended period of time and cause infection if breathed in. Aerosol transmission refers to the mixing of the virus with droplets in the air to form aerosols which causes infection after inhalation.

The discovery of the disease being airborne means coronavirus now has three modes of transmission--direct, contact and aerosol. Direct transmission occurs when a person breathes the air close to an infected person who has coughed or sneezed. Contact transmission is when a person touches a

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MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

contaminated surface then infects themselves by touching their mouth, eyes or nose.

The new discovery has forced Chinese of�icials to prohibit large public gatherings.

A day before such discovery, the Department of Health (DOH) made advisory on avoidance of public gatherings.

It didn’t take long for Mayor Sara to decide to scrap the events of Araw ng Davao and opted for a simple Thanksgiving mass. It’s a way of being ahead of the situation and not taking any risks.

The order by Mayor Sara, nevertheless, referred to city government-organized events only as that is under the control and supervision of the LGU. How about privately-organized events? There is appears to be a vacuum. Private organizers may still mount their own events that could draw thick crowds.

In the light of these possibilities, there is a need for the city to come up with regulatory measures concerning the staging of public events organized by private entities during these times of the coronavirus threat. Otherwise, on their own private organizers should at best exercise prudence and health safety consciousness.

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 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

ASIA SLOWS DOWN IN 2019, WILL GROW FASTER IN 2020 It looks like the NEDA announcement of 5.9% growth yesterday did not surprise many.

With the downward adjustment of the Philippines 3rd quarter 2019 growth to 6% from 6.2%, some analysts already predicted that we would not meet the 6% growth for 2019.

Internal and external factors are cited for such a slowdown.

Internally, the Congressional delay in the approval of the 2019 budget and the election ban took its toll on our public spending, limiting it in areas where spending it would have boosted economic activity, such as infrastructure projects that cre-

ate jobs and income in many areas.

Public spending is a big determinant of growth in developing countries such as ours, since the government is still the biggest spender.

Where and how it spends our money will shape the economic landscape especially in poorer areas where consumption is understandably weak and private investments are still slow.

This is felt most in Mindanao where we have the highest poverty rates at almost 40%. You can imagine how a public project here can spur employment and encourage private investment, as we have seen in the last two years. This is where

public spending matters.

Externally, the Trump - China Trade war and other factors weighed in on global trade. In Southeast Asia, growth slowed from 5% to 4.5% as projected by the Asian Development Bank in its Asian Development Outlook in December 2019. It shows how growth has slowed in all Asian countries. China is down to 6.1% it’s lowest in decades, India down as well.

Singapore sheds almost two points off its growth ending at under 1%. Vietnam (6.8%), Thailand (3.0%) and Malaysia(4.5%) fall as well. (https://www.adb.org/ publications/ado-supplement-december-2019)

GROWTH WILL PICK UP IN 2020

While the general trend and assessment is that growth slowed in 2019 in all countries, this will pick up in 2020.

In the Philippines, the unspent 2019 budget amounts due to the 5 month delay in approval, including about 11 billion pesos in calamity funds will add to the 4.1 trillion peso 2020 budget, giving public spending a boost. Many new projects as well as swiss challenge investments are expected to pick up.

Likewise, the slight recovery of our agriculture sector, the increase in remit-

tances, record high tourist arrivals and foreign direct investment toward the end of 2019 will see it’s fruits bearing in 2020.

Added to this is the Balance of Payments Surplus and the record high Gross International Reserves gives us the buffers we need to weather external storms such as sudden oil price hikes and natural calamities.

Already, the recovery is seen with the high 6.4% growth registered by the Philippines in the 4th quarter, sets a trend for 2019.

We believe that with earlier factors mentioned, the rise in growth is expected.

For reactions, facebook. com/johntriapage

DENNIS R. GORECHO KUWENTONG KULE

COMFORT WOMAN LOLA FELICIDAD DIES WITHOUT SEEING JUSTICE FROM JAPAN GOVERNMENT The survivors of the heinous sexual crimes the Japanese committed are dying without receiving a formal apology and legal compensation from Japan.

Lola Felicidad delos Reyes, who is a member of Lila Filipina, died last week of pneumonia at the Labor Hospital in Quezon City at the age of 92. She was born on November 22, 1928 in Masbate.

Sometime in 1943, Felicidad was only fourteen years old when she was made to sing in front of Japanese soldiers along with her other classmates. Impressed with her performance, she was told that she will receive a gift at the garrison.

However, when she reached the place, she was taken inside a room. Japanese soldiers forced her down onto the ground.

When she struggled, another punched her in the face while another grabbed her legs and held them apart.

Then they took turns to rape her.

Lola Felicing did not understand what they were doing to her since she had no knowledge about sex. She did not even have her menstruation.

When she begged them

to stop, they just laughed.

Whenever she struggled or screamed, they would punch and kick her.

Confused, frightened, tired and in pain, she drifted in and out of consciousness.

For the next three days a succession of soldiers abused her until she was allowed to go home because she became very ill.

Her older sister had been taken by the Japanese just the year before who died in a comfort house.

Lola Felicing kept silent for almost 40 years.

It was in the late 1990s that she came out as part of Lila Filipina to tell the world about this inhuman practice of the Japanese during the war with the hope that such an ordeal will never happen again to any woman.

The demise of Lola Felicing is a sad reality that the Filipino comfort women and those forced into sexual violence by Japanese invasion and occupation troops during World War II are dying without seeing justice.

It has been almost 75 years since the war ended on August 15, 1945, and yet the Japanese government refuses to recognize its of�icial accountability to the victims of sexual slavery.

Justice has not been given to women such as Lola Felicing as their �ight for unequivocal public apology, accurate historical inclusion, and just compensation continues up to this day.

To date, the lifesize statue of two women at Caticlan, Malay, Aklan is the last remaining statue that symbolizes the struggles of the Lolas.

The statue was installed on February 5, 2019 and stands on the property owned by the family of women’s rights activist Nelia Sancho, who accompanied Lola Felicing in testifying before international venues in the late 1990s.

“The purpose of the statue is to show that there was a war crime in World War II, and that is military sexual slavery. And it is unsettled so we don’t want that it is forgotten. It’s because (the victims) are now old, starting to passed away, and with their death, we don’t want the issue to die down with them,” Sancho said.

Even if it is a reminder of a painful past, the remaining statue honors the memory, courage and resilience of these Filipino women.

On December 2017, Tulay Foundation’s 2-me-

ter-high “Lola” statue of an unnamed woman wearing a traditional Filipino dress, blindfolded, with hands clutched to her chest, was installed along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

The Lola statue represented Filipino women’s dignity and stands as “a reminder that wars of aggression must always be opposed, and that sexual slavery and violence should never happen again to any woman, anywhere at any time.”

Four months later the statue was dismantled under cover of darkness on April 27, 2018 by the DPWH, allegedly for a drainage improvement project, but seen as submission to protests from Japan.

Issues of historical revisionism and the government’s submission to Japanese policy were raised by concerned groups led by the Flowers-for-Lolas as they condemned the removal of the statue. President Duterte earlier remarked the state would not want to “antagonize” other countries.

Unfortunately, the statue is now missing.

Despite several follow-ups on the formal turnover of the LOLA statue back to Tulay for its reinstallation

last August 2019, its artist Jonas Roces failed to do so.

He later told Tulay that the Lola statue was taken by unidenti�ied men from his art studio in Cainta Rizal.

Despite the absence of the Lola statue, a new metal historical marker dedicated to the Lolas was unveiled at the Baclaran church.

Another Lola statue, a young woman with �ists resting on her lap, has been removed from the Catholic-run Mary Mother of Mercy shelter for the elderly and the homeless in San Pedro, Laguna, only two days after its unveiling January of last year.

From their original number of more than 200 in the late 1990s, less than �ifty survivors are still alive, highlighting a sense of urgency for them to receive a formal apology and legal compensation from Japan while their voices can still be heard.

Kule is the monicker of Philippine Collegian, the of�icial student publication of UP Diliman. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law of�ices. For comments, email info@sapalovelez. com, or call 09175025808 or 09088665786).

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

RX: FRUITS, VEGETABLES VS. CORONAVIRUS DISEASE

agriculture department’s web portal.

Dar is right. “Our immune system is essential for survival,” writes Tim Newman in the website of Medical News Today. “Without an immune system, our bodies would be open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. It is our immune system that keeps us healthy as we drift through a sea of pathogens.”

The immune system is spread throughout the body and involves many types of cells, organs, proteins,

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I

t is important to keep your immune system strong,” suggests Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on how Dabawenyos can stay healthy in the time when the dreaded coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is spreading throughout the world.

Duterte said those words when she announced the cancellation of the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw celebration. “We have seen an increasing number of people getting the infection worldwide,” she said in her of�icial statement. “Our health care facilities in Davao City have limitations and we cannot possibly carry hundreds of sick individuals all at the same time.”

Last January 30, the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) declared Covid-19 a global threat.

If not controlled now, the virus could grip about twothirds of the world’s population, according to Professor Gabriel Leung, chair of public health medicine at Hong Kong University.

Aside from China, it has been reported in Europe (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Russia), Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Macau, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, India, Ne-

pal, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and the Philippines), Canada, Australia, and United States (Washington, California, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin).

Until now, little is known about Covid-19. But scientists said it begins with a fever, followed by a dry cough and after a week or so, shortness of breath. To avoid catching the virus, the UN health agency recommends washing hands with soaps or hand gels, not touching the e y e s , nose

and mouth, and staying a meter away from people who are coughing.

In the absence of the availability of a vaccine against Covid-19, one of the best meth-

ods to �ight the deadly bug is building up one’s immune system, according to the Department of Health (DOH), which is doing its best to contain the proliferation of the virus in the country.

The Department of Agriculture backs such idea. “Let’s heed and support the health department to boost our body’s im-

mune system to �ight the virus and bacterial attacks and reduce the risks of disease infections,” said Agriculture

Secretary William Dar. “We have long been taught that the immune system helps the body �ight off infections caused by viruses and speed up the recovery process after an infection,” Dar explained in a feature posted in the

a n d tissues. “Crucially, it can distinguish our tissue from foreign tissue – self from non-self,” Newman explained in a feature that was medically reviewed by Dr. Daniel Murrell.

“When the immune system comes into contact with a pathogen, it triggers an immune response,” wrote Lana Burgess in another feature.

“The immune system releases antibodies, which attach to antigens on the pathogens and kill them.”

The body’s immune systems serve as the “soldiers” against intruders. “The vast network of cells and tissues is constantly on the lookout for invaders,” Newman wrote, “and once an enemy is spotted, a complex attack is mounted.”

Incorporating speci�ic foods into the diet may strengthen a person’s immune

response. “We have a lot of native, nutritious fruits and vegetables that are known to help the body �ight off diseases,” Dar pointed out. “Hence, let’s try to consume more to boost our health.”

Dar recommends eating those fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C and A. “Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters and has antiviral and antibacterial properties,” he stressed.

Examples of fruits rich in vitamin C are Barbados cherry, kiwi, papaya, strawberries, pineapple, guava, calamansi, lemons and dayap. Bell peppers, potato, cauli�lower, and broccoli are

vegetables rich in vitamin C. “Vitamin A contains beta-carotene and retinol, which are important to immune function,” Dar said.

Among those that are rich in vitamin A are carrots, sweet potato, squash, cantaloupe, papaya, guava, passion fruits, and mangoes.

He also recommends green leafy vegetables (kangkong, alugbati, and pechay) as well as red fruits and vegetables like watermelon, sweet red pepper, and tomatoes.

Dar singled out malunggay as containing both vitamins and called it “the miracle vegetable.” Based on studies, he said that three tablespoons of powdered malunggay leaves contain 27% vitamin A and 22% vitamin C, “which is equivalent to seven oranges.”

In a feature posted on goodnewspilipinas.com, Eldan Sambatyon wrote malungRX: FRUITS, P10

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

EDGEDAVAO TRAVEL

FEELING BEACHY WHILE it may have launched around two years without much fanfare, Club Samal Resorts made its mark as the resort to be at when visiting Samal Island. Although I had a few opportunities to visit the resort, I was not able to join due to other prior commitments. Just last week however, I was invited to experience the resort and without much hesitation, I said yes.

Located just a quick 5-minute speedboat ride from Davao City, Club Samal is a charming boutique beach resort sporting a plantation style with a contemporary, modern vibe. The resort boasts of 52 well-appointed rooms which all the modern features and amenities.

Entering the Poolside Suite Room assigned to me, I was impressed by the size and look of the space. It has a king size bed, a dining nook, a 42” LED Cable TV, in-room safe, hot and cold shower, bidet, and even a hair dryer. All these features are quite rare in Samal and are only usually available at more expensive resorts but at Club Samal, these are all standard.

ISLAND CHILL Club Samal may not be the biggest resort on Samal Island with a modestly-sized white sand beach, it does make up the lack of size with its facili-

ties, most notable is its massive lagoon pool which occupies the heart of the resort. There is a wading area for younger children, an area to do laps, and areas to just relax and catch the rays of the sun.

Between the beach and the pool is Club Samal’s Bar which serves cold drinks, alcoholic or otherwise. With no liquor ban on the Island Garden City of Samal, the bar is open until late into the night.

Beside the bar is Club Samal’s Food Truck. A new addition to the resort, the food truck serves burgers, crepes, and the best sweet potato fries I have ever tasted. “The food truck serves as a quick fast food outlet where guests on day trip can satisfy their cravings while also providing a fun place to take selfies,” shared Club Samal Sales and Marketing Manager Jessica M. Segura.

More discerning diners can go to Bistro 171, Club Samal’s all-day dining restaurant that serves Filipino and International comfort fare. Located right beside the resort’s lobby, Bistro 171 also gives diners a view of the pool and the azure waters of Davao Gulf.

For family reunions or event, Club Samal also has a modern grand ballroom that is divisible into three smaller meeting rooms. What makes the ballroom unique is that its two sides are finished in glass, allowing guests to open the privacy curtains to give guests

Club Samal Resort.

Club Samal’s Food Truck serves burgers, fries and crepes.

Dining with a view at Bistro 171.

a breathtaking view of the resort, the beach, and the sea.

BEACH FOR THE DAY OR MORE Club Samal currently offers day tour and overnight resort accommodations. Day tour packages are available for Php850.00 for adults and

Enjoying the resort’s massive lagoon pool. late as 10pm, although guests leaving the resort late will need to take the Samal Island ferry to get back Davao City on the mainland.

For those who want to stay longer, Club Samal offers a variety of rooms to stay in from its Deluxe Rooms, Pool Side Rooms, and Suites. Each room night includes breakfast, use of the resort facilities, and round trip boat transfers.

Just in time for Valentines, Club Samal is offering its Seaside Serenade Valentine’s Day Promo with room packages The Club Samal Suite. that also include a romantic P700.00 for kids on weekdays buffet dinner by the beach, live and Php950.00 for adults and band entertainment, compliP750.00 for kids on weekends. mentary glass of wine, and a All packages include lunch long-stemmed rose for every (plated for weekdays and buffet lady at each table.

For inquiries and reservafor weekends) and roundtrip tions, you may call Club Saboat transfers. mal Resort at 082.326.2495 Day trip guests can arrive or email at clubsamal.mktg@ at the resort as early as seven gmail.com. in the morning and leave as

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

CELEBRATE LOVE AND ROMANCE AT DUSIT DAVAO

IT’S THAT SWEET TIME OF THE YEAR again where flower shops are filled with roses, chocolates come in heartshaped boxes, and the colour red is everywhere.

Valentines’ Day is the perfect time to start thinking about how to express your love to your special someone. This year, why not get high on romance and spend the weekend at Dusit Davao and create fond and lasting memories.

SWEET ESCAPE Stay with us between February 1 to 29 and treat your loved one to a bottle of wine, special breakfast, Valentine’s gift and exciting discount at Namm Spa when you sign up as a Dusit Gold member. Rates start at Php 6,000++ for dusitD2 Davao D’Luxe rooms and Php 8,500++ for our Dusit Thani Residence Deluxe Rooms.

Looking for something to sweep your date off their feet?

Surprise them with a day of fun under the sun at Dusit Thani

Lubi Plantation Resort. Take advantage of our special Valentine’s Day Experience offer from February 13 to 16 for only Php 2,000 nett per head on weekdays and Php 2,800 nett on weekends. Fall in love all over again with your special someone and enjoy a special Valentine’s gift, set lunch, an hour of kayak, 10% off on jetski rental and full access to the resort’s facilities.

DINNER TO REMEMBER Indulge in romance and dine in the restaurant of your choice.

At Madayaw Café, treat your

loved one to some roses and a scrumptious buffet spread on February 14 and 15 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM for only Php 2,020 nett per person. Enjoy the night with our live music and capture special moments on our photo booth. Plus, special prizes await lucky couples.

Love is in the air at Siam Lounge so come and dine with us. Get serenaded by our live band and try our delectable Valentine’s Day dinner set menu on February 14 and 15, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for only Php 2,020 nett for two persons.

Make it extra special by also indulging in our Valentine’s themed cocktails and toast the night away. These love potions are available the whole month

of F In som jaro rem

SAY IT WITH THE PERFECT DATE AT THE WATERFRONT

RELIVE THE MAGIC and take the moment to celebrate love at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao this Valentine’s Day. Have the perfect date and indulge in a night of pure romance with a decadent dinner that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the one you love.

WITH LOVE, 2020 Share the love of food and treat your darling to a romantic dining experience. Indulge in a heartwarming spread of the evening’s specials whilst enjoying the company of soft music to set the mood for romance.

The menu at Php2,020 net per person comes with a Premium Valentines Buffet, Live

entertainment for a sweet serenade, and a complimentary bottle of delicious wine for

every two persons. For Early Birds, get additional 15% discount until February 10th!

MON AMOUR Glaze into each other’s eyes

and enti Insu

EDAVAO

INdulge! A3

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

February. n the mood for love… and me Thai? Check out Benong and make it a night to member. Take your date to

T DAVAO

d indulge to romantic Valine’s evening at Waterfront ular Hotel Davao. Savor

ENTERTAINMENT

GMA ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND SBS KOREA TO CO-PRODUCE VARIETY GAME SHOW

an authentic and romantic Thai dinner where dishes are made from the freshest ingredients.

For only Php 3,800 nett for two persons, treat your special one with a sparkling wine welcome drink, luscious 5-course set dinner and some romantic tunes on February 14 and 15, 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. SAY IT WITH A TOUCH Your Valentine’s Day celebrations begin with a three-hour luxurious treatment with your loved one. Indulge in a relaxing Swedish massage, Sampaguita body scrub, reflexology foot massage, a choice of a glass of wine or a cup of tea, complimentary pool and DFiT access, and exciting F&B discounts for only Php 8,800 nett per couple.

For inquiries, reservations or bookings, you may call +63 (82) 272-7500 or email davao@dusit. com. the romantic moment with a scenic alfresco dining experience at Pizzaiolo and La Parilla starting February 13 to 15!

Set the mood over a light yet delectable dinner at Pizzaiolo.

Keep the conversation going and enjoy a Platter of Love.

For 950 PHP nett per person, diners can choose a platter of Cheese or Deli, perfect to pair with a glass of wine.

Have a lovely dinner at La Parilla for an Alfresco Romance. For 1,750 PHP nett per person, take your date to a flavorful culinary journey that highlights Braised Wellington, a choice of Salmon or Beef, complimented with potatocorn puree and pea shoot salad.

Seal the night with a generous serving of creamy and delightful Semifreddo, a class of frozen dessert, topped with walnuts and drizzled with irresistible ginger syrup.

THE EXCITEMENT of Kapuso fans ran high as GMA Entertainment Group inked a co-production deal with SBS Korea for the reality-comedy game show, Running Man Philippines last February 11, at GMA Network Center.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon; President and Chief Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr.; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong; Vice President for Entertainment Group Redgie AcuñaMagno; Vice President for Business Development Department II - Comedy/Infotainment/Reality Productions Janine Piad-Nacar; Assistant Vice

President for Business Development Department II Bang Arespacochaga; and Senior Program Manager/Producer Enri T. Calaycay.

Representing SBS Korea were Chief Global Contents Officer Kim Yong Jae and Global Production & Business Team Director Kim Soo Hwan.

For Atty. Gozon, the partnership with SBS Korea is another milestone for GMA and the country, “We are very delighted to partner with a great institution in content. We know that Running Man is a top-rating program not only in South Korea, but in other countries as well. And we hope to make it a top-rater, too, here in the Philippines.”

Kim Yong Jae, in turn, is elated to

bring the hit Korean show to the local audience, “This is the first time to co-produce this show in the Philippines. We experienced big success in Vietnam, China, and we are expecting a lot here, too. We are adapting the Filipino culture and artists, so Filipino fans have a lot to be excited for.”

Running Man is one of South Korea’s most popular variety shows, featuring well-loved top Korean stars as cast and special guests like Jackie Chan, Tom Cruise, and Henry Cavill as guests competing in fun challenges, games, and races in different locations. After being on-air for almost a decade, the show has gained legions of fans not just across Asia, but all over the world as well.

RONNIE, LOISA, AND DONNY SHINE AS LEADS IN VALENTINE FLICK “JAMES AND PAT AND DAVE”

A NEW BREED of movie stars—Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio, and Donny Pangilinan—topbills Star Cinema’s Valentine’s movie offering, “James and Pat and Dave.”

The romantic-comedy picture, a sequel to 2016’s hit film “Vince and Kath and James,” will see the return of Ronnie, whose character James was rejected by Kath for Vince. Now, he finds himself entangled in another love triangle by pretending to be his co-worker Pat’s (Loisa) lover, who wants to make her ex-boyfriend Dave (Donny) jealous.

Director Theodore Boborol, who also helmed “Vince and Kath and James,” said they wanted to use the film to depict what happens to the person who doesn’t get chosen by the one they love.

“In a romcon, there’s always someone who doesn’t get picked, and we thought that was so relatable. So we wanted to know what’s their story, don’t they also deserve a ‘happily ever after?’ And for us that’s very relatable, because at one point in our lives, we were all rejected for another,” he explained.

As for the lead actors, starring in the film is nothing

short of a dream come true.

“Of course we waited for something like this for a long time so we are very excited.

We just entered 2020, then there’s this new opportunity, new life. So when this was given to us we really didn’t think twice,” Ronnie said.

“It feels amazing to be starring on our own film and to finally be noticed. This has always been my dream ever since I was young—to see myself in the big screen.

That’s why I’m so excited,” Loisa added.

“The environment on set was so light. It’s also exciting because finally, we get to show this movie to you guys and I’m just very thankful and blessed,” Donny echoed.

“James and Pat and Dave” is written by Daisy Cayanan and also stars Awra Briguela and CJ Salonga.

Rise up from your heartaches and get your second shot at love this Valentine’s with “James and Pat and Dave,” showing this Wednesday in cinemas nationwide.

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EVENTAND CULTURE ARTS TRAVEL TECH

EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 242 •216 WEDNESDAY, •219 THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 13, 2020 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,FEBRUARY JANUARY 17, 14,

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ELIMINATES SINGLESONY INTRODUCES NEW GP-VPT2BT 25TH WORLDBEX ALL SET FOR MARCH 2020 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 NOWthreads IN ITS 25TH cotton into Dagmay as YEAR, The Philippine well as their embroidery will World Building and help sustain their livelihood.

Construction Exposition “Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise or simply WORLDBEX order sathe Dagmay if they will Line, innovator is all set for March 18 to use cotton threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the 22, 2020 at the Philippine Limon also seeshistory the to with a 53-year growing lineup ofneed camInternational tapbreaking theand artisans inConventhis endeavof boundaries, eras accessories tion Center, World Trade or now to give theirfor clients fresh is single-use plasdeveloped modern Center Metro Manila, andbeverage new designs. tic bottle free creators, Sony today and the “We really needConventothe tap new the across itsSMX fleet. has announced tion With close artisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless TheCenter. brand announced last to and gud1,000 ga-agi pa ko saIdeal middle shooting grip. for year that itexhibitors partnered with 188,000 expected visiman since wala’y sa many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,access which entors, WORLBEX community,” he Line said. 2020 of content creation abled the Cruise to replace aims to deliver awater topoff wants tovlogs show ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic notch and the beauty of groundbreakDagmay travel photography /he bottles across its 17-shipasfleet, ing construction and has clients who its are looking for videography tomost simple beginning with recent design show. clothes and accessories made everyday use,Encore. the new ship, Norwegian exhibitor orientation byAn theoffers Mandayas.

He saidof they grip optimum The achievement is one the was held last Febcomfort 4, 2020 at noticed that some Pasalubong stability and latest sustainable steps forward the Norwegian Philippine International centers including Davao City’s combined with cablefor Cruise Line.

In Convention Center which free connectivity andis a 2018, the Company eliminated the same venue will comreliable dust and moissingle-use plasticthat straws across plete this year’s triad of venues ture resistant design. its fleet and private destinamaking it WORLDBEX most Compatible with aofvariety tions, and as a result this exciting edition yet. During of Sony’s latest digital most recent initiative, itcamerwill the orientation, points were as, the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over key six million singlediscussed to equip allallowing theevery exeasily via Bluetooth, use plastic water bottles hibitors with a comprehensive creators to simply aim and is year.

In addition, the brand guide they for this year’s shoot without interfering working to need eliminate single-use 5-day event . Theand topics ranged cables or exposed inputs.

The plastic shampoo condifromgrip ingress, event proper new includes useful tilt tioner bottles later athis year.and egress efforts reminders which include feature that allows for flexible These are driven by rulesCompany’s andangle regulations, program vertical adjustment as the Sail & Sustain and event pocket well as thehighlights, ability to switch Environmental Program, which activities, as well astoimportant from normal to self-shooting is its commitment minimize dates and schedules to rememmode with ease. Additionalwaste to landfills, reduce its ber. Part of the highlight is the

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 responExhibitors getting ready for the 25th installment of WORLDBEX by attending the Exhibitor’ s sibly-managed forests and the Arch. Ernesto Antonino D. Nasol - Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA).

Orientation held at the PICC last February 4, 2020. relaunch of the WORLDBEX cap and shoulder are made App with a new look, improved from a sugarcane-based plastic. user experience and interface Aldevinco do not carry Dag“Wala man gud kaayo It is refillable and recyclable. for year’s expo. This year’s maythis cloth.

Mandaya na pieces and mostly JUST has a global presence line-up consists of both local T’boli products ang sa Alwith bottling facilities in Glenn and international exhibitors devinco. Sa Manila T’boli lang Falls, NY; Ballymena, Northern who have been partners with mostly makita nako na ginaIreland; and Ballarat, Australia, WORLDBEX for many years. himo accent ug Yakan, beads thus allowing the company to WORLBEX 2020 commits sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao meet demand around the world to prioritize the safety of all and Inaul. Walay something without shipping water from a the participants in relation to from the Mandaya commusingle source.

Engr. Allan Alvarez - National Viceproduction President, Institute of JUST the recent Ncovrate, situation.

The nity,” he said.

CO2 emissions increase thrilled to make such an impact to our Sail & Sustain program takes care to use the most Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE)_ Engr.

Rod Pecolera - effiReia Baluyot & Bea Chua - Merchandising Officer, MARIWASA _ National President, organizers prepared key by The cotton Dagmay sustainable sourcing certain and invest eliminating single-use bever- and believe wholeheartedly in IIEE.cient shipping options available.

Arch.

Edwin Generoso - Senior design Merchandising Officer, MARIWASA. measures the safety wheel of the and clothing not yet available in A medical team will also be on present to grace of thepreserving contract World Tradeinformation Center Metro Maly,in itemerging has anfor adjustment can beisquickly changed technologies. age bottles across our fleet. the importance For more about attendees recommended theajust market as Limon and stand-by inby case ofways emergencies. signing. nila, and theCruise SMX Convention can be loosened orspecial tightened tripod simply ex“This isas a very andby into It’s one of the wehis are our natural resources. We will Norwegian Line ships the Department of Health group in the immerAlsoare highlighted during the Organized

by Worldbex Ser- and Center.

For more information, tovery allow for seamless operathe bottom portion, proud moment for us,”and panding working tostill preserve our oceans continue to strive towards maktheir itineraries, or to book World Health Organization. sion the stage ofwas thethe project. orientation contract vicesenvironmentally International, WORLD(02) 8656-9239, email intion with cameras of different easy stable, handssaid Harry Sommer, president enabling and destinations we visit. ing conscious acall cruise, please contact a travel There willweights. be mandatory body “Wethis will their signing between Ser- decisions BEX 2020tois benefit happening on quire@worldbexevents.com, sizes and The grip free shooting. and chief executive officer of While isevaluate justWorldbex the pa beginning our earth.” professional, call 888-NCL- or temperature on all“As entry capacity and kung willing sila vices International executives March 18 to 22, from 10:00 by am follow @worldbex also includesCruise acheck flip button, inThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Line. of what we and others can do, Envisioned and founded CRUISE (625-2784)onorFacebook visit Hand sanitizers will makipag-collaborate,” he said. and WORLDBEX sponsors. to 7:00 pmrapper, at the Philippine In- www.ncl.com. and Instagram. Pre-register for dicator light and lock we switch, Grip will committed be availapoints, leading cruise line, are be Shooting we are incredibly American songwriter, readily available at the venues.

Partner associations were also ternational Convention Center, free at www.worldbex.com.

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

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EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

HOME-TELS... FROM1 Tecson said accommodation owners must acquire a business permit before operating and should pay local taxes because they fall within the Amended Davao City Tourism Code of 2014.

Among the amend-

ments under the Davao City Tourism Code of 2014 are the regulation of selfstyled accommodations and those individuals who register as hosts to home sharing applications like Airbnb.

Since 2018, the city has

been seeking to regulate homestay and self-styled accommodation establishments, especially those listed in home-sharing booking applications such as Airbnb, VRBO, Flipkey and Home Away, among others.

pigs.

“Kung naa mo’y mamatikdan, sa inyong mga silingan, kung nagluya inyong baboy, tawag sa akong of�ice para mapaadtuan tamo and then makakuha tag blood sample. With that, ma-examine dayon so

makahimo ta’g action kaysa itago-tago ninyo. Kinahanglan jud ani ug participation dili lang kay kami, mga farmers, mga consumers, tabang-tabang tang tanan emplace (If you notice in your neighborhood that hogs are becoming weak,

call our of�ice so we can get blood samples from the pigs. We can immediately take action, unlike if you hide situations like this.

This needs participation from the farmers, consumers, let’s help each other),” she said. CIO

can transport their military equipment visa-free.

The US controls their personnel.)

“Pag tayo ang pupun-

ta sa America, we have to apply the regular visiting process, like kailangan tayo may passport, may visa.”

(If we go to America, we have to apply the regular visiting process, we need to have a passport, visa.)

status of their goods declaration, while the NVVS

is a guide for assessment personal to determine the

accuracy of the declared value of goods.

Michelle never fails to inform the barangay residents and their of�icials of

the budget allocation so that they would be aware of the available funds

which they could use for the development of their barangays. (CIO MATI)

local and regional shoppers to the Philippines, he said.

The DOT is also consid-

ering suggestions that government agencies should be encouraged to hold out

of town meetings and seminars to the domestic tourism players, he said.

resents 750 operators and another 350 �irms in the mobile industry ranging from Germanys Deutsche Telekom to China’s Huawei, hosts the congress.

Its board is composed of 26 leaders of some of the world’s biggest telecoms groups and is currently chaired by Stéphane Rich-

ard, the CEO of Orange, France’s biggest phone company.

In the event of a full cancellation of the event, the �inancial liability for the organizers may depend on whether the Spanish government changes its health advice on the coronavirus.

Spain’s health minister

Salvador Illa told reporters on Tuesday that there is no public health reason for the event not to be carried out.

Illa added that additional health measures related to the MWC could be announced on Wednesday.

GSMA did not respond to requests seeking comment.

tracting investments, spurring MSME (micro, small,

and medium enterprise) development, and promot-

ing the ease of doing business," Lopez said. (PNA)

expected to �ile measures that will require POGO employees to process all labor permits in China before being allowed to work in the

Philippines.

"We need to scrutinize yung binibigyan natin ng alien employment permits... Paano natin nasisig-

uro na hindi ito kaya gampanan ng mga kababayan natin bago ito i-offer sa mga bisita, sa mga foreigners?" he said.

PORK... FROM2

TERMINATION... FROM2 BOC... FROM3

MATI... FROM3

TOURISM... FROM4 WORLD’S... FROM4

TRADE... FROM4 POGO... FROM5

SURPRISINGLY... FROM5

lion). The �igure rose 14 percent from 2019, the highest rate among the major four American sports leagues, per Badenhausen. The NFL was second with a rise of 11 percent.

NBA teams continue to reap the bene�its of the television deals worth a combined $24 billion the league struck with ESPN and TNT in 2014. The NBA continues to expand its reach overseas as well, though ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks reported in January the league was

lowering its projected 2020-21 salary cap slightly based on revised revenue �igures from international markets, namely China.

The Association drew the ire of the Chinese government amid the fallout from a tweet

by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey in support of pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.

Still, the �inancial health of the NBA remains strong. Badenhausen wrote the general belief among sports business executives is

that "Morey's tweet will have little long-term impact on the NBA's business in China."

The Knicks' status in particular reinforces why owner James Dolan is in no hurry to sell despite the pressure he's facing from the fanbase.

Forbes has estimated New York to be the NBA's most valuable franchise for �ive straight years, a period in which the Knicks have never been close to the playoffs. No matter what the team does on the court, it remains a �inancial juggernaut.

9

Army discovers BIFF guns, bullets in Maguindanao

S

oldiers stumbled upon a house with assorted high-powered �irearms while pursuing a wanted person in Gen. SK Pendatun, Maguindanao on Tuesday.

Elements of the 40th Infantry Battalion were serving a search warrant for attempted murder charges against a certain Sukarno Buka, alias “Boba”, in Barangay Midconding at 5 a.m. when gunmen believed to be members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) �ired at them.

Maj. Gen. Diosdado

Carreon, 6th Infantry Division commander, said Buka is a sub-commander of the BIFF terror group.

“As the troops were approaching a safe house, they were �ired at by the gunmen, triggering a �ive-minute exchange of gun�ire,” Carreon said, adding that Buka and his men managed to escape.

Recovered inside Buka’s safe house were one KG9 ri�le, an M79 grenade launcher, a homemade shotgun, a caliber .40 pistol, an M14 ri�le, one ri�lescope, a gas cyl-

inder of an M60 machine gun, assorted magazines, and ammunition.

The arrest warrant against Buka was issued by Judge Melanio M. Guerrero of Regional Trial Court Branch 20 in Tacurong City on May 4, 2017.

Carreon, concurrent head of Joint Task Force Central, vowed to "relentlessly pursue" wanted persons and lawless elements in its area of assignment. He also commended the troops for the recovery of high-powered guns and ammunition. (PNA)

NPA commander surrenders, admits Red's dwindling forces

A

commander of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to Davao de Oro's Provincial Task Force-Ending Local Communist Armed Con�lict (PTF-ELCAC) on Monday in Barangay Cabinuangan, New Bataan town.

In a statement, Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) spokesperson, identi�ied the surrenderer

only as "Bart", a former vice commander of the NPA operating in the northern boundary of Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental.

Balagtey said Bart decided to leave the communist rebel movement after many of his colleagues had already surrendered to the government while others have gone into hiding because of the hardship experienced in the mountains.

“He was tired of always

being on the run, brought about by the loss of their former mass bases and contacts,” he said.

“He also revealed that NPA formations are forced to merge because of the cascade of surrender,” he added.

He said Bart's surrender came after his wife, identi�ied only as Joy, yielded to authorities last month in Brgy. Panansalan, Compostela town.

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

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

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

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

RX: FRUITS... FROM8 gay is richly endowed with the following: 92 nutrients, 46 antioxidants, 23 anti-in�lammatories, 18 amino acids, 10 vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B7, A, C, K, E, D) and 9 essential amino acids.

“With such a powerhouse of health-boosting properties, the malunggay can also boost our immune system which can help us �ight off viruses,” Sambatyon wrote. “And if infected with a virus, it could help reduce and lessen the effects of the infection which could also lessen the period of illness and make faster recovery.”

Dar also singled out garlic, lagundi and serpentina as having medicinal properties.

“Garlic is an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial immune booster,” he said. “Aside from being useful in the kitchen, it has been proven to heal infection because of its anti-bacterial

and anti-in�lammatory properties.”

Describing lagundi as “the �ive-leaf chaste tree” and known in the science world as Vitex negundo, it “has been scienti�ically proven to be effective in reducing cough, colds, and fever.”

Serpentina or sinta (scienti�ic name: Rauvol�ia serpentine) is known for its antiviral and antibiotic properties. As such, it is good for infections. “It is often used to treat cough and colds. It is also used as an expectorant to help release mucus in the respiratory system,” Dar said.

“Eating a healthy diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, coupled with whole grains and lean protein – in addition to drinking suf�icient amounts of water – helps boost our body’s immune system against illness and stress,” Dar said.

In her feature, Bur-

gess has identi�ied the following food that can also boost the immune system: dark chocolate (contains theobromine, which may help to boost the immune system by protecting the body’s cells from free radicals), turmeric (has curcumin, an antioxidant), oily �ish (rich source of omega-3 fatty acids), ginger (has anti-in�lammatory and antioxidative properties), sun�lower seeds, and almonds.

Aside from eating healthy foods, the following lifestyle strategies may also make a person’s immune system stronger, according to Burgess: avoiding smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol or drinking in moderation, getting enough sleep, minimizing stress, and practicing correct hand-washing and oral hygiene.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

97 teams in PAL M Seniors Interclub

11

Tiger Woods still struggling to get to grips with Kobe’s death

By ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO

T

he 34th Philippine Airlines (PAL) Seniors Interclub golf team championships tees off on Feb. 26-29 in Bacolod City with 97 teams signing up for the annual golf team event.

The cast will be foreign �lavored with 45 clubs based in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Out to defend their title is last year’s champion Luisita who will be gunning for its �irst back-to-back title since completing a sixpeat in 2005.

Luisita is �ielding the same team that posted a three-point win over Canlubang at last year’s PAL Interclub in Cebu City and only Edmund Yee will be missed this year. Taking Yee’s place is returning

member Jingy Tuason who played for the team two years ago.

The Sugar Barons will be captained by former pro Eddie Bagtas with Benjamin Sumulong, Chino Raymundo, Chito Laureta, Rafael Garcia, Rodel Mangulabnan and Demetrio Saclot completing the squad.

Luisita’s perennial rival Canlubang, on the other hand, will parade veterans Tommy Manotoc, Abe Rosal, Zaldy Villa, Rolly Viray, Damasus Wong, Abe Avena and Mari Hechanova. Pem Rosal is not in the lineup and will be most likely replaced by Rene Unson.

This year’s Seniors venues will be at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (formerly Marapara) and at the Bacolod Golf Club (Binitin) using

the Molave scoring system for the four-day event. Par is worth 3 points while a birdie and bogey are worth 4 and 2, respectively. An even par round is worth 54 points.

The �ield is divided into �ive brackets: Championship, Founders, Aviator, Sportswriter and Friendship.

Each team is allowed to �ield four players for each round, but only the top three scores are counted.

Each player can only play a maximum of two rounds.

The Seniors tournament precedes the 73rd Men’s Regular event slated March 4 to 7 with Cebu Country Club defending its title.

National �lag carrier Philippine Airlines is the host of this prestigious international sporting event.

The platinum sponsors are Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, Fox Networks Group, and Radio Mindanao Network, Inc. Major sponsors include The Boeing Company, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, Avolon Aerospace Singapore Pte Ltd, Rolls Royce, Manila Broadcasting Company, Primax Broadcasting, Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd, and CIGNAL TV Inc. Other supporters are Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (The Travel Club), Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. (Manila Standard), Of�icine Corporation, GE Aviation, SEDA Hotels, BDO Unibank, Smart Communications, Inc., People Asia Magazine, A+E Networks Asia (History), and Allianz PNB Life.

ore than two weeks after Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash, Tiger Woods is among those who �ind the shock may have worn off but disbelief remains.

“It’s hard to put into words what transpired and the fact that it’s a reality,” 15-time major golf champion Woods said Tuesday at Riviera Country Club, where he is preparing to tee off Thursday in the Genesis Invitational.

“Part of me thinks that it’s not real.”

The 41-year-old Bryant, a retired NBA legend with the Los Angeles Lakers, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in the January 26 crash in the Santa Monica Mountains west of Los Angeles.

They were on their way to a girls’ basketball tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy in suburban Thousand Oaks -- not far from Sherwood Country Club, which hosted Woods’s Hero World Challenge tournament for years.

Woods learned of Bryant’s death just after he completed his �inal round at Torrey Pines that Sunday. The 15-time major champion, who said he grew up a “diehard Lakers fan,” noted that he turned pro the same year that Bryant was drafted into the NBA to start a 20-year career that would include �ive titles with the Lakers.

“I don’t really know what I said post-round,”

Woods said Tuesday. “I was in shock just like everyone else, trying to put it in words going forward.

“The reality of the situation is Kobe and Gigi are not here, but it’s hard to accept,” Woods continued.

‘We had our 20-year run together,’ says Woods as he mourns Kobe https://news.abs-cbn. com/sports/01/28/20/ we-had-our-20-year-runtogether-says-woods-ashe-mourns-kobe “People who are close him and all the families, it’s just hard to accept that reality.”

Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, has announced a public “celebration of life” for Kobe, Gianna and the other crash victims will be held on February 24 at Staples Center arena.

The date - 2-24-20 - honors the jersey numbers 2 and 24 worn by Gianna and Bryant and the 20 years Bryant was in the NBA. But even as such plans go forward, Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram on Monday to express her own struggle to come to terms with her family’s loss.

“My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote.

“I can’t process both at the same time. It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong ... I’m so mad.

She had so much life to live.”

Surprisingly, the Knicks are the highest value NBA team

T

he New York Knicks remain the most valuable team in the NBA, with an estimated worth of $4.6 billion, according to Forbes' Kurt Badenhausen.

That �igure is up from the Knicks' $4 billion valuation in 2019. The order of the top �ive remains unchanged, with the Los Angeles Lakers ($4.4 billion), Golden State Warriors ($4.3 billion), Chicago Bulls ($3.2 billion) and Boston Celtics ($3.1 billion) following New York.

NBA Team Valuations

Luisita will miss the services of last year’s standout Edmund Yee, shown here celebrating a birdie in the final round to clinch the title for Luisita.

1. New York Knicks ($4.6 billion) 2. Los Angeles Lakers ($4.4 billion) 3. Golden State Warriors ($4.3 billion) 4. Chicago Bulls ($3.2 billion) 5. Boston Celtics ($3.1 billion) 6. Los Angeles Clippers ($2.6 billion) 7. Brooklyn Nets ($2.5 billion) 8. Houston Rockets ($2.475 billion) 9. Dallas Mavericks ($2.4 billion) 10. Toronto Raptors ($2.1 billion) 11.

Philadelphia 76ers ($2 billion) 12. Miami Heat ($1.95 billion)

13. Portland Trail Blazers ($1.85 billion) 14. San Antonio Spurs ($1.8 billion) 15. Sacramento Kings ($1.775 billion) 16. Washington Wizards ($1.75 billion) 17. Phoenix Suns ($1.625 billion) 18. Denver Nuggets ($1.6 billion) 19. Milwaukee Bucks ($1.58 billion) 20. Oklahoma City Thunder ($1.575 billion) 21. Utah Jazz ($1.55 billion) 22. Indiana Pacers ($1.525 billion) 23. Atlanta Hawks ($1.52 billion) 24. Cleveland Cavaliers ($1.51 billion) 25. Charlotte Hornets ($1.5 billion) 26. Detroit Pistons ($1.45 billion) 27. Orlando Magic ($1.43 billion) 28. Minnesota Timberwolves ($1.375 billion) 29. New Orleans Pelicans ($1.35 billion) 30. Memphis Grizzlies ($1.3 billion) Darren Rovell of the Action Network noted this is the �irst time the average value of an NBA franchise has eclipsed $2 billion ($2.12 bil-

SURPRISINGLY, P9

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

KICKOFF

RMC Davao United, Solido, CR7, NUFC-A sizzle in Philam 7s opener

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

An RMC booter tries to score a penalty kick off a wall during the Mixed 11 match between RMC and NUFC.

VOL.12 ISSUE 242 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020

P

hilam Life 7s Football League Season 5 formally kicked off on Saturday with the Davao tournament staged at the Azuela Cove.

The seven-a-side football competition simultaneously kicked off in �ive locations namely McKinley Stadium in Taguig, in Muntinlupa, Clark, Bacolod, and Davao while the Iloilo leg is scheduled to open on Feb. 15.

In the opening men's matches on Saturday, RMC Davao United routed DAVRAA 8-1, RMC Rookie turned back Ctahiana Hearts 4-2, CR7 Foodtruck edged Solido FC 4-3, Orlando FC swamped FCFC 8-0, Solido FC niped RMC Rookie 6-5, Orlando FC stopped CR7 Foodtruck 4-2, RMC Davao United survived Cathiana Hearts 4-3 and DAVRAA pulled off a 4-3 win over FCFC. In the women's open, Solido FC beat RMC 6-2, CR7 Foodtruck drubbed D'DS Khanj 5-1, Solido blanked Ateneo 10-0, CR7 routed RMC 7-0 and Ateneo edged Rebels 2-1.

In the mixed 11, Tamasak Panabo blanked Rovers FC 3-0, NUFC-A massacred FAMAH 13-0, NUFC-A routed Tamasak Panabo 10-1, Rovers tripped FAMAH 6-3, Tamasak beat AMSAI 5-2 and NUFC-A blasted AMSAI

8-0.

In the Davao tournament, 12 teams are entered in the 9 mixed, 14 teams in the 11 mixed, 6 teams in the 13 boys, 6 teams in the 15 boys, 6 teams in the women’s open, and 8 teams in the men’s open.

A total of 80 teams will see action in each game day with 24 in the men’s division, 10 in the women’s �ield, and 48 in the youth cluster.

League founder Anton del Rosario, a former defender for the Philippine Azkals, said expanding 7s Football has been the main priority for the tournament which led to the idea of holding opening matches across the three major islands of the country.

“One of the things we want to focus on was our expansion to these locations,” said del Rosario during a press conference last week at Belle and Dragon in Makati.

“We wanted to make sure that all of us are uni�ied and working together. We sat down with each of the operators and got them all ready for the kick off this weekend.”

Batangas was initially set to join this weekend’s festivities but the organizers decided to push it back after the Taal Volcano eruption hampered the daily life in the province.