Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 244 | Saturday, February 15, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

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Hotel execs seek DOT’s help amid travel bans due to Covid, ASF

By MAYA M. PADILLO group of hotel managers in Davao City is seeking the help of the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the City Tourism Of�ice in promoting local tourism to help them cope with the impact of travel ban due to coronavirus disease (COVID 19) and the effect of African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in the city.

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Benjamen Banzon, general manager of The Royal Mandaya Hotel (TRMH), told media in Kapihan sa PIA at TRMH the group had their �irst meeting on Thursday

(February 13) together with managers of various hotels in Davao City.

Banzon said their meeting focused on the nature of assistance that they will be needing from

the national and the local governments, how are they going to respond and prepare themselves amid the outbreaks.

“Are we going to allow our staff to wear masks,

HELP, P9

A female police officer of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) distributes roses to park goers on Valentine's Day at Rizal Park in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Valentine mass wedding in Davao City defies virus fears

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round 100 couples tied the knot in a mass wedding in President Rodrigo Duterte's hometown on Valentine's Day, despite concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus from Wuhan, China.

Organizers from state-run Pag-IBIG Fund, some of them wearing face masks, checked the couples for fever, a symptom of the pathogen COVID-19, before they were allowed to enter the venue of the free mass wedding.

"I though the wedding won't push through. It's okay that our temperature is checked because that's for everyone's security. I'm thankful that we're �inally wed," At-

chome Jampang, who married her partner of 12 years, said in the local dialect.

Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio earlier canceled events for the celebration of her city's anniversary, as a precaution against the coronavirus that has killed some 1,500 people, mostly in mainland China.

The Philippines has temporarily banned inbound travel from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan to halt the spread of COVID-19.

All of the Philippines' 3 con�irmed cases of the virus, including 1 death, are tourists from Wuhan in central China, where the virus was �irst reported.

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

35 couples vow ‘till death do us part’ before Mayor Sara T

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day before St. Valentine’s Day, 35 couples vowed their “till death do us part” in a mass wedding of�iciated by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in Buhangin Proper.

Dubbed the Kasalan ng Barangay, the mass wedding on Thursday was timed for the 25th Araw ng Barangay Buhangin Proper. The NCCC Mall Buhangin became the venue of the once in a lifetime event for the 35 couples, mostly living together for many years and bore children.

Buhangin Proper Barangay Captain Jimmy Salvador was thankful that the event was �inally realized after many village of�icials requested to host a mass wedding.

“Isa ni sa mga namug-

na sa barangay kay daghan man muadto sa barangay mangutana kung naa ba Kasalan ng Barangay. So nahimo ni siya. Isa gyud ni sa activities sa Araw ng Barangay (This is one of the ideas of the Barangay Council since many people had been asking for about it. That is why this became one of the activities of the Araw ng Barangay),” Salvador said.

Salvador was thankful to Mayor Sara for taking time to of�iciate the mass wedding.

Heidee and Renato Panes, one of the couples,

Sarangani allots P3 M for measures vs ASF, Covid-19

have been together for 23 years and have 3 children, said they had been looking forward to the Kasalan ng Barangay. Without it, their wedding would not be possible, they said.

Renato was jubilant that his bond with Heidee, his love of his life, is now legal.

“Sobra ang saya ko nga nakasal na jud ko sa pinakamahal ko na asawa (I am extremely happy that I am �inally married to my beloved wife),” he said.

The Panes couple has three children with ages 23, 19, and 16. Renato shared that �inally their children’s surname will be transferred to his surname as they are now legally married.

Heidee also thanked Mayor Sara and other

sponsors who made the wedding possible.

“Nagpasalamat gyud mi sa mga sponsor, kay Inday Sara, tanan nag-sponsor, daghan kaayong salamat na nakasal nami.

Kung dili tungod sa ilaha, dili mi makasal (We are very thankful to Mayor Inday Sara and to all the sponsors. Thank you so much for making our wedding possible. If not for them, we would not be wed),” she stressed.

In her message, Mayor Sara advised couples to plan their family well.

“Importante ang pagplano para sa atoang pamilya. So kung pila tong kaya nato nga anak nga mapahuman ug iskwela mao to ang atoang tutukan sa atoang oras, sa atoang panahon, ug

35 COUPLES, P9

he provincial government of Sarangani has allocated some PHP3 million to augment its interventions against the African Swine Fever (ASF) and the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The funds were approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial board during its regular session on Tuesday based on a request from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon certi�ied as urgent the approval of the funding, which will be used for “the prevention and control of the threats” of both diseases.

He said they allotted some PHP2 million for the interventions against the ASF and PHP1 million for Covid-19.

The funding, which was drawn from the province’s unexpended PHP24.6 million Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management trust fund, was approved by the PDRRMC in an emergency meeting last Friday.

Dr. Arvin Alejandro, head of the Provincial Health Of�ice (PHO), said they requested for the allocation in the wake of the nationwide alert on the possible spread of Covid-19, which had been declared by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency.

He said the funds will be utilized to procure personal protective equipment (PPE), among them standard protective face masks, and disinfectants to prevent the possible outbreak of the disease in the province.

“The procurement of the needed equipment and chemicals are [sic] already being processed (by the local government),” he said in a statement.

But he said they have standby reusable PPEs and misting machines that could be used in emergency situations involving “highly infectious disease.”

Last week, the PHO placed under isolation and quarantine for Covid-19 at least four tourists from Fujian, China who visited a beach resort in Glan town.

The City of Mati LGU is serious in running against illegal businesses in the city. This after it discovered that more than 200 businesses have not renewed their permits for 2020.

The Business Permits and Licensing Of�ice (BPLO) facilitated a meeting for the creation of a Joint Inspection Team (JIT) that will conduct inspection on establishments that have not renewed their permits.

According to Salve Castro, BPLO of�icer-in-charge, there are 286 establishments in the City of Mati that haven’t renewed their permits — 162 of which are from Barangay Central.

The Joint Inspection Team is composed of the the Business Permits and Licensing Of�ice, City Tourism and Promotions Of�ice, City Treasurer’s Of�ice, City Planning and Development Of�ice, City Health Of�ice-Sanitary Inspection Section, City Administrator’s Of�ice, Bureau of Fire Protection, and City Engineering Of�ice.

The City Planning Development Of�ice and Business Permits will conduct site mapping starting February 17 in preparation for the inspection of the Joint Inspection Team.

The inspection will run for the whole month of February. (CIO MATI)

SARANGANI, P9

Mati City creates JIT vs. erring businesses

Students walk by a heart shaped structure at Brokenshire Convention Center in Madapo Hills, Davao City on Valentine's Day. Lean Daval Jr

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

NEWS 3

PH mulls Singapore travel ban against coronavirus

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he Philippines is assessing the risks of a possible travel ban on Singapore to curb the spread of a novel coronavirus outbreak from China, Manila's health chief said Friday.

Manila earlier banned inbound �lights from China, its special administrative regions Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Taiwan, which Beijing claims. "'Yong risk assessment ipi-present ko mamaya sa inter-agency task force kung napapanahon ba na i-exclude natin ang Taiwan o Hong Kong; o kung dapat ba nating i-include ang Singapore," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

(I will present later the risk assessment on wheth-

er it is time to exclude Taiwan or Hong Kong from the ban, or include Singapore.)

"Gusto ko (I want) very independent, very objective parameters or criteria," he added.

Singapore, which con�irmed at least 58 cases of the novel coronavirus, had raised its health alert level to the same as during the 2002-2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.

The island hosts some 200,000 Filipinos, according to the Philippine embassy there.

Taiwan, which has 18 cases of the disease, said it was considering countermeasures if the Philippines did not lift the travel ban it imposed this week.

TUCP rejects DOLE, POEA lifting of deployment ban to Kuwait

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he Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) expressed shock and anger with the lifting by the DOLE/ POEA of the deployment ban on household service workers to Kuwait amid the brutal death of overseas Filipino worker Jeanelyn Villavende.

"We cannot understand the lack of empathy of Secretary Bello for the plight of some 200 OFWs who have died under suspicious circumstances in Kuwait and the ongoing search for justice for Jeanalynn. That Sec. Bello

announced the lifting of the ban in his meeting with local recruitment agencies clearly revealed Bello's misplaced pruorities. It is clear that the DOLE/POEA places the private business intetest of recruiters �irst while treating the public interest concerns of OFWs as an afterthought.

This leaves a bad taste in our mouths. DOLE/ POEA are dealing a disservice to our President's advocacy for OFWs," said TUCP President Rep. Raymond Mendoza (TUCP Partylist), Chairman of the House Committee on Overseas

Department of the Interior and Local Government 11 (DILG 11) director Alex Roldan (right), together with 10th Infantry Division spokesperson Captain Jerry Lamosao, shares during this week’s Kapihan sa PIA at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday some of the results and achievements

after Executive Order 70, which seeks to institute a “whole of government”approach in addressing communist insurgency, was implemented. Lean Daval Jr

Trillanes, 11 others ordered arrested over 'Bikoy' videos

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Quezon City court has ordered the arrest of former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and 10 other individuals supposedly responsible for circulating the videos alleging the presTUCP, P9 idential family's drug involvement.

The arrest orders have been issued after the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City on Monday charged Trillanes and his supposed cohorts with conspiracy to commit sedition. A ₱10,000 bail bond was recommended for their provisional liberty.

Joemel Advincula, who admitted being the hooded "Bikoy" shown in the series of "Ang Totoong Narcolist" viral videos linking President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to

the illegal drug trade, was also among those charged.

The others are Joel Saracho, Boom Enriquez, a certain "Monique," Yolanda Ong, Vicente Romano III, Fr. Albert Alejo, Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Jonnel Sangalang, and Eduardo Acierto.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas on Thursday explained that Trillanes and the 10 other respondents have only been charged for conspiracy to commit sedition, and not inciting for sedition, since there was no overt acts to call for public uprising.

“Those accused have been charged for circulating malicious libels and fabricating evidence to make it appear that Duterte and his family are in-

volved in drug trade as an act of revenge," Torrevillas said in a media brie�ing.

"The conspiracy here was to in�lict libelous imputations against the president," she added.

According to Article 141 of the Revised Penal Code, persons conspiring to commit the crime of sedition shall be punished with reclusion perpetua or up to 40 years in prison.

Trillanes called the case "absurd," and noted that the Duterte administration is using the issue to "weaponize the law" against the opposition, critics, and the media.

Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo and 25 members of the opposition were earlier cleared of sedition and other complaints.

tion.

“They were issued certi�ication noting that they have properly complied and completed the quarantine protocol set by the Department of Health (DOH),” he said.

Alejandro said the Chinese nationals, who were from Fujian province in China, were brought directly to the city international airport for their scheduled �light to Manila.

He said they had coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Cebu Paci�ic for the rebooking of the �lights of the foreigners back to China.

The tourists were sent to the DOH-run drug rehabilitation center last

Feb. 6, then on their seventh day in the country, to undergo quarantine after being considered as persons under monitoring (PUM) for Covid-19.

Although asymptomatic, the four were classi�ied as PUMs as they came from mainland China, where the Covid-19 outbreak was �irst reported.

The foreigners entered the country last Jan. 30 through a �light from Guangdong, China to Clark International Airport and were initially allowed to proceed after clearing the thermal scanners at the airport.

The tourists �lew to Davao City and stayed there for three days before traveling to this city

4 Chinese tourists released from quarantine in Sarangani

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Regional Veterinary Quarantine Officer Dr. Teresa Bacayo provides updates during this week’s Kapihan sa PIA at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Friday on the African swine fever outbreak in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr

ealth personnel in Sarangani province discharged on Thursday the four Chinese tourists who were placed under quarantine last week for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Dr. Arvin Alejandro, head of the Sarangani health of�ice, said the foreigners were released around 5:50 a.m. from the isolation facility of the Regional Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Kawas, Alabel town after completing their 14-day mandatory quarantine.

He said all four tourists, one of them a minor, did not show any sign and symptom, and were cleared of Covid-19 infec-

4 CHINESE, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Rabbit meat is safe, viable alternative to pork - BAI

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abbit meat can be used as an alternative for pork, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said Thursday as the African swine �lu (ASF) outbreak continues to cut into the country's hog supply.

Dr. Eduardo Torne, the BAI-Livestock Research and Development Division of�icer in charge, said that rabbit meat is safe to consume.

"Zoonotic diseases... are diseases na nandun sa hayop na pwedeng makalipat sa tao. So far sa international study, wala pa naman tayong nakikita na pwedeng lumipat sa tao from rabbit," Torne said in an interview.

Around the Philippines, rabbit meat is already being consumed, although the market for it is still relatively small

compared to other types of animal meat.

In a recent interview with reporters, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that he has tried rabbit meat, and it tasted like chicken.

"Ang growth cycle noon ay mas lesser than other potential substitute. it will be cheaper," Dar said.

Art Veneracion, a hog raiser who shifted to rabbit farming after losing his livestock to the ASF outbreak, shared his experience on raising rabbits.

"From date of birth up to three months, iyan yung ini-slaughter namin.

Usually, average yan from 1.8 kilos live to 2.1 kilos.

Sa 70-day cycle, �ive times in a year kung manganak yan," he explained.

In setting up his rabbit

a national policy that will coordinate and harmonize measures and cushion the impact of the ASF outbreak, “not only on animal health aspect, but to business and economy as well.”

Marin revealed that since the ASF outbreak in Davao Occidental, there has been a decline in the transport of swine from General Santos to their traditional markets, causing potential income losses for hog raisers.

Swine raisers complained that they could not sell since two weeks ago and that their hogs are now overweight and already beyond the ideal market size of 90 to 100 kilos, he said.

This could readily mean losses to the hog raisers, he pointed out.

“Swine that were supposed to be sold last month are now at 120 kilos and growing,” he said.

Should such situation continue, hog traders here raised fears of a possible imbalance in the supply

and demand of swine and pork products when traditional markets in Visayas and Luzon start to feel a shortage in supply.

There are already reports of higher pork prices in some places where local hog raisers sell their produce and this may just be an offshoot of that emerging imbalance, Marin said.

“GenSan can supply ASF-free swine, only that we have to be allowed easy passage in areas where they have imposed lockdowns,” he said.

The of�icial proposed that higher authorities declare the city as an “ASF-Protected Zone” and hogs being transported from here be given easy access to their markets after they are tested for and cleared of the disease.

On the other hand, Catulpos said government must look into opening a shipping route that will link this city to Manila and the Visayas to ferry livestock and their products.

In relation to this, Marin said there must also be a policy to protect livestock traders from the city considering they face the risk of falling victim to “predatory trading” in bringing live animals to far destinations.

In “predatory trading,” buyers can dictate prices that are disadvantageous to legitimate hog dealers who face potential losses because it would be more costly for them to bring back their animals.

As this developed, Marin clari�ied that General Santos is not on a lockdown, but imposes strict regulations like not allowing entry of hog or pork product shipments that lack necessary permits and health clearances.

Asked by a reporter if the present situation is bringing them headache, Marin retorted, “Hindi sakit sa ulo, masakit sa puso (It is not headache, it pains the heart). [Rommel Rebollido/MindaNews]

ference on its campaign against Malaria on Thursday in Taguig City.

Udenna Corp., in November 2019, announced it has signed a sale and purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Chevron Malampaya, which holds a 45% interest in Malampaya.

The deal remains subject to regulatory approvals, including the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

SPEx also holds 45% stake in the Malampaya consortium, while the remaining 10% belongs to

National Oil Company-Exploration Corp.

Aside from Chevron, the Malampaya consortium counts as members Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEx), and the Philippine National Oil Company – Exploration Corp. as members.

Asked what would be the impact to Shell of Uy’s buy out of its partner Chevron in Malampaya consortium, Abaricia said it would not have material impact on the operations of the gas-to-power facility since “the expertise is with us.”

tor kung ano [desisyon] ng partner namin, binenta na ano magagawa namin,” he said.

The Malampaya gas-topower facility fuels three gas-�ired power plants with a total generating capacity of 2,700 megawatts (MW), providing up to 30% of the power generation needs of Luzon.

Connected to onshore gas plants in Batangas, the Malampaya offshore facility in Northern Palawan was inaugurated in 2001.

Estimates showed its gas reserves are suf�icient until 2022 to 2024.

A florist prepares a bouquet of roses as customers wait at a flower stall along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Valentine’s Day. Lean Daval Jr

RABBIT, P9

ASF fears threaten GenSan’s P8.4-billion swine industry

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his city’s P8.4-billion swine and pork industry, the third largest in the country, could collapse if no measures would be undertaken to address problems caused by fears of the African Swine Fever (ASF), a business leader warned.

Elmer V. Catulpos, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. said that while no single case of ASF in General Santos has yet been reported, swine producers are bracing for an emerging problem – Where to market their produce?

So far, the city remains free from ASF and veterinary of�icials, who vowed to protect at all cost the area from the virus, said they can only do so much in ensuring the safety and health of locally grown hogs.

The problem has prompted of�icials and business leaders to seek intervention from the nation-

al government.

This, as a veterinary of�icial aired worries of swine producers of potential income losses due to a decline in market.

This city’s swine population is pegged at 457,000 heads with around 420,000 in large-scale commercial hog farms and the rest in backyard swine-raising.

The seemingly “panicky approach” by some local government units, not the ASF, is what may endanger the swine industry in General Santos, remarked city veterinarian Dr. Antonio Ephrem S. Marin.

Marin lamented what he called the seeming lack of a general policy to har-

monize efforts by LGUs to confront the effects of the animal disease to business and economy.

He said General Santos remains free from the swine virus and they “will do everything to protect the city from ASF.” The city supplies 25,000 to 30,000 swine heads monthly to as far as Luzon and the Visayas, taking land transport since sea vessels have stopped serving the General Santos route for years now.

But after some LGUs imposed lockdowns trucks carrying swine from General Santos were forced to �ind other routes, which means longer travel time.

This means more expense on vehicle fuel and maintenance, more food allowance for drivers and crew and feeds for the live animals, “all these eating up much on the income of farm owners,” Catulpos said.

Catulpos believed the issue must be addressed by

Shakey's, Century tuna maker Shell Phils. to operate Malampaya despite Uy’s buy out of Chevron turn plastic waste into energy hell Philippines will Pilipinas Shell’s press con- state-owned Philippine “We are just the opera-

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hakey's Pizza Asia Ventures and Century Paci�ic Food Inc said Friday they were "plastic-neutral," converting 100 percent of their plastic waste to energy.

The two members of the Po family's Century Paci�ic Group said plastic waste is turned into energy "co-processing" that uses heat to destroy and recover thermal or mineral properties.

Shakey's Pizza Asia operates the pizza restaurant chain of the same name while Century Paci�ic Food manufactures Century

Tuna and 555 brands of canned seafood.

The energy produced from the waste serves an fuel for Republic Cement, replacing coal, the companies told the stock exchange.

In 2019, Century Paci�ic, Republic Cement along with Friends of Hope agreed to co-process "post-consumer plastic waste" and convert it to energy.

“While co-processing is not the perfect solution, it can mitigate the environmental impact of plastic usage,” said CPG president

SHAKEY’S, P9

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remain the operator of Malampaya gas �ield in offshore Palawan despite Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp.’s buy out of all the shares of its consortium partner Chevron Malampaya LLC. Pilipinas Shell communications manager Cesar Abaricia said Thursday that under the joint venture deal for the Malampaya consortium, Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEx) is the operator of the gas �ield.

“The contract naman kasi is kami pa rin ang operator,” Abaricia told reporters on the sidelines of

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Covid-19 seen to slow PH economic growth

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he Philippine economy is projected to weaken to about 5.8 percent this year, lower than last year’s 5.9 percent output if the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak lasts for around six months.

A report by Union Bank of the Philippines’ (UnionBank) Economic Research Unit (ERU) dated February 13 traced the risks to growth to the decline in tourist arrivals, as well as exports and imports from China.

The Philippine government has banned tourists from mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and those who have been to these four places 14 days prior to their arrival here.

The report said Chinese tourists are the second largest visitors to the Philippines in 2018 and tourism revenues from this group account for around 12.7 percent of the domestic economy’s output that year.

Anxieties on the disease will also affect travel plans of other foreign tourists as well as local tourists, and this is expected to further increase the hit on tourism receipts, it said.

Supply chain disruption is seen to impact both the Philippines exports to China and imports from China given the temporary halting of operations of factories and manufacturing �irms on account of the Covid-19.

“The expected strong and consistent recovery of

the export sector in 2020 may have to wait until the spread is contained and businesses go back to normal in China,” it said.

It said that “imports may improve ahead of exports as the Duterte government resumes its ‘double stimulus’ through infrastructure development and social services spending.”

In�lation, in turn, is seen to post an average of 2.7 percent this year if the virus is contained within three months, and an average of 2.6 percent if the virus is contained within six months.

UnionBank’s ERU earlier projected in�lation to average at 3.2 percent this year.

Last year, the domestic rate of price increases averaged 2.5 percent.

With these factors, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seen to deliver its next 25-basis-point key policy rates reduction “earlier than expected” after the same level of rate cut decided on by the policy-making Monetary Board (MB) last February 6.

To date, the MB is generally projected to announce the next rate cut in the second half of this year.

“Furthermore, if and when the outbreak lasts longer than anticipated, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak lasted about 7-8 months, there may be more easing actions from the Philippine central bank to help cushion the impact on economic growth,” the report added.

(PNA)

ANZ Research keeps 6.2% GDP 2020 forecast for PH for now

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NZ Research has maintained its 6.2-percent growth forecast for the Philippine economy this year, pending incoming data for the �irst quarter vis-à-vis the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a report, the research unit of the Melbourne-headquartered investment bank continued to see the recovery of the domestic economy, although this forecast is to be delayed because of the epidemic’s impact.

Citing the impact on tourism, remittances, and trade, among others, the report said Covid-19 may hit the domestic economy’s �irst-quarter output, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP), by as much as 0.42 percentage point.

“The impact on full-year GDP is unclear for now. It will depend on the scale and duration of the outbreak, as well as how quickly the Philippine economy can rebound subsequently,” it said.

The report expected a large part of the knockout to happen in the �irst three months of the year, with recovery expected in the second half of the year due to monetary and �iscal stimulus.

“In this scenario, the

impact of the Covid-19 on full-year growth should be relatively modest,” it said.

It also saw the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) delivering another 25-basis-point reduction in its key policy rates in the second quarter this year after the same level of rate cut last February 6.

The forecast also took into account the wait-andsee stance for �irst-quarter economic data but the report said “it is conceivable that a higher-than-expected impact from the coronavirus may extend the easing cycle further.”

“Separately, cuts in the reserve requirement ratio are also likely to continue,” it added.

Last year, the central bank’s key policy rates were slashed by a total of 75 basis points after the 175-basis-point increase in 2018 to address the elevated in�lation rate.

Banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) was also reduced by as much as 400 basis points.

With a drop in the rate of price increases last year, which bottomed out to 0.8 percent last October, economists said Philippine monetary of�icials have more leeway to cut key rates this year since growth is also expected to recover sans the Covid-19 issue. (PNA)

ECONOMY 5

The Royal Mandaya Hotel (TRMH) general manager Benjamen Banzon bares during the Kapihan sa PIA at Club Cabana of TRMH on Friday that the hotel industry in Davao City is greatly affected by the coronavirus disease (Novid-19) threat and the African swine fever (ASF). Lean Daval Jr

Greater consensus needed to lower shipping costs urged

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP)-Southern Mindanao is pushing for a greater consensus from the Mindanao business community to lower the cost of shipping.

Republic Act 10668, which amended the Cabotage Law of the Philippines, was signed into law by then President Benigno S.C. Aquino III on July 21, 2015 while its implementing rules and regulation were completed in May 2016.

The IRR carried amendments intended to lower logistics cost and ease restrictions by allowing foreign ships to transport cargo directly to and from any local port.

However, up to now the impact on improving logistics and lowering shipping costs in Mindanao has yet to be felt.

“This cannot just be done overnight. There is got to be greater consensus of the Mindanao business

community to really push for the lowering of shipping costs. I think it will happen,” said Antonio Peralta, ECCP-SMBC chairman.

Peralta is hopeful that the business sector and the government would be more proactive in inviting foreign shipping companies to serve ports outside Manila.

“I am hoping for the very pro-active and pro-business environment espouse by the current administration. I think there should be changes that are forthcoming for the improvement of the shipping rates as well as the condition of vessels,” he said.

The shipping cost, which is calculated by the shipping rate nautical per

mile and basically used Manila as point of reference for the shipping port: Manila to Kaoshiung, $0.55 and Manila to Hong Kong is $0.39 but Manila to Davao is $0.97. Basically this excludes terminal fee and documentation fee.

“It’s very hard for us to accept na mataas yung shipping cost natin, biruin mo it’s like almost over 31 percent of your product cost sa Luzon its 17 percent lang,” he said.

The high shipping cost was among the highlights of ECCP’s Business Conference on Logistics in the Visayas and Mindanao last January 31 in Davao City.

“Why after all these years there was no decline on our shipping cost?” he said.

It was also discussed during the conference the number of maritime accidents, ageing vessels, low incentives given to shipping companies, and lack of coordination between the producers and the shipping companies.

“That was only half- day conference and normally it was meant to just open up the issue for the basis to a larger conference,” he said.

Peralta said the sequel of the said conference will discuss how high shipping cost impact plans of foreign companies to come to Mindanao.

From the original schedule in March this year, the conference is postponed to June or July this year. Peralta said they decided to cancel the March conference in Davao City following the pronouncements of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio banning events here due to novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) scare.

“Yun lang because of the present situation of the COVID we have to cancel some conferences that is supposed to happen here this March and hoping that the situation will be back to normal this July for our conference of Cabotage Law or shipping situation in Mindanao,” he said.

initially issue PHP15 billion worth of Series K Bonds and Series L Bonds, with an oversubscription option for a maximum of PHP5 billion, at 100 percent of the face value, based on documents submitted to the SEC. The bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of PHP20,000 and in multiples of PHP10,000 thereafter. They will be listed and traded in denominations of PHP10,000 on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

The Series K Bonds will mature in �ive years while the Series L Bonds will be due seven years from the

issue date.

SM Prime may redeem in whole the Series K Bonds at 101.0 percent on the 6th and 7th interest payment dates or at 100.5 percent on the 8th and 9th interest payment dates.

Meanwhile, it may redeem the Series L Bonds at 101.0 percent on the 10th and 11th interest payment dates or at 100.5 percent on the 12th and 13th interest payment dates.

SM Prime expects to net PHP14,794,304,835 from the base offer and PHP4,937,250,000 from the oversubscription option.

The proceeds will pri-

marily �inance capital expenditures for new malls and expansion projects.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp., China Bank Capital Corporation, BPI Capital Corporation, East West Banking Corporation, First Metro Investment Corporation, RCBC Capital Corporation and SB Capital Investment Corporation have agreed to act as joint lead underwriters for the offer.

SM Prime may issue the remaining debt securities under its shelf-registration in tranches within three years from the effective date of the registration statement. (PR)

SEC approves SM Prime’s P100-B bond program

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has given SM Prime Holdings, Inc. the go-signal to issue debt securities worth P100 billion under a shelf registration.

In its meeting on Tuesday, the Commission En Banc rendered effective SM Prime’s registration statement and approved the issuance of the corresponding order of registration, as well as the permit to sell securities to the public for the initial tranche only, subject to the company’s compliance with certain requirements.

SM Prime intends to

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

EDITORIAL

Understanding the Covid crisis

A leading platform connecting foreign domestic workers and families in Asia has come up with vital survey-based information on the situation involving domestic workers in Hong Kong particularly Filipinos.

Founded in 2012 by two French banking executives in Hong Kong, HelperChoice was set up as a social enterprise, and its impact was recognised by many organisations, including the International Labour Organisation. HelperChoice has been acquired by Yoopies in 2019. With this acquisition, the European-based group Yoopies became the global leader outside of the United States in domestic jobs recruitment.

The platform has carried out a survey with 921 domestic workers currently deployed in Hong Kong where they shared how the current virus and travel ban from the Philippines are affecting their daily lives and work. There are currently 400,000 domestic helpers working in the city, of which a majority are from the Philippines and Indonesia, and this number is expected to keep rising in the coming years.

Unfortunate turn of events had domestic workers in the Chinese territory hit by months of political unrest and now, the Coronavirus Disease (Covid). While every citizen is taking extra precautions to avoid being infected, the current situation is also preventing foreign domestic workers, for most times, to go out on their weekly rest day.

Last January 30, the Hong Kong Labour Department advised in an of�icial notice, all foreign domestic workers to stay home on their rest day, the spokesperson saying: “The Labour Department (LD) today (January 30) appealed to foreign domestic helpers (FDHs) to stay home on their rest day in order to safeguard their personal health and to reduce the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community.”

Aside from the government recommendations, a large majority of the surveyed

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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

helpers either discussed the current situation with their employers (60%), their friends in the city (65%) or their relatives back home (76%).

Another challenge is having to deal with fake news sources, which victimize domestic helpers. By analysing the social media channels of helpers’ communities in the city, the platform realised that there is a lot of misinformation. Mahee Leclerc, Head of HelperChoice in Hong Kong declares: “approximately 1/3rd of the Facebook posts about the virus that we see in foreign domestic workers’ groups are either inexact or completely untrue”. A concerning result as 84% of the respondents declare social media as their primary source of information about the virus.

In order to avoid the proliferation of fake news, all foreign workers were advised to verify the sources everytime they receive or read new information, as well as double check them on other media. The best practice, according to the platform, is to follow their Consulate Facebook page for updates.

As to the travel ban imposed by the Philippines, majority of the respondents say they are not affected. At the moment no Filipino citizen currently in the Philippines can travel to China or its Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao. 54% of the surveyed workers are not affected, 16% are personally affected and 30% have close friends or relatives affected by this ban. The situation has left employers of foreign domestic workers in dif�icult situations as new overseas hires and domestic workers that went back to the Philippines for holidays are now unable to travel back to Hong Kong.

Overall, the responses from the survey were extremely positive and understanding.

Most domestic helpers in HK understand that this is about world health concern and although it has hit them hard, they know it is necessary.

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 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

JOHN CARLO B. TRIA MY TWO CENTS’

THIS TOO SHALL PASS, MY FRIENDS Yes, as they have many times before. We have been through SARS, MERS COV, Dengue. Even the Iran con�lict retreated from feared armageddon and the �ires in Australia stopped burning. All within the month of January. Thus, no matter how disruptive the situation may be, things always taper off or cease.

Yet may people still feel the need to pander to notions of a doomsday scenario and decide to feel helpless in the face of these threats and happenings.

Like they are drowing in their fear.

Nonetheless, the Senate hearing called by Senator Bong Go of the Senate Health Committee on the Ncov revealed our resolve to overcome these beliefs and hope for the best.

During the said hearing Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said that the Philippine economy would be able to

sustain its growth momentum this year despite the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus (nCoV), the African Swine Fever (ASF) and the eruption of Taal Volcano.

He said that the economic team stands by its target of attaining a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.5 to 7.5 percent despite this, as predicted by some economists.

The last quarter 2019 6.4% GDP performance is to be the benchmark for sets the stage for the rest of the years numbers.

I believe there are good reasons for this. For one, our local consumption will enable us to continue driving demand for commodities and other products, especially food, that we can produce. Lower demand for fuel may even drive oil prices down.

Likewise, a reduction in foreign travel may force Pinoys

to travel within the Philippines rathern than abroad due to fears of the virus.

In the hearing, Dominguez said that our experience during the previous outbreaks of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H1N1, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERSCoV) might show nCoVs impact on our economy.

During the SARS episode in 2003, he said, tourist arrivals to the Philippines dropped by 1.3 percent, from 1.93 million in 2002 to 1.90 million in 2003, but rebounded quickly the following year, with arrivals increasing 20.1 percent to 2.3 million visitors.

I will expect us to experience a slight decline in exports such as electronics and auto parts, since demand in China may decrease. Note that China is now our top trading partner when you include Hongkong, and is ASEANs top trading

partner. Any decrease in its economic growth will have an effect all over asia.

To deal with these disruptions an imperative, or necessity, if you will is to strengthen agriculture to allow us to continue meeting the food demand, if not lowering food prices to keep in�lation down.

If agriculture grows at 2% as hoped for in 2020, expect farmer incomes to rise as it meets demand that may not be �illed with imports, fears about the virus latching on to imported food products may persist.

Thus, the need for local supply of various commodities to be ramped up.

For those asking me about the effect of the discovered African Swine Flu (ASF) infection in Davao Occidental, we laud the efforts of the local government and the Department of Agriculture to quickly impose a lockdown and to prevent pigs

from reaching Davao. Yet vigilance against unscrupulous producers, who will take advantage of the situation to raise prices unfairly, must remain.

Moving forward, the efforts of a wide range of stakeholders must be strong to prevent the spread of the disease to our pig farms. Note that 75% of the almost one million hogs in the Davao region are backyard raised. We must �ind ways for these raisers to avoid swill feeding, which is a key transmission pathway of the ASF virus.

As previous outbreaks have been contained, we know that these current ones will pass too as efforts will eventually bear fruit, as they have in the past. What matters now is that new protocols to deal with outbreaks are learned and adapted.

For reactions: facebook. com/johntriapage

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

WHAT’S IN A NAME? “Names are strange and special gifts. There are names you give to yourself and names you show to the world, names that stay for a short while and names that remain with you forever, names that come from things you do and names that you receive as presents from other people. If your name is true, it is who you are.” – Michael Dorris in Morning Girl *** And it came to pass that three people (a pastor, a priest and a lawyer) died and their souls went to heaven. However, before they could enter heaven, each has to answer a question from Saint Peter.

“What is the name of the British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912 after striking an iceberg during her maiden voyage?” asked Saint Peter to the pastor.

The pastor answered, “I have seen the movie and I know the answer. It’s Titanic.”

To the priest, Saint Peter inquired, “Of the estimated 2,224 passengers and crew aboard, how many people died when it sank?”

“More than 1,500 perished,” the priest replied.

Saint Peter then faced the lawyer and asked, “Name all those who died.”

I know you laugh after reading the anecdote. But

what I want to point out is the importance of names. “The names of the list mean something,” wrote Julie Orringer in The Flight Portfolio. “Every one. They mean something to me.”

“What’s in a name?” asked William Shakespeare in his play, Romeo and Juliet.

In Summer Crossing, Julia Kagawa echoed the same question, “What’s in a name really? I mean, besides a bunch of letters or sounds strung together to make a word. Does a rose by any other name really as sweet? Would the most famous love story in the world be as poignant if it was called Romeo and Gertrude? Why is what we call ourselves so important?” Kagawa inquired.

Names are not numbers.

Ever wonder why typhoons – also known as hurricanes and cyclones – have names instead of numbers? “To keep the killing personal,” answered George Carlin in Brain Droppings. “No one cares about a bunch of people killed by a number. ‘200 Dead as Number Three Slams Ashore’ is not as nearly as interesting a headline as ‘Charlie Kills 200.’

Death is much more satisfying and entertaining if you personalize it.”

In The Devil’s Arithmetic, Jane Yolen pointed it out, too.

“You are a name, not a num-

ber,” she wrote. “Never forget that name, whatever they tell you here.”

“What’s your name,” Coraline asked the cat. “Look, I’m Coraline. Okay?” “Cats don’t have names,” it said.

“No?” said Coraline. “No,” said the cat. “Now, you people have names. That’s because you don’t know who you are. We know who we are, so we don’t need names.”

The conversation above was excerpted from the Coraline, written by Neil Gaiman. Yes, animals don’t need names but people do!

The reason: “Names have power,” said one of the characters in Rick Riordan’s The Lightning Thief.

In The Candy Shop War, Brandon Mull wrote this conversation: “Could you just call me Pigeon,” he asked the teacher when she read his name. “Does your mother call you Pigeon?” “No.” “Then to me you are Paul.”

Bestselling author Dale Carnegie knew the importance of names. In fact, he allotted a whole chapter on it in his book, How to Win Friends and In�luence People. “A person’s name is the sweetest and most important sound in any language to him or her,” he wrote.

There was that story of a mechanic whom W.F. Chamberlain brought to the White

House. He was introduced to President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he arrived. He didn’t talk to the president, and Roosevelt heard his name only once.

“He was a shy chap, and he kept in the background,” Chamberlain was quoted as saying. “But before leaving us, the President looked for the mechanic, shook his hand, called him by name, and thanked him for coming to Washington. And there was nothing perfunctory about his thanks. He meant what he said, I could feel it.”

But to the mechanic, it was something. “A few days after returning to New York, I got an autographed of President Roosevelt and a little note of thanks again expressing his appreciation for my assistance,” the mechanic told Chamberlain. “How he found time to do it is a mystery to me.”

This was what Carnegie said of the episode: “Franklin D. Roosevelt knew that one of the simplest, most obvious and most important ways of gaining goodwill was by remembering names and making people feel important – yet how many of us do it?”

Ken Nottingham, an employee of General Motors in Indiana, does. Generally, he took his lunch at the company cafeteria. He noticed that the

woman who worked behind the counter always had a scowl on her face.

“She had been making sandwich for about two hours and I was just another sandwich to her,” Nottingham told Carnegie. “I told her what I wanted. She weighed out the ham on a little scale, then she gave me one leaf lettuce, a few potato chips and handed them to me.

“The next day, I went through the same line. Same woman, same scowl. I smiled and said, ‘Hello, Eunice,’ and then told her what I wanted.

Well, she forgot the scale, piled on the ham, gave me three leaves of lettuce and heaped on the potato chips until they fell of the plate.”

In Burnt Tongues, Brien Piechos observed, “Besides, what’s in a name? Actually, a lot. Whether taken from a parent or grandparent, some saint, or even the late great Elvis (Presley), your name insists another person’s dream of what you should have been.

“The portrait of some ancestral ideal lingers through heirloom names. Gender speci�ic names imply all sorts of expectations. More than just a signi�ier used to summon, instruct, address, accuse, sometimes praise us, our names de�ine and thereby limit us. They put us in a cage.”

8

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

AGRITRENDS

RABBIT MEAT AS PORK ALTERNATIVE

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

The African swine fever (ASF) is no ordinary swine fever. It is called as such because it originated from Africa, where it �irst occurred in 1907. The �irst outbreak happened in 1921 in Kenya. The disease was restricted to this continent until 1957 when it was reported in Portugal.

From there, the virus crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and outbreaks were reported in some Caribbean islands. In 2018, the ASF virus found its way to Asia. The �irst outbreak happened in China, the world’s largest pork producer.

From there, ASF hopped the border into Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Mongolia, and North Korea.

The �irst outbreak of ASF in the Philippines happened on July 25, 2019, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). ASF was detected in domestic pigs in Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal and Tarlac. In Metro Manila, ASF cases were reported in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, and Quezon.

Early this year, ASF was reported in Don

Marcelino and nearby Malita in Davao Occidental. Then, cases of ASF were detected in Calinan, a district of Davao City.

Then, the Davao regional of�ice of DA con�irmed that were also ASF cases in Sulop, Davao del Sur. To stop the further spread of ASF, the agriculture department recommends depopulation of all pigs near the areas where ASF cases were reported.

A complete lockdown was also observed.

According to Agriculture Secretary William Dar, 178,150 hogs – or 1.7% of the country’s total hog population – have been culled, as of January 13, 2020. Of the total culled, only 29,709 of them were sick.

During the International Farmers Summit Philippines 2020 held in Pasay City, Dr. Dar disclosed that his department was looking at commodities that can substitute for pork. Rabbit meat is good alternative, he said.

The agriculture secretary was optimistic with rabbit raising. “Because the growth cycle is very short,” he was quoted as saying by Manila Times.

“You can expand more

when you have a shorter growth cycle.”

Rabbit meat was commonly consumed during the mid-20th century as a wartime food. “Rabbit meat is eaten in various other countries as well, including Malta, France, Italy, and China,” wrote Siddhi Camila Lama for livestrong.com.

In the United States, rabbit is considered “a specialty meat.”

The website, riseandshinerabbitry.com, enumerates ten reasons why a person should eat rabbit meat: best white meats available on the market; high percentage of easily digestible protein; least amount of fat among all the other available meats; contains less calorie value than other meats; almost cholesterol-free; sodium content is comparatively less than other meats; calcium and phosphorus contents is more than any other meats; there is more edible meat on the carcass than chicken; many health bene�its that does not have a strong �lavor; and one of the most productive domestic livestock there is.

Lama said that for every 100 grams of domestic rabbit, you get: 20.1

grams of protein, 40% of the daily value (DV); 9% of the DV for iron; 7% of the DV for potassium; 5% of the DV for magnesium; 17% of the DV for phosphorus; 14% of the DV for zinc; 43% of the DV for selenium; 29% of the DV for vitamin B12; 8% of the DV for thiamin; 12% of the DV for ribo�lavin; 45% of the DV for niacin; 16% of the DV for vitamin B5; and 29% of the DV for vitamin B6.

“The fat content of rabbit meat is fairly low in comparison to other proteins, making a lean meat,” Lama wrote. The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations considered rabbit meat as having “one of the lowest fat amounts and highest protein amounts of many typically consumed meats.”

“In every 100 grams of domesticated rabbit, you will �ind 5.6 grams of fat,” Lama wrote. “Saturated fat makes up 1.7 of these grams.” The 2013 study published in the Journal of Animal Production Advances contends

the amount is “much less fat than in other widely consumed meats like pork and beef.”

Here’s another good reason for eating rabbit meat. “Although it is low in fat, rabbit meat is rich in healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like omega fatty acids,” Lama wrote.

“There are 220 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids and 860 milligrams of omega-6 fatty acids in every 100 grams of domesticated rabbit meat.”

Farmers who will raise rabbit need to know that rabbits are very proli�ic.

They breed three to four times a year, livescience. com reports. “Each pregnancy produces three to eight babies, called kittens or kits,” it says. “After four to �ive weeks, a kit can care for itself. In two to three months, it is ready to start a family of its own.”

There is indeed a bright future for rabbit farming. “Producing plenty of rabbit meat for Filipinos will help alleviate the malnutrition problem, especially in children,” says Jethro P. Adang, the director of Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center Foundation, Inc. Adang says the demand for rabbits at the center has been increasing through the years.

People from different parts of the region are visiting the center – located at barangay Kinuskusan in Bansalan, Davao del Sur – just to buy rabbits.

Unfortunately, most of them buy rabbits for pets and not for meat. “Filipinos have been slow in accepting rabbit meat as a major food item,” Adang laments. “For this reason, the demand for rabbit meat in the country is still generally limited – unlike that of pork, beef, or chicken.”

He says that rabbit raising is fairly easy. “It is easier than raising chickens because rabbits need little space, capital, and attention,” he points out.

“These small animals also multiply quickly. They are ideal for backyard projects for low-income rural

families.”

He advises beginning raisers to start with one male and two females.

“It is best to buy them when they’re two months old, right after they are weaned,” he says. “Be sure to buy your breeding stock only from reliable sources.”

Adang has other tips for beginners: “Select young rabbits that are the offspring of proli�ic does who know how to suckle or nurse their young. Pick out aggressive, well-developed bucks. But bucks and does selected should be both vigorous, healthy, and free from defects.”

Raisers should provide each animal with its own cage, which should be placed in a quiet area that is not directly exposed to sunlight. Bucks and does must be separated because rabbits are territorial animals.

Rabbits are strict vegetarians and should be fed twice daily, once in the morning, and then late in the afternoon. To maximize productivity, the animals should be fed with concentrates.

Supplements like greens, roots or bread scraps may be added to the diet.

Scrap table greens may include pechay, mustard, lettuce, cauli�lower, camote leaves, malunggay and cabbage. Rabbits also relish peelings of banana, melons of various kinds, but not the rinds of green papaya and chayote.

Water should be provided at all times. The containers should always be full of fresh, clean drinking water. Rabbits, especially lactating does, drink plenty of water.

The containers should be cleaned daily.

Does (females) in heat become restless and lose appetite; their external genitalia become in�lamed. When this occurs, the doe in heat should be brought to the buck pen.

Since rabbits are territorial, the female should be placed in the male pen.

If it’s done the other way, the female may kill the male.

The buck should serve

RABBIT, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

EDGEDAVAO STYLE

LEE X COCA COLA CELEBRATING A CONNECTION that stretches back more than 80 years, CocaCola and Lee Jeans are launching a new fashion collaboration, inspired by the official Coca-Cola Bottler uniforms which Lee created in the 1930’s.

This collection is being supported by an integrated campaign that will run across Asia Pacific. Themed “Real Buddies”, the campaign is a salute to the long and lasting friendship between two brands that have an authentic connection. The work takes a refreshingly retro approach to fashion advertising that defies category conventions. Inspired by vintage Coca-Cola and Lee Jeans posters from the 1940’s and 1950’s, the campaign features modern day moments captured using vintage illustration techniques instead of fashion photography.

Titled “Real Buddies Since 1930”, the four painted images evoke the classic nature of the two brands, showing moments between buddies that reflect the close nature of Coca-Cola and Lee’s relationship. Each of the four images is a classic homage to their shared cultural history, showing iconic moments of friendship – girlfriends dancing in front of their townhouse at a block party, riding down Ocean Drive in sunny L.A. with a BFF, an idyllic afternoon at the county fair, and creating shared memories with

a group of friends at a music festival. While the images have an authentically vintage vibe to them, hidden elements in each scene hint that this is not some lost moment from long ago, but a timeless moment that could be happening now.

The Collection Inspired by the official uniforms for employees of bottlers of Coca-Cola which Lee created in the 1930’s, this year’s Coke X Lee collaboration takes work-wear and gives it a modern fashion twist, celebrating Lee’s 130 years of purposeful craftsmanship and innovation in creating practical-and-durable yet classy-and-fashionable creations. Back in the 1930’s, Lee’s uniforms for bottlers

of Coca-Cola were neat and smart with head to toe stripes.

The uniforms proved so popular that Lee made identicallydressed limited edition Buddy Lee figurines, cementing their iconic identity in popular culture.

The current collection takes cues from the two brands’ most iconic elements throughout history: stitching reflecting Coca-Cola’s Dynamic Ribbon and Lee’s Lazy S, the Spencerian script, the contour bottle, Lee’s spade-shaped back pocket and others.

Based on the original purchase order for uniforms found in Coke’s archives, Lee has created a modern interpretation of this classic piece of work-wear.

Available in a unisex style with iconic head to toe stripes, the pants, jacket and cap all follow the original fabric specs, but are cut for a much more modern and fashion forward fit, with iconic Coke and Lee embroidery realized in the finest detail.

Elongated rider jackets and carpenter jeans with Coke embroidery give a rugged casual/utilitarian look, while cropped hoodies with classic brand graphics keep it real and authentic. Both looks take classic work-wear utility and give it a fashionably modern aesthetic twist.

If you want to get real and authentic but with a dash of character, a union-all based on historic Lee work-wear keeps it light with a touch of Coke branding, while washed black oversized rider jackets contrast with a classic Coke red tee for a signature look for both Coke and Lee. Whether it’s built from Lee’s classic 91J work coat, a Coke red rider jacket with contrasting white stitching, or a Coke bottle evolution tee, the two brands’ history and authenticity are proudly on display.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

MAKE IT ANOTHER DAY TO REMEMBER AT MAX’S

IF YOU’RE LOOKING to make your February an unforgettable one, head on over to Max’s Restaurant for flavorful dishes and sumptuous treats that will make your gatherings twice as memorable – enjoy the newest Red Sinigang, and Max’s Corner Baker Bakery’s Strawberry Chocolate Roll and ChocolateCoated Caramel Bars.

For only PHP529, the Red Sinigang is an elevated classic to a traditional Filipino dish. Its base is a savory indulgence of beef and fish cooked in a rich, sweet-sour soup made up of tamarind and tomato. A medley of fresh vegetables like string beans, radish, and okra are generously tossed for added taste. Jazzed up with crispy kangkong, this unique dish when served to your special someone is certainly a gesture of love and appreciation that’s worth remembering.

The Red Sinigang is also the perfect partner to the all-time favorite Max’s Sarap-To-The-Bones® Chicken.

For only an upgrade of PHP 150 from the House Classics Birthday Bundle Plus, you can enjoy this duo of crispy, golden fried chicken and warm, comforting soup that’s sure to amp up your gatherings with the people special in your life.

Finish it off with something sweet to be shared with your loved ones in the Strawberry Chocolate Roll and Chocolate Coated Coated Caramel Bars. Starting only at PHP259, the Strawberry Chocolate Roll is a fluffy concoction of chocolate chiffon that’s lavishly-filled and frosted with whipped cream, piped with strawberry fruit filling and adorned with chocolate cutouts and shavings. Surprises should come anytime, so excite them with a classic made more indulgent with Chocolate Coated Caramel Bars. Starting only at PHP249, Max’s classic caramel bars is brought to a whole new level as it’s beautifully-covered with luscious dark, white chocolate, and dressed in elegant toppings.

What are you waiting for? Max’s Restaurant’s Red Sinigang and Max’s Corner Bakery’s Chocolate Coated Caramel Bars is available nationwide for dine-in or take-out, while the Strawberry Chocolate Roll is in Luzon stores only. For more information, visit https:// www.facebook.com/maxsrestaurant/.

EVENT

JUAN EFFECT GOES TO BOHOL

THEY SAY one will only feel and hear the genuine heartbeats of Pinoys by visiting Bohol.

Tagged as the country’s “Heart of the Islands,” Bohol is the proud home of the popular Chocolate Hills, powdery white sand beaches and the world’s smallest primate, the Tarsier.

It is also the newest site of “Juan Effect,” the environment conservation program of airline company Cebu Pacific.

A street jargon for the Filipino regular Joe, or the common man, “Juan” encompasses the big idea that one simple daily habit done consistently and collectively by even ordinary people can make a big impact in helping preserve the environment, local culture and heritage.

In partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the multi-sectoral sustainable tourism program of Cebu Pacific is also supported by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

After roll-outs in Siargao and in Boracay, Cebu Pacific is now adopting Bohol as a Juan Effect destination with interventions put

in place to support its sustainable tourism practices.

“Bohol is one of the best islanddestinations in the world, and one of CEB’s most popular destinations.

There is still time to preserve its beauty by flying in tourists who are aware of the impact they create when they travel,” said Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and customer experience at Cebu Pacific.

Launched in Panglao, Bohol on February 7, “Juan Effect” advocacy engages the local community, the government and tourism stakeholders, in educating travelers about their responsibilities as tourists.

“Juan Effect is very close to our hearts in Cebu Pacific. It is our program and advocacy for sustainable tourism. Launched in 2018, Juan Effect aims to raise awareness on the impact tourists have on the environment and encourage everyone to contribute on their own way in building a sustainable tourism environment,” Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific launched the information campaign by installing signages all over the most visited spots in the island like Chocolate Hills, Tarsier sanctuary, manmade forest, and Loboc River

Cruise.

These signages, which are made from salvaged wooden slabs of dilapidated boats left as trash in beaches of Bohol in Danao, Panglao, have English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese translation.

This is so fitting considering boats are intrinsic to the local life of Boholanos and with Juan Effect, these will become bearers of the message to be kind to the environment. In the last three years, Bohol, which is also known for its archipelagic location and historic structures, has a consistent growth average of 32% per annum in tourist arrivals.

“Touri source of of Bohol. sive drop of 50.2% year is pr growth o said lawy Bohol pr Piquin fortunate and natu traction, sponsible and cons The in be ampli fect Amb

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ism is the number one f revenue in the Province . In fact, the impresp of poverty incidence in 2000 to 15.2% this rimarily attributed to the of our tourism industry,” yer Kathyrin Piquinto, rovincial administrator. nto said they are indeed e to have these unique ural sites for tourist atbut, they are also ree for their preservation servation. nformation campaign will ified online with Juan Efbassadors from different

ENTERTAINMENT

ALDEN RICHARDS TO LEAD TALENTED KIDS INTO EPIC SING-OFF BATTLES VIA ‘CENTERSTAGE’ THE QUEST to find the Bida Kid is on!

Beginning February 16, Kapuso viewers are in for a unique watching experience as extremely talented kids sing and move forward in achieving their dreams on GMA Network’s newest musical competition ‘Centerstage.’

Hosted by no-less-than Asia’s Multimedia Star Alden Richards, he will take the audience through the contestants’ tough yet fun journey in finding out who’s got both the charm and the vocal prowess to take home the title and the amazing prizes at stake.

Since it’s his first time to host a competition like this, Alden shared how thrilled he is to get up close and personal with the aspirants, “It’s something new for me, it’s going to be different, ‘yun po ang challenge sa akin dito, how to deal with kids, kung paano sila magisip, paano ko gagawing magaan ‘yung naging desisyon ng judges at ng mga tao.”

Co-hosted by Betong Sumaya, Centerstage will gather young aspiring performers aged 7-12 from different places in the Philippines to compete against each other through songs and by outracing opponents in a series of vocal performances until only one remains.

“Sobrang excited ako, hindi naman araw-araw makakakita ako ng ganito kagagaling na mga bata kaya I’m so thankful for this opportunity. To be able to watch these contestants showcase what they’ve got, amazing talaga,” Betong shared.

The search will be led by equally outstanding personalities in the entertainment industry here and abroad: Kapuso Diva and international singer-artist Aicelle Santos, renowned musical director Mel Villena, and Concert Queen Ms. Pops Fernandez.

For Aicelle, she’s ready to rise up to the challenge of guiding

these aspiring artists, “Lahat ng tumatayo diyan sa stage, nangangarap na makilala bilang isang mang-aawit, and for me, I’m very particular in choosing my words because you don’t want to discourage them.”

Mel expects judging to be fun yet tricky, “Kasama doon sa fun ay ‘yung some kind of technical sa pag-awit. Ako’y musical director, hinahanap ko talaga ‘yung talent ng bata at ‘yun ay dapat solid.”

Pops, in turn, expressed her eagerness to discover each contestant’s talent, “Hindi tayo nagpapahuling mga Pilipino when it comes to talent, I’m excited to see the kids, I’m curious to see how good the turn out will be.”

Who will race to the top and claim the most coveted spot of all – the Centerstage?

Under the helm of Director Louie Ignacio, follow the journey of these young contestants in Centerstage, starting February 16, every Sunday at 7:40 p.m., on GMA. Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com

IMAGO DROPS UNPLUGGED COLLECTION OF ALL-TIME HITS parts of the world namely Philippines’ Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Canadian filmmaker Lost LeBlanc, South Korean musician and artist Solbi, and Australian yoga and fitness expert Sjana Elise.

Iyog said the airline is committed to work with the LGU, resorts and other stakeholders in preserving the unique flora and fauna, the landmarks reflecting the country’s Spanish colonial history, and the pristine beaches in Bohol.

The first produce of the project was the Boracay launch and is considered to be the centerpiece of the government’s sustainable tourism program. In Boracay, Cebu Pacific donated hundreds of trash bins.

“A simple donation but is the most used-piece of item along the white beach of Boracay today and in fact there is a clamor from the local govenrment to have more bins. Instead of adding more maybe increase the collecting time of garbage in Boracay,” said DOT Undersecretary Arturo Boncato Jr. Juan Effect was also launched in Siargao wherein Cebu Pacific donated trash bins for pet bottles.

The campaign was focused on social entrepreneurship that will convert all plastic bottles collected into eco-bricks that the locals can use in constructing structures particularly classrooms in the island.

OPM rock band Imago is back to give new flavor to the hits of their past with the release of “Imago: Unplugged.” Produced by Buddy Zabala, the EP is a collection of stripped-

down versions of songs the band popularized over their storied career. The EP features six tracks, including the hits “Sundo,” “Akap,” “Taralets,” and one of their

latest singles “Pag-ibig na Walang Balik,” sung by the band’s newest vocalist Kiara San Luis.

Talking more about the EP, the band says “A majority of the songs of Imago started with an acoustic guitar and we wanted to show these songs in that birthing state where it had shape and form already while being raw and bare. “ On top of the “Un-

plugged” EP, the band is also busy creating new tracks to continue their evolution, including their latest single “Partida (featuring BenteDos).” This new track blends together San Luis’ sweet vocals and a surprising hip-hop twist with featured artist BenteDos, exploring themes of the risk-taking involved when heading into a romantic relationship.

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EDGEDAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 244 •216 WEDNESDAY, •219 SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,FEBRUARY JANUARY 15, 17, 14, 2020

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ELIMINATES SINGLESONY INTRODUCES NEW GP-VPT2BT DEBUT ‘DALAGANG PILIPINA’ MODE USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

This is also among the reasons why Limon will go to Sitio Sangab to introduce the cotton weaving. He believes that using cotton threads into Dagmay as CELEBRATING one’s well as their embroidery will formal entry womanhelp sustain theirto livelihood. hood as a tradition “Masismudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise so enmeshed among order sathe Dagmay if they will Line, innovator Pinoys families use cottonthat threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the invest early forhistory this Limon also sees the to with a 53-year growing lineup ofneed cammuch-awaited celebratapbreaking theand artisans in this endeavof boundaries, eras accessories tion.

Thus, when the or now to give theirfor clients fresh is single-use plasdeveloped modern day comes, a girl turns andbeverage new designs. tic bottle free creators, Sony today 18, her debut party “We really need tothe tapwill the across its fleet. has announced new always be one to rememartisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless The brand announced last ber for the rest of herfor gud ga-agi pa ko saIdeal middle shooting grip. year that it partnered with life and that man since wala’y sa many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,access which enof her community,” he Line said. to replace content creation abled thefamily Cruise too. wants tovlogs show ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic wateroff that theWith beauty of Dagmay travel photography /he bottles across its 17-shipasfleet, debut tradition has clients who its are looking for videography tomost simple beginning with recent comesNorwegian aand galaxy clothes accessories made everyday use,Encore. the new ship, of The ideas ranging by theoffers Mandayas.

He saidof they grip optimum achievement is one the from the tradinoticed that some Pasalubong stability and comfort latest sustainable steps forward tional masquercenters including Davao City’s combined with cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

In ade and free connectivity and a 2018, theVictorian Company eliminated themes to dust the reliable moissingle-use plasticand straws across out-of-this-world ture its fleetresistant and privatedesign. destinamagical Compatible with aofvariety tions, andand as a result this enchanted ones. of Sony’s latest digitalitcamermost recent initiative, will isconnects tosinglebe as,Always, the GP-VPT2BT replace overthe sixidea million memorable yet unique.

To easily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every be anle a person’s creators toidentify simplythe aim and is year.

In to addition, brand character the theme of the shoot without interfering working towith eliminate single-use celebration. cables or exposedand inputs.

The plastic shampoo condiThat’s exactly the same new grip includes athis useful tioner bottles later year.tilt mindset of debutante feature that allows forJasmine flexible These efforts are driven by Ysabelle Estolloso. vertical angle adjustment as the Company’s Sail & Sustain Jasmine’s debut was themed well as the ability to switch Environmental Program, which Modern Filipiniana to be apt from normal to self-shooting is its commitment toor minimize about to it’s nomenclature mode with ease. Additionalwaste landfills, reducethese its

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days, “Dalagang Pilipina.”

Jasmine wanted to make her special day modernly extravagant with a Filipiniana concept and a bit of millennial touch.

According to her mother Aileen, Jasmine wanted to look back in time to the culture and heritage of Filipinos. That’s how they decided to have this unique party at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on January 5 with the help of event coordinator Aquee who made up the venue’s overall look.

The Royal Mandaya Hotel Aldevinco doisnot carryfor Dagknown its may cloth. traditional Filipino setting with modern touches which perfectly fits Jasmine’s concept in mind. Not to mention its delicious meal entrée for banquet events.

“The guests are soincrease happy CO2 emissions rate, and every one said the food is sustainable sourcing and invest delicious. iswheel worth ly,in itemerging has anEverything adjustment technologies. it,”“This Jasmine can be loosened tightened is a said. veryorspecial and TRMH boastsfor ofus,” its tovery allow foralso seamless operaproud moment very helpful staff who guided tion cameras of different saidwith Harry Sommer, president the all the way from sizes and The grip anddebutant chiefweights. executive officer of planning, toCruise up also includes arehearsals flip button, inNorwegian Line.and “As to the last hour herwe special dicator light andof lock switch, a leading cruise line, are

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

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

It is refillable and recyclable. and for herpresence modern JUSTperfect has a global Filipiniana concept. with bottling facilities in Glenn True enough, Jasmine’s debut Falls, NY; Ballymena, Northern photos on social media Ireland;went and up Ballarat, Australia, with heaps of likes and shares. thus allowing the company to Sidedemand notes: Plan yourthe debut meet around world party with The Royal Mandaya without shipping water from a Hotel.

For packages and inquisingle production source.

JUST ries thetoHotel’s takescall care use theBanquet most effiEvents Supervisor, Michelle S. cient shipping options available.

Sollano, at (82) 225-8888 about loc For more information 6179, (82) 244-6603 or atships 0956Norwegian Cruise Line 136-3840.

You may also send and their itineraries, or to book an e-mailplease at banquetevents@ a cruise, contact a travel theroyalmandayahotel.com professional, call 888-NCL- or visit The (625-2784) Royal Mandaya Hotel, CRUISE or visit J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City. www.ncl.com.

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

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

“Wethis willisevaluate their free shooting.

While just the pa beginning night.

Let’s not forget, their capacity and kung willing sila The GP-VPT2BT Wireless of what we and others can do, beautifully Superior makipag-collaborate,” he said.

Shooting Gripdressed will committed beup availwe are incredibly

to our Sail & Sustain program and believe wholeheartedly in the importance of preserving our natural resources. We will continue to strive towards making environmentally conscious decisions to benefit our earth.” rooms which the Envisioned anddebutante founded by describes “Instagrammable” Americanasrapper, songwriter,

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

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HELP NEEDED... FROM1 etc. What support can we get from the national and local tourism industry in promoting the local tourism kay mao gyud amo nakita nga temporarily will sustain the hotel industry in the city,” he said.

During the meeting, Banzon said his peers expressed that their respective establishments are greatly affected by ASF and COVID 19 in terms of occupancy rate due to cancellations of group bookings and events.

“De�initely it will directly affect the hospitality industry, the travel ban, supposedly we have a big group of CEOs and presidents of big corporations from Taiwan coming in this Sunday, unfortunately due to the travel ban, they gave us an advice na dili sila madayon. This has direct effect on us. We are

trying our best though we are optimistic na passing lang ni siya in due time and we support the decision of the Mayor Sara Duterte,” Banzon said.

He cited that TRMH is experiencing tremendous effect which started during the series of earthquakes last year then the present COVID 19 and ASF. According to him in November last year, they experienced a total of P10 million worth of cancellations after the earthquakes.

“Sunod sunod na siya and based on the previous years, 50 percent jud ang nawala sa amoa. March is approaching and supposedly the hotel industry should be enjoying the Araw ng Davao but with this scenario gi-prepare namo among sarili on how

are we going to cope- up in this situation,” he said.

Another cancellation is the holding of JS Prom as TRMH is known as venue for group, government and school events.

“As of today we have 38 percent cancellations already and I am still expecting it to increase as other reservations are still in a wait and see mode. I believe that �irst week of March naa na sila decisions with regards to their bookings,” Banzon said.

Banzon mentioned that in 2016 TRMH recorded an average of 70 percent to 90 percent occupancy rate.

“Since we had these series of earthquakes nagdrop jud siya and until now wala pa ta naka-recover then here comes COVID 19 threat and ASF outbreak,” he said.

sa atoang kwarta. Di ta musugot nga ang atoang anak, dili mueskwela (It is important to plan our family. We should also

give our time and �inances to the number of children we can raise),” she said.

Aside from the free wedding from the local

government, the 35 couples also received cash assistance and grocery items personally handed

by Mayor Sara. CIO

Alejandro said the foreigners, who were classi�ied as persons under monitoring, remained asymptomatic and will complete Thursday their 14day mandatory quarantine at the Regional Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Kawas, Alabel town.

Meantime, Dr. Bernard Cababat, acting head of the Provincial Veterinary Of�ice, said the funding for

the ASF will be used to augment the operations of the quarantine checkpoints and disease surveillance activities in the province’s border areas.

He said they already activated at least 14 inspection and quarantine posts since the province implemented a temporary lockdown last Feb. 3 in response to the ASF outbreak in the neighboring Davao Occidental province.

Cababat said they will speci�ically purchase additional plastic drums, disinfectants, power sprayers, �loodlights, signages and rubber boots for the checkpoint operations.

He said they also need to purchase re�lective hand gloves, whistles as well as set aside provision for food and transportation of personnel manning the quarantine posts.

(MindaNews)

Workers Affairs.

"First the DOLE/POEA failed our OFWs when they slept on their jobs, failing to obtain a harmonized employment contract for our OFWs when Kuwait signed to an MOA in May 2018 which could have prevented the deaths of OFWs Dayag and Villavende in 2019,",said Mendoza.

"Second, these agencies have not successfully

concluded deliberations on contentious items including the continuing demand by Kuwait that the Philippine Embassy close down its shelters for "runaway" OFWs. So, if it is closed down, who can our OFWs turn to now in Kuwait? Where can they go to to be protected," added Mendoza.

"Third, justice has not yet been secured for Jeanalynn Villavende. The

DOLE/POEA are sending a political signal to Kuwait that we value the business side involved in the deployment of HSWs to Kuwait rather than the lives of Filipinos," added Mendoza.

"TUCP demands that the DOLE/POEA recall its Resolution lifting the ban.

Our of�icials lost all leverage in negotiations and �ight for justice. Restore the ban," said Mendoza.

Christopher Po. “With more Filipino companies embracing the

plastic-neutrality concept, we are con�ident that we are making strides for a

greener, stronger Republic, said Republic Cement president Nabil Francis.

the doe at least two times.

The best times to breed the animals are early in the morning (5:00 to 8:00 a.m.) or late in the afternoon (4:00 to 7:00 p.m.).

“Be sure not to leave the doe in the pen overnight with the buck,” Adang reminds.

A pregnant doe has a short gestation period: 28 days to one month or 32 days if it’s an old animal.

Build a wooden nest box and line its bottom with rags and shredded newspaper or dry grass. Near delivery date, the doe will become nervous. It may

scratch the bottom of the nest, scatter or rearrange box bedding, and pull of its fur and line the nest box with it. At this time, add a vitamin-mineral supplement to its diet.

The does should not be disturbed during kindling. “At kindling time,” explains Adang, “a doe will become extremely nervous. Keep children, dogs, cats, and other animals away.”

“It’s a good idea to keep records to facilitate management and control of the stock,” Adang suggests. “Basic information

that you should record include age of does, breeding dates, expected date of delivery, and number of young weaned per litter.

The more relevant data you record, the easier your operations will be.”

Raising rabbits is de�initely easier than keeping chickens or pigs. “Rabbits consume only a little of your time, reproduce rapidly, and are a source of high-quality protein,” Adang points out. “There’s a lot of idle manpower in the rural and some urban areas. Why not use it for this purpose?”

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

is in need of

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

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

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

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

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farm, Art admitted that he had to change his perception on the furry mammals.

"It’s second to chicken [in Europe]. Ganon kalaki 'yung demand. In Eastern Europe, you will be surprised na ang mga farm diyan, parang poultry farm sa atin," he said.

Art's wife Angie has attested to using rabbit meat for several dishes, such as adobong kuneho

and rabbit sisig.

According to her, the white New Zealand rabbit breed is the perfect choice for dishes because of its medium size.

"Mas �ine siya, 'yung kanyang �iber ay mas edible, mas madaling matunaw. Mas tender. Nasubukan na naming magluto ng tinola, sinampalukan, sisig, kaldereta, menudo," Angie said.

While there were peo-

ple who consumed rabbit meat, others refuse to try it—because they know rabbits more as pets.

Riley, a child interviewed for the report, would not entertain the thought of eating the furry creatures because she, herself, had a pet rabbit named "Beast."

"No, because he is not tasty. No joking guys. People, do not eat your pets," she said.

and Glan, Sarangani by bus and passenger van, respectively.

They stayed for several days in a beach resort

in Glan and moved to an apartelle here last Feb. 5 as they were scheduled to �ly the next day to Manila.

But they were stopped

by health personnel and subjected to quarantine as advised by the DOH epidemiology bureau. (MindaNews)

the 499th anniversary of the �irst mass. Fernandez explained that the local government, under Mayor Melchor Petracorta, is

now coordinating with the Department of Health and other pertinent government agencies on whether they may proceed with the

celebration.

“Despite our current situation, preparations for these programs are on-going,” said Fernandez.

stage UCI-sanctioned race last year.

The winner will get PHP1 million in the event backed by the Manny V. Pangilinan Foundation.

The race starts with the 137-kilometer Stage One, resume with a 163-km Sorsogon-Legazpi Stage Two on Feb. 24, then the 126.9km Legazpi-Naga Stage

Three on Feb. 25, the longest will be the 212.5-km Daet-Lucena Stage Four on Feb. 26, followed by the 155.4-km Lucena-Antipolo Stage Five on Feb. 27 before taking a breather the next day.

The race resumes with the 128.9-km Lingayen-Lingayen Stage Six on Feb. 29, the 171.9-km Lin-

gayen-Nueva Ecija Stage Seven on March 1.

On March 2 is the much-awaited 177.1-km Nueva Ecija-Baguio Stage Eight where the riders will scale nearly 5,000 feet, before the penultimate 176.4km Pugo, La Union-Vigan Stage Nine and the closing Stage 10 criterium in Vigan on March 4. (PNA)

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SUBURBIA RISING

Davao Oriental steps up efforts, tightens security against ASF

D

AVAO ORIENTAL – The provincial government of Davao Oriental is stepping up its efforts amid the threat of the African Swine Fever (ASF) that has already affected some parts of Mindanao and the Davao Region.

Governor Nelson Dayanghirang has directed concerned of�ices and agencies to tighten security measures, especially at the province’s borders to ensure that swine and meat products from the affected areas will not reach the province. With close coordination with the Philippine Army as well as the Philippine National Police, Governor Dayanghirang said that the province is doing the best it can to keep the disease at bay.

Since last year, the province, through the Governor’s Executive Order no. 29, has temporarily banned the entry of swine, pork, pork-related products and by-products from Luzon areas and other ASF-affected areas – which now include the neighboring provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao City.

The Provincial Gov-

ernment has established four boundary checkpoints which are located at Barangay Pintatagan in Banaybanay town, Barangay Marayag in Lupon town, Sitio Maylaya, Barangay Malibago in Cateel town, and Barangay Carmen in Boston town.

While other Local Government Units have also initiated the establishment of checkpoints in their respective LGUs, the City of Mati has implemented a lockdown for swine and pork products.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Eric Dagmang said that among the quarantine measures implemented at these checkpoints include the inspection of proper documents such as Veterinary Health Certi�icate and Veterinary Shipping Permit for live animals and Meat Inspection Certi�icate as well as shipping permit for meat products. “We strictly enforce the policy of not allowing the entry of meat products and livestock without these requirements,” he said.

“We have coordinated with everyone to contain the ASF. We have sent our people to help the police and military personnel at our checkpoints,” he

added.

Currently, the provincial government is looking at augmenting the number of civilian personnel assigned at these checkpoints to assist police and military personnel.

On the other hand, the province is also closely coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard, barangay of�icials, and the “bantay-dagat” to secure the coastal areas, particularly in some parts of the towns of Governor Generoso, San Isidro, Lupon, and Banaybanay, which are possible entry points for banned meat products that might be transported through the sea.

Measures to Counter ASF Meanwhile, during the recent meeting of the Inter-agency Task Force for ASF, Dr. Dagmang discussed with the Municipal Veterinarians, Municipal Agriculture Of�icers, meat inspectors, the military, and the police the protocols to contain the ASF. Among these protocols is the establishment of the Early Warning System at the barangay level which involves

the prompt reporting of suspected cases of ASF. “Through the system, the barangays are directed to report to us at least two to three times a week, every three o’clock in the afternoon, of whether or not there are suspected ASF in their areas of responsibility,” he explained.

Moreover, the provincial government through the Provincial Veterinarian’s Of�ice has intensi�ied educational campaign, especially among hog raisers, to contain and limit the spread of ASF. Among the ef�icient ways to contain the disease is avoiding swill feeding to pigs, particularly leftover foods or food wastes coming from restaurants and other food establishments; practice of strict biosecurity measures in pig farms by not letting outsiders enter the vicinity of their farms, and prompt reporting in case of suspicious incidence of mortality of pigs.

Moreover, Dr. Dagmang said that the province has already established a contingency plan in the event of an outbreak. Part of the plan is the adoption of the “1-7-10” protocol. “This

means that pigs affected within a one-kilometer radius from ground zero will be culled in the most humane way possible.

While hogs within the 7-kilometer radius or the quarantine zone will be subject to restricted movement, surveillance, and testing. For the 10-kilometer radius or the surveillance zone, mandatory monitoring and observation shall be implemented,” he said.

Furthermore, municipal local government units are asked to identify at least two burial sites owned by the local government. The Provincial Veterinarian’s Of�ice is now stockpiling disinfectants and has been preparing for more interventions as part of the intensi�ied campaign against the ASF. These will be funded under the Calamity Fund of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Of�ice.

Economic Impact Although a highly contagious disease, ASF does not affect humans.

However, it poses a huge threat due to production and economic losses.

For the Province of Davao Oriental, which supplies 60 percent of its

own demand for swine and hog products while outsources the remaining 40 percent, the threat posed by the ASF would be devastating.

As per data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the swine population in Davao Oriental for the year 2020 is at 116,461 heads. Its total economic value is estimated to be at P931.6 million, given the conservative value per head at P8,000. With an average of 130 heads slaughtered daily, an estimated P1.5 million is at stake for loss in the event that ASF affects the province.

“Its economic impact is really huge. Businesses and jobs are at stake. So, we must do everything we can to contain it,” he said.

“Whatever interventions we do, we make sure to involve the barangays, the municipal government units, and other stakeholders because we cannot do it alone. Everyone should be involved,” Dr. Dagmang said as he called on everyone to help contain the spread of the ASF. By Karen Lou Deloso/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan and Franz Albo

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PSC-PSI programs seen to start on July

A

round 80 various grassroots sports programs in Visayas spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) was rescheduled midyear in the wake of the sports agency’s announcement of postponement of all its managed events in light of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said they are targeting the resumption of their program by July. ”We are playing it by ear with the recent situation in the country. But de�initely, the PSC is ready to proceed,” said Fernandez.

Thirty editions of the UNESCO-recognized Children’s Games are sched-

uled on cities and municipalities of western, central and eastern Visayas, with seven editions of Consultative Planning & Coaching Certi�ication along Negros Occidental, Cebu and Southern Leyte.

Young athletes from Aklan, Bohol and Samar will also receive Talent Identi�ication programs, with Sports Journalism Seminar to be provided for campus sports writers.

“We want to capitalize in bringing sports to the youth sector of the region and raise awareness among children and parents of sports,” added Fernandez.

One of the lined-up events is the Coastal Children's Games in Limasawa, which will coincide with the island's celebration of

PSC-PSI, P9

No plans to cancel, postpone Olympics due to Covid

T

OKYO -- Japan is not considering cancellation or postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games over the outbreak of a new coronavirus, Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic organizing committee chief Yoshiro Mori said on Thursday.

The 2020 Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo from July 24 to August 9.

“I want to again state clearly that cancellation or postponement of the Tokyo Games has not been considered,” Mori said at a meeting with the International Olympic Committee, as quoted by the Kyodo news agency.

According to the of�icial, the organizers will

“work with the government and respond calmly” to any problems, related to the epidemic.

The new strain of coronavirus was �irst detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December and has since spread to more than 25 other countries.

The epidemic has already left more than 1,300 people dead in China.

Japan has registered more than 200 con�irmed cases of the new coronavirus, including 218 people on board of the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama.

In late January, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency in light of the epidemic. (Sputnik)

11

PSC-PSI programs seen to start on July

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates while Los Angeles Clippers point guard Landry Shamet (20) is dejected at TD Garden. Reuters

Celtics stop Clippers in 2 OTs, Tatum fires 39

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ayson Tatum scored 17 of his game-high 39 points from the fourth quarter on, leading the Boston Celtics past the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 141-133, in double overtime Thursday night.

Marcus Smart added 31 points, and Gordon Hayward scored 21 with 13 rebounds as the Celtics enter the All-Star break winners of eight of their last nine. Tatum shot 14 of 23 with nine rebounds.

Lou Williams had 35 points, Kawhi Leonard scored 28 with 11 rebounds and Montrezl Har-

rell had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who completed a 1-3 road trip. Los Angeles lost Paul George in the second quarter with a recurrence of a left hamstring strain.

After Smart and Tatum gave the Celtics a fourpoint lead with 2:01 to go in the second overtime, Hayward drilled a 3 with 1:36 left for a 137-132 edge. Hayward added a block, a steal and four free throws the rest of the way as Boston cruised to victory.

Tatum put the Celtics up, 127-124, in the �irst

overtime before Landry Shamet tied the score on a trey with 21 seconds to go.

Tatum missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer.

Williams scored 15 points in the fourth, leading the Clippers from down eight in the quarter to a 107-all tie with four minutes remaining. The Clippers knotted the score again at 114 on a Marcus Morris Sr. trey with 46.8 seconds left.

Kemba Walker missed a chance at a game-winner to lead to overtime.

Before Thursday, the Celtics and Clippers had

only went to overtime once each this season -- when they �irst met in Los Angeles on Nov. 20, a 107-104 Clippers win.

The Celtics grabbed the game's only double-digit advantage, 72-62, on a Hayward 3-pointer with 8:51 left in the third.

The largest lead of the �irst half came on a 7-0 Clippers run to start the game, which the Celtics answered with 10 straight points from Smart. Neither team led by more than four points in the second as Boston carried a 60-58 edge into the break.

guard Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Philadelphia centre Joel Embiid (Cameroon) and Toronto power forward Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) as the record four international players who were voted to start the game.

Rounding out the international players who will compete in the exhibition are Rudy Gobert (France),

Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) and Ben Simmons (Australia).

In total, the Feb. 14-16 All-Star Weekend, which includes a rising stars event, skills challenge, three-point competition and slam dunk contest, will feature a record 19 international players from 15 countries.

start in Nueva Ecija on March 2 and pass through Pangasinan before entering La Union and Benguet via Marcos Highway or Aspiras-Palispis Road.

He said they have already coordinated with the Baguio police to check on traf�ic and the closure of roads where the peloton will pass through on its way to the Burnham Lake Drive.

“The coordination has been made and we are pretty excited to see who will be crowned Eagle of the Mountain which will surely bolster one’s chances of winning the event,” he said.

The bikers will go down to Pugo, La Union the next day for the trek to Vigan, Ilocos Sur for Stage 10 on March 4.

Race organizers said it would be an all-Filipino tournament with 11 teams, unlike last year when Spanish Francisco Mancebo of Matrix Powertag won the event.

In a statement, head organizer Moe Chulani said this year’s edition of the cycling race is an extension of their support for PhilCycling, the country’s cycling federation, in its Olympic quest following its holding of a �ive-

Giannis banners int’l cast in All Star Game

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reek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks headlines the record-setting contingent of eight international players taking part in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, the league announced on Thursday.

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player will be joined by Dallas point

Ronda Pilipinas returns to Baguio

T Greek Giannis Antotekounmpo represents 15 other foreign players in the NBA All Star Game.

he country's premiere bikefest returns to this mountain city after nearly three years of absence, a city of�icial said on Thursday.

“We are very excited that this race is coming back,” city administrator Bonifacio dela Peña said, referring to the LBCbacked Ronda Pilipinas which enters its 10th year.

Dela Peña said Baguio would be the �inish line for the eighth leg of the 10-stage bikathon. This year's Ronda Pilipinas will start in Sorsogon on February 23 and end in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on March 4.

The Baguio leg will

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POSTPONED EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 244 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2020

FIBA Asia postpones Gilas-Thailand, 2 other Qualifiers amid virus threat

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ilas Pilipinas will have a lengthier preparation for the Asia Cup 2021 quali�iers as FIBA announced on Friday the postponement of the games amid the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak plaguing the region.

In a Twitter post of the FIBA Asia Cup, three games will be cancelled until further notice which includeS Gilas' match against Southeast Asian neighbor Thai-

land on February 20.

Other games cancelled were virus-stricken China against Japan on February 21 and Malaysia's game over Chinese national team on February 24.

Gilas, on the other hand, is making progress in practice despite several changes in its roster for the past weeks.

Interim coach Mark Dickel was pleased with how the squad performed on Tues-

day at the Meralco Gym, which saw Rain or Shine's Javee Mocon of�icially join the 24man pool.

"We started putting some of our offensive stuff in, which is all new to pretty much everyone.

So that was good.

Real steps in the right direction," said Dickel, the active consultant of TNT KaTropa in the PBA. No dates yet for the �irst window games of the regional qualifying tournament.

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