Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 248 | Thursday, February 20, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

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Hog Farmers Association of Davao, Inc. (HOGFADI) president Eduard So (3rd from left), Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) information officer Noel Provido (2nd from left), Engr. Wilfred Teves (leftmost), City Veterinarian's Office (CVO) head Dr. Cerelyn Pinili (2nd from right) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Davao supervisor Debbie Legaspi eat roasted pig to show and to assure the public that locally-produced pork is safe to consume amid African swine fever (ASF) outbreak. Lean Daval Jr

FARMERS' PLEA

Hog raisers want selective lockdowns amid ASF

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he Davao Hog Farmers Association of Davao, Inc. (HOGFADI) is calling out local chief executives in the Davao Region to be careful and selective in issuing lockdowns in order no to unnecessarily cripple the entire hog raising industry of the region amid the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

HOGFADI president Eduard So told media in Wednesday's Habi at Kape that his group is urging gov-

ernors and mayors to be selective and implement a lockdown in identi�ied ASF-infected areas only.

So said his group will meet with regional directors of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Mindanao to discuss a map of places where a lockdown is advisable.

"Be selective and dili basta basta mag-lockdown lang. There are other areas na free of ASF ug dapat puwede sila musulod sa

Davao. Ang nahitabo lockdowns lang tanan bisan walay reason pati ang atong kauban sa Cagayan de Oro," So said.

At the same time, engineer Wilfred “Eboy” Teves, industry leader and former ranking of�icer of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. lauded the Davao City LGU headed by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio in promptly acting on the ASF outbreak and imme-

diately coming up with a multi-million peso budget to assist the affected hog raisers.

So cited that pigs from General Santos City, which has been declared free from ASF, are banned from entering Cagayan de Oro City.

"Nadamay ang GenSan. I don't think its fair na i-lockdown nato tibuok Mindanao. Naa man proseso para maka-pass katong mga areas like GenSan," he

added.

The group is urging governors and mayors to follow protocols of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in transporting live pigs.

These include “complying with all permits bago maka-transport of live pigs dapat i-honor nila (governors and mayors) kay kung mag-sige ta ug lockdown bisan walay labot na areas this will affect the entire in-

FARMERS’, P9

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

PAMANA program gets P1.7-B funding in 2020

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Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issues a statement on Wednesday to once again warn the public about individuals and groups using her name in a money-making activities. Her office has received infor-

mation that a group of individuals in Davao Region is using the mayor’s name to lure residents to be involved in a giant clams (taklobo) trade.

Lean Daval Jr

Purok adjacent to Brgy.

Lamanan ASF-affected

By MAYA M. PADILLO he City Veterinarian Of�ice (CVO) has announced a new case of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Davao City.

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City Veterinarian Dr. Cerelyn Pinili told media on Wednesdays at Habi at Kape that there is a current incursion of ASF in a purok in Barangay Inayangan in Calinan District.

Barangay Inayangan is adjacent to Barangay Lamanan where the �irst ASF outbreak in Davao City was declared.

Pinili said the �inding of ASF in Inayangan followed after a sample was tested positive with ASF. She said

they sent a sample last Tuesday to the University of the Philippines-Mindanao for testing.

“Gipa-test namo ug nagpositive ang sample gikan sa purok. Adjacent siya sa Lamanan maong cover gihapon siya sa 1 kilometer radius,” she said.

She said Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) director Ricardo M. Oñate,Jr. considered the �indings of UP-Mindanao as of�icial result.

DAR's anti-poverty program binds gov’t, private institutions together

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he Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) signed partnership agreements on Monday, February 17, 2020, with various government agencies and a private institution for the sourcing of agricultural products from agrarian reform bene�iciaries (ARB) in this province.

These institutions are the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region XI, Department of Health Region XI, Davao Regional Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center, and Medical Mission Group Hospital which all agreed to assist in the government’s �ight against hunger and poverty in the countryside under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty program (EPAHP).

Cabinet Secretary and EPAHP Committee Chairman Karlo B. Nograles said these partnerships work in two ways. It provides institutions with a steady sup-

ply of food items, such as rice, vegetables, root crops and other farm produce, while the farmers gain regular markets for their farm yields.

“EPAHP is our government’s initiative to eradicate hunger in 2030. But it is more than just hunger mitigation as it is also about food security and poverty reduction,” Nograles said.

He added that the program sources products directly from farmers’ organizations and bypasses middlemen so, farmers will also earn more.

“Basically, EPAHP addresses hunger and poverty through the convergence of essential services of various government agencies which directly bene�it the poorer sector of the country,” Nograles said. “But with the Medical Missions Group Hospital joining the program, it shows that private institutions are beginning to take interest in the

DAR’S, P9

Pinili said her of�ice already conducted inventory of the number of heads in Brgy. Inayangan but can’t give details yet.

“Kato lang purok nga nakadikit sa Brgy. Lamanan but not the whole barangay of Inayangan. Based on the 1 kilometer radius, part of Brgys. Lamanan and Inayangan ang maapil,” she said.

She said they are now conducting monitoring of other adjacent barangays of Brgy. Inayangan.

The culling of pigs in barangays Lamanan and Dominga in Calinan District, where an outbreak of ASF was earlier reported,

had been terminated after four days starting Saturday.

As of Tuesday, February 11, a total of 2,343 were culled by the CVO. All affected hog raisers were given �inancial assistance as soon as they turned over their pigs to the authorities.

Pinili said the two barangays (Lamanan and Dominga) will continue with decontamination and disinfection activities daily for 30 days and if possible, no pigs will be reared anymore.

The CVO will monitor the two barangays to ensure that proper disinfection proceedings had been carried out.

Kilig Film Festival coordinator Ferdinand Masias (right), together with fellow coordinator Bagane Fiola, promotes during this week’s Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Anreeza mall the upcoming Davao Kilig Film Fes-

he government has allotted P1.7 billion this year for PAMANA projects designed to foster peace and development in areas wracked by armed con�lict, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. con�irmed Tuesday.

PAMANA stands for PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn, a government convergence program that extends development interventions to isolated, hard-to-reach and con�lict-affected communities across the country.

The Of�ice of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) oversees the implementation of PAMANA in partnership with other government line agencies.

“PAMANA has been delivering not only socio-economic interventions to con�lict-affected communities, but also carrying out other peacebuilding initiatives such as social healing and the implementation of con�lict-sensitive and peace promoting (CSPP) initiatives in the past nine years,” Galvez said in a statement.

He stressed that PAMANA projects have been designed to stamp out the root causes of the armed con�licts in the different parts of the country.

OPAPP Assistant Secretary Andres Aguinaldo Jr., who handles the National Program Management Of�ice of PAMANA, said at least P1.2 billion worth of funds have been lodged with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to implement various socio-economic interventions in bene�i-

ciary communities.

The rest of the funds amounting to P500 million will be distributed among local government units situated in con�lict-affected areas in the country.

PAMANA is a complementary track to the political track of the peace process in the country.

“Our main mission here is to alleviate the lives of the people affected by armed con�lict, and ensure that these social interventions are sustainable for the succeeding generations to enjoy and bene�it from,” Aguinaldo said.

Galvez said that PAMANA is anchored on the Duterte administration’s Six-Point Peace and Development Agenda, whose vision “is to bring enduring peace and sustainable development across the nation.”

Controversy marred PAMANA in November 2018 after President Rodrigo Duterte �ired two senior executives connected to the program allegedly due to corruption.

They were identi�ied as Ronald Flores and Yeshter Donn Baccay, OPAPP undersecretary for support services and PAMANA national program manager and OPAPP assistant secretary for support services and PAMANA concerns, respectively.

The controversy prompted then OPAPP Secretary Jesus Dureza to tender his resignation, which his high-school classmate and friend Duterte accepted.

Galvez, a former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief, pledged “to bring greater transparency and accountability in the implementation of PAMANA projects.” (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)

tival 2020 slated on February 13 to 29 at Abreeza mall. Kilig Film Festival is a 48-hour filmmaking competition open to all students, filmmakers, and enthusiasts. Lean Daval Jr

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

The city government’s installation of new lights at the Ysalina Bridge in Cagayan de Oro is an instant hit among residents. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO

Nat'l Food Policy out M

by October: Nograles C

Palace says gag order on case against ABS-CBN necessary

abinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that the government would be coming out with its National Food Policy by October this year as part of its efforts to eradicate hunger in the country.

Nograles is also encouraging members of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) to help the government in one of its key anti-poverty programs.

Speaking to NMYL members in Cebu on Tuesday, Nograles requested young public of�icials from all over the country “for your support for an urgent and most important initiative.”

“Last month, the President issued Executive Order 101 creating the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger. This task force will formulate a national food policy, to ensure the attainment of zero hunger and poverty eradication,” said Nograles, who was named chair of the Task Force.

The government, he said, is “working double time and hopefully we can

come out with our National Food Policy before the year end––by the time we celebrate World Food Day this October.”

Nograles said one of the programs under the Task Force, which he referred to as “Task Force Goodbye Gutom,” is the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty program or EPAHP. EPAHP is a convergence program that aims to increase farm productivity and the incomes of farmers, ensure food and nutrition security, and mitigate hunger and malnutrition in urban and rural communities.

One of the objectives of the program, said the

former legislator from Davao, is to link “community-based organizations to the institutional feeding programs of the government to ensure that they have ready buyers for their produce.”

“Dito ko po kelangan ang tulong at suporta nyo, lalo na sa ating mga vice gov and vice mayor; tulungan nyo po kaming i-link ang ating mga local food suppliers sa mga programa ng gobyerno para sa Goodbye Gutom(I need your support on this, particularly our vice governors and vice mayors; help us to link our local food suppliers with our government program to end

The downgrade came after the Provincial Veterinarian Of�ice assured the City Government of Mati that they will be manning the checkpoints on a 24/7 basis at the entry and exit points of the province.

In a meeting by the Incident Management Team Tuesday morning, February 18, City Health Of�icer Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said that traders have approached the Provincial Government who in turn asked City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat to reconsider the lockdown.

Catbagan said Mayor Michelle is amenable to the lifting of the temporary lockdown provided that the Provincial Government considers on strengthening the border bio-security surrounding Davao Oriental to ensure that ASF-infected products would not enter the province.

Catbagan said the IMT will come up with a contingency plan in the event ASF reaches the City of Mati. He admitted that despite the strict biosecurity measures, the high possi-

bility of the dreaded swine disease hitting Mati City remains.

Mati City Veterinarian Services Of�ice head Dr. Marites Erispe said they have also conducted several information drive in different barangays on how to monitor and prevent ASF. Erispe revealed though that there were still attempts to smuggle pork products into the city through the barangays where there are no checkpoints. She said though

NAT’L FOOD, P9

Mati LGU downgrades lockdown against ASF

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he City of Mati LGU has downgraded its temporary total lockdown against the African Swine Fever by now allowing entry of pork products for as long as they have not originated from Luzon and other ASF-affected areas.

In an Executive Order No. 30 Series of 2020, City of Mati Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat amended Executive Order No. 20 by changing the coverage of the ban to only Luzon Island and other ASF-affected areas.

MATI, P9

alacañang on Tuesday deemed it necessary for Solicitor General Jose Calida to �ile a gag order before the Supreme Court (SC) to bar parties from issuing statements on the pending quo warranto plea against the franchise of broadcasting �irm ABS-CBN Corp.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo backed Calida’s move because ABS-CBN’s franchise has become an “emotional” topic.

“Tama naman siya do’n kasi parang nagiging emotional ang issue on this particular topic (He’s right about that because the issue has become emotional on this particular topic).

It's much ado about nothing. It’s not about press freedom,” Panelo said.

Calida �iled a very urgent motion for the issuance of gag order before the high tribunal, accusing ABS-CBN of engaging in “propaganda in clear attempt to elicit public sympathy, sway public opinion, and ultimately to in�luence the resolution of the case.”

He cited the statements issued by ABS-CBN, its artists, and other personalities with regard to the quo warranto petition.

Calida said ABS-CBN violates the sub judice rule which restricts parties, witnesses, the public in general, and most especially lawyers and judges from making comments and disclosures in relation to pending cases before the courts.

He said ABS-CBN’s propaganda may render them liable for indirect contempt.

Panelo said parties in the quo warranto plea should refrain from being engaged in public discussion.

“Because it's pending before the courts. If it's pending before the court, it becomes sub judice (under judicial consideration),” he said, when asked as to why the gag order was necessary.

Panelo said the gag order was meant to ensure that ABS-CBN’s discussions on the merit of the quo warranto petition would not have an in�luence on SC’s decision.

“Precisely, the gag order refers to not discussing the merits of the case because that will tend to in�luence the court,” he said.

Calida earlier �iled a quo warranto petition before the SC, seeking the forfeiture of ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise due to the embattled media �irm’s alleged “highly abusive practices” at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers.

ABS-CBN, according to Calida’s plea, allegedly violated the 1987 Constitution when it allowed foreign investors to take part in its ownership by issuing Philippine Deposit Receipts through ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

The 1987 Constitution states that mass media ownership is limited to Filipino entities or groups.

Gov’t of�icials exempted Panelo clari�ied that

PALACE, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

TOURIST ATTRACTION. A view from atop Mount Maagnaw (elevation: 2,742masl) in Lantapan, Bukidnon, which forms part of the Mount Kitanglad Range. MindaNews photo by ARIES SANDINO M. MORDENO

to miss revenue ABS-CBN franchise woes won’t Apple target due to Covid-19 affect investor sentiment: DOF T

F

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has expressed optimism that investor con�idence in the Philippines would remain intact if violations cited in the quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN would be proven correct. tional violation.”

“I think that if that’s proven, the investors will say, ‘Oh these guys have been upholding the rule

of law,’” he told journalists Tuesday on the sidelines of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s 2020 tax campaign kick-off at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The OSG has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to revoke ABS-CBN’s franchise, citing “highly abusive practices.”

The OSG, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, said these practices “have gone unnoticed or were

disregarded for years.”

ABS-CBN’s franchise will expire next month and the Senate is set to hear the broadcast company’s petition to extend its 25-year franchise.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Arnel Guballa said ABS-CBN has no tax liabilities to date but its sister company, which he did not identify, has a pending case before the Court of Tax Appeals. (PNA)

he government is addressing a shortage in face masks, with fresh supplies coming this week, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Wednesday.

The Department of Trade and Industry estimated weekly demand at 400,000, with a suggested

retail price of P8 to P12 per piece, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said.

Demand for face masks shot up after the Taal Volcano erupted on Jan. 12, sending ash clouds to Southern Luzon and Metro Manila for several days.

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus or COVID-19

from China followed, wherein 3 cases were reported in the Philippines, all Chinese tourists.

"Yes, we have a shortage because of the tremendous surge in demand," Lopez told ANC's Early Edition.

The government is looking to source face

masks from India and Thailand. A local manufacturer in Bataan can make up to 80,000 face masks per day, he said.

Health authorities here and abroad have advised the public to wear face masks only if they show symptoms of COVID-19.

utomotive vehicle assemblers in the country may look into sourcing auto parts from local suppliers as productivity in manufacturing powerhouse China slowed down due to the virus outbreak, the country’s top trade of�icial said.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez told

reporters on the sidelines of a car company’s event Monday evening that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak can affect the supply chain of the local automotive industry.

“There will probably be challenge as to the supply chain, but just like people, companies cope up. They can do a backup strategy, sourcing from alternative

sites as well. That can be in other parts of China or other parts of the world, including the Philippines,” Lopez said.

Although the effects of the production slowdown in China could be temporary, he urged car companies here to increase the local content of vehicles that they assemble here.

“Find local sources for

any eventuality, not to rely on a single source. It’s like part of business continuity planning,” the DTI chief said.

Despite the setback in factory activities in China, the operation here of Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP), the country’s largest automaker, remains normal.

Dominguez said the violation cited by the Of�ice of the Solicitor General (OSG) against the television network “might be a constitu-

Gov't working to fill face mask shortage: trade chief

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Automakers urged to source parts locally amid slowdown in China

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AUTOMAKERS, P9

he smart-device giant Apple announced that its revenues are expected to underperform in the �irst three months of 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak in China.

Following the epidemic, Apple was forced to close its plants and several stores in the virus-hit country and this situation will constrain global iPhone supply temporarily, the �irm said late Monday.

Apple posted USD91.8 billion revenue in the October-December period and forecast USD63-67 billion revenue in the �irst three months of 2020.

"Work is starting to resume around the country, but we are experiencing a slower return to normal

conditions than we had anticipated," Apple noted.

Besides a narrowed global supply, iPhone sales were also affected by the novel coronavirus as the demand for Apple devices decreased in China due to closed stores.

Apple said: "As a result, we do not expect to meet the revenue guidance we provided for the March quarter due to two main factors."

The �irm underlined that it reopens its stores gradually.

The effects of device supply shortages will be temporary on the �irm's global revenues, it added.

The virus, which was �irst detected in December in the city of Wuhan,

APPLE, P9

Lucio Tan appointed PAL Holdings prexy

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ycoon Lucio Tan took over as president of Philippine Airlines' holding �irm, replacing his namesake son who died last November.

The board of PAL Holdings appointed Tan as president, concurrent to his existing role as chairman, the holding �irm told the stock exchange.

The company will also raise its authorized capital stock to P30 billion from P13 billion, PAL Holdings

said.

Tan's son, Lucio Tan Jr, died after a bad fall during a basketball game in November.

Philippine Airlines recently revamped its leadership, seeking to �ight off competition from budget carriers, as it reasserts itself as a full-service airline. The �lag carrier is aiming for a 5-star rating, the highest score from aviation industry tracker Skytrax.

EDGEDAVAO

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ECONOMY 5

Pooled drug purchases set as gov't enforces price caps

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he government will pool the procurement of some medicines to comply with a new directive from President Rodrigo Duterte that capped drug prizes, his trade secretary said Wednesday.

Buying breast cancer medicine through a pool can bring down the price to P13,000 per piece from P38,000 if drug store chains ordered separately, said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

An agency under the DTI's Philippine Interna-

tional Trading Corp will pool the orders in coordination with the trade and health departments, Lopez said.

"Pooled procurement will hopefully make the reduction in prices sustainable and viable for all. This is already a go," he said.

Unlike other countries, the Philippines can't subsidize drug prices to keep them low. Manila has to spend at least P4 trillion, or roughly the size of the annual national budget, for medicine subsidies, he said.

Phoenix offers P20/liter fuel

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hoenix Petroleum is offering all its fuel variants at a special discounted price of P20 per liter this February 20, 2020, from 10 am to 12 pm at ten of its gas stations across the country.

Called ‘Twenty on Twenty’, Phoenix launched the promo as a way to thank its customers and celebrate its win after being hailed as the ‘Marketing Company of the Year’ at the 40th Agora Awards.

“For the past years, Phoenix Petroleum has been achieving great business results, and attracting more and more partners and clients nationwide. We credit our growth to the hard work of our employees, the trust of our customers, and our continuous pursuit for improvement and excellence in our products and services. As we aim for greater goals this year, we want to give back to our customers and treat them with a very special promo.

As a homegrown brand that made its way up and competes toe-to-toe with big and established multinationals, we want to share this win to the people we serve, the Filipino motorists, who choose to trust and patronize local brands such as ours,” said Phoenix Petroleum Chief Operating Of�icer Henry Albert Fadullon.

The discounted pump prices are available at Phoenix stations in Lanang 1 in Davao, SRP Talisay in Cebu, C3 Road in Caloocan, Marcos Highway in Antipolo, Bahay Toro and Dahlia in Quezon City, San Pablo 2 in Lagu-

na, Sucat Skyway in Paranaque, Lalaan in Cavite, and Malvar in Batangas.

All Phoenix fuel variants (Diesel, Super Regular, Premium 95, and Premium 98) are blended with Phoenix PULSE Technology, a world-class fuel additive introduced

by Phoenix Petroleum in 2018, upgrading the quality of Phoenix fuels without any additional cost.

When used continuously, Phoenix PULSE Technology is proven to help result in better fuel economy due to its advanced cleaning and protection properties that bring enhanced power and acceleration to the vehicle.

Earlier this year, the prestigious Agora Awards recognized the positive impact Phoenix PULSE Technology brought to Filipino motorists through its launch and promos.

Along with Phoenix SUPER LPG’s German-made SRG Regulator, these innovations led the company to win Agora’s top award—the Marketing Company of the Year. Considered as the most prestigious marketing citation in the country, the recognition was bestowed by the Philippine Marketing Association.

In 2017, in celebration of its 10th listing anniversary, Phoenix Petroleum made headlines when it offered its fuels for only P10 per liter at participating stations nationwide.

The blockbuster one-day promo attracted throngs of motorists, and introduced Phoenix as a credible alternative brand that offers high-performing fuels at the best value.

PH 10-year T-bond rate declines

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ate of the Philippines 10-year Treasury bond (T-bond) fell Tuesday due to strong demand for the debt paper.

Average rate of the securities declined to 4.409 percent from 4.617 percent it fetched during the auction of the same tenor on November 12, 2019.

Total tenders reached PHP83.589 billion, nearly thrice the PHP30-billion offer. The auction committee made a full award.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon told journalists after the auction that rates during the auction are

in line with the secondary market rates, which stood at 4.4 percent Tuesday morning.

De Leon said the large volume of bid made them open the tap facility anew to accommodate additional PHP15-billion demand for the debt paper.

She attributed the drop in rates to concerns on the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-10) and anticipation for another slash in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates after the �irst 25-basis-point reduction last February. (PNA)

Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) information officer Noel Provido says during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza mall that the agency is coordinating and working with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to meet Davao Region’s governors and

mayors to discuss the requirements that need to be considered before they could issue a lockdown due to the African swine fever (ASF). Lean Daval Jr

Remittances surge to fresh peak in ‘19

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ilipinos abroad sent more money to their families back home in December, hitting a fresh peak, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Monday.

Personal remittances grew by nearly 2 percent in December to $3.22 billion, the highest monthly in�low on record. Cash sent home by overseas Filipinos totaled $33.47 billion for 2019 -- 3.9 percent higher than the total amounts received in 2018.

This is a seasonal spike in remittances as those working abroad send more money to fund the celebrations and presents for their family and relatives during Christmas and New Year.

Remittances are a big source of disposable income among Filipino fam-

ilies, as the dollars that Filipinos send support food, daily expenses, and even luxuries of their loved ones in the Philippines.

This boosts household spending, which props up the country’s economic growth.

For the year, the cash which Filipinos remitted accounted for nearly a tenth of the local economy, the BSP added.

OFWs accounted for bulk of the remittances, with those with long-term contracts on land sending home $25.6 billion, the central bank said.

Meanwhile, those at sea as well as temporary workers transferred $7.1 billion worth of funds to their loved ones and bene�iciaries in the Philippines.

The bulk of remittances came from the United States, which took a 37.6 percent share. Other major sources of funds were Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Japan, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Germany, and Kuwait.

However, an economist warned that remittances could hit a snag this year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, which may limit global economic activity.

“The virus has spread across the globe and will likely affect both deployment and actual work of Filipinos based abroad,”

ING Bank Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said in a commentary sent to reporters.

“The recent plight of the cruise ships around the world will likely put pressure on cruise liners and the hospitality industry as a whole, making it dif�icult for Filipinos to send home remittances should their salaries be curtailed or they lose their jobs altogether,” he added.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship has docked in Yokohama, Japan with its thousands of passengers and crew as they observe the 14-day quarantine period for the disease. There are over 500 Filipinos aboard the vessel, with the Philippine government now eyeing to evacuate nationals as the virus continues to spread.

mentary as UK sources a lot of agricultural products from the Philippines such as tuna, pineapples and coconut-based products, among others, while the Philippines imports high-technology products from the UK such as planes, automotive and consumer goods.

The British government will be pursuing independent trade agreements around the globe as UK transitions to leave the European Union (EU) by end of the year after concluding Brexit talks last month.

“We are talking with a lot of countries about our future independent trading relationship and that

include market access talks with big countries like China; potential future trade agreements with countries like Japan, Australia, New Zealand, America; and also deeper partnerships and dialogues with countries like the Philippines and other Asean members, which I hope, eventually, in the longer term will lead to a free trade agreement,” Graham said.

While stressing that Singapore and Malaysia are the top trade and investment partners of the UK in Southeast Asia, there is a growing interest in the Philippine market among British manufacturing �irms currently operating in China.

“I would anticipate for the Philippines that there would be some opportunities for diversi�ication of companies who are doing the manufacturing in China,” Graham noted.

He said British companies are also looking into the business process outsourcing sector of the country.

“We just keep making sure that the tax rules are transparent, clear and favorable,” the trade envoy added.

Meanwhile, Graham said trade arrangements between the Philippines and the UK under the EU Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)

Envoy sees strong potential for UK-PH free trade agreement

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isiting United Kingdom Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to the Philippines Richard Graham sees strong potential for free trade agreement in the future between the UK and the Philippines.

In a press brie�ing in Makati City Tuesday, Graham, who is also a British parliament member, said the Philippines is an important trade partner for the UK and as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), which the British government is looking into forging a trade deal with.

He added that trade relations between Manila and London are comple-

ENVOY, P9

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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EDITORIAL

Big buses, big responsibility

The move to upgrade from jeepneys to buses on Davao City streets as public transport under the much ballyhooed High Priority Bus System (HPBS) is essentially a smart move for a growing city with a growing transport problem.

However, it comes with a caveat.

Bigger vehicles mean bigger risks to safety. Hence, the need to prepare safety procedures and hone safety skills and competencies for drivers. In Metro Manila, accidents involving buses are a commonplace. And where bigger objects collide with one another or with a smaller object, the damage and injury is of bigger proportions. It’s a smart but also a risky shift.

Anticipating this, the city government is preparing the competency requirements for all those who will be behind the wheel when the HPBS goes full throttle. There is a regulation since 2013 requiring all public utility bus drivers to be trained and certi�ied by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before ferrying passengers. The Land Transportation Of�ice (LTO), the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) requires each bus driver to possess a National Certi�icate (NC) III and the only way to acquire it is to pass the TESDA

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ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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

assessment.

The certi�ication will ensure that public buses plying the roads are being manned by responsible and skilled drivers. With the Tesda certi�ication, appropriate skills and adequate pay, we believe that there will be less, if not zero accidents, on the road.

Bus companies who hire drivers without certi�ication may be suspended or have their franchise revoked.

For those aspiring to be employed under the HPBS, the city government has announced it is offering 3,000 slots to bus drivers to enroll in the NC3 bus driving course. Bus driver aspirants of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS) must �irst secure a level 3 competency bus driving course certi�icate to qualify for employment. As of February 14, there are 365 applicants lining up for NC3 bus driving at TESDA. More than 7,000 jeepney drivers and operators will be affected once the operation of the modern bus system starts.

The course will focus on safe, economical, and environment-friendly driving (SEED) as well as assessment moderation and conduct.

Today’s jeepney drivers have been observed to be mostly untrained and driving recklessly. Under the HPBS, these kind of drivers must be extinct.

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 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

GLORY COMES AFTER PAIN “The nature of compassion isn’t coming to terms with your own suffering and applying it to others” It’s knowing that other folks around you suffer and, no matter what happens to you, no matter how lucky or unlucky you are, they keep suffering.

And if you can do something about that, then you do it, and you do it without whining or waving your own cross to the world to see. You do it because it’s the right thing to do.” – John Connolly in Dark Hollow *** In My Friend Leonard, James Frey wrote: “Pain is the feeling. Suffering is the effect the pain in�licts. If one can endure pain, one can live without suffering. If one can withstand pain, one can withstand anything. If one can learn to control pain, one can learn to control oneself.”

Frey’s statement reminds me of the story related by Gordon Albion. It goes this way: Jethro was badly injured by a drunken driver at the age of 15. He lost a leg. He was happily married, and then after six years, his wife left him for another man. But he determined to make the best of life for himself and for others. So, he got the idea of becoming a pen pal to some cripple worse off than he was. (This happened in the days when there was still no in-

ternet and wi-�i connection.)

He was put in touch with Fred, a fellow who had been struck on the head by a baseball bat at the age of nine, and lost the use of his arms and legs. He spent over 40 years in a hospital.

Fred answered Jethro with a three-page letter �illed with optimism and cheerfulness in every sentence. And how do you think Fred ended his letter?

“I thank God,” he wrote, “I thank God that I am able to write my own letters – by holding the pen in my mouth.”

More often than not, we think our sufferings are too much to bear. Unknowingly, compared with others, ours may be miniscule. Italian poet, novelist, and translator Cesare Pavese once pointed out: “Suffering is by no means a privilege, a sign of nobility, a reminder of God. Suffering is a �ierce, bestial thing, commonplace, uncalled for, natural as air. It is intangible; no one can grasp it or �ight against it; it dwells in time – is the same thing as time; if it comes in �its and starts, that is only so as to leave the sufferer more defenseless during the moments that follow, those long moments when one relives the last bout of torture and waits for the next.”

There is joy in suffering.

The Dalai Lama XIV, in The Art of

Happiness, said, “A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.” Mother Teresa said it better: “I think it is very good when people suffer. To me that is like the kiss of Jesus.”

There was this story shared

by Joel Fritz. “I remember a crippled man in the hospital where I was a chaplain for a few years,” he wrote. “He was unbelievably dis�igured. His body was twisted like a corkscrew and all he could do was sit in bed, day and night. If someone came to visit him, he could not even turn his head enough to make eye contact.”

When Fritz came around to visit the crippled man, his standard greeting was: “Well, how are things today?” The usual answer was: “Just �ine, thank you.”

“Now, deep in my own heart, I knew that if I were answering for him, I could truthfully have said each time, ‘Well, things are a lot worse with me than with you,’ and I could have understood.

“But seeing this man suffering and hearing him answer so lightheartedly always did something to me: I always left the room both humble and joyful.”

Generally, people complain to God for the suffering they experience. “Our tendency in the midst of suffering is to turn to God,” wrote Rob Bell, an Amer-

ican author and former church pastor. “To get angry and bitter and shake our �ist at the sky and say, ‘God, you don’t know what it’s like. You don’t understand!

You have no idea what I’m going through. You don’t have a clue how much this hurts.”

But when you blame God, you have forgotten that He suffered more than what we have agonized. “The cross is God’s way of taking away all of our accusations, excuses, and arguments,” Bell pointed out. “The cross is God taking on �lesh and blood and saying, ‘Me, too.’”

I am not sure if you have heard this Jewish folklore before. But allow me to share it anyway. Two Jews once came to a small-town rabbi and told him, “Our wise men at home have told us something that keeps bothering us because we can’t understand what it means.

They keep saying that we must with equal joy receive both the good and the evil which God sends. Tell us, rabbi, how can we possibly do such a thing?”

“Well, I’ll tell you,” the rabbi answered. “Just go over to the classroom over there and �ind the old retired rabbi who smokes a pipe. He will have the answer for you.”

So, the two Jews walked over to the classroom, found the old rabbi and told him their problem. He laid his pipe down

on the table, smiled, and told the two people: “I’m the last person on earth you should have asked that question. You should really have gone to someone else.

I’m not quali�ied to answer that question because I’ve never forgotten anything evil from God’s hand.”

The two Jews, however, knew for a fact that this old rabbi’s life had actually been one long struggle with pain and need. But now they understood what it meant to see suffering as a sign of life.

J.I. Packer, in God’s Plans for You, wrote: “God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other af�lictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day.

The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly – that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak – is true sancti�ication.”

To end this piece, allow me to quote the words of Julian Barnes, author of The Only Story: “Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less?

That is, I think, �inally, the only real question.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

OLDER THAN FRANKLIN BAKER CO. In the last half a century, copra processing in Davao region has always been associated with Franklin Baker Co. (FBC), an iconic American �irm that traces its �irst imprints to 1921 when its founder, Franklin Baker and son Franklin Jr. visited the country and a year later organized the Philippine Food Co. (PFC), which operated a desiccated coconut plant in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

As early as 1928, though, the idea of producing copra from coconut was already in place in Davao. That year, Mt. Apo Plantation Co., based in Lawa, Malita, Davao Occidental, sealed a contract with captain Thomas J. Keeney, president of the Paci�ic Dehydrating Co., to install a two-ton capacity copra drier in the agricultural estate.

The new plant was “to produce a much higher grade of copra.” What was interesting about the equipment, which drew quite an interest, was its ability “to pare the nuts before drying and make it into a �irstclass food product for human consumption.” The plantation was managed by American Edward J. Beardsley, the farm superintendent.

There are, however, details in the contract that are unknown. For instance, how much was the equipment valued, or if the contract was executed to its completion. Even the estate, listed as one of the members of Davao Planters Association, is hardly cited in available accounts. Future researchers, surely, will add new light to this interesting piece of Davao history.

The contract signing, meanwhile, took place on the same year that Franklin Baker Co., through its plants in San Pablo City, was declared as “world’s largest primary copra market.”

In that same year, a newly organized department, part of Franklin Baker Co. of the Philippines’ (FBCP) expanding interests, started producing coconut shell charcoal.

Colonel John W. Craig, president and general manager of the subsidiary �irm, announced that the plant, with a four-ton capacity, was the source of the “famous charcoal which made the gas masks of the American troops superior in the World War.” It was not until 1968 when

FBC, through General Foods Corp., established its �irst desiccated coco plant outside of Luzon. Under its two-plant sourcing strategy, the facility was opened at Darong, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. Historically, FBC started operating as a corporate entity in 1894, after its founder took over a small coco business in Philadelphia, USA. Finding a moneymaker in the unexploited coco market, he developed a method on how to easily “shred and produce coconut meat of uniform quality,” which he later sold to residents, especially housewives.

Franklin Baker’s success led to a collaboration between him and his son, Franklin Jr., who established Franklin Baker Company, Inc. This development inspired the father-and-son tandem to move their manufacturing facilities to New York and later to New Jersey.

Four years after PFC’s founding, Baker transferred its production line to San Pablo City and renamed the company FBCP on May 13, 1926. The following year, Postum Cereal Co., renamed General Foods Corp.

in 1929, bought FBCP and Diehl-Anderson Coconut Co., also based in San Pablo City. Diehl-Anderson Coconut Co. was organized in 1923 by Theobald Diehl, an American of German descent who represented the Philippines in the US Republican Party National Convention and FBCP in 1927, and Major W.H. Anderson, former chief commissary of subsistence, United States Volunteer Corps, in 1898.

World War II heavily damaged FBCP’s manufacturing equipment. It was only in 1948 that these were rehabilitated and repaired. Between the end of the war the reopening of FBCP, other players in the coconut industry surfaced but not on the same scale as the BFCP. In 1946, the Canlubang Sugar Estate organized a small coconut factory in 1946 and sold its products to FBCP. That same year, Sun Ripe Coconut Products Co. commenced operating and exported desiccated coconut.

Meanwhile, Peter Paul Philippines Corp., a newcomer, was the �irst to erect a prewar factory, followed by Blue Bar Coconut Co. and the Philippine Desiccat-

ed Coconut Co., both operating in Quezon Province.

Marsman Co., a pioneering Philippine �irm, later opened operations in Manila in May 1947.

Red V Coconut Products, Ltd. and Cooperative Coconut Products, both pre-war companies, began operations two months later. That same year, FBCP returned to manufacturing.

Four decades later, Philip Morris, named after a London tobacconist, purchased Kraft Foods Group, Inc., a U.S. grocery and processing �irm. The acquisition meant the FBC desiccated coco products, later sold to an investment company, was put under Kraft’s food ingredients group.

Meanwhile, as part of its local expansion of coco production, on January 19, 2017, the FBCP, the world’s leading supplier of desiccated coco products, inaugurated its third plant, thereby increasing its production volume to 1.4 million tons.

The integrated coco processing plant is in Darong, where FBCP’s second plant was established in 1968; it is situated inside the 15-hectare export zone authority certi�ied in town.

8 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

PLASTICS: GOING, GOING SOON!

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“The greatest environmental challenges facing the world.” That was how British Prime Minister Theresa May described those single-use plastic items like plastic bags, straws, and coffee stirrers.

“We have to confront this material and our use of it, because so much of it is single use disposable plastic and this is a material that doesn’t go away. It doesn’t return to the planet the way other materials do,” Sherri Mason, chair of geology and environmental sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia, told Associated Press.

In Davao City, Councilor Diosdado Mahipus, Jr. seemed to heed the plea.

He has proposed to reduce the use of single-use plastics (SUPs), which are “disposable plastics” and plastic products “conceived, designed or placed on the market to be used only once over a short time span before being disposed or discarded.”

In the proposed Single-Use Plastic Regulation Ordinance 202, ten items were prohibited in Davao City. These are: drinking cups (recyclable or non-recyclable), plastic condiments (sauce or gravy container), plastic cup lids or covers, plastic stirrers, plastic straw, plastic cutleries (like spoon, fork, or knife), plastic meal packaging, plastic hand gloves,

plastic materials used as buntings, and plastic materials used as balloon stick whether recyclable or non-recyclable.

“So far, these are the 10 plastics covered by the ordinance, which means that those not mentioned can still be used,” Chinkie Golle, executive director of Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), was quoted as saying by EDGE Davao in a news report written by Maya M. Padillo.

Not included in the list are plastic bags, which come in different colors, sizes, forms, and weights. “The continued use of plastic bags has created many problems, foremost of which is the way they take up land�ill space, where it will stay intact into the next few millennia,” said Davao City Councilor in 2012.

“Since they were introduced in the 1970s, plastic bags have in�iltrated our lives,” wrote Caroline Williams in New Scientist. “Globally, we carry home between 500 billion and a trillion every year – about 150 bags for every person on earth, or to put it another way, a million every minute and rising.”

The country’s so-called “sachet economy” has contributed to the proliferation of plastics. Products sold in single-use sachets

include instant coffee, shampoo, soy sauce, cooking oil, food seasoning, and toothpaste.

“Because they are easy to sell – ribbons of single-use products hang from neighbourhood stores even in the most remote communities – large multina-

That’s about one sachet per person per day on a per capita basis.

“The problem with plastics has been escalating for decades, and the Philippines has been identi�ied as the world’s third largest contributor of plastics in the ocean,” WWF said.

“Plastic pol-

tional manufacturing companies continue to market them,” the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) observes.

According to one research group, the Philippines discards 60 billion plastic sachets each year.

lution has always been a huge issue in the Philippines with the continuous generation of plastic wastes and poor waste management.”

About 35,800 tons of garbage, which include plastics, are generated

each day by Filipinos, according to a position paper written by Alicia Castillo and Suchiro Otoma. “On average, each person in the country produces about 0.5 kilogram and 0.3 kilogram of garbage every day in the urban and rural areas, respectively.”

Another report – from the National Solid Waste Management Commission and the World Bank – said 2.27 million tons of garbage are collected every year out of the 2.7 million tons produced. “Of this, 386,000 tons are still leaked into the ocean,” the report said.

“An absence of garbage collection services in secondary cities and many of the country’s smaller islands is largely to blame for the overwhelming amount of plastic coming from the country,” Froilan Grate, executive director of the Philippine branch of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, was quoted as saying by South China Morning Post.

A news report said SUPs for food and cosmetics are one of the main contributors to plastic waste in land�ills and in oceans.

Around 40% of all plastic that is produced is used for packaging, and the World Economic Forum estimates that 95% of this is not recycled after its initial use.

That’s horrendous, indeed. “Following the trajectory of plastic production and mismanagement, United Nations reports predicted that by 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are �ish,” Environment Secretary Roy E. Cimatu said in a press statement.

In the award-winning 1967 movie, The Graduate, the character portrayed by newcomer Dustin Hoffman (who received a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actor) asked some advice on career direction.

“Plastics, my boy. Plastics,” he was told.

Businesses all over the world are heeding the advice. Unknowingly, no one knew at the time the other side of plastics, which are non-biodegradable. “(This means) they don’t decay and become absorbed by the environment,” the

press statement explained.

“Once discarded, plastic is likely to end up in oceans after being washed down in rivers, �lushed down in toilets, or windblown from dumps.”

The UN estimates that there is now 100 million tons of plastic waste in the oceans, with the vast majority coming from land-based sources. The implications of that there are still not well known but there is growing and alarming evidence that it has begun to disrupt ecosystems and �ind its way throughout the food chain, including into humans.

Plastics “is in our air, our water, our food, our excrement,” Nina Butler, the chief executive of�icer of More Recycling, a research and consulting company that works with the plastic industry on recycling, was quoted as saying by media.

“It’s very, very pervasive.”

Jonas Leones, DENR undersecretary for policy, planning and international affairs, said the effects of plastics can be devastating for marine biodiversity.

“Small litters like candy wrappers end up in our oceans,” he said. “It is eaten by marine species, clogging their stomach and causing their death.”

This is very alarming, according to Congressman Loren Legarda.

“We’ve been too abusive of our ocean, and our marine ecosystem has been taking all the burden resulting from the misuse of resources.”

Plastics are materials made to last forever. “Disposed plastic materials can remain in the environment for up to 2,000 years and longer,” wrote Barry E. DiGregorio in an article.

Plastics are also hazardous to human health.

Two broad classes of plastic-related chemicals are of critical concern for human health: bisphenol-A and additives used in the synthesis of plastics, which are known as phthalates.

Exposure to these two chemicals, said a study conducted by the Arizona State University Biodesign Institute, is linked to cancer, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption and other ailments.

The blatant use of plastics has to stop – now!

“Plastics are a clear and present danger to the future of our planet,” de-

PLASTICS, P10

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

DON’T STOP TRAVELLING FINDING GREAT DISCOUNTS AND DEALS AT THE 11TH DAVAO MEGA TRAVEL SALE WITH FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS and travel advisories, the world of travel is currently spinning on its head these past few months with the COVID-19 paranoia.

While it is right to be more aware of our health and hygiene, these travel disruptions are temporary and the need to travel, especially with great discounts attached, is sure to call.

Last February 15 and 16 saw the 11th Davao Mega Travel Sale (DMTS) happened at the activity center of the Abreeza Ayala Mall. Organised by the Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) the biggest travel sale in Durianburg gave great options for travellers looking into different places, explore new destinations, and discover new attractions.

Not just a showcase of domestic and international destinations and travel packages, the event served as a venue to showcase and support travel agents, hotels, attractions and other travel related establishments and services. Travellers who attended the show were able to chat and gain insight on the right tour package from seasoned travel agents as well as discounts from the various resorts and hotels.

“This event is a culmination of the hard work and long-term planning and organising of the association and the DMTS working committee to give the travelling public great travel deals to help them achieve their travel goals,” said DTAA President Day Uyking.

The event is co-presented by Amadeus, BPI, Cebu Pacific, Department of Tourism XI, Home Radio, Resorts World Singapore and SilkAir.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

GLOBE, SMILE TRAIN: GIVING CHILDREN WITH CLEFT LIPS AND PALATES A REASON TO SMILE JOHNDER was born in the Muslim Badjao tribe on the islands of Sulu where cleft lips, a cut on the lip; cleft palates, a hole in the roof of the mouth; and other disabilities are a common sight due to lack of access to healthcare. His parents would have been content to live a quiet life in their little coastal community until one day, they heard that they could get a free surgery to fix Johnder’s condition.

The family moved to the outskirts of Davao City, building their own home on stilts, this time on trashfilled canal waters connected to the main road by flimsy man-made bridges reminiscent of their coastal roots. Their living conditions have been difficult, with Johnder’s father earning only a small living selling knock-off signature sunglasses, but amidst all these challenges, his mother recounts their story with light and hope in her eyes.

Now a seven-year-old boy with a newly-operated lip who just started to attend school, Johnder no longer lives in fear of being bullied by his classmates. Instead, he races across their wobbly bridges everyday, excited to go to school with his siblings and friends.

Twenty more children like Johnder were given new hope by Globe Telecom and Smile Train, an international children’s charity whose vision is to ensure that every child born with a cleft can lead a full and productive life.

From the goodwill of its employees, customers, and partners, Globe was able to raise enough funds to support comprehensive cleft care for at least 20 children through Smile Train.

“Globe always makes it a point to give back to the communities so we continue to partner with different non-government organizations to help in social and environmental causes. This prompted us to tap Smile Train as a strategic partner in the promotion of good health and well-being especially among disadvantaged Filipinos,” said Miguel Bermundo, Director for Globe Citizenship and Advocacy Marketing.

“Smile Train is grateful for being a charity partner of Globe. By providing customers and their employees an opportunity to support our cause, many Filipinos born with a cleft have been given a second chance at life,” said Kimmy Coseteng-Flaviano, Smile Train, Area Director, Smile Train Southeast Asia At present, one in every 700 babies worldwide are born with a cleft lip and/or palate, forcing many of them to live in isolation while having difficulties in eating, breathing, and speaking.

However, cleft repair surgery is simple and transformation is immediate, thereby, encouraging Smile Train to provide resources that will empower local doctors in over 90 countries to offer 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care in their own communities.

EVENT

Entertaining the crowd.

A NIGHT FULL OF LOVE AND MUSIC

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

LOVE – that four-letter word – speaks a million words when it comes to description. That’s why it’s inscrutable, impenetrable.

Men and women – and those in-between – try to define it but it defies definition.

One of the best ways to convey love and be understood without any inkling of necessary explanation is through music. It can be in the form of opera, contemporary, classical, move theme songs or Broadway. In whatever ballad, lovers can understand the meanings without much ado.

This was proven during a special event called Music of the Night, that was held at the Grand Pilipinas Ballroom at Grand Regal Hotel during the Valentine’s Day celebration. The audience were not only enthralled but likewise mesmerized by the repertoire of songs that were sang during the concert.

Two great singers from Manila came to Davao City not just to entertain the audience in the fully-packed room but likewise to give meaning of what real love is.

Through songs, both had put the lovers back the fire that may have dwindled and even keep the fire burning even after the concert was over.

The two singers were Marvin Gayramon and Marian Santiago.

One of the most sought-after

classical singers and music theater performers in the country today, Gayramon can sing bel canto, music theather and pop with utmost ease. This was his first ever concert in Davao City, according to him.

A native of Butuan City, he has toured extensively around the country and in key cities in Asia, the United States, and Canada, where he participated in music festivals, competitions and concerts.

As an accomplished baritone singer, he has received several

The Grand Regal s first runn accolades. He was chosen to ing Gisin represent the country in the tion in 20 9th Rosa Ponselle International He has Competition for Vocal Arts in was still New York in 1997. Two years later, he became the lone Filipino love for m academy member to the Baroque he wasn’t Vocal Program of the Pacific Mu- time. Cu sic Festival held in Japan. He was his PhD en’s Univ also a finalist in a voice internaFrom tional competition in Montreal, back to B Canada. lished hi In 1996, he won the first prize Aesthetic in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, collegiate those he solo category. He was also named Voice Sea

EDAVAO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

staff with the singers and writers. ner up in the NCCA Sinng Kundiman Competi010. s been singing since he a little boy. In fact, his music was the reason why ’t able to finish college on urrently, he is finishing at the Philippine Womversity School of Music. time to time, he returns Butuan where he estabis own vocal academy, the cs Voice Studio. Among mentored were The ason 2 Grand Winner,

ENTERTAINMENT

VICKY MORALES TAKES ON NEW ROLE AS “ATE NG BAYAN” IN “ILABAN NATIN ‘YAN!”

The singers.

The author with the singers and pianist.

Jason Dy, and Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 3 Grand Winner Elaine Duran.

Santiago, on the other hand, is a soprano graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. Her genres are classical, pop, Broadway and standards. She has also performed abroad, including Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau.

She also performed on stage.

She was one of the lead actors of “Singapura the Musical” that was staged in Singapore in 2015. She also played the role of Tuptim in “The King and I” at the Resorts World Manila.

Domini Sebastian del Rosario, the man who invited us to witness the historic event, said the concert was just the beginning of more events to come. “There are several shows we are contemplating of staging at the hotel,” he said.

Grand Regal Hotel Davao is located along JP Laurel Avenue and nestled on a 14-storey tower, with 217 guestrooms and suites.

Its distinctive modern classic style provides utmost comfort and convenience for people who come to Davao City, the country’s largest city.

It is also home to Casino Pilipino, the biggest gaming and entertainment venue in Mindanao.

Guests who are looking for something to eat don’t need to go out. It has several bars and restaurants: Champagne Bar, Sundeck Bar, Montmartre Café, The Brasserie Restaurant and Kadayawan Restaurant.

FROM NEWS REPORTING to granting wishes, GMA News Pillar Vicky Morales has shown her versatility in public service through the years. Beginning February 22 (Saturday), the award-winning broadcast journalist takes on yet another role, this time around as the “Ate ng Bayan” in the realitydrama program “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” In “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!”, Vicky helps parties in conflict resolve their issues by reaching out to the people in the barangays, getting to the root of their problems, and encouraging them to make positive changes in their lives.

“Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” is not the viewers’ typical public affairs show as it gives new flavor to “Serbisyong Totoo” through a traveling confessional called “Palaban Express”—a modern jeep that will go around various barangays where people from all walks of life can voice out their concerns.

The show then showcases the most interesting stories which will be brought to life by various Kapuso actors. The featured individual and all the concerned parties will be given the chance to discuss the issue at hand, right in the comfort of their own barangay. “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” will employ experts

and resource persons who will help in resolving the problem.

“Ibang-iba siya sa mga ginagawa ko,” shares Vicky who has been a broadcast journalist for three decades already. “Para sa atin lahat itong show na ito. Kapupulutan natin ng aral at matutuwa pa tayo.

Hindi lang namin kayo pakikinggan, ilalaban natin yan!” she adds.

Ordinary Filipinos can definitely relate to the issues that “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” will feature such as social media and gaming addiction, teen suicide, sibling rivalry, inheritance

disputes, juvenile delinquency, child support and custody battles, adultery and other problems.

On its first month, “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” tackles a wife being abused, a paranormal expert bullied online, and a woman being threatened.

Some of the Kapuso actors set to be part of the episodes include Ruby Rodriguez, Anjo Yllana, Thea Tolentino, Anjo Damiles, and Ms. Jaclyn Jose.

Catch “Ilaban Natin ‘Yan!” every Saturday beginning February 22, after Tadhana on GMA-7.

STARS OF “JAMES AND PAT AND DAVE” CELEBRATE LOVE ON ABS-CBN LIFESTYLE

ABS-CBN Lifestyle celebrates all kinds of young, modern love this February with the stars of “James and Pat and Dave”—Ronnie Alonte, Loisa Andalio, and Donny Pangilinan—taking on the guest editor duties for the celebrity lifestyle site.

As this month’s ABSCBN Lifestyle Inspo, the three stars talk about selflove, online relationships,

and more. They also dish out on their fun experiences filming their kilig Valentine’s movie.

ABS-CBN Lifestyle also shifts the spotlight to former lovers turned good friends. In a series of heartwarming videos and articles, ex-partners Alex Diaz and Ella Hake, Lexi Gancayco and Jason Santos, and Chin Chin Obcena and Van Allen Ong reunite with

each other to talk about their relationship-turnedspecial friendship.

Besides its engaging content on love and relationships, ABS-CBN Lifestyle launches a major series on SEA Games 2019 medalists.

The site puts the country’s pride front and center with glamorous portraits and their in-depth perspective on the prestigious, lifechanging tournament that

was.

Check out the exciting reads and videos with Ronnie, Loisa, and Donny, the newest #ABSCBNLifestyleInspo trio. Catch more Inspiring Stellar Stories on ABS-CBN Lifestyle by logging on to Lifestyle.ABSCBN.com and following the site through its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter @abscbnlifestyle.

A4 INdulge!

EVENTAND CULTURE ARTS TRAVEL TECH

EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 248•216 •WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 22, VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 219 • TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,FEBRUARY JANUARY 17, 14, 2020

NORWEGIAN CRUISEPRIORITY LINENEW ELIMINATES SINGLEEASTWEST OPENS CENTER DAVAO TO SONY INTRODUCES GP-VPT2BT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET THE CITY’S HIGH-VALUE CLIENTS IN GRAND LAUNCH WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

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

“Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise EASTWEST, the most consumorder sathe Dagmay if they will Line, innovator er-focused bank in the use cottonuniversal threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the Philippines, continues mis-to Limon also seeshistory the with a 53-year growing lineup ofitsneed camsion toand expand its with tapbreaking the artisans inhorizons this endeavof boundaries, eras accessories the offor EastWest Priority or now toopening givesingle-use their clients fresh is plasdeveloped modern Center Davao last January 22. andbeverage new designs. tic bottle free creators, Sony today This isannounced its first centertoin Mind“We really need tap the across its fleet. has the new anao bespoke services artisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless Theoffering brand announced last exclusive high-value clients. gud ga-agi pa ko saIdeal middle shooting grip. for year that to it partnered with Thesince ribbon-cutting inauguraman wala’y sa many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,access which ention held EastWest Ana community,” he Line said.Sta. of content creation abled theatCruise to replace Store in Davao City was followed wants tovlogs show off ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic water by special evening affair theabeauty of Dagmay asfleet, travel photography /athethe bottles across its 17-ship Marco Polowith Davao, attended by has clients who are looking for videography tomost simple beginning its recent the city’s prominent personaliclothes and accessories made everyday use,Encore. the new ship, Norwegian ties.

Guests enjoyed a gastrobyThe the Mandayas.

He saidof they grip offers optimum achievement is one the nomic six-course dinner and noticed thatand some Pasalubong stability comfort latest sustainable steps forward were serenaded

by Davao nocableless than centers including City’s combined with for Norwegian Cruise Line.

In the Philippines’ premier crooner, free connectivity and a 2018, the Company eliminated Richard Poon, along with special reliable dust and moissingle-use plastic straws across performances by local artists. ture design. its fleetresistant and private destinaSeveral lucky Compatible withbrought aofvariety tions, and as aguests result this home exciting raffle prizes. of Sony’s latest digital most recent initiative, itcamerwill thesix evening, EastWest as,During the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over million singleofficials shared with guests all easily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every the benefits that come with creators to simply aim andbeyear.

In addition, the brand is ing an without EastWest Priority client. shoot interfering working to eliminate single-use cables or exposedand inputs.

The plastic shampoo condiBESPOKE TREATMENT new grip includes useful tilt tioner bottles later athis year.AT EASTWEST PRIORITY feature that allows for flexible These efforts are driven by With the opening ofSustain East-as vertical angle adjustment the Company’s Sail & West Priority Center it well as the ability to Davao, switch Environmental Program, which will be easier for to from normal to self-shooting is itsnow commitment to clients minimize enjoy financial modepersonalized with ease. Additionalwaste to landfills, reduce its and wealth management services.

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actor and activist Jaden Smith Mindanao, I am very and family,which JUST takes an inexcited because of our novativeabout approach to sourcing family’s history the in the region,” and packaging world’s most said EastWest Board member valued resource - water.

The Isabelle Gotianun-Yap. am revolutionary company“Ifocuses certain that our peopletaking will work on an impact model, their hardest to provide into consideration bothyou howwith the the service you deserve, and I water is sourced and packaged. hope this will be the start JUSTthat is 100% spring water in of a many fruitfulcarton. partnerships with plant-based The carton you to come.” is made of 82% renewable mate“Opening our first EastWest rials – the paper carton is made Priority Center in Mindanao from trees grown in responis hand-in-handforests with the sibly-managed andcity’s the brimming potential ecocap and shoulder areformade nomic said Antonio from agrowth,” sugarcane-based plastic.

C. EastWest Vice It isMoncupa refillableJr., and recyclable. to a special time deposit interest Chairman, and CEO. JUST has a President, global presence rate of up to 3.5% per annum or “As city prospers, to withthe bottling facilitiesweinhope Glenn up to P130,000 in cash credits forge partnershipsNorthern through Falls, more NY; Ballymena, when they make an investment.

EastWest Priority, helping Ireland; and Ballarat, Australia, Davaoenos reach goals to and thus allowing thetheir company A CITY ON THE RISE dreams.” meet demand around the world Davao City is on the verge of a without For more information on a shipping water from boom due to its strategic posiEastWest Priority and its various single production source.

JUST tioning as an destinapersonalized to our Sail & attractive Sustain program takes care to wealth use themanagemost effition for investments in various ment and financial services, and believe wholeheartedly in cient shipping options available. fields, according of to preserving a 2019 Forbes please theinformation EastWest Priorthe importance For call more about article.

This potential to ity CustomerCruise ServiceLine Hotline our natural resources.waiting We will Norwegian ships be fully realized makes the city (+632) continue to strive towards mak- at and their8888-1788. itineraries,EastWest or to book aing good place in whichconscious EastWest Priority environmentally a cruise,Center please Davao contactisalocated travel Priority at EastWest Sta. Store, Gov. decisionscan to expand. benefit our earth.” professional, callAna 888-NCL“Today, we are Sales Street, Sta. Ana,orDavao Envisioned andcelebrating founded by CRUISE (625-2784) visit another milestone launchCity with telephone number American rapper, by songwriter, www.ncl.com. ing our first Priority Center in (082) 299-1739.

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 L-R: VISA Country Manager for Philippines and Guam Dan Wolbert; Eastwest Marketing and Corporate Communications Head Alessandro Villaraza; EastWest Head of Treasury, Markets and Off Balance Sheet Cluster Rafael S. Algarra; Eastwest Director Isabelle Yap; Business Development Director for VISA J-Ann Reyes; Eastwest CEO Antonio Moncupa, Jr.; EastWest Wealth Management Head Richard Tamayo; VISMIN Priority Head Jennifer Alviar; EastWest Relationship Manager Janice Galaura; EastWest Priority Client Relationship Officer Karla Hipona; EastWest Relationship Manager Cathy Angco; and EastWest Priority Center Davao Head, Archie Policarpio.

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Aldevinco do not carry Dagmay cloth.

They get full access to a wide range of savings, investments, and financing options suited to their goals; a dedicated Relationship Manager to design, customize, and help manage an investment portfolio based on their risk appetite; and timely market reports that can rate, help increase them make CO2 emissions informed decisions, name a sustainable sourcingtoand invest ly,few. has an adjustment wheel initemerging technologies. also automatically canClients be loosened orspecial tightened “This iswill a very and an toreceive allow forEastWest seamless operavery proud momentPlatinum for us,” Debit Card, and will eligible tion cameras of be different saidwith Harry Sommer, president to apply an EastWest Priority sizes and weights.

The grip and chieffor executive officer of Visa InfiniteCruise Credit Card,“As both also includes a flip button, inNorwegian Line. with amazing exclusive premidicator light and lock we switch, a leading cruise line, are um perks and privileges.

“Wala man gud kaayo Mandaya nathat, pieces and mostly On top of Priority clients T’boliquality products ang sa whenAlenjoy treatment devinco.

Manila T’boli lang ever they Sa bank at EastWest.

They mostly makita nakorates na ginaare entitled to better and himoget accent beads fees, accessugtoYakan, any Priority sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao Center and Priority Lanes at and Inaul.

Walay something select EastWest stores, and a 24from the Mandaya commuHour EastWest Priority Customnity,” hetosaid. er Service Hotline always ready thrilled make such an impact The cotton design to them. Dagmay byserve eliminating single-use beverclothing not yetchanged available Potential clients can enjoy in and can beisquickly age bottles across our fleet. theathe market as Limon all perks that come with an into tripod simply exIt’s just one by of the waysand wehis are group are still in the immerEastWest Priority relationship panding the bottom portion, working to preserve our oceans sion the stage ofstable, which starts atthe anproject. opening balenabling easy handsand destinations we visit.

“We willisevaluate their ance ofthis only P2.5 Those free shooting.

While just million. the pa beginning capacity and kung willing sila who open anand EastWest PriorThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless of what we others can do, makipag-collaborate,” heuntil said. ity relationship from Shooting Grip will be now availwe are incredibly committed April 30, 2020 will be entitled

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

FARMERS’... FROM1

dustry," So said.

The DA has issued color-coded zoning map to contain ASF. Based on the zoning map: red color means infected zone, pink color is a buffer zone that include provinces that still have infected municipalities or cities but have not reported new ASF cases; yellow zone is where regions have the highest swine population, both raised in commercial and backyard operations; light green zone or the protected zone, and dark green is the free zone.

Through Administrative Order No. 22, President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all government agencies and LGUs to implement and comply with the DA zoning plan to contain and eradicate the ASF. "Dapat makasabot ang LGUs ani. LGUs should also align ilang ordinances sa administrative order ni President Duterte kay maipit ang trade sa industry," said Noel Provido, information of�icer of DA 11.

Provido said they are coordinating and working with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the plan of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to meet the governors and mayors of the region as they are the ones issuing lockdowns.

So said they will be meeting with the regional directors of DA Wednesday night to �ine tune recommendations and suggestions from the hog industry players.

"Initially nag-agree na ang regional directors of DA na i-in place nanamo

ang mga documents para dili libog. Usahay kung dili proper ang communication sa mga papeles. Apil ang selective lockdown sa among sabutan para dili madamay ang uban including other areas of Mindanao and Visayas", he said.

So said the lockdown has a domino effect to other members of the industry. He said lechoneros in Davao City are now complaining on the drop of sales of their lechons as the public is hesitant to eat pork. Another reason is it is quite dif�icult to transport live pigs in the city due to the existing ban.

"Lechoneros in Davao City are now complaining due to the drop of sales because of this. What worsen the situation is the lockdown or areas na ayaw padaanin. Bakit magla-lockdown kung hindi infected areas? It really gives a wrong message and impression," So said.

He said they talked to around 20 lechoneros in Chavez Street in Davao City complaining a drop of sales of more than 40 percent.

"Musulti ang isa ka lechonero sauna mulechon siya ug 20 kabuok ka baboy in a week, karon sulti swerte na makaduha in a day. Dako kaayo ug bawas. I have a buyer that is buying around 12 heads a day, karon mukuha na lang ug upat ka baboy sa akong farm," So said.

So also mentioned that a lot of restaurants in Davao City removed pork from their menus due to ASF scare.

Some restaurateurs even have the audacious-

ness of waging an "Iwas ASF" campaign which is de�initely hurting the industry because it gives the public negative impression.

So added that their next step is to contact and have a dialogue with the associations of restos, hotel chains, and tourism stakeholders in Davao City.

He also said that another thing that is worsening the situation are the misconceptions especially shared online about ASF. "We are very concern on information na there are misconceptions about ASF. Ang ASF is not really infect humans but on pigs only.

There should be a more supervised or more detailed explanation on what is ASF. Mawawala yung livelihood ng mga backyard at kasamahan natin sa indsiutrya.

Ang mangyayari there will be shortage of pork at tataas ang presyo ng baboy. It is a cycle," he said.

So said in Davao Region, the total industry is about 942,000 heads wherein 760,000 heads (73 percent) is comprised of the backyard swines and 181,000 ( 27 percent) are commercial swines.

So considered the situation as the most serious thing that happened in the region. He believes that it can wipe out the entire industry if not addressed.

"The only thing that we can do is we have to be vigilant about this. Its not guaranteed but we have to do something. One thing the price will go down because of the misconceptions, it can wipe out the industry kay kinsa man mubuhi ug baboy kung lugi?" So said.

government’s advocacy.”

Dr. Jose Tiongco, CEO of Medical Mission Group

Federation, said poverty is a disease and hunger is the symptom “and we will help

treat the disease by helping in the alleviation of the symptom.”

hunger),” Nograles said.

“Kasisimula lang po namin, inaayos na po namin ang mga detalye at ang mga trabahong

gagawin. Umaasa po akong tutulungan nyo po kami sa pag implement nito sa inyong mga lugar (We just started, we are

preparing the details and the jobs needed. I’m expecting you to help implement this in your areas),” he added. (PR)

TMP First Vice President Rommel Gutierrez said the company has not yet seen any impact in its operation from the slowdown in China due to Covid-19 because it has “enough stocks” of auto parts to continue the

production.

The TMP sources auto parts from Toyota’s regional af�iliates, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, and these countries are the ones that are directly sourcing from China, he said.

Gutierrez, who is also the president of Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc., said the industry group’s members have not reported any impact of the Covid-19 in their operations. (PNA)

the gag order does not apply to public of�icials as long as they do not “go to the merits of the case.”

“Like for instance, why are you �iling this case?

He can articulate on their grounds, that would not be violating the gag rule,” he explained.

He said lawmakers cannot also be stopped from asking questions that are related to the quo warranto case against ABSCBN. He, however, said resource persons invited by the Congress can be covered by the gag order.

Panelo also maintained that President Rodrigo Duterte did not order Calida to �ile the new plea before SC. “The President has nothing to do with the petition, again we will repeat, of SolGen Calida. He’s just doing his job,” he said.

Duterte has repeatedly slammed ABS-CBN in his public speeches.

His grievances against ABS-CBN stemmed from the latter’s supposed failure to run his campaign advertisements during the 2016 presidential race.

Panelo, however, said

Duterte’s personal displeasure with ABS-CBN and previous threat to shut down its operations “should not be taken literally.”

Duterte would not use his of�ice to stop ABS-CBN from continuing with its service, Panelo reiterated.

“What he (Duterte) meant is he will not allow ABS-CBN to be committing fraud against those who contracted to air campaign commercials. That's what he meant,” he said.

ABS-CBN’s franchise is set to expire on March 30 this year. (PNA)

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9

that due to the strict implementation of the safety measures, they were able

to stop the entry of the pork products.

Biosecurity check-

points are still in place in Taguibo, Menzi, and Bilawan. (CIO MATI)

the capital of central Hubei province, has caused over 1,800 deaths so far, with more than 72,000 con�irmed cases.

After the fatal disease, Chinese New Year vacation was extended from Jan. 30 to mid-February in several cities.

The World Health Organization declared the outbreak international health emergency.

(Anadolu)

will still be in place after the UK �inally leaves the EU at end-2020.

“We will roll out that over on the 31st of December. It’s rebranded EU GSP+, but it will be exactly the same, so business as usual,” Graham said.

For his �ifth trade and

investment visit in Manila, Graham has met Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

Bilateral trade between the Philippines and

UK stood at 2.3 billion UK pounds (approximately PHP151.23 billion) in the four quarters ending September 2019, increasing by 20.4 percent from 383 million UK pounds (PHP25.19 billion) from the four quarters ending September 2018. (PNA)

narrative that he had only relocated to the Lakers because he wanted to live in Los Angeles, where he has his production company and spent last summer �ilming “Space Jam 2.” LeBron, in other words, had gone Hollywood. Was basketball still his priority?

Not so fast. Now 35 years old and plowing through his 17th NBA season, James is back to playing some of the best basketball of his career.

Pick an adjective, any adjective: ef�icient, polished, determined. A proli�ic user of Instagram, James has made a habit of punctuating his social media posts with a pair of hashtags — #WashedKing and #RevengeSeason — that allude to the unnamed critics who thought his game was in decline.

“Just very hungry,” James said of his approach to the season, “very enthused, very motivated on trying to put this team in position to be as successful as we can be.”

In addition to averaging 25 points and 7.8 rebounds a game while shooting 48.9% from the �ield, James has never been a better playmaker. He is averaging a career-best 10.8 assists per game, which leads the league. His ability, along with his willingness, to act as a pass�irst distributor has been enhanced by the presence of Davis, who has been dunking a lot of James’ lobs.

But James, one of just three remaining players from his draft class, is playing as if he still has much to prove.

core, including Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, who earned his �irst All-Star selection this season. The Lakers had essentially decided to mortgage their future for the chance to pair Davis with James and win championships right away.

The good news for the Lakers is that Davis has been terri�ic — really terri�ic — averaging 26.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.6 steals a game. Vogel described him as the “defensive player of the year.” The Lakers rank among the top �ive teams in the league in overall defensive rating while limiting opponents to 44.6% shooting.

At the same, Davis has, for the most part, stayed healthy, and so has James, which is the key to everything. The Lakers cannot expect to win much of anything without either of them; they are the best duo in the league. Against the Nuggets on Wednesday, they combined for 65 points and 22 rebounds.

None of which is meant to suggest that James and Davis can win games by themselves. The rest of the team has, too, exceeded expectations. To be clear: Few �igured that the Lakers would have quite this much depth after they traded about half their rotation to the Pelicans.

Alex Caruso, a fan favorite who went undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016, has solidi�ied his role off the bench as a defensive stopper. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has developed into a dependable shooter.

Danny Green and Avery Bradley are experienced pros. And Dwight Howard, in his latest reclamation attempt, has emerged as the biggest surprise of all.

Signed to a nonguaranteed deal by the Lakers in August after DeMarcus Cousins tore a ligament in his left knee, Howard has enthusiastically embraced his job as a backup center. He has also found moments to shine. Consider his performance against Denver on Wednesday: In addition to defending All-Star Nikola Jokic for long stretches, Howard collected 14 points and 11 rebounds in 30 minutes. Caruso was solid, too:

In his 22 minutes on the �loor, the Lakers outscored the Nuggets by 23 points.

James praised both players after the game.

“Dwight came in,” James said, “and changed the game from an offensive-rebounding standpoint, just bullying whoever was on him, being able to get to the free throw, getting us into the bonus, getting us some dunks, giving us some extra possessions. And A.C. defensively was just so in tune, getting steals, getting stops, getting strips.”

In the aftermath of the helicopter crash last month that killed Bryant and eight others, including his daughter Gianna Bryant, Vogel stepped forward as the face of the Lakers.

For three straight days at the team’s practice facility, Vogel was the sole member of the organization who addressed the news media.

He spoke about how his players were grieving, about how James had been a rock for his teammates and about how the Lakers intended to move forward.

“We want to represent what Kobe was about more than anything,” Vogel said at the time, adding, “It’s just strengthened what we’ve felt all year about our current group, which is that we’ve become a family in a very short time. And it’s something you talk about in the NBA with your teams, but this group in particular has really grown to love each other very rapidly.”

Coaching the Lakers is not an easy job under any circumstances, but Vogel, with a deft touch, has managed everything this season: an unimaginable tragedy, outsize expectations and all the ancillary pressures that come with coaching James in one of the league’s splashiest markets.

Vogel has consistently sought his players’ input and feedback.

In the process, he appears to have earned their trust, and the Lakers have been rewarding his approach by winning. They want to keep it going.

“The second half of the season, it’s time to turn up,” Howard said.

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LAKERS... FROM11

The addition of Davis

Speaking of Davis, remember his 2018-19 season? He asked the New Orleans Pelicans to trade him, a request they rebuffed when they turned down the Lakers’ heated overtures. The entire soap opera cast a shadow over both organizations for months. The Lakers’ fragile chemistry crumbled.

By July, the Lakers �inally had the pieces to swing a deal for Davis and sent the Pelicans three �irst-round picks along with several members of their young

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 248 • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020

PRRD’s white wristband symbol of peace, not medical plaster

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte was not wearing a medical plaster but a white wristband as a “symbol of peace”, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo allayed concerns that Duterte was wearing a protective

dressing commonly used to protect limbs with broken bones.

During the inauguration of the Sangley Airport Development Project in Cavite City, Duterte was seen wearing what appeared like a white wristband raising suspicions he

was hurt or injured.

“No, it’s not a medical plaster. Eh parang ano iyan, parang kay Erap, iyong mga wristband. Hindi ba si Erap mayroong white (It’s like Erap’s wristband.

Didn’t Erap wear a white one)?” Panelo said in a Palace brie�ing, referring to

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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PLASTICS... FROM8

clares Celine S. Cousteau, a documentary �ilm director and producer, explorer, and designer.

Cimatu agrees. “It is high time we refrain from using disposable plastic products that are used in minutes, but persist in the environment forever,” he stressed.

In Davao City, the proposed ordinance �iled by

Mahipus is a good starting point.

In the nearby city, the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) has joined the WWF’s Plastic Smart Cities, an initiative which aims to stop the �low of plastics entering the oceans by 2030 through elimination of unnecessary plastics, doubling reuse, recycling, and re-

covery, and ensuring remaining plastic is sourced responsibly.

“The Plastic Smart Cities project is timely as we aim to extend the life span of our sanitary land�ill through plastics reduction,” said IGaCoS Mayor Al David T. Uy. “Our city will exert full effort and political will in supporting this … project.”

me. It was a last minute decision to play before 6am strikes on that day," he recounted.

Encabo was't supposed to be in the �light but he was squeezed in. "I was mixed with other players

whom I don't know them personally. Pinasingit kung kung baga."

Encabo of�icially became Intramuros Golf's �irst ace scorer for the year.

"Coming right on my �irst swing, it's so unlikely I

would make an ace. Usually, golfers start cold on the �irst swing," he said. "It was also overwhelming experience because for the year 2020, I'm the �irst player to get a hole in one at Intramuros Golf.

RARE... FROM12

former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

He reiterated that Duterte would reveal to the public the state of his health in case of serious illness as required under Section 12 of Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution.

“The President will tell us if he is not feeling well.

He tells us … wala ngang tinatago ‘di ba? Lahat sinasabi niya sa atin (he doesn’t hide anything, right? He tells us everything),” he said.

He said Duterte wore the white wristband because he was pro-peace and “doesn’t want to shed blood.”

“Ang unang nakita ko kaagad doon noong makita ko iyong white is symbol of peace. Hindi ba gusto niya palagi magkaroon ng kapayapaan dito sa ating bansa (What I �irst thought of when I saw white is symbol

of peace. Doesn’t he always want there to be peace in our country),” he said.

He pointed out that Duterte would always go “out of his way” to talk peace with communist rebels.

Earlier this month, Duterte expressed optimism that his administration would be able to achieve long-lasting peace “much earlier” than expected.

He made this remark noticing that many members of the Communist Party of the Philippines’ (CPP) armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), are surrendering and seeking reintegration into the society.

“With the rate that the NPAs are surrendering, mukhang I think we’d be able to realize peace much earlier,” Duterte said in a speech on February 6.

Previously, Duterte also hinted that he might give in to the demands of the communist movement in a bid to realize peace in the country but did not elaborate on their speci�ic demands for possible revival of peace talks.

On Nov. 23, 2017, Duterte signed Proclamation 360 to formally scrap the formal peace talks with CPP’s political wing, the National Democratic Front (NDF), due to continued attacks launched by the NPA rebels against the government forces and civilians.

He then signed Proclamation 374, branding the CPP-NPA as a terror group on Dec. 5, 2017.

The CPP-NPA has also been tagged as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. (PNA)

olice arrested a senior high school student for allegedly selling marijuana during a buybust in a village in Koronadal City Monday night.

Lt. Col. Joefel Siason, Koronadal City police chief, identi�ied the suspect as Julius Balolong Ong, 22, who was nabbed for the second time in the last two years over illegal drug-related offenses.

Siason said the suspect was collared by the City Police Drug Enforcement

Unit (CPDEU) in an entrapment around 8:50 p.m. at the vicinity of Purok Magsaysay in Barangay Namnama.

Siason said Ong sold a small pack of dried marijuana leaves worth PHP100 to a CPDEU agent who posed as a buyer.

The police of�icial said Ong, who is included on their watchlist, was arrested in June 2018 along with three other suspected shabu pushers in a buy-bust in Barangay Gen. Paulino

Santos. The suspect managed to post bail.

“We received reports that the suspect resumed his illegal activities so we subjected him to surveillance operations and eventually got him for the second time,” Siason told reporters.

He said the suspect, who was detained at the Koronadal City police station lockup, will be charged with selling and possession of dangerous drugs. (PNA)

ketbol ng Pilipinas is set to name the �inal Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 lineup to the OQT later on Monday.

As of posting, India has three con�irmed cases of Covid-19, the recent of which being a local from Kerala who came from Wuhan, the city where Covid-19 was �irst observed.

Soriano said the Manila Masters, the second World Tour Masters of the year, will continue as scheduled in May even if the Philippines has also three con�irmed Covid-19 cases.

"We don't have any reason why to have any alarm. As of today, the World Tour in Philippines is secured," he further said.

However, Soriano bared that FIBA is looking to relocate the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, which is

scheduled to be hosted

by Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan province.

While Changsha is far from Wuhan, the entire country of China has been heavily hit by postponements and cancellations of events due to Covid-19.

"We're working with different hosts," Soriano said. "As of now, nothing is of�icial."

Chooks-To-Go president Ronald Mascariñas, whose company will be hosting the Manila Masters, expressed interest in having the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup to be relocated also at the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall.

"If you don't �ind any host, we can host that as well," Mascariñas, who was also present in the press conference held at Chooks-To-Go of�ice in Pasig. (PNA)

Sr. high student nabbed in Koronadal drug-bust P

FIBA 3x3 to push through despite Coronavirus scare

T

he FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) will push through in India next month, an of�icial of FIBA 3x3 announced on Monday.

Ignacio Soriano, head for events and partnerships of FIBA 3x3, said the event that will take place in Bengaluru, India will continue despite the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak.

“For now, the �irst reaction is to keep the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in India as it is," Soriano said.

Soriano is in the Philippines to inspect the SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong, the site of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Manila Masters from May 2 to 3 this year.

The Samahang Bas-

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11

The good news for the Lakers is that Anthony Davis has been terrific — really terrific — averaging 26.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.6 steals a game. Reuters

Lakers ready to turn it up

L

os Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel could have been concerned. The NBA All-Star break was looming, and his team had one more game to go. But Vogel said he could sense from his players, and from LeBron James in particular, that they were focused.

“You could just tell that he was really, really locked in,” Vogel told reporters after the Lakers’

120-116 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, “and that this was not a foot-outthe-door-towards-thebreak kind of game, that he was going to have a playoff mindset to it. And he showed that throughout the game.”

The Lakers had their share of skeptics at the start of the season. How would Vogel, in his �irst season on the job, handle

the team’s colorful assemblage of egos? Were the Lakers deep enough to contend for a title? Was James washed up after missing a big chunk of last season because of injuries? And how would he mesh with Anthony Davis?

These were all reasonable questions. But with about two months remaining in the regular season now, the Lakers have shown that they are,

in fact, for real — and lately they have done so while the entire organization mourns Kobe Bryant’s death.

The Lakers’ win against the Nuggets — highlighted

by James’ triple-double — pushed their record to a Western Conference-leading 41-12, four games better than second-place Denver. Only the Milwaukee Bucks (46-8), with championship hopes of their

own, have a better record.

After Wednesday’s win, James was asked about the importance of securing the top seed in the West.

“We don’t talk about it,” he said. “We really don’t.

We just play the game the right way.”

Here is a closer look at how the Lakers have reestablished themselves as NBA royalty.

The ageless ‘King’ Following James’ cele-

brated introduction to the Lakers, last season was a disaster for him. He injured his groin on Christmas Day, missed a big chunk of the season and then watched the playoffs from home for the �irst time since 2005, his second year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Was this the beginning of the end for James?

His struggles fed into the

LAKERS, P9

MOSES BILLACURA CLEAN SLATE

SPORTS FOR PEACE, MULA JOLO HANGGANG APARRI Before I go to my main topic, let me congratulate Asec Joseph Encabo for scoring his �irst holein-one at the Intramuros golf course.

The golf addict sportsman from Davao plays the sport as a needed relief from the daily grinds of hard work, stressful, in fact, in Manila.

February 15, 2020 will be a day to be remembered by Asec Encabo and his three other co-players that day.

A rare feat indeed. Congratulations compadre Joy! *** Last month, Monsignor Romeo Saniel, a co-worker of the

Sports for Peace Program established by William “Butch” Ramirez, the two-time chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, of�iciated a mass for the victims of the Jolo bombing last month.

Looking at the video posts on Facebook, it is a sad reminder of that fateful 27th day of January 2019.

Twenty people were killed and 102 injured when two bombs exploded inside the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

Why such violence? When will such acts of hate ever stop?

I really don’t know. We really don’t know.

Sports for Peace Mindanao executive director Ed R. Fernandez and his team from the Philippine Sports Commission-Mindanao have been conducting Sports for Peace Children’s Games in the Davao Region.

Since Davao City is the HQ of the PSC-Mindanao of�ice, it would be convenient on their part, and economical, to hold the activities in the Davao Region.

I was hoping that more money can be poured in for such noble project in Mindanao because there is still a lot of things to be done.

My hope that our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters

will have a continued Sports for Peace program in Jolo and Sulu Peninsula. Why particularly that area?

It’s because of that twin bombings last January 27, 2019.

There should be sports for peace education and year-round sports events for the youth who are the future leaders. The time to plant sports for peace in their minds is today.

This is just an idea. Probably, the Notre Dame schools in Sulu can include Sports for Peace as part of their lectures, so that this noble idea of working for peace through sports can be spread slowly and surely.

I may be thinking out too loud, however, I strongly believe that if we include sports for peace in the educational system, it can be of great help in molding the minds of the young that sports or ang pag dula dula and making friends are the one of the best things that can be done in this chaotic world.

Let there be peace in Mindanao and continue to pray that someday, someday, tragic incidents of violence can never happen inside churches.

Let’s spread some love through the Sports for Peace program from Jolo to Aparri.

And the time is now!

12 SPORTS

RARE ACE

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By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

Encabo scores first holein-one at Intramuros

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

O

h, what a feeling.

Presidential Management Staff Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo gasped in disbelief as he watched his ball roll through the sleek greens and straight to the cup for his �irst ever hole-in-one.

Encabo, who picked up golf when he was Philippine Sports Commission

(PSC) Chairman William Ramirez's chief assistant, aced the short, narrow, and very challenging par 3 125-yard hole no. 1 of the Club Intramuros Golf Course last February 15, Friday. He used a Titleist 48-degree wedge and a Titleist Pro-V ball.

The rare ace was witnessed by Philippine Coast Guard, Sr. Chief Ed Tantiado and

Philippine National Bank executives Pio Santileces and Noel Macadamia.

"It was de�initely a perfect start for a gol�ing day," the Dabawenyo executive told Edge Davao in a message.

"Didnt expect to have it on that day. I went to Intramuros alone with no friends invited to play with

RARE, P10

Assistant Secretary Joseph Encabo takes his ball out of the cup after he shot an ace.