Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 255 | Friday, February 28, 2020

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

BRIDGE FUNDING

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

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DPWH processing pipeline requirements for Bucana Bridge in coastal road

By MAYA M. PADILLO

ARTISAN BREAD TALK INDULGE A1

edgedavao@gmail.com

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he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now preparing documentary requirements for the funding of the Bucana Bridge which is part of the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project.

City Planning and Development Of�ice (CPDO) head Ivan Chin Cortez disclosed this latest development on the project. Cortez hinted that the frontrunners as �inancing partner are China Eximbank and the Asia Development Bank (ADB). There are also other banks being considered to �inance the project.

“Commitments and intent to �inance are expected to come from �inancing institution. The Department of Finance (DOF) will negotiate and once agreements are �i-

nalized, funds will be downloaded to DPWH for implementation.

As a rule of thumb, the government will go for the lowest interest offer at the time of scouting,” Cortez told Edge Davao.

Cortez added that the processing time of �inancing will also be a factor in the decision because a longer time of processing may render project estimates inaccurate by the time of implementation due to in�lation. He said it is the directive of the DPWH Secretary Mark Villar to fast track im-

BRIDGE, P9

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel conduct a survey of the area near S.I.R. Subdivision in Matina, Davao City where a ripraping project of Davao River is being undertaken in preparation for the completion of the Davao Coastal Road project.

Lean Daval Jr

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte greets some of the guests during the oath-taking of the new officials of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and presentation of the 12th Ani ng Dangal awardees at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Bulk water project good A for 70% of city area

2,039 more pigs culled in Calinan due to ASF

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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he P12.6 billion Davao City bulk water supply project will cover 70 percent of the city's urban area when completed �irst half of next year.

Apo Agua Infrastructura Inc., a joint venture between Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. and JV Angeles Construction Corp., is working for the completion of the bulk water supply project, which will source water from the Tamugan River.

Lawyer Bernard Delima, spokesperson of the Davao City Water District (DCWD), told media that the project is designed to serve the urban areas in Davao City.

“We really cannot cover the whole of Davao City.

Ang among mandate is

to serve the urban areas only ug didto mi nag- concentrate. More or less we will be able to serve Davao around close to 70 percent in terms of the whole Davao City but when it comes to 100 percent dili puwede kay dako kayo ang Davao lisod i-cover.

Hopefully pag lay sa main line we will be needing the main line extensions pagsulod sa streets ug barangays. As much as we can cover. Pag ma-cover na namo ang mandate that is the only time na magsaka mi. Although, karon nagasaka name bisan wala pa

nahuman ang project,” Delima said.

To serve those areas not covered by the bulk water project, aside from the P10 billion bulk water project cost, DCWD has its own P2-billion pipe laying project as counterpart to improve and expand the distribution system.

“Aside from the P10 billion, DCWD has a counterpart of P2 billion para sa replacement sa mga lines ug katong improvement sa existing main lines extensions and creation of another laterals,” Delima said.

DCWD Deputy Spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhaylungsod said the bulk water supply project will not be the only source of DCWD. She said they will

be utilizing ground water sources and production wells to cater those areas that will not be cover by the bulk water project.

“We have to remember that the bulk water supply project will not be the only water source of the Davao City Water District. But it will be the major water source. Katong mga areas na dili ma-serve we will still be utilizing ang atoang ground water sources and additional production wells,” she said.

Duhaylungsod cited the recent completion of DCWD’s production well in Binugao, which was completed in January this year and is already operational and is already accepting new service connections.

have jointly issued a statement allowing public gatherings or conventions provided they strictly follow the health safety protocol.

The Summer Fun will kick-off with the Holy Week celebration on April 9. Other activities lined-up for the two-month long Summer Fun are the Skim Fest (skimboarding competition), Beach Ultimate (frisbee competition), Arts Fest, Beach Volley, Dance

Battle, Dive Safari, Dagan-Sikad-Langoy, and Battle of the Bands.

Tourism Of�icer Dashiel Indelible Jr. said they will be strictly enforcing the interim guidelines coming from DOH with regards to Covid-19.

At the moment, Indelible said, they are constantly reminding all tourism-related enterprises in the city to also conduct their own measures for the preven-

tion of spread of Covid-19 and the protection not just of their visitors but their workers as well.

Tourist arrivals in the City of Mati has been in constant rise especially during the summer season due to various activities from both the local government and the private sector.

In January 2019 , there were 15,426 recorded tourist arrivals in the city

BULK WATER, P9

Mati City's Summer Fun activities to push through

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t’s a go for the City of Mati’s Summer Fun activities come April to June 2020.

The City Tourism Of�ice and the Tourism Events have decided to push through with the scheduled activities despite the threat of Covid-19 after no less than the Department of Health along with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Interior and Local Government

MATI, P9

total of 2,039 more pigs were culled in Barangay Inayangan, Calinan District after laboratory results con�irmed the presence of the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF) among the local swine population, an of�icial of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao Region said on Wednesday.

In an interview, DADavao information of�icer Noel Provido said the government immediately conducted depopulation on hogs owned mostly by backyard farmers after results of the con�irmatory tests came out on February 19 showing pigs in Barangay Inayangan tested for ASF. He said at least 411 farmers were affected.

Depopulation was conducted earlier in Barangays Lamanan and Dominga in Calinan District due to ASF infection, believed to have spread through traders who sneaked in infected pigs from Sulop, Davao del Sur. The City Government of Davao has set aside P32.2 million, taken from the city’s quick response fund, as cash assistance for the affected farmers.

Provido said a total of 4,394 pigs were already slaughtered in Davao City, including those from Barangays Lamanan and Dominga.

In the region, he said the agency reported a total of 18,007 pigs killed. Of those, almost 70 percent

came from Davao Occidental with 12,562 (6,624 Don Marcelino, 4,448 Malita, and 1,490 Jose Abad Santos), and 1,051 in Sulop, Davao del Sur. The local government units in the Davao Region have already enforced the “1-7-10” protocol to manage, contain, and control the spread of the ASF, �irst reported in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental on January 28.

The protocol requires that all pigs within the one-kilometer radius of infected farms will be culled, limits animal movement within seven-kilometer radius, and obliges swine farms within a 10-kilometer radius to submit a mandatory report on the disease, he added.

Despite the ASF outbreak, the region continued to import frozen pork products from ASF-free countries, according to data from the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Data from BAI showed that frozen pork imports in the region totaled 287,774,859 kilograms as of October 2019.

Of the total, the record revealed that the biggest supply of imported frozen pork to Davao came from Spain, which accounted for 110,779,321 kgs; Canada came second highest with 35,240,100 kgs.; followed

by France (34,752,913 kgs), Germany (28,412,786 kgs), United States (27,635, 549 kgs.), Netherlands (19,462,944

2,039, P9

NEWS 3

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FDA warns vs. cosmetics with banned ingredients

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he Food and Drug Administration in Davao Region (FDA11) warned the public on Wednesday against the use of cosmetic products containing banned ingredients, which are considered health hazards.

Deborah Legaspi, director for FDA Mindanao East Cluster, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Wednesday that a stringent product under the “Porcelana” brand manufactured in Cebu has tested positive for hydroquinone and tretinoin.

Legaspi said both chemicals are hazardous and are not allowed as cosmetic ingredients as these are commonly used as household cleaning agents.

She added that products containing both chemicals may only be bought as over-the-counter or prescription drugs but not in cosmetics.

“I would like to clarify that not all Porcelana astringent products are covered by the advisory. But

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he Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said it was preparing for the worst case if ever the corona virus disease (COVID-19) becomes pandemic.

“Even before the WHO’s anticipation […] We have been preparing long before this anticipation manifested by WHO of a possible pandemic. We are doing this at different levels,” said DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III in a brie�ing.

Last week, the World Health Organization said the COVID-19 has pandemic potential – but it’s not there yet. However, it was previously declared as a public health emergency of international concern.

Duque said that DOH already knows what to do in

if we monitored anybody selling or distributing the banned cosmetic product, they will also be liable under the law,” Legaspi said.

Based on the latest FDA Advisory No. 2020061, the FDA says they are classifying the original Porcelana astringent improved formula as an adulterated cosmetics product that poses potential hazards to the consuming public.

FDA warned using the product may result in adverse reactions including skin irritation, itchiness, anaphylactic shock and even, organ failure.

This is the second time in less than a year that the original Porcelana astringent improved formula failed to comply with the regulations of the FDA. Last year, the FDA also issued an advisory against the use and sale of the said product, after it was found that they were using hydroquinone and tretinoin beyond the levels allowed

FDA, P9

case of local transmission in the country.

“At the level of incident planning and management, in case there will be local transmission, we know what to do, just like what happened in the SARSCOVID in Alcala, Pangasinan, where the whole place was quarantined.”

Further, DOH also said that the research capacity of Research Institute for Tropical Medicine is being levelled up.

“This is the reason why we have been increasing the number of our capability for research capacity, in case maraming magkaroon ng (if ever many will be infected by) COVID-19, handa ang ating pagsusuri ng RITM (RITM is ready to do

DOH, P9

Several students in Malaybalay City spend the national holiday trekking to a ridge named Two Trees. The site is a popular training ground for runners and mountaineers. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

PRRD: ASF-free pigs should be branded

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ogs that are free from African swine fever (ASF) should be properly branded to prevent further contamination and hasten the �low of pork and products in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Wednesday.

Duterte said he has asked Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar to put in place measures to prevent the spread of ASF. “I asked the Secretary of Agriculture to come up with a protocol --- how to control. For example, pagka lumabas ‘yan in (when they come out)--- those who are declared free of the

swine �lu, matatakan talaga (should really be marked).

So that they can travel,” he told reporters in a chance interview in Malacañang.

He acknowledged that local governments have been strict in the transport of pork and pork products.

“Kasi ‘yung iba ayaw pa ipadaan eh (Because the others do not allow entry).

They do not allow the car-

gos of the pork meat to pass the highways that traverse the local government units, magulo ‘yan (it’s messy),” he said.

Livestock branding refers to hot branding large stock with a branding iron or other techniques which include freeze branding, inner lip or ear tattoos, earmarking, ear tagging, and radio-frequency identi�ication (RFID), tagging with a microchip implant.

Branding of livestock for sale or slaughter is an essential part of monitoring for diseases and chemical residues.

In a television interview, Dar said Duterte will issue an executive order to speed up the movement of

PRRD: ASF, P9

PRRD accepts ABS-CBN apology, distances from franchise issue

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Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) head Lemuel Ortonio addresses during I-Speak media forum at City Hall on Thursday common concerns and issues of employees of the city government of Davao while providing details of the upcoming Araw ng Empleyado. Lean Daval Jr

pigs and pork products in the country.

Duterte met with Dar, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año, and local government of�icials at Malacañang on Tuesday to discuss efforts to manage the hog disease.

Earlier this month, he ordered all government agencies and local government units to ensure the “strict” implementation of DA’s nationwide zoning plan.

In Administrative Order (AO) 22 signed on Feb. 5, Duterte directed all concerned government agencies, of�ices and instrumentalities, as well as LGUs, to “strictly implement and

resident Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday accepted broadcast �irm ABS-CBN Corp.’s apology over his unaired campaign advertisements during the 2016 presidential elections and vowed not to meddle in its franchise renewal bid.

“Nandiyan na iyan eh (It has been done). I accept the apology of course,” Duterte told Palace reporters in a chance interview at Malacañan.

During a Senate hearing on Monday, ABS-CBN president and chief executive of�icer Carlo Katigbak said the local media giant was sorry if Duterte felt offended by the unaired political advertisements in the 2016 presidential race.

Katigbak said ABS-CBN is also willing to give back the remaining PHP2.6 million in advertisement money.

Duterte, however, told the embattled broadcast

�irm to just give the money to “any charitable institution of their choice.”

He also ensured that he would keep a “healthy distance” from issues surrounding the franchise renewal bid of ABS-CBN. “I tell you, I am not going to interfere. Wala talaga ako (I will not have a hand),” Duterte said.

Duterte also stressed the “critical move” is now up to the House of Representatives because it has yet to deliberate �irst on the pending 11 franchise bills.

“Fundamentally, really ang decision nasa House ngayon (the decision really is now on the House of Representatives), not so much of the Senate because the Constitution says all of these things must originate from the lower house,” he said.

The House of Representatives has to �irst approve

PRRD ACCEPTS, P9

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Rules on common telco tower delayed anew: DICT

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A wide array of subscriber identification module, widely known as SIM card, of the different telecommunications companies are sold at the sidewalk along San Pedro Street in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr

DITO: No plan to invoke force majeure due to coronavirus

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hird telco DITO Telecommunity Corporation on Wednesday said it has put in place measures to mitigate the possible impact of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in China to the rollout of its services.

“General [Rodolfo] Santiago said that we have everything that we need to build our network in time for the July 2020 technical launch that promises a 37-percent coverage of up to 27 mbps Internet speeds,” DITO chief administrative of�icer Adel Tamano said.

Rodolfo Santiago is DITO’s chief technology of�icer.

In July, the government will inspect if the telco is on track to meet its commitments—by that time, DITO should have put in place a network of 1,600 towers which can cover 37% of the population with a speed of 27 mbps.

“With this in mind, we in DITO have no cause to

invoke ‘force majeure’ as we have everything that we need in place to comply with our commitments to the government and more importantly to the Filipino people,” Tamano said.

The DITO of�icial made clari�ication after stating in an earlier press chat that the telco may invoke “force majeure” should the onslaught of the COVID-19 in China drastically affect the scheduled delivery of its services.

Nevertheless, Santiago said that DITO is taking various mitigating measures to ease the disease’s impact, even though COVID-19 epicenter Hubei in China is a source of materials it needs. “‘Yun kasing naapektu-

han yung Hubei province and that is one of the manufacturing hubs of China.

‘Yung impact sa roll-out namin is ‘yung steel or tower components and �iber cable,” Santiago said.

“We are sourcing from other countries. Our vendors naman, Huawei, ZTE, and Nokia... pinakiusapan nila ‘yung subsidiaries nila in other countries doing the same roll-out na pwede ba unahin muna ang Pilipinas,” he said.

Tamano said that “we have clari�ied and categorically stated that we are on track to meet our July 2020 government mandated commitments for the rollout.”

“The [COVID-19] issue, technically a ‘force majeure’ is a possible cause of any delay that may occur,” Tamano said.

“However it was clari�ied by Retired Major General Rodolfo Santiago, DITO Telecommunity Chief Technology Of�icer that though companies, not only DITO,

are affected by this global situation, we in DITO have enacted measures to ensure that we meet our deadlines,” he said.

Information Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said the government will be considerate if there is indeed a “force majeure.”

“If there is force majeure, of course it will affect their timetable. What we are saying is, if it is out of their control, the law is not so strict as to prevent us from giving them some leeway,” Honasan said.

DITO, formerly known as Mislatel Consortium, is comprised of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corporation, its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., Mindanao Islamic Telephone, and China Telecom.

It received its certi�icate of public convenience and necessity from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in July 2019 to operate as the third major telco.

fallen sharply in recent days on news that the virus is spreading rapidly in Europe. Italy has reported more than 400 cases and people who have visited Italy have tested positive in Brazil, Algeria, Austria, Croatia, Greece and other countries.

Like other coronaviruses, the new virus - which causes a disease now called COVID-19 - is transmitted from person to person via droplets when an infected person breathes out, coughs or sneezes. It can also spread via contaminated surfaces such as door handles or railings.

The IMF has warned in recent days of a potentially deeper economic fallout as the coronavirus spreads beyond China, cutting its

forecast for 2020 global growth by 0.1 percent.

The virus' spread has raised concerns inside the Fund and the World Bank that the close interactions among people from their 189 member countries at the Spring Meetings could inadvertently contribute to the problem.

Of�icials from both institutions and member governments said that talk of canceling the meetings outright is premature, but they are considering several options to modify them.

No decisions have been made, they said, adding that much depends on efforts to contain the virus in the coming days and weeks.

Options include scaling back the number of meet-

ings, canceling external events and limiting the size of the country delegations that would travel to Washington. Another alternative is to hold "virtual" meetings by teleconference, and the institutions could still proceed with full-�ledged meetings.

One person familiar with the IMF's planning discussions said: "Plenty of people here see wider merit in testing whether holding key meetings virtually could be made to work."

Other sources said IMF and World Bank managers were considering various options, and the scale and scope of the meeting would re�lect the degree of concern.

"Of course we are

IMF, World Bank consider 'virtual' Spring Meetings due to Covid-19

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rowing concerns inside the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank about the spread of the new coronavirus have prompted the institutions to consider scaling back their Spring Meetings in April or hold them by teleconference, people familiar with the discussions said on Wednesday.

The institutions' April 17-19 Spring Meetings are scheduled to bring some 10,000 government of�icials, journalists, business people and civil society representatives from across the globe to a tightly packed, two-block area of downtown Washington DC, that houses their headquarters.

Financial markets have

IMF, P9

he Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has given a new schedule for the release of the policy that will govern the shared telecommunications towers or “common tower” sector.

“It’s actually on its �inal draft we will make the announcement soon dahil ang ginawa namin lahat ng players na may balak sumali sa paggawa ng tower, kinuha namin yung inputs, hindi yun question and answer, tapos kinonsolidate namin,” DICT Secretary Gergorio “Gringo” Honasan II told reporters in Quezon City on Wednesday.

“By March, we should come up with the announcement on common tower policy,” Honasan said.

Asked what is causing the delay in releasing the common tower policy, the Cabinet of�icial cited “bureaucratic problems.”

“But I am not blaming anybody. It’s our job really.

We just want it to be thorough, comprehensive, and be guided by what the data tells us. The delays are explainable, in short,” Honasan said.

The DICT has been working on a common tower policy since 2018.

It was originally envisioned to be �inalized in the second quarter of 2019, but concerns on how many players should be accommodated has hampered the policy’s release.

The DICT has been at odds with Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs Ramon “RJ” Jacinto, who last year said the government needed to accredit only two common tower companies.

Jacinto has since taken the position of accommodating up to four common tower providers, but maintained that existing telcos be prohibited from building their own infrastructure.

The DICT has remained �irm that the market would dictate how many common tower providers should be accredited.

The agency has then set mid-January this year as possible date for the release of the common tower rules.

“Siyempre, hindi naman lahat masaya pero sabi namin democracy is the greater good for the greatest number,” Honasan said.

“We wanted it to be more realistic. We want to make sure everybody... marinig natin lahat ng mga players,” he said.

So far, only Globe Telecom Inc. has signed agreements to lease common towers across the country.

The Ayala-led telco has committed to lease common towers to be built by the group of ISOC Infrastructures Inc. and edotco Group Sdn. Bhd., and by the group of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. and Frontier Tower Associates Philippines.

Google, DTI partner to digitize MSMEs

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oogle Philippines and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched Wednesday the MSME Caravan to encourage micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to use digital tools to grow their businesses.

Under the Grow with Google program, the MSME Caravan will be conducted nationwide this year to train entrepreneurs in utilizing Google platforms, such as Google My Business and the Primer app that are useful in daily operations, as well as to improve the entrepreneurial skills of MSMEs. “We are glad to partner with the Department of Trade and Industry in our mission to digitize MSMEs in the country. Combine that with the new tools and opportunities of the internet and there is no limit on what’s possible for them,” Google Philippines Country Director Bernadette Nacario said.

On the sidelines of the event, Google Philippines Head for Government Affairs and Public Policy Yves Gonzales said the program targets the MSMEs in provinces where there is low awareness in going digital for their businesses.

“One key challenge in their mind is they have to pay for the tools,” Gonza-

les said, adding that both Google My Business and Primer are free online platforms.

Google My Business allows entrepreneurs to be more searchable online by registering their business information like address, map direction, and contact details.

Gonzales said registered businesses on this platform appear on “near me” function of Google, which helps those who are searching for stores, products, and services near their current location.

“When you have a tourist coming to the Philippines and he wants to try lechon in the Philippines, the �irst thing that the tourist will do is to search Google Maps or Google Search ‘lechon near me’. When you have your own website, you will be searchable and be searched in the Maps,” he said.

From 2017 to 2019, searches for stores, products, and services on Google’s “near me” have increased by 2.5 times.

“Another important thing is validation. It adds credibility to the MSME, especially when we are talking about exporting.

When a potential buyer looks up your business, the �irst thing they’ll ask themselves is let’s go to their

GOOGLE, P9

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Austria trade mission put on hold due to COVID-19

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he trade mission organized by the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) and the Southern Mindanao Business Council scheduled on March 22 to 27, 2020 in Austria was put on hold due to increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Italy.

Despite this, ECCP Southern Mindanao Business Council chairperson Antonio Peralta said Wednesday he remains optimistic the event would push through in some future date.

Peralta said the outbound mission seeks to look at facilities of the manufacturing plants of several European companies that have expressed interest in investing in Mindanao.

"This is the result of the agreements signed during the Davao ICon where some EU businesses joined the conference last year," he said.

Peralta said they are looking at a 20-man team of both private and public to join the mission upon invitation of the manufactur-

ing companies in Austria.

He said three groups of businessmen participating are from General Santos City, Maguindanao, and Lanao del Sur, as well as representatives from the Bangsamoro International Trading Corporation, and the Bangsamoro Development Agency.

"We really wanted them to come to Mindanao as they have shown interest in investing in the island because it would help bolster our economy," Austria said.

The Austrian companies, he said, are interested to establish facilities that will support their spare parts production and other related products for industrial equipment.

He said this would also help areas pushing for investments in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao).

Peralta said that they are also looking at the facilities of Austria's Polloc Port, noting that this is vital for the economic activities of some areas such as Marbel, Cotabato City and Marawi City. (PNA)

BSP’s 7-day term facilities register another rate drop

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he rates of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) term facilities fell anew this week.

BSP data released Wednesday showed that the average rate of the seven-day term deposit facility (TDF) slipped to 3.8250 percent from 3.8301 percent during the auction last February 19.

BSP offered this tenor for PHP40 billion and banks submitted lower bids this week amounting to PHP50.263 billion relative to last week’s PHP66.422 billion worth of tenders.

This resulted in the decline of the bid coverage ratio to 1.2566 from last week’s 1.6606.

The rate of the 14day facility decreased to 3.8654 percent from 3.8759 percent.

The bid coverage ratio, however, improved

to 1.3982 from last week’s 1.1544 after the PHP50-billion offer was met with PHP69.91-billion tenders this week, higher than the PHP57.718 billion in the previous week.

The average rate of the 28-day facility also went down to 3.8918 percent from the previous auction’s 3.8984 percent.

Its bid coverage ratio declined to 1.3374 from 1.4832 during the auction a week ago.

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. cited that all tenors remained over-subscribed this week, with total tenders reaching PHP173.67 billion, higher than the PHP130-billion offer.

He previously attributed the large volume of bids to high liquidity situation in the domestic economy. (PNA)

Coronavirus to affect PH peso: DBS Group

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research by DBS Group projects the Philippine peso to breach the 50.3-51.1 to a US dollar range it has been trading since October 2019 as a result of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In the Asian part of its report titled “FX: A tale of two halves on Covid-19” dated February 26, the Singapore-headquartered �inancial institution said optimism on the government’s bid to lift 2020 domestic growth to about 6.5 to 7.5 percent from 5.9 percent last year has decreased.

It said tourism will take a hit from lower tour-

ist arrivals not only from China, where the epidemic started, but also from other countries that reportedly registered a signi�icant number of Covid-19 cases like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

The latest report said passengers of the cruise ship Diamond Princess, currently docked in Yokohama Port in Japan, who have developed Covid-19 symptoms or have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus that reportedly causes the disease reached about 700.

At least 26 people from several countries who were quarantined in the ship

CORONAVIRUS, P9

ECONOMY 5

European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and Business Development Council in Southern Mindanao chairperson Antonio Peralta says the trade mission to Austria scheduled on March 22 to 27, 2020 will be postponed due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) scare. Lean Daval Jr

DTI funds P13.7-M social enterprises in Davao City

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he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has allocated PHP13.7 million for four projects in this city under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program for 2020.

DTI Davao City Director Rachel Remitio said the bene�iciaries are the Ateneo Shoe Academy; Agri Solutions Marketing Cooperative for its coco peat production in Bunawan; University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) for its Enhancement Fabrication Laboratory; and for an indigenous people’s (IP) group for its garment produc-

tion.

Remitio said SSF is a continuing program that aims to provide equipment facilities to organized groups, associations or cooperatives that have shown good manufacturing practices for one to three years of operation.

Last year, she said six local organizations were also given assistance under the program.

SSF was launched in 2014 throughout the country as a major component of micro small and medium enterprises development, which aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools, systems, skills, and knowledge under a shared system.

Remitio said the Ateneo Shoe Academy’s total support fund has already reached to PHP13 million as it was �irst given a budget in 2018 of PHP5 million for sole presser and cutting machine. The additional PHP8 million for this year is for the ac-

quisition of a CNC (computer numerical control) automatic cutting machine with computerized programming.

“We will still be acquiring the imported machine either from Taiwan or China,” she said.

Remitio said the Ateneo Shoe Academy has already trained 20 shoemakers since its inception.

One of the academy’s successful cooperators, she said, was the Mindanao Association of Muslims with Disabilities whose members are engaged into shoe production. The group now owns a store in Agdao in this city. (PNA)

Dar led the initial harvest of the young soybean for the �irst time in the country in Barangay Talipapa, this city on Tuesday.

“We are in full support to this endeavor because farmers will be given the chance to get rich,” he said.

Dar said the department is thankful to private investors like the Top Shelf Corporation led by Raphael Pelayo, Elaine Timbol and Jeff Fernandez, North Luzon Farmers’ Cooperative through the guidance of former Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, a member of DA Technical Advisory Group (TAG) who worked in partnership with Golden Beans and Grains Producers Cooperative in coordination with City Mayor Myca Eliz-

abeth Vergara, in realizing edamame as an agriculture innovation.

“They are considered as innovators in promoting crop diversi�ication using high value crops. The harvested edamame, a high value commercial crop, is now being exported to Japan. We are taking the lead and supporting in a big way the crop diversi�ication program,” he said.

With the growing of edamame here, Dar expressed optimism this city will be put to the map of global trading market.

“Edamame has high yield potentials with high income. When exported to Japan, the farmers and their partners will really bene�it from it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pelayo said they are planning to expand and utilize some 500 to 700 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon to plant edamame due to its high demand in Japan.

“This is an alternative high-value crop for Filipino farmers. It is adaptable in the soil and climate of our country. We have the purchase order from Japan because our produce here is better than in Taiwan,” he said.

Edamame beans are whole, immature soybeans, sometimes referred to as vegetable-type soybeans.

They are green and differ in color from regular soybeans, which are typically light brown, tan or beige.

(PNA)

Farmers urged to plant soybean to meet high export demand

T

he Department of Agriculture (DA) has encouraged farmers to plant edamame or young soybean, citing its fast-growing demand in the export market.

DA Secretary William Dar said edamame is the best alternative high-value crop from which farmers can earn high income.

He said that during dry season after rice cropping, farmers can diversify in growing high-value crops such as edamame.

“Growing edamame is advisable and is necessary in crop rotation. It is resistant to hot weather and can be harvested within 62 days, making it sustainable cash crop for Filipino farmers,” he said.

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

EDITORIAL

The ‘Pinoy’ in Tim Tebow

In Davao City, Tim Tebow’s name rings a bell for some reason other than being one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history.

It’s because of the charity work his foundation, Tim Tebow Foundation, has been doing in the country.

The foundation runs the Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao City. The 30-bed Tebow CURE Hospital, built and operated in partnership with CURE International, provides physical and spiritual healing to deserving children of the Philippines. Davao City is fortunate to be picked as home of the Tebow CURE Hospital.

The former NFL quarterback known for “Tebowing” after a comeback overtime victory over Miami, kneeling on one knee in prayer with head bent and arm resting on the other knee, was born in Makati, Philippines, to a US couple there as Baptist missionaries.

Tebow led the University of Florida to 2 US national collegiate titles before being taken with the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He sparked a late-season Denver charge into the playoffs and a post-season upset of Pittsburgh but was traded to the New York Jets in March 2012 after the Broncos signed star quarterback

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Aside from football, Tebow’s other passion is baseball. He is trying to realize his dream of playing Major League Baseball and is now a minorleague out�ielder, one step below the major leagues last year in the New York Mets organization.

On Wednesday, Tebow came close to realizing his baseball dream in a bigger stage. He was named to the Philippines team in next month’s World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament. The Philippines will compete March 20-25 at Tucson, Arizona, against Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Panama and the Czech Republic for two available berths in the 2021 World Classic.

Tebow’s inclusion to the Philippine squad should spark renewed interest in baseball for the Filipinos who learned the sport from the Americans during the latter’s colonization of the country.

Tebow’s willingness to “return” and play for the country of his birth is an inspiring gesture of one’s love for a country that recognized him as its own son.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

FINDING HAPPINESS “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” – Aristotle *** To some, happiness is just a state of mind. To others, it is an elusive as one’s dream. A few consider happiness as getting material things like new car, new mobile phone, new watch, new house, etc.

But happiness, true happiness if you will, is more than all those things. It is having joy, contentment, and assurance. It’s more than a feeling but rather giving excitement and experiencing euphoria.

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of,” French philosopher and author Albert Camus reminded. Indian political ethicist Mahatma Gandhi also said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you are in harmony.”

One day, Father Andrew Greely visited one of the noted colleges in Los Angeles. After walking along the corridors and bumping into a couple of people, something inside him said, “There’s something odd with this place.”

He mentioned it to his com-

panion, who also remarked, “Yes, I feel it too; but I can’t put my �inger on just what it is.”

“I know,” beamed Father Greely. “Everyone seems happy and enjoying what they are doing.”

You �ind happiness once you have ful�illed what you really have wanted to attain in life. I was reminded of the words of Dr. Jean-Louis Etienne, the man who walked alone to the North Pole. In an interview with L’Express, he explained what made him ventured into the world of ice and snow: “There are two great times of happiness: when you are haunted by a dream, and when you realize it. Between the two, there’s a lot of uncertainty, a strong urge to let it all drop. But you have to follow your dream to the end.

There are abandoned bicycles in every garage because their owners’ backsides got too sore the �irst time they rode them. They didn’t understand that pain is a necessary part of learning.

There were times that he wanted to stop but he persevered. “I almost gave up a thousand times before reaching those moments of happiness when I forgot that I was cold,” he admitted. “You can accomplish this

through painting or music, provided you concede that, before you can play a Bach sonata, you must �irst learn to play scales.

It is only through perseverance that each of us can �ind himself.

It is up to each of us to �ind his own Pole.”

Now, there’s a lesson or two to be learned there. “Happiness is a butter�ly, which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” That quote comes the pen of American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.

So, how do you �ind happiness? A young man did an experiment on this. He told the result to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, one of America’s inspirational authors and speakers.

“His idea was to base the secret of happiness upon the things he did from which he got the deepest inner joy,” Peale wrote.

“He found, for example, that he enjoyed going out to a charming restaurant for a delicious dinner and a delightful evening with friends.

“But when he went out of his way to do something generous and kind and unexpected for someone in deep trouble, he ‘felt so good inside that he could sing

for joy.’”

Peale ended the anecdote with this statement: “The reaction to the �irst experience he de�ined as pleasure and the reaction to the second as happiness.

So, to be happy, he concluded, do those things which give you the deepest, most exquisite feelings of joy.”

To most of us, that’s easier said than done. H.C. Mattern, one of America’s thoroughgoing positive thinkers, has this advice: “The way to happiness: keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply, expect little, give much. Fill your life with love. Scatter sunshine.

Forget self, think of others. Do as you would be done by. Try this for a week and you will be surprised.”

There was this story of an old dog who saw a puppy chasing its tail. “Why are you chasing your tail?” the old dog inquired.

The puppy replied, “I have mastered philosophy. I have solved the problems of the universe, which no dog before me had rightly solved. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness. And happiness for me is my tail. Therefore, I am chasing it. And when I catch it, I shall have it.”

The old dog told the puppy: “My son, I also have paid attention to the problems of the universe in a small way. And I, too, have formed some opinions. I, too, have judged that happiness is a �ine thing for a dog; and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase my tail, it keeps running away from me.

But when I go about my business, my tail comes after me.”

And so does happiness!

To end this piece, allow me to quote Viktor E. Frankl, the man who wrote Man’s Search for Meaning: “Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself.

“Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long-run – in the long-run, I say!

– success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think about it.”

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

GENEHICHI ISHI’S TRANSPORT SUIT Issuance of franchise under the Commonwealth was very pro-Filipino such that even the Americans, enjoying the best during their occupation of the islands, had their rights greatly diminished. One of the celebrated cases cited in legal opinions affecting the issuance of franchise was the Genehichi Ishi vs.

Public Service Commission (G. R. No. 45134).

Under Art. XIII, Sec. 8, of the 1935 Constitution, it states: No franchise, certi�icate, or any other form of authorization for the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations of other entities organized under the laws of the Philippines, sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by citizens of the Philippines, nor shall such franchise, certi�icate, or authorization be exclusive in character or for a longer period than �ifty years. No franchise or right shall be granted to any individual, �irm, or corporation, except under the condition that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the National Assembly when the public interest so requires.

In the case, the PSC, on December 18, 1929, granted to Ishi a CPC to transport passengers in

the Province of Davao on conditions that (i) the franchisee would not alter the manner of operating his car; (ii) he was not allowed to increase or decrease the number of cars operated or substitute them, such as changing the form of the carriage, and (iii) he was barred from using the franchised car for trip outside its zone of operation as authorized.

Moreover, the CPC issued to Ishi, the PSC ruled, “shall take effect on the date the same is issued and shall continue in force until further order to the contrary from [the] commission.”

Six years later, the Japanese subject �iled another application with the PSC on October 23, 1935, seeking authorization to add another Ford automobile claiming the number of public utility vehicles serving the province of Davao could not meet the actual demand.

In an order dated February 14, 1936, the PSC, citing the 1935 Constitution, invoked the provision that only citizens of the Philippines or corporation and entities registered under the laws of the country, with sixty percent ownership by Filipinos, can be issued a franchise, certi�icate or other form of authorization to operate a public utility. Dissatis-

�ied with the PSC decision, Ishi, �iled a petition for a writ of certiorari against the order.

The Supreme Court, in sustaining PSC’s decision, ruled on September 10, 1936, stating: “The question presented is whether petitioner’s application for an increase of his equipment comes within the constitutional prohibition contained in section 8, Article XIII of the Constitution of the Philippines, it appearing that petitioner had been granted, before the Constitution took effect on November 15, 1935, a certi�icate of public convenience to operate an automobile ‘Ford’ for transportation of passengers in the province of Davao. We must answer the question in the af�irmative. Petitioner is admittedly not a citizen of the Philippines, nor a corporation sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by citizens of the Philippines.

“His application for an increase of equipment may not call for the granting of a new franchise or certi�icate, but it certainly calls for an ‘authorization’ the granting of any form of which is limited by the Constitution to citizens and corporations above mentioned. This was clearly admitted by the petitioner himself when he made the averment in

paragraph 3 of his petition for a writ of certiorari that in �iling below the application which was afterwards denied by the respondent Commission, he sought for “authority” to increase his equipment. In other words, it is conceded by petitioner that he may not increase his equipment without previously being “authorized’ to do so by the respondent Commission, as provided in express terms in his certi�icate of public convenience. The phrase ‘any other form of authorization’ used in sec. 8, Article XIII, of the Constitution is comprehensive enough to include the “authority” asked for by petitioner.

“The Constitution provides for the nationalization not only of national resources and all forces of potential energy but also of public utilities, saving solely those rights which were acquired prior to its adoption.

This was one of the avowed purposes of the framers of that fundamental law, as declared in its preamble. We cannot agree to the suggestion that because petitioner is the lawful holder of a certi�icate of public convenience to operate an automobile ‘Ford’ in the province of Davao, he has a vested right to be authorized to increase his equipment by the addition of one or more cars.

The challenged order of the respondent Commission is in conformity both with the letter and spirit of the Constitution and it must be upheld.” (Paragraphing mine.)

Commonwealth Act 146, the amended ‘The Public Service Act’ approved on November 7, 1936, further delineated PSC’s authority. The statute was ‘an Act to recognize the Philippine Service Commission, prescribe its powers and duties, de�ine and regulate public services, provide and �ix the rates and quota of expenses to be paid by the same for other purposes.’ As to the petition for certiorari, the high court ruled: “The allegations of the petition fail to state that the respondent exceeded its jurisdiction in issuing the order in question.

They do not, therefore, justify the issuance of the writ applied for, in accordance with section 35 of Act No. 3108, as amended.

The proper remedy would have been to apply for the review of the disputed order in accordance with said section 35 of said Act. Before disposing of the case, this court deems it advisable, however, to state its opinion on the constitutional question raised in order to decide the case once and for all.”

8 AGRITRENDS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Bt Talong: To Grow or Not to Grow

I

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

f someone mentions “biotechnology,” what comes to mind immediately? Any of the following: Dolly the cloned sheep, genetically modi�ied organisms (GMOs), golden rice—or all of them.

If that’s what you think, you’re absolutely right.

These are all examples of biotechnology. But what about beer-brewing, crop breeding, wine, cheese, and vinegar? These processes and products— some of which have been around for thousands of years—are also examples of biotechnology.

The making of patis (�ish sauce), soy sauce, nata de coco, and even composting in your backyard is also a biotechnological process. Antibiotic penicillin, insulin for the treatment of diabetes, and vaccines for measles, hepatitis B and rabies are all products of biotechnology, too.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary de�ines biotechnology as “the manipulation (as through genetic engineering) of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products (as pest resistant crops, new bacterial strains, or novel pharmaceuticals).”

Although it has been with us since time immemorial—the “manna” mentioned in the Old Testament is also a product of biotechnology—the term (often abbreviated as “biotech”) now generally refers to gene engineering technology that revolutionized the biological science since 1973.

MORE FOOD, LESS LAND

“Biotechnology is one of the tools necessary in helping farmers grow more food on less land,” said the late Dr. Randy Hautea, who was then the global coordinator of Laguna-based International

Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).

“However, the promises of biotech crops can only be unlocked if farmers are able to buy and plant these crops, following a scienti�ic approach to regulatory reviews and approvals,” Hautea added.

In the Philippines, the only agricultural crop that is genetically-modi�ied is the biotech corn. Soon to be released in the golden rice, the beta-carotene bioforti�ied genetically modi�ied cereal that was developed by the International Rice Research Institute in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Institute.

Still another is the Bt talong, an eggplant that is spliced with “Bacillus thuringiensis” (Bt).

A common soil bacterium, Bt produces a protein that paralyzes the larvae of some harmful insects.

One pest that causes so much damage to eggplants is the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). It feeds almost exclusively on eggplant. An entire crop can be lost from EFSB infestation.

“The worm of the insect bore tunnels in the fruit, rendering them un�it for consumption,” said Dr. Emil Q. Javier, former secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and now a national scientist.

Some studies have shown that 51-73% of the crop is lost when there is no control of any form is done. There is also no known genetic resistance to EFSB in cultivated and wild eggplants.

“The insects are concealed in the shoots and fruits and are dif�icult to reach,” Dr. Javier explained.

“Thus, in order to protect their crops, farmers spray their plants almost every other day with insecticides.”

CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES

Edgar C. Talasan is a vegetable farmer from Barangay Imalutao in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. He said in his 15 years of vegetable farming, in every eggplant cropping cycle, he sprayes

at least twice a week. For every 1,000 eggplant hills, he uses 0.5 kilogram of Lannate, two bottles (250 mL) of Prevathon, two bottles (250 mL) of Alika, one liter of Karate, one kilogram of Daconil, and 0.5 liter of Selecron.

Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, an entomologist or a scientist who studies insects, said the current methods used by some eggplant growers in controlling the EFSB are unacceptable.

She added that the practice is also unhealthy to consumers, farmers, and the environment.

She reported that studies conducted in major eggplant producing prov-

inces found that almost all farmers use chemical insecticides and that some even dip the unharvested eggplant fruits in a mix of chemicals just to ensure that harvests are marketable.

But there are also farmers who don’t use chem-

icals to destroy the pest.

They do so by doing any of the following: manual removal of infested shoots, crop rotation, intercropping, using nylon net barriers, trapping of the male using pheromones, applied either singly or in an integrated manner. But all these are “labor-intensive and generally ineffective,” to quote the words of Dr. Asuncion K. Raymundo and Dr. Rita P. Laude, who conducted some studies on eggplant.

BIOLOGICAL INSECTICIDE

One possible solution to the problem is to intro-

duce Bt into the vegetable crop. The Institute of Plant Breeding at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB) spearheaded the development of Bt talong.

“Bt talong was developed by genetically engineering a gene from the bacteria so that the GM eggplants now produce a protein that defends it against insect attacks,” explained Dr. Michael Purugganan, a Filipino plant geneticist who is the Dean of Science at the New York University.

Bt is present in the Philippine soil and had been in use for years without any harmful effects. As it comes from the earth itself, Bt is very natural, according to Dr. Bernardo. In 1901, Bt was discovered to have an insecticidal property. By 1950s, it became a well-known biological insecticide.

In her landmark novel, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson recommended Bt as a biological pesticide because it has much less environment impact than conventional chemical pesticides.

Research on Bt talong commenced in 2003 in the UPLB laboratory. From 2007 to 2009, a contained experiment was conducted under the supervision of the National Biosafety Committee of the Philippines. From 2010 to 2012, �ield trials were done in Laguna, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, and North Cotabato.

NO TO Bt TALONG

A �ield trial was also conducted at UP Mindanao in Davao City. But on December 13, 2010, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio ordered the uprooting of around 1,800 hills of Bt talong in an experimental station inside the campus. “(Based) on the report of the Davao (City Agricul-

ture Of�ice),” said the mayor’s cease and desist order, “you have only complied with three of 15 conditions that enables you to engage in such �ield testing.”

That was a big blow to Bt talong. But the biggest let down came on May 17, 2013 when the Supreme Court (SC) decided to permanently halt the �ield testing of Bt talong based on the petition �iled by Greenpeace Philippines and Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura.

“The testing or introduction of Bt talong into the Philippines, by its nature and intent, is a grave and present danger to (and an assault on) the Filipinos’ constitutional right to a balanced ecology, because in any book and by any yardstick, it is an ecologically unbalancing event or phenomenon,” read the SC decision.

According to Dr. Eufemio Rasco, Jr., an academician at the National Academy of Science and Technology, the decision was based on the “precautionary principle.” It stated: “Where there are potential adverse effects (of a technology), lack of full scienti�ic certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing appropriate measures to prevent environmental degradation.”

While the petitioners were “overjoyed on the decision” of the SC, Dr. Javier believed the real losers are the poor farmers themselves and the consuming public. “Our small farmers are deprived of modern means of raising productivity, competitiveness and incomes,” he wrote. “They are denied potential sustainable farming technologies that can substantially reduce the need for harmful pesticides to protect their crops.

“Big losers as well are the low-wage-income con-

BT TALONG, P9

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

EDGEDAVAO FOOD

ARTISAN BREAD TALK

THEY SAY artisan breads are something food enthusiasts should taste at least once in their lives. And if one has not experienced the joy of homemade artisan breads, he or she has not truly lived.

Dabawenya artisan baker Vanessa Pacheco of Craft Breads and Pastries introduced carefully crafted and freshlybaked breads like sourdough, brioche, and panettone during a recent bread appreciation event at RBG Bar & Grill at Park Inn by Radisson Davao.

Dubbed “Get Bready with Craft Breads” Pacheco conducted a brief demo to attendees comprised of members of the media, personalities, and bloggers for better understanding of baking artisan breads and to know more about the staple food. She also shared how her passion started, introduced a variety of breads and elaborated on artisan breads and their differences.

“This is just an introduction of our business to the Dabawenyos. Kasi yung tinapay namin is different from the breads that we get here. Although, we have focaccia, brioche, scones, panettone, however, the ones that we get here looked like these breads but they don’t taste authentic that is why I wanted to introduce these

kinds of breads to the Dabawenyos,” Pacheco said in an interview.

What inspired her to launch her artisan breads in Davao City is that Dabawenyos now begin to take interest in these kinds of breads.

“Mga Dabawenyos ngayon mapili na eh. May taste na compared to five years ago. Five years ago siguro mahihirapan pa ako i-introduce ang aking mga tinapay kasi hindi pa open to these kinds of breads ang mga taga Davao,” she said.

Pacheco’s romance with artisan breads started when she discovered her passion for baking in Canada in 2000. She completed the Artisan Bread Baking, and Baking Arts Certificates at George Brown College in 2016. She returned to Davao City in 2017 and started with the business in 2018.

The bread that she is passionate about and in love with is sourdough. Sourdough is complicated and mysterious.

It’s crackly on the outside and

soft and hot on the inside; the flavor is punchy and the texture is silky-chewy.

Apart from the tastes, what differentiates her sourdough with the rest is the long fermentation process that she goes through.

“My sourdough breads from start to finish, it takes three days. From feeding the starter to creating the levain, which is the yeast pero mabagal na yeast, to creating and shaping the dough to fermenting the dough again and then baking. It takes three days to get there. You can tell in the taste and texture and chewiness and other different flavors that why it is so special,” Pacheco said.

She also have pre-fermented breads which is where like most European breads fall under

like focaccia bread, panettone, ciabatta, and brioche.

“The difference kung may nabili ka na focaccia dito sa Davao, if you squeeze it, those breads with pre-ferment pag squezze mo siya, it bounces back. Same with the sourdough it is like spring pag- squeeze mo siya, mag ba-bounce back talaga. Kaya ko naisip na dalhin intong mga tinapay ko sa Davao City kasi wala pa tayong ganito dito,” she said.

Her primary target market is the A and B crowd but she also sets her eyes to cafes, hotels and restaurants.

“Kasi sila yung nagsi-serve ng mga ganyang klaseng tinapay na hindi loaves, they can make preparations out of these breads to make it more appealing to the Dabawenyos.

Pag natikman nila there is a chance they’ll buy the loaves.

Hopefully they can entice Dabawenyos to buy the loaves from me,” she said.

For now, customers can avail her breads by ordering. She is offering breads such as cheese rolls, sourdough, focaccia, brioche, panettone, and breaded breads at Crafts Breads and Pastries at Midland Village in Ma-a, Davao City.

“I hope sourdough will take off. I am very surprised that focaccia over the holidays was our bestseller. We also have brioche loaves and panettone during the holidays. We don’t have a retail space yet but individual can order through our website, text or email,” she said.

She also strives to add to value to her products by focusing on quality, and to educate Filipinos about the science of bread.

Park Inn by Radisson Davao will be collaborating with Craft Breads and Pastries starting with its breakfast buffet. The hotel will also progressively move towards the gourmet types of sandwiches and toasts, and re-introduce classic favorites together with Craft Breads and Pastries.

Park Inn and Crafts and Breads share the goal of providing guests with hearty and healthy dishes while ensuring fresh and locally-inspired specialties.

EDGED

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

OPEN AND AHEAD OF THE CURVE:

THE WAIT IS OVER. Doors at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit are open – and they reveal a genuinely distinctive hotel experience in Thailand’s capital city.

The difference emerges straight away well before one enters the hotel. Rising 34 storeys above downtown, a dramatic building catches the eye with bold curves set against soaring verticality. Difference emerges too in the hotel’s grand lobby where an extraordinary chandelier of hand-brown glass ornaments twirls down from eight storeys above. Other specially commissioned art works throughout the hotel lend similarly captivating visual effects.

All quite a sight. But there’s more than meets the eye – and every glimpse of just-opened Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit provides new perspective on the upper-upscale, city-centre hotel experience in Bangkok.

CARLTONHOTEL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT Well-placed for upper-upscale Speaking of perspective, providing a keenly observed one is Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s general manager, Mark Bulmer.

Bulmer, with eight years’ experience with Carlton Hotel Group including six as general manager of both Carlton hotels in Singapore, says, ‘I’ve been with Carlton for some time and I know why our hotels have such a fine reputation, and I know how we’re always enhancing it. I’ve also lived and worked here in Bangkok, so I can say from experience that Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit combines the absolute best of Carlton and Thai hospitality. Guests will enjoy five-star luxury at superb value, especially given the hotel’s prime location between BTS SkyTrain Asoke and Phrom Phong stations.’

To location can be added many other advantages. Accommodation at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit comprises

338 rooms and suites ranging in size from 37 to 129 sqm.

Features and amenities in all rooms include floor-to-ceiling soundproofed window with electric curtains and blinds, 49-inch smart TV with Chromecast mirroring and Apple TV, king or twin bedding with

Sealy Posturepedic mattress, bathroom with rain shower and separate bathtub and washlet, large wardrobe, work desk, in-room wired and wireless internet, electronic safe, and minibar refrigerator. Additional advanced technologies in all guest rooms include motion sensor-controlled lighting for decreased energy consumption when guests are away. Guests also benefit from in-room IPTV technology providing information, entertainment and hospitality services via a single digital source.

Culinary excellence and more Carlton hotels are highly regarded not only for their accommodation, facilities and services but also for superlative dining. In fact, for three decades famed Wah Lok restaurant has made Carlton synonymous with fine Cantonese

cuisine in Singapore.

That very same culinary excellence can now be enjoyed at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s own Wah Lok restaurant. Expect an upscale Hong Kong-style setting with main dining area capacity for up to 194 guests, along with private dining rooms available for business and social occasions. Providing direction at Wah Lok Bangkok is the same chef who helped open the original Wah Lok at Carlton Hotel Singapore over 30 years ago, Master Chef and Guangdong native Lam Kok Weng.

A distinguished collection of venues further upholds Carlton’s culinary reputation in Bangkok: Plate – all-day-dining restaurant serving expansive buffets and à la carte selections in a contemporary setting featuring international classics, Thai fa-

vour Pera cuis T so b cult first in a pâti vien adja kitch ton Beer also C out beer New fine tasty P bar smo hou snac Th mea leisu Gue doo ture with spa Zon H 33rd Lou view seat dati ame

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VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

rites and Carlton’s signature anakan Straits- Chinese sine.

Tuxedo – lobby-level espresbar for vanguard coffee ture including Thailand’s t Modbar espresso machines five-star hotel setting. Also, isserie, boulangerie and nnoiserie made daily in the acent glass-fronted pastry hen. Singapore-style CarlAfternoon Tea served daily. r, wine and cocktails are o available.

Cooling Tower – chilledrooftop bar with draught rs, imaginative cocktails, w and Old-World wines and e spirits complemented with y bar bites.

Plunge – poolside juice for refreshing juices and oothies as well as beer and use wines. Light meals and cks available.

The hotel’s entire 10th floor, anwhile, is dedicated to ure, recreation and fitness. ests enjoy a 30 metre outor pool with waterfall feae, a pool bar, exercise studio h 24-hour access, luxury

by Let’s Relax, and a Kids’ ne.

High above Bangkok on the d-floor, the Carlton Club unge provides sweeping ws from indoor and outdoor ting. Club-level accommoion guests enjoy premium enities and services includ-

ENTERTAINMENT

FAMILY FORCED OUT OF HOME WINS BRAND NEW HOUSE AND LOT IN “IT’S SHOWTIME” “PILING LUCKY”

ing privileged breakfast, all-day snacks and refreshments, and cocktail hours with canapes.

There’s also a meeting room with seating for six.

Additional facilities and services are two floors of 10 function rooms including The Grand Carlton Ballroom with capacity for up to 600 guests, totaling 1,200 square metres of highly configurable spaces ideal for business gatherings and social occasions. Technologies include a high-resolution 220inch LED screen for pin-sharp entertainment and presentations, while among customised audio-visual services available is specially designed lighting and décor to match corporate branding. Extensive on- site technologies and amenities ensure organisers of a hassle-free experience.

“Worldhotels is privileged to welcome Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit to our Elite Collection. We are confident that it will elevate our portfolio of stylish icons in landmark destinations. Over the years, we have enjoyed unprecedented success with Carlton Hotel Group’s expansion in Singapore. The opening of Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit will complement our strategic partnership for future growth,” said Melissa Gan, Managing Director of Asia Pacific of Worldhotels.

MARISSA ROCHA and her husband Christian have stopped worrying about getting kicked out of a small room that is their home after she, a 32-year-old housewife, won a brand new house and lot from Lessandra in the jackpot round of “It’s Showtime’s” Piling Lucky segment last February 17.

“Winning a new house is a big help to us, we don’t need to rent anymore.

We only have to pay for electricity and water from now on. It brings us great comfort,”said Marissa, 32.

Marissa and her husband Christian, 35, have been sharing a room with their one-year-old child in Sta. Ana, Manila. This room is part of a house they live in with Christian’s relatives – his grandmother, his aunt, and his siblings. Every month, the siblings chip in for the rent and utilities.

Christian’s family has been renting out the property for 24 years, until last year, they were notified that the owner put it up for sale and that they needed to find a new home.

“We should have moved out last year. The owner has been telling us.

That is why he has been looking for a place, so we can move out when we are forced to,” shared Marissa.

“I’ve been looking up houses in Cavite on Facebook. ‘Ma, do you want this? It’s only P2,000 monthly.’

‘No, that’s too expensive.’ Little did we know a house is coming our way,” shared Christian.

Living in a place they can call their own is a dream come true for the couple. In fact, when “It’s Showtime” announced that a brand new house and lot was going to be the jackpot prize in “Piling Lucky,” the couple was optimistic, and prayed for divine intervention when they went to church last Sunday.

Because of “Piling Lucky” and a brand new house and lot from Lessandra, Marissa and Christian can look forward to building a future with their family in Tanza, Cavite.

They can now devote their resources to paying off their loan for a car that Christian is using for his job.

Marissa and her family can now finally move in to a place they can call their own home, after being blessed with a brand new two-storey townhouse “Arielle,” with 36-square meter floor area and 42-square meter lot area, which features two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, toilet, and bathroom. Bringing the utmost convenience and accessibility to everything that they need, Lessandra guarantees a wise home investment for them, affording its homeowners a wide selection of brilliantly crafted houses and a complete set of amenities like club house, swimming pool, basketball court, and playground.

They can now enjoy a home that is strategically located in close proximity to business and commercial hubs,

“THE TALE OF NOKDU” AIRS ON ABS-CBN THIS MARCH Romance and trouble ensue when a man forced to disguise himself as a woman for an important mission finds himself falling for a woman in “The Tale of Nokdu,” the newest Asianovela that will thrill viewers starting March 2 on ABS-CBN. Get to know Nokdu (Jang Dong Yoon), a man who goes on a conquest to find the mysterious lady assassins who attacked and harmed his family.

He follows one of the assassins and eventually reaches the town capital where he meets Dong Ju (Kim So Hyun), a woman who dressed as a man to kill the king for vengeance. It will not be a pleasing first encounter for the two as Nokdu stands in the way of Dong Ju’s plans.

They go their separate ways as Nokdu follows the assassin to a village owned by widows where men are strictly prohibited. Desperate to enter the village, the young man then comes up with a plan — he will dress as a woman until he finds his enemy.

In his search to track down the assassin, he will cross paths with a person he least expects — Dong Ju, but now in her true identity. Not knowing the lady is the man he met, Nokdu falls for Dong Ju. But things will instantly get out of hand as Dong Ju discovers that Nokdu is a lady in disguise, threatening his mission to find the assailant that hurt his family.

Will Nokdu still succeed in his mission? Can he still pursue the love he has for Dong Ju? Don’t miss “The Tale of Nokdu” on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

schools, hospitals, churches, and major transportation hubs.

Lessandra, provider of affordable, quality dream homes that elevate Filipino’s lives, is the fastest rising star in the housing industry with real estate properties that offers convenience and exclusivity all over the country. Perfect for young professionals and starting families, it is a pride and joy living in this vibrant community as it wills to create harmony for career and personal lives of active families.

Marissa is the latest big winner of “Piling Lucky,” which also named its first millionaire on February 14 when a contestant, Ryan, won the P1.1 million jackpot prize.

Watch “It’s Showtime,” airing from Mondays to Saturdays on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167). For updates, follow @ abscbnpr on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook or visit abscbnpr.com. To watch the program’s episode online, just download the iWant app (iOs and Andoid) or register via iwant.ph.

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UP AND ARTS AND ABOUT CULTURE TRAVEL TECH

EDGE EDGE DAVAO EDGEDAVAO DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 •216 WEDNESDAY, 255 FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 28, VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 219 ••TUESDAY, • FRIDAY,FEBRUARY JANUARY 17, 14, 2020

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE ELIMINATES SINGLEFORD PHL EXPANDS SONY INTRODUCES NEW GP-VPT2BT USE PLASTIC BEVERAGE BOTTLES ACROSS FLEET WIRELESS SHOOTING GRIP WITH NEW SUV LINEUP MAYA ON THE BLOCK A1

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

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

“Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise order sathe Dagmay if they will Line, innovator use cotton threads,” he said. in global cruise BUILDING on travel the Limon also seeshistory the to with a 53-year growing lineup ofneed camtapbreaking theand artisans in this endeavof boundaries, eras accessories or now to givesingle-use theirfor clients fresh is plasdeveloped modern andbeverage new designs. tic bottle free creators, Sony today “We really need tothe tap new the across its fleet. has announced artisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless The brand announced last gud ga-agi pa ko saIdeal middle shooting grip. year that it partnered withfor man since wala’y sa many different types JUST Goods, Inc.,access which encommunity,” he Line said. to replace of content creation abled the Cruise wants tovlogs show ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic wateroff the beauty of Dagmay travel photography /he bottles across its 17-shipasfleet, has clients with who its are looking for videography tomost simple beginning recent clothes and accessories made everyday use,Encore. the new ship, Norwegian byThe theoffers Mandayas.

He saidof they grip optimum achievement is one the FORD PHILIPPINES is noticed that some Pasalubong stability and comfort latest sustainable steps forward boosting itswith SUV lineup centers including Davao City’s combined cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

In with theCompany addition of a a free and 2018, connectivity the eliminated new Ford Everest varireliable moissingle-use dust plasticand straws across ant, the Ford Everture resistant design. its fleet andnew private destinaest Trend, cusCompatible with aofvariety tions, and as aoffering result this tomers a new mid-size of Sony’s latest digitalitcamermost recent initiative, will SUV thatconnects offers as, the variant GP-VPT2BT replace over six million singlegreat value with eneasily via Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every hancements in its smart creators to simplythe aim and is year.

In addition, brand and shootsafe without interfering working to features. eliminate single-use The or new Ford and Everest Trend cables exposed inputs.

The plastic shampoo condihas agrip new front grille design, new includes athis useful tioner bottles later year.tilt rear view camera, power feature that allows for flexible These efforts are driven byliftgate,Company’s LED projector headlamps vertical angle adjustment as the Sail & Sustain with as daytime running lamps, well the ability to switch Environmental Program, which and knee from normal todriver self-shooting is itsadditional commitment to minimize airbag,to bringing number mode with ease. total Additionalwaste landfills, reduce its of airbags to seven.

“We are expanding our SUV

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

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

Smart and safe technology while drivingand on the road.

It is refillable recyclable.

As a highly advanced Thehas newa global Everestpresence Trend also JUST technology-led SUV, the new boastsbottling a handful of DATs and with facilities in Glenn Everest Trend is equipped with Falls, safetyNY; features which include Ballymena, Northern several driver-assist techCruise Control, Electronic Ireland; and Ballarat, Australia, nologies (DATs) that make it a Stability Control Anti-to thus allowing thewith company perfect match for driving in the meet lock braking demandsystem, aroundElectronic the world city while remaining a formiBrake-force distribution (EBD) without shipping water from a dable force in off-road environ- single and Roll Stability Control, and production source. JUST ments.

Hill Launch to our Sail & Sustain program takes care to Assist. use the most effidriverwholeheartedly comfort, the new andFor believe in cient shipping options available.

Everest Trend comes with an Availability and pricingabout the importance of preserving For more information 8-inch colorresources. touchscreen, The new Everest Trend is our natural We USB will Norwegian Cruise Line ships ports, as well as SYNC 3 with available all Ford dealerships continue to strive towards mak- and their in itineraries, or to book Apple CarPlay and Android starting February ing environmentally conscious anationwide cruise, please contact a travel compatibility.

SYNCour is Ford’s 25, 2020 withcall a starting retail decisions to benefit earth.” professional, 888-NCLproprietary voice-activated sys- CRUISE price of PHP1,738,000.

It comes Envisioned and founded by (625-2784) or visit tem that allows ease of access in four colors: Absolute Black, American rapper, songwriter, www.ncl.com. to the vehicle’s entertainment Aluminum Metallic, Arctic system and connected devices White, and Meteor Gray.

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

EVEREST TREND A4 INdulge!

lineup to provide Aldevinco do notcustomers carry Dag“Wala man gud kaayo with a 6-speed automatic with another reliable Ford may cloth.

Mandaya na pieces and mostly transmission, it offers power Everest variant that suits their T’boli products ang sa Aland smooth acceleration while diverse needs and lifestyles. The staying devinco.fuel-efficient.

Sa Manila T’boli lang new Everest Trend comes with mostly makita nako na ginafeatures such as seven airbags, himoexterior, accent ugrefined Yakan,interior beads Bold LED headlamps, power liftgate, sa Aside Bagobo, balud Lanao from the from new front and leather seats that make it and Inaul.

Walay something grille design and smart and one of the most competitive from the Mandaya commusafety feature enhancements, and feature-packed nity,” heto said. the new Everest comes CO2 emissions rate,mid-size increase thrilled make Trend such an impact SUVs for itssourcing pricing,”and saidinvest PK cotton Dagmay in The 18-inch alloy wheels,design rain sustainable by eliminating single-use beverUmashankar, managing direc- and clothing isquickly not yet available in sensing power folding ly,in itemerging has an adjustment wheel can bewipers, changed technologies. age bottles across our fleet. tor,“This Ford theajust market as Limon and power mirrors can be loosened tightened into tripod by simply exisPhilippines. a veryorspecial and It’s oneadjustable of the waysand wehis are groupside are still in the immerwith indicators, side tovery allow for seamless operapanding the bottom portion, proud moment for us,” working toturn preserve our oceans Proven performance sion the stage of the and project. steps, roof rails, front and tion with cameras of different easy stable, handssaid Harry Sommer, president enabling and destinations we visit. new EverestThe Trend “We willisguards. evaluate pa their rear splash Everest sizes and weights. gripisof free shooting. andThe chief executive officer While this just theThe beginning powered

by Cruise Ford’s proven 2.2L capacity and kung willing sila Trend also comes with leather also includes a flip button, inThe GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Line. “As of what we and others can do, diesel engine makipag-collaborate,” he said. seats, a more dicator light and lockwhich switch, Shooting Grip customers will committed be availaTDCi leading cruise line, we are we aregiving incredibly delivers up to 160PS and refined seating experience.

385NM of torque. Coupled

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

BRIDGE... FROM1 plementation of big ticket projects.

The project initiation proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of State

by China International Development Cooperation Agency. The implementation agreement for Detailed Engineering Design (DED) and civil works was already �inalized.

The Bucana Bridge project has a timeline of 2020 to 2023. It is also among the topics discussed during the meeting between Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio earlier this month.

Li Lin, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao, is hopeful that construction of the bridge will start this year.

“Bucana Bridge is a Chinese government grant and the feasibility study is already �inished and normally should be in the DPWH now. The budget will be �inalized if both governments (Davao City and the Chinese government) will reach an agreement because we have to take many things into considerations,” Lin said in an interview.

The Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project, with a total length of 18.21-km including the 540 linear meters and four-lanes Bucana Bridge will traverse from the area of Bago Aplaya, Brgy. Talomo, Punta Dumalag, Tulip Drive, Manuel Roxas Avenue to Sta. Ana

Wharf Road and R. Castillo Street as the end point of the project alignment.

The project will function as diversion and bypass road and roadway grade separators or �lyover for the existing road network that are already experiencing heavy traf�ic congestion problem and would also have broader or indirect road in�luence areas as they also function and caters to inter-provincial and regional transport movements and vehicular �lows.

With a project cost of P28.265 billion wherein P3.11 billion is for Bucana Bridge through a China government grant, Davao Coastal Bypass Project is among the three projects that was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) last December 20, 2019.

Cortez said the phase being implemented now for the coastal project is the Punta Dumalag area leading to Bucana area. He added that the budgeting for the right of way (ROW) was based on the previous census tagging done in the area, which considers the fair market value of the property and the structures that will be affected.

Cortez said he can’t give exact number for the affected residents but said the ROW cost is already included in the project.

The whole project has a timeline of 2017 to 2023.

The service coverage of the bulk water project will be the areas in Calinan, Tugbok, Talandang, Mandug, Dumoy, Lanang, Sasa, Bajada, Indangan, Tibungco, Bunawan, Lasang, and Panacan.

“What would happen sa katong others areas ni Davao City na dili maserve sa project. We will not stop from building additional water sources that is why we have a complimentary P2 billion to the bulk water project. We will be developing additional ground water sources to serve those areas na dili ma serve,” Duhaylungsod said.

The P2 billion pipe laying project started in 2015 and is more than halfway done in sub-project terms.

Duhaylungsod said out

of the 32 projects, 20 are completed and most of them are also being operated while waiting for the completion of the bulk water project. She said in the remaining 12, six are already ongoing and most of them are targeted to be completed this year.

“Other six still ongoing pa ang procurement. Kaning remaining na wala pa na-kompleto pero dili ni detrimental sa full operation of the bulk water supply project,” she said.

Once operational, Apo Agua will deliver 300 million liters per day (MLD) to DCWD as provided under their bulk water supply agreement. The project will also have a small hydro-electric plant to power the water treatment facility.

while this year for the same period there were 18,124.

There were a total of 272,400 arrivals for 2019 with the month of Decem-

ber registering the highest number with 51,105. Of the �igure only 10% of the tourists are foreigners or about 24,730. (CIO MATI)

for a cosmetic product.

Legaspi assured the public that FDA will continue to monitor pharmacies, department stores and other outlets selling the products.

“We are always for the safety of our consumers.

When we monitor, we will not limit it to the advisory.

We also investigate and check product labels. But if

we prove that it is a banned product, we con�iscate it outright,” she added.

She said that an advisory on a product means that it must be withdrawn from the shelves, and destroyed.

She also encouraged the public to read the advisories of the FDA and report any sale or distribution of the banned products to their of�ice. (PNA)

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kgs.), UK (8,901,134), Denmark (5,852,000), Brazil (5,228,949), Ireland (4,696,376), Aus-

tralia (4,589,561), Italy (1,421,499), and Austria (801,726). (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

research),” said Duque.

DOH added that level 2 and 3 hospitals are also being prepared for a possible pandemic.

Further, Duque said that community engagement will be vital during the worst-case scenario.

“Risk communication and community engagement, very important should we operate under a code red alert level, which is the highest. This is part of the door for response,” he said.

On the other hand, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

said that the national government is prepared to carry-out lockdowns if needed.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday the government has an experience of carrying-out lockdown activities in the past just like during the Marawi siege.

Año added authorities also have proper gears to respond in case lockdowns are necessary.

More than 2,700 people have died globally and more than 80,000 people have been infected since the outbreak of COVID-19.

ensure compliance with the ‘National Zoning and Movement Plan for the Prevention and Control of ASF, as contained under DA Administrative Circular No. 12 (s. 2019).”

On Dec. 10, 2019, the DA issued Administrative Circular, which formally orders the establishment of zones across the country, depending on the level of risks of regions in relation

to ASF. The zoning plan is seen as one of the key measures to ensure the total eradication of the ASF that has struck mostly backyard farms in Luzon.

To date, ASF is estimated to have affected more than 20 million pigs in Asia since 2018 and has caused serious economic and production losses in the affected countries. (PNA)

the bill seeking the renewal of ABS-CBN’s 25-year franchise before the Senate can approve a similar measure.

The bill, once rati�ied by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, will then be transmitted to Duterte’s of�ice for his signature.

Quizzed if he is willing to sign into law the bill seeking the extension of ABS-CBN’s franchise, Duterte said: “I will cross the bridge when I am there.

Maybe I will call the media to help me out. It would be a dif�icult decision really.”

SolGen can’t be stopped Meantime, Duterte said he cannot dictate on Solicitor General (SolGen) Jose Calida to drop the quo warranto petition earlier �iled before the Supreme Court (SC), seeking the invalidation of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Duterte explained that he has no control over Calida, the government’s top counsel.

“The SolGen can always announce that there is violation of law. And he’s going

to investigate it. Wala na akong ano. Hindi ko masabing (I can no longer stop him. I cannot tell him), ‘Do not do it. Stop it’,” he said.

Calida earlier asked SC to revoke ABS-CBN’s franchise due to its alleged violation of the 1987 Constitution when it allowed foreign ownership of the Philippine media entity.

Under Section 11(1), Article 16 of the 1987 Constitution, ownership and management of mass media shall be limited only Filipino citizens of the Philippines, or corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and managed by such citizens.

ABS-CBN’s franchise expires on May 4 this year, in case Congress and Duterte do not give consent for the local media giant to proceed with its broadcast operations.

ABS-CBN’s congressional franchise was granted on March 30, 1995, but only took effect 15 days after its publication -- April 19, 1995 -- in newspapers.

(PNA)

but have returned to their respective countries have tested positive for the virus upon returning home.

These are from the US, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Israel.

The report said although the Philippines have three con�irmed Covid-19 cases and one death as of February 22, there are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were infected while onboard the Diamond Princess as well as in Hong Kong.

“Repatriation of OFW

could lead to more cases in the future and lesser remittances needed to offset wide trade de�icits and contain the current account de�icit,” it said.

It, however, cited that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) decision to cut its key policy rates by 25 basis points last February 6 is a boost “to cushion the economy.”

Last Monday, the peso closed at 50.96 against the greenback, little changed against its 50.94 �inish Friday last week. (PNA)

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9

thinking about all eventualities," one of the sources familiar with the planning efforts said.

DECISIONS EXPECTED IN COMING DAYS In a joint statement responding to Reuters' queries, the IMF and the World Bank said that their senior leadership teams were closely monitoring the spread of the coronavirus.

"The question of arrangements for the Spring Meetings is one on which Bank and Fund have been coordinating with our respective Corporate Secretariats, which are our primary liaisons with share-

holders. We anticipate a decision on the scale and scope of Spring Meetings will be made in the coming days."

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, the IMF and World Bank canceled their annual meetings scheduled for later that month in the US capital. The meetings were reconvened in November 2001 in Ottawa, Canada.

Both institutions bylaws state that their annual meetings of boards of governors, normally held in the fall, must be held in person.

website and let’s see who their corporate people are and their experiences. It really helps the business to grow internally and even export-wise when they have their own website,” he added.

The Primer app enables business owners to download lessons and courses such as digital marketing, branding, and online selling.

Gonzales said this platform is helpful for those who cannot attend the MSME Caravan or those who would like a refresher of lessons from the Caravan.

Data from the DTI show that 99 percent of establishments in the country are MSMEs. They employ 63 percent of the workforce and share 25 percent of export revenues. (PNA)

The IGRB is tasked to exhaust all means to resolve issues brought before it, which include the effective implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) and the national programs and projects of the National Government in the BARMM. It also aims to resolve territorial issues, and issues of devolution and jurisdiction; and the creation of the other intergovernmental relations mechanisms enumerated under the BOL. Under the TOR, un-

resolved issues shall be elevated to the President, through the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Government.

Even before the IGRB held its �irst meeting last December, the DOF had already organized a series of dialogues with BARMM of�icials and formed a technical working group (TWG) involving other government agencies to assist the of�icials of the new Bangsamoro government in running their economic agencies and crafting sound �iscal policies.

Fox Networks Group, Radio Mindanao Network, Inc., Asian Journal Publications Philippines, Inc., Auto Nation Group, Inc. (Mercedes Benz), and SMDC. Major sponsors include The Boeing Company, University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network, Avolon Aerospace Singapore Pte Ltd, Manila Broadcasting Company, Primax Broadcasting, Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte Ltd, CIGNAL TV Inc., Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. (Resorts World), and Airbus.

Other supporters are Uniglobe Travelware Co., Inc. (The Travel Club), Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. (Manila Standard), Of�icine Corporation, GE Aviation, SEDA Hotels, BDO Unibank, Smart Communications, Inc., People Asia Magazine, A+E Networks Asia (History), Allianz PNB Life, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Tanduay Brands, Rockwell Land Corporation, Petron Corporation, Splash Corporation, AB Heineken Philippines Inc., and Asia Brewery Inc. – Summit.

Partial Results: CHAMPIONSHIP: Canlubang 281 (139-142), Luisita 277 (139- 138), Negros Occidental 271 (135-

136), Cebu Country Club 266 (125- 141) FOUNDERS: Del Monte 275 (134- 141), Eagle Ridge 267 (130-137), Riviera Golf 257 (122- 135), Orchard 257 (132-125), Manila Southwoods 250 (125-125), Camp John Hay 246 (119-127), Manila Golf 234 (109- 125), Valley Golf 227 (105-122), Southern California Redhawk 223 (107- 116), Fil Am Hawaii 222 (92-130), Wack Wack 222 (101- 121), Leyte Golf 199 (98-101) AVIATOR: Villamor Airbase 249 (123- 126), Sherwood Hills 248 (124124) , Pueblo de Oro 243 (120- 123), Iloilo Golf 241 (120- 121) , Zamboanga Golf 234 (119- 115), Camp Evangelista 232 (108-124), Club Filipino de Cebu 229 (118- 111), Alta Vista 224 (101-123), Alabang Golf 223(113-110), Mimosa 222 (105- 117), Guinhalaran 216 (102-114), Camp John Hay- Pugad 215 (111104), MSU Marawi 214 (96- 118), Club Intramuros Seniors 213 (109- 104), Apo Golf 212 (100-112), Bay Area Golf Team 2 201 (101- 100), Beverly Place 200 (99- 201), Eagle Ridge Lagitek 198 (101-97) , Team Phil- UK 174 (91- 83), Travelers Golf 159 (71-88)

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VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Young booters show their wares in the ongoing AIA Philam :ife 7s Davao football tournament at the Azuela Cove. Photo by Jonathan Basilio

Davao U15 booters ousted in semifinals

N

Wednesday at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Mark Cantos' goal made the difference as Negros Occidental, a known football hotbed, is heading to the championship game on Friday back

at the said venue.

Cantos took advantage of a short clearance from Davao-South keeper Mattheus Lim as the former struck the ball from 12 yards into the latter's net in the 70th minute which turned out to be the lone

goal for the match.

"The boys did their best in the match. Our preparation may have been short, but because of their diligence, perseverance, and sacri�ices, their performance paid off that led to the victory," Negros

ed six of its key executive and legislative of�icials as members of a �iscal policy body tasked to address revenue imbalances and �luctuations in the �inancial needs and revenue-raising capacity of this new autonomous region.

This body--the Intergovernmental Fiscal Policy Board (IFPB)--will also have members from the national government led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. The IFPB is co-chaired

by Dominguez and BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim.

A report to Dominguez said the BARMM has also named to the IFPB Minister Abu Amri Taddik, Minister Naguib Sinari, Deputy Speaker Hatamil Hassan, Engr. Mohajirin Ali, and Said Salendab.

For the national government, the other IFPB members are Budget and

retary Ramon Lopez and Secretary Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

In his report during a recent Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Committee (Execom) meeting, Jesus Nathaniel Gonzales of the DOF Legal Group said the representatives from the national government agreed that for easier coordination, a focal person should be appointed for each of the government agencies that are members of the IFPB. “Last January 7, we met with the other members from the national government, and we discussed the draft terms of reference of the Board and the secretariat which we just patterned after the IGRB (National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body).

And the national govern-

agencies shall appoint a focal person, so it's easier to coordinate,” Gonzales said during the meeting, Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, who heads the Legal Group, said the �irst organizational meeting of the IFPB is scheduled in the third week of March.

Last December, the National Government-Bangsamoro Government Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB) held its inaugural meeting in Davao City.

This body is mandated to coordinate and resolve issues on intergovernmental relations between the national government and the BARMM through regular consultations and continuing negotiations in a non-adversarial manner.

Dominguez said the IGRB is a “major step forward” in realizing a substantial and functional autonomy for the new auton-

te’s commitment to achieve just and lasting peace in Mindanao.

He expressed the hope that the new Bangsamoro autonomous region will “light up the pathway for rapid development” for the people of Mindanao, especially those from communities once torn by con�lict.

An IGRB Joint Secretariat was formed during the body’s inaugural meeting.

It is tasked to prepare and submit the meeting agenda, to document the proceedings of the meeting, to prepare the highlights of the meeting, and to handle all administrative requirements relative to the conduct of the meeting, the IGRB’s Terms of Reference (TOR) states.

The Of�ice of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) was designated as the joint secretariat of the IGRB.

sumers who are ultimately penalized with high food prices and excessive pesticide residues in the food they eat,” Dr. Javier added.

All’s well, end’s well, so goes the saying. “With the �ield trials of Bt talong already completed, con�irming the ef�icacy of the technology against the fruit and shoot borer and its safety towards bene�icial and non-target insects, and with the unanimous ruling of the SC reversing its earlier decision against �ield tests, immediate commercial release should be considered by its developer,” suggested Dr. Pan�ilo G. De Guzman, an associate scientist at ISAAA. Meanwhile, a recent study showed that Bt talong could bring health

cost savings of P9.33 million yearly from its nearly pesticide-free use. It does not bene�it only the health of consumers but also of farmers, bene�icial insects, farm animals, and birds.

Researcher Sergio R. Francisco has estimated savings in a survey of long exposed to pesticide spraying against the highly-infesting EFSB in his study, “Health and Environmental Impacts of Bt Eggplant.”

The study was based on the perception of 100 eggplant farmers from Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Quezon who sprayed their egg-

plant. These farmers have a long experience in farming—from 9.96 to 18.04 years.

In a press statement, it was disclosed that the bene�it to human health from health cost savings in growing Bt talong is equivalent to P2.49 million yearly as risk from illnesses is avoided. For farm animals, the projected bene�it per year is at P2.12 million.

For bene�icial insects, the environmental bene�it is valued at P2.45 million yearly and for bird species, P2.27 million—as these are saved from death, thereby contributing to

egros Occidental claimed the �irst seat in the �inals of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) U15 Boys National Championship after taking down Davao-South, 1-0, in their semi�inal game on

Occidental coach Ronald Treyes said.

However, Negros Occidental will be without Leoven Gatungan in the �inal as he and Davao-South's Gian Sartirani were each given a red card for a scuf�le late in the semi�inal.

Negros Occidental will play the winner of the other semi�inal match between the National Capital Region and Mount Apo in the �inals.

NCR and Mount Apo will collide later Wednesday. (PNA)

BARMM gov’t names appointees to intergovernmental fiscal body Parishioners hold prayer rally he Bangsamoro gov- Management Secretary ment representatives also omous Muslim region, in vs. GenSan casino operation ernment has appoint- Wendel Avisado, Trade Sec- agreed that each of the step with President Duter-

T

BT TALONG... FROM8 REVERSAL

Fortunately, on July 26, 2016, the SC en banc unanimous reversed its previous ruling. The SC decision further stated that since no commercial propagation of Bt talong took place and research activities never went beyond the �ield trial phase, “any future threat to the public to a healthful and balanced ecology is more imagined than real.”

BARMM, P9

A

n estimated 2,000 parishioners �locked Tuesday evening to a prayer rally here organized by the local Catholic Church against a casino operation.

Fr. Angel Buenavides, vicar general of the Diocese of Marbel, said Wednesday that all six parishes from the Metro Dadiangas Area joined the prayer rally at Robinsons Place.

The prayer rally was held in time for the casino’s soft opening Tuesday evening. The casino, located at the back of the mall, features slot machines and card games.

“The social impacts of a casino far outweigh the economic bene�its like the jobs that will be generated and the receipts and taxes from the tourists. We have seen that casinos attract prostitution,” the priest told MindaNews.

Councilor Jose Orlando Acharon said the permit

biodiversity enhancement.

One asks: Is the Bt protein found in Bt talong safe to non-target organisms?

On tests conducted on dogs, guinea pigs, rats, �ish, frogs, and even birds, the Bt protein was found not to have any harmful effects, according to Extension Toxicology Network, a pesticide information project of several US universities.

“The speci�icity of Bt for its target insects is one of the characteristics that make it an ideal method of biological pest control,” said a brie�ing paper published ISAAA. “The speci�icity rests on the fact

for the casino to operate in the city was granted by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

“PAGCOR helps our poor constituents through the assistance extended by the PCSO,” he said, referring to the medical cash grants of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Of�ice to the less fortunate.

Acharon added the casino operations will also boost the tourism and economic potentials of the city.

Buenavides said many parishioners were caught unaware that a casino will be operating in the city.

The local Catholic Church was not invited to any consultations they conducted prior to the operation of the casino, he noted.

Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas gave instructions to intensify the opposition to the casino operation and other forms of gambling in the diocese.

that the toxicity of the Bt protein is receptor-mediated. This means that for an insect to be affected by the Bt protein, it must have speci�ic receptor sites in its gut where the proteins can bind. Fortunately, humans and majority of bene�icial insects do not have these receptors.”

According to Dr. Bernardo, cooking the Bt talong can completely denature the Bt protein. “It is non-detectable in any cooked food therefore there is no human exposure to Bt proteins in eating cooked Bt crops,” she said.

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

Canlubang leads Luisita by 4

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ACOLOD CITY – Canlubang held off Luisita’s searing comeback to hang on to a four-point lead halfway through the 34th Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships.

Rolly Viray and Rene Unson scored 49 and 48 points, respectively while Abe Avena added 45 as Canlubang collected 142 at the Bacolod Golf Club for 281.

Viray was even through 10 holes before making double bogey on The 11th hole and three bogeys in the next �ive. He closed out with a birdie and a bogey.

Unson, a last-minute replacement, parred the last six holes to deliver in the �inal foursome.

“Whenever you’re ahead, you should be happy,” said Canlubang captain Tony Olives. “It’s been a long time since we led in the �irst two rounds.”

Canlubang actually led by 14 points counting all players at the turn, but Luisita mounted a �ierce rally that nearly turned the tide.

Benjie Sumulong, trounced by Viray by nine points in the front nine, came alive in the back nine with three birdies to salvage 46 points.

M

aria Sharapova, the Russian �ive-time grand slam champion who became one of the highest-paid sportswomen in the world, has announced the end of her glittering and at times controversial career.

"I'm new to this, so please forgive me. Tennis — I'm saying goodbye," Sharapova, whose rags to riches story captivated the sporting world but turned sour when she was banned for doping, wrote in a farewell article.

Her decision to quit is hardly a major surprise as she has not been anywhere near her best since returning in 2017 from

“I was 10-over in the front nine because of bad breaks. So I told myself I might as well start attacking the pins,” said Sumulong who went two-under at the back after making the turn at 10-over.

Raffy Garcia was Luisita’s top scorer with 50 points, capped by an evenpar �inish in the �inal nine holes.

Rodel Mangulabnan rounded out Luisita’s scoring with 42.

“We rose from the dead,” said a relieved Jeric Hechanova who paid tribute to his players for not giving up.

Negros Occidental and Cebu Country Club, the other teams in the championship division, lagged behind with 271 and 266 points, respectively.

Scoring for Negros were Jimmy Yusay (47), Chris Infante (45) and Stephen Paduano (44) while CCC drew 51 from Eric Deen, 46 from Kwang Seok Kim and 44 from Carl Almario.

CCC, however, lost a player to injury.

Nonoy Tirol injured his right leg while climbing out of the bunker on the eighth hole.

Amid the Canlubang-Luisita �ight, a third force looms from the Founders division.

Del Monte collected 141 points to improve to 275, just six points behind Canlubang.

Arsenio Mondilla scored 48, Ramon Velez chipped in 47 and Virgilio Adag added 46 for Del Monte which enjoys an eight-point lead over Eagle Ridge.

Danilo Cruz and Tony Mendoza starred for Eagle Ridge with 53 and 50, respectively with Avelino Beltran completing scoring with 34.

Orchard was third with 257 after posting 125.

Hosted by Philippine Airlines, the international event has as platinum sponsors: Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network,

the 15-month ban for taking prohibited heart drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open.

The former world number one has played only two matches this year, losing in the �irst round of the Australian Open, with her ranking sliding to 373.

"Looking back now, I realise that tennis has been my mountain. My path has been �illed with valleys and detours, but the views from its peak were incredible," she said.

"After 28 years and �ive grand slam titles, though, I'm ready to scale another mountain, to compete on a different type of terrain."

Sharapova, whose trademarks were her ferocious intensity and pounding groundstrokes, completed her career Grand Slam when she won the French Open in 2012.

She also won at Roland Garros again in 2014, her last major title.

She became the �irst Russian woman to reach number one in the rankings in 2005 and claimed the US Open title in 2006.

She also won the Australian Open in 2008.

"It's a shame, of course, because Maria was a role model for everyone," Shamil Tarpischev, president of Russia's Tennis Federation, said.

CANLUBANG, P9

"Many girls compared themselves to her. She was number one for the popularisation of Russian tennis. Her image was huge."

WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon added: "She will be greatly missed by her millions of fans around the world."

Sharapova, who grew up in Sochi, was spotted playing at a tennis camp in Moscow by former great Martina Navratilova and moved with father Yuri to Florida with little money and no English, claimed 36 WTA titles.

But injuries, especially to her shoulder, blighted her career.

Maria Sharapova, whose trademarks were her ferocious intensity and pounding groundstrokes, completed her career Grand Slam when she won the French Open in 2012. She also won at Roland Garros again in 2014, her last major title.

SEAG coaches get incentives A lmost P45 million have been allocated for the cash incentives of 182 national coaches, as the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) started releasing their checks on Wednesday following the overall championship of Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Under the provisions of Republic Act No. 10699 also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Bene�its and Incentives Act, national coaches with gold medal �inish will receive One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php150,000.00), silver medal �inish with Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (Php75,000.00) and bronze medal �inish with Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php30,000.00) in the SEA Games level.

The law further states that “the incentives for the coaches shall be equivalent to �ifty percent (50%) of the cash incentives for gold, silver and bronze medalists. In case of more than one (1) coach, the cash incentives shall be divided among themselves.”

The computation of cash incentives, is based on the submission of certi�ication requirements

and pro�ile provided by the national sports associations concerned and the medalist-athlete.

“A coach can only receive his/her incentives upon submission of required certi�ications and documents,” said PSCNSA Affairs Of�ice Head Annie Ruiz.

National coaches from arnis, athletics, beach handball, billiards, bowling, boxing, cycling, dancesports, gymnastics, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, modern pentathlon, muay, pencak silat, rowing, sailing, sambo, sepak takraw, soft tennis, soft tennis, softball, squash, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, windsur�ing and wrestling were the �irst batch to get their incentives.

The next batch of coaches scheduled to receive their incentives are from archery, baseball, canoe, fencing, judo, lawn bowls, obstacle course, swimming, traditional boat race and volleyball.

Funding for these incentives was sourced from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) remitted by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), as provided for in RA 10699.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 255 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020

TEBOW DONS PH Tebow excited to play for Philippines in World Baseball Classic

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EW YORK — Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, trying to realize his dream of playing Major League Baseball, was named Wednesday to the Philippines team in next month’s World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament.

The 32-year-old minor-league out�ielder, one step below the major leagues last year in the New York Mets organization, was born in Makati, Philippines, to a US couple there as Baptist missionaries.

“Grateful and excited to play for team Philippines in the @WBCbaseball ... the country I was born in and somewhere that is near and dear to my heart!” Tebow tweeted after the WBC tweeted news of his spot on the Filipino roster.

The Philippines will compete March 20-25 at Tucson, Arizona, against Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Panama and the Czech Republic for two available berths in the 2021 World Classic.

Tebow led the University of Florida to 2 US national collegiate titles before being taken with the 25th

overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

In 2011, the young passer became known for “Tebowing” after a comeback overtime victory over Miami, kneeling on one knee in prayer with head bent and arm resting on the other knee.

He sparked a late-season Denver charge into the playoffs and a post-season upset of Pittsburgh but was traded to the New York Jets in March 2012 after the Broncos signed star quarterback Peyton Manning.

Tebow struggled to catch on after one season with the Jets and in 2016 turned to baseball, a sport he had not played since high school. He has worked his way up the developmental ranks as he competes in pre-season workouts with the Mets.

New York Mets outfielder Tim Tebow (85) takes batting practice before a game against the Detroit Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, US, Feb. 25, 2020. Reuters Tebow ignored overtures from the XFL, an NFLlike eight-team league that debuted this month, to continue his baseball quest.

Defending champion United States is already in

the 20-team lineup for the �ifth World Baseball Classic, which will be staged March 9-23, 2021, in Taiwan, Japan, Phoenix, Arizona and Miami.

Two teams each from

the Asian venues and the US sites will advance to the semi-�inals March 21 at Marlins Park in Miami, with the winner’s meeting for the title on March 23.

Japan won the �irst 2

Classic crowns in 2006 and 2009 followed by the Dominican Republic in 2013 as elite talent from the top global leagues met in unprecedented showdowns for their homelands.