Edge Davao Volume 12 Issue 262 | Saturday, March 7, 2020

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VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

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DOH confirms 2 more Covid-19 cases in PH

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he Department of Health (DOH) reported on Friday two additional con�irmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Co19) in the country, bringing the total of Covid-19 cases in the country to �ive.

President Rodrigo Duterte applauds after leading the inspection of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Circumferential Road 3 (C3)-R10 Section in Caloocan City on Thursday.

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

In a press brie�ing at the DOH main of�ice in Manila, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the 4th con�irmed case is a 48-year-old male Filipino with travel history to Japan.

"The patient returned to the Philippines last February 25 and experienced chills and fever beginning March 3. The patient sought medical consultation at a hospital and samples were collected for testing," Duque said.

His results tested positive for Covid-19 on March 5 and he was admitted at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine with stable condition.

"The 5th con�irmed case is a 62-year-old male Filipino with known hypertension and diabetes mellitus, who experienced cough with phlegm last February 25.

The patient sought medical consultation at a hospital in Metro Manila last March 1 and was admitted with severe pneumonia," Duque said.

His specimen collected on March 4 tested positive for Covid-19 on March 5.

"He also has no known history of travel

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

IGDD to hold orientation on rape prevention, harassment

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Residents avail of the free x-ray examination and free check-up as Mati City LGU celebrates the National Tuberculosis Program’s World TB Day on Friday.

CIO MATI

Gov Uy warns of NGOs, CSOs linked to reds L

By MAYA M. PADILLO

ocal Government Units (LGUs) across the Davao Region were warned to be cautious of non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) entering in their respective city, province, and municipality.

According to intelligence reports, there are NGOs and CSOs that may be connected to the New People’s Army (NPA), which is reportedly working to rebuild its former stronghold areas in the region.

Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy disclosed during Kapihan sa PIA that he received reports from the intelligence community that the rebels are planning to rebuild their mass bases in the barangays throughout the region that were already declared cleared of NPA in�luence.

“This is for the awareness of our constituents, ang kalaban sa gobyerno (NPA) adunay plano nga mag-rebuild sa mga nacleared na mga barangays throughout Davao Region.

Daghan mga reports nga naabot sa ako nga they are trying to recover their mass bases. They are trying to regain their hold sa mga communities tungod kay dili naman sila kasulod ug katago,” he said.

Uy urged the public and the leaders of the community through Task Force to End Local Communist

Armed Con�lict (TF-ELCAC) in the province to be wary on NGOs and CSOs disguising as service oriented organizations from entering the city, province and municipality.

“Muhatag ug serbisyo sa atoa but in fact aduna sila’y plano na lahi when it comes to our communities. Ato ni silang bantayan.

Through an NGO or CSO nga connected sa ilaha mao na ila ginapasulod para maka-konek na pud sila sa mga tao,” Uy said.

Uy recommended that each LGU headed by a mayor to strictly disallow NGOs and CSO to enter as long as they don’t pass the local peace and order council and no clearance from the military and police.

“Dili ta basta-basta magpasulod ug mga CSOs and NGOs nga dili muagi sa atoang mga local peace and order councils ug

walay clearance sa atong military ug police para dili matandug ang atong mga efforts ug developemtns.

That is just a reminder. I would like to reiterate na dili ta mag kumpyansa.

I’m not saying na dili ta gusto kay welcome kaayo ang tanang mutabang sa atoang probinsya apan tungod sa dili tanang NGOs ug CSOs adunay maayong intentions sa atoang mga tumong mao na kinahanglan muagi ug mananghid sa atong mga mayors ug barangay kapitan aron matabangan pud namo ang NGOs or CSOs or any private individuals na mutabang sa mga katawhan sa atong probinsya,” Uy said.

Uy said he already issued a memorandum to the mayors regarding this matter during the League of Municipalities meeting through ELCAC two weeks ago.

ASF hit brgy celebrates anniversary with caravan of services

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oung and old joined the 30th Araw ng Barangay Lamanan celebration with the hope of hurdling the challenges brought about by the African Swine Fever in the area, sharing with nearby Barangay Dominga as the �irst ASF-af�licted areas in the city.

Lamanan Barangay Chair Nicanor Pepito thanked his constituents for their participation as he greeted several members of the 19th City Council from the City’s Third District who celebrated with them namely Councilors Joselle Villafuerte, Alberto Ungab, and Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz.

He bared that City

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio failed to come for the celebration because of a very important task in Manila.

Pepito said the city mayor sent a representative and the caravan of services participated in by the various departments of the city government and line-government agencies.

“It will be a festive activity where there will be food for everybody especially for children.

Ang mokaon ug kan-on, makakaon pud ug ice cream. There will be food for everyone,” he said.

Councilor Alberto Ungab of the Third District thanked the people of Barangay Lamanan.

He said the city government always extends a helping hand in addressing the ASF problem that hits the area which impacts on the livelihood especially of the backyard hog raisers.

Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz reminded the people that they are also celebrating not only the Araw ng Lamanan but also the 83rd Araw ng Dabaw.

She said it will only be a low-key celebration to ensure the protection public health from the spread of the Corona Virus Disease-2019 which is affecting worldwide.

“Even then we must not forget in mind and in our hearts the histo-

ry of Davao City as we reached the 83rd Year of our founding anniversary,” Dalodo-Ortiz pointed out.

She also said that as the ASF hits the barangay, the city government is always there to support the hog raisers.

Dalodo-Ortiz underscored that the city government through the 19th City Council has allocated P30-Million to support the affected sector of the community.

“Wala gayud kamo gipasagdan sa atong mayor ug sa konseho sa inyong kahimtang (You were not forsaken by the Mayor and the City Council),” she said. (PIA XI-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)

he city government's Integrated Gender And Development Division (IGDD) has canceled two major events on Women's Month in keeping with the health department's advisory on public gatherings due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

The two events are the Women's Summit and Women's Parade, two major activities to celebrate the National Women’s Month this March.

IGDD, however, vowed the Women's Month will not go unrecognized.

It will continue to hold orientations about preventing rape and sexual harassment in all villages. IGDD is the division created through City Ordinance No. 5004, otherwise known as the Davao City Women Development Code of 1997, later amended as City Ordinance No. 1032-02 series of 2003.

Lorna B. Mandin, the head of the IGDD, said the orientations will be conducted as part of the vision of IGDD to empower women and educate them with their rights and different abuses against them.

Mandin shared that every year, more and more women report cases in their of�ice, which only proves that women are becoming more aware and conscious of their rights.

According to Mandin,

the most common cases reported are economic abuse; psychological or emotional abuse such as having an affair with another woman and abandonment; physical abuse; and, sexual abuse.

Mandin stressed that these are not only applicable to married couples but also for live-in partners, or anyone in an intimate relationship.

Mandin said the Women's Month celebration was birthed from history or as Mandin puts it, “herstory”, wherein 15,000 women in America in 1905-1910, protested in the streets against their poor working conditions including sexual harassment, discrimination, among others.

Since 1911, the world celebrates March 8 as an International Women's Day. It was of�icially commemorated by the United Nations in 1975 and was of�icially recognized by the UN two years later.

Mandin added that the country and the city is compliant with the issuances that promote the movement of protecting women’s rights.

“In the Philippines naa ta’y issuances, naa ta’y mga balaod nga nagproklama— ug kita sa Davao, naa pud na sa atong Women Development Code na ginadeclare ug

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Mati CHO celebrates World TB Day with free x-ray exam, check-up

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he City Health Of�ice of Mati celebrated the National Tuberculosis Program's World TB Day on Friday.

About 300 bene�icieries from the the City Environment and Natural Resources, selected Mati TODA members and city employees have availed of the free x-ray examination and check-up during the one-day activity.

A patient with �indings for possible TB infection would be subjected further to the GeneXpert machine examination for con�irmatory test.

The activity was facili-

tated by the City Health Of�ice in partnership with the Department of Health and Provincial Health Of�ice and the Philippine Business for Social Progress.

Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan said that for several years now, PBSB has been providing training and logistics for the treatment of drug resistant tuberculosis. With CHO Mati as their base of operations covering the entire province of Davao Oriental.

The City of Mati has 439 registered TB cases in 2019 that is now undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.

(CIO MATI)

Free Wi-Fi benefits Davao City residents

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he "Free Wi-Fi for All" project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was launched Thursday in Brgy. Matina Biao here.

The Wi-Fi activation was held simultaneously in �ive key areas – Albay, Isabela, Lanao del Sur, Palawan, and Davao City, with Quezon City as the main site of the project launching.

Mayor Sara Z. Duterte, in a message read by Councilor Mabel Acosta, lauded DICT and UNDP for conceptualizing the program, which is geared at

bringing free internet access to the general public.

"This initiative is an attestation of your commitment in carrying out your functions in public service," Duterte said, adding the program will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development.

She also reminded the residents of Matina Biao to be responsible in using the technology and to take advantage of it to further enrich their knowledge and at the same strengthen families and the people in the community.

Grade 7 pupil Thomas Palabrica, who was among those that witnessed the

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

Duterte admin’s satisfaction rating rises to ‘excellent’: SWS

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ublic satisfaction with the administration of President Rodrigo has risen to “excellent”, according to an opinion survey released Friday.

The administration scored a net satisfaction rating of +73 in Social Weather Stations’ survey of 1,200 respondents from Dec. 13 to 16, 2019.

This score quali�ies as “excellent”, the highest rating in the SWS scale. It was 6 points higher than the “very good” +67 in September 2019, SWS said.

Net satisfaction is the difference between the satisfaction and dissatisfaction scores. In the most recent survey, 81 percent said they were satis�ied with the President, 7 percent were dissatis�ied and 12 percent were undecided.

RATINGS ACROSS REGIONS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES The 6-point gain in the Duterte administration’s net satisfaction rating between September to December 2019 was due to score increases in Metro Manila and other Luzon areas, Visayas and Mindanao, which all gave “excellent” ratings, SWS said.

The government’s satisfaction rating also rose to excellent from very good among the class D or “masa” and the poorest class E, both at +74.

However, the administration’s rating fell to very good from excellent among the richest class ABC. SWS said in terms of issues, the Duterte government’s rating improved to

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LTO to wipe out motorcycle plate backlog by Q3 of 2021

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he Land Transportation Of�ice is hoping to address the estimated 13 million backlog of motorcycle license plates by the third quarter of next year.

"We have about 8 million 'yung gagawin namin 'yung currently registered.

We estimate na merong about 4 to 5 million na nagrehistro na hindi na nagpa-renew. So maraming delinquents so 8 plus 5, about 13 million ang dapat naming gawin na motorcycle plates," LTO Executive Director Romeo Vera Cruz

said.

Vera Cruz said they will work on two shifts including Saturdays to be able to meet their targeted monthly production of 730,000 plates.

The LTO has also �inished the �inal design for the plates, in accordance with Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Law. The law requires 2 plates for every motorcycle, a bigger aluminum plate at the back and decal in front.

"We came up with a de-

he Philippines has recorded two more cases of novel coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19), bringing the total number to �ive, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday.

At a press brie�ing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the two new cases were a 48-year-old male Filipino with a travel history from Japan and a 62-year-old male Filipino in San Juan City with no travel history but has frequently visited a Muslim prayer hall and has hyper-

tension and diabetes.

Prior to the announcement of the two new cases, there have been three con�irmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, all tourists from China who arrived in January.

Two of them have recovered and one died.

The DOH, in coordination with the Philippine National Police and airline companies, launched contact tracing efforts for those whom they have possibly interacted with to prevent local transmission of the virus.

ment to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 and African swine fever (ASF) to the province’s economy. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD to oversee Marawi rehab; vows to make monthly visits

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resident Rodrigo Duterte will now oversee the rehabilitation of Marawi and promised representatives of displaced Marawi residents in a four-hour meeting in Malacanang Wednesday night that he would visit the city once a month to check on its LTO, P8 progress.

PH records 2 new COVID-19 cases

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Davao de Oro Governor and Regional Development Council (RDC) chair Jayvee Tyron Uy discusses during this week’s Kapihan sa PIA at The Royal Mandaya Hotel the efforts being undertaken by the provincial govern-

“The President assured us na he will be on top of this rehab, tatapusin nya ito, hindi tayo papabayaan’ (he will �inish this, he will not abandon us), Aslani Montilla, President of Siyap Ko Pagtaw Operations For People Empowerment Inc. in Marawi City, told MindaNews.

Drieza Lininding of the Moro Consensus Group said the President repeatedly asked “ano ang problema” (what is the problem) that the rehabilitation has taken so long.

Duterte declared Marawi “liberated from the terrorist in�luence” on Octo-

ber 17, 2017 and Defense Secretary Del�in Lorenzana terminated combat operations on October 23, exactly �ive months to the day the Marawi siege began.

Lininding said the President wants the rehabilitation completed in less than two years.

The Duterte administration has only two years and three months left of its six-year term.

Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, chair of the Task Force Bangon Marawi, an inter-agency task force created for the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation of Marawi, has

Members of the 39th Infantry Battalion give free haircut to students and their parents during the 50th founding anniversary on Thursday of Makilala National High School in Makilala, North Cotabato. MindaNews photo by GEONARRI SOLMERANO

repeatedly said the rehabilitation will be completed by yearend 2021 or 21 months from now.

Lininding said the meeting lasted some four hours because the President wanted all the problems about Marawi rehab discussed.

He told MindaNews in a telephone interview that he and other representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs) were able to air their sentiments. “Medyo mainit ang usapan” (heated discussions), he said.

Cabinet secretaries of agencies involved in rehabilitation were also present, he said.

He said there were about 20 IDP representatives who attended the meeting from Marawi and those temporarily based in Metro Manila.

Montilla said Duterte ordered the Department of Budget and Management to hasten the release of funds.

On the demand for

unconditional return to Ground Zero, the President asked that they be given time to �inish installing the basic facilities – water and electricity, he said.

The Malacanang meeting was proposed by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go during the public hearing by the Senate’s Special Committee on Marawi City Rehabilitation at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Ilitan City on February 21.

The two-hour and four-minute public hearing ended with Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Committee chair saying the “�inal solution,” “the ultimate solution” was to have a meeting with President Duterte.

“Wala tayong solusyon kundi yung imprimatur galing sa President para matapos na ito” (We don’t have solution but the imprimatur from President so the rehabilitation can be

avao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyrone Uy is intent on promoting more tourism sites to sustain the growth of their tourism industry amidst the spread of Corona Virus 2019 (Covid-19).

Guesting at today’s (March 6) Kapihan sa PIA held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City, Governor Uy said the �igures won’t re�lect the impact of Covid-19 as it just occurred this year. But it cancelled the activities of the province’s founding anniversary particularly Bulawan Festival.

According to the Governor the Davao Regional Athletics Association (DAVRAA) slated to be hosted by the province on March 15-22 will be moved to April 1 to 7.

“We are continuously

monitoring the situation, what we are doing is to promote our tourism destinations, kay menos naman ang eroplano na nagadala ug foreigners (there is lesser airline �lights which are bringing in foreigners) its no problem, because we have wide roads in the province there are lots of travelers and we have many tourism destinations in the province,” Uy said.

He cited Araibo in Maragusan noted for its “sea of clouds” vista, Manurigao in New Bataan for its waterfalls and Lake Leonard in Maco as among the tourism destinations they will be promoting for local tourists.

“We are promoting local tourisms to mitigate the economic impact brought by the virus,” the Governor

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Davao de Oro to promote tourism sites

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4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

Coffee body urges DA 11 to identify new farms

By MAYA M. PADILLO group of coffee growers expressed interest in reviving the coffee farming industry in Davao City.

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Ian Asilo, chairman of Davao City Coffee Council, urged the Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) to identify areas suitable to plant coffee for Davao farmers.

Unlike other coffee-producing provinces in the Davao Region, there is no such farms devoted to coffee in Davao City after coffee farms were converted into cacao and banana plantations.

“Nahulog na ang mga coffee farms gi-convert into cacao and banana plantations. For example sa may Tagurano sa Toril area naay part didto nga naay cooperative sa coffee pero dili na sila maka-expand kay ang ibabaw sa area nila kay sagingan na ug ang ibabaw pa jud kay natural park na, although, dili man ginabawal sa Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) nga magtanum ug coffee sa forest,” he said.

Asilo also mentioned

that coffee trees in the areas of Calinan, Marilog and upper part of Toril up to the foot of Mt. Apo were cut off. He said that Davao farmers stopped growing coffee when coffee prices dropped in the late 90s.

“Nagbaba ang presyo unya lugi na ang mga farmers kung ila pa i-harvest ug ilahang i-process at that time,” Asilo said.

He said there are 17,000 hectares of land from Toril going to Marilog that is ideal for coffee but has not been identi�ied yet

by DA 11.

“Naay part sa 17,000 hectares sa bandang Toril going to Marilog ang puwede na matamnan but I am not sure kung asa ang identi�ied sa DA nga puwede matamnan ug kape kay ang DA ang mag-identify asa na part,” said Asilo.

According to him, there is a need for the convergence of the DA, DENR, and the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)

to address the problem.

“Musulod pud ang private sector like our organization kay dili kaya sa IPs nga mag-produce ug coffee nga sila lang dapat naay private sector nga mag-invest sa coffee. The biggest problem right now is volume pero medyo lisod maong you have to talk with the IPs and also where to plant coffee,” he said.

Asilo also perceived the distribution of coffee seedlings as another problem.

He said supply of seedlings do not reach to the farmers in the upland areas.

“Ang supply sa seedlings dili makaabot sa bukid naa lang sa ubos. Ang tagaan nimo ug seedlings tua sa pinakabungtod ug sa kadugay na makuha usahay mamatay ang seedling.

That is why we are formulating consultation with DENR unsaon nato ma-address ni nga problema,” he said.

There are a number of coffee farmers in Davao City but with just around two or three coffee trees.

According to him, this is also the reason why when it comes to coffee compe-

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Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles says the government is studying all options as part of contingency measures to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the economy. Lean Daval Jr

PRRD, MVP to meet soon: Senator Go P14-B tariff collected

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resident Rodrigo Duterte has asked business tycoon Manny Pangilinan for a meeting expected to take place soon, according to Senator Christopher “Bong” Go. “President Duterte invited MVP for a meeting soon,” said in response to a text message when asked about the topic of

discussion between the president the business tycoon during the inspection of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link C3-R10 section Thursday.

Duterte and Pangilinan sat together at the event and shook hands after the president delivered a speech.

Pangilinan is the

chairperson of NLEx parent �irm Metro Paci�ic Tollways Corp. He is also the chairman of west zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. Duterte has accused Pangilinan of corruption and syndicated estafa over Metro Manila’s water concession agreement.

He had also threat-

ened to sue individuals over what he believed were disadvantageous concession agreements entered by the government with water companies Maynilad and Manila Water.

The President said the people behind the contracts should be held liable for economic sabotage.

OPEC wants drastic output cut to counter virus

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inisters from the OPEC cartel of oil-producing countries on Thursday recommended a drastic production cut of 1.5 million barrels per day to their allies to counter a slump in demand caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

However, it remains to be seen whether the OPEC+ states -- Russia in particular -- will be prepared to countenance such a large cut when they join the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries on Friday.

OPEC nations -- led by the world's third-largest oil producer Saudi Arabia -- agreed Thursday to recommend "a further adjustment of 1.5 million barrels per day until 30 June 2020," a statement issued by the Vienna-based bloc said.

Countries in the OPEC+ grouping of the cartel's allies would be asked to take on 500,000 barrels of the cuts, the statement added.

Producers had already had to contend with abundant supplies weighing on prices -- agreeing to 500,000-barrels-per-day production cuts at their last meeting in December -but the spread of COVID-19 across the world has sent prices plunging.

The European benchmark, Brent crude, sank to under $50 per barrel on Sunday, a level not breached since July 2017.

'MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH' The success of the summit will above all hang on the alliance between Saudi Arabia and Russia, the most important players in the OPEC and OPEC+ groupings respectively.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted on Sunday as saying the current market price was "acceptable" and above the level foreseen in Russian economic planning.

Russia's RIA Novosti agency reported Wednesday that Moscow's delegation was proposing an ex-

tension of the existing deal with no fresh cuts.

Ann-Louise Hittle, an analyst with Macro Oils, said she expected that Russia, world's number 2 producer after the United States, to agree with the cut "given their history of co-operation with OPEC".

Tamas Varga of PVM told AFP that even the recommended extra cuts "might not be enough", saying OPEC's new forecasts for a drop in global oil demand growth may turn out to be "overoptimistic".

"I believe that oil prices will fail to recover signi�icantly for the remainder of the year as the coronavirus crisis drags on," he said.

Some economists believe it is not impossible that the world economy could contract in the �irst quarter of the year, which implies lower demand for oil than OPEC has been forecasting, although activity is expected to bounce back once the crisis fades.

Oil prices drifted lower after the announcement.

'FOOTSHAKE' Aside from bridging their differences on the effect of the virus on the market, the assembled of�icials are also having to accommodate changes to their routines in Vienna.

All those entering the OPEC headquarters have to undergo temperature checks.

After the meeting's opening speech, a medical adviser passed on hygiene guidelines, while assuring delegates that the risk of coronavirus infection in Vienna was "very, very low".

Austria nationwide has recorded more than 40 cases so far.

On Wednesday, OPEC's Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak were seen in a video tweeted by the organisation attempting a "footshake", gently bumping the sides of their feet together in a more hygienic alternative to a

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in initial year of RTL

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he government raised PHP14 billion from tariffs on rice imports during the �irst year of the implementation of the rice tarif�ication law (RTL).

During the RTL’s anniversary celebration here, Department of Finance (DOF) Executive Assistant Renzo Enrico Blanco said the government collected PHP12.31 billion in 2019, and PHP1.71 billion as of Feb. 14 this year.

“The collection last year exceeded the PHP10 billion allocations for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)

by PHP2.31 billion,” Blanco, who represented DOF Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, said.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar said of the total PHP2.31 billion excess in the collection last year, PHP1.31 billion will be used as an aid to farmers while the remaining PHP1 billion for crop insurance of all rice farmers who are members of the Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs).

“All members of FCAs are automatically insured,” he said.

Dar also refuted the claim of the farmer group Federation of Free Farmers on the alleged PHP68-billion losses of farmers due to RTL. Dar cited Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), saying

farmers all over the country lose PHP8.2 billion in the �irst year of enforcement of the RTL, but not PHP68 billion.

“There are PHP8.2-billion losses of our farmers but consumers were able to save PHP4.9 billion due to the low price of rice in the market. So the actual net loss of our farmers who are also consumers is actually only PHP3.3 billion,” he said.

He added the farmers’ net loss was compensated through the different �inancial aid programs under the RCEF, including the Survival and Recovery Assistance (SURE Aid) program and the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program.

Based on the data of the Land Bank of the Philippines, some 163,527 farmers all over the country availed of the SURE Aid program amounting to PHP2.48 billion.

Through the program, each farmer was granted PHP15,000 worth of loan assistance payable in eight years with a sixmonth grace period with no interest and collateral.

While 23,377 small rice farmers who are tilling 0.5 hectares to two hectares of land received PHP5,000 each under the RFFA program, or a total of PHP116.89 million.

“We are giving the farmers assistance in every form so basically there

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VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

PH exports expect loss of $300M due to Covid-19

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he Philippines is expected to lose USD300 million in export revenues as the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) slowed down China’s exports in intermediate inputs, a study published by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) showed.

According to the UNCTAD study, the 2-percent reduction of China exports in intermediate inputs that are integrated in the global value chains have affected many economies around the world, including the Philippines.

UNCTAD data showed that by sectors in the Philippines, the biggest loss is seen in communication equipment which is expected to lose USD115 million in exports.

This is followed by of�ice machinery, with exports seen to reduce by USD77 million; electrical machinery, to lose USD42 million; and automotive to

lose exports revenues of USD22 million.

“Chinese manufacturing is essential to many global value chains, especially those related to precision instruments, machinery, automotive, and communication equipment.

Any signi�icant disruption in China’s supply in these sectors is deemed to substantially affect producers in the rest of the world,” the UNCTAD report said.

But the Philippines is not one of the most impacted economies as Covid-19 hits the manufacturing powerhouse.

UNCTAD cited that the most affected economies, which industries are reliant on Chinese suppliers, are European Union (EU), the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore.

UNCTAD forecast that reduction to EU’s exports due to slowdown in Chinese exports of intermediate in-

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Davao City Coffee Council chair Ian Asilo urges the Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) to identify areas suitable to plant coffee for Davao farmers as former coffee farms were converted into cacao and banana plantations. Lean Daval Jr

Pushing financial literacy for farmers

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ocal farmers in Mindanao will soon get free training on �inancial literacy from banking institutions.

The foundations of two �inancial institutions — the Landbank Countryside Development Foundation, Inc, (LCDFI) and UCPC-CIIF Foundation Inc., (Cocofoundation) on Thursday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) for the �inancial literacy programs to farmers in far-�lung communities under the “poorest of the poor” category.

The program, dubbed “Sulong Ang Pag-unlad ng mga Magsasaka/Magniniyog” (SAPM), aims to improve the farmers’ �inancial management skills and assist them in agricultural

businesses, speci�ically coconut farming.

Both the LCDFI and Cocofoundation would provide farmers with �inancial learning, agricultural training, and developmental interventions to improve their business performance and farming operations.

LCDFI executive director Rey Oscillada said the �inancial literacy program targets 218 unbanked municipalities nationwide, noting that Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has the most numbers of municipalities that have no �inancial institutions.

“A series of training will be conducted by our partnered state, universities and colleges (SUCs), we

will be tapping experts in �inancial education to teach the farmers on �inancing activities using our crafted �inancial modules. SUCs will provide the training within the municipalities,” he said, noting that the training would be localized through a community-based approach.

After the training, farmers will be included in the “onboarding system” of the Landbank Foundation, he said.

“The farmers’ progress will be observed (so) that their needs will also be monitored,” he added.

Under the MOA, the LCDFI provides the borrowing cooperatives the technical capability enhancement training to sustain product-marketing requirements.

Noting that farmers should also learn how to manage the risks in the

agri-business industry, Oscillada said they would be provided with appropriate training modules that are localized and community-based.

“They (local farmers) need to understand how to handle, their money well, how to grow and keep their savings,” Oscillada said.

The program’s goal is to teach the farmers to produce more so that they would earn more.

“Financial literacy is the �irst step towards helping our poor farmers (so) that our farmers can help themselves create an economic activity—even in the poorest areas—(so) that they can be contributors to the general economy of the country,” Oscillada said.

Once farmers learn how to handle their own business funds responsibly, they would contribute to the country’s economic ac-

sociation of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Management Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, and UP School of Economics Alumni Association.

“We support CITIRA as it seeks to reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) rate from 30% to 20%, a rate that will eventually put us within the ASEAN range, and at par with our closest regional counterparts Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia,” it said.

The business group said the CITIRA will not only make the Philippines

more competitive in attracting foreign investments, but it will also make our domestic corporations more competitive as they expand their operations or bring their goods in the international market.

“We support the CITIRA as it will modernize the �iscal incentives system,” it said.

“We believe in the underlying principles of having a tax incentives system that is transparent, performance-based, targeted and time-bound. We believe in the equitable sharing of the tax burden, as we believe in the equitable enjoyment of living in an orderly, healthy and prosperous society,” it added.

The business groups noted that the SB 1357 addresses re�inements that the private sector previously proposed, such as:

The scheduled CIT rate reduction is �ixed for the �irst �ive years to reduce uncertainty, which is detrimental to doing business.

An extended transition period of seven years is provided to certain �irms under the gross income earned (GIE) tax regime to adjust their operations and prevent dislocation.

CITIRA keeps the current one-stop shop approach for registered enterprises. This would allow them to deal with only one tax agency, in effect avoiding the inconvenience of going through dif�icult processes and different rules of local government units.

“This structure of the CITIRA under SB 1357 will help create an enabling environment for Filipino businesses, generate quality jobs, and spur growth

tivity, even in the far-�lung community, he said.

“If their livelihood will be boosted, then they will no longer rely on the government, instead they can partake on the growing economy of the Philippines,” he said.

Cocofoundation president Rehan Balt Lao said the Philippines is the second-largest producer and exporter of coconuts in the world—which means there’s a need to boost the coconut industry here if the country is targeting to replace Indonesia on the top.

“As of now, we are the number 2 coconut producer in the world, but we have yet to maximize the coconut industry here. We still have to boost and develop our capacities in coconut farming,” he said.

Cocofoundation will provide �inancial loans to identi�ied coconut farmer

associations and cooperative.

“The newly organized associations and cooperatives will be under our jurisdiction; we will be providing them, professional managers. The Cocofoundation will supervise the operation of the coops to oversee their improvements and assess their needs,” Lao said.

The same program was implemented in the 1990s that contributed to the success of several cooperatives, he said.

“We have done this before. We have seen the success of the previous cooperatives, some of these cooperatives are now millionaires—that’s the reason why we revived the UCPB program and strengthen its components through partnering with the Landbank Foundation,” he said.

PUSHING, P8

Biz groups bat for lowering corporate income taxes Gov’t needs to be vigilant vs.

T

he country’s largest business groups on Thursday expressed support for the pending measure aiming to reduce corporate income taxes and rationalize �iscal incentives system.

“We, the undersigned business and professional organizations, jointly express our support for Senate Bill (SB) No. 1357, the Senate version of the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act (CITIRA) which is a core component of the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program that seeks to make the corporate tax system simpler, fairer, equitable, regionally competitive and more ef�icient,” the joint statement read.

Signatories in the joint statement include Anvil Business Club, Bankers As-

BIZ GROUPS, P8

risks to inflation outlook: NEDA

T

he government needs to remain vigilant and well-positioned against possible risks to in�lation in the country, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Headline in�lation eased to 2.6 percent last month, lower than the 2.9 percent recorded in the previous month and the 3.8 percent in February 2019.

This brings the yearto-date in�lation to 2.8 percent, within the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for the year.

“While in�lation is expected to remain well within the target for this year, (the) government must not be complacent and ensure that strategies are well-positioned against

risks brought by (the) continuous spread of African swine fever (ASF), tighter rice supply from Thailand, and the ongoing outbreak of (the) coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019),” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a news release issued on Thursday.

Pernia highlighted the recently reported oversupply of vegetables and possible delayed arrival of imported products due to production and logistics disruptions caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.

He said providing post-harvest facilities, such as cold storage and other logistics support, are necessary to assist the affected producers and consumers.

“We call on our col-

GOV’T NEEDS, P8

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

Fall of China?

There used to be a sarcastic joke slash saying among streetsmarts: “In the end, China will win.”

That doesn’t seem to be going in the wake of what is happening to China and the rest of the world. China, which is undoubtedly the global source for anything consumable and functional within the purview of “from toothpick to battleship”, is in danger of being the manufacturing hub of the world. The template of a manufacturing hub as China is, is said to be coming to and end.

According to an article on Forbes Magazine website, the new coronavirus Covid-19 will end up being the �inal curtain on China’s nearly 30 year role as the world’s leading manufacturer. China’s economy is getting hit much harder by the coronavirus outbreak than markets currently recognize. Wall Street appeared to be the last to realize this last week. The S&P 500 fell over 8%, the worst performing market of all the big coronavirus infected nations. Even Italy, which has over a thousand cases now, did better last week than the U.S. On January 23, Beijing ordered the extension of the Lunar New Year holiday, postponing a return to work. The coronavirus was spreading fast in the epicenter province of Hubei and the last thing China wanted was for that to be repeated elsewhere. Travel restrictions and quarantines of nearly 60 million people drove business activity to a standstill. According to Shehzad H. Qazi, the managing director of China Beige Book, the most frightening aspect of this crisis is not the short-term economic damage it is causing, but the potential long-lasting disruption to supply chains. Chinese auto manufacturers and chemical plants have reported more closures

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LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. Photography

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

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than other sectors, Qazi wrote. IT workers have not returned to most �irms as of last week. Shipping and logistics companies have reported higher closure rates than the national average. The ripple effects of this severe disruption will be felt through the global auto parts, electronics, and pharmaceutical supply chains for months to come.

In Australia, a day after the �irst reported coronavirus death in Perth was recorded, Australians went into a buying frenzy of, among all things, toilet papers.

That consumer good may not have a direct relation to �ighting the virus but the fear of running out of stock of toilet papers which are imported from China caused the panic buying. It took the Australian government to explain that only 40 percent of toilet paper supply is actually imported from China. The rest are locally-produced.

However, the prices of China-made products and Australian products vary heftily in price.

In the Philippines, most consumer goods are sourced from China. So in the event of a manufacturing lockdown, the country will have to grapple to produce its own or import elsewhere at the expense of a higher cost.

With the mysterious coronavirus, which is believed to have come from a species of bat in Wuhan, the world may have to face the fact of a looming end to dependence on China, who in turn will have to accept that the coronavirus is its swan song.

In the end, China will not always win afterall.

And now, it’s time for the rest of the world--the Philippines included--to emerge as a possible alternative. The search begins with the country having low labor costs and available logistics.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

VANTAGE POINTS

7

FRED C. LUMBA SPECKS OF LIFE

MENDICANCY AND VFA Mendicancy is begging.

It is the state of “being poor” and “living in poverty.”

A mendicant, therefore, is a beggar.

Wikipedia describes it as coming from the Latin word “mendicans,” meaning “one who practices mendicancy and relies chie�ly on alms to survive.”

Wikipedia says mendicancy evolved from the practices of four religious orders that were recognized by the Second Council of Lyon in 1274. These are the Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians (Augustinian Hermits) and Carmelites as well as Trinitarians, Minims, Servites, Hospitallers of St. John of God and the Teutonic Order.

From this brief history, we are able to glean that “mendicancy” during those ancient times was a “laudable’ practice because it had something to do with the Christian religion akin to a

lifestyle of poverty.

Today, there is a �lip side to its meaning.

Since mendicancy is literally “begging for alms,” a mendicant is thus looked upon as a beggar. A panhandler. A tramp, a vagrant, a scrounger.

I cannot help but relate this to the on-going contentious issue of the country’s withdrawal from the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement) which Pres. Duterte just recently did.

Several of our legislators – notably Sens. Lacson and Gordon – were among those small voices who registered their protest. Ostensibly pro-Americans – I am inclined to say - in a knee-jerk reaction, did not like the government’s action, saying so much assistance and so forth were going to be lost.

They also said the VFA prevents the Chinese from aggressively pushing its hegemonic tendency in as far

as the freedom of navigation in the South China is concerned.

The VFA, they argued, gives the Philippines a semblance of military muscle because of the huge military equipment and technical assistance the Americans are freely giving to the Philippine defense establishment.

However, the Chief Executive stood �irm in his decision and thus the of�icial message to cut off the VFA agreement has been of�icially relayed to the US authorities.

US Pres. Donald Trump said, with a cold shrug on his shoulder, said the American government could save some money from the incident.

Pres. Duterte wants us to stand on our own two feet.

This much I can glean from his actions and to refrain from relying on foreign aid because this makes us look like we are beggars.

The Filipinos did not

suffer when the US military bases were kicked out after the abrogation of the Parity Rights. In fact, I believe we all learned a hard lesson. We are a resilient proud race and we ought to maintain this self-reliant attitude.

WE ARE NOT MENDICANTS. This is an emphatic statement I want to share with our readers.

We have lived and survived four centuries of Spanish colonization, more than forty years of American methodical domestication and �ive years of brutal occupation from the Japanese.

Here we are, alive and kicking.

We are now an independent people. We are no longer toddlers who need a hand to make our walk steady.

Why are they still re-creating the sad past in our minds when we can live in total freedom?

Why do these senators want us to continue being

pushed around? Are they stooges of the Americans and the CIA? Our sovereignty has long been interfered with. So much is at stake now. Many of our past presidents have clung to American assistance and this is the result of their past mistakes.

Our people were taught to think like mendicants.

Until today, when the time is now ripe to get over this un-edifying tag, some people (maybe they have dreams of becoming president of the republic) are echoing sentiments that are better off buried in the grave of oblivion.

Plato said: “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” (email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com).

1Timothy 4:7: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING TO? “Purpose answers the question, ‘Why do I exist?’ And as we ask it and explore it, I encourage you to study and look at the purpose statements of others, and of organizations, to fully understand the idea. Remember that your purpose is transcendent, and it is permanent. It doesn’t sway with the seasons of life. It is something that brings you ful�illment at every part of your life, and guides you.” ― Josh Hatcher *** Who doesn’t know Albert Einstein? But there are some anecdotes about this great physicist who was honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century, which most people don’t know. Here’s one: He was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger.

When he came to Einstein, the famous scientist reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t �ind his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn’t �ind it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn’t �ind it.

“Dr. Einstein, I know who you are,” the conductor told him. “We all know who you are.

I’m sure you bought a ticket.

Don’t worry about it.”

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued

down the aisle punching tickets.

As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry, I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket. I’m sure you bought one.”

Einstein looked at him and said, “Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don’t know is where I’m going.”

The said anecdote was forwarded to me by a friend through electronic mail. It was shared by Dr. William Franklin Graham, Jr. – more popularly known as Billy Graham – when he was invited by leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina (where he was born) to a luncheon in his honor.

It was in January 2000 and Dr. Graham was 86 years old at that time. Initially, the wellknown Christian evangelist hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson’s disease, a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement.

“We don’t expect a major address,” the leaders assured him.

“Just come and let us honor you.”

So, he agreed.

Dr. Graham came and after

those wonderful things were said about him, he stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and shared the story of Albert Einstein.

Then, he continued, “See the suit I’m wearing? It’s a brand-new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I’ve gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So, I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.

“You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I’ll be buried. But when you hear I’m dead, I don’t want you to immediately remember the suit I’m wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am, I also know where I’m going.”

But what about you: Do you know where you’re going?

In other words, what is your purpose in life and why are you where?

I was reminded of the 1975 movie entitled, Mahogany. It tells the story of a poor African-American girl (played by Diana Ross, who received an Oscar nomination for her performance) who becomes a successful Paris fashion designer.

Remembering the success she had in the past, she faces the reality of a loveless future and decisions that brought her to this point in her career.

In a song written by Michael Masser and Gerald Gof�in, Ross sang these famous lines: “Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?

Do you get what you’re hoping for? When you look behind you there’s no open door. What are you hoping for? Do you know?”

“Your �irst purpose is to �ind a purpose for yourself,” Mehmet Murat Ildan wrote.

“And your second purpose must not immediately be trying to reach that purpose you found but to investigate thoroughly whether that purpose is really necessary for yourself or whether it is worth at all to struggle for it! Because millions are �ighting for a purpose which will in no way make them happy at the end!”

If, until this very moment, you don’t have any idea of what is the objective of your life, then you’re lost. If you are riding a train just like Einstein at the beginning of this feature, you will never get to where you are going.

“To forget one’s purpose is the commonest form of stupidity,” Friedrich Nietzsche once said. Seneca also said, “When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.”

If you know where you’re going, then you have sense of

direction. British playwright George Bernard Shaw reiterated, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish sel�ish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.”

Our life here on earth is precious and so little. Be yourself. Know what you want in life. Let your dreams be your source of inspiration and power. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t wait for tomorrow to do what you can do now.

Don’t be a copycat and insist on living just like your idol or someone else. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” Steve Jobs advised. “Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And the most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Now, at this present stage of your life, do you know where you’re going to?

8 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

PSBank’s net income climbs to Php 3 Billion

P

hilippine Savings Bank (PSBank) registered PhP3.03 Billion in net income in 2019, up 13.8% from PhP2.66 Billion in 2018. This translated to a return on equity of 10.3% and a return on assets of 1.3%.

tion. 2019 was also marked with the introduction of new digital initiatives, such as PaSend and Mobile Check Deposit, which effectively complemented our “Simple Lang, Maasahan” mantra. We are looking forward to an exciting 2020, empowered with the same passion and commitment,” said PSBank President Jose Vicente L. Alde.

The Bank’s total loan portfolio rose by 4.7% to PhP164.11 Billion, driven by the Bank’s consumer loan business.

Despite an increase in risk assets, the NPL ratio improved to 3.6% from 4.2% in the previous year from continued improvements in credit quality. Total resources were at PhP224.91 Billion, down 5.4% year-on-year, while total deposits were also lower by 14.0% to PhP172.51 Billion, as the Bank continues to rebal-

ance its funding mix to focus on retail and alternative sources. PSBank was able to raise PhP6.3 Billion in its two-year maiden Peso Fixed Rate Bond offering last July 1, 2019 with an interest rate of 5.6%. Total equity was at PhP34.46 Billion, up by 41.3%. PSBank also completed its PhP8.0 Billion stock rights offer last January 2019. The offer was priced at PhP56.00 per share. The Bank’s Total Capital Adequacy Ratio was at 17.8% while Common Equity Tier 1 Ratio was at 16.8%. Both are well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ minimum required level.

PSBank was given a number of awards and recognitions in 2019, which include the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Pagtugon Award for excellence in customer service—PSBank’s fourth Pagtugon Award since 2015. The Bank likewise received the Outstanding Partner for Digital Innovation recognition from the BSP. PSBank currently has 250 branches and 557 ATMs strategically located nationwide.

ate of price increases in the Philippines decelerated to 2.6 percent last February from month-ago's 2.9 percent, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilpinas (BSP) said this is expected as it sees full-year average to hit 3 percent.

Last month’s in�lation rate is also within the BSP’s 2.4-3.2 percent forecast for the month, with the slowdown traced to a slower rate of the heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages index.

“The latest in�lation outturn is consistent with the BSP’s prevailing assessment that in�lation is expected to steadily approach the midpoint of the target range in 2020 and 2021,” the BSP said in a statement.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the average in�lation rate in the �irst two months this year stood at 2.8 percent, near

the middle of the government’s 2-4 percent target band.

Excluding volatile food and oil items, core in�lation also slowed to 3.2 percent from the previous month’s 3.3 percent.

The central bank said risks to this year’s in�lation outlook leans on the upside due to higher utility rates, fare rate hike petitions, and the impact of the African swine fever (ASF) on meat prices.

“The ongoing spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) could have an adverse impact on domestic economic activity and �inancial market sentiment in the coming months,” it said.

The statement said all these developments will be looked into during the rate-setting meet of the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) on March 19, the second for the year.

“The BSP will ensure that the monetary stance remains consistent with its primary objective of maintaining price stability that is conducive to the balanced and sustainable growth of the economy,” it added.

During the MB’s rate-setting meet last February, the Board slashed the central bank’s key policy rates by 25 basis points as in�lation remains within target and growth seen to stay �irm despite the challenges both here and abroad.

BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno earlier said they were reviewing the central bank’s economic projections for this year, which is regularly done twice a year, especially since global growth is now expected to take a hit from the impact of the epidemic from Covid-19, which started in China but has affected other countries.

sign, decal ito ididikit doon sa harapan, maghahanap ng pagdidikitan. Sa likod, ang size na na-�inalize para �it all, 28 percent bigger than the current one," he

said.

The plate for the back of the motorcycle is 135mm X 235mm in size. For the decal, it would be 135mm x 90mm in size.

"Mas malaki ang sa likod, 'yung aluminum plate, kaysa sa decal. Re�lectorized decal dapat mabasa 15 meters away," he said.

that is felt throughout the entire archipelago,” the statement read.

“The passage of the law is a necessary step towards achieving the country’s shared vision of prosperity and a comfortable life for all Filipinos by 2040. It is also timely. The current disrup-

tions in supply chains bring opportunities for the Philippines to attract foreign direct investments,” it said.

The business groups said that passing the law will provide long-delayed certainty that will help the Philippines compete for job-creating investments.

“Thus, we humbly request the Senate and the House of Representatives to move quickly and decisively to push the CITIRA forward, and ensure its passage at the soonest possible time. The uncertainty over CITIRA must end,” it said.

The Bank’s pro�its came from the growth of both its core net interest margin and other operating income, supplemented by upsides from operating ef�iciencies. PSBank’s revenue grew 2.8% year-on-year, from PhP14.20 Billion in 2018 to PhP14.60 Billion in 2019; while operating expenses, excluding the provision for impairment and credit losses, amounted to PhP8.91 Billion, PhP256.89 Million or 2.8% lower versus 2018.

“The Bank’s strategy on core growth brought positive results despite the volatile environment in 2019.

Challenges were met head on, reinforced by signi�icant contributions from all the Bank’s business units. We had big wins during the year as we were able to focus on operational ef�iciency and sustained cost discipline across the organiza-

Drop of February inflation to 2.6% within expectations

R

LTO... FROM3

BIZ GROUPS... FROM5

PRRD... FROM3

�inished), dela Rosa said.

According to Montilla, dela Rosa at the meeting announced that they had �iled Senate Bill 1395 or the Marawi compensation bill, proposing 30 billion pesos from the General Appropriations Act at 10 billion a year for three years.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri had promised during the February 21 public hearing of the Committee in Iligan City that they would �ile the compensation bill on February 24 and would “prioritize the measure for approval.”

MindaNews checked the website of the Senate and as of 1 p.m. on March 4, found 20 bills �iled between February 21 and

March 4 – Senate Bills 1372 to 1391 — none of them on Marawi.

MindaNews checked he website of the Senate at 1:05 a.m. on March 5 and found more bills had been �iled– 1392, 1392, 1393 and 1396 but no �iles on SB 1394 and 1395.

When MindaNews checked at 5 p.m. on March 5, the earlier missing SBN 1395 or the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Act of 2020, had been uploaded, the time stamp at 4:07 p.m. on March 4.

Montilla said Duterte also vowed to have the Islamic Center repaired.

He narrated he was able to tell the President during the meeting that the problem in the delays of the

rehabilitation is because some agencies are not sincere and “parang gusto pa nilang hindi maayos ang Marawi” (act as if they do not want Marawi rehabilitated).

“Sinagot niya din ito na may mga tamad talaga na tao (He replied that there are really lazy people but pero he assured us na aayusin nila ito), Montilla recalled.

“Alhamdulillah. Napaka positibo po ng meeting,” Montilla said.

Lininding said the President is still pushing for the establishment of a second military camp in Marawi but where it will be set up is still under discussion.

(Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

said.

The virus scare comes at a time when the province enjoyed historic high growth of tourism arrivals.

Last year tourist arrivals

were pegged at 2.8 million visitors, this is a 37.5% increase from 2018 tourist arrivals.

Governor Uy said he is con�ident that they can still

reach 2-million tourist arrival with the holding of the DAVRAA a boy scout jamboree and the rescheduling of the Bulawan Festival this year. (PIA XI/RG Alama)

are no losses,” Dar said.

He also cited the bene�its of the RTL, such as availability of several rice grades to choose from, free trade or the promotion of fair competition in the market, and that rice is no longer a driver of in�lation.

He also assured the supply of rice in the country is suf�icient within �ive months even amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 on the importation of goods to the country even calling it “extreme”.

“We will again open importation after the main harvest so we will have more supply come the rainy season,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Center for Postharvest and Mechanization (PhilMech) said the initial distribution of farm equipment, which is also a component of RCEF, is set in April this year.

Senator Cynthia Villar said the 2019 budget for the farm mechanization was already released on Monday by the Department of Budget and Management.

“The loans, procurement of high-yielding seeds, were �irst funded.

And since there was a change of DA Secretary last year, there was a problem with the documents but it is now �ixed.

The mechanization is un-

derway,” she said.

Villar added she plans to �ile an extension of the RCEF if it gained positive results after six years of its implementation.

Meanwhile, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Isidro Lapeña said some 25,000 farmers nationwide are undergoing training as part of the preparation for the farm mechanization.

“It is important that they know how to use their equipment and how to �ix it in case it encountered problems for more ef�icient work in their �ields and to lower the cost of labor,” he said.

(PNA)

Coconut farming in BARMM Lao said the BARMM has many potentials in the coconut industry, making it more conducive for the country to develop a larger coconut plantation in the area.

“We have seen on the records that the BARMM has not yet been receiving any programs from UCPB,” he said.

The region has many potential coconut farmers that need assistance in enhancing their livelihood and proper marketing support of their products.

The program will introduce to the local farmers several coconut products that are already

in the market, which are ready for export “(so) that they will learn how to put value in their coconut harvests”, Lao said.

Lao said one of the reasons for choosing BARMM as a pilot area for the SAPM program was to counter extremism in some areas.

Instead of joining radical groups, farmers should focus on organizing cooperatives and associations to boost economic activity in the area.

“This is part of countering violent extremism in the BARMM areas.

Once they are already organized into cooperatives or formed into association—there’s no reason for them to enter terror-

ism and it will boost the economic activity in the areas, making a stable livelihood activity for the farmers,” he said.

NCMF-Lanao regional director Lominog Lao said the signing of the agreement between the government and the lending institutions would help return to normal the lives of families affected by the Marawi Siege in 2017.

The NCMF is tasked to identify the potential bene�iciaries of the SAPM program.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Board Member Abdul Hamid Umpa Amer Bitor said the program would inspire the farmers to be more resilient in facing challenges. (PNA)

leagues in the government, both in the national and local levels, to stand ready in effectively managing the demand and supply of key agricultural commodities, which will possibly be affected by these risks,” Pernia added.

He cited the need to strictly implement the national zoning and movement plan, as well as the 1-7-10 protocol, to prevent

and control the spread of ASF to other localities.

The 1-7-10 protocol requires that all hogs within a 1-km. radius from the ASF-affected area are to be culled.

Within the 7-km. radius, the movement, shipment, and sale of hogs would be controlled, while all hogs within the 10-km. radius would be placed under monitoring.

Pernia also underscored the need to effectively use the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to improve rice production in the country amid the risk.

“We also need to closely monitor other developments, particularly those that may cause disruptions in the global supply chains due to the spread of Covid-19,” he said. (PR)

DAVAO DE ORO... FROM3 P14-B... FROM4

PUSHING... FROM5

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VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

EDGEDAVAO EVENT

ITS TIME FOR ‘BARYAHEROS’ TO FLY

IF YOU MISSED IT, SORRY, because you let to slip away Cebu Pacific’s three-day “piso” sale.

Coinciding with its 24th anniversary, the Philippine’s leading budget carrier Cebu Pacific brought back the Super Seat Fest to spur every Juan to travel and be a “baryahero.”

Launched at Ascott Makati, the airline dropped the cost of travel for basically “barya” (coin) so that every Juan can have a chance to travel.

“We would like to invite every Juan to be baryahero. Dahil kaya ng bumiyahe sa halagang barya lang,” said Candice Iyog, vice president for marketing and customer experience at Cebu Pacific.

The three-day piso sale started midnight of March 3 for Cebu Pacific’s month-long fest of deals with its trademark piso sale. Aside from these travel deals there are also unbelievable travel discounts all throughout during the month of March.

From March 3 to March 5, flights on Cebu Pacific was availed for as low as P1 oneway base fare. The three-day sale gave more chances for every Juan to book great deals especially since the airline is making available the most

number of piso seats ever since it started this promo years back.

Day One was dedicated purely to the airline’s 37 domestic destinations, while March 4 was solely for its 25 international destinations. On the last day, all remaining seats were up for grabs and still for as low as P1 one-way base fare with all payment centers up to secure the bookings.

All seats will be for travel from September 1, 2020 to February 8, 2021.

Aside from these, Cebu Pacific also had travel essentials offered at discounted prices.

For the rest of the month, CEB will also offer various deals and discounts on everything needed for the trip and this includes CEB Getaways hotel deals, which will be up to 75 percent off, inflight hot meals at 40 percent off as well as CEB wi-fi kits will be available up to 42 percent off making #CEBTravels more convenient and affordable to every Juan.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato, who was pres-

ent during the launching, said the baryahero feast is a great contribution to what the tourism department is doing.

“This is exactly the kind of formula that we are looking for. If you make travel more affordable you can make tourist attractions and destinations more attractive,” Boncato said.

At this very interesting time, DOT is investing its resources in promoting domestic travels and baryahero is exactly the strategy that the department has been looking for to urge more local tourists to experi-

ence domestic tourist destinations.

In 2019, DOT broke the 8.2 million mark in terms of foreign arrivals while in 2018 the agency recorded a total of 111.4 million trips made by Filipinos around the country.

Boncato thinks Cebu Pacific has contributed 50 percent to 60 percent of that achievement as the airline is true to its promise of making things happen.

(Special thanks to Glen Santillan of Escape Manila for the photos)

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EVENT

PARK INN BY RADISSON DAVAO HOLDS A ‘NIGHT IN VEGAS’ APPRECIATION PARTY

IT WAS A TRIP TO LAS VEGAS last February 28, 2020 at Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Lanzones Function as the hotel celebrated a fruitful year with corporate clients & friends!

The Park Inn by Radisson Davao team was grateful for the constant support from beloved guests and clients.

The celebration began with a dance performance by the Lejette Dance Alliance together with Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Head of Departments. The awarding of top accounts were then held beginning with the Banquet Loyalty Award

given to National Economic & Development Authority XI, Suntrust Properties and Church of God. The top government accounts were awarded to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of Agrarian Reform. On the other hand, top non-government accounts, OXFAM Great Britain and UNICEF were given a plaque of deepest appreciation.

Before wrapping up the awards, raffle prizes of hotel accommodations from Park Inn by Radisson hotels (Davao, Clark, Iloilo and North Edsa) were given to the lucky guests of the night!

The highlight raffle of the evening, a roundtrip ticket

for two on a Davao to Tagbilaran flight in partnership with Cebu Pacific Air was

given before the program ended.

The last top awards were

rewarded to the corporate accounts who made Park Inn by Radisson Davao their

EVENT

homes away f namely Dole San Miguel F rated.

Throughou the guests we a Vegas-them spread and en games specia Casino Filipin guests were a aged to dress Vegas thus th very much ap male and fem Night were aw The evenin lots of dance Davao’s home Suave Latino enaded every groovy jazz re

GLOBE OFFERS FREE DATA ACCESS TO DOH, PHIVOLCS, ND

TO PROVIDE ITS CUSTOMERS with reliable updates on COVID-19 and Taal volcano status, Globe Telecom is offering free data access to websites of the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

At present, there are numer-

ous conflicting reports about the origin, effects, and reach of COVID-19 ranging from the absurd to the plausible. Likewise, there are varying information on the status of Taal volcano and the affected cities and barangays. The situation often leaves people confused and sometimes, in panic.

This prompted Globe to act by making data access to the websites of DOH, PHIVOLCS

and NDRRMC available for free to its mobile and prepaid home WiFi customers.

“As a public service, we want to direct our customers to the proper sources of information about COVID-19 and Taal volcano status so that they won’t be misled by fake news which may only cause unwarranted fear. Hopefully, this will encourage them to visit the right websites and not rely on data

that may not have been validated or recognized as true,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe SVP for Corporate Communications.

Globe Prepaid/TM customers may access the three websites even if they have no load.

The websites, however, will load faster if there is an existing data plan or promo but this will not incur any deduction in mobile data allowance. Globe customers only need to turn on

their smartphone’s mobile data and ensure that they are connected to a Globe 4G or LTE network. The same applies to Globe’s Home Prepaid WiFi. To access the sites for free, customers may type the following on any internet browser: PHIVOLCS - https://www. phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/ ; DOH - https://www.doh.gov.ph/; and NDRRMC - http://www. ndrrmc.gov.ph/

EDAVAO

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VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

from home, Philippines & Foods Incorpo-

ut the event, ere treated to med cocktail ntertaining al thanks to no Davao. The also encourup ala Viva Las heir efforts were ppreciated as a male Stars of the warded. ng ended with and music from egrown talent, Band who seryone with their enditions hits.

NDRRMC WEBSITES

ENTERTAINMENT

MIMIYUUUH SINGS HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR LAZADA PHILIPPINES’ 8TH BIRTHDAY SALE THIS MARCH, the celebration for Lazada’s 8th Birthday is on!

Beginning March 4, Lazada is gearing up to elevate your shopping experience like never before with endless celebrations and limitless possibilities.

Launched on March 4, Lazada Philippines’ birthday commercial features the talented YouTube sensation and Lazada Ambassador, Mimiyuuuh, featuring her signature vocal prowess in a special “Happy Birthday” song rendition.

Showcasing her quirky dance moves, the video spotlights amazing finds that you can anticipate for the upcoming Lazada Birthday Sale, happening on March 27.

Neil Trinidad, Chief Marketing Officer of Lazada Philippines said, “This year we are going beyond Lazada’s usual birthday celebration. Having Mimiyuuuh onboard for our commercial just adds that extra kick of fun and amps up the whole celebration. She embodies that spirit of joy that we want our current Lazada-natics and new Lazada users to feel when they shop during our Birthday this year, like it’s also their birthday.”

Mimiyuuuh shares about the experience, “First TVC ko with Lazada…kaya super saya ko (gano’n)!” She adds, “Out of kay rami-raming tao bakit ako pa yung pinili nila diba? Kaya sobrang thankful po talaga ako sa Lazada.”

Get ready to add-to-cart what your heart beats for and enjoy up to 90% off with over 8 million shopping finds! https://www. lazada.com.ph/lazada-birthday-

sale There are more updates coming your way on Lazada’s 8th birthday festivities! Download the Lazada app on App Store in iOS and Google Play Store or visit Lazada.

com.ph. Follow Lazada on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ LazadaPhilippines, Instagram and Twitter: @LazadaPH or search us via these hashtags: #Lazada8thBirthday #Lazada #HBDLazada

A WOMAN TRAPPED IN AN ABUSIVE MARRIAGE GETS A NEW LIFE IN “LOVE IN SADNESS” LOVE BECOMES DANGEROUS when obsession takes over in the hit Korean series “Love in Sadness,” which will begin airing on ABS-CBN starting March 9.

Park Han Byul or Sofia in “I Have A Lover,” takes on another lead role, this time as Mari, a woman

who has the looks and money but is locked in an unhappy marriage with her husband, Franco (Ryu Soo-Young).

After numerous attempts, she finally escapes her abusive husband and meets Joseph, a plastic surgeon. As she shares her story with him, he helps

her by giving her a new face and identity.

But will this newfound identity finally allow her to break free and be happy, or will Franco find

her and bring misery to her life with Joseph?

Witness this new Korean series on ABS-CBN before “It’s Showtime” on March 9.

A4 INdulge!

EVENTAND CULTURE ARTS TRAVEL TECH

EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO EDGE DAVAO

VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 223 •216 WEDNESDAY, 262 MARCH17, 22, 7, 2020 VOL.12 VOL.12 ISSUE ISSUE 219 • •TUESDAY, •SATURDAY, FRIDAY,JANUARY JANUARY 14,

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

ka weaver naga-himo,” he said.

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

“Mas mudaghan pud ang NORWEGIAN Cruise 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 ARAW DAVAO IS loved old brands such as Colasa’s “We really need tothe tap new the across itsNG fleet. has announced RIGHT AROUND THE Bar-B-Q, RD Crabshack, and artisans directly before man GP-VPT2BT wireless The brand announced last CORNER, although Classico Pizzas and new kids on gud ga-agi pa ko saIdeal middle shooting grip. year that it partnered withfor many of this events the block such as Oh! Mango man since wala’y access sa different types JUST Goods, Inc.,year’s which enhave been cancelled due Davao, Bubble Black Milk Tea, community,” he Line said. to replace of content creation abled the Cruise to the COVID-19 scare, and Wrapsio. wants tovlogs show off ranging from to all Limon single-use plastic water it not mean that Other purveyors are Popperps thedoes beauty of Dagmay asfleet, travel photography /he bottles across its 17-ship fun-loving and Wenks, Takoen, Bai’gis Nahas clients with whoDabawenyos are looking for videography tomost simple beginning its recent should just sulk the tive Lechon, Spicy Kitchen, Mrs. clothes and accessories made everyday use, theinnew ship, Norwegian Encore. corner.

Stout, Blackhog, SabyThe theoffers Mandayas.

He saidof they grip optimum achievement is one the Adding bit ofcomfort mantha’s Kitchen, “Wala man gud kaayo noticed thataand some Pasalubong Aldevinco do not carry Dagstability latest sustainable steps forward colour and fun unZen Sushi, AntonioMandaya na pieces and mostly centers including Davao City’s may cloth. combined with cablefor Norwegian Cruise Line.

In til theconnectivity 8thCompany of Marcheliminated Shaved Ice Cornder, T’boli products ang sa Alfree and a 2018, the is SM Citydust Davao’s Pizzanitea, and devinco. Sa Manila T’boli lang reliable and moissingle-use plastic straws across AweSM Street Eats.

Juice Cubi. mostly makita nako na ginature design. its fleetresistant and private destinaLiterally festival Aside from goodhimo accent ug Yakan, beads Compatible withofaofvariety tions, anda as a result this good eats,latest the event food and great sa Bagobo, balud from Lanao of Sony’s digitalitcamermost recent initiative, will gathers somesix ofmillion company, there is and Inaul. Walay something as, the GP-VPT2BT connects replace over singlethe best eats also entertainmentfrom the Mandaya commueasily viastreet Bluetooth, allowing use plastic water bottles every around Durianburg by some of the city’s nity,” hetosaid. creators to simplythe aim and is year.

In addition, brand CO2 emissions rate, increase thrilled make such an impact and places all single-use sustainable sourcing best acoustic coverby The cotton Dagmay design shoot without interfering working to them eliminate and invest eliminating single-use beverin one or convenient bands. wheel and clothing not yetchanged available cables exposedand inputs.

The ly,initemerging has an adjustment plastic shampoo condican beisquickly technologies. age bottles across our fleet. in area.grip goor and satisfy theajust market as Limon new includes useful beTime loosened tightened tioner bottles later athis year.tilt can“This tripod simply exis atovery special andyourinto It’s one by of the waysand wehis are Much likeallows thedriven cultural cravings at SM City Davao’s group are in the immerfeature that for flexible allow for seamless operaThese efforts are byand tovery panding the bottom portion, proud moment for us,” working tostill preserve our oceans ethnic diversity that&Davao AweSM Street Eats happeningenabling sion the stage ofstable, the project. vertical angle adjustment asCity tion with cameras of different the Company’s Sail Sustain easy handssaid Harry Sommer, president and destinations we visit. is proud of,ability the Program, purveyors of SM sizes now until March 8, grip from toWhile “Wethis willisevaluate their well as the to switch and weights.

The Environmental which shooting. and chief executive officer of4pmfree just the pa beginning City Street Eats also 10pm, at the mall’s Open capacity and kung willing sila from normalAweSM to self-shooting includes a flip button, in-Park- of is its Davao’s commitment to minimize The GP-VPT2BT Wireless Norwegian Cruise Line.

“As what we and others can do, are anto eclectic mix of muching C. makipag-collaborate,” he said. mode with ease.

Additionaldicator light and line, lock we switch, waste landfills, reduce its Shooting Grip will committed be availa leading cruise are we are incredibly

STREET EATS

A4 INdulge!

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

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

It is refillable and recyclable.

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

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

A4 INdulge!

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

Envisioned and founded by American rapper, songwriter,

EDGEDAVAO DAVAO EDGE

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

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

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

TWO MORE... FROM1

outside of the country. He is known to have regularly visited a Muslim prayer hall in Barangay Greenhills, San Juan City," Duque added.

Duque urged the previous visitors to the prayer hall with fever or respiratory symptoms are encouraged to call the DOH hotline (02)8-651-7800 loc.

1149-1150 for a proper referral to the appropriate health facility.

Duque said the absence

of known travel history is a clear indication that a case is local.

"There is no transmission to speak of yet because we only have one, that's why we're doing contact tracing to establish if there are other cases or transfer of cases. It's still premature to say that we have local transmission," he added, noting that a community transmission happens when there is already more than one local case.

The DOH has started with the contact tracing for the two cases and samples have already been collected from close contacts.

"The DOH is in close coordination with the concerned Local Government Units for concerted action on identifying persons who had interaction with the con�irmed cases and strengthening of infection prevention and control protocols," Duque said.

(PNA)

147 (79-68-0), Greenhills West 143 (76-67-0), MSU Marawi Golf & Country Club 138 (79-59-0), Golf & Country Club of Iligan, Inc. 137 (76-61-0), Lanang Golf 137 (73-64-0), Apo Golf & Country Club Team B 133 (75-58-0), Pearl Kai Hawaii 132 (77-55-0), Pinoy Van-

couver Golf 121 (59-62-0), West Highlands Golf 119 (63-56-0), Filipino Golfers in the Middle East – U.A.E 119 (66-53-0), Fil-Am Fair Way Golf Club 2 117 (5265-0), Phil-Malaysia Team 117 (69-48-0), Green Tee Club (GTC) Riyadh 114 (75-39-0), Phil-UK 114

(65-49-0), Mt. Malindang Golf & Country Club 111 (63-48-0), Baguio Golf & Country Club 99 (52-47-0), New Zealand Black Tees 94 (55-39-0), Fil Am Golf Tour Team 2 72 (45-27-0), Fil Oz Sydney 64 (40-24-0), Silicon Valley Golfers Link 63 (34-29-0)

Go also called for greater support for the Filipino athletes.

“Sana ay maisip din po natin na naabot nila ang tagumpay sa kabila ng konting suporta na nagmumula sa gobyerno. Paano na lang kaya kung itodo pa natin ang ating suporta sa mga ito? (We should remember that they became successful despite small support from government.

How much more if we will give our all-out support),” he said.

With the emergence and popularity of combat sports in the country, Go said he believes that “if we also give our full support to these emerging combat sports, they will become a source of prestige, honor and medals for the country.”

He urged other government of�icials to support the plight of boxers and other combat sports athletes.

“Napatunayan na po ng ating mga atletang Pilipino ang kakayahan nila sa larangan ng sports. Sa pamamagitan ng mga panukalang ito, patunayan din po natin – bilang mga miyembro ng Senado at ng gobyerno – na sinusuportahan natin ang mga atleta ng ating bayan (The Filipinos have proven what they can do in the �ield of sports. Through these bills, let us prove as members of the Senate and the government that we support our athletes),” Go said.

Support for the bills As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, Go presided over the hearing where resource persons from both the public and private sectors shared their positions on the bills.

Most representatives of relevant government agencies expressed support for the bills, including the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Health (DOH), Pag-IBIG Fund, Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth), and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Representatives of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines and Elorde

Boxing also expressed their support.

However, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), which regulates and supervises professional sports and allied activities in the country, is against the creation of the new commission.

“While we laud the initiative, feeling namin nagagawa na namin ang mga gustong gawin at ang mga gusto pang ipagawa sa amin, maaari naman naming gawin basta maalalayan lang po kami nang konti (we feel that we have done what we want to do and we can perform the tasks given to us, so long as we would be given little assistance),” GAB chairman Abraham Kahlil Mitra said.

Through their president, the members of the Association of Philippine Professional Boxing Ring Of�icials also stated that they are “�ine with the leadership” of Mitra.

Likewise, the Department of Budget and Management said “the creation of the proposed commission is deemed not necessary since its proposed functions, programs, projects, and activities are already inherent or currently being undertaken by the different of�ices or units” of the PSC and GAB. Pacquiao clari�ied that he was “not questioning the capability of GAB” and he understands the agency’s position, but as a boxer for more than 25 years, he said “it’s necessary to establish a commission to handle and focus on the sport.”

“Napakahirap talaga.

Muntik na akong madisgrasya bago ko narating ito ngayon. Maraming mga kailangang gawin at hakbang para sa ating mga atleta, especially ‘yung mga (It’s really dif�icult. I almost put my life in danger before I reached this position. A lot should be done for our athletes, especially) SSS, PhilHealth, medical requirements before the �ight or regularly,” he said.

Pacquiao also noted that the country has a Philippine Racing Commission

for horse racing, so there should also be a similar body for boxing, which is a more dif�icult sport.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and representatives of the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) and Lakay Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Top Team also participated in the hearing.

When the team’s chairman, Mark Sangiao, aired the dif�iculties that combat athletes face, Go asked him to submit a formal letter so the latter could �ind ways to address the problems.

Go’s questions Because creating the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission would affect the functions of GAB, Go asked the DBM if there were instances “in the bureaucracy where we separated one of the functions of a government agency and created a new one.”

Ma. Elsa Rivera, a representative of DBM, answered that the government has addressed the issues of redundant functions of government of�ices through Executive Order 366, signed in 2004.

“We already did that during the Rationalization Plan. Those agencies with similar functions, it’s either we merged them or we placed them in a single agency so that there will be no duplications of functions,” Rivera said.

She cited as an example the establishment of the Philippine Statistics Authority, which absorbed the National Statistics Of�ice, National Statistical Coordination Board, and statistics-related functions of the Department of Labor and Employment.

When asked about the kind of assistance needed to ensure that professional boxing and combat sports can be fully managed and taken care of under GAB, Mitra told Go that the agency needs additional funding.

Go said another hearing would be scheduled so that other resource persons who were not able to attend would be given a chance to participate. (PR)

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paghatag ug recognition ug pagrespeto sa katungod sa mga kababain-an. Mao na pinaagi sa legislation, balaod nagsulti, nagpamatuod ang siyudad nga naa siya’y commitment para

i-promote ang katungod sa kababain-an (In the Philippines we have issuances and laws recognizing women's rights. In Davao, we also have the Women Development Code that

gives recognition and respect to the rights of women. Through the legislation, it shows that the City is committed to promoting the rights of women),” she said. CIO

launching, said it will now be easy for learners like him to do school research and other school-related work.

"What we usually do is go to internet cafes in nearby barangays to do research, but with this free Wi-Fi right in our community it will be of great help for us who are still studying," he said.

Barangay Captain Hilario Malaki II assured the city government, as well as the DICT and UNDP, to "take good care of the project for the bene�it of the children and the youth."

Alka Aneja of UNDP said internet access has

become a necessity in "creating development programs, connecting to project partners and even talking to friends and families across the world."

Aneja said 45 percent of the population in the country is not yet connected to the internet, creating "a huge gap in terms of human development index."

"The internet today increases the opportunity for everyone not only for students but for youth seeking jobs and for others to explore new markets, and also it facilitates good governance," she said.

The DICT-UNDP "Free

Wi-Fi for All" project will be made available in 60 other barangays, mostly in remote areas of the city including Paquibato and Marilog, said Davao City Information Technology Center of�icer-in-charge Chito Mercado.

Mercado said some 62 public schools will also be recipients of the project, in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd).

DICT regional director Erlito Tancontian said there are already 15,000 free Wi-Fi sites in the country, with the number increasing by as many as 100,000 by 2022. (PNA)

excellent from very good when it came to �ighting terrorism, developing a healthy economy, reconciling with Muslim rebels, protecting the freedom of

the press.

The admin’s score fell from good to moderate on recovering the ‘’hidden wealth’’ stolen by Marcos and his cronies, down

from +30 to +25.

The survey has sampling error margins of ±3 percent at the national level, ±6 at the regional level.

titions there are no farmer representatives from Davao City as among the requirements imposed by the Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) is for participants to submit at least 180 kilos of coffee beans.

“Ug walay farmers sa Davao City nga makakaya ug produce anang 180 ki-

los,” Asilo said.

ACDI/VOCA, an industry leader in program design and technical implementation. Our work empowers those with limited economic opportunities through proven, effective, relevant, and innovative methodologies and tools.

He said the coffee council is still discussing the problem with the high value crops program of DA 11

and the City Agriculturist Of�ice (CAO). “Ang kailangan na lang ay push. Naa pa lang mi sa stage nga magstart pa lang ug sa karon ang akong ginastorya is DA 11. Dapat ma-identify na sa DA ang areas with the help of DENR and NCIP para matamnan ang mga areas.

Ang coffee dili makadaut sa kinaiyahan makagunit pa siya sa yuta kay taas iyang root system."

handshake.

The cartel has also barred access to its headquarters for the media due to the "risk that would come from convening such a vast number of people in

one place".

Livestreams of the beginning of meetings are instead being made available to journalists at a press center in a nearby hotel.

In a statement on Tues-

day, OPEC said it was following UN guidelines and planned to "shorten the format of such gatherings, limit the number of participants and cancel any related side-events".

puts will stand at USD15.6 billion; USD5.7 billion for the US; USD5.2 billion for Japan; USD3.8 billion for South Korea; USD2.6 billion for Taiwan; USD2.3 billion

for Vietnam; and USD2.2 billion for Singapore.

“China has become the main supplier of intermediate inputs for manufacturing companies abroad. As

of today, about 20 percent of global trade in manufacturing intermediate products originates from China, up from 4 percent in 2002,” the study noted. (PNA)

(Phisgoc).

Yulo, who earned a berth to the Tokyo Olympics after becoming the �irst Filipino and male gymnast from Southeast Asia to win a gold in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, is also going to be accorded with the President’s Award, while Ramirez will be honored with the Executive of the Year for serving as Chef De Mission of Team Philippines in the SEA Games.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) headed by president Ricky Vargas, is set to receive the National Sports Association (NSA) of the Year title, while special awards are to be given to Thirdy Ravena and Jack Danielle Animam (Mr. and

Ms. Basketball), Bryan Bagunas and Sisi Rondina (Mr. and Ms. Volleyball), Bianca Pagdanganan (Ms. Golf), Stephan Schrock (Mr. Football), and a �irst ever Coach of the Year to multi-titled women’s mentor Patrick Aquino.

A separate MILO Junior Athlete of the Year will be handed out to the quartet of Alex Eala, Daniela Dela Pisa, Miguel Barreto, and Daniel Quizon, while the Philippine men’s 3x3 basketball team will be recognized with the Chooks-ToGo Fan Favorite award.

Diaz and Petecio meanwhile, banner the list of major awardees that also include Tokyo Olympic quali�ier and Asian Athletics Championships gold winner Ernest John Obi-

ena, world boxing champions Jerwin Ancajas and Johnriel Casimero, �ivetime PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, �ive-time Philippine Cup champ San Miguel Beer, undefeated six-time UAAP women’s basketball title holder NU Bulldogs, golfers Juvic Pagunsan, Princess Superal, and Aidric Chan, and Horse of the Year Union Bell.

Swimmers Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and Marc Bryant Dula join Eala and six others as recipient of the Tony Siddayao awards, named after the late Manila Standard sports editor, acknowledged as the Dean of Philippine sportswriting, and given out to young and promising athletes 17-years-old-and-below. (PR)

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10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

Play continues at Bacolod Golf course despite the rains for Southwoods, Luisita and Del Monte on the 3rd day of the PAL Men's Interclub.

Southwoods leads by 6

B

ACOLOD—Manila Southwoods got the goods from Jung Hyun-jae and Masaichi Otake in the closing holes on Friday to cling precariously to the Championship division lead heading into the �inal 18 holes of the 73rd Philippine Airlines Interclub.

The duo returned fourover-par 74s worth 32 points each, boosting the Carmona-based squad to a 125 total for 362 to hold off Luisita, which made a bold charge with 135 points anchored on the tournament-best 39 points of Elee Bisera to come within six points.

That would make the �inal 18 holes interesting— if they will at all be played Saturday—as the threat of them being canceled cropped up with heavy rains pounding the Marapara course all afternoon long and early evening.

Del Monte bowed out of the �ight after a measly 106 points, with Raul Minoza leading the squad with 30 for 336 overall.

Those rains called off third round play of the Founders and Friendship divisions, and if Binitin, where SW, Luisita and Del Monte played, holds up, then the �inal round of those tournaments will be

held to be able to complete 54 holes as Forest Hills tries to cling to a four-point lead.

Sean Ramos accounted for 31 and Southwoods downplayed its ef�iciency by throwing away either 30 of Krsitoffer Arevalo or Vince Lauron as the team held sway despite several stoppages in play because of heavy rains.

Southwoods remains to be the solid favorite to prevail because Japanese aces Yuto Katsuragawa and Aguri Iwasaki will be coming out for the �inal day together with Jun Jun Plana, Josh Jorge and Santino Laurel.

SW scored 122 points in the opening round, the best in the �ield on Wednesday.

Jung, the young South Korean birdied his last three holes and Otake two of his last four as Southwoods weathered a oneman charge by Bisera, who drained �ive birdies at the

tight, tree-lined layout.

Forest Hills has a fourpoint lead over Tagaytay Highlands in the Founders, and both teams can �ield their best �ives for the �inal 18 holes, slated at Binitin.

Cebu Country Club now doesn’t have a chance at a repeat for the overall title, but can settle for the second best thing with a mighty rally on Saturday’s �inal round. Cebu CC is just nine points behind of Forest Hills.

Hosted by Philippine Airlines, the international event is backed by platinum sponsors Asian Air Safari, Vanguard Radio Network, 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.

Day 3 complete scores:

CHAMPIONSHIP Manila Southwoods 362 (122-115-125), Luisita Golf & Country Club 356 (117-104-135), Del Monte Golf Club 333 (106-124106) FOUNDERS Forest Hills Golf & Country Club 234 (118116-0), Tagaytay Highlands 230 (115-115-0), Cebu Country Club 225 (116-109-0), Valley Golf CC 224 (111-113-0), Riviera Golf 221 (113-108-0), The Orchard Golf & Country Club 219 (116-103), Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club Inc 215 (104111-0), Villamor Airbase Golf Club 208 (105-103-0), Southern California Redhawks 199 (91-108-0), Alabang Golf Team 199 (10495-0), Sta Elena 194 (100-

94-0), Wack Wack Golf & Country Club 194 (93-1010), Fil Am Golf Tour Team 1 156 (66-90-0), Apo Golf & Country Club Team A 150 (76-74-0), Fil-Am Fairway Golf Club 145 (69-76-0), Engineers & Architects Golf League (EAGLE) 114 (61-53-0)

AVIATOR Sherwood Hills Golf Club 324 (110-107-107), Manila Golf & Country Club 316 (105-95-116), Eagle Ridge 303 (96-106-101), Club Filipino Inc De Cebu 302 (104-89-109), Zamboanga Golf 300 (98-95-107), Rancho Palos Verde Team 1 299 (96-96-107), Pueblo De Oro Golf & Country Club 294 (83-104-107), Bacolod Golf 289 (87-96106), Summit Point 280 (85-95-100), Fairways and Bluewater 279 (95-10084), Alta Vista Golf & Country Club 274 (93-86-95), Mactan Island Golf Course 267 (98-75-94), UP Tee Jots 260 (100-81-79), Iloilo Golf & Country Club 255 (93-82-80), Camp John Hay Golf Club 250 (76-83-91), Team Brookside 236 (8066-90), Philippine Navy Golf Club 227 (84-77-66), Negros Occidental Golf & Country Club Juniors 217 (78-69-70), SF Maharlika Golf Team 215 (63-90-62), Eagle Ridge Lagitek 205

(71-75-59) SPORTSWRITERS Guinhalaran Golf 282 (94-95-93), Filipino Golfers in the Middle East – Dubai 255 (86-89-80), San Juanico Golf Park & Country Club 241 (83-94-64), Fil Am Fair�ield 237 (92-7966), South Cotabato Golf & Country Club 217 (62-8273), Lumbia Golf 213 (6774-72), Fil Am Hawaii 212 (65-90-57), Rancho Palos Verde Team 2 210 (82-8939), Team IMG - Tagaytay Midlands 205 (77-89-39), Camp Evangelista Golf 196 (80-64-52), Davao City Golf Club (DCGC) Team A 191 (80-76-35), Britanikka Golf Team 2 183 (7181-31), South Paci�ic 183 (73-63-47), Washington DC Golf Team 170 (6957-44), Veterans Golf 163 (59-79-25), Leyte Golf & Country Club 158 (41-7542), Davao City Golf Club (FTB) Team B 142 (57-5926), Cotabato Golf 112 (5449-9), Yokohama Eagles 105 (51-50-4), Paraiso Golf Players Association 101 (33-45-23) FRIENDSHIP Britanikka Golf Team 1 179 (98-81-0), PGA British Columbia 163 (83-80-0), Van City Golf Club 152 (8666-0), Seattle Golf Club 147 (69-78-0), Sarangani Golf

SOUTHWOODS, P9

SPORTS 11

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

The Philippines and Greece players pose before the start of their Davis Cup World Group II playoffs.

Marcial beats Aussie, nears Olympic berth

E

umir Marcial carved out an impressive win against an Australian �ighter in the Asia-Oceania Boxing Quali�ication Tournament for the 2020 Olympics in Amman, Jordan on Thursday.

Marcial, who came in as top seed in the middleweight class, appeared to be more experienced than Kirra Ruston, eliminating him from the tournament with a 5-0 shutout.

The reigning Filipino world championship silver medalist solved the Australian's stiff jab and piled the points by unloading good combinations to the head and the body.

"I felt pressure before coming into the ring. But

inside the ring, I put into my mind I want to win to get that slot in the Olympics," Marcial said.

"In my �irst bout I wanted to keep moving to see my stamina, it looked good."

His performance was more than enough to merit him a seat in the Last 8, with another victory moving him to the semi�inals and securing him an Olympic ticket.

Meanwhile, James Palicte failed to get past Uzbek Elnur Abduraimov in the men's lightweight Round of 16.

Abduraimov proved as the more skillful �ighter, muscling his way tot he quarter�inals with a unanimous decision win over Palicte.

Tsitsipas routs Lim as Greece takes 1-0 edge in Davis Cup tie

W

the Philippines' no. 1 singles player Jeson Patrombon in the reverse singles match on Saturday, March 7, but the lineup could change depending on the result of the doubles event. If the outcome is beyond doubt in the tie, Tsitsipas will likely be rested.

Runner-up to world no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the Dubai Open last week, Tsitsipas got off to a stunning 4-0 start as Lim only managed 3 points off errors in that run.

Fighting to get back in

the game, Lim managed to gain momentum as he won his �irst game with his �irst winner over the Greek. As Tsitsipas was a game away from taking the opening set, the University of the East (UE) standout denied him with another game before surrendering the match lead to the world-class Greek top player.

Losing the �irst set did not derail Lim from remaining focused on the match as he drew �irst blood in the 2nd set, 1-0.

However, the Filipino netter committed crucial errors that shifted the momentum back to Tsitsipas to close out the match with 6 straight games.

Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales will take on Petros Tsitsipas and Markos Kalovelonis in doubles action, be-

fore Lim and Patrombon switch between the Tsitsipas brother in reverse singles.

This is the �irst time the Philippines clashes with a non-Asian country in the Davis Cup since the Felix Barrientos-led squad battled Sweden in World Group quali�iers 29 years ago.

This is because Davis Cup organizers are implementing a new format, allowing 12 simultaneous home-and-away ties in Groups I and II. The Group II winners will then compete in the World Group II ties in September along with the losing nations from World Group I. The losers of World Group II, meanwhile, will be relegated to the Regional Group III in June, July or September.

tennial Hall of the historic Manila Hotel.

Top sports of�icials led

by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the country Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, and Deputy House Speaker and NorthPort team owner Mikee Romero join the country’s oldest media organization headed by president Tito Talao, sports editor of the Manila Bulletin, in paying tribute to the men and women who did the country proud in their respective �ields

last year.

The revered Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes, a part of the Filipino delegation to the SEA Games even at 65 years of age, serves as special guest speaker in the gala night presented by the PSC, MILO, and Cignal TV. The legendary pool icon will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine sportswriting fraternity.

A record medal haul of 149 gold, 117 silver, and 121 bronze medals helped the host country win the overall title of the biennial meet just for the second time in its 42 years of participation in the SEA Games.

It was a collective ef-

fort that gained the entire Team Philippines the nod as recipient of the prestigious Athlete of the Year trophy in the two-hour program also supported by the Philippine Basketball Association, AirAsia, and Rain or Shine.

Citations will be given to all gold medal winners in the meet as it made up the bulk of the close to 200 awardees comprising the 2019 honor roll list.

Also invited in the annual event to be hosted by veteran broadcaster Sev Sarmenta and Rizza Diaz, is House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, chairman of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee

orld no. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas gave Greece a 1-0 edge in the Davis Cup World Group II playoffs on Friday, March 6, after breezing through the Philippines’ AJ Lim 6-2 6-1 in the �irst singles at the Philippine Columbian Association.

Tsitsipas, who actually lost to the Filipino netter in the only time they met way back in the 2016 Orange Bowl tournament, exacted vengeance this time.

"Things worked out pretty well. I think I played okay, enough to get the win today," said Tsitsipas.

"I'm very happy, pumped [to win over AJ]. Finally, I can say I’m really looking forward to playing him next time. My goal is to go all the way."

Tsitsipas will next face

PSA to honor PH’s top athletes, sports execs

T

Eumir Marcial

eam Philippines basks in the glory of its stirring triumph in the 30th Southeast Asian Games as it will be feted with the highest honor by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) in a special rite on Friday night.

Bannered by world champion and double gold winner Carlos Yulo, women’s world boxing champion Nesthy Petecio, and Olympic silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippine contingent is the recipient of the coveted Athlete of the Year award in leading a huge cast of sports stars and personalities who are going to be recognized in the SMC-PSA Annual Awards Night at the Cen-

PSA, P9

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS BILLS

VOL.12 ISSUE 262 • SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2020

Sen. Go pushes for combat sports body

S

enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go reiterated his commitment to help the Filipino athletes as he pushed for the passage of two Senate bills that seek to create a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission.

“I express my full support for the objectives of Senate Bill No. 193 and Senate Bill No. 805,” Go said during Wednesday’s public hearing jointly conducted by the Senate committees on sports, �inance, and health and demography.

He said the bills would not only strengthen and develop the quality of the country’s professional boxing and combat sports but “also ensure the protection and welfare of its athletes.”

“The achievement of the objectives under the proposed Senate bills can be a step in the right direction. This will not only provide a big boost to Philippine boxing and other combat sports. It will also secure the coun-

try’s rightful place as a serious contender in the sporting world,” Go added.

The lawmaker from Davao City acknowledged the contribution to the country of great Filipino boxers, including eight-division world champion, Senator Manny Pacquiao, who �iled Senate Bill (SB) 193.

“Ang diskarte, tapang, at galing na kanilang pinamalas sa loob ng boxing ring ay nagbigay ng malaking karangalan sa bansa at sa buong lahing Pilipino (The strategies, courage, and skills they displayed inside the boxing ring brought great honors to our country and to the whole Filipino race),” he said.

SPORTS, P9

PROPOSED PH BOXING COMBAT SPORTS COMMISSION. Senator Christopher Lawrence Go (left), chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports and Committee on Health and Demography, expresses support for the creation of a Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission during the hearing held at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday (March 4, 2020).

Beside him is Senator Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao, while shown at inset are Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez), Games and Amusement Board Chairman Abraham Khalil Mitra, and other resource persons. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)